Apocalypse Explained (Whitehead)

1. APOCALYPSE. CHAPTER 1.

1. The Revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave Him to show unto His servants the things which must quickly come to pass, and signified, sending by His angel, unto His servant John.
2. Who bare witness to the Word of God, and to 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 near.
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 Firstborn 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;
6. And hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father: to Him be the glory and the might 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 lament over Him. Even so; Amen.
8. I am the Alpha and the Omega, Beginning and 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 partaker in the affliction and in the kingdom and patient expectation of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is 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; and what thou seest write in a book, and send to the churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and Smyrna, and Pergamum, and Thyatira, and Sardis, and Philadelphia, and Laodicea.
12. And I turned to see the voice which spake with me. And having 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 at the paps with a golden girdle.
14. And His head and hairs white as white wool, as snow: and His eyes as a flame of fire.
15. And His feet like unto burnished brass, as if glowing in a furnace; and His voice as the voice of many waters.
16. And having in His right hand seven stars; and out of His mouth a sharp two-edged sword going forth; and His face 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 the Living One; and I became 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 sawest, and the things which are, and the things which are to 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.
* The Photolithograph has in every case “Parmos” for “Patmos.”

1. Many have expounded this prophetical book called Revelation, but none of them understood the internal or spiritual sense of the Word. They have therefore applied the particular things in the book to the successive states of the church, which they have learned from histories; many things, moreover, they have applied to civil affairs. For this reason those expositions are for the most part conjectures, which can never appear in such light that they can be affirmed as truths. As soon, therefore, as they are read, they are put aside as speculations. The expositions of Revelation now extant are of this character, because, as has been said, their authors had no knowledge of the internal or spiritual sense of the Word. Yet, in fact, all things recorded in Revelation are written in a style similar to that of the Old Testament prophecies, and to the style, in general in which everything in the Word is written. The Word in the letter is natural, but in its bosom it is spiritual; and being such, it contains within it a sense that is not at all apparent in the letter. How the one sense differs from the other may be seen from what is said and shown in the small work on the White Horse and in the appendix there from the Arcana Coelestia.

2. From this it is evident that Revelation, equally with the Old Testament prophecies, can in no wise be understood, nor can anything therein be understood, unless the spiritual sense be known, and furthermore unless there be revelation from heaven, where the whole Word is understood according to that sense. That this is so the exposition itself that follows will establish.

3. In the following exposition many passages are cited from the Arcana Coelestia; be it known, therefore, that they are from that work.

sRef Rev@1 @2 S0′ sRef Rev@1 @3 S0′ sRef Rev@1 @1 S0′ 4. EXPOSITION

Verses 1-3. The revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave Him to show unto His servants the things which must quickly come to pass, and signified, sending by His angel, unto His servant John, who bare witness to the Word of God, and to 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 near. 1. “The revelation of Jesus Christ,” signifies predictions from the Lord respecting the last times of the church (n. 5); “which God gave Him to show unto His servants,” signifies for those who are in truths from good (n. 6); “the things which must quickly come to pass,” signifies which will certainly be (n. 7); “and signified, sending by His angel, unto His servant John,” signifies which are revealed out of heaven to those who are in the good of love (n. 8, 9); 2. “who bare witness to the Word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ,” signifies to those who in heart acknowledge Divine truth, and the Divine of the Lord in His Human (n. 10); “whatsoever things he saw,” signifies having their understanding enlightened (n. 11); 3. “Blessed,” signifies those in whom is heaven (n. 12); “is he that readeth” signifies that they have perception (n. 13); “and they that hear the words of the prophecy,” signifies that they live according to the doctrine of heaven (n. 14); “and keep the things which are written therein,” signifies from the delight of the love of truth (n. 15); “for the time is near,” signifies such an interior state (n. 16).

sRef Rev@1 @1 S0′ 5. Verse 1. The revelation of Jesus Christ, signifies predictions from the Lord respecting the last times of the church. This is evident from the signification of “revelation,” as being predictions; and since these are from the Lord alone, it is said, “the revelation of Jesus Christ.” The revelation, or predictions, are respecting the last times of the church, since those times are especially treated of. It may be supposed that in Revelation the successive states of the church from beginning to end are treated of; these, however, are not there treated of, but only the state of heaven and of the church near the end, when the Last Judgment takes place, thus the last times. The successive states of the church were foretold by the Lord Himself in Matthew 24, 25; and also in Mark 13; yet what is there given is written in the Divine prophetic style, that is, by means of correspondences; consequently it is of such a character that it can only be revealed and made evident by the internal or spiritual sense. (It has therefore been granted me from the Lord to unfold these things in the Arcana Coelestia, at the beginning of chapters 26 to 40 of Genesis; which explanations may be seen 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.)

sRef Rev@1 @1 S0′ 6. Which God gave Him, to show unto His servants, signifies for those who are in truths from good. This is evident from the signification of “gave Him to show the revelation,” as being to declare predictions, that is to say, predictions for those; and from the signification of “His servants,” as being, who are in truths from good. Such are meant by servants of God, because those who hearken to and obey God are called, in the Word, servants of God. Hearkening and obedience take place with those who are in truths from good, but not with those who are in truths alone, or in truths without good; for these have truths in the memory only, and 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. Be it known, that no truth ever enters into the life of man unless the man be in good, for good is of love, and love makes the whole man; man therefore receives into his life all truths that are in accord. This may be abundantly seen from the fact, that whatever a man loves he appropriates to himself; and everything else he casts from him, yea, holds it in aversion. By good is here meant the good of love to the Lord and the good of love towards the neighbor; for this good is the only spiritual good, and with this truths of faith are in accord.

sRef Rev@1 @1 S0′ 7. Things which must quickly come to pass, signifies which will certainly be. This is evident from the signification of “things which must come to pass,” as being things that must needs be; and from the signification of “quickly,” as meaning what is certain and full (Arcana Coelestia, n. 5284, 6783). Those who look at all things in the Word according to the sense of the letter do not know otherwise than that “quickly” signifies quickly; thus here, that the things predicted in Revelation were to occur quickly; from which they are led to wonder that nevertheless so long a time has elapsed before the Last Judgment took place. But those who know the internal sense of the Word, do not understand “quickly,” but certainly.
They see that “quickly” means certainly, because quickly involves time, and time is proper to nature; thus quickly is a natural, not a spiritual expression; and in the Word, all natural expressions signify the spiritual things that correspond to them; for the Word in its bosom is spiritual, while in the letter it is natural. Thence it is that “quickly” signifies what is certain. (That time is proper to nature, and, in the spiritual world, corresponds to state of life, may be seen in the work on Heaven and Hell, in the chapter on Time in Heaven, n. 162-169.)

sRef Rev@1 @1 S0′ 8. And signified, sending by His angel, to His servant John, signifies which are revealed out of heaven to those who are in the good of love. This is evident from the signification of “signified,” as being the things in the sense of the letter that contain and thus signify those that are in the internal sense; for it is said, “the revelation which God gave to show, and signified;” and by the things that He signified are meant those that are in the sense of the letter, because all these signify, while the things that 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. This is also evident from the signification of “sending by His angel,” as meaning, which are revealed out of heaven; for “to send” is to reveal, and “by an angel” is out of heaven. “To send” is to reveal, because everything that is sent out of heaven is revelation; for that which is there is what is revealed; and this is the spiritual which relates to the church and its state; but with man this is changed into the natural, such as is expressed in the sense of the letter in Revelation and elsewhere in the Word. That which comes out of heaven can be presented to man in no other way; for the spiritual falls into its corresponding natural when it descends out of the spiritual world into the natural. This is why the prophetic Word in the sense of the letter is such as it is, and being such, is in its bosom spiritual and is Divine. By “angel” is meant “out of heaven,” because that which an angel speaks is out of heaven; for when an angel communicates to man such things as pertain to heaven and the church, he does not speak as man speaks with man, who brings forth out of his memory what another has told him; but that which an angel speaks flows in continuously, not into his memory, but immediately into his understanding, and from that into words. From this it is that all things that the angels spoke to the prophets are Divine, and nothing at all from the angels. Whether it be said, that these revelations are out of heaven, or are from the Lord, it is the same; because the Divine of the Lord with the angels constitutes heaven, and nothing whatever from the angels’ proprium [selfhood, or what is their own]. (But this may be better understood from what is said and shown in Heaven and Hell, n. 2-12, 254.)

[2] The things revealed out of heaven are said to be for those who are in the good of love, because it is said, “sending by His angel to His servant John,” and by “John” those who are in the good of love are represented and meant. For by the twelve apostles are represented and signified all in the church who are in truths from good; consequently, all truths from good, from which is the church; and by each of the apostles in particular something special; thus by “Peter” faith; by “James” charity; and by “John” the good of charity or the good of love. Because John represented this good, the revelation was made to him; for revelation out of heaven, such as this, can be made only to those who are in the good of charity or of love. Others, indeed, can hear the things that are from heaven, but they cannot perceive them. Only those who are in the good of love have spiritual perception. This is because they receive heavenly things not only with the hearing, but also with the love; and to receive with the love is to receive fully, since the things so received are loved; moreover, those who thus receive, see these things in their understanding, where the sensation of their internal sight is. That this is so has been proven to me by much experience. It might also be elucidated by much rational argument; but the subject cannot just now be amplified so far.
It is here only necessary to say, that all names mentioned in the Word signify not persons but things; that “John,” for instance, signifies such as are in the good of love, thus in the abstract the good of love itself. (That all names in the Word signify things may be seen in the Arcana Coelestia, n. 768, 1888, 4310, 4442, 10329. That the names of persons and places in the Word cannot enter heaven, but that they are changed into the things that they signify, n. 1876, 5225, 6516, 10216, 10282, 10432. How exquisite the internal sense of the Word is, even where mere names are mentioned, illustrated by examples, n. 1224, 1264, 1888. That the twelve disciples of the Lord represented, and thence signified, all things of faith and love in the complex, in like manner as the twelve tribes of Israel, n. 2129, 3354, 3488, 3858, 6397. That “Peter,” “James,” and “John” represented, and thence signified, faith, charity, and the good of charity, in their order, see preface to Genesis 18, and 22, and n. 3934, 8581, 10087.)

sRef Rev@1 @1 S0′ sRef Mark@3 @17 S1′ sRef Mark@3 @16 S1′ 9. When one knows that all names in the Word signify things, and that the names of the twelve sons of Jacob, or of the twelve tribes, signify all truths and goods of the church in the complex; and in like manner, the names of the twelve disciples of the Lord; and that “Peter,” “James,” and “John” signify faith, charity, and the good of charity; he can see many arcana in the Word; as for example, why:
The Lord gave the name Peter to Simon, and to James and John the name Boanerges, which means sons of thunder (Mark 3:16-17).
For “Peter,” like petra [rock], signifies the Lord as to truth from good, or faith from charity; and “sons of thunder” signify those who from affection, which is of love, receive the truths of heaven. (That “rock” signifies the Lord in respect to truth from good, or faith from charity, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 8581, 10580; in like manner the “stone of Israel,” n. 6426; and that “thunders” signify Divine truths from heaven, n. 7573, 8914; and “lightning” the splendors thereof, n. 8813; whence thunders were also called “voices,” n. 7573, 8914.)
sRef Matt@26 @34 S2′ sRef Matt@16 @19 S2′ sRef Matt@16 @18 S2′ [2] I will here mention some arcana that may be seen by those who are aware that “Peter” signifies faith, and “John” the good of charity. First, why the Lord said to Peter:
I also say unto thee, Thou art Peter, and upon this rock will I build My church; and I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of the heavens (Matt. 16:18-19).
It appears from the letter, as if that power was given to Peter, when in fact no power was given to Peter; but it was so said to him because “Peter” signified truth from 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 through truth. (That this is so may be seen illustrated in the small work on The Last Judgment, n. 57.) A second arcanum that may be seen, when it is known that “Peter” signifies faith, is, why the Lord said to him, that:
Before the cock crowed, he would deny Him thrice; which also came to pass (Matt. 26:34 seq.).
By these words is signified, that in the last time of the church there would be no faith in the Lord, because no charity; for “cock-crowing,” as well as “twilight,” signifies the last time of the church (n. 10134); and “three” or “thrice,” signifies what is complete to the end (n. 2788, 4495, 5159, 9198, 10127. That the end of the church is when there is no faith, because no charity, see in the small work on The Last Judgment n. 33-39, seq.).
sRef John@21 @18 S3′ sRef John@21 @15 S3′ sRef John@21 @17 S3′ sRef John@21 @16 S3′ sRef John@21 @22 S3′ sRef John@21 @20 S3′ sRef John@21 @21 S3′ sRef John@21 @19 S3′ [3] A third arcanum that may be seen is what is signified by the following words concerning Peter and John:
Jesus saith 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. He saith to him again a second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou Me? He saith unto Him, Yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love Thee. He saith unto him, Tend My sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou Me? Peter was grieved because He said unto him the third time, Lovest thou Me? And he saith unto Him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love Thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed My sheep. Verily, verily, I say unto thee, when thou wast younger, thou girdest thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest; but when thou shall be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and bear thee whither thou wouldest not. And when He had thus spoken, He saith unto him, Follow Me. Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved, following, and he saith, Lord, What shall this one [do]? Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? Follow thou Me (John 21:15-22).
What these things signify no one can know unless he knows the internal sense, and knows that “Peter” signifies faith, and “John” the good of charity, thus that “Peter” signifies those in the church who are in faith, and “John” those who are in the good of charity. That Jesus said to Peter three times, “Lovest thou Me?” and that Peter said three times. “Thou knowest that I love Thee,” and that Jesus then said, “Feed My lambs,” and “Feed My sheep,” signifies that those 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 neighbor; for those who are in faith from love are also in truths, and those who from this are in truths, instruct concerning good, and lead to good; for all spiritual good that a man has, is gained and implanted by truths. (That “lambs” signify those who are in the good of innocence and of love to the Lord, may be seen in Arcana Coelestia, n. 3994, 10132; that “sheep” signify those who are in the good of charity towards the neighbor, n. 4169, 4809; and that “to feed” is to instruct, n. 5201, 6078.)
[4] Faith, as it was to be in the first period of the church and as it was to be in the last, is then described by the Lord. The first period of the church is meant by “when thou wast younger,” and its last by “when thou shalt be old.” That when Peter “was younger he girded himself and walked whither he would,” signifies that in the first period of the church men would imbibe 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 thee whither thou wouldest not,” signifies that in the last period of the church they would no longer imbibe truths from the good of charity, thus would not know them in any other way than as declared by another; and thus would be in a servile state; for a servile state ensues when good does not lead. (That “garments” signify truths, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 1073, 2576, 5319, 5954, 9212, 9216, 9952, 10536; and that therefore to “gird oneself” denotes to imbibe and perceive truths, n. 9952. That to “walk” is to act and live; 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 turns aside to faith, and at length to faith alone, n. 1834, 1835, 2231, 4683, 8094.)
[5] Since, in the last period of the church, faith becomes such that it rejects the good of charity, saying that faith alone constitutes the church and is saving, and not the good of life which is charity, Jesus said to Peter, by whom such faith is here meant, “Follow Me; and Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved, following; and he saith, Lord, what shall this one [do]?” By this is signified that faith, in the last period of the church, would turn itself away from the Lord; for it is said of Peter, by whom such faith is signified, that “turning about, he saw;” also that he said of the disciple whom Jesus loved, or of John, by whom is signified the good of charity, “what shall this one [do]?” that is, that he is not anything. But Jesus said to him, “If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? Follow thou Me.” By this is signified that the good of charity will follow the Lord, and will acknowledge Him, even to the last period of the old church, and the first of the new. (That the last period of the old church is called “the consummation of the age,” and the beginning of the new church “the coming of the Lord,” see Arcana Coelestia, n. 4535, 10622.) A fourth arcanum that may be seen is, why the Lord loved John above the rest of the disciples, and consequently why John lay on the breast or in the bosom of the Lord (John 13:23; 21:20); namely, because the good of love was what the Lord saw when He beheld John, who represented and signified that good; since it is that good that constitutes heaven and the church (see the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 13-19). A fifth arcanum is manifest when it is known that John represented the good of love, namely, what is signified by the words of the Lord from the cross to the mother Mary and to John:
When Jesus therefore seeth His mother, and the disciple standing by whom He loved, He saith unto His mother, Woman, behold thy son. Then He saith to the disciple, Behold thy mother. And from that hour the disciple took her unto his own home (John 19:26, 27).
By “mother” and by “woman” is here meant the church, and by “John” the good of charity; and by the things here said, that the church will be where the good of charity is. (That by “woman,” in the Word, is meant the church, may be seen in Arcana Coelestia, n. 252-253, 749, 770, 3160, 6014, 7337, 8994; that the like is signified by “mother,” n. 289, 2691, 2717, 3703, 4257, 5581, 8897, 10490. That to “take her unto his own home” is that these should dwell together, is evident.) From this it can now be seen how great arcana lie concealed in the Word, which are laid open to those only who know its internal or spiritual sense. Apart from that sense it cannot be known, moreover, what is signified when it is said:
That the apostles shall sit upon twelve thrones, and shall judge the twelve tribes of Israel (Matt. 19:28; Luke 22:30).
By “apostles” here are meant not apostles, but all truths from good, which are from the Lord; thus by these words is signified that the Lord alone will judge all from truths that are from good, thus that everyone will be judged according to those truths.

sRef Rev@1 @2 S0′ 10. Verse 2. Who bare witness to the Word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, signifies to those who in heart acknowledge Divine truth, and the Divine of the Lord in His Human. This is evident from the signification of “hearing witness,” as meaning to acknowledge in heart (of which hereafter), and from the signification of “the Word,” or speech of God, as meaning Divine truth (see AC, n. 4692, 5075, 9987); and from the signification of “[the testimony of] Jesus Christ,” as meaning the acknowledgment of the Lord’s Divine in His Human. This is signified by “the testimony of Jesus Christ,” because “to testify” signifies to acknowledge in heart, and to acknowledge Jesus Christ in heart is to acknowledge the Divine in His Human; for he that acknowledges the Lord, and does not at the same time acknowledge the Divine in His Human, does not acknowledge the Lord; since His Divine is in His Human, and not out of it; for the Divine is in Its Human as the soul is in the body, consequently to think of the Lord’s Human, and not at the same time of His Divine, is like thinking of a man abstractly from his soul or life, which is not thinking of a man.
sRef John@14 @6 S2′ sRef Rev@19 @10 S2′ [2] That the Lord’s Divine is in His Human, and that together they are one person, the doctrine received throughout the Christian world teaches; which teaching is as follows: “Although Christ is God and Man, yet they are not two, but one Christ; one, but not by a change of the Divine into the Human, but the Divine took the Human to Itself. Altogether one, not by confusion of the two natures, but by unity of person; for as soul and body make one man, so God and Man are one Christ” (Athanasian Creed). From this it is manifest, moreover, that those who separate the Divine into three persons, when they think of the Lord as a second person, ought to think of both together, the Human and the Divine; for it is said that they are a single person, and that they are one, as soul and body are. Therefore those that think otherwise do not think of the Lord; and those that do not think of the Lord in that way are unable to think of the Divine that is called the Father’s, for the Lord saith:
I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one cometh unto the Father but through Me (John 14:6).
Since this acknowledgment is signified by the “testimony of Jesus Christ,” it is said that:
The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy (Rev. 19:10).
“The spirit of prophecy” is the life and soul of doctrine (that “spirit” in the internal sense of the Word, signifies 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 of this more will be said in what follows.
sRef John@21 @24 S3′ sRef John@19 @35 S3′ [3] To “bear witness” is to acknowledge in heart, because spiritual things are treated of; and no one can bear witness respecting spiritual things except from the heart, because from no other source does he perceive that they are so. To bear witness of things that have existence in the world is to bear witness from knowledge, or from memory and thought, because the man has so seen or heard; but it is otherwise with things spiritual, for these fill the whole life and constitute it. The spirit of man, in which his life primarily resides, is nothing else than his will or his love, and his understanding and faith therefrom, and “heart” in the Word signifies the will and love, and understanding and faith therefrom. From this it is evident whence it is that by “bearing witness” in the spiritual sense, is meant to acknowledge in heart. Since by the “heart” is signified the good of love, and this alone is what acknowledges Divine truth, and the Divine of the Lord in His Human, and since that good is signified by “John,” it is also said by John that he “bears witness to the Word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ.” So also in another place:
And he that hath seen hath borne witness, and his witness is true; and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye may believe (John 19:35);
and in another place:
This is the disciple that beareth witness of these things, and wrote these things; and we know that his witness is true (John 21:24).

sRef Rev@1 @2 S0′ 11. Whatsoever things he saw signifies their understanding enlightened. This is evident from the signification of “seeing,” as being to understand (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2150, 2325, 2807, 3764, 3863, 3869, 4403-4421, 10705); here, to understand from enlightenment, because the things of the church and of heaven are treated of, which are not understood and perceived except from enlightenment; for things of the church and of heaven, which are called spiritual things, do not enter into man’s understanding, except by means of the light of heaven, and the light of heaven enlightens the understanding. For this reason the Word, in which are contained the things of the church and of heaven, cannot be understood except by one who is enlightened, and those only are enlightened who are in the affection of truth from good, thus who are in love to the Lord and in charity towards the neighbor. This good is spiritual good, with which and from which is the light of heaven, which enlightens.

sRef Rev@1 @3 S0′ 12. Verse 3. Blessed, signifies those in whom is heaven. This is evident from the signification of “the blessed,” as meaning those who are happy to eternity, thus in whom is heaven. Blessedness that is not eternal is indeed called blessedness, yet comparatively it is not, for it passes away, and that which passes away, in comparison with that which does not pass away, is as nothing. It is said, “in whom is heaven,” because heaven is in man; the heaven that is outside of man flows into the heaven that is within him, and is received so far as there is correspondence. (That heaven is in man, and that the internal of a man who is in heavenly love is heaven in the least form, corresponding to the greatest, may be seen in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 51-58; and that he who has heaven in himself comes into heaven may be seen in New Jerusalem and Its Heavenly Doctrine, n. 232-236.)

sRef Rev@1 @3 S0′ 13. Is he that readeth, signifies that they have perception. This is evident from the signification of “reading” the Word, as being to understand from enlightenment, thus to perceive, since to “read” signifies the like as to “see,” because he who reads, sees, and to “see” signifies to perceive from enlightenment, as was shown just above (n. 11).

sRef Rev@1 @3 S0′ 14. And they that hear the words of the prophecy, signifies that they live according to the doctrine of heaven. This is evident from the signification of “hearing,” as being to perceive and obey (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2542, 3869, 4653, 5017, 7216, 8361, 8990, 9311, 9397, 10061); thus also to live according to that doctrine; 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 being the truths that pertain to the doctrine of heaven; for “words” are truths (n. 4692, 5075); and “prophecy” is doctrine (n. 2534, 7269); here it is the doctrine of heaven, since it is prophecy belonging to the Word, and the Word is from heaven. To “hear” is to obey and to live, because with celestial angels the things that are heard enter into the life; but as this is a thing unknown, I would like to explain it briefly.
There are two senses given to man which serve as means of receiving the things whereby the rational is formed, and also the things by which man is reformed; these are the sense of sight and the sense of hearing; the other senses are for other uses. The things that enter by the sense of sight enter into man’s understanding and enlighten it, for which reason by “sight” is signified the understanding enlightened, for the understanding corresponds to the sight of the eye, as the light of heaven corresponds to the light of the world. The things, however, that enter by the sense of hearing enter both into the understanding and into the will, and for this reason by “the hearing” is signified perception and obedience. Consequently, in human language, to “hear” anyone, and to “give ear to” anyone, also to “listen to,” and “hearken to,” are common expressions; and by “hearing anyone” is meant to perceive, and by “giving ear to,” as also by “listening to” is meant to obey; while “hearkening to” means either perceiving or obeying. These expressions flowed down into human language out of the spiritual world, where man’s spirit is. Their origin in the spiritual world shall also be explained.
[2] Those there who are in the province of the ear are obediences from perception. (That all who are in the spiritual world are in some province that is named from the members, organs, or viscera of man, because they correspond thereto, may be seen in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 87-102.) Moreover, the province of the ear is in the axis of heaven; into it, therefore, or into those who are there, the whole spiritual world flows in, with the perception that “thus must it be done;” for this is the reigning perception in heaven; from this it is that those who are in that province are obediences from perception. That the things that enter by hearing enter immediately through the understanding into the will, may be further illustrated by the way in which angels of the celestial kingdom, who are most wise, are instructed. These angels receive all their wisdom by hearing, and not by sight; for whatsoever they hear about Divine things, they receive in the will from veneration and love, and make it of their life; and because they receive these things not first in the memory, but immediately in the life, they do not speak about matters of faith, but when these are mentioned by others, they answer, “Yea, yea,” or “Nay, nay,” according to the Lord’s words in Matthew 5:37. From this it is evident that hearing is given to man chiefly for the reception of wisdom, and sight for the reception of intelligence. Wisdom is to perceive, to will, and to do; and intelligence is to know and to perceive. (That the celestial angels imbibe wisdom by hearing, not by sight, may be seen in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 270, 271; and more concerning those angels, n. 20-28.)

sRef Luke@11 @28 S0′ sRef John@15 @14 S0′ sRef Rev@1 @3 S0′ sRef Matt@28 @20 S0′ sRef John@15 @10 S0′ sRef John@14 @24 S0′ sRef John@14 @15 S0′ sRef John@14 @23 S0′ sRef John@8 @52 S0′ sRef John@8 @51 S0′ 15. And keep the things which are written therein, signifies from the love of truth. This is evident from the signification of “observing” and “keeping,” as being to perceive, to will, and to do according thereto, here according to the doctrine of heaven; and from the signification of “the things which are written therein,” as being, 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 contained in the doctrine of heaven are written on the heart, and thus on the life, of those here described; and things written on the heart and life are written on the love; for “heart” in the Word signifies love (Arcana Coelestia, n. 7542, 9050, 10336). The love of truth is meant, because these 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 commanded you (Matt. 28:20);
in Luke:
Blessed are they that hear the Word of God and keep it (Luke 11:28);
in John:
Verily, verily, I say unto you, if anyone keep My word he shall never see death (John 8:51);
in the same:
If any one love Me he will keep My word: He that loveth Me not, keepeth not My words (John 14:15, 23-24);
and in the same:
If ye keep My commandments ye shall abide in My love. Ye are My friends if ye do the things which I command you (John 15:10, 14).
To do is to will, and to will is to do; because in deeds the will is everything.

sRef Rev@1 @3 S0′ 16. For the time is near, signifies such an interior state. This is evident from the signification of “time,” as meaning state (see the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 162-169, where Time in Heaven is treated of); and from the signification of “near,” as being the internal; thus here, because it refers to state, the interior state such as is described above is meant. By state is meant a state of affection and of thought therefrom. He who reads this, and knows nothing of the internal sense, supposes that by “the time being near” is meant that the time was near when the things contained in Revelation would be fulfilled. But that this is not meant can be seen from the fact that seventeen centuries elapsed before they were fulfilled. But because the Word in the letter is natural and within is spiritual, it is said that “the time is near,” in order that in heaven the interior state might be understood; for if the expression “the interior state,” which is the spiritual sense, had here been used, it would not have been understood by the angels; for they perceive all things of the Word according to correspondences. “Near” signifies interior, because distances in heaven are entirely in accord with the differences of the good of love; for which reason those who are in kindred good are also near one another; and it is from this that on earth kinships are called near relationships [propinquitates], because they relate to spiritual affinities, which in heaven are really such. In heaven this is so because the good of love conjoins, and the more interior the good, the nearer is the conjunction. From this it is, that heaven is nearer to man, the more interiorly he is in the good of love; and the origin of this is that the Lord is nearer to an angel, to a spirit, and to man, the more interiorly they love Him. To love Him interiorly is to love His precepts interiorly; that is, to perceive, to will, and to do them from the delight of love. It is from this that “nearness,” in the Word, signifies presence and conjunction (as may be seen in Arcana Coelestia, n. 5911, 9378, 9997, 10001). This nearness is thus described in John:
Jesus said, He that loveth Me keepeth My word, and My Father will love him, and We will come unto him, and make Our abode with him (John 14:23);
and in the same:
Ye know the Comforter, the Spirit of truth; for He abideth with you, and shall be in you (John 14:17);
“the Comforter, the Spirit of truth” is Divine truth going forth from the Lord; therefore it is said, “He shall be in you.”

sRef Rev@1 @3 S0′ 17. These approximate or general explanations of the preceding words, not being presented in a continuous series, will appear disconnected; and this must be the case when each word or phrase is expounded separately, and the internal sense is immediately joined to the literal sense, which is diverse from it, and each is viewed by itself. But nevertheless, with angels, who are in the internal sense, this is not so. They do not see the sense of the letter, nor do they know anything about it; they see only the internal sense; and because they see this in the light of heaven, they see it in such a series and connection, and also in such abundance and thence in such wisdom, as cannot be expressed and described in human words. The ideas of angels, which are spiritual, also conjoin all things in a wonderful manner, and comprehend more than man can include or express in his ideas, which are natural, even as to a thousandth part thereof.

sRef Rev@1 @6 S0′ sRef Rev@1 @4 S0′ sRef Rev@1 @5 S0′ 18. Verses 4-6. 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; and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the Firstborn of 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 might unto the ages of the ages. Amen.
4. “John,” signifies the Lord in respect to doctrine (n. 19); “to the seven churches,” signifies to all who are in truths from good, or in faith from charity (n. 20); “in Asia,” signifies those who are in the light of intelligence (n. 21); “Grace to you, and peace,” signifies the delight of truth and good (n. 22); “from Him who is, and who was, and who is to come,” signifies from Him who is the All in all things of heaven and of the church from eternity to eternity (n. 23); “and from the seven spirits,” signifies the Divine in heaven (n. 24); “which are in sight of His throne,” signifies presence and providence (n. 25). 5. “And from Jesus Christ,” signifies from the Lord in respect to the Divine Human (n. 26); “the faithful witness,” signifies from whom is all truth in heaven (n. 27); “the Firstborn from the dead,” signifies from whom is all good in heaven (n. 28); “and the Prince of the kings of the earth,” signifies from whom is all truth from good in the church (n. 29); “Unto Him that loveth us, and washeth us from our sins in His blood,” signifies His love, and regeneration from Him through truths that are from Him (n. 30). 6. “And hath made us kings and priests,” signifies that from Him we are in His spiritual and celestial kingdom (n. 31); “unto God and His Father,” signifies by Divine truth and Divine good (n. 32); “to Him be the glory and the might unto the ages of the ages,” signifies that these things are from Him alone to eternity (n. 33); “Amen,” signifies Divine confirmation (n. 34).

sRef Rev@1 @4 S0′ 19. Verse 4. John signifies the Lord in respect to doctrine. This 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. Man, spirit, and angel, are only recipients, and they who are recipients are said to signify that which is from the Lord. It is similar with many others in the Word, as with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, Elijah, Elisha, John the Baptist, Peter, and the other apostles; each one of whom signifies some good or truth of heaven and the church, yet all of them, in the highest sense, signify the Lord. For instance, “David,” in the internal sense, signifies Divine truth in the spiritual kingdom, which is called the royalty of the Lord; for this reason, David in the highest sense signifies the Lord in respect to that truth and in respect to royalty; on which account it is said of David in the Word, that he is to come and reign over the sons of Israel (Ezek. 37:24, 25; Hosea 3:5). In like manner Elijah and Elisha, who, because in the internal sense they signify the Word, in the highest sense signify the Lord, from whom the Word is. (That “Elijah” and “Elisha” signify the Word, thus the Lord in respect to the Word, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2762, 5247; likewise “John the Baptist,” who is therefore called “Elijah,” n. 7643, 9372. That “Peter” signifies faith, and therefore the Lord in respect to faith, because faith is from the Lord, see above, n. 9.) From this it can be seen why “John” signifies the Lord. He signifies the Lord in respect to doctrine 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 it is these that constitute the church; and doctrine is what teaches these truths. From this it is that as the Lord is the Word, so is He also the doctrine of the church, for all doctrine is from the Word. (That the Lord is the doctrine of the church, because all truth that is of doctrine is from the Word, thus from the Lord, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2531, 2859, 3712.)

sRef Rev@1 @4 S0′ 20. To the seven churches, signifies to all who are in truths from good or in faith from charity. This is evident from the signification of “seven,” as being all [persons]. For “seven,” in the Word, signifies the beginning and end, thus an entire period and a full state, in like manner as a “week” (Arcana Coelestia, n. 728, 6508, 9228); and because “seven” signifies what is full, it also signifies all, since all constitutes what is full, for fullness, as regards those that constitute a society (here, the church), means all; therefore when magnitude is treated of in the Word, “seven” signifies what is full; but when multitude is treated of, “seven” signifies all. “Three” also in the Word signifies what is full and all (as may be seen in Arcana Coelestia n. 2788, 4495, 7715); but “seven” is used in the Word where anything holy is treated of, and “three” in all other cases (Arcana Coelestia n. 10127); therefore “seven” is here used, because truths from good, which are the holy things of the church, are treated of. It is also evident from the signification of “churches” as being those who are in truths from good, or in faith from charity.
These are meant by “churches,” because such truths constitute the church with everyone; for those who are not in truths from good, though born within the church, yet are not of the church, because there is no church in them. From this it is that the Lord’s church consists of all those, wheresoever they are, who are a church, that is, who are in truths from good. (That the church, like heaven, is in man, and not outside of him, consequently that man who is in truths from good is a church, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3884; and in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 53, 54, 57.) It is also said, who are in faith from charity, since this is similar; for truth is of faith, and good is of charity; for in fact, everything that man believes is called truth, and everything that man loves is called good. (That every truth is from good, and that everything of faith is from charity, see in The small work, The New Jerusalem and Its Heavenly Doctrine, n. 84-107, 108-122; and The Last Judgment n. 33-39; also Heaven and Hell, n. 364, 424, 482, 526.) He who knows nothing of the internal sense of the Word, when he reads these things believes no otherwise than that by “seven churches” are meant the seven churches afterwards named (verse 11); whereas churches are not meant, but all who are of the church; because this is the spiritual sense of the Word.

sRef Rev@1 @4 S0′ 21. In Asia, signifies those who are in the light of intelligence. This can be seen by a spiritual idea only, such as angels have, concerning the regions of this earth. When Asia is named, angels perceive the south; when Europe is named, the north; and when Africa, the east; and as by the “south” is signified the clear light of intelligence, so that light is signified by “Asia.” This perception has been granted also to me, as often as I have been in the spiritual idea and have thought of Asia. Such is the spiritual idea of Asia, because the church was there in ancient times, and then extended over many regions there; therefore, those who are in heaven from that country are in the light of intelligence. For this reason, when Asia is thought of, a light like that which is in the south of heaven flows in. (That in ancient times, and also in the most ancient, the church was in Asia, extending through many kingdoms there, see the quotations from the Arcana Coelestia in the little work on The New Jerusalem and Its Heavenly Doctrine, n. 247; and that the “south” signifies the light of intelligence, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 141-153, where the Four Quarters in Heaven are treated of.) By “Asia,” however, the inhabitants of Asia are not here meant, but all, wheresoever they are, who are in the spiritual light of intelligence, or, what is the same, who are in truths from good; for those who are in truths from good are in the spiritual light of intelligence; and all such constitute the Lord’s church.
(That the Lord’s church exists also among the Gentiles, although specifically where the Lord is known and the Word is read, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 318-328; and on The New Jerusalem and Its Heavenly Doctrine, n. 244, 246.)

sRef John@1 @16 S0′ sRef Luke@4 @22 S0′ sRef John@1 @17 S0′ sRef Rev@1 @4 S0′ sRef John@1 @14 S0′ 22. Grace to you and peace, signifies the delight of truth and good. This is evident from the signification of “grace” as being the delight of truth (about which more presently); and from the signification of “peace,” as being the delight of the good of innocence and love (on which see in the work on Heaven and Hell, where the State of Peace in Heaven is treated of, n. 284-290). “Grace” means the delight of truth, because there are two things that proceed from the Lord, united in their origin, but separated with those that receive them. For there are those that receive more the Divine truth than the Divine good, and those that receive more the Divine good than the Divine truth. Those that receive more the Divine truth than the Divine good are in the Lord’s spiritual kingdom, and are therefore called spiritual; but those that receive more the Divine good than the Divine truth are in the Lord’s celestial kingdom, and are therefore called celestial (On these two kingdoms in heaven and in the church, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 20-28.) To those 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 is what is called grace; so far, therefore, as anyone is in that affection is he in the Lord’s Divine grace; nor is there any other Divine grace with man, spirit, or angel, than to be affected by truth, because it is truth, since in that affection there is heaven and blessedness for them (see in The New Jerusalem and Its Heavenly Doctrine, n. 232, 236, 238; and Heaven and Hell, n. 395-414). Whether we say the affection of truth or the delight of truth it is the same; for there is no affection without delight.
[2] This in particular is what is meant by “grace” in the Word; as in John:
And the Word became flesh, and dwelt in us, and we beheld His glory, a glory as of the only-begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth, of His fullness we all received, and grace for grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ (John 1:14, 16-17).
It is said “grace and truth,” because grace is the affection and the delight of truth. And in Luke, after the Lord had explained in the synagogue the prophesy of Isaiah respecting Himself, that is, the Divine truth, it is said:
All wondered at the words of grace proceeding out of His mouth (Luke 4:22).
the Divine truths that the Lord spoke are called “words of grace proceeding out of His mouth,” because they are acceptable, grateful, and delightful. In general, Divine grace is all that is given from the Lord; and as all that is so given has relation to faith and love, and faith is the affection of truth from good, this is meant in particular 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.

sRef Rev@1 @4 S0′ 23. From Him who is, and who was, and who is to come, signifies from Him who is the All in all things of heaven and of the church from eternity to eternity. This is evident from the signification of “who is, and who was, and who is to come,” as being from eternity to eternity, also the All in all things of heaven and of the church. From eternity to eternity is meant, because all times in the Word signify not times but states of life (as may be seen from what is said and shown concerning Time in Heaven, in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 162-169); and as all times signify states of life, so in reference to the Lord they signify infinite state, and infinite state as to time is eternity. That all times are comprised in “who is, and who was, and who is to come,” is evident. Of eternity, which is of the Lord alone, many things might be said; but such things are not understood by the natural man, whose thoughts are chiefly based on time, space, and matter, while, nevertheless, eternity, in itself, does not include such things.
If, indeed, man could think of eternity as the angels of heaven do, he might arrive at some idea of it, and thus might comprehend what from eternity is, which is signified by “who was;” also what the Divine foresight is, that it is in the most particular things from eternity; and what Divine Providence is, that it is in the most particular things to eternity; consequently, that whatsoever proceeds from the Lord is from eternity to eternity; and unless it were so heaven and the universe would not subsist. But there is no time to go further into this arcanum as yet (something may be seen respecting it in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 167); only let it be known, that the like is meant by “Jehovah” as by “who is, who was, and who is to come,” since “Is,” which is the meaning of Jehovah, involves what precedes, that is, “who was,” and also what is future, that is, “who is to come,” and thus signifies from eternity to eternity. sRef Ps@2 @7 S2′ [2] That “Is,” signifies from eternity is also known in the Christian world from the Psalm of David, where it is said:
I will declare of the decree; Jehovah said unto me; thou art My son; this day have I begotten thee (Ps. 2:7);
it is known that these things are said of the Lord, and that by “today” is meant from eternity. (That by “tomorrow,” also in the Word, where the Lord is treated of, is signified to eternity, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3998.) That the words “who is,” “who was,” and “who is to come,” signify also the All in all things of heaven and the church is because they signify eternity; and in heaven eternity can be expressed by no other word than Divine, for the reason that what is infinite cannot fall into the angelic idea, and still less into a human idea; and eternity is infinite Existere from infinite Esse; but only this enters the idea, that eternity, which is the Divine in respect to Existere, is the All in all things of heaven and of the church. For the whole heaven is heaven not from the angels’ proprium [selfhood, or what is their own], 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 it is the good of love and the truth of faith that make heaven and the church. Angels and men are only recipients, and so far as they receive, heaven and the church are in them. (These things may be seen illustrated by many things in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 7-12, where it is shown that the Divine of the Lord makes heaven, and that the Divine that makes heaven is the Divine Human, which is the Divine Existere from the Divine Esse, n. 78-86.)

sRef Rev@1 @4 S0′ 24. And from the seven spirits, signifies the Divine in heaven. This is evident from the signification of “seven,” as being what is full, and therefore all, and from its being predicated of the holy Divine things that proceed from the Lord (see above, n. 20); also from the signification of “spirits,” as being those of whom heaven consists; for all these are called “spirits of God,” since the Spirit of God is the Divine proceeding, or Divine truth united to Divine good in heaven and the church (Arcana Coelestia n. 9818); and the Divine proceeding or Divine truth united to Divine good, forms and creates the angel, and thus makes him [what he is] according to quality and quantity of reception (see the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 7-12). From this it is evident that by “the seven spirits” (of which more below), are not meant seven spirits, but all who are in heaven; as by the “seven churches” are not meant seven churches, but all who are in truths from good, or who are of the church (see above, n. 20). When this is understood, an arcanum is opened, namely, the meaning of “Jehovah God” in the Word; which is, that by “Jehovah” is meant the Divine Esse, and by “God” the Divine Existere in heaven. The Divine that is meant by “God” is the Divine Existere in heaven, because the Divine in heaven is in many; therefore in the Hebrew language, God is called “Elohim,” in the plural; for the same reason angels are called gods, not that they are gods, but because the Divine of the Lord that is in them is meant by “God.” (That in the Word the Lord is called Jehovah from Esse or Essence, and God from Existere or Existence, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 300, 3910, 6905; also that the Divine Esse is Divine good, and that the Divine Existere is Divine truth, n. 3061, 6280, 6880, 6905, 10579; and in general, that good is esse, and truth is existere therefrom, n. 5002. That angels are called gods from the reception of Divine truth proceeding from the Divine good of the Lord, n. 4295, 4402, 7268, 7873, 8301, 8192; and that Divine truth united to Divine good in heaven, is called, in one phrase, Divine truth, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 13, 133, 140.)

sRef John@15 @4 S0′ sRef John@15 @5 S0′ sRef John@14 @17 S0′ sRef John@15 @7 S0′ sRef John@15 @6 S0′ sRef John@14 @23 S0′ sRef Rev@1 @4 S0′ 25. Which are in sight of His throne, signifies presence and providence. This is evident from the signification of “sight,” as being, when predicated of the Divine, presence, and providence therefrom (of which more in what follows); and from the signification of “throne of God,” as being Divine truth proceeding from the Lord, thus heaven, because it is its receptacle (concerning which see Arcana Coelestia, n. 5313, 6397). “Look” means presence, because by look or sight the understanding and thence thought are signified; and in the understanding everything that is thought stands forth as present. For this reason, those in the spiritual world with whom another desires to speak appear present provided the person had formed any idea of them from sight in the world, especially if this is true of both. This is why friends meet there, and also wives and husbands; the reason is that internal sight, which is the understanding, acts as one, in a spirit, with his external sight or sight of the eye; and as spaces in the spiritual world are not like spaces in the natural world, in that world what one desires to see is near, and what he does not desire to see is far off. From this now it is that “look” signifies presence. (That “look” or “sight” signifies the understanding, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2150, 2325, 2807, 3764, 3863, 3869, 10705; and therefore signifies presence, n. 4723; and that spaces in heaven are not like spaces in the world, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 191-199.) “Look,” in respect to the Lord, as here, signifies His Divine presence, because the Lord knows all, and they, in turn, know the Lord who are in love and faith towards Him; consequently with such the Lord is present in the goods of love and in the truths of faith that are in them from Him. For these [goods and truths] are the Lord in heaven and in the church; since the things that proceed from the Lord are not merely His, but they are Himself [2] From this it is clear how the Lord is in man; thus, how that is to be understood that he spoke in John:
Abide in Me, and I in you; he that abideth in Me and I in him, the same beareth much fruit (John 15:4-5).
In the same:
He that loveth Me keeps My word; and the Father and I will come unto him, and make Our abode with him (John 14:23).
In the same:
Jesus said to His disciples, Ye know the Paraclete, the Spirit of Truth; for He abideth with you, and shall be in you (John 14:17).
The “Paraclete, the Spirit of Truth,” is the Divine truth proceeding from the Lord; or what is the same, it is the Lord as to Divine truth; and “disciples” are all who are in goods and thence in truths; it is therefore said, “He shall be in you.” In the same:
The Word became flesh and dwelt in you* (John 1:14).
The Word, too, is Divine truth; and that the Word is the Lord is clear, since it is said that “the Word became flesh.” (That the “Word” signifies Divine truth, and signifies the Lord, see Arcana Coelestia n. 4692, 5075, 9987.) “Look” here also signifies providence, because all presence of the Lord is providence (as may appear from what is said and shown in the small work on The New Jerusalem and Its Heavenly Doctrine, n. 267-279; and in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 9, 12, 143, 145).
* The Greek has “us,” as found also in Apocalypse Explained, n. 43.

sRef John@14 @10 S0′ sRef John@14 @9 S0′ sRef John@14 @6 S0′ sRef John@10 @30 S0′ sRef Rev@1 @5 S0′ 26. Verse 5. And from Jesus Christ, signifies from the Lord as to the Divine Human. This is evident from the fact that such was the Lord’s name in the world; thus the name of His Human; but in respect to the 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 was to Him a soul from the Father, thus which was to Him His life; for the soul of everyone is his life, and the body, which is the human, lives therefrom; when, therefore, the Divine was united to the Human in the Lord, as soul to body, it is called the Divine Human. (That it is according to the doctrine of the church that as soul and body make one man, so the Divine and the Human make one Christ, as also that His Divine and His Human make one person, see 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 of the Human separately and of the Divine separately, thus, as it were, of a man separately from his soul or his life; this, however, is not to think of the man at all, still less of the Lord.
[2] Because such a separate idea is in their thought, they pray to the Father to have compassion for the sake of the Son; when, nevertheless, the Lord Himself ought to be prayed to that He may have compassion, in whom, according to the universal doctrine of the church, the Divine is such as the Father has; 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 also is in accordance with the doctrine given 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. From this it is clear how much they turn aside from the way and the truth who pass by the Lord and approach the Father. But as I have conversed much on this subject with angels, and also with spirits, who, when they lived as men in the world, were of the Reformed Church and of the Papal religion, I shall be pleased to relate these conversations in the following pages; from which it will appear in what light the church would be respecting the Divine, which is the first and primary principle of the church, if it would acknowledge and believe in the Divine Human of the Lord.

sRef Rev@1 @5 S0′ 27. The faithful witness, signifies from whom is all truth in heaven. This is evident from the signification of “faithful witness,” as being, in reference to the Lord, the acknowledgment of the Divine Human from whom is all truth in heaven (of which in what follows). It is said in heaven, because Divine truth, proceeding from the Lord’s Divine good, makes heaven in general, and with each angel there in particular. (This may be seen in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 13, 126-140; and that this is from the Lord’s Divine Human, n. 7-12, 78-86.) The Lord as to the Divine Human is called the “faithful witness,” because Divine truth proceeding from Him, bears witness in heaven concerning Him.
This testimony is universally in the Divine truth in heaven; as may be seen from this, that angels of the interior heaven can think of the Divine in no other way than under a human form, thus as the Divine Human, and for the reason that the Divine Human of the Lord fills the universal heaven and forms it, and the thoughts of angels proceed and flow according to the form of heaven (see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 59-102, 200-212, 265-275). From this it is that “the testimony of Jesus Christ” (see n. 10) signifies the acknowledgment of the Divine of the Lord in His Human.
sRef John@1 @34 S2′ sRef John@1 @9 S2′ sRef John@1 @7 S2′ sRef John@1 @8 S2′ [2] From this can be seen what is meant in the spiritual sense by “bearing witness” and by “testimony” in the following passages:
John [that is, the Baptist] came for a witness, that he might bear witness of the Light, that all might believe through him. He was not the Light, but came that he might bear witness of the Light. It was the true Light, which lighteth every man. And I have seen and have borne witness (John 1:7-9, 34).
“Light” signifies Divine truth; therefore the Lord is here called “the true Light, which lighteth every man,” and to “bear witness of the light” signifies an acknowledgment of His Divine Human, from which Divine truth proceeds. (That “light” signifies Divine truth proceeding from the Lord, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, in the chapter on The Light of Heaven, n. 120-140.)
sRef John@15 @26 S3′ sRef John@3 @31 S3′ sRef John@3 @32 S3′ sRef John@8 @14 S3′ sRef John@5 @33 S3′ sRef John@3 @11 S3′ sRef John@5 @34 S3′ [3] In the same:
Ye sent unto John, and He bare witness unto the truth; but I receive not testimony from man (John 5:33-34).
In the same:
Jesus said, Verily I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and bear witness of what we have seen. He that cometh from heaven is above all. What He hath seen and heard, of that He beareth witness (John 3:11, 31-32).
In the same:
Jesus said, Even if I bear witness of Myself, My witness is true; for I know whence I came and whither I go (John 8:14).
By this is signified that He bears witness concerning Himself from Himself, because He was Divine truth. In the same:
When the Comforter is come, the Spirit of Truth, He shall bear witness of Me (John 15:26).
“The Comforter, the Spirit of Truth,” is the Divine truth proceeding from the Lord (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 9818, 9820, 10330; and above, n. 25).
sRef John@18 @37 S4′ sRef John@18 @38 S4′ [4] In the same:
Pilate said, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest it, because I am a king. For this have I been born, and for this am I come into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Everyone that is of the truth heareth My voice. Pilate said, What is truth? (John 18:37-38).
The Lord thus answered when He was asked whether He was a king, because the Lord, as king, is Divine truth, for this is the royalty of the Lord in heaven, while His Divine good is the priesthood there. This is why the Lord said that He was a king, that to this end He was born, and to this end He came into the world, that He should bear witness unto the truth; and that everyone that is in truth heareth His voice; and therefore Pilate asked him, “What is truth?” thus whether that was king. (That Divine truth is the royalty of the Lord in the heavens, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3009, 5068; and that “kings,” therefore, in the Word, signify those who are in Divine truths, or abstractly from persons, signify Divine truths, see 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 Revelation, where kings are mentioned; and just below, where it is said, “He hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father.” From this it can be seen that by the words, “from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness,” is signified the Lord as to the acknowledgment of His Divine Human, from which is all truth in heaven.

sRef Rev@1 @5 S0′ sRef Matt@22 @31 S0′ sRef Matt@22 @32 S0′ 28. The Firstborn from the dead, signifies from whom is all good in heaven. This is evident from the signification of the “firstborn,” as being, in reference to the Lord, Divine good in heaven, thus all good there. The “firstborn” signifies this, because by generations, in general and in particular, spiritual generations are signified, which are the generations of good and truth or of love and faith; from this it is, that by “father,” “mother,” “sons,” “daughters,” “sons-in-law,” “daughters-in-law,” and “son’s sons,” are signified goods and truths which generate and are generated in their order (Arcana Coelestia n. 10490), for in heaven there are no other nativities. This being so, by “firstborn” is not meant the firstborn, but the good of heaven and of the church, because this is in the first place. And since it is the Lord from whom all good in heaven is, He is called the “Firstborn.” He is called “the Firstborn from the dead,” because, when He arose from the dead, He made His Human to be Divine good by union with the Divine that was in Him from conception. sRef Ps@89 @27 S2′ [2] This is why He is called “the Firstborn from the dead,” and says of Himself in David:
I will make Him the Firstborn, high above the kings of the earth (Ps. 89:27).
What is meant by His being “high above the kings of the earth” will be seen in a subsequent article. (That the Lord, when He departed from the world, made His Human Divine good, see Arcana Coelestia n. 3194, 3210, 6864, 7499, 8724, 9199, 10076; 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, proceeds from Him, n. 3704, 3712, 3969, 4577, 5704, 7499, 8127, 8241, 9199, 9398, 9407. But this arcanum may be seen more fully explained in the small work on The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 293-295; and in the passages there cited from the Arcana Coelestia, n. 303-305.) As the Lord in respect to the Divine Human is called “the Firstborn,” for the reason that all good proceeds from Him, so all the firstborn in the Israelitish church were holy to Jehovah; so also the Levites were received in place of all the firstborn in Israel; for by the sons of Levi were represented those of the church who are in the good of charity: therefore also a double portion of inheritance was allotted to the firstborn; all this for the reason that the firstborn signified the good that is from the Lord, and in the highest sense, the Lord Himself in respect to the Divine Human from which is all good. For all things that were commanded in the Israelitish church were representative of Divine things, spiritual and celestial.
sRef Ex@13 @2 S3′ sRef Ex@22 @30 S3′ sRef Ex@22 @31 S3′ sRef Ex@13 @12 S3′ sRef Ex@22 @29 S3′ [3] That all the firstborn in the Israelitish church were holy to Jehovah appears from Moses, in the following passages:
Sanctify unto Me all the firstborn, whatsoever openeth the womb among the sons of Israel, both of man and of beast: it is Mine (Exod. 13:2).
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 (Exod. 13:12).
Thou shalt not delay to offer the firstfruits of thy produce, and the firstfruits of thy wine. The firstborn 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. 22:29-31).
They were to give also the firstborn of beasts, because these, too, were representative; and because they represented they were also made use of in burnt-offerings and sacrifices. (What the various beasts in these services represented, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 1823, 3519, 9280, 10042. Why the Levites were accepted in place of all the firstborn in Israel, see Num. 3:12, 13, 41, 45; 8:15-20, was, as was said above, because the “sons of Levi” represented, and therefore signified, the good of charity, and “Levi,” in the highest sense, signified the Lord as to that good, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3875, 3877, 4497, 4502, 4503, 10017. A double portion of the inheritance was given to the firstborn, Deut. 21:17, because a “double portion” signified the good of love, Arcana Coelestia, n. 720, 1686, 5194, 8423.)

sRef Rev@1 @5 S0′ 29. And the Prince of the kings of the earth, signifies from whom is all the truth from good in the church. This is evident from the signification of “Prince of kings,” as meaning from whom is all truth; a “prince” denoting what is primary, and “kings” truths; and, because it refers to the Lord, who is here called “Prince of kings,” it means from whom is all truth (that “prince” means what is primary, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 1482, 2089, 5044; and that “kings” are truths, see in the explanation of the following verse, where it is said, “and hath made us kings and priests,” n. 31); also from the signification of the “earth,” as meaning the church (of which in what follows). One who knows not the internal sense of the Word must needs believe that the kings of the whole earth are here meant; whereas kings are not meant, nor earth; but by “kings” are meant all who are in truths from good; and by the “earth” is meant the church. (That by the “earth” is signified the church is shown in many places in the Arcana Coelestia, from which these particulars may be seen: That by the “earth” is signified the kingdom of the Lord and the church, n. 662, 1066, 1068, 1262, 1413, 2928, 3355, 4447, 4535, 5577, 8011, 9325, 9643. The chief reason of which is, that by the “earth” is meant the land of Canaan; and the church was there from most ancient times, n. 567, 3686, 4447, 4454, 4516, 4517, 5136, 6516, 9325, 9327; also that, in the spiritual sense, by the “earth” is meant the nation who dwell thereon, and their worship, n. 1262.
That the “new heaven and the new earth” signify the church in the heavens and on earth, n. 1733, 1850, 2117, 2118, 3355, 4535, 10373. That by the creation of heaven and earth, in the first chapters of Genesis, in the internal sense, is described the establishment of the Most Ancient Church, see n. 8891, 9942, 10545. That to “create” is to establish and regenerate, see n. 10373. That “ground,” too, signifies the church; “ground” from the reception of seeds, which are truths, but “earth” from the nations therein, and their worship, see n. 566, 1068, 10570. Moreover, “earth,” as it signifies the church, signifies also the religious principle, consequently also such as is idolatrous; as the land of Egypt, the land of the Philistines, the land of Chaldea, and of Babel, and many others. That “earth” signifies the church is also briefly shown in the small work on The Last Judgment, n. 3, 4.)

sRef Rev@1 @5 S0′ 30. Unto Him that loveth us, and washeth us from our sins in His blood, signifies His love, and regeneration by truths that are from Him. This is evident from the signification of “washing from sins,” as meaning to regenerate (see Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 202-209); and from the signification of “in His blood,” as meaning by truths that are from Him (see in the same Doctrine, n. 210-213; and in the extracts from the Arcana Coelestia there, n. 217, 219, 222). That the Lord’s “blood” signifies truths from good, thus truths from the Lord, can with difficulty be seen and believed by a man who knows nothing of the internal sense of the Word; moreover, it seems far-fetched to understand truths from the Lord in place of His blood; and yet in heaven nothing else is understood by the Lord’s blood. This is because the Lord there is Divine truth united to Divine good, consequently no one there thinks of His flesh and blood. Thought concerning these they call material thought, of which there is none with them. They say, moreover, that they are not aware that flesh and blood are mentioned in the Word; for with them the things belonging to the literal sense of the Word, are changed into spiritual ideas, since they themselves are spiritual and not natural; thus “flesh” when ascribed to the Lord, is changed into Divine good, and “blood” into Divine truth, each proceeding from the Lord.
[2] “Flesh” and “blood” are mentioned in the literal sense of the Word, in order that corresponding spiritual things may be perceived in heaven; for all spiritual things terminate in natural things; in them they have their outmost plane, therefore the Divine passing through the heavens terminates in that plane, and thereon subsists, comparatively like a house on its foundation, and is then in its fullness. This is why the Word is such as it is in the letter, and why “flesh” and “blood” are there mentioned; the angels, however, are astonished that the man of the church, who might also be made spiritual from the Word, does not allow himself to be elevated above the sense of the letter, and thinks not spiritually but materially of the Lord, and of His flesh and blood. But because they so wondered, and it was told them that many, especially the simple, do think spiritually about these things, they explored whether it was so; and they discovered that many, and almost all the simple, when they come to the holy supper do not think at all about flesh and blood, but only of that which is holy which they then have from the Lord. The angels perceived that this is continually provided by the Lord, in order that the man of the church may then be in a spiritual and not in a material idea.
[3] The reason why material eating is understood and adopted in doctrines, is because men have thought of the Human of the Lord as of the human of another man, and have not then thought at the same time of the Divine in His Human, rejecting the expression, “Divine Human;” and they that so thought of the Lord’s Human could not think otherwise than materially of His flesh and blood. It would have been different if they had thought of the Lord according to the universal doctrine of the church, which is, that His Divine and Human is one person, the two being united as soul and body (see above, n. 10, 26). Moreover, “blood” is mentioned in many places in the Word, as also elsewhere in Revelation (as in 6:12; 7:14; 8:7-8; 11:6; 12:11; 14:20; 16:3-4, 6; 18:24; 19:2, 13). I purpose, therefore, in the following pages, to confirm fully that by “blood” is signified truth from the Lord, and in an opposite sense falsity that offers violence to that truth.

sRef Rev@1 @6 S0′ 31. Verse 6. And hath made us kings and priests, signifies that from Him we are in His spiritual and celestial kingdom. This is evident from the signification of “kings,” as meaning those who are in truths from good; and since they constitute the Lord’s spiritual kingdom, as meaning those who are in His spiritual kingdom. That these are signified by “kings” in the Word, will appear from what follows. The above is evident also from the signification of “priests,” as meaning those who are in the good of love; and since these constitute the Lord’s celestial kingdom, they also are those who are in His celestial kingdom. (That there are two kingdoms, into which the heavens are in general divided, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 20-28, and that the spiritual kingdom is called the Lord’s regal kingdom, and the celestial kingdom His priestly kingdom, n. 24.) In any places in the prophetic Word, kings are mentioned, and he that is ignorant of the internal sense believes that by “kings” are there meant kings; kings, however, are not meant, but all those who are in truths from good, or in faith from charity, from the Lord. The reason of this is, that the Lord is the sole king, and those who from Him are in truths from good are called His “sons;” for this reason the same are meant by “princes,” by “sons of the kingdom,” by “sons of kings,” and also by “kings;” and in a sense abstracted from the idea of persons, as it is in heaven, truths from good are meant, or, what is the same, faith from charity; since truth is of faith, and good is of charity.
sRef Matt@13 @38 S2′ sRef Rev@5 @10 S2′ [2] That kings are not meant can be seen simply from its here being said that Jesus Christ “hath made us kings and priests”; and afterwards:
And hast made us to be unto our God kings and priests, and we shall reign upon the earth (Rev. 5:10);
and in Matthew:
The good seed sown in the field are the sons of the kingdom (Matt. 13:38);
the “seed of the field” are truths from good with man from the Lord (Arcana Coelestia, n. 3373, 10248, 10249). Everyone, moreover, may perceive that the Lord will not make all those here treated of to be kings, but that he calls them kings from the power and the glory which those have who from the Lord are in truths from good. From this it can 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 from the Lord are in truths from good, and as most things in the Word have also an opposite sense, that “kings” signify in that sense those who are in falsities from evil.
sRef John@18 @37 S3′ sRef John@18 @38 S3′ sRef John@19 @19 S3′ sRef John@19 @20 S3′ sRef John@19 @22 S3′ sRef John@19 @21 S3′ [3] That by “King” in the Word is meant the Lord in respect to Divine truth, is clear from the words of the Lord Himself to Pilate:
Pilate said, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest it, because I am a king. For this have I been born, and for this am I come into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Everyone that is in the truth heareth My voice. Pilate said unto Him, What is truth? (John 18:37, 38).
From the question of Pilate, “What is truth,” it is clear that he understood that truth was called “king” by the Lord; but as he was a Gentile, and knew nothing from the Word, he could not be taught that Divine truth is from the Lord, and that He is 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 chiefs of the priests said unto him, Write not, The king of the Jews, but that He saith I am the king of the Jews, Pilate answered, What I have written, I have written (John 19:4, 19-22).
sRef Rev@19 @19 S4′ sRef Rev@16 @12 S4′ sRef Rev@17 @2 S4′ sRef Rev@17 @18 S4′ sRef Rev@18 @3 S4′ sRef Rev@17 @9 S4′ sRef Rev@17 @10 S4′ sRef Rev@17 @14 S4′ sRef Rev@17 @12 S4′ sRef Rev@21 @24 S4′ [4] When these things are understood, it may be known what is meant by “kings” in the following passages in Revelation:
The sixth angel poured out his bowl upon the great river Euphrates, and the water thereof was dried up, that the way might be made ready for the kings that come from the sun rising (Rev. 16:12).
The great harlot that sitteth upon many waters, with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication (Rev. 17:1-2).
The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sitteth, and they are seven kings; the five are fallen, the one is, the other is not yet come. And the ten horns that thou sawest are ten kings, who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive power as kings with the beast for one hour. These shall war against the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them; for He is Lord of lords and King of Kings (Rev. 17:9, 10, 12, 14).
And the woman whom thou sawest is the great city, which hath the kingdom over the kings of the earth (Rev. 17:18).
Of the wine of the wrath of her fornication all the nations have drunk, and the kings of the earth committed fornication with her (Rev. 18:3).
And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together, to make war against Him that sat on the horse and against His army (Rev. 19:19).
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 honor into it (Rev. 21:24).
In these passages by “kings” are not meant kings, but all who are either in truths from good, or in falsities from evil, as was said before. Likewise in Daniel:
By the king of the south and by the king of the north, who made war against each other (Dan. 11).
By “the king of the south” are there meant those who are in the light of truth from good, by “the king of the north” those who are in darkness from evil. (That “south” in the Word signifies those who are in the light of truth from good, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 1458, 3708, 3195, 5672, 9642; and “north” those who are in the darkness of falsity from evil, n. 3708, and in general, in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 141-153, where The Four Quarters in Heaven are treated of.) sRef Isa@52 @15 S5′ sRef Isa@49 @23 S5′ sRef Isa@60 @16 S5′ [5] “Kings” are also frequently mentioned by the prophets in the Old Testament; and there likewise are meant those who, from the Lord, are in truths from good, and in a contrary sense, those who are in falsities from evil; as in Isaiah:
He shall disperse* many nations: kings shall shut their mouths upon Him; for that which had not been told them they have seen, and that which they have not heard they have understood (Isa. 52:15).
In the same:
The Zion of the Holy One of Israel, thou shalt suck the milk of the nations, and shalt suck the breast of kings (Isa. 40:14, 16).
Kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and the chief women thy nursing mothers; they shall bow down to thee with their face toward the earth (Isa. 49:23; and elsewhere, as in Isa. 14:9; 24:21; 60:10; Jer. 2:26; 4:9; 49:38; Lam. 2:6, 9; Ezek. 7:26, 27; Hos. 3:4; Zeph. 1:8; Ps. 2:10; 110:5; Gen. 49:20).
[6] Since “kings” signify those who, from the Lord, are in truths from good, it was a custom derived from ancient times for kings, when they were crowned, to receive such insignia as signify truths from good: as for the king to be anointed with oil, to wear a crown of gold, to hold a scepter in his right hand, to be clothed with a purple cloak, to sit upon a throne of silver, and to ride with the royal insignia upon a white horse; for “oil” signifies good from which is truth (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 886, 4638, 9780, 9954, 10011, 10261, 10268, 10269); a “crown of gold” upon the head has a like meaning (n. 9930); a “scepter,” which is a staff, signifies the power of truth from good (n. 4581, 4876, 4966); a “cloak” and a “robe,” Divine truth in the spiritual kingdom (n. 9825, 10005); and “purple,” the spiritual love of good (n. 9467); a “throne,” the kingdom of truth from good (n. 5313, 6397, 8625); “silver,” that truth itself (n. 1551, 1552, 2954, 5658); a “white horse,” the understanding enlightened from truths (see the small work on The White Horse, n. 1-5. That the ceremonies observed at the coronation of kings involve such things, but that the knowledge thereof is at this day lost, see also Arcana Coelestia, n. 4581, 4966).
sRef Gen@49 @11 S7′ sRef Judg@5 @10 S7′ sRef Gen@49 @10 S7′ sRef 1Ki@1 @33 S7′ sRef Judg@5 @9 S7′ sRef Zech@9 @9 S7′ [7] As it is known from these things what is meant by a “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 the people then proclaimed Him king, and also strewed their garments in the way (Matt. 21:1-8; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:28-40; John 12:14-16).
This 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 (Zech. 9:9; Matt. 21:5; John 12:15).
The reason was, that to sit upon an ass and the foal of an ass was the distinctive mark of the highest judge and of a king; as can be seen from the following passages:
My heart is towards the lawgivers of Israel, ye who ride upon white asses (Judg. 5:9-10).
The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgivers from between his feet, till Shiloh come; who shall bind his ass’s foal to the vine, and the son of his she-ass to the noble vine (Gen. 49:10, 11).
As sitting on an ass, and the foal of an ass, was such a distinctive mark:
Judges rode upon white she-asses (Judg. 5:9-10);
And his sons upon asses’ colts (Judg. 10:4; 12:14);
And the king himself when crowned, upon a she-mule (1 Kings 1:33);
And his sons upon mules (2 Sam. 13:29).
One who does not know the signification of “horse,” “mule,” and “the foal of an ass,” in a representative sense, will suppose that the Lord’s riding upon the foal of an ass was significative of misery and humiliation. But it signified royal magnificence; for this reason the people then proclaimed the Lord king, and strewed their garments upon the way. This was done when He went to Jerusalem, because by “Jerusalem” is signified the church (as may be seen in the little work on The New Jerusalem and Its Heavenly Doctrine, n. 6; and that “garments” signify truths clothing and serving good, may be seen in the Arcana Coelestia, n. 1073, 2576, 5248, 5319, 5954, 9212, 9215, 9216, 9952, 10536; and in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 177-182).
[8] From this it is now clear what is signified by the “King” and by “kings,” in the Word, so also what by the “Anointed,” “Messiah,” and “Christ;” for “Anointed,” “Messiah,” and “Christ,” like “King,” signify the Lord as to Divine truth proceeding from His Divine good; for a king is called “anointed;” and “anointed” in the Hebrew is Messiah, and in the Greek Christ. But that the Lord, as to the Divine Human, was alone “the Anointed of Jehovah,” since in Him alone was the Divine good of Divine Love from conception, for He was conceived of Jehovah, but that all that were anointed were only representatives of Him (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 9954, 10011, 10268-10269). But “priests” signify such good as exists in the celestial kingdom (see in Arcana Coelestia, namely, 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, since 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. 10017; that from this “the priesthood,” and “priesthoods,” in the Word signified good of love, which is from the Lord, see n. 9806, 9809; that by the two names, “Jesus” and “Christ,” is signified both His priesthood and His royalty, that is, by “Jesus” is signified Divine good, and by “Christ” Divine truth, n. 3004, 3005, 3009; that priests and likewise kings who do not acknowledge the Lord signify the opposite, namely, evil, and falsity from evil, n. 3670).
* The Hebrew has “sprinkle,” as found also in Arcana Coelestia, n. 2015.

sRef Rev@1 @6 S0′ sRef John@14 @10 S0′ sRef John@16 @32 S0′ sRef John@14 @11 S0′ sRef John@10 @30 S0′ sRef John@10 @38 S0′ 32. Unto God and His Father, signifies by Divine truth and Divine good. This is evident from this, that “God” is the Divine truth, and “Jehovah” is the Divine good; therefore in the Word the Lord is called “God” when Divine truth is treated of, and “Jehovah” when Divine good is treated of (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2586, 2769, 2807, 2822, 3921, 4287, 4402, 7010, 9167); but here it is said “Father” instead of Jehovah, because the Father of the Lord was Jehovah, and by “Father” the like is meant as by “Jehovah.” By both “God” and “the Father” the Lord alone is meant; for the Father was in Him as the soul is in its body (see above, n. 10, 26); since He was conceived of Jehovah, and one’s soul is from him of whom He is conceived; consequently when the Lord spoke of the Father He meant His Divine in Himself. This was why He said:
That the Father is in Him and He in the Father (John 10:38; 14:10, 11).
That the Father and He are one (John 10:30).
That He is not alone, but He and the Father (John 16:32).
(That the Lord called the Divine of Jehovah, which was in Him from conception, and which was the esse of His life in His Human, “the Father,” and the Divine truth which is from Divine good “the Son,” see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2803, 3704, 7499, 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 citations from Arcana Coelestia in New Jerusalem and Its Heavenly Doctrine, n. 304, on the unition of the Divine which is called “Jehovah,” “the Father,” with the Divine Human of the Lord.)

sRef Rev@1 @6 S0′ sRef John@15 @8 S0′ sRef John@15 @7 S0′ 33. To Him be the glory and the might unto the ages of the ages, signifies that these things, namely, Divine good and Divine truth, are from the Lord alone to eternity. This is evident from the signification of “glory,” as meaning Divine truth in heaven (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 4809, 5922, 8267, 8427, 9429); and from the signification of “might,” as meaning Divine good through Divine truth, since Divine good has all might and all power through Divine truth (see n. 3091, 3563, 6344, 6423, 8304, 9643, 10019, 10182; and in the work on 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” means to eternity is clear without explanation. “Glory” is Divine truth in heaven because Divine truth is the light there; and the things that have existence from the light of heaven are called “glory,” because they have existence from the Lord and represent the Divine truth that is from Him, and declare His glory; especially the things that are within the angel, which are of intelligence and wisdom. (That the light of heaven is Divine truth, and that all things that are in heaven, whether without or within the angel, have existence from the light there, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 126-140, 172, 173, 176.) It is believed in the world that “Glory be to God” means that God for His own sake desires glory from man, and that He is moved by it, and imparts blessings in return for it. But this is a mistake. God desires glory from man for man’s sake; for thus man ascribes all things to the Divine and nothing to himself, and when he does this, the Divine can flow in with Divine truth, and give him intelligence and wisdom. Thus and no otherwise is the Lord glorified in man; for the Lord loves everyone, and, from love, desires that His glory, that is, Divine truth, may be in men. This, moreover, the Lord teaches in John:
If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask whatever ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit, and that ye be made My disciples (John 15:7-8).
(That the salvation of the human race is the glory of the Lord, see n. Arcana Coelestia 4347, 4593, 5957, 7550, 8263, 10646.)

sRef Rev@1 @6 S0′ 34. Amen, signifies Divine confirmation. This is evident from the signification of “Amen,” as meaning truth, for this is the meaning of Amen in the Hebrew; and as all truth which is truth is Divine, “Amen,” when said in the Word, signifies Divine confirmation. For truth confirms all things, and Divine truth confirms itself; and it was because the Lord when He was in the world was Divine truth itself, that He so frequently said “Amen” [usually translated “Verily”].

sRef Rev@1 @6 S0′ 35. Verses 7, 8. 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 lament over Him. Even so: Amen. I am the Alpha and the Omega, Beginning and End, saith the Lord, who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty. 7 “Behold He cometh with the clouds,” signifies that the Lord is about to reveal Himself in the Word through the internal sense (n. 36); “and every eye shall see Him,” signifies that all will acknowledge Him who are in truths from good (n. 37); “and they who pierced Him,” signifies that they also will see Him who are in falsities from evil (n. 38); “and all the tribes of the earth shall lament over Him,” signifies that the falsities of the church will oppose (n. 39); “even so: Amen,” signifies Divine confirmation, that so it will be (n. 40). 8. “I am the Alpha and the Omega, Beginning and End,” signifies that He governs all things from firsts through ultimates, and thus all things of heaven to eternity (n. 41); “saith the Lord, who is, and who was, and who is to come,” signifies from Him who is the All in all things of heaven and of the church from eternity to eternity, and Jehovah (n. 42); “the Almighty,” signifies from Himself (n. 43).

sRef Rev@1 @7 S0′ 36. Verse 7. Behold, He cometh with the clouds, signifies that the Lord is about to reveal Himself in the Word through the internal sense. This is evident from the signification of “coming,” as being, in reference to the Lord, 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 sense of the letter is Divine truth in ultimates; and since each thing therein contains an internal or spiritual sense, “coming with clouds” means revealing Himself through that sense. That “clouds” signify Divine truths in ultimates is from appearances in the spiritual world. There clouds appear in various kinds of light; in the inmost or third heaven in a flaming light, in the middle or second heaven in a bright white light, and in the outmost or first heaven in a light more dense; and everyone there knows that they signify Divine truth from the Lord through the angels; for when Divine truth proceeding from the Lord, which is the very light of heaven, passes through the angels, it appears as a cloud, purer or denser according to their intelligence. Such clouds have oftentimes been seen by me, and what they signify has also been perceived. This is why “clouds,” such as those that appear before the eyes of men in the world, signify Divine truth in ultimates; and as the Word in the letter is Divine truth in ultimates, that is what is meant by “clouds.”
sRef Luke@21 @27 S2′ sRef Matt@26 @64 S2′ sRef Matt@24 @30 S2′ sRef Matt@26 @63 S2′ [2] He who does not know that “clouds” have this signification, may suppose that the Lord is about to come in clouds for the Last Judgment, and to 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. 24:30; Mark 13:26; Luke 21:27).
“The consummation of the age” which is there treated of is the last time of the church; and the Lord’s coming at that time is the revelation of Himself, and of Divine truth which is from Him, in the Word, through the internal sense. Elsewhere than in the Word the Lord does not reveal Himself, nor does He reveal Himself there except through the internal sense. The Word in the internal sense is also signified by “power” and “glory.” (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 on The Last Judgment, from beginning to end; also in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 1; also in New Jerusalem and Its Heavenly Doctrine, n. 249-266.
That “the consummation of the age” signifies the last time of the church, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 4535, 10622; that “the coming of the Lord” signifies the revelation of Divine truth through the internal sense, n. 3900, 4060; that “clouds” signify the sense of the letter of the Word, n. 4060, 4391, 5922, 6343, 6752, 8106, 8781, 9430, 10551, 10574; that “glory” signifies Divine truth in heaven, thus the internal sense, for this is Divine truth in heaven, n. 5922, 9429, 10574. The Lord is said to be “about to come in power,” because Divine truth, which is from the Lord has all power, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 228-233, 539.) The like is meant by the Lord’s words to the high priest:
Jesus said to the high priest, Henceforth ye shall see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven (Matt. 26:64; Mark 14:62).
“The Son of man” is the Lord as to Divine truth; “sitting at the right hand of power” is His omnipotence; “coming in the clouds of heaven” is the revelation of Divine truth respecting Him in the Word, for He has revealed Himself and has also fulfilled all things contained in the internal sense, which treats especially of the glorification of His Human.
sRef Rev@14 @14 S3′ sRef Dan@7 @13 S3′ sRef Ps@68 @4 S3′ sRef Isa@19 @1 S3′ sRef Rev@14 @16 S3′ sRef Ps@104 @3 S3′ [3] The same is signified by “clouds” in the following passages. In Daniel:
I saw in the night visions, and behold there came with the clouds of heaven, one like unto the Son of man (Dan. 7:13);
in Revelation:
I saw, and behold a white cloud; and on the cloud one sat like unto a man,* having on his head a crown (Rev. 14:14, 16);
in Isaiah:
Behold, Jehovah sitting upon a dense light cloud (Isa. 19:1);
in David:
Sing unto God, sing praises to His name, extol Him that rideth upon the clouds (Ps. 68:4);
in the same:
Jehovah appointeth the clouds His chariot; He walketh upon the wings of the wind (Ps. 104:3).
Who cannot see that these things are not to be understood according to the sense of the letter, that is, that Jehovah sits upon 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 present in His Divine truth, for this proceeds from Him, consequently that this is what is meant by “clouds there;” so it is also said that Jehovah “appointeth the clouds His chariot;” because by “chariot” is signified the doctrine of truth (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2762, 5321, 8215).
sRef Isa@45 @8 S4′ sRef Ezek@10 @3 S4′ sRef Deut@33 @26 S4′ sRef Ezek@10 @4 S4′ sRef Nahum@1 @3 S4′ sRef Ps@68 @34 S4′ sRef Ps@89 @37 S4′ [4] Likewise in the following places. In Isaiah:
Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the higher clouds [pour down] righteousness (45:8);
in Nahum:
The way of Jehovah is with cloud** and storm, and clouds are the dust of His feet (Nahum 1:3);
in David:
Ascribe ye strength unto God; His excellency is over Israel, and His strength is in the higher clouds (Ps. 68:34);
A faithful witness in the clouds (Ps. 89:37).
in Moses:
There is none like unto the God of Jeshurun, who rideth upon the heaven in thy help, and in thy*** magnificence upon the clouds (Deut. 33:26);
From this it can be seen what is meant by:
The cloud filling the inner court (Ezek. 10:3-4);
And the cloud resting upon the tent (repeatedly in Moses); also that:
Jesus when He was transfigured, was seen in glory, and a cloud overshadowed the three disciples, and it was said to them out of the cloud, This is my beloved son (Matt. 17:1-10; Mark 9:1-11; Luke 9:28-36.
(See also what is said about the Lord’s being in a cloud in the midst of angels, in the little work on The Earths in the Universe, n. 171.)
* The Greek has “the Son of man,” as found also in Apocalypse Explained, n. 906; Apocalypse Revealed, n. 642; Arcana Coelestia, n. 9807, 9930.
** The Hebrew has “storm and tempest,” as also found in Apocalypse Explained, n. 419, 594; Arcana Coelestia, n. 2162.
*** The Hebrew has “His,” as also found in Apocalypse Explained, n. 594.

sRef Rev@1 @7 S0′ 37. And every eye shall see Him, signifies that all will acknowledge Him who are in truths from good. This is evident from the signification of “seeing,” as being to understand, to perceive, and to acknowledge (see Arcana Coelestia n. 2150, 2325, 2807, 3764, 3863, 3869, 4723, 10705); and from the signification of “eye,” as being understanding and faith (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2701, 4403-4421, 4523-4534, 9051, 10569); thus such as are in truths from good, for these are in faith and thence in understanding. That the “eye” signifies understanding and faith, is from correspondence; for understanding is internal sight, and it is internal sight that sees by means of the eye, for that sight determines the eye to objects and disposes its interior parts, which are many, for reception. It is in consequence of this that the iris and pupil seem now dilated, now contracted, now obscure, now bright and sometimes sparkling, altogether in agreement with the desire and want of the understanding. Therefore, to some extent, the affection of the thought can be seen from the eyes. It is from this correspondence that the eye signifies the understanding. The eye also signifies faith, because truths of faith have no other abode than the understanding; truths that do not abide there are not in the man (see New Jerusalem and Its Heavenly Doctrine, n. 28-36). The “eye” is, in the spiritual sense, faith, also because of the angels looking to the Lord; for angels turn their faces continually to the Lord, and see Him by faith and understanding. (On which turning, see the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 123, 142, 143, 145, 151, 153, 255, 272, 510.)

sRef Rev@1 @7 S0′ sRef Isa@37 @17 S1′ 38. And they who pierced Him, signifies that they also will see Him who are in falsities from evil. This is evident from the signification of “piercing,” as being those who altogether deny the Lord, for these kill and pierce Him in themselves; for these are meant by the soldier who pierced His side (John 19:34-37). By “soldier” and “soldiers” are meant those who are of the church, and who should fight for the Lord. Here in particular are meant those of the Jewish church, and, in general, all that are of the church who are in falsities from evil. And as such were signified by “soldiers,” the soldiers divided the Lord’s garments, and cast lots upon His coat; which means that the Jewish church dispersed the Divine truths that are in the sense of the letter of the Word, but were unable to disperse 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 coat” interior truths, n. 9048, 9212, 9216, 9826).

sRef Rev@1 @7 S0′ 39. And all the tribes of the earth shall lament over Him, signifies that the falsities of the church will oppose. This is evident from the signification of “lamenting” as being to mourn, to grieve, to be displeased, to be angry, to be averse from, thus also to oppose; and from the signification of “tribes,” as being all truths and goods in the complex, and in the contrary sense, all falsities and evils in the complex (of which in what follows); also from the signification of “the earth,” as being the church (see above, n. 29). By “all the tribes of the earth,” then, the whole church is meant, and by “their lamenting over Him” is signified that truth and good will be no more, because falsities and evils are to prevail and oppose. For this verse treats, in general, of what the state of the church will be at its end, when there will be no longer any faith, because no charity, namely, that the Lord will then reveal Himself, and that all who are in truths from good will acknowledge Him, and that they also will see Him, who are in falsities from evil, but that the falsities of the church will oppose. (That Revelation does not treat of the successive states of the church, but of its last state when it is at its end, see above, n. 5; and that its end is when there is no faith, because no charity, see the little work on The Last Judgment, n. 33-39 seq.; and when there is no faith, because no charity, falsities from evil prevail and oppose truths from good.)
[2] In the Word “tribes” are often mentioned, inasmuch as the Israelitish people were divided into twelve tribes, and one who does not know the internal sense of the Word supposes that by “tribes” are meant the tribes of Israel; but by “tribes” are not meant tribes, nor by “Israel” is Israel meant, but by “tribes” are meant all those who are in truths from good, and by “Israel” the Lord’s church. He who is ignorant of this will easily adopt the common belief that the sons of Israel were chosen in preference to all others on earth, and that they are also to be brought at last into the land of Canaan; indeed, that heaven also is to be formed chiefly from them; when, in fact, by their names they are not meant, but they who are in truths from good, thus those who are of the church; by the twelve tribes, all such, and by each tribe, some particular truth and good pertaining to those who are of the church.
[3] When this is understood, what is meant by these words in Revelation can be seen:
I heard the number of them which were sealed, a hundred and forty and four thousand sealed 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 Zebulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand (Rev. 7:4-8).
Here those who are of the Israelitish nation are not meant, but all, how many soever, who are in the truths from good, for all such are sealed for heaven. Moreover, the numbers “one hundred and forty-four thousand” and “twelve thousand” signify all; and each tribe signifies all who are in that truth or good which is signified by its name, as may appear from what is shown in the Arcana Coelestia; as 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, 5351, 5354, 6222, 6234, 6238, 6267, 6296; what by “Simeon,” n. 3869-3872, 4497, 4502-4503, 5482, 5626, 5630; what by “Levi,” n. 3875, 3877, 4497, 4502-4503; what by “Issachar,” n. 3956, 3957; what by “Zebulon,” 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, 10217, 10253. That “twelve” signifies all, and all things in respect to truths from good, see n. 577, 2089, 2129, 2130, 3272, 3858, 3913, likewise the numbers “72,” “144,” “1200,” “144,000,” because they arise from the number 12 by multiplication, n. 7973. That composite numbers have a like meaning with the simple numbers from which they are produced by multiplication, see n. 5291, 5335, 5708, 7973).
sRef Rev@21 @14 S4′ sRef Rev@21 @12 S4′ sRef Rev@21 @17 S4′ sRef Rev@21 @16 S4′ [4] He who is not aware that numbers signify things, and what the numbers “twelve,” “one hundred and forty-four,” and “twelve thousand” signify, likewise what “tribes” and “apostles” signify, cannot know what is signified by these words in Revelation:
The holy city, New Jerusalem, had a wall great and high, having twelve gates, and in the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of Israel; and the wall had twelve foundations, and on them the twelve names of the 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 (Rev. 21:12, 14, 16-17).
What is signified by all this you will see explained in the small work on The New Jerusalem and Its Heavenly Doctrine (n. 1); namely, that by “Jerusalem” is signified the church in respect to doctrine; by its “wall,” protecting truths; by the “gates,” introductory truths; by the” foundations,” the knowledges on which doctrine is based; by “twelve angels,” and by “twelve tribes,” all truths and goods in the complex; “the twelve apostles,” have a like signification, and the numbers “twelve,” “one hundred and forty-four,” and “twelve thousand,” signify all things and all persons.
sRef Rev@7 @8 S5′ sRef Matt@19 @28 S5′ sRef Rev@7 @5 S5′ sRef Rev@7 @7 S5′ sRef Rev@7 @6 S5′ sRef Rev@7 @4 S5′ [5] Furthermore, he who is aware that such things are signified by the twelve tribes can see the arcanum in this:
Why the names of the twelve tribes were engraved on the precious stones in the Urim and Thummim, likewise what that breastplate signified (Exod. 28:21; 39:10-15).
(This arcanum may be seen unfolded in Arcana Coelestia, n. 3858, 6335, 6640, 9863, 9865, 9873, 9874, 9905.) He can also see what is signified by this:
That the twelve apostles should sit upon twelve thrones, and are to judge the twelve tribes of Israel (Matt. 19:28);
namely, that the Lord alone will judge everyone by truths from good (n. 2129, 6397). Also what is meant by:
The predictions of Israel, the father, respecting his sons (Gen. 49:2-28);
as well as numerous other passages of the Word, where tribes are mentioned (as in Isa. 19:13; 49:6; 63:17; Jer. 10:16; Ezek. 48:1 seq.; Ps. 122:3-5; Deut. 32:8; Num. 24:2; Rev. 5:9; 7:4-9; 11:9; 13:7; 14:6; and elsewhere).
sRef Matt@24 @30 S6′ sRef Matt@24 @29 S6′ [6] Again, what is meant by the Lord’s Word respecting the consummation of the age and His coming:
After the affliction 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 lament; and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory (Matt. 24:29-30).
(These words can be seen explained in detail in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 1; and in the following passages in the Arcana Coelestia, namely, that the twelve tribes of Israel represented and thence signified all truths and goods in the complex, thus all things of faith and love, n. 3858, 3926, 4060, 6335; that like things are signified by the twelve apostles, n. 2129, 3354, 3488, 3858, 6397; and that their signification varies according to the order in which they are named, n. 3862, 3926, 3939, 4603, seq., 6337, 6640, 10335.)

sRef Rev@1 @7 S0′ 40. Even so, Amen, signifies Divine confirmation that so it will be. This is evident from the signification of “even so,” as being a confirmation of what goes before, that so it will be; and from the signification of “Amen,” as being Divine confirmation (see above, n. 34).

sRef Luke@24 @39 S0′ sRef Rev@1 @8 S0′ 41. Verse 8. I am the Alpha and the Omega, Beginning and End, signifies that He governs all things from firsts through ultimates, and thus all things of heaven to eternity. This is evident from the signification of “the Alpha and the Omega,” as being the first and the last, or in firsts and in ultimates; and He who is in firsts and in ultimates also governs intermediates, thus all things. These things are said of the Lord’s Divine Human, for they are said of Jesus Christ, by which name His Divine Human is meant (see above, n. 26). By means of this the Lord is in firsts and in ultimates. But that He governs all things from firsts through ultimates, is an arcanum that cannot as yet be perceived by man; for man knows nothing of the successive degrees into which the heavens are divided, and into which also the interiors of man are divided; and he scarcely knows that man as to flesh and bones is in his ultimates. Neither does he perceive how intermediates are governed from firsts through ultimates; and yet in order that He might thus govern all things, the Lord came into the world that even to ultimates, that is, even to flesh and bones, He might assume the Human and glorify it, that is, make it Divine. That the Lord put on such a Human, and took it with Him into heaven, is known in the church from this, that He left nothing of His body in the sepulcher; also from His own words to His disciples:
See My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself; handle Me and see, for a spirit hath not flesh and bones as ye behold Me having (Luke 24:39).
By this Human, therefore, the Lord is in ultimates; and by making even these ultimates Divine, He put Himself into the Divine power of governing all things from firsts through ultimates. If the Lord had not done this, the human race on this earth would have perished in eternal death. But this arcanum is not carried further because more must be known whereby an idea of the Divine government from firsts through ultimates may be formed and acquired. (Yet some thing may come into the understanding from what is shown in the Arcana Coelestia, namely, that interior things flow in successively into external things, even into what is extreme or ultimate, and that there they have existence and subsistence, n. 634, 6239, 6465, 9216, 9217; that interior things not only flow in successively, but they also form what is simultaneous in the ultimate, and in what order, n. 5897, 6451, 8603, 10099; therefore, that all interior things are held together in connection, from what is first by means of what is ultimate n. 9828, and in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 297; that from this there is strength and power in ultimates, n. 9836; that from this also what is ultimate is more holy than what is interior, n. 9824; that from this “the first and last [or ultimate]” signify all things, n. 10044, 10329, 10335. On the successive degrees into which the heavens are divided, and into which also the interiors of man are divided, see the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 38.) It is said also, that the Lord is “Beginning and End,” and by this is meant that He is from eternity to eternity; but neither can this be explained to the apprehension further than has been done above (n. 23) which see.

sRef Rev@1 @8 S0′ 42. Saith the Lord, who is, and who was, and who is to come, signifies from Him who is the All in all things of heaven and of the church, from eternity to eternity, and Jehovah, as is evident from the explanation given above (n. 23), where the same words occur.

sRef John@5 @26 S0′ sRef John@1 @1 S0′ sRef John@15 @5 S0′ sRef John@1 @14 S0′ sRef Rev@1 @8 S0′ sRef John@1 @4 S0′ sRef John@1 @3 S0′ 43. The Almighty, signifies from Himself. This is evident from this, that no one except the Lord alone has any power in the heavens; therefore the angels are powers, or are powerful, in the measure of their reception from the Lord, and they receive in the measure in which they are in Divine good united with Divine truth; for this is the Lord in Heaven. From this it is clear that the Lord alone is powerful, and no one else in heaven except from the Lord. The reason is that the Divine of the Lord is the All in all things in heaven, for this makes heaven in general, and with each one in particular. Moreover, by Him were all things created that were created, thus heaven and earth, as He Himself teaches in John:
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and God was the Word. All things were made through Him; and without Him was not anything made that hath been made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the Word became flesh, and dwelt in us (John 1:1, 3-4, 14).
By “the Word” is meant the Divine truth which is in the heavens, and from which are all things there. That this is the Lord in respect to the Divine Human is evident, for it is said, “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt in us.” And because all the life of the angels is therefrom, likewise all the light in the heavens, it is said, “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.” (But all these things may be seen more fully illustrated in the work on Heaven and Hell, namely, 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 light in heaven, n. 126-140; that angels have all their power from the Lord, and none at all from themselves, n. 228-233.) From this it is clear that “Almighty” means to be, to live, and to have power, from Himself. That the Lord’s Divine Human has being, life, and power from Itself equally with His Divine in Himself, which is called the Father, the Lord also teaches:
As the Father hath life in Himself, so gave He to the Son to have life in Himself (John 5:26);
and that no one else has life in himself Jesus declares:
Without Me ye can do nothing (John 15:5).

sRef Rev@1 @10 S0′ sRef Rev@1 @9 S0′ sRef Rev@1 @11 S0′ 44. Verses 9-11. I John, who also am your brother and partaker in the affliction and in the kingdom and [patient] expectation of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is 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 to the churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and Smyrna, and Pergamum, and Thyatira, and Sardis, and Philadelphia, and Laodicea. 9. “I, John” signifies doctrine respecting the Lord (n. 45); “who also am your brother,” signifies and respecting the good of love to Him (n. 46); “and partaker in the affliction,” signifies the truth of faith infested by falsities (n. 47); “and in the kingdom,” signifies in the church where truths are (n. 48); “and the [patient] expectation of Jesus Christ,” signifies where there is a knowledge of the Divine in His Human (n. 49); “was in the isle that is called Patmos,” signifies revelation to the Gentiles (n. 50); “for the Word of God,” signifies that Divine truth may be received (n. 51); “and for the testimony of Jesus Christ,” signifies and that the Lord’s Divine Human may be acknowledged (n. 52). 10. “I was in the spirit,” signifies a spiritual state when there is revelation (n. 53); “on the Lord’s day,” signifies Divine influx then (n. 54); “and I heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,” signifies manifest perception of Divine truth, revealed from heaven (n. 55). 11. “Saying, I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” signifies who governs all things from firsts through ultimates and thus all things of heaven to eternity (n. 56); “and what thou seest write in a book,” signifies that the things revealed may be for posterity (n. 57); “and send to the churches which are in Asia,” signifies and then to all, who are in the light of intelligence (n. 58); “unto Ephesus, and Smyrna, and Pergamum, and Thyatira, and Sardis, and Philadelphia, and Laodicea,” signifies in each case according to reception (n. 59).

sRef Rev@1 @9 S0′ 45. Verse 9. I, John, signifies doctrine respecting the Lord. This is evident from the representation of “John;” that by him is meant in the highest sense, the Lord in respect to doctrine (see above, n. 19) wherefore also by “John” is signified doctrine respecting the Lord; for to know the Lord is the chief thing of all things of doctrine, or the first and the last thereof; for the primary thing of the church is to know and acknowledge its Divine; for it is conjoined with its Divine by means of acknowledgment and faith, and without conjunction with the Divine all things of doctrine are of no account; this, moreover, is the reason why the Divine has revealed Itself. The Divine that has revealed Itself is the Divine Human. (That without acknowledgment of the Divine in the Lord’s Human there is no salvation, see Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 280-310.) From this now it is that “John,” because he represents the Lord in respect to doctrine, also represents doctrine respecting the Lord.

sRef Matt@12 @48 S0′ sRef Matt@23 @8 S0′ sRef Matt@12 @47 S0′ sRef Rev@1 @9 S0′ sRef Matt@12 @49 S0′ sRef Matt@12 @50 S0′ 46. Who also am your brother, signifies and respecting the good of love to Him. This is evident from the signification of “brother,” as being the good of love. “Brother” signifies the good of love, because in heaven there are no other than spiritual relationships, thus no other brotherhoods; for those there do not become brothers by birth; moreover, those who were brothers in the world do not recognize each other there, but each regards the other from the good of love; those most closely conjoined regarding each other as brothers; and others, according to their conjunction by good, regarding each other as kinsmen and as friends. This is why in the Word “brother” signifies the good of love. This, moreover, the Lord teaches where it is said:
One said unto Jesus, Behold, Thy mother and Thy brethren stand without seeking to speak with Thee: but He answered and said, Who is My mother, and who are My brethren? (Matt. 12:47-50).
My mother and My brethren are they who bear the Word of God and do it (Luke 8:18-21).
And in another place:
One is your Teacher, Christ, and all ye are brethren (Matt. 23:8).
From this it is evident what it is to be a “brother in the Lord.” (But see what has been shown before respecting this; as that all are consociated in heaven according to spiritual kinships, which are the kinships of the good of love and faith, and that such recognize each other as kindred, in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 205; and in the Arcana Coelestia, n. 685, 917, 2739, 3612, 3815, 4121; consequently by “brethren” in the Word are meant those who are conjoined by good, n. 2360, 3303, 3803, 3815, 4121, 4191, 4267, 5409, 6756, 10490; that the Lord calls those “brethren” who are in the good of love and of faith from Him, n. 4191, 5686, 5692, 6756; that they are called “brethren” also from spiritual kinship, n. 6756; that charity and faith, thus good and truth, are brethren, in what respect, n. 367, 3160, 9806; that good and truth are also brother and sister, in what respect, n. 2508, 2524, 3160; that good and truth are also married partners, in what respect, n. 3160; that “man with brother” means truth with good, n. 3459, 4725.)

sRef Matt@24 @29 S0′ sRef Matt@24 @9 S0′ sRef Rev@1 @9 S0′ sRef Matt@13 @20 S0′ sRef Matt@24 @21 S0′ sRef Matt@13 @21 S0′ 47. And partaker in the affliction, signifies the truth of faith infested by falsities. This is evident from the signification of “partaker,” as being the truth of faith (concerning which see below); and from the signification of “affliction,” as being infestation by falsities (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 6663, 6851, 9196). In the Word frequent mention is made of “brother” and “partaker” (or companion), and by these good and truth are signified. Moreover, in ancient times those were called “brethren” who were in good and those were called “partakers” (or companions) who were in truths, and for this reason, that truth must be in company with good, and when it is in company, it becomes a brother; consequently here by “partaker” is signified the truth of faith. (That good and truth are meant by “brother” and “companion” in the Word, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 6756, 10490.) “Affliction” signifies infestation by falsities, since a mind that is in truths is afflicted by falsities, when the two are in conflict with each other; spiritual affliction is from no other source. This, therefore, is what is signified by “affliction” in the Word, as in Matthew:
He that was sown upon the rocky places hath no root in himself; when affliction and persecution ariseth because of the Word, straightway he is offended (Matt. 13:20-21).
And in the same:
In the consummation of the age they shall deliver you up into affliction. For then shall be great affliction, such as hath not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, nor shall be. Immediately after the affliction of those days the sun shall be darkened (Matt. 24:9, 21, 29; Mark 13:19, 24).
The “consummation of the age” is the last time of the church; and since falsities are then to prevail and fight against truths, it is said that they shall be in “affliction, and in so great a one as hath not been from the beginning of the world.” Such affliction is meant by the affliction in which John is said to be a “partaker,” and by John is here meant the doctrine respecting the Lord; for in Revelation the last time of the church is treated of (see above, n. 5).

sRef Rev@1 @9 S0′ 48. And in the kingdom, signifies in the church where truths are. This is evident from the signification of “kingdom” in the Word, as being heaven and the church. It means the church in respect to truth, or where truths are, because by the royalty of the Lord is signified Divine truth proceeding from Him, and therefore by “kings” are signified truths (see what is shown above, n. 31). It is said the church in respect to truth, by which is meant the church in respect to truths from good; and for the reason that there are no truths without good, for truths have their life from good. Truths with a man who is not in good are indeed truths in themselves, but they are not truths in him (as may be seen abundantly shown in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 11-27). sRef Matt@24 @7 S2′ sRef Matt@21 @43 S2′ sRef Matt@8 @12 S2′ [2] That “kingdom” in the Word signifies heaven and the church in respect to truths, is evident from many passages in the Word, some of which I will cite. Thus in Matthew:
The sons of the kingdom shall be cast forth into the outer darkness (Matt. 8:12);
the “sons of the kingdom” here are those of the church where truths do not prevail, but falsities. In the same:
He that heareth the Word of the kingdom, and giveth not heed to it, the evil one cometh, and snatcheth away that which hath been sown in his heart. This is he that was sown by the wayside. The field is the world; the seed are the sons of the kingdom (Matt. 13:19, 38).
“To hear the Word of the kingdom” is to hear the truths of the church; and because “seed” signifies truths, they who receive truths are called “sons of the kingdom.” (That “seed” is the truth of the church, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3038, 3373, 3671, 10248, 10249.) In the same:
Therefore the kingdom of God shall be taken away from you, and shall be given to a nation bringing forth fruit (Matt. 21:43).
It is evident that “the kingdom of God” here signifies the church in respect to truths, thus also the truths of the church, from its being said that “it should be taken away from them, and given to a nation bringing forth fruit;” “fruit” is good. Again in the same:
In the consummation of the age, nation shall be stirred up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom (Matt. 24:3, 7).
The consummation of the age” is the last time of the church, “nation against nation” is evil against good, and “kingdom against kingdom” is falsity against truth. (That “nation” is the good of the church, and in the opposite sense the evil there, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 1059, 1159, 1258-1260, 1416, 1849, 6005.)
sRef Matt@6 @10 S3′ sRef Matt@6 @13 S3′ [3] From this it is plain what is meant by “kingdom” in the Lord’s prayer:
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so also upon the earth. Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory (Matt. 6:10, 13).
“Thy kingdom come” is a prayer that truth may be received; “Thy will be done,” that it may be received by those who do God’s will; “Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,” means Divine truth from God alone; it is also said “power and glory,” because Divine truth has all power and glory (see above, n. 33). From all this it can be seen what “the kingdom of God” signifies in very many passages in the Word, namely, the church in respect to truths, and also heaven, and in the highest sense the Lord in respect to the Divine Human. “Kingdom,” in the highest sense, signifies the Lord in respect to the Divine Human, because from Him all Divine truth proceeds; and “kingdom” signifies heaven, because heaven with the angels is from no other source than from the Divine truth that proceeds from the Lord’s Divine Human (see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 7-12, 78-86, 126-140).

sRef Rev@1 @9 S0′ 49. And the [patient] expectation of Jesus Christ, signifies where there is knowledge of the Lord’s Divine in His Human. This is evident from the signification of “the expectation of Jesus Christ,” as being the coming of the time when the church shall know the Lord; and the church knows the Lord when it acknowledges the Divine in His Human. That by “Jesus Christ” is meant the Lord in respect to the Divine in His Human, see above (n. 26). The church of which this is said is the church that is to come after the present one, for it is said “in the expectation.”

The church that is at this day knows, indeed, that the Divine is in the Human of the Lord; for it knows that according to the accepted doctrine, the Divine and the Human are not two but one person; also that they are like soul and body in man (see above, n. 10, 26). And yet it does not know that the Lord’s Human is Divine, for it separates the one from the other, as is clear from this, that those who are of the church do not admit the expression “Divine Human;” also that they approach the Father, that He may have compassion for the sake of the Son when yet the Divine Itself in heaven is the Divine Human (see the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 78-86). And because this knowledge and acknowledgment have thus perished, and yet it is the chief thing of all things of the church, as it is the chief thing of all things in heaven, therefore a new church is being established by the Lord among the nations, where this is not only known but also acknowledged. This, then, is what is signified by “the expectation of Jesus Christ.”

sRef Rev@1 @9 S0′ 50. Was in the isle that is called Patmos, signifies revelation to the nations. This is evident from the signification of “Patmos,” as being the revelation contained in Revelation; for all places mentioned in the Word signify things, and the things they signify are from the worship there, or from some memorable event that occurred there, or from their location in or near countries whereby the religious principle of the nation is signified. “Patmos” signifies revelation, from the memorable fact that there a revelation was made to John. The revelation was made on an island, because an “island” signifies a nation remote from true worship, but still desiring to be enlightened. That this is signified by “islands” in the Word, will be clear from what follows; in the first place something shall be said about names of places in the Word signifying things.
All persons mentioned in the Word, and all by whom the Word was written, were led to places that were significant, in order that all things might be significative of spiritual things. Even the Lord Himself, for the same reason, went to places thus significative; 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. It was similar with the prophets, and with many who are mentioned in the historical Word, as may be abundantly shown. For this reason, John also was commanded to betake himself into the isle of Patmos, that the things that are to be at the end of the church might there be revealed, because “island” signifies a nation about to accept truths of doctrine. This island, moreover, is in the archipelago, where there are numerous other islands; and from this also it is that by “Greece” in the Word such nations are signified. (Thus in Dan. 8:21; 10:20; 11:2; John 12:20-21; Mark 7:26 seq.) (That all names of places mentioned in the Word signify things, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 1224, 1264, 1876, 1888, 4310, 4442, 10329.)
sRef Isa@51 @5 S2′ sRef Isa@49 @1 S2′ sRef Isa@42 @4 S2′ sRef Jer@31 @10 S2′ sRef Isa@24 @15 S2′ sRef Zeph@2 @11 S2′ sRef Isa@60 @9 S2′ sRef Isa@42 @12 S2′ sRef Isa@42 @10 S2′ [2] That “islands” signify nations that are about to accede to 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 (Isa. 24:15).
In the same:
He shall not quench nor break, until He have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall hope in His law. Sing unto Jehovah a new song, His praises, ye ends of the earth: ye that go down to the sea, the isles, and the inhabitants thereof. Let them give glory unto Jehovah, and declare His praise in the islands (Isa. 42:4, 10, 12).
In the same:
Listen, O isles, unto Me, and hearken, ye peoples from afar (Isa. 49:1).
In the same:
The isles shall hope in Me, and on My arm shall they trust (Isa. 51:5).
In the same:
The islands shall trust in Me, and the ships of Tarshish (Isa. 60:9).
In Jeremiah:
Hear the words of Jehovah, O ye nations, and declare them in the isles afar off (Jer. 31:10).
And in Zephaniah:
Jehovah will make lean all the gods of the earth, that they may worship Him, everyone in his place, even all the isles of the nations (Zeph. 2:11).
(And elsewhere as in Isa. 23:2, 6; 41:1, 5; 42:15; 66:19; Jer. 2:10; 25:22; Ezek. 27:3, 7, 15, 35.) From these and other passages it is plain that “isles” signify nations, specifically nations in respect to the doctrine of truth, in other places in respect to the doctrine of falsity; for most things in the Word have also opposite significations.

sRef Rev@1 @9 S0′ 51. For the Word of God, signifies that Divine truth may be received. This is evident from the signification of “the Word of God,” as being Divine truth (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 4692, 5075, 9987).

sRef Rev@1 @9 S0′ 52. And for the testimony of Jesus Christ, signifies that the Lord’s Divine Human may be acknowledged. This is evident from the signification of “testimony,” as being acknowledgment in heart (see above, n. 10, 27); and from the signification of the names “Jesus” and “Christ,” as being the Lord in respect to His Divine Human (see also above, n. 26). These things are said concerning the church of the Gentiles, which is about to receive Divine truth and acknowledge the Lord’s Divine Human. (That these things are said of the church of the Gentiles, see just above, n. 50.) The Christian church indeed, acknowledges the Lord’s Divine, but not His Divine Human; when, therefore, they think and speak about the Lord from doctrine, they separate His Human from the Divine, and make His Human like the human of another man; when yet the Divine is in His Human as the soul is in the body. This is why such as these can have no idea of the Divine; although it is the idea that conjoins, because thought conjoins; and moreover, without conjunction with the Divine through thought and affection, or what is the same, through faith and love, there is no salvation. It is said that conjunction through thought and affection is the same as conjunction through faith and love, since what I believe, that I think, and what I love, by that I am affected. To believe in the invisible is much the same as believing in the inmost of nature, an error to which the mind readily lapses when it indulges in its own phantasies. Yet there is implanted within everyone, from heaven, and this by continual influx therefrom, a desire to see what he regards as the Divine, and this, indeed, under the human form.
[2] This desire is implanted in the simpleminded, and also with well-disposed Gentiles (see the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 82). All such therefore, if they have also lived a life of charity, are received by the Lord, and heaven is granted them. No others can be received, because they are not conjoined. (That all angels in heaven, also the most wise in ancient times, and all who have spiritual faith, that is, a living faith, 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, see Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 280-310; and in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 79-86, 316, 321; and in the small work on The Earths in the Universe, n. 7, 40, 41, 65, 68, 91, 98, 99, 107, 121, 141, 154, 158, 159, 169.) Because this implanted desire, which is in everyone from heaven, has been almost wholly rejected among the learned of the world, and access to the Divine thereby debarred, therefore, a new church is now being established by the Lord, among the Gentiles that have not extirpated that idea, and faith along with it. The extirpation from the Christian world of this implanted desire had its first beginning with the Babylonish body, which separated the Lord’s Human from His Divine, in order that its chief might be acknowledged as the vicar of the Lord’s Human, and might thus transfer to himself the Lord’s Divine power, saying that the Lord received that power from the Father, when in fact it was from Himself, because it was from His Divine. Thus they are unwilling to hear anything about the Divine Human (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 4738). But on this subject, as it is the chief thing of all things in the church, more will be said hereafter.

sRef Rev@1 @10 S0′ 53. Verse 10. I was in the spirit, signifies a spiritual state when there is revelation. This is evident from the signification of “to be in the spirit,” as being to be brought into the state in which spirits and angels are, which state is a spiritual state. Into this state a man is brought when he is let into the state of his spirit, for every man is a spirit as regards his interiors (see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 432-444). When a man is in that state, the things that are in the spiritual world appear to him as clearly as objects appear in the natural world; but the things that appear, because they are of spiritual origin, are in themselves spiritual, and such things as are of heavenly wisdom are presented as it were in a natural image. In this way Divine things are presented before the eyes of spirits and angels in visible forms. From this it is that all things that are seen in heaven are representative and significative, as were also the things seen by John, as described in Revelation. (The character of such things can be further learned from what is said and shown concerning Representatives and Appearances in Heaven, in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 170-176.)
[2] While man is in the body he does not see such things as are in heaven, unless the sight of his spirit is opened; when this is opened, then he sees. In this way John saw the things described in Revelation; and in like manner the prophets saw; and they were therefore called Seers, and were said to have their eyes opened. In this way also angels were seen in ancient times, and the Lord also was thus seen by the disciples after His resurrection. This sight is the sight of the spiritual man; and because in this state all things appear representatively, John was in it. He who knows nothing about this sight, believes that angels, when seen by men, have taken on a human form, and that when they vanished from their sight they laid it aside; but this is not so; angels then appeared in their own form, which is the human form, not before the sight of men’s bodily eyes, but before the sight of their spirit, which sight was then opened. This is evident from the Lord’s being seen by the disciples [after His resurrection], when He Himself showed to them that He was a man in a complete human form (Luke 24:39; John 20:20-28); and yet He became invisible. When they saw Him the eyes of their spirit were opened, but when He became invisible those eyes were closed. That man has such a sight is clear to me from much experience, for all things I have seen in the heavens have been seen by that sight. At such times I was in the same state of wakefulness as when they were not seen. But at the present time that sight is seldom opened to anyone by the Lord, and for many reasons.

sRef Rev@1 @10 S0′ 54. On the Lord’s day, signifies Divine influx then. This is evident from the signification of “the Lord’s day,” as being then the Lord is instructing man, thus when He is flowing in. 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 the Human in the Lord, and thence also the conjunction of His Divine Human with heaven (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 8494-8495, 10356, 10360, 10370, 10374, 10668). But when the Lord had united His Divine with His Human that holy representative ceased, and that day became a day of instruction (n. 10360). For this reason revelation was made to John on the Lord’s day. Revelation here is instruction concerning the state of the church.

sRef Rev@1 @10 S0′ 55. And I heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, signifies manifest perception of Divine truth about to be revealed from heaven. This is evident from the signification of “hearing,” as being to perceive and obey (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2542, 3869, 4653, 5017, 7216, 8361, 8990, 9311, 9397); and from the signification of “behind me,” as being manifestly (of which hereafter); and from the signification of “voice,” when heard out of heaven, as being Divine truth (see Arcana Coelestia n. 219-220, 3563, 6971, 8813, 8914); and from the signification of a “trumpet,” as being truth to be revealed out of heaven (of which hereafter). “Behind me” signifies manifestly, because the things that flow in from heaven into man’s affection flow in into the occipital region, and come thus into his manifest perception; for whatever enters into affection is manifestly perceived, for the whole life of perception is from affection; but whatever flows out of heaven immediately into the thought flows into the region above the forehead. (Concerning this influx, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 251.) From this it is clear what is signified by John’s having heard “behind him,” and by his afterwards “having turned to see the voice which spoke with him.” A “trumpet” or “horn” signifies Divine truth about to be revealed out of heaven, because sometimes Divine truth is heard in this way when it flows down from the Lord through the heavens with man; for it is increased in coming down; and it thus flows in. But it is thus heard only in the beginning with those through whom Divine truth is to be revealed in the ultimate sense, which is representative of interior things. But afterwards it is heard as a human voice. From this it is evident why “the voice of a trumpet” or “horn” signifies Divine truth about to be revealed out of heaven.
sRef Hos@8 @1 S2′ sRef Jer@4 @6 S2′ sRef Matt@24 @31 S2′ sRef Jer@4 @22 S2′ sRef Jer@6 @18 S2′ sRef Jer@6 @17 S2′ sRef Jer@4 @21 S2′ sRef Ezek@33 @5 S2′ sRef Jer@4 @5 S2′ sRef Ps@47 @5 S2′ sRef Zech@9 @14 S2′ sRef Isa@18 @3 S2′ [2] He who is aware that “trumpet” or “horn,” signifies Divine truth out of heaven can understand many passages in the Word where these are mentioned. As in Matthew:
He shall send forth His angel, with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together the elect from the four winds (Matt. 24:31).
In Isaiah:
All ye inhabitants of the world, and ye dwellers on the earth, when the sign of the mountains shall be lifted up, see ye; and when the trumpet is blown, hear ye (Isa. 18:3).
In Jeremiah:
Proclaim with the trumpet in the land. Set up a standard towards Zion. How long shall I see the standard, and hear the sound of the trumpet? For my people are foolish, they are sottish sons, and they have no understanding (Jer. 4:5-6, 21-22).
In the same:
I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken. Therefore hear, ye nations (Jer. 6:17-18).
In Ezekiel:
He heard the sound of the trumpet, and took not warning; his blood shall be upon him; whereas if he had taken warning he should have delivered his soul (Ezek. 33:5).
In Hosea:
[Set] the trumpet to thy mouth, because they have transgressed My covenant, and trespassed against My law (Hos. 8:1).
In Zechariah:
The Lord Jehovih shall blow the trumpet, and shall go with the whirlwinds of the south (Zech. 9:14).
In David:
God is gone up with a shout, and Jehovah with the sound of a trumpet (Ps. 47:5).
And also in Revelation (chap. 4:1; 8:2, 7-8, 13; 9:1, 13, 14; 10:7; 18:22). Because a “trumpet” signified Divine truth, therefore when Divine truth was first about to be revealed before the people of Israel:
Sounds of a trumpet were heard from Mount Sinai (Exod. 19:16).
For this reason sounding the trumpet became representative with them:
When they were to assemble, and when they went forward, and also in their solemnities, at the beginnings of months, at burnt-offerings and eucharistic sacrifices (Num. 10:1-10).
They also sounded trumpets when they went forth to battle against the Midianites (Num. 31:6).
And when they took the city of Jericho (Josh. 6:4-20);
for wars and battles signified spiritual combats, which are combats of truth against falsity, and of falsity against truth.

sRef Rev@1 @11 S0′ 56. Verse 11. Saying, I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, signifies who governs all things from first principles through ultimates, and thus all things of heaven to eternity, as is evident from what is said and shown above (n. 41).

sRef Rev@1 @11 S0′ 57. And, what thou seest write in a book, signifies that the things revealed may be for posterity, as is clear without explanation.

sRef Rev@1 @11 S0′ 58. And send to the churches which are in Asia, signifies and then to all who are in the light of intelligence. This 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 are of the church (see above, n. 20); and from the signification of “Asia,” as being those who are in the light of intelligence (see also above, n. 21).

sRef Rev@1 @11 S0′ 59. Unto Ephesus, and Smyrna, and Pergamum, and Thyatira, and Sardis, and Philadelphia, and Laodicea, signifies in each case according to reception. This is evident from what follows, where these churches are treated of in detail. It is said according to reception, because the light of intelligence does not constitute the church with 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 as light and heat in the natural world; for insofar as spring or summer heat is added to the light, so far all things grow and germinate, but so far as that heat is not added to the light, so far all things become torpid and die. (That light in the spiritual world is Divine truth, and heat there is Divine good, and that they are as heat and light in the natural world, see the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 126-140.)

sRef Rev@1 @16 S0′ sRef Rev@1 @14 S0′ sRef Rev@1 @12 S0′ sRef Rev@1 @13 S0′ sRef Rev@1 @15 S0′ 60. Verses 12-16. And I turned to see the voice which spoke with me. And having 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 at the paps with a golden girdle. And His head and hairs white as white wool, as snow; and His eyes as a flame of fire. And His feet like unto burnished brass, as if glowing in a furnace; and His voice as the voice of many waters. And having in His right hand seven stars; and out of His mouth a sharp two-edged sword going forth; and His face as the sun shineth in his power. 12. “And I turned to see the voice which spoke with me” signifies the understanding illustrated (n. 61); “and having turned I saw seven golden lampstands,” signifies a new heaven and a new church, which are in the good of love (n. 62). 13. “And in the midst of the seven lampstands one like unto the Son of man,” signifies the Lord, from whom is the All of heaven and of the church (n. 63); “clothed with a garment down to the foot,” signifies Divine truth proceeding from Him (n. 64); “and girt about at the paps with a golden girdle,” signifies Divine good likewise (n. 65). 14. “And His head and hairs white,” signifies His Divine in firsts and in ultimates (n. 66); “as white wool, as snow,” signifies in respect to good and truth therein (n. 67); “and His eyes as a flame of fire,” signifies Divine Providence from His Divine Love (n. 68). 15 “And His feet like unto burnished brass, as if glowing in a furnace, signifies the ultimate of Divine order, which is the natural [full of Divine Love] (n. 69, 70); “and His voice as the voice of many waters,” signifies Divine truth in ultimates (n. 71). 16. “And having in His right hand seven stars,” signifies all knowledges of good and truth from Him (n. 72); “and out of His mouth a sharp two-edged sword going forth,” signifies the dispersion of all falsities by the Word (n. 73); “and His face as the sun shineth in his power” signifies His Divine Love, from which are all things of heaven (n. 74).

sRef Rev@1 @12 S0′ 61. Verse 12. And I turned to see the voice which spoke with me signifies the understanding illustrated. This is evident in some degree 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 in these words there is an arcanum that cannot be known unless it is known how the Divine flows in out of heaven with man; for it was from influx that John heard the voice behind him, and that afterwards, having turned to see the voice, he saw the things that follow. Divine influx out of heaven is into man’s will, and through that, into his understanding. Influx into the will is into the occipital region, because into the cerebellum, and from this it passes towards the foreparts into the cerebrum, where the understanding is; and when it comes by that way into the understanding, then it comes also into the sight; for man sees from the understanding. That there is such influx it has been granted me to know by much experience. It is the same whether we say influx into the will, or into the love, since the will is the receptacle of love; and it is also the same whether we say influx into the understanding or into faith, since the understanding is the receptacle of faith (see what is adduced in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 28-35). But it is not permitted to adduce more on these subjects at present, because up to this time they have been unknown: only these few things have been said that it may be known what is involved in John’s hearing a voice behind him, and his turning to see it; and why it is that this signifies the understanding illustrated; it is because what enters through the will into the understanding, or through love into faith, comes into illustration, since what man wills or loves, that he clearly perceives. It is otherwise if it enters by the way of the understanding alone. It is said “to see the voice,” because by “seeing,” when predicated of spiritual things, is signified understanding from illustration (as was shown above, n. 11); and unless “seeing” signified understanding it could not have been said “to see the voice.”

sRef Rev@1 @12 S0′ 62. And having turned, I saw seven golden lampstands, signifies a new heaven and a new church, which are in the good of love. This is evident from the signification of “having turned to see,” as being to understand from illustration (see just before, n. 61); and from the signification of “seven,” as being what is full and all, and as being predicated where the holy things of heaven and the church are treated of (see above, n. 20, 24); and 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 (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 113, 1551-1552, 5658, 6914, 6917, 9510, 9874, 9881). That “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 are of the church of the Lord, thus the church in general, may be seen above (n. 20); they also signify heaven, because heaven and the church make one; moreover, those that have the church in them have heaven in them; for the reason that the good of love and of faith makes the church with man, and makes heaven with him, as it does with angels; consequently, those that had the church, that is, the goods and truths of the church, in them in the world, come into heaven after death. (That this is so, see The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 12; and in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 57, 221-227.) The “seven lampstands” here mean the new heaven and the new church, for these are treated of at the end of Revelation (see chapter 21), and thus the conclusion of all things therein; and because that which is last is also first, the prediction respecting these is presented at the beginning. Moreover, it is also customary in the Word to mention in the beginning things that are to take place at the end, because intermediates are thus included; for, in the spiritual sense, the first is the end for the sake of which, as that is both first and last, and to it all other things look (see in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 98).
sRef Zech@4 @2 S2′ sRef Zech@4 @3 S2′ sRef Rev@2 @5 S2′ sRef Rev@21 @23 S2′ sRef Rev@21 @24 S2′ [2] That “lampstand” signifies heaven and the church is evident from the description of the lampstand which was in the tabernacle, for by the tabernacle the whole heaven in the complex was represented; 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 so is clearly evident from John’s seeing “in the midst of the seven lampstands one like unto the Son of man;” “the Son of man” is the Lord in respect to His Divine Human, from which is Divine truth, which is the All in all things of heaven and the church. In the spiritual heaven also lampstands appear in much magnificence; by these that heaven is represented. These it has been given me to see. From this it can be seen what is meant in the Word, in the spiritual sense, by “lampstands” and by “lamps,” in the following passages. In Revelation:
I will remove thy lampstand out of its place, except thou repent (Rev. 2:5).
“To remove thy lampstand” is to take away from them heaven or the church. In Zechariah:
The angel said to the prophet, What seest thou? And I said, I have seen, 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 (Zech. 4:2, 3).
Here Zerubbabel is treated of, who was to lay the foundation of the house of God, and to finish it. By Zerubbabel is represented the Lord, that He was about to come and restore heaven and the church: these are the “lampstands” and the holy truths there are “the seven lamps.”
[3] Because a lampstand takes its representative meaning from the lamps, and the lamps from light, which in heaven is Divine truth, so the Lord is also called “a lamp,” as in Revelation:
The holy Jerusalem hath no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it; the glory of God shall lighten* it, and the Lamb is the lamp thereof (Rev. 21:23; 22:5).
From this also it is that David, and the kings after him, are called:
Lamps of Israel (2 Sam. 21:17; 1 Kings 11:36; 15:4; 2 Kings 8:19);
for the Lord in respect to His royalty was represented by David, likewise by the kings of Judah and Israel. (For the representation by “David,” see Arcana Coelestia, n. 1888, 9954; and by “kings,” n. 31, above.) The lampstands that were seen were of gold; because “gold” signifies the good of love, and all that proceeds from the Lord is from Divine love; consequently the Divine of the Lord in the heavens is love to Him and love towards the neighbor, which is charity (as may be seen in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 13-19). This is why the lampstand here, as well as the lampstand in the tabernacle, was of gold.
* The Greek has “did lighten,” as also found in Apocalypse Revealed, n. 897, 919, 940; though elsewhere we also find “will lighten” and “lightens.”

sRef Rev@1 @13 S0′ 63. Verse 13. And in the midst of the seven lampstands one like unto the Son of man, signifies the Lord, from whom is the All of heaven and of the church. This is evident from the signification of “in the midst,” as being in the inmost (see Arcana Coelestia., n. 1074, 2940, 2973); and as all things proceed from the inmost, as light proceeds from the center to the circumferences, so “in the midst” signifies from whom; also from the signification of “the seven lampstands,” as being the new heaven and the new church (of which just above, n. 62); and from the signification of “the Son of man,” as being the Lord in respect to the Divine Human, and also in respect to Divine truth, because Divine truth proceeds from His Divine Human. From this it can be seen why the Lord appeared “in the midst of seven lampstands,” namely, because from Him the All of heaven and the church proceeds; for it is the good of love and of faith that makes heaven and the church, and that this good is from the Divine is known in the Christian world, and as it is from the Divine, it is from the Lord, for the Lord is the God of heaven, and the Divine of the Lord makes heaven (see the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 2-6,7-12; and that this is His Divine Human, see n. 78-86).
sRef John@12 @35 S2′ sRef John@12 @34 S2′ sRef John@12 @36 S2′ [2] That the Son of man is the Lord in respect to the Divine Human, and also in respect to Divine truth, because Divine truth proceeds from His Divine Human, is evident from those passages in the Word where the Son of man is mentioned. Thus in John:
The multitude said to Jesus, How sayest Thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of man? Jesus answered thee, Yet a little while is the light with you; walk while ye have the light, lest darkness overtake you. While ye have the light believe in the light, that ye may be sons of light (John 12:34-36).
From these words it is clear that “the Son of man” and “Light” have a like signification; for when the people asked, Who is the 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 Lord’s Divine Human, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 126-140; and in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 49; thus also the Son of man.)
sRef Luke@6 @22 S3′ [3] In Luke:
Blessed are ye when men shall hate you for the Son of man’s sake (Luke 6:2).
“For the Son of man’s sake” is for the sake of Divine truth that proceeds from the Lord. Divine truth is the All of faith in and of love to the Lord. Because the evil deny these things, and those who deny also hate them, while the good acknowledge them, therefore it is said that the good are blessed. sRef Luke@17 @22 S4′ sRef Luke@17 @23 S4′ [4] In the same:
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, Lo here, or Lo there. Go not away, nor pursue after (Luke 17:22-23).
“To desire [to see] one of the days of the Son of man,” is to desire Divine truth, which is genuine truth, as to something thereof; the end of the church is here meant, when there will no longer be any faith, because there will be no charity, at which time all Divine truth will perish; and because Divine truth is signified by “the Son of man,” it is said, “Then shall they say, Lo here, or Lo there; pursue not after.”
sRef Luke@18 @8 S5′ [5] In the same:
When the Son of man cometh, shall He find faith upon the earth? (Luke 18:8);
which means that when Divine truth shall be revealed out of heaven it will not be believed. Here also, “the Son of man” is the Lord in respect 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).
sRef Matt@24 @30 S6′ sRef Matt@24 @27 S6′ [6] In Matthew:
As the lightning cometh forth from the east, and is seen 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 lament, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven, with power and glory (Matt. 24:27, 30).
That by “the coming of the Lord in the clouds of heaven” is here signified the revelation of Divine truth at the end of the church, see above (n. 36).
sRef Matt@26 @64 S7′ sRef Luke@22 @69 S7′ [7] In the same:
I say unto you, Henceforth ye shall see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven (Matt. 26:64).
And in Luke:
From henceforth shall the Son of man be seated at the right hand of the power of God (Luke 22:69).
“The Son of man” is the Lord in respect to the Divine Human, and in respect to Divine truth proceeding from Him; “to sit at the right hand of power” means that He has omnipotence; its being said that they were now about to see this 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 who received Him in faith and love could be saved (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 9715. That to “sit at the right hand” means omnipotence, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3387, 4592, 4933, 7518, 8281, 9193; that all the power of good is by means of truth, n. 6344, 6423, 8304, 9327, 9410, 9639, 9643. That Divine power itself is by means of Divine truth proceeding from the Lord’s Divine Human, see n. 6948; that the “clouds” in which the Son of man is to come are the Word in the letter, which is Divine truth in the ultimate of order, see the preface to chapter 18 of Genesis, n. 4060, 4391, 5922, 6343, 6752, 8443, 8781; and that “glory” is Divine truth itself, such as it is in the internal sense of the Word, see n. 4809, 5922, 8267, 9429).
sRef Rev@14 @14 S8′ sRef Dan@7 @13 S8′ [8] From this it can now be seen what is signified by these words in Revelation:
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 (Rev. 14:14).
And in Daniel:
I saw in the night visions, and behold, there came with the clouds of the heavens one like unto the Son of man (Dan. 7:13).
Because all judgment is executed according to truth, therefore it is said, that it was given to the Lord:
To execute judgment, because He is the Son of man (John 5:27); and that:
The Son of man shall render unto every man according to his deeds (Matt. 16:27);
and that:
When the Son of man shall come, He shall sit on the throne of His glory, and shall judge (Matt. 25:31).
sRef John@5 @27 S9′ sRef Matt@25 @31 S9′ sRef Matt@13 @38 S9′ sRef Matt@13 @37 S9′ sRef Matt@16 @27 S9′ [9] In Matthew:
He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man, the field is the world, the seed are the sons of the kingdom, the tares are the sons of the evil one (Matt. 13:37-38).
“Good seed” is Divine truth; it is therefore said that the Son of man soweth it; “the sons of the kingdom” are Divine truths in heaven and the church; for “son” is truth (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 489, 491, 533, 1147, 2623), and, in the contrary sense, falsity, which also is “the son of the evil one.”
sRef Luke@17 @25 S10′ sRef Matt@17 @12 S10′ sRef Matt@17 @23 S10′ sRef Matt@17 @22 S10′ sRef Matt@8 @20 S10′ [10] In the same:
The Son of man hath not where to lay His head (Matt. 8:20);
by which is meant that Divine truth had no place anywhere, that is, with any man at that time. That the Son of man was about to suffer and be put to death (Matt. 17:12, 22-23; 26:2, 24, 45; Mark 8:31; 9:12, 31) signifies that thus they were about to treat Divine truth, consequently the Lord, who was Divine truth itself. This He also teaches in Luke:
But first must the Son of man suffer, and be rejected of this generation (Luke 17:25).
sRef Jer@51 @43 S11′ sRef Jer@49 @18 S11′ sRef Jer@49 @33 S11′ sRef Ps@146 @3 S11′ [11] In Jeremiah:
No man [vir] shall dwell there; neither shall a son of man [hominis] sojourn there (Jer. 49:18, 33).
And in the same:
In the cities no man [vir] shall dwell, nor shall a son of man [hominis] pass through them (Jer. 51:43).
He who does not know the spiritual sense of the Word believes that by “cities” here are meant cities, and that by “man,” and “son of man,” are meant a man and a son; and that the cities were to be so desolated that no one should be in them, but it is the state of the church in respect to the doctrine of truth that is described by these words; for “cities” are the doctrinals of the church (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 402, 2449, 3216, 4492, 4493); and “man” is its very truth conjoined with good (see n. 3134, 7716, 9007); therefore a “son of man” is truth.
sRef Isa@51 @12 S12′ [12] As Divine truth proceeding from the Lord was signified by “the Son of man,” therefore the prophets by whom it was revealed were called “sons of man” (as Daniel 8:17; and Ezekiel 2:1, 3, 6, 8; 3:1, 3-4, 10, 17, 25; 4:1, 16; 8:5-6, 8, 12, 15; 12:2, 3, 9, 18, 22, 27). As most things in the Word have also a contrary sense, so “son of man” has a contrary signification, which is the falsity opposite to truth. Thus in Isaiah:
What art thou, that thou art afraid of man, that dies; and of the son of man, who shall be as grass (Isa. 51:12).
And in David:
Put not your trust in princes, in the son of man, with whom there is no salvation (Ps. 146:3).
“Princes” are primary truths (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2089, 5044); so, in the contrary sense, primary falsities; and “the son of man” is falsity itself.

sRef Rev@1 @13 S0′ 64. Clothed with a garment down to the foot, signifies Divine truth proceeding from Him. This is evident from the signification of “garments” as being truths that clothe good (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 1073, 2576, 5248, 5319, 5954, 9212, 9216, 9952, 10536). Here is only mentioned “a garment down to the foot,” which is a general covering; by which, as the Lord is treated of, all Divine truth in general is meant. Since the Lord is here described in respect to the Divine Human, which is here the “Son of man seen in the midst of the lampstands,” and it is said that He was “clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about at the paps with a golden girdle,” and afterwards that “His face shone as the sun in his power,” I wish to give an explanation of what is said in the Evangelists about the Lord when He was transfigured, where some similar expressions are used; and afterwards of what is said about the soldiers dividing His garments, and casting the lot upon His tunic.
sRef Matt@17 @1 S2′ sRef Matt@17 @2 S2′ sRef Matt@17 @3 S2′ sRef Matt@17 @4 S2′ sRef Matt@17 @5 S2′ [2] Of the Lord’s transfiguration it is thus written:
Jesus took Peter, James, and John, into a very high mountain, and He was transfigured before them; and His face did shine as the sun, and His garments became white as the light. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah speaking 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. 17:1-6; Mark 9:2-8; Luke 9:28-36).
The Lord took Peter, James, and John, because by them the church in respect to faith, charity, and the works of charity was represented; He took them “into a high mountain,” because “mountain” signifies heaven; “His face did shine as the sun,” because “face” signifies the interiors, and it did shine as the sun because His interiors were Divine, for the “sun” is Divine love; “His garments became white as the light,” because “garments” signify Divine truth proceeding from Him; the like is signified by “light.” “Moses and Elijah” appeared, because the two signify the Word, “Moses” the historical Word, and “Elijah” the prophetical Word; “a bright cloud overshadowed them,” because “a bright cloud” signifies the Word in the letter within which is the internal sense; “a 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 the cloud” signifies Divine truth out of the Word, and “beloved Son,” the Lord’s Divine Human. And because Divine truth is from Him, and thence all truth of the church, it was said out of the cloud, “in whom I am well pleased, hear ye Him.”
sRef John@5 @37 S3′ sRef John@1 @2 S3′ sRef John@1 @18 S3′ sRef John@19 @24 S3′ sRef John@19 @23 S3′ [3] It was plainly the Divine Human of the Lord that was thus seen, for the Divine Itself cannot be seen by anyone, except through the Divine Human. This the Lord also teaches in John:
No man hath seen God at any time; the only-begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, He hath brought Him forth to view (John 1:18).
And in another place:
Ye have neither heard the voice of the Father at any time, nor seen His shape (John 5:37).
(That such things are signified by these words in the Evangelists, can be seen in the Arcana Coelestia where the particulars are made known, namely, that by “Peter,” “James,” and “John,” in the Word, are signified faith, charity, and the works of charity, n. 3750, and above, n. 8, 9; by “high mountain” is signified heaven, n. 8327, 8805, 9420, 9422, 9434, 10608; by “face,” the interiors which are 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; by “the sun,” Divine Love, n. 2495, 4060, 7083; and in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 116-125; by “garments,” when the Lord is treated of, Divine truth, n. 9212, 9216; and the like by “light,” n. 3195, 3222, 5400, 8644, 9399, 9548, 9684; and in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 126-140. That “Moses and Elias” signify the Word; “Moses,” see Arcana Coelestia, n. 5922, 6723, 6752, 6771, 6827, 7010, 7014, 7089, 7382, 9372, 10234; and “Elias,” 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 fact that the “Lord’s garments” signify Divine truth, it may be known what is signified by the soldiers dividing the garments of the Lord among them, and casting a lot upon His tunic, of which it is thus written in John:
The soldiers took His garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part, also the tunic. Now the tunic was without seam, woven from the top throughout. They said therefore one to another, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for whose it shall be; that the Scripture might be fulfilled which saith, They parted My garments among them, and upon My vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did (John 19:23-24).
sRef Num@4 @39 S4′ sRef Num@4 @23 S4′ sRef Num@4 @43 S4′ sRef Num@4 @47 S4′ sRef Num@4 @35 S4′ [4] He who is not aware that in every particular of the Word there is an internal sense which is spiritual, cannot see any arcanum in these things; he knows only that the soldiers divided the garments and not the tunic; and beyond this he knows nothing; when not only in this fact is there a Divine arcanum, but also in every particular of what is recorded concerning the passion of the Lord. The arcanum in this fact is that the garments of the Lord signified Divine truth, thus the Word, because the Word is Divine truth; the “garments” that they divided, the Word in the letter, and the “tunic” the Word in the internal sense to “divide them” signifies to disperse and falsify; and “the soldiers” signify those that are of the church, who should fight in behalf of Divine truth. This is why it is said, “These things therefore the soldiers did.” From this it is clear that the meaning of these words in the spiritual sense is that the Jewish Church dispersed the Divine truth which is in the sense of the letter, but could not disperse the Divine truth which is in the internal sense. That the “garments of the Lord” signified Divine truth, thus the Word, was shown above; that His “tunic” signified Divine truth, or the Word, in the internal sense, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 9826, 9942; that to “divide” is to disperse and separate from good and truth, thus to falsify, see n. 4424, 6360, 6361, 9094; that “the soldiers” signify those that are of the church, here of the Jewish church, who should fight in behalf of Divine truth, is clear from the spiritual sense of “warfare” and of “war;” that “war” signifies spiritual combats, which are of truth against falsity, see n. 1659, 1664, 8295, 10455; it is therefore said of the Levites, whose function pertained to such things as are of the church, that they were discharging military duty and were serving in war, when they were exercising their ministry in the tent of the assembly (Num. 4:23, 35, 39, 43, 47; 8:23, 24).

sRef Rev@1 @13 S0′ 65. And girt about at the paps with a golden girdle, signifies Divine good likewise. This is evident from the signification of “being girt about at the paps with a girdle,” as being to be encompassed about the breast; “paps” and “girdle” are mentioned, because paps stand out from the breast, and a girdle encompasses. Divine good going forth from the Lord is here meant because this is signified by the “breast” in general and by the “paps” in particular. Good proceeding is meant because all garments signify things that proceed, for they are outside the body and clothe it; as things that proceed are also outside the body and encompass it. (That this is so can be seen from what is said in the work on Heaven and Hell, of The Garments with which Angels are Clothed, n. 177-182; namely, that everyone is clothed with garments according to his affection for becoming intelligent and wise, and this affection is what proceeds from them; for there is a sphere that proceeds from every angel and spirit, which is a sphere of affection, and is called the sphere of his life, and their garments are according to this sphere. That this is so does not appear before their eyes, but yet they know that it is so. Of this sphere, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2489, 4464, 5179, 7454, 8630.)
sRef Isa@60 @15 S2′ sRef Isa@60 @16 S2′ [2] From this it can be seen that the “Lord’s garments” signify the proceeding Divine, which is Divine truth united to Divine good, which fills the universal heaven and enters into the interiors of the mind, and gives to him who receives it intelligence and wisdom. This is meant by being “clothed with white garments.” Because the proceeding Divine good is signified by “the girdle” with which the Lord was girded, therefore the girdle appeared golden, for “gold” signifies the good of love (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 113, 1551, 1552, 5658, 6914, 6917, 9510, 9874, 9881). The “paps” are mentioned instead of the breast, which was girt with the girdle, because “paps” signify spiritual love, and “breast” signifies the good itself of that love. This love is signified by “paps” in Isaiah:
I will make thee a magnificence of eternity, the joy of generation and generation. Thou shalt suck the milk of the nations, and shalt suck the paps of kings (Isa. 60:15-16).
“Kings” are truths out of good from the Lord (see above, n. 31); “paps” and “breast” are that good, which is the good of spiritual love.
[3] That “breast” 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 corresponding to the head; the middle or second to the breast; and the outmost or first to the feet. Because there is this correspondence, heaven is also called the Greatest Man. And as the inmost or third heaven corresponds to the head, by “head” is signified the good of celestial love, which is the good of love to the Lord; because that good rules and makes that heaven; and as the middle or second heaven corresponds to the breast, by “breast” is signified the good of spiritual love, which is the good of love to the neighbor, because that good rules and makes that heaven; and as the outmost or first heaven corresponds to the feet, by “feet” is signified the good of natural love from spiritual love, which is the good of faith; because that good rules and makes that heaven. From this it is clear why “paps” signify spiritual love, and the “breast” its good. (But these things may be better understood from what is shown in the work on Heaven and Hell, especially in the following chapters: On the Three Heavens, n. 29-39; That the Divine of the Lord in the Heavens is Love to Him and Charity towards the Neighbor, n. 13-19; That the Universal Heaven represents one Man, n. 59-67; That there is a Correspondence of Heaven with all things of Man, n. 87-102; and in the Arcana Coelestia, n. 4938, 4939, 10087. It may be permitted to cite from that work, by way of illustration, this further reason why the “breast” signifies the good of spiritual love, namely, that within the breast are the heart and lungs, and the “heart” from correspondence signifies celestial love, while the “lungs” signify spiritual love, but the lungs fill the breast. That there is this correspondence, see in the Arcana Coelestia, n. 3883-3896, 9280, 9300. What celestial love is, and what spiritual love, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 23.)

sRef Rev@1 @14 S0′ 66. Verse 14. And His head and hairs white, signifies the Divine in firsts and in ultimates. This is evident from the signification of “head,” when it refers to the Lord, of whom these things are said, as being the Divine in firsts (of which presently); and from the signification of “hairs,” as being the Divine in ultimates (of which also presently); and from the signification of “white,” as being what is pure. (That “white” [album] and “bright white” [candidum] mean what is pure, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3301, 3993, 4007, 5319.) “Head,” in reference to the Lord, is the Divine in firsts, because the head is the highest part of man, and in it are his firsts, which are called the beginnings, from which are derived all things that have place in the body; for in the head are the understanding and the will, from which, as from their firsts or beginnings, flow the remaining things that relate to man’s outer life, such as speech and all actions. But “hairs,” in reference to the Lord, mean the Divine in ultimates, because hairs are ultimate things, for they grow out of the outmost parts of man, and first things terminate in them; when, therefore, “head” and “hairs” are mentioned firsts and ultimates are meant.
sRef Judg@16 @17 S2′ sRef Num@6 @15 S2′ sRef Num@6 @17 S2′ sRef Judg@16 @22 S2′ sRef Judg@16 @20 S2′ sRef Judg@16 @21 S2′ sRef Judg@16 @19 S2′ sRef Judg@16 @18 S2′ sRef Num@6 @16 S2′ sRef Num@6 @9 S2′ sRef Judg@16 @13 S2′ sRef Num@6 @10 S2′ sRef Num@6 @11 S2′ sRef Num@6 @12 S2′ sRef Judg@16 @14 S2′ sRef Judg@16 @16 S2′ sRef Num@6 @8 S2′ sRef Judg@16 @15 S2′ sRef Num@6 @13 S2′ sRef Num@6 @14 S2′ sRef Num@6 @6 S2′ sRef Num@6 @18 S2′ sRef Num@6 @19 S2′ sRef Judg@16 @29 S2′ sRef Judg@16 @30 S2′ sRef Judg@16 @31 S2′ sRef Num@6 @20 S2′ sRef Num@6 @4 S2′ sRef Num@6 @5 S2′ sRef Num@6 @21 S2′ sRef Num@6 @1 S2′ sRef Num@6 @2 S2′ sRef Num@6 @3 S2′ sRef Judg@16 @28 S2′ sRef Judg@16 @26 S2′ sRef Judg@16 @25 S2′ sRef Judg@16 @27 S2′ sRef 2Ki@2 @24 S2′ sRef 2Ki@2 @23 S2′ sRef Judg@16 @24 S2′ sRef Num@6 @7 S2′ sRef Judg@16 @23 S2′ [2] Anyone who knows that in spiritual things also “head” signifies first things and “hairs” ultimates, and that first things and ultimates signify all things (as shown in n. 41), can know many arcana of the internal sense where “head” and “hairs” are mentioned; as that:
A Nazarite should not shave the hair of his head, for this, as it is said, was the Nazariteship of God upon his head, and when the days were accomplished, he was to shave it off and consecrate it (Num. 6:1-21);
also that:
The strength of Samson was in his locks, and when they were shaven off he became weak, and when they grew again he came into his strength (Judg. 16:13 to the end);
also that:
Forty-two children were torn in pieces by bears because they mocked Elisha, calling him bald-head (2 Kings 2:23-24);
as also that:
Elijah was clothed with a garment of hair (2 Kings 1:8);
And John the Baptist with camel’s hair (Mark 1:6);
furthermore, what “head,” “hairs,” “beard,” and “baldness” signify wherever they are mentioned in the Word.
sRef Luke@24 @39 S3′ sRef Luke@24 @40 S3′ [3] That a Nazarite should not shave his hair, because this, as is said, was the Nazariteship of God upon his head; and that when the days were accomplished he should shave it off and consecrate it, was for the reason that the Nazarite represented the Lord in firsts and in ultimates, and His Divine in ultimates was His Human, which He made Divine even to the flesh and bones, which are ultimates. That He made it Divine even to the flesh and bones is evident from the fact that He left nothing in the sepulcher, and that:
He said to the disciples that He had flesh and bones, which a spirit hath not (Luke 24:39-40).
And when the Divine Itself is Divine even in ultimates, then it governs all things from firsts by means of ultimates (as can be seen from what was shown above, n. 41; especially from what was cited from the Arcana Coelestia, namely, that interior things flow in successively into exterior things, even into what is extreme or outmost, and there have existence and subsistence, n. 634, 6239, 6465, 9215, 9216; that they not only flow in successively, but also form what is simultaneous in the ultimate, in what order see n. 5897, 6451, 8603, 10099; that therefore all interior things are held together in connection from the first by means of the ultimate, n. 9828, and in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 297; that from this the ultimate is more holy than the interiors, n. 9824; and therefore in ultimates there is strength and power, n. 9836). These then are the reasons why the Nazariteship was instituted. The Nazarite was finally to consecrate his hair by putting it into the fire of the altar, because it represented the Divine holiness, and the “fire of the altar” signified that holiness (n. 934, 6314, 6832).
sRef Judg@16 @17 S4′ sRef Judg@16 @16 S4′ sRef Judg@16 @18 S4′ sRef Judg@16 @20 S4′ sRef Judg@16 @19 S4′ sRef Judg@16 @30 S4′ sRef Judg@13 @7 S4′ sRef Judg@16 @13 S4′ sRef Judg@16 @15 S4′ sRef Judg@16 @14 S4′ sRef Judg@16 @21 S4′ sRef Judg@16 @28 S4′ sRef Judg@16 @27 S4′ sRef Judg@16 @31 S4′ sRef Judg@16 @29 S4′ sRef Judg@16 @23 S4′ sRef Judg@16 @22 S4′ sRef Judg@16 @24 S4′ sRef Judg@16 @26 S4′ sRef Judg@16 @25 S4′ [4] From this it can be seen, moreover, why the strength of Samson was in his hair (Judges 16:13 to the end), for it is said that:
He was a Nazarite from his mother’s womb (Judg. 13:7; 16:17).
Moreover, for the same reason:
It was not lawful for the high priest and his sons, nor for the Levites, to shave the head and make themselves bald (Lev. 10:6; 21:5, 10; Ezek. 44:20).
Likewise:
With the Israelitish people to cut off the beard (which had a like signification) was disgraceful (2 Sam. 10:4, 5).
The forty-two children were torn in pieces by the bears because they mocked Elisha, calling him bald-head, for the reason that Elijah and Elisha represented the Lord in respect to the Word, which is Divine truth, the sanctity and strength of which are in ultimates from firsts, as was said just above. Because “baldness” thus signified the deprivation of these, this took place. “Bears,” moreover, signify truth in ultimates. (That Elijah and Elisha represented the Lord in respect to the Word, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2762, 5247.) From this it is clear also why Elijah had a hairy garment and John one of camel’s hair; for John the Baptist, like Elijah, represented the Lord in respect to the Word; for this reason also he was called Elijah (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 7643, 9372).
sRef Amos@8 @10 S5′ sRef Ezek@29 @18 S5′ sRef Jer@7 @29 S5′ sRef Ezek@5 @1 S5′ sRef Isa@15 @2 S5′ sRef Isa@7 @20 S5′ sRef Ezek@7 @18 S5′ sRef Ps@68 @21 S5′ sRef Jer@7 @28 S5′ [5] When these things are understood, it can be known what is signified in the Word by “head,” “hairs,” “beard,” and “baldness,” as in Isaiah:
In that time shall the Lord shave by the king of Assyria, the head, and the hairs of the feet, He shall also consume the beard (Isa. 7:20).
In the same prophet:
On all heads baldness, every beard cut off (Isa. 15:2).
In Jeremiah:
Truth is perished, and is cut off from their mouth. Cut off thine hair and cast it away (Jer. 7:28-29).
In Ezekiel:
Take a razor and pass it over the head and beard (Ezek. 5:1).
Shame shall be upon every face, and baldness upon all heads (Ezek. 7:18).
Every head was made bald (Ezek. 29:18).
In Amos:
I will bring up baldness upon every head (Amos 8:10).
In David:
God shall bruise the head of His enemies, the hairy scalp of him that goeth on in his guilt (Ps. 68:21).
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 truth and good; since he that is deprived of ultimates is also deprived of things prior, for prior things have existence and subsistence in ultimates, as was said above. Moreover, in the world of spirits there are seen some that are bald, and I have been told that they are such as have abused the Word, and have applied the sense of the letter, which is Divine truth in ultimates, to wicked purposes, and therefore have been deprived of all truth. These are most malignant. Many of them are of the Babylonish body. Angels, on the contrary, appear with becoming hair.

sRef Dan@7 @9 S0′ sRef Rev@1 @14 S0′ sRef Mark@9 @3 S1′ 67. As white wool, as snow, signifies in respect to good and truth therein. This is evident from the signification of “white wool” as being good in ultimates (of which presently); and from the signification of “snow,” as being truth in ultimates. “Snow” means truth in ultimates by reason of the water of which it is composed, and its whiteness and brightness. (That “water” signifies truth, see below, n, 71; and that “whiteness,” and “brightness,” signify truth from the transparency of light, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3301, 3993, 4007, 5319, 8459.) “White wool,” signifies good in ultimates, because wool upon lambs and sheep has a signification like that of hair upon man; and “lambs,” and “sheep” signify good, “lambs” celestial good (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3519, 3994, 10132), and “sheep” spiritual good (n. 4169, 4809). From this it is that the “hairs,” by which Divine truth in ultimates is signified, are said to be “white as white wool, and as snow.” So also of the Lord, when He was transfigured:
His garments became glistening, exceeding white as snow, so as no fuller on earth can whiten them (Mark 9:3);
and of the “Ancient of Days” in Daniel:
I beheld till thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of Days did sit; His raiment was white as snow, and the hair of His head was white wool* (Dan. 7:9).
“Raiment” signifies the Divine in ultimates (see above, n. 64); and “the Ancient of Days,” the Lord from eternity.
sRef Ps@147 @16 S2′ sRef Ezek@34 @3 S2′ sRef Ps@147 @15 S2′ sRef Hos@2 @5 S2′ sRef Isa@1 @18 S2′ sRef Hos@2 @9 S2′ [2] Because “wool” signifies good in ultimates, 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, that give me my bread and my waters, my wool and my flax. Therefore will I return and take my corn in the time thereof, and I will pluck away my wool and my flax (Hos. 2:5, 9).
In Ezekiel:
Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool; ye slaughter that which is the best; ye feed not the flock (Ezek. 34:3).
In David:
Jehovah will send** out His word upon the earth; He giveth snow like wool (Ps. 147:15-16).
In Isaiah:
Though your sins be as scarlet they shall be white as snow; though they be red like purple they shall be as wool (Isa. 1:18).
“Snow” is predicated of sins that were as scarlet, and “wool” of sins that were red like purple, because “scarlet” signifies truth from good, and in a contrary sense, falsity from evil (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 4922, 9468); and “red” and “purple” signify good, and in a contrary sense, evil of every kind (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3300, 9467, 9865).
* The Chaldee here has “like,” as also found in Apocalypse Explained, n. 504; Apocalypse Revealed, n. 47; Arcana Coelestia, n. 3301, 5313.
** The Hebrew has “sends.”

sRef Rev@1 @14 S0′ sRef Jer@24 @6 S0′ sRef Ps@11 @4 S0′ sRef Ps@33 @18 S0′ 68. And His eyes as a flame of fire, signifies Divine Providence from His Divine love. This is evident from the signification of “eyes,” as being the understanding (see above, n. 37); and in reference to the Lord, as meaning presence, and thus providence (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3869, 10569) of which in what follows; also from the signification of “a flame of fire,” as meaning, in reference to the Lord, Divine love. “A flame of fire” means Divine love because from heaven the Lord appears as a sun, and the Divine that proceeds from Him as light, flaming light in the inmost or third heaven, and bright white light in the middle or second heaven. The Divine love itself is what thus appears. From this it is that in the Word “fire” and “flame” signify love (as can be seen from what is shown in the Arcana Coelestia, namely, that in the Word “fire” signifies love in each sense, n. 934, 4906, 5215. That sacred and celestial fire is Divine love, and every affection which is of that love, see n. 934, 6314, 6832. That there are two origins of heat, one the sun of the world, from which all things vegetate upon the earth, the other the sun of heaven, which is the Lord, from which angels and men derive the all of 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 flaming, and in the middle heaven bright white, see n. 9570; and likewise in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 116-140). In reference to the Lord, “eyes” signify Divine Providence, because, in reference to 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 Isaiah:
Incline thine ear, O Jehovah, and hear; and open thine eyes, O Jehovah, and see (Isa. 37:17).
In Jeremiah:
I will set Mine eye upon them for good, and I will bring them again to their land,* and I will build them (Jer. 24:6).
In David:
Behold the eye of Jehovah is upon them that fear Him (Ps. 33:18);
and in the same:
Jehovah is in the temple of His holiness, His eyes behold, and His eyelids prove the sons of man (Ps. 11:4);
and elsewhere. (What Divine Providence is, see The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 267-279.)
* Hebrew: “this land,” as also found in Apocalypse Explained, n. 403; but Arcana Coelestia, n. 10569 has “their land.”

sRef Rev@1 @15 S0′ 69. Verse 15. And His feet like unto burnished brass, as if glowing in a furnace, signifies the ultimate of Divine order, which is the natural, full of Divine love. This is evident from the signification of “feet,” as being the natural (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2162, 3147, 3761, 3986, 4280, 4938-4952); therefore, in reference to the Lord, as meaning the ultimate of Divine order, because that is the natural; also from the signification of “burnished brass,” or brass polished, as being natural good (of which presently); and from the signification of “glowing,” as being, in reference to the Lord, what is from Divine love (see n. 10055). It is said, “as if glowing in a furnace,” in order that the Divine love in the greatest degree and in its fullness may be represented, for the Divine is in its fullness when it is in its ultimate, and the ultimate is the natural (see above, n. 66).
From this it is clear that by “His feet like unto burnished brass, as if glowing in a furnace,” is signified the ultimate of Divine order, which is the natural, full of Divine love. These things, as well as the preceding, are described by comparisons; as that “His head and His hairs were white as white wool, as snow,” and that “His feet were like unto burnished brass, as if glowing in a furnace;” but it is to be noted, that all comparisons in the Word are significative, for they are from correspondences in like manner as the things themselves (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3579, 4599, 8989).
[2] In reference to the Lord, “feet” signify the ultimate of Divine order, and this is the natural, because heaven is heaven from the Lord’s Divine Human, and from this it is that heaven in the whole complex represents one man; and as there are three heavens, that the highest heaven represents the head, the middle heaven the body, and the lowest heaven the feet. The Divine that makes the highest heaven is called the celestial Divine, but the Divine that makes the middle heaven is called the spiritual Divine, and the Divine that makes the lowest heaven is called the natural Divine from the spiritual and celestial. This makes it evident why the Lord is here described in respect to His Divine Human, which is the Son of man seen in the midst of the lampstands, not only as regards His garments, but also as to His head, breast, and feet. (That the Son of man is the Lord as to His Divine Human, see above, n. 63; and that the “lampstands” are heaven, see n. 62. But since these things are arcana hitherto unknown in the world, and yet must be understood in order that the internal sense of this and the following parts of this prophetical book may be comprehended, the particulars have been explained specifically in the work on Heaven and Hell; as That the Divine Human of the Lord makes Heaven, n. 7-12, 78-86, seq.; That on this account Heaven in the whole Complex represents 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 lowest to the feet, n. 2940.) When this is understood it can be seen what is signified in the Word by “the feet of Jehovah” or “of the Lord,” namely, the ultimate of Divine order, or the natural; and since the external of the church, of worship, and of the Word is the ultimate of Divine order in the church, and is the natural, this is specifically signified by “the feet of Jehovah” or “of the Lord.”
sRef Ex@24 @10 S3′ sRef Isa@60 @14 S3′ sRef Nahum@1 @3 S3′ sRef Ps@99 @5 S3′ sRef Isa@60 @13 S3′ sRef Ezek@1 @7 S3′ sRef Lam@2 @1 S3′ sRef Ps@132 @7 S3′ sRef Rev@10 @1 S3′ sRef Isa@66 @1 S3′ sRef Dan@10 @5 S3′ sRef Dan@10 @6 S3′ [3] Because of this signification of “the feet of Jehovah” or “of the Lord,” therefore when the Lord was seen as an Angel by the prophets elsewhere, He appeared in like 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 was like the tarshish stone, and His eyes as lamps of fire, and His arms and His feet like the brightness of polished brass (Dan. 10:5-6).
In like manner the cherubs, by which is meant the Lord in respect to providence and protection (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 9277, 9509, 9673), were seen by Ezekiel:
Their feet sparkled like the brightness of polished brass (Ezek. 1:7).
The Lord was seen in like manner as an Angel as described further on in Revelation:
I saw an Angel coming down out of heaven, arrayed with a cloud, and a rainbow was about His head, and His face was as the sun, and His feet as pillars of fire (Rev. 10:1).
As the Lord appeared in this manner as to His feet, therefore under His feet there was seen by some of the sons of Israel:
As it were a work of sapphire stone, and as it were the substance of heaven for clearness (Exod. 24:10).
Their vision of the Lord was not as to the feet, but “under the feet,” because they were not in, but under, the external of the church, of worship, and of the Word (see The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 248).
[4] Since “the feet of Jehovah” or “of the Lord” signify the ultimate of Divine order, and this specifically is the external of the church, of worship, and of the Word, therefore this external is called in the Word “His footstool,” 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 honorable. And they shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet (Isa. 60:13-14).
In the same:
Heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool (Isa. 66:1).
In Jeremiah:
God doth not remember His footstool in the day of anger (Lam. 2:1).
In David:
Worship Jehovah at His footstool (Ps. 99:5).
We will go into His tabernacles; we will worship at His footstool (Ps. 132:7).
In Nahum:
Of Jehovah, the clouds are the dust of His feet (Nahum 1:3).
“Cloud” is the external of the Word, or the Word in respect to the letter (see above, n. 36). Because “cloud” is the external of the Word, it is also the external of the church and of worship; for the church and worship are from the Word. “Clouds” are called “dust of His feet,” because those things that are in the sense of the letter of the Word, which is natural, appear scattered.

sRef Rev@1 @15 S0′ 70. The feet are said to be “like unto burnished brass,” because burnished brass is polished brass, shining from something fiery; and “brass” in the Word signifies natural good. Metals are equally significative with the rest in the Word. “Gold” in the Word signifies celestial good, which is inmost good; “silver” signifies the truth thereof, which is spiritual good: “brass” natural good which is outmost good, and “iron” the truth thereof, which is natural truth.
Metals have such significations from correspondence; for in heaven many things are seen shining as if from gold and silver, and also many things as if from brass and iron; and it is there known that by these the goods and truths mentioned above are signified. It was from this that the ancients, who had a knowledge of correspondences, named the ages according to these metals; calling the first age the “golden,” because innocence, love, and wisdom therefrom then ruled; but the second “silver,” because truth from that good, or spiritual good, and intelligence therefrom then ruled; the third age “brazen” or “copper,” because mere natural good, which is justness and sincerity of moral life, then ruled; but the last age they called “iron,” because mere truth without good then ruled, and when that rules, falsity also rules. All this was from the spiritual signification of these metals.
sRef Isa@60 @17 S2′ sRef Dan@2 @33 S2′ sRef Dan@2 @32 S2′ [2] From this it can be known what is signified by the image seen in a dream by Nebuchadnezzar:
The head of which was of gold, the breast and arms of silver, the belly and sides of brass, the legs of iron, and the feet partly of iron and partly of clay (Dan. 2:23, 33);
namely, the state of the church in respect to good and truth, from its first time to its last; 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 these metals are mentioned, can be understood. Thus 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 (Isa. 60:17).
sRef Deut@8 @7 S3′ sRef Jer@15 @20 S3′ sRef Jer@15 @21 S3′ sRef Deut@33 @24 S3′ sRef Deut@33 @25 S3′ sRef Ezek@27 @13 S3′ sRef Deut@8 @9 S3′ [3] But as the signification of “brass,” as meaning natural good, is here treated of, I will cite only a few passages where “brass” is mentioned, as signifying that good. Thus in Moses:
Asher acceptable unto his brethren, and dipping his foot in oil. Thy shoe iron and brass, and as thy days thy fame (Deut. 33:24-25).
“Asher,” as one of the tribes, signifies the blessedness of life, and the delight of affections (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3938-3939, 6408); “to dip the foot in oil” signifies natural delight, “oil” is delight (see n. 9954), “foot” the natural (see just above, n. 69); “the shoe iron and brass” signifies the lowest natural from truth and good, “the shoe” is the lowest natural (see n. 1748, 1860, 6844), “iron” is its truth, and “brass” its good (as above). In the same:
Jehovah thy God will bring thee into a wealthy land; a land out of whose stones thou mayest hew out iron, and out of its mountains brass (Deut. 8:7, 9).
In Jeremiah:
I will give thee unto this people for a fortified wall of brass, that they may fight against thee and not prevail against thee (Jer. 15:20).
And in Ezekiel:
Javan, Tubal, and Meshech, they were thy traffickers; with the soul of man and with vessels of brass they traded thy merchandise (Ezek. 27:13).
In this chapter the traffickings of Tyre are treated of, by which are signified the knowledges of good and truth; by the names “Javan,” “Tubal,” and “Meshech,” are signified such things as are of good and truth, of which knowledges treat; the “soul of man” is truth of life; “vessels of brass” are scientifics of natural good. (What is signified by “Tyre” may be seen in Arcana Coelestia, n. 1201; what by “traffickings,” n. 2967, 4453; what by “Tubal and Meshech,” 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.) In the same:
The feet of the cherubs sparkled like the appearance of polished brass (Ezek. 1:7).
What “cherubs” and “feet” signify, see above (n. 69).
sRef John@3 @15 S4′ sRef John@3 @14 S4′ sRef Ezek@1 @7 S4′ sRef Ezek@40 @3 S4′ sRef Num@21 @6 S4′ sRef Num@21 @8 S4′ sRef Num@21 @9 S4′ [4] In the same:
I saw and behold there was a man, whose appearance was like the appearance of brass, and a line of flax was in his hand; and he was standing in the gate (Ezek. 40:3).
It was because this angel measured the wall and the gates of the house of God, which signify the externals of the church, that his appearance was seen as the appearance of brass. He who knows that “brass” signifies the external of the church, which in itself is natural, can in some measure know why:
The altar of burnt-offering was overlaid with brass, and the grating about it was of brass, and the vessels of brass (Exod. 27:1-4);
as 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 7:43-47).
[5] He who knows what “brass” signifies may also enter into the arcanum why it was commanded that a serpent of brass be set up for the people to look at, of which it is thus written in Moses:
Jehovah sent serpents among the people, and they bit the people. And He said unto Moses, Make thee a serpent, and set it upon a standard, and it shall come to pass that everyone that is bitten, and looketh upon it, shall live. And Moses made a serpent of brass, and set it upon a standard; and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, and he looked unto the serpent of brass, he lived (Num. 21:6, 8-9).
That this “serpent” signified the Lord, 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 may not perish, but may have everlasting life (John 3:14-15).
By the “serpent” is signified that which is the ultimate of life with man, and is called the external sensual, which is the natural. Because this ultimate in the Lord was Divine, a serpent of brass was made among the sons of Israel, with whom all things were representative; and this signified that if they would look to the Divine Human of the Lord they would live again, that is, if they would believe in Him they would have eternal life, as the Lord Himself also teaches. (That to “see” is in the spiritual sense to believe, see above, n. 37, 68; and that the “serpent” is the external sensual, which is the ultimate of man’s life, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 195-197, 6398, 6949, 10313.) That “brass” and “iron” in the Word also signify what is hard (as in Isa. 48:4; Dan. 7:19; and elsewhere), will be seen in what follows.

sRef Rev@1 @15 S0′ 71. And His voice as the voice of many waters, signifies Divine truth in ultimates. This is evident from the signification of a “voice” when it is from the Lord, as being Divine truth (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 219, 220, 3563, 6971, 8813, 8914, and above, n. 55); and from the signification of “waters,” as being the truths of faith, and also the knowledges of truth (of which see n. 2702, 3058, 5668, 8568, 10238); and since the knowledges of truths are in ultimates, “the voice as the voice of many waters,” because it is said of the Lord, signifies Divine truth in ultimates. (That knowledges and scientifics are of the external or natural man, because they are in the light of the world, thus in ultimates, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 5212, and in general, New Jerusalem and Its Heavenly Doctrine, n. 51.) As it is not yet known that “waters” in the Word signify the truths of faith and the knowledges of truth, I would like, since this signification may possibly appear remote, to show here briefly that this is what is meant in the Word by “waters.” This, moreover, is necessary, because without a knowledge of what “waters” signify, it cannot be known what baptism signifies, nor the “washings” in the Israelitish church so frequently referred to. “Waters” signify the truths of faith, as “bread” signifies the good of love. “Waters” and “bread” have this signification because things that pertain to spiritual nourishment are expressed in the sense of the letter by such things as belong to natural nourishment; for bread and water, which include in general all food and drink, nourish the body, while the truths of faith and the good of love nourish the soul. This also is from correspondence, for when “bread” and “water” are read of in the Word, angels, because they are spiritual, understand the things by which they are nourished, which 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 I will cite some passages from which it may be known that “waters” signify the truths of faith, likewise the knowledges of truth. Thus in Isaiah:
The earth is full of the knowledge of Jehovah, as the waters cover the sea (Isa. 11:9).
In the same:
Then with joy shall ye draw waters out of the fountains of salvation (Isa. 12:3).
In the same:
He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly, bread shall be given him, and his waters shall be sure (Isa. 33:15-16).
In the same:
The poor and the needy seek water, but there is none; their tongue faileth for thirst. I will open rivers upon the heights, and will place fountains in the midst of the valleys. I will make the wilderness into a pool of waters, and the dry land into a going forth of waters; that they may see, and know, and consider, and understand (Isa. 41:17, 18, 20).
In the same:
I will pour waters upon him that is thirsty, and streams upon the dry ground; I will pour My spirit upon thy seed, and My blessing upon thine offspring (Isa. 44:3).
In the same:
Thy light shall arise in the darkness, and thy thick darkness be as the noonday; that thou mayest be like a watered garden, and like a going forth of waters, whose waters shall not prove false (Isa. 58:10-11).
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 (Jer. 2:13).
In the same:
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 (Jer. 14:3).
In the same:
They have forsaken Jehovah, the fountain of living waters (Jer. 17:13).
In the same:
They shall come with weeping,* and with supplications will I lead them; I will lead them unto fountains of waters, in the way of right (Jer. 31:9).
In Ezekiel:
I will break the staff of bread, and they shall eat bread by weight and with carefulness; and they shall drink water by measure and with astonishment; that they may want bread and water, and be desolated, a man and a brother, and pine away for their iniquities (Ezek. 4:16-17; 12:18-19; Isa. 51:14).
In Amos:
Behold the days come, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, 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 (Amos 8:11-13).
In Zechariah:
In that day living waters shall go out from Jerusalem (Zech. 14:8).
In David:
Jehovah is my Shepherd, I shall not want. He will lead me to the waters of rest (Ps. 23:1-2).
In Isaiah:
They shall not thirst, He will cause waters to flow out of the rock for them, and He will cleave the rock, that the waters may flow out (Isa. 48:21).
In David:
O God, early will I seek Thee; my soul thirsteth, I am weary without waters (Ps. 63:1).
In the same:
Jehovah sendeth His word, He maketh the wind to blow, that the waters may flow (Ps. 147:18).
In the same:
Praise Jehovah, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens (Ps. 148:4).
In John:
When Jesus came to the fountain of Jacob, a woman of Samaria came to draw water; Jesus said to her, 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, From whence hast Thou living water? Jesus said to her, Everyone that drinketh of this water shall thirst again; but whosoever shall drink of the water that I shall give him shall not thirst for ever; and the water that I shall give him shall become in him a fountain of water, springing up unto everlasting life (John 4:7-15).
In the same:
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. (John 7:37-38).
In Revelation:
I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely (Rev. 21:6).
And in another place:
The angel showed unto him a river of water of life, bright as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb (Rev. 22:1).
And again:
The spirit and the bride say, Come. He that heareth, let him say, Come. And he that is athirst, let him come. And he that wisheth, let him take the water of life freely (Rev. 22:17).
sRef Ezek@43 @2 S3′ sRef Ps@29 @3 S3′ sRef Rev@14 @2 S3′ sRef John@3 @5 S3′ [3] These passages have been cited that it may be known that in the Word “waters” signify the truths of faith, consequently what is meant by the water of baptism, about 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 (John 3:5).
“Waters” here are the truths of faith, and “spirit” a life according to them (see New Jerusalem and Its Heavenly Doctrine, n. 202-209 seq.). Because it had not been known that “waters” signified the truths of faith, and that all things that were instituted among the sons of Israel were representative of spiritual things, it was believed that by the washings that were prescribed for them their sins were wiped away; yet this was not at all the case; those washings only represented purification from evils and falsities by means of the truths of faith and a life according to them (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3147, 5954, 10237, 10240). From this it is now clear that by “the voice,” which was “as the voice of many waters,” is meant Divine truth; as likewise in Ezekiel:
Behold the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east, and His voice was like the voice of many waters; and the earth was enlightened by His glory (Ezek. 43:2).
And in David:
The voice of Jehovah is upon the waters, Jehovah upon many waters (Ps. 29:3).
And in the following words in Revelation:
I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters (Rev. 14:2).
[4] I know that some will wonder why “waters” are mentioned in the Word, and not the truths of faith, since the Word is to teach man about his spiritual life; and since, if the expression the truths of faith had been used, instead of “waters,” man would have known that the waters of baptism and of washings contribute nothing to the purifying of man from evils and falsities. But it is to be known, that the Word in order to be Divine, and at the same time useful to heaven and the church, must be wholly natural in the letter, for if it were not natural in the letter there could be no conjunction of heaven with the church by means of it; for it would be like a house without a foundation, and like a soul without a body, for ultimates enclose all interiors, and are a foundation for them (see above, n. 41). Man also is in ultimates, and upon the church in him heaven has its foundations. For this reason the style of the Word is such as it is; and as a consequence, when man from the natural things that are in the sense of the letter of the Word thinks spiritually, he is conjoined with heaven, and in no other way could he be conjoined with it.
* The Latin has “weeping and with weeping,” the Hebrew “weeping and with supplication,” as also found in Apocalypse Explained, n. 239, 483; Arcana Coelestia, n. 3325.

sRef Rev@1 @16 S0′ 72. Verse 16. And having in His right hand seven stars, signifies all knowledges of good and truth from Him. This is evident from the signification of “having in His right hand,” as being from Him; for “hand” signifies power, thus it signifies whatever pertains to one, and so also whatever is from him. It is said “right hand,” because “right hand” signifies the power of good through truth. (That “hand” signifies power, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 875, 3091, 4931-4937, 6947, 10019; and consequently that it signifies whatever pertains to one, and so also whatever is from him, 9133, 10019, 10405; that the “right hand” signifies the power of good through truth, see n. 9604, 9736, 10061; and that “the right hand of Jehovah” signifies the Lord’s Divine power, thus omnipotence, see n. 3387, 4592, 4933, 7518, 7673, 8281, 9133, 10019.) This is evident also from the signification of “stars,” as being the knowledges of good and truth, of which more in what follows; and from the signification of “seven,” as being all (see above, n. 20, 24).
sRef Dan@12 @3 S2′ [2] That “stars” signify the knowledges of good and truth, thus goods and truths, is from the appearance in the spiritual world; for there the Lord appears as a sun, and angels from afar off as stars. Angels appear thus from their reception of light from the Lord as a sun, thus from their reception of Divine truth, which is from the Lord, for this is the light of heaven. From this it is that it is said in Daniel:
The intelligent shall shine as the brightness of the expanse; and they that justify many, as the stars for ever and ever (Dan. 12:3).
The “intelligent” are they that are in truths, and “they that justify” are those that are in good (see the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 346-348).
sRef Isa@13 @9 S3′ sRef Isa@13 @10 S3′ [3] When it is known to any that the “sun” signifies the Lord in respect to Divine love, thus also Divine love from the Lord, and that “stars” signify the truths of the church and knowledges thereof, these can also know what is signified in the Word where it is said that “the sun shall be darkened,” and that “the stars shall not give light,” also that they “shall fall from heaven;” and also what “stars” signify when mentioned elsewhere in the Word, as in the following passages. In Isaiah:
I will make the land a waste, and destroy the sinners thereof out of it; the stars of the heaven and the constellations thereof shall not shine forth with their light; the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not make bright her light (Isa. 13:9-10).
The vastation of the church is here treated of, which is when there is no good of love any more, nor any truths of faith. The “land” that shall be laid waste is the church; the “land” is the church (as may be seen above, n. 29).
sRef Dan@8 @9 S4′ sRef Rev@6 @13 S4′ sRef Matt@24 @29 S4′ sRef Dan@8 @10 S4′ sRef Ezek@32 @7 S4′ sRef Rev@22 @16 S4′ sRef Ezek@32 @8 S4′ sRef Rev@12 @4 S4′ sRef Matt@2 @1 S4′ sRef Matt@2 @2 S4′ sRef Num@24 @17 S4′ sRef Rev@8 @10 S4′ sRef Dan@8 @11 S4′ sRef Matt@2 @9 S4′ [4] In Ezekiel:
When I shall extinguish thee I will cover the heavens, and will make the stars dark; I will cover the sun with a cloud, and the moon shall not make her light to shine; all the luminaries of light will I make dark over thee, and I will set darkness upon the land (Ezek. 32:7-8).
“Darkness upon the land” means falsities in the church. In Joel:
The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars withdraw their brightness (Joel 2:10-11; 3:15).
In Matthew:
In the consummation of the age, after the affliction 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 (Matt. 24:29; Mark 13:24).
In Daniel:
From one of the horns of the he-goat went forth a horn, a little one, and it waxed exceeding great towards the south, and towards the east, and towards splendor; and it waxed great towards the host of the heavens; and some of the host and of the stars it cast down and trampled upon them. Yea, it magnified itself even to the Prince of the host (Dan. 8:9-11).
By the “host of the heavens” the goods and truths of the church in the complex are meant (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3448, 7236, 7988, 8019); in particular, such as combat against falsities (see n. 7277). From this Jehovah is called “Jehovah Zebaoth,” that is, Jehovah of Hosts (see n. 3448, 7988).
sRef Ps@147 @4 S5′ sRef Judg@5 @20 S5′ sRef Judg@5 @19 S5′ sRef Ps@148 @3 S5′ [5] In Revelation:
The dragon with his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven to the earth (Rev. 12:4).
The “stars” here also are the goods and truths of the church, and the knowledges thereof; the “third part” is the greater part; but what is signified by the “dragon” will be told in what follows. In the same:
The stars of heaven fell unto the earth (Rev. 6:13).
In the same:
A star from heaven is fallen unto the earth (Rev. 9:1).
In the same:
There fell from heaven a great star burning as a torch; it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters (8:10).
As “stars” signify the goods and truths of the church and the knowledges thereof, by their “falling from heaven” is signified that these perish. In David:
Jehovah telleth the number of the stars, He calleth them all by names (Ps. 147:4).
In the same:
Praise ye Jehovah, sun and moon; praise Him, all ye stars of light (Ps. 148:3).
In the book of Judges:
The kings came, they fought from heaven; the stars in their courses fought (Judg. 5:19-20).
Since the angels in the spiritual heaven shine as stars, and since all the truths and goods that are with the angels are from the Lord, therefore the Lord, as He is called an “Angel,” is likewise called a “Star,” as in Moses:
There shall arise a star out of Jacob, and a Scepter shall arise out of Israel (Num. 24:17).
In Revelation:
Jesus, the bright and morning Star (Rev. 22:16).
From this it can be seen:
Why the wise men from the east saw a star, and followed it, and why it stood where Jesus had been born (Matt. 2:1-2, 9).
From this it can now be known what is signified by the “seven stars” that were in the right hand of the Son of man, who there is the Lord in respect to the Divine Human (see above, n. 63).

sRef Rev@1 @16 S0′ 73. And out of His mouth a sharp two-edged sword going forth, signifies the dispersion of falsities by the Word. This is evident from the signification of “going forth out of the mouth,” as being, in reference to the Lord, Divine truth, thus the Word, for the Word goes forth out of the Lord’s mouth. This is evident also from the signification of “the long sword,” or the “sword,” as being truth combating; and as truth, when it combats, disperses falsities, therefore a “long sword” also signifies the dispersion of falsities. The long sword is called “two-edged and sharp,” because truth completely disperses. (That “long sword” or “sword” signifies truth combating against falsities and destroying them, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2799, 6353, 8294.) As “the long sword” is frequently mentioned in the following pages (as in chap. 1:12, 16; 6:4, 8; 13:10, 14; 19:15, 21), passages from the Word illustrating and showing that it signifies truth combating and dispersing falsities, will here be omitted. This will be illustrated and shown in those places.

sRef Rev@1 @16 S0′ 74. And His face as the sun shineth in his power, signifies His Divine love, from which are all things of heaven. This is evident from the signification of “face,” as being, in reference to the Lord, Divine love, from which is all good, thus all things of heaven (Arcana Coelestia, n. 5585, 9306, 9546, 9888; and that the Lord in the Word in respect to the Divine Human is called “the face of Jehovah,” see n. 10579. That the Lord from Divine love appears from heaven as a sun shining, and that from Him, as a sun, all things of heaven have existence and subsistence, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 116-125, and in what follows).

sRef Rev@1 @20 S0′ sRef Rev@1 @17 S0′ sRef Rev@1 @18 S0′ sRef Rev@1 @19 S0′ 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 the Living One; and I became dead; and behold I am alive unto the ages of the ages, amen: and I have the keys of hell and of death. Write the things which thou sawest, and the things which are, and the things which are to be hereafter. 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. 17. “And when I saw Him,” signifies the presence of the Divine majesty (n. 76); “I fell at His feet,” signifies adoration from humiliation of heart in presence of the Divine (n. 77); “as dead,” signifies failure of self-life (n. 78) “And He laid His right hand upon me,” signifies life from Him (n. 79); “saying unto me, Fear not,” signifies revival (n. 80); “I am the First and the Last,” signifies who governs all things from firsts by means of ultimates, thus all things of heaven (n. 81). 18. “And the Living One,” signifies who is from eternity (n. 82); “and I became dead,” signifies that He was rejected (n. 83); “and behold I am alive unto the ages of the ages,” signifies that eternal life is from Him (n. 84); “amen,” signifies Divine confirmation (n. 85); “and I have the keys of hell and of death,” signifies that He has power to save (n. 86). 19. “Write the things which thou sawest, and the things which are, and the things which are to be hereafter,” signifies that all these things are for posterity, because Divine (n. 87). 20. “The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in My right hand,” signifies revelation concerning goods and truths, which are all from Him (n. 88); “and the seven golden lampstands,” signifies also concerning the things in the new heaven and new earth (n. 89); “the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches,” signifies those who receive goods and truths from the Lord (n. 90); “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 (n. 91).

sRef Rev@1 @17 S0′ 76. Verse 17. And when I saw Him, signifies the presence of the Divine majesty. This is evident from the things that precede relating to the Son of man, all of which are of 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 at the paps with a golden girdle,” signifying that Divine truth and Divine good proceed from Him; that “His head and His hairs were white as white wool, as snow,” signifying the Divine in firsts and in ultimates; that “His feet were like unto burnished brass, as if glowing in a furnace,” signifying that His Human, even in ultimates, is full of Divine love; that “His voice was as the voice of many waters,” signifying that all Divine truth is from Him; that “He had in His right hand seven stars,” signifying that all goods and truths of heaven and the church are therefrom; that “out of His mouth a sharp two-edged sword went forth,” signifying that by Him all falsities are dispersed; that “His face was as the sun shineth in his power,” signifying that from His Divine love were all things of heaven. It is clear that these things are Divine, and that they appeared full of Divine majesty. That to “see” signifies here the presence, now most interior, of these things, is evident from this, that it was also said before that John saw them (verse 12), and according to that seeing also they were described; and now again it is said “I saw Him,” and on account of this seeing he fell at His feet as dead; therefore it is that by “seeing” is here signified the presence of the Divine majesty. This presence came to John, when he saw “His face as the sun in his power,” for from this he was illustrated and filled with awe, in the presence of the Divine; for all Divine light is from the Lord as a sun, and Divine light passes into the interiors; from this comes such presence and such filling with awe (as can be seen in the work on Heaven and Hell, on the Lord as a Sun, n. 116-125; on Light and Heat therefrom in Heaven, n. 126-140; and on Turning to Him, n. 17, 123, 144, 145, 151, 255, 272, 510, 548, 561). It is to be known, moreover, that man has two kinds of sight, one from cogitative faith, the other from love: when he has sight from cogitative faith only, his sight is unattended with awe before the Lord’s Divine majesty; but when this sight is from love, it is attended with awe at the Divine majesty; this is because man is then turned to the Lord, for love turns him, but cogitative faith apart from love does not (as can be seen from the passages cited above from the work on Heaven and Hell, about turning). That this is so is well known in the spiritual world. It is clear, therefore, that by “I saw him,” stated a second time, is signified the presence of the Divine majesty.

sRef Rev@1 @17 S0′ 77. And I fell at His feet, signifies adoration from humiliation of heart in presence of the Divine. This is evident from the signification of “falling at the feet,” as being adoration from humiliation. Humiliation of heart is meant, because humiliation that springs from the heart in presence of the Divine produces that prostration. All affections, whatsoever they are, have corresponding gestures in the body. Into these gestures the body is borne and falls as of itself, when man is interiorly in the affection. Humiliation before a man produces a bowing down, according to the estimation of him; but in presence of the Divine it produces total prostration, especially when man thinks that the Divine in respect to power and wisdom is everything, and man in comparison is nothing, or that from the Divine is all good and from man nothing but evil.
When man is in this acknowledgment from the heart he comes as it were out of himself, and thence falls upon his face, and when he is thus out of himself he also is removed from the proprium [what is his own], which in itself is wholly evil; when this is removed, the Divine fills him and raises him up; not that the Divine desires such humiliation on its account, but because evil is then removed, and so far as evil is removed with man so far the Divine flows in; for evil alone stands in the way. (An example of such humiliation may be seen in the little work on the Earths in the Universe, n. 91.) Man’s state when the Divine presence with him removes proprium [what is his own], 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 unto me, Fear not.” This state is more fully described in Daniel:
I lifted up mine eyes and looked, and behold a Man clothed in linen, His face as the appearance of lightning, and His eyes as lamps of fire, and His feet like the splendor of burnished brass. I alone saw the vision; but the men that were with me saw it not; but great fear fell upon them, and they fled. And there remained no strength in me; and I came into a deep sleep, and my face upon the ground. But lo, a hand touched me, and set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands, and He said, Fear not (Dan. 10:5-12).
This state is also described in Ezekiel, when he saw the cherubs, by which is signified the Lord in respect to Providence:
When I saw the glory of Jehovah, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of One that spoke. And He said unto me, son of man, stand upon thy feet, that I may speak to thee. And the spirit entered into me when He spoke unto me, and set me upon my feet, and I heard Him that spake unto me (Ezek. 1:28; 2:1-2; 3:24).
Likewise also, when Jesus was transfigured before Peter, James, and John, of 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 saying, This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye Him. And when the disciples heard these things they fell on their face, and were sore afraid. And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, be not afraid. And when they had lifted up their eyes they saw no one save Jesus only (Matt. 17:5-8).
From this it is apparent of what nature is the presence of the Divine Human of the Lord with man, when man is in a state of humiliation of heart, namely, that he falls upon his face, and by the touch of the Lord’s hand is raised upon his feet. It was plainly the presence of the Lord in respect to the Divine Human; since it was the “Son of man” who was in the midst of the lampstands that appeared in this way before John; and the “Son of man” is the Lord as to the Divine Human, see above (n. 63). It was similar with the disciples when the Lord was transfigured; it is therefore also said that “when they lifted up their eyes they saw no one save Jesus only.” That it was also the Lord as to the Divine Human who was seen by Daniel and Ezekiel, is evident from the words of the Lord himself, that:
No one hath heard the Father’s voice at any time, nor seen His form (John 5:37; see also John 1:18).
Moreover, that men worshiped the Lord when He was in the world, by falling upon the face at His feet, may be seen in Matt. 28:9; and in Mark 7:25-26; Luke 8:41; 17:15-16, 18; and in John 11:32.

sRef Rev@1 @17 S0′ 78. As dead, signifies failure of self-life. This is evident from the signification of “as dead,” in reference to the Divine presence with man, as meaning the failure of self-life; for man’s self-life is that into which he is born, which is in itself nothing but evil, for it is altogether inverted, for it has regard to itself and the world only, and therefore turns itself back away from God and from heaven. The life that is not man’s self-life is that into which he is led when he is being regenerated by the Lord; and when he comes into that life he regards God and heaven in the first place, and self and the world in the second. That life flows in with man when the Lord is present; consequently so far as that life flows in, so far there is effected a turning of the life. This turning, when effected suddenly, causes man to appear to himself as dead; thence it is that by “as dead” is here signified the failure of self-life. But these two states of life cannot be so described as to be apprehended. Moreover, they are not the same with a man and with a spirit, and they are wholly different with the evil and with the good. Man cannot live with the body in the presence of the Divine; those who do live are encompassed by an angelic column, which moderates the Divine influx; for the body of every man is nonreceptive of the Divine, consequently it dies and is cast off. That man cannot live with the body in the presence of the Divine can be seen from the words of the Lord to Moses:
Thou canst not see My faces; for man shall not see Me and live (Exod. 33:20);
Moses, therefore, because he desired to see, was placed in a cleft of a rock and was covered until the Lord had passed by. Furthermore, it was known to the ancients that man cannot 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 (Judg. 13:22);
and this was also attested to the sons of Israel, when the Lord was seen from Mount Sinai, of which it is thus written in Moses:
Be ready against the third day; for the third day Jehovah will come down in the eyes 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 mount, or touch the extremity of it; whosoever toucheth the mount dying he shall die. And because terror seized upon them, they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us and we will hear; but let not God speak with us lest perchance we die (Exod. 19:11-12; 20:19).
(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 for this reason it was forbidden to touch the extremity of that mountain, see in the explanation of those chapters in the Arcana Coelestia.) Jehovah has been seen by many, as recorded in the Word, but this was because they were encompassed at the time by a column of spirits, and thus were preserved, as was said above. In this way the Lord has also been seen at different times by me. But the state of spirits in the Divine presence is different from the state of men; spirits cannot die, consequently if they are evil they die a spiritual death in the Divine presence, the nature of which will be spoken of presently; but those who are good are conveyed into societies, where the sphere of the Divine presence is tempered and accommodated to reception. On account of this 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 (see the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 20-28, 29-40, 41-50, 206-209). What the spiritual death is that evil spirits die in the Divine presence, shall be briefly stated. Spiritual death is a turning away and removal from the Lord. When evil spirits, however, who have not yet been vastated, that is, have not yet become fixed in their ruling love, enter any angelic society, then because the Divine of the Lord is there present they are direfully tormented, and not only turn away but even cast themselves down into the depths, where no light from heaven enters; some into dark caverns of rocks; in a word, into the hells (see what is shown in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 54, 400, 410, 510, 525, 527). This turning away and removal from the Lord is what is called spiritual death; and with such the spiritual of heaven is dead.

sRef Rev@1 @17 S0′ 79. And He laid His right hand upon me, signifies life from Him. This is evident from the signification of “right hand,” as being, in reference to the Lord, life from Him (see above, n. 72). It signifies life from Him, because it immediately follows the words, “I fell at His feet as dead;” and moreover, “to touch with the hand” signifies to communicate and transfer to another what pertains to oneself, and also to receive from another. To communicate and transfer to another what pertains to oneself, in reference to the Lord, as here, is to communicate and transfer life such as those have who are in a state of illumination and who see and hear such things as are in heaven. This also took place with John, for he was in such illumination when he saw and heard the things that are described in Revelation “To touch with the hand” is to communicate and transfer to another, because the whole power of man is transferred from the body into the hands; consequently what the mind wills that the body should do, that the arms and hands do (from this it is that by “arms” and “hands” in the Word is signified power, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 878, 3091, 4931-4937, 6947, 7673, 10019).
But this power is natural power, and communication thereby is an exertion of the bodily forces; but spiritual power is to will the good of another, and to will to convey to another as far as possible what is with oneself. This power is what “hand” in the spiritual sense signifies, and its communication and transference are signified by “touching with the hand.”
From this it can be seen what is signified by this, that the Lord, who is here called the “Son of man,” laid His right hand upon John, when John lay as dead, namely, that He communicated and transferred to him life from Himself (see above). “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 appearance was as the appearance of lightning, and His eyes as torches of fire, and His feet as the brightness of polished brass, touched him; and restored him to his standing; and lifted him upon his knees; and touched his lips, and opened his mouth; and still again touched him, and strengthened him (Dan. 10:4 to the end).
In Jeremiah:
Jehovah put forth His hand, and touched my mouth, and said, I put My words into thy mouth (Jer. 1:9).
And in Matthew:
Jesus stretching forth His hand to the leper, touched him, saying, I will; be thou made clean. And straightway his leprosy was cleansed (Matt. 8:3).
In the same:
Jesus saw Peter’s wife’s mother sick of a fever, and he touched her hand, and the fever left her (Matt. 8:14-15).
In the same:
Jesus touched the eyes of the two blind men, and their eyes were opened (Matt. 9:29-30).
In the same:
When Peter was yet speaking, behold a bright cloud overshadowed the disciples, and behold, a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye Him. And when the disciples heard these things they fell on their face, and were sore afraid. Then came Jesus and touched them, and said, Arise, be not afraid (Matt. 17:5-8).
In Luke:
Jesus came and touched the bier of the dead, and said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. Then he that was dead sat up, and began to speak (Luke 7:14-15).
In the same:
Jesus touched the ear of the deaf one,* and healed him (Luke 22:51).
In Mark:
And they brought [to Jesus] little children, that He should touch them; and He took them in His arms, put His hands upon them, and blessed them (Mark 10:13, 16).
In the same:
They brought unto Jesus those that were ill, that they might touch if it were but the border of His garment; and as many as touched were made whole (Mark 6:56; Matt. 14:35, 36).
In Luke:
A woman suffering from an issue of blood touched the border of His garment; and immediately the issue of her blood stanched. Jesus said, Who is it that touched Me? Some one did touch Me; I knew that power went forth from Me (Luke 8:43-46).
Because “touching” and “laying on of hands” signify communicating and transferring to another what pertains to oneself, therefore it has been customary in the churches from ancient times to lay hands upon the head of those who are inaugurated and blessed:
This Moses also was commanded to do to Joshua (Num. 27:18-23; Deut. 34:9).
As all things among the sons of Israel were representative and significative of spiritual things, so also was touch; wherefore those who touched what was holy were sanctified, and those who touched what was unclean were polluted; for “touch” signified communication and transference to another, and reception from another, as can be seen from the following passages in Moses:
Whosoever shall touch the tent of meeting; the ark of the Testimony; the table, and all the vessels thereof; the lampstand and the vessels thereof; the altar of incense; the altar of burnt-offering, and all the vessels thereof, and the laver and the base thereof, shall be holy (Exod. 30:26-29).
Whatsoever toucheth the altar shall be holy (Exod. 29:37).
Everything that toucheth the remainder of the meal-offering, and the remainder of the flesh from the sacrifice, shall be holy (Lev. 6:18, 27).
Whosoever toucheth the dead, and purifieth not himself, defileth the tabernacle of Jehovah; and that soul shall be cut off from Israel. And whosoever in the open field toucheth one that is slain with a sword, or the bone of a man, or a grave, shall be unclean seven days. He that toucheth the waters of separation shall be unclean until even. And whatsoever the unclean person toucheth shall become unclean, and the soul that toucheth it shall be unclean until even (Num. 19:11, 13, 16, 21-22).
He that toucheth unclean beasts and unclean reptiles shall be unclean. Everything upon which they shall fall shall be unclean, whether it be a vessel of wood, raiment, water, an earthen vessel, food, drink, an oven, (but not a fountain, pit, or receptacle of water) shall be unclean (Lev. 11:31-36, besides other places, as Lev. 5:2, 3; 7:21; 11:37, 38; 15:1 to the end; 22:4; Num. 16:26; Isa. 52:11; Lam. 4:14, 15; Hos. 4:2, 3; Hag. 2:12, 13, 14).
* In the Greek we have “servant”; but Arcana Coelestia, n. 10130 also has “deaf one.”

sRef Rev@1 @17 S0′ 80. Saying unto me, Fear not, signifies renewal of life. This is evident from the series of things in the internal sense. For John lay as dead, and the Lord, seen as the Son of man, laid His right hand upon him, and said to him, “Fear not.” His “lying as dead” signified failure of his self-life; the Lord’s “laying His right hand upon him” signified life from Him; therefore His saying to him “Fear not” signified renewal of life; for all who come suddenly from self-life into any spiritual life are at first afraid, but their life is renewed by the Lord. This renewal is effected in this way that the Divine presence, and fear on account of it, are accommodated to reception. The Lord is present, indeed, with all in the universe, but more nearly or remotely according to the reception of good by means of truths with them from Him. For good is that in which the Lord is present with angel, spirit, and man; therefore the extent and quality of good from the Lord with them are what determine the extent and quality of His presence; if the presence goes beyond this, there is anguish and tremor; but by accommodation to reception there is renewal of life (as can be seen from what has just been said and shown above, n. 78). This renewal is what is signified by “Fear not;” also in other places, where it is said by the Lord or by the angel of the Lord when seen:
Fear not (Dan. 10:12, 19; Luke 1:12, 13; 2:8-10; Matt. 28:5, 9-10).
Renewal of life, that comes by accommodation to reception, appears in the spiritual world, when it is presented to view, as a cloud. All societies there are encompassed by such a cloud, denser or rarer according to reception. (That angels are encompassed by a thin correspondent cloud, lest they should be hurt by a nearer influx of the Divine of the Lord, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 6849. What “clouds” are in the spiritual world, and therefore in the spiritual sense, see above, n. 36.)

sRef Rev@1 @17 S0′ 81. I am the First and the Last, signifies who governs all things from firsts by means of ultimates, thus all things of heaven. This is evident from the explanation given above (n. 41).

sRef John@14 @6 S0′ sRef John@1 @4 S0′ sRef John@1 @2 S0′ sRef John@1 @1 S0′ sRef Rev@1 @18 S0′ sRef John@1 @3 S0′ sRef John@5 @26 S0′ sRef John@1 @14 S0′ sRef John@11 @25 S0′ 82. Verse 15. And the Living One, signifies who is from eternity. This is evident from this, that He who is from eternity is the only Living One, and that all others, who are not from eternity, have been created by Him, and thus made recipients of life from Him. Therefore He only who is from eternity has life in Himself, and no one besides Him. That the Lord, in respect both to the Divine and to the Human, 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 became flesh, and dwelt in us (John 1:2-4, 14).
That the Lord is here meant by the “Word” is clear, for it is said, “the Word became flesh, and dwelt in us.” In the same:
As the Father hath life in Himself, even so gave He to the Son to have life in Himself (John 5:26).
In the same:
Jesus said, I am the resurrection and the life (John 11:25).
And in the same:
Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6).
It is believed in the world that man has life implanted in him, and that it does not therefore flow in unceasingly from Him who alone has life in Himself, and who thus alone is Life. But this belief is a belief in what is false (see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 9).

sRef Rev@1 @18 S0′ 83. And I became dead, signifies that He was rejected. This is evident from this, that the Lord is said to be “dead” when faith in Him and love towards Him are no more; for with those who are in love towards Him and faith in Him the Lord lives, but with those who are not in love and in faith toward Him He does not live. With such He is said to be “dead” because He is rejected. This is what is here meant in the internal sense by the words “I became dead;” but in the sense of the letter it is meant that He was crucified. The Lord’s being crucified has a like signification in the internal sense, namely, that He was rejected and treated thus by the Jews; for the Lord, when He was in the world, was Divine truth itself, and as Divine truth was altogether rejected by the Jews, therefore the Lord, who was Divine truth, suffered Himself to be crucified. Such things are signified by all that is related in the Evangelists concerning the Lord’s passion; the particulars, even to every minutest particular, involve this. Whenever, therefore, the Lord speaks of His passion He calls Himself the Son of man, that is, Divine truth (see above, n. 63). That Divine truth was altogether rejected by the Jews is well known; for they accepted nothing that the Lord said, and not even that He was the Son of God. From this it may be known how those things that the Lord said to the disciples about the Jews’ rejection of Him are to be understood. Thus in Luke:
The Son of man must suffer many things, and be repudiated by the elders and chief priests and scribes (Luke 9:22).
In the same:
The Son of man must suffer many things, and be repudiated by this generation (Luke 17:25).
In Mark:
It is written of the Son of man, that He should suffer many things and be set at naught (Mark 9:12).
In Luke:
Jesus took unto Him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all the things that are foretold through the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished. For He shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and shamefully entreated, and spit upon; and after they have scourged Him, they shall put Him to death; but the third day He shall rise again (Luke 18:31-33).
The way in which the Jews treated Divine truth, which was from the Word, is signified by these particulars. “Jerusalem” here is the Jewish Church; “to be delivered unto the Gentiles, to be mocked, to be shamefully entreated, to be spit upon, to be scourged, to be put to death,” are the wicked ways in which the Jews treated Divine truth; and as the Lord was Divine truth itself, because He was the Word (John 1:14), and as it was foretold in the prophets that Divine truth would be so dealt with in the end of the church, therefore it is said, “that all things may be accomplished that have been foretold through the prophets concerning the Son of man.” So elsewhere in the same Gospel:
These are the words which I spoke unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must needs be fulfilled which are written in the law of Moses, and in the Prophets, and in the Psalms, concerning Me (Luke 24:44).
That all things were accomplished when Jesus was crucified He Himself said, when He was upon the cross:
Jesus, knowing that all things were accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, I thirst (John 19:28).
He then said, “I thirst,” because He longed for a new church that would acknowledge Him. (That to “thirst,” in the spiritual sense, signifies to long for, and that it is predicated of the truths of the church, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 4958, 4976, 8568.) These are also the things that were predicted by Daniel concerning vastation and desolation:
After sixty and two weeks shall the Messiah be cut off, but not for Himself; then 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 (Dan. 9:26-27).
“Desolation” and “vastation” signify repudiation and rejection of Divine truth with those that are of the church (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 5360, 5376). That Divine truth, which is the Word, was so repudiated by the Jews, is also meant by these words in Matthew:
I say unto you that Elias is come already, and they have not acknowledged him, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Even so shall the Son of man suffer of them (Matt. 17:12).
By “Elias” the Word is signified (see Arcana Coelestia, preface to chapter 18 of Genesis, and in n. 2762, 5247), and also by “John the Baptist;” therefore he was called “Elias” (n. 7643, 9372). From this it can be seen what is signified by “Elias has come,” and that “they have done to him whatsoever they listed,” and that “the Son of man is to suffer of them.” How the Jews explained and thus rejected the Word is clear from many passages in the Gospels, where the Lord makes this manifest. From this it can now be seen that “I became dead,” signifies that He was rejected. Moreover, that the Lord, by the passion of the cross, also glorified His Human, that is, made it Divine, see New Jerusalem and Its Heavenly Doctrine, n. 294, 295, 302, 305.

sRef John@4 @10 S0′ sRef Rev@1 @18 S0′ sRef John@4 @11 S0′ 84. And behold I am alive unto the ages of the ages, signifies that eternal life is from Him. This is evident from the signification of “I am alive,” which means to be from eternity, and that in Him alone is life from Himself (on which see above, n. 82); but here as being life in others, and His life in others is eternal life. For it is said just before that He “became dead,” which signifies that He was rejected, because not received in faith and love; here, therefore, “I am alive” signifies that He is received by those who are in His life, which life is in faith and love with man, and that life is eternal life. That “unto the ages of the ages” signifies to eternity, is clear without explanation. That the life of the Lord is a life of faith in Him and love to Him, and that this life is eternal life is evident from many passages in the Word, as the following from 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 may not perish, but may have eternal life. He that believeth on the Son hath eternal life; but he that believeth not on the Son shall not see life (John 3:14-16, 36).
In the same:
The water that I shall give shall become in him a fountain of water, springing up unto eternal life (John 4:10-11, 14).
Water is the truth of faith (see above, n. 71).
In the same:
Everyone that beholdeth the Son, and believeth on Him, hath eternal life. The words that I speak unto you are spirit and are life (John 66:40, 63).
The “words” that 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 (John 11:25-26).
In the same:
Work for the food which abideth unto eternal life, which the Son of man giveth (John 6:27).
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). It was said that the life of the Lord is in faith in Him and love to Him with man; this is because everything 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 as the Lord is therein, and it is Himself, therefore it is said that they should abide in the Lord, which means in faith in Him and love to Him, from Him; as in John:
Jesus said, Abide in Me, and I in you. If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask whatever ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Abide 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 beareth much fruit; for without Me ye cannot do anything (John 15:4-10).
From this it may be known what is meant by these words in John:
Ye see Me; because I live ye shall live also (John 14:19).
(That to “see” the Lord is to believe in Him, see 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 little work on The Last Judgment, n. 33-39; and New Jerusalem and Its Heavenly Doctrine, n. 108-142.)

sRef Rev@1 @18 S0′ 85. Amen, signifies Divine confirmation, as may be seen above (n. 34).

sRef Rev@1 @18 S0′ 86. And I have the keys of hell and of death, signifies that He has power to save. This is evident from the signification of “keys,” as being the power to open and shut (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 9410); and from the signification of “hell,” as being evils, for all evils are from hell and belong to hell; and from the signification of “death,” as being damnation, which is also called spiritual death (see n. 5407, 6119, 9008). “To have the keys of hell and of death” means also the power to save, because the Lord alone removes the hells with man and thereby damnation; and when the hells are removed man is saved, for in their place heaven and eternal life flows in; for the Lord is constantly present with man, and desires to fill him with heaven, but evils stand in the way of its being received; so far, therefore, as the hells are removed, that is, so far as man refrains from evils, so far the Lord with heaven flows in.
The Lord here says that He “has the keys of hell and of death,” because it is said immediately before that He is “alive unto the ages of the ages,” by which is meant that from Him is eternal life; and so far as the Lord is received in faith and in love so far as He is in man, and so far as He is in man so far He removes evils, thus the hells and eternal death. This the Lord alone does, and for this reason He ought to be received, as is evident also from the passages from the Word cited just above (n. 83). By “hell” evils of every kind are signified, because all evils are from hell. Whatever man thinks and wills is either from hell or from heaven. If he thinks and wills evil it is from hell, but if he thinks and wills good it is from heaven. There is no thought and will in man from any other source. The man who supposes that he thinks and wills from himself is not aware of this; but I can assert from all experience on this subject that every thing that a man thinks and wills is either from one or the other of these sources. For this reason, moreover, the man who thinks and wills evil is actually in hell; and where one actually is while he lives in the world thither will he come after death.
He can come into no other place because man’s spirit is formed and composed of those things that he thinks and wills. When, therefore, he thinks and wills evil, the whole man is formed and composed of evil, so that he is his own evil in form. From this it is that infernal spirits are altogether images of their own evil, and are monstrosities, horrible according to the kind of evil. Furthermore, the only means whereby a spirit can be formed and constituted for heaven is receiving the Lord in faith and love; for the Lord alone, by His presence in faith and love with man, removes evils, and forms man into an image of heaven, which is an angel. From this it can be seen what is signified by “having the keys of hell and of death.” The word “keys” is used because all the hells are closed up, and are opened only when evil spirits are cast into them, and when any are taken out of them, which occurs when evils increase with men. The openings that are then made are called “gates,” and as they are called “gates,” so also “keys” are mentioned, and these signify the power to open and to shut, since the opening and shutting of gates is effected by means of keys.
The keys given to Peter (Matthew 16:18, 19) have a like signification; for by “Peter” is there signified truth from the good which is from the Lord, thus it is meant that the Lord alone, from whom is all the truth of faith and the good of love, has that power (see the little work on The Last Judgment, n. 57).

sRef Rev@1 @19 S0′ 87. Verse 19. Write the things which thou sawest, and the things which are, and the things which are to be hereafter, signifies that all these things are for posterity, because Divine. This is evident from the signification of “writing,” as being that it is for remembrance (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 8620), thus that these things are for posterity; and from the signification of “which thou sawest,” and “which are,” and “which are to be hereafter,” as meaning all things; for the three times, namely, past, present, and future, signify all things; and since the things he was to write were from the Lord, therefore they signify things Divine, since nothing proceeds from the Lord except what is Divine. Moreover, every particular recorded in Revelation, as well as every particular in the prophetical parts of the Word elsewhere, has an internal sense, and the internal sense is in the light of heaven, which is Divine truth proceeding from the Lord. It is said here, “which thou sawest,” and “which are,” and “which are to be,” because above it was said in respect to the Lord, “who is, and who was, and who is to come.” What was there treated of was the Lord Himself; but here things Divine from the Lord with man are treated of, as can be seen from what precedes and from what follows in the series.

sRef Rev@1 @20 S0′ 88. Verse 20. The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in My right hand, signifies revelation concerning goods and truths, which are all from Him. This is evident from the signification of “mystery,” as being what lies concealed in the vision that John had, but here that vision revealed, since in what now follows it is told what is meant by the “seven stars” and by the “seven lampstands.” This is evident also from the signification of the “seven stars,” as being the knowledges of all things of good and truth, and thence all goods and truths (see above, n. 72); and from the signification of “in My right hand,” as meaning, in reference to the Lord, what is from Him (see also, n. 72). From this it is clear that by “the mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest” is signified the revelation of goods and truths, which are all from Him.

sRef Rev@1 @20 S0′ 89. And the seven golden lampstands, signifies also concerning the things in the new heaven and in the new earth. This is evident from the signification of the seven “lampstands,” as being the new heaven and the new church (see above, n. 62). They are the goods and truths for those who are in the new heaven and the new church, because in the internal sense they thus cohere with what immediately precedes; for things that appear disconnected in the sense of the letter, in the internal sense are continuous (see above, n. 17).

sRef Rev@1 @20 S0′ 90. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, signifies those who receive goods and truths from the Lord. This is evident from the signification of the “seven stars,” as being goods and truths, all from the Lord (see above, n. 72); also from the signification of “angels,” as being those in the heavens who are in like correspondent good and truth with those in the church (of which more in what follows); also from the signification of “seven churches,” as being all those who are in truths from good, or in faith from charity, thus all who are of the church (see above, n. 20). From this taken together, it follows as a conclusion that by “the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches” are signified all who receive goods and truths from the Lord.
By “angels” are here signified those who in heaven are in like correspondent good and truth with those in the church, because the universal heaven is divided into societies, and the societies are arranged according to the affections of good and truth in general and in particular. These societies correspond to those on earth who are in like affections of good and truth. All these societies are called “angels,” and each one is called an “angel;” and a society also when viewed from a distance, and when so presented as to be seen as a one, appears as a single angel (see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 62, 68-72). Moreover, there is a complete correspondence of heaven with the church, or of the angels of heaven with the men of the church; through this correspondence heaven makes a one with the church. From this 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 Ephesian church,” “to the angel of the church of the Smyrneans,” “to the angel of the Pergmean church,” “to the angel of the church of Thyatira,” “to the angel of the church in Sardis,” “to the angel of the Philadelphian church,” and “to the angel of the Laodicean church;” the command evidently was to write, not to angels but to churches, that is, to those who are in such good and truth from the Lord and who are described by each church (of whom we shall treat in what follows). (That in the Word by “angel” nothing else is meant but good and truth which are from the Lord with angel and man, will be more fully shown in the following pages; in the meantime see what is shown concerning the heavens and the angelic societies in the work on Heaven and Hell, since without knowledge of these things from that source, what is said of angels in the following pages can be but little understood; for knowledge must precede if the understanding is to be illustrated.)

sRef Rev@1 @20 S0′ 91. And the seven golden* lampstands which thou sawest are the seven churches, signifies that all such are in the new heaven and in the new church. This is evident from the signification of the “seven lampstands,” as being the new heaven and the new church (see above, n. 62); and also from the signification of the “seven churches,” as being those who are in truths from good or in faith from charity (see also above, n. 20). From this it is clear that by the “seven lampstands are the seven churches” all who will be in the new heaven and in the new church are signified.
All things in Revelation have regard to that which is signified by the “seven golden lampstands,” that is, to the new heaven and the new church, as to their end and conclusion; consequently, these are treated of in the final chapters. The remaining things that come between are such things as stand in the way, and are to be removed, as what is said of the “dragon” and of the “beasts of Babylon.” When these no longer oppose, or when they are removed, the new heaven and the new church come forth and are manifest.

Revelation 2

1. To the angel of the Ephesian Church write: These things saith He that holdeth the seven stars in His right hand; He that walketh in the midst of the seven golden lampstands;
2. I know thy works, and thy toil, and thy endurance, and that thou canst not bear the evil, and hast tried them that say that they are apostles, and they are not, and hast found them liars;
3. And hast borne and hast endurance, and for My name’s sake hast toiled, and hast not failed.
4. But I have against thee, that thou hast left thy first charity.
5. Be mindful, therefore, of whence thou hast fallen, and repent, and do the first works; but if not, I will come unto thee quickly, and will move thy lampstand out of its place, except thou repent.
6. But this thou hast, that thou hatest the works of the Nicolaitans, 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 to the angel of the church of the Smyrneans write: These things saith the First and the Last, who was dead and is alive:
9. I know thy works, and affliction, and poverty, but thou art rich;** and the blasphemy of them who say that they are Jews, and they are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
10. Fear not the things which thou art to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have affliction ten days: be thou faithful even till death, and I will give thee the 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 by the second death.
12. And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These things saith He that hath the sharp two-edged sword,
13. I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, where Satan’s throne is; and thou holdest My name, and didst not deny My faith, even in the days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.
14. But I have against thee a few things: that 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 idol-sacrifices, and to commit whoredom.
15. So thou also hast then that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.
16. Repent; or else I will come to thee quickly, and will fight against thee with the sword or My mouth.
17. He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. To him that overcometh, to him will I give to eat of the hidden manna; and will give him a white stone, and upon the stone a new name written, which no one knoweth except he that receiveth.
18. And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: These things saith the Son of God, that hath His eyes as a flame of fire, and His feet like burnished brass.
19. I know thy works and charity, and ministry and faith, and thine endurance, and thy works, and the last to be more than the first.
20. But I have against thee a few things; that thou, sufferest the woman Jezebel, that calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce My servants to commit whoredom, and to eat idol-sacrifices.
21. And I gave her time that she might repent of her whoredom; and she repented not.
22. Behold, I cast her into a bed, and those that commit adultery with her into great affliction, except they repent of their works.
23. And her sons I will kill with death; and all the churches shall know that I am He that searcheth the reins and hearts; and I will give to each one of you according to your 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 say; I put upon you no 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, I will give him power over the nations.
27. And he shall rule them with an iron rod; as earthen vessels shall they be shivered, as I also have received from 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.
* “Golden” is not found in the Greek, nor in the text.
** “But thou art rich,” is crossed out by the author, but is found in n. 118 below. It is omitted in Apocalypse Revealed, n. 95.

92. In the preceding pages it has been told what is meant by the “seven churches” and by the “angels” thereof; namely, by the “seven churches” all who are in truths from good, and by the “seven angels” all in heaven that correspond to them (see n. 20, 90); and since heaven and the church make one by correspondence, it is said in what follows, “To the angel of the church, write,” and not, Write to the church. It is so said for this reason also, that there must be correspondence in order that the church may be a church with man; if there were no correspondence, there would be no communication of heaven, thus no heaven, with man; and if heaven were not with him neither would the church be with him. (See The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 241-248. What the correspondence of the man of the church with heaven is, cannot be told in a few words, but whoever desires may be taught what it is in what is said and shown in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 87-115 and 291-310.) In a word, there is correspondence when man has becomes spiritual, and man becomes spiritual when he acknowledges the Divine and especially the Lord, and loves to live according to the precepts in the Word, for when he does this he is conjoined with heaven; and then the spiritual corresponds with the natural which is with him. I am aware that to many these things may seem to exceed their comprehension; but the reason is that it is not the delight of their love to know them; if it were the delight of their love, not only would they perceive them clearly, but they would also be eager to, know much more of such things; for a man desires what he loves, and what he loves is his delight; moreover, whatever is loved enters both with joy and with light into the idea of the mind.

93. The angel of the Ephesian church is the first here written to; and by the angel of that church all those in the church are meant who are in the knowledges of truth and good, thus in the knowledges of such things as are of heaven and of the church, and who still are not, or not yet, in a life according to them. By these knowledges are especially meant doctrinals; but doctrinals alone, or the knowledges of truth and good alone, do not make a man spiritual, but a life according to them; for doctrinals or knowledges without a life according to them abide only in the memory and thence in the thought, and all things that abide there only, abide in the natural man; consequently a man does not become spiritual until these enter the life, and they enter the life when a man wills the things which he thinks, and consequently does them.
That this is so anyone can see from this alone, that if anyone knows all the laws of moral and civil life, and does not live according to them, he still is not a moral and civil man; he may indeed talk about them more learnedly than others, but still he is rejected. It is the same with one who knows the ten precepts of the Decalogue, so as to be able even to explain and discourse about them with intelligence, and yet does not live according to them. Those, therefore, within the church who are in the knowledges of such things as pertain to the church, that is, who are in knowledges of truth and good from the Word, but are not, or not yet, in a life according to them, are here first treated of, and these are described by the things written to the angel of the Ephesian church.

sRef Rev@2 @4 S0′ sRef Rev@2 @5 S0′ sRef Rev@2 @7 S0′ sRef Rev@2 @2 S0′ sRef Rev@2 @1 S0′ sRef Rev@2 @6 S0′ sRef Rev@2 @3 S0′ 94. EXPOSITION.
Verses 1-7. To the angel of the Ephesian church write: These things saith He that holdeth the seven stars in His right hand; He that walketh in the midst of the seven golden lampstands; I know thy works and thy toil, and thy endurance, and that thou canst not bear the evil, and hast tried them that say, that they are apostles and they are not, and hast found them liars: and hast borne and hast endurance, and for My name’s sake hast toiled, and hast not failed. But I have against thee that thou hast left thy first charity. Be mindful therefore of whence thou hast fallen, and repent, and do the first works; but if not I will come unto thee quickly, and will move thy lampstand out of its place, except thou repent. But this thou hast, that thou hatest the works of the Nicolaitans, 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. 1. “To the angel of the Ephesian church write,” signifies for remembrance to those within the church who are in the knowledges of truth and good from the Word (n. 95); “these things saith He that holdeth the seven stars in His right hand,” signifies from whom are all the knowledges of good and truth (n. 96); “He that walketh in the midst of the seven golden lampstands,” signifies from whom is life to all in the new heaven and the new church (n. 97). 2. “I know thy works, and thy toil, 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 (n. 98); [“and that thou canst not bear the evil,” signifies that they reject evils (n. 99)] and hast tried them that say they are apostles and they are not, and hast found them liars,” signifies also falsities, so far as they are able to search them out (n. 100). 3. “And hast borne, and hast endurance,” signifies resistance against those who assail the truths of faith, and diligence in instructing (n. 101); “and for My name’s sake hast toiled,” signifies acknowledgment of the Lord and of the knowledges of truth that have respect to Him (n. 102); “and hast not failed,” signifies so far as they could (n. 103). 4. “But I have against thee that thou hast left thy first charity,” signifies that they do not make such a life as those lived who were in the church at its beginning the essential of knowledges (n. 104). 5. “Be mindful therefore of whence thou hast fallen, and repent, and do the first works,” signifies the remembrance of former things, and thus the remembrance of having deviated from the truth, and this in order that the good of life of the church at its beginning may come into mind (n. 105); “but if not I will come unto thee quickly, and will move thy lampstand out of its place, except thou repent,” signifies that if not, it is certain that heaven cannot be given (n. 106). 6. “But this thou hast, that thou hatest the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate,” signifies an aversion, derived from the Divine, towards those who separate good from truth, or charity from faith, from which separation there is no life (n. 107). 7. “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 (n. 108); “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 with heavenly joy therefrom (n. 109); “which is in the midst of the paradise of God,” signifies that all knowledges of good and truth in heaven and in the church look thereto and proceed therefrom (n. 110).

sRef Rev@2 @1 S0′ 95. Verse 1. To the angel of the Ephesian church write, signifies for remembrance to those within the church who are in knowledges of truth and good from the Word. This is evident from the signification of “writing,” as being for remembrance (Arcana Coelestia n. 8620). It means to those within the church who are in the knowledges of truth and good from the Word, because these are meant by the “angel of the Ephesian church.” That these are meant is evident from the things 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 things written to each church. It is said, “from the internal sense,” since all things in Revelation are prophetic, and things prophetic can be explained only by the internal sense. Who that reads the Prophets does not see that there are arcana therein that are more deeply hidden than the plain meaning of the letter? And since these arcana cannot be seen by the merely natural man, those who account the Word holy pass those things by that they do not understand, saying that there is a hidden meaning therein that is unknown to them, and that some call mystical. That this is the spiritual of the Word is known by some, because they think of the Word as being in its bosom spiritual for the reason that it is Divine. Nevertheless, it has been unknown heretofore that this is the spiritual sense of the Word, and that the Word is understood in this sense by angels, and that by means of this sense there is conjunction of heaven with the man of the church (see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 303-310). Those who are in the knowledges of truth and good from the Word are meant by the “angel of the Ephesian church,” because by the knowledges of truth and good are meant the doctrinals of the church, and only from the Word can doctrinals be obtained. Why it is said, “To the angel of the church, write,” and not, To the church, may be seen above (n. 92).

sRef Rev@2 @1 S0′ 96. These things saith He that holdeth the seven stars in His right hand, signifies from whom are all the knowledges of good and truth. This is evident from the signification of “seven stars,” as meaning all the knowledges of good and truth (see above, n. 72); and from the signification of “right hand,” as being, in reference to the Lord, what is from Him (see above, n. 72, 79); therefore by these words, “that holdeth the seven stars in His right hand,” is signified that from the Lord are all the knowledges of good and truth. It is said that He saith this “who holdeth the seven stars in His right hand, and walketh in the midst of the [seven] golden lampstands,” because by “stars” are signified the knowledges of good and truth, and by “golden lampstands” the new heaven and the new church. There is thus prefixed to each description of a church a Divine characteristic that indicates the subject treated of (as to the descriptions of the churches that follow, verses 8, 12, 18; chap. 3:1, 7, 14). It is so prefixed because everything of the church is from the Lord. From this it is clear also why the Lord, in respect to His Divine Human, is described in the first chapter by the representatives that were seen by John, namely, that from these might be taken what was to be prefixed to the description of each church, for a testimony and a memorial that everything of the church is from the Lord, and indeed from His Divine Human; for from this all the good of love proceeds and every truth of faith, and these constitute the church. What immediately proceeds from His Divine Itself does not reach man, because His Divine Itself is invisible and therefore does not fall within the thought, and what does not fall within the thought does not fall within the faith; for everything that is of faith must be thought. That the Son of man, who is described (in chap. 1) by the representatives seen by John, is the Lord in respect to the Divine Human, and Divine truth proceeding therefrom, see above (n. 63). The knowledges of truth and good are here treated of first, because they are the first things of the church; for no one can be initiated into faith and charity, which constitute the church, except by means of knowledges from the Word that pertain to the church (see what is appended to n. 356 of the work on Heaven and Hell from the Arcana Coelestia).

sRef Rev@2 @1 S0′ 97. He that walketh in the midst of the seven golden lampstands, signifies from whom is life to all in the new heaven and in the new church. This is evident from the signification of “walking” as being to live, and in reference to the Lord, Life itself (of 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 (see above, n. 62). From this it is clear that the Lord was seen “in the midst of the lampstands,” because “midst” signifies inmost; “lampstands” signify heaven and the church, and “walking” signifies life; and to be “in the midst” signifies, in reference to the Lord, to be in all that are round about Him. By this, therefore, it was represented that all the life of faith and of love in heaven and in the church is from Him (see above, n. 84). (That “midst” denotes the inmost and the center from which, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 1074, 2940, 2973, 7777.
That the Lord is the common center from whom is all direction and determination in heaven, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 123-124. That the extension of the light of heaven, which is Divine truth proceeding from the Lord, from which angels have intelligence and wisdom, is effected also from the midst into those who are round about, see the same, n. 43, 50, 189.) That “walking” signifies living, and in reference to the Lord, Life itself, is from appearances in the spiritual world, where all walk according to their life, the evil in no other ways than those that lead to hell, but the good in no other ways than those that lead to heaven; consequently all spirits are known there from the ways wherein they are walking. Moreover, ways actually appear there; but to the evil, the ways towards hell only, and to the good, the ways towards heaven only; and thus everyone is brought to his own society. From this it is that “walking” signifies living. (Of these ways, and walking therein, in the spiritual world, see what is shown in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 195, 479, 534, 590; and in the small work on The Last Judgment, n. 48.) That in the Word “ways” signify truths or falsities, and “walking” signifies living, may be seen from many passages therein; I will cite only a few here by way of confirmation. In Isaiah:
We have sinned against Jehovah; they would not walk in His ways, neither have they heard His law (Isa. 42:24).
In Moses:
If ye shall keep the commandments, by loving Jehovah your God, by walking in all His ways (Deut. 11:22).
In the same:
Thou shalt keep all this commandment to do it, by loving Jehovah thy God, and walking in His ways all the days (Deut. 19:9; 26:17).
In the same:
I will set My tabernacle in the midst of them,* and I will walk in the midst of you, and I will be to you for a God (Lev. 26:11, 12).
In the same:
Jehovah thy God walketh in the midst of your** camp, and therefore shall your** camp be holy (Deut. 23:14).
In Isaiah:
Remember, O Jehovah, how I have walked before Thee in truth (Isa. 38:3).
In the same:
He entereth into peace, walking in uprightness (Isa. 57:2).
In Malachi:
He walked with Me in peace and in uprightness (Mal. 2:6).
In David:
Thou hast delivered my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living (Ps. 56:13).
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 (John 8:12).
In the same:
Yet a little while is the light with you; walk while ye have the light, that darkness overtake you not; and he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. While ye have the light believe on the light (John 12:35, 36).
In Mark:
The Pharisees and Scribes ask Him, Why walk not Thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders? (Mark 7:5).
In Moses:
If ye walk contrary to Me, and will not hearken to My voices, I will also walk contrary to you (Lev. 26:21, 23, 24, 27).
In Isaiah:
This people that walk in darkness have seen a great light; they that dwell in the land of the shadow, upon them hath the light shined (Isa. 9:2).
In Micah:
All the peoples walk in the name of their god, and we will walk in the name of Jehovah our God (Micah 4:5).
In Isaiah:
Who among you feareth Jehovah? He that walketh in darkness, who hath no brightness (Isa. 50:10);
besides many other passages (as in Jer. 26:4; Ezek. 5:6; 20:13, 16; Zech. 10:12; Micah 4:5; Luke 1:6). From these passages it can be seen that “walking,” in the spiritual sense, signifies living; and as it signifies living, so in reference to the Lord, as in this passage, it signifies Life itself, for the Lord is Life itself, and the rest are recipients of life from Him (see above, n. 82, 84).
* The Hebrew has “you.”
** In both instances of “your,” the Hebrew has “thy,” as also found in Arcana Coelestia, n. 10039.

sRef Rev@2 @2 S0′ 98. Verse 2. I know thy works, and thy toil, and thy endurance, signifies all things that they will, think, and do, thus all things of love and faith in the spiritual and in the natural man. This is evident from the signification of “works,” as being the things that are of the will and love (of which in what follows); and from the signification of “toil,” as being the things that are of thought and faith (of which also in what follows); and from the signification of “endurance,” as being the things done from will and thought, or the things that these do. But it can with difficulty be comprehended that this is the meaning of these words, unless it is known that all things done by man flow out from the interiors belonging to his mind, also that the mind is the all in everything that man does, and that the body is a mere obedience through which is exhibited, in a form visible before the eye, that which the mind wills and thinks. This is why those external things here mentioned, “works,” “toil,” and “endurance,” signify wing, thinking, and consequent doing, or what is the same, loving, believing, and consequent presenting in act. But still these things are not comprehensible, unless it is also known that man has two faculties, called will and understanding, and that these two faculties are called by the one term “mind;” also that man has an internal and an external-an internal in the light of the spiritual world, and an external in the light of the natural world. (The Will and the Understanding are treated of in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 28-35; and the Internal and the External Man, n. 36-52.) When this is understood, it may be known that by “works,” in the spiritual sense, is meant everything that man wills and loves, and by “toil” everything that man thinks or believes, and by “endurance” everything that man does from these.
sRef Rev@3 @1 S2′ sRef Rev@2 @8 S2′ sRef Rev@3 @7 S2′ sRef Rev@2 @13 S2′ sRef Rev@3 @8 S2′ sRef Rev@2 @12 S2′ sRef Rev@2 @18 S2′ sRef Rev@2 @9 S2′ sRef Rev@3 @15 S2′ sRef Rev@2 @19 S2′ sRef Rev@3 @14 S2′ [2] But leaving these matters, as being, perhaps, too little known about and therefore too obscure to be clearly apprehended, let us advance to this point only, that by “works,” in the spiritual sense, are meant all things that are of man’s will or love; and this, for the reason that in what follows as to the seven churches, it is everywhere said first, “I know thy works;” as in these verses:
To the angel of the church of the Smyrneans write: These things saith the First and the Last, I know thy works, and affliction, and poverty (Rev. 2:8-9);
To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These things saith He that hath the two-edged sword, I know thy works, and where thou dwellest (Rev. 2:12-13);
To the angel of the church in Thyatira write: These things saith the Son of God, I know thy works and charity (Rev. 2:18-19);
To 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 (Rev. 3:1);
To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These things saith He that is holy, He that is true, I know thy works (Rev. 3:7-8);
To the angel of the Laodicean church write: These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true Witness, I know thy works (Rev. 3:14-5).
[3] As it is here said everywhere, “I know thy works,” it is clear that “works” signify, in general, all things of the church; and as all things of the church have reference to love and faith, therefore these are what are meant in the spiritual sense by “works.” These are meant in the spiritual sense by “works,” because every work or deed or act, that to appearance is done from the body, is not done from the body, but is done by means of the body from man’s will and thought, for not a particle of the body moves itself except from the will and thought. From this it is that “works” signify, not the things that appear in outward form, but the things of will and thought. That this is so is known to everyone who reflects. Who that is wise regards a man from his deeds alone, and not from his will? If the will is good he loves the deeds; but if the will is evil he does not love the deeds. He sees the deeds also, but interprets them according to the intention of the will. He who is spiritual attends still less to the deeds, but explores the will; for the reason already given, that deeds in themselves are nothing, but all that they are is from the will, for deeds are the will in act. It is said “will,” but in the spiritual sense love is meant, for a man wills what he loves, and he loves what he wills. Man’s will is only the receptacle of his love. (See what is said and shown in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, on that faculty of man, n. 28-35; and in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 358, 470-484.)
sRef Matt@25 @34 S4′ sRef Matt@25 @45 S4′ sRef Matt@25 @46 S4′ sRef Matt@25 @36 S4′ sRef Matt@16 @27 S4′ sRef Matt@25 @35 S4′ sRef Matt@25 @37 S4′ sRef Matt@25 @38 S4′ sRef Matt@25 @40 S4′ sRef Matt@25 @42 S4′ sRef Matt@25 @41 S4′ sRef Matt@25 @32 S4′ sRef Matt@25 @33 S4′ sRef Matt@25 @39 S4′ sRef Matt@25 @44 S4′ sRef Matt@25 @43 S4′ sRef Rev@22 @12 S4′ sRef Rev@20 @12 S4′ sRef Rev@2 @23 S4′ sRef Hos@4 @9 S4′ sRef Rev@20 @13 S4′ sRef Jer@32 @19 S4′ sRef Rev@14 @13 S4′ sRef Jer@25 @14 S4′ [4] Because “works” or deeds in the Word signify specifically the things that proceed from man’s love or will, it is often said in the Word that a man shall be judged and it shall be rendered unto him according to his works; and the meaning is according to works in the internal form, not in the external; as in the following passages:
The Son of man shall come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then shall He render unto everyone according to his works (Matt. 16:27).
Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; their works do follow them (Rev. 14:13).
I will give unto each one of you according to his works (Rev. 2:23).
I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened; and the dead were judged out of the 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 gave up those that were in them; and they were judged everyone according to their works (Rev. 20:12, 13).
Behold I come, and My reward is with Me, to render to each one according to his works (Rev. 22:12).
In Jeremiah:
I will recompense them according to their work, and according to the doing of their hands (Jer. 25:14).
Jehovah, whose 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 works (Jer. 32:19).
Elsewhere:
I will visit upon him his ways, and will render unto him for his works (Hosea 4:9).
According to our ways and according to our works Jehovah hath done with us (Zech. 1:6).
Where the Lord prophesies respecting the Last Judgment He makes mention of works only, and declares that:
Those who have done good works shall enter into life eternal, and those who have done evil works into condemnation (Matt. 25:32-46).
sRef John@9 @4 S5′ sRef John@6 @29 S5′ sRef John@6 @28 S5′ [5] That “works” signify the things that are of love and faith the Lord also shows in these words:
They said to Jesus, What shall we do that we may work the works of God? Jesus answered, This is the work of God, that ye believe on Him whom [the Father] hath sent (John 6:28, 29).
The night cometh, when no man can work (John 9:4).
“Night” signifies the last time of the church, when there is no faith, because there is no charity. (That “night” signifies this time, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2353, 6000.) “Works” are so frequently mentioned, because the sense of the letter of the Word is made up solely of things external, which are in nature and which appear before the eyes: and this in order that there may be a spiritual sense in each particular, as a soul in a body, for otherwise the Word would not be a means of communication with the angels, for it would be like a house without a foundation (see above, n. 8, 16).
From this also it is that when “works” are mentioned, angels, because they are spiritual, do not understand works, but the things from which works spring, which are, as was said above, the will or love, and thought therefrom which is of faith. (This subject you will find more clearly explained in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 470-483, where it is shown that man is after death such as his life was in the world.) “Toil,” in the spiritual sense, means all things that man thinks, because spiritual toiling is thinking. And “endurance” signifies all things that man does, because “to endure” here means to be assiduous, and to put away the obstructions in the natural man that are continually rising up and hindering.

sRef Rev@2 @2 S0′ 99. And that thou canst not bear the evil, signifies that they reject evils. This is evident from the signification of “canst not bear,” as being to reject, for what a man cannot bear he rejects. “The evil” signify evils, because the thought of angels is abstracted from persons; when, therefore, in the sense of the letter of the Word “the evil” are mentioned, angels think of evils; for by “the evil,” men who are evil, thus persons, are meant. The thought of angels is of this character because they are in heavenly wisdom, and that wisdom has extension into the universal heaven; if therefore they should think with thought determined to persons, that extension would perish, and their wisdom with it. In this way the spiritual differs from the natural. This is why “the evil” signify evils. (Of the wisdom of the angels, that it is extended into the universal heaven because their thought is abstracted from space, time, and matter, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 169, 191-199, 265-275; and that their thought is abstracted from persons, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 8343, 8985, 9007.)

sRef Rev@2 @2 S0′ 100. And hast tried them that say that they are apostles and they are not, and hast found them liars, signifies also falsities, so far as they are able to search them out. This is evident from the signification of “to try,” 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 in a sense abstracted from persons, the truths themselves that are taught (of which in what follows); also from the signification of “and are not, and are found liars,” as being not truths but falsities; for a “lie” and a “liar” signify falsity (Arcana Coelestia, n. 8908, 9248). From this and what precedes it is evident that “I know that thou canst not bear the evil, and hast tried them that say they are apostles and they are not, and hast found them liars,” signifies that they reject evils, and falsities also, so far as they are able to search them out. For in the things written to this church those who are in the knowledges of truth and good, thus in the knowledges of such things as are of heaven and of the church, are treated of (see above, n. 93); here, therefore, it is first said of them that they put away evils, and falsities also, so far as they are able to search them out; for those who are in the knowledges of the holy things of the church need first to know in general what good and truth are, also what evil and falsity are, for upon this knowledge all other knowledges are founded. (For this reason also The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem first of all treats of Good and Truth, n. 11-27, and from these it can also be seen what evil and falsity are.)
[2] By “apostles” those who teach the truths of the church are signified, because the apostles [those sent] were so called from their having been sent to teach and to preach the Gospel concerning the Lord and the drawing nigh of the kingdom of God through Him; thus to teach the truths of the church, by which the Lord is known and the kingdom of God is brought nigh. The kingdom of God on the earth is the church. From this it is evident what is meant by “apostles” in the spiritual sense of the Word, namely, not the twelve apostles who were sent by the Lord to teach concerning Him and His kingdom, but all who are in the truths of the church, and in a sense abstracted from persons, the truths themselves. For in the Word it is customary to speak of persons; but those who are in its spiritual sense, as angels are, do not think of persons at all, but their thought is abstracted from persons, and has respect therefore solely to things. The reason is, that it is material to think of persons, but spiritual to think apart from the idea of persons; for instance, where the “disciples” are mentioned in the Word, or “prophets,” “priests,” “kings,” “Jews,” “Israel,” “the inhabitants of Zion,” and of “Jerusalem,” and so on. (Moreover, the very names of persons and places are changed with angels into things, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 768, 1224, 1264, 1876, 1888, 4310, 4442, 5095, 5225, 6516, 10216, 10282, 10329, 10432; and that the thought of angels is abstracted from persons, n. 8343, 8985, 9007.)
sRef Rev@21 @14 S3′ sRef Luke@6 @13 S3′ sRef Luke@9 @1 S3′ sRef Luke@9 @11 S3′ sRef Luke@9 @10 S3′ sRef Luke@11 @49 S3′ sRef Luke@9 @2 S3′ [3] That the disciples of the Lord were called apostles from their having been 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 were returned, declared unto Him what things they had done. And Jesus spake to them of the kingdom of God (Luke 9:1, 2, 10, 11).
In the same:
When it was day, Jesus called His disciples; and He chose from the twelve, whom also He named apostles (Luke 6:13).
In the same:
I will send unto them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall kill and persecute (Luke 11:49).
They are called “prophets and apostles,” because by “prophets,” as well as by “apostles,” are meant those who were sent to teach truths; but by “prophets” those of the Old Testament, and by “apostles” those of the New. (That “prophets” in the Word signify those who teach truths and in a sense abstracted from persons the truths themselves, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2534.) As the “twelve apostles” signify the truths themselves of the church, it is said in Revelation:
The wall of the New Jerusalem had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb (Rev. 21:14).
(That by the “New Jerusalem” is meant the church in respect to doctrine, see in The small work on The New Jerusalem and Its Heavenly Doctrine, n. 6; that by its “wall” are signified the truths of doctrine for defense, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 6419; by the “foundations of the wall” are signified the knowledges of the truth, on which doctrine is founded, n. 9643; by “twelve” are signified all truths in the complex, n. 577, 2089, 2129, 2130, 3272, 3858, 3913. From this it is clear why it is said that in the foundations of the wall were the “names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.”)

sRef Rev@2 @3 S0′ 101. Verse 3. And hast borne and hast endurance, signifies resistance against those who assail the truths of faith, and diligence in instructing. This is evident from the signification of “bearing,” in reference to those who are in the knowledges of truth and good, as being resistance against those who assail the truths of faith, for those who are in knowledges defend those truths, and resist those who are against them; also from the signification of having “endurance” or “patience,” as being diligence in instructing.

sRef Rev@2 @3 S0′ 102. And for My name’s sake hast toiled, is the acknowledgment of the Lord and of the knowledges of truth that have respect to Him. This is evident from the signification of “the name” of Jehovah, or of the Lord, as being, in the highest sense, His Divine Human (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2628, 6887), and in a relative sense, all things of love and faith by which the Lord is worshiped, because these are things Divine that proceed from His Divine Human (n. 2724, 3006, 6674, 9310). This is evident also from the signification of “toiling,” as being to strive with mind and zeal that these things may be known and acknowledged; for this is signified by “toiling” when it is said of those who apply themselves to the knowledges of truth and good. From this it follows that “for My name’s sake hast toiled” signifies the acknowledgment of the Lord, and of the knowledges that have respect to Him. The knowledges that have respect to the Lord are all things that are of love and faith. In many passages of the Word it is said, “for the sake of Jehovah’s name,” “for the sake of the Lord’s name,” “for the sake of the name of Jesus Christ,” that “the name of God should be sanctified,” and the like. Those whose thoughts do not go beyond the sense of the letter suppose that the name alone is meant; but what is meant is not the name, but everything whereby the Lord is worshiped; and all of this has relation to love and faith. Therefore by “the Lord’s name” in the Word all things of love and of faith by which He is worshiped are meant; here the acknowledgment of the Lord and of the knowledges of truth that have respect to Him, because this is said to those who are only zealous about knowledges.
[2] That “Jehovah’s name” or the “Lord’s name” does not mean the name itself, but all things of love and faith, is from the spiritual world. There the names used on the earth are not uttered; but the names of the persons who are spoken of are formed from the idea of all things known about them combined into a single word. In this way names in the spiritual world are expressed; consequently names there, like all the other things, are spiritual The names “Lord” and “Jesus Christ,” even, are not uttered there as on the earth, but in place of those names a name is formed from the idea of all things known and believed respecting Him; and this idea is made up of all things of love to Him and faith in Him. This is because these in the complex are the Lord in them; for the Lord is in everyone in the goods of love and of faith that are from Him. As this is so, the quality of everyone there, in respect to love to the Lord and faith in the Lord, is immediately known if he only utters “Lord” or “Jesus Christ” by a spiritual expression or spiritual name; and for the same reason also, those who are not in any love to Him or faith in Him are unable to speak His name, that is, to form any spiritual name of Him. From this it is now clear why by the “name” of Jehovah, of the Lord, or of Jesus Christ, name is not meant in the Word, but everything of love and of faith whereby He is worshiped.
sRef John@14 @14 S3′ sRef Matt@10 @22 S3′ sRef Matt@24 @26 S3′ sRef Matt@24 @27 S3′ sRef John@3 @18 S3′ sRef John@3 @17 S3′ sRef Luke@19 @38 S3′ sRef John@14 @13 S3′ sRef Matt@24 @25 S3′ sRef John@1 @12 S3′ sRef John@2 @23 S3′ sRef Matt@24 @5 S3′ sRef Matt@18 @20 S3′ sRef Luke@21 @8 S3′ sRef John@20 @31 S3′ sRef Matt@21 @9 S3′ sRef Matt@23 @39 S3′ sRef Matt@24 @23 S3′ sRef Matt@24 @24 S3′ sRef Matt@19 @29 S3′ sRef Matt@24 @11 S3′ [3] Lest, therefore, the opinion that is entertained by many should prevail, that the mere name Jesus Christ, without love to Him or faith in Him, thus without the knowledges by which love and faith exist, contributes something to salvation, I will introduce some passages from the Word in which the expressions “for His name’s sake” and “in His name” are used, from which those who think more deeply may see that name alone is not meant:
Jesus said, Ye shall be hated of all for My name’s sake (Matt. 10:22; 24:9, 10).
Where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them (Matt. 18:20).
As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become sons of God; even to them that believe in His name (John 1:12).
When Jesus was in Jerusalem many believed in His name (John 2:23).
He that believeth not hath been judged already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only-begotten Son of God (John 3:17, 18).
These are written that ye may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye may have life in His name (John 20:31).
Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord (Matt. 21:9; 23:39; Luke 13:35; 19:35).
Everyone that hath left houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or fields, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundred-fold, and eternal life (Matt. 19:29).
(What is here signified by “houses, brethren, sisters, father, mother, wife, children, and fields,” which are to be left for the name of the Lord, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 10490.)
Jesus said, Whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, that I will do (John 14:13, 14);
“to ask in My name” is to ask from love and faith.
Many shall come in My name, saying, I am He; go ye not therefore after them (Luke 21:8; Mark 13:6);
“to come in My name” and “to say that I am He” is to proclaim falsities and to say that they are truths, and thus to lead astray. The like is signified by saying that they are the Christ, when they are not, in Matthew:
Many shall come in My name, saying, I am the Christ, and shall lead many astray (Matt. 24:5, 11, 23-27);
for by “Jesus” is meant the Lord in respect to Divine good; and by “Christ” the Lord in respect to Divine truth (Arcana Coelestia, n. 3004-3005, 3009, 5502), and by not being Christ, truth not Divine, but falsity.
sRef Isa@26 @13 S4′ sRef Deut@16 @2 S4′ sRef Deut@16 @16 S4′ sRef Isa@26 @8 S4′ sRef Mal@1 @11 S4′ sRef Isa@43 @7 S4′ sRef Deut@5 @11 S4′ sRef Deut@16 @15 S4′ sRef Micah@4 @5 S4′ sRef Deut@16 @11 S4′ sRef Deut@16 @6 S4′ sRef Isa@12 @4 S4′ sRef Isa@41 @25 S4′ sRef Deut@10 @8 S4′ [4] The “name of the Lord,” in the New Testament means the like as the “name of Jehovah” in the Old, because the Lord there is Jehovah. Thus in Isaiah:
And in that day shall ye say, Confess ye to Jehovah, call upon His name (Isa. 12:4).
In the same:
O Jehovah, we have waited for Thee; to Thy name and to Thy memorial is the desire of our soul. By Thee will we make mention of Thy name (Isa. 26:8, 13).
In the same:
From the rising of the sun shall My name be called upon (Isa. 41:25).
In Malachi:
From the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same My name is great among the nations; and in every place incense is offered unto My name; for My name is great among the nations (Mal. 1:11).
In Isaiah:
Everyone that is called by My name I have created for My glory, I have formed him (Isa. 43:7).
In Micah:
All peoples walk in the name of their god, and we will walk in the name of Jehovah our God (Micah 4:5).
In Moses:
Thou shalt not take the name of thy God in vain; for Jehovah will not hold him guiltless that hath taken His name in vain (Deut. 5:11).
In the same:
Jehovah separated the tribe of Levi, that they should minister and bless in the name of Jehovah (Deut. 10:8).
In the same:
They shall worship Jehovah in one place, where He shall place His name (Deut. 12:5, 11, 13, 14, 18, 26; 16:2, 6, 11, 15, 16).
“Where He shall place His name” means where there shall be worship from the good of love and the truths of faith. This was done at Jerusalem; and therefore by “Jerusalem” the church in respect to doctrine and worship is signified (see in the small work on The New Jerusalem and Its Heavenly Doctrine, n. 6).
sRef Isa@42 @8 S5′ sRef John@12 @28 S5′ sRef Matt@6 @9 S5′ sRef Jer@23 @5 S5′ sRef Jer@23 @6 S5′ sRef Isa@42 @6 S5′ [5] Since by the “name of Jehovah” or the “name of the Lord” is signified in the spiritual sense all worship from the good of love and the truths of faith, therefore in the highest sense by “name of Jehovah” is meant the Lord in respect to the Divine Human, for the reason that from His Divine Human everything of love and of faith proceeds. That by “name of Jehovah,” in the highest sense, the Lord is meant, is evident in John:
Jesus said, Father, glorify Thy name. There came a voice out of heaven, saying, I have both glorified and will glorify again (John 12:28).
In Isaiah:
I will give thee for a covenant to the people, for a light of the nations. I am Jehovah, this is My name, and My glory will I not give to another (Isa. 42:6, 8);
the coming of the Lord is here treated of. In Jeremiah:
Behold the days come that I will raise unto David a righteous shoot, and He shall reign as King, and this is His name, by which they shall call Him, Jehovah, our righteousness (Jer. 23:5, 6).
From this it is clear what is meant in the Lord’s prayer by the words:
Hallowed be Thy name (Matt. 6:9);
namely, that the Divine Human of the Lord is to be accounted holy, and to be worshiped.
sRef Luke@10 @20 S6′ sRef John@10 @3 S6′ sRef Matt@10 @42 S6′ sRef Rev@3 @4 S6′ sRef Matt@10 @41 S6′ [6] As this is meant by “the name of the Lord,” the meaning of the following passages can be seen. In John:
The shepherd of the sheep calleth his own sheep by their name (John 10:3).
In Luke:
Rejoice that your names are written in heaven (Luke 10:20).
And in Revelation:
Thou hast a few names in Sardis (Rev. 3:4).
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 one in the name of a righteous one shall receive a righteous one’s reward; and whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold [water] in the name of a disciple only, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward (Matt. 10:41, 42).
“To receive a prophet in the name of a prophet,” “a righteous one in the name of a righteous one,” 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 “prophet” is signified truth, by “righteous one” is signified good, and by “disciple” good from truth; and “to give to drink of cold [water]” is to exercise charity from obedience; “in the name” of these is for the sake of what they are, thus for their sake. Who could ever understand these things unless he knew what “name” signifies?
[7] To love and to do truth for the sake of truth, and good for the sake of good, is to have affection for truth and good for their sake, and not for the sake of one’s own reputation, honor, or gain. Such affection of truth and good is a truly spiritual affection; but the affection of truth and good for the sake of one’s own reputation, honor, or gain, is a merely natural affection. And as those who love truth and good for the sake of truth and good, or because they are truth and good, are in the spiritual affection of truth and good, therefore it is said that they shall receive “a prophet’s reward” and “a righteous one’s reward;” which means that they are in the spiritual affection of truth and good, and this affection has 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 regard to reward as an end, thus for the sake of truth and good, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 6388, 6478, 9174, 9984. That “prophet” signifies one who teaches truth, thus also, in the abstract, truth that is taught, see n. 2534, 7269. That a “righteous one” signifies the good of love to the Lord, n. 2235, 9857. That “disciple” signifies good from truth, which is the good of charity, n. 2129, 3354, 3488, 3858, 6397. That “to give 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 “the name of the Lord,” signifies every quality by which He is worshiped, n. 2724, 3006, 6674, 9310.)

sRef Rev@2 @3 S0′ 103. And hast not failed, signifies so far as they could. This is evident from the signification of “not failing,” in reference to those who are eager for the knowledges of truth and good, as being so far as they could; for in what now follows, a life according to these knowledges is treated of. Those who are in a life according to these go forward and do not fail; but those who are as yet in knowledges alone, go forward as far as they can, but do not yet have the light of life, from which is vigor.

sRef Rev@2 @4 S0′ 104. Verse 4. But I have against thee that thou hast left thy first charity, signifies that they do not make such a life as those lived who were in the church at its beginning, the essential of knowledges. This is evident from the signification of “first charity,” as being a life according to the knowledges of good and truth, such as those lived who were in the church at its beginning (of which presently); and from the signification of “leaving that charity,” as being not to make it the essential of knowledges; for those who are eager for the knowledges of truth and good, and who believe that they are saved thereby, make knowledges essential, and not life, when yet a life according to knowledges is the essential. But as this essential of the church and of salvation is treated of in what follows, more will there be said about it. Charity is life, because all life in accordance with the precepts of the Lord in the Word is called “charity;” therefore to exercise charity is to live according to those precepts. (That this is so, see in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, in the chapter on Love to the Neighbor or Charity, n. 84-106; and in the small work on The Last Judgment, n. 33-39.) The life of the church at its beginning is here meant by “first charity;” for every church begins from charity, and successively turns away from it to faith alone or to meritorious works. (On which subject, and on charity, see what is shown in the Arcana Coelestia, namely, that every church begins from charity, but in process of time turns away from it, n. 494, 501, 1327, 3773, 4689; 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 church in its beginning and in its decline, with the rising and setting of the sun, n. 1837; and with the infancy and old age of man, n. 10134; that the church is not with man until the knowledges of good and truth have been 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 there would be one church, and not many, as at this day, if all were regarded from charity, although they might differ in respect to doctrinals of faith and rituals of worship, n. 1286, 1316, 1798, 1799, 1834, 1844, 2385, 2982, 3267, 3451; that 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.)

sRef Rev@2 @5 S0′ 105. Verse 5. Be mindful therefore of whence thou hast fallen, and repent, and do the first works, signifies the remembrance of former things, and the remembrance of having deviated from the truth; and this, in order that the good of life of the church at its beginning may come into mind. This is evident from the signification of “be mindful,” as being here the remembrance of former things; from the signification of “whence thou hast fallen,” as being deviation therefrom, thus deviation from the truth; from the signification of “repent,” as being that it may come into mind; and from the signification of “doing the first works,” as being the good of life of the church at its beginning. (That “works” mean all those things of life that proceed from love and faith, see n. 98; and that “first works,” which are of charity, are those of the church at its beginning, see just above, n. 104.) That a life in accordance with knowledges is the essential of the church, and not knowledges apart from such a life, can be seen by everyone who thinks about it; for knowledges, so long as there is no life according to them, reside in the memory only; and so long as they reside there only they do not affect man’s interiors; for memory is given to man to be a receptacle, from which may be taken what will be serviceable to the life; and things are serviceable to the life when a man wills them and does them.
[2] The whole spirit of man is nothing but his will; when, therefore, man becomes a spirit, he is unable to resist anything that is favored by his will, for the whole man strives after it. That this is so is well known in the spiritual world; and I have occasionally seen the trial made, whether a spirit could do anything contrary to his will, from which he exists, and it was found that he could not. From this it was clear that man’s will is what gives form to his spirit, and that man’s spirit after it has left the body is his will. Whether you say will or love it is the same, for what a man loves he wills; so whether you say that the spirit of man cannot resist his will, or that it cannot resist his love, it is the same. The knowledges of good and truth, before they enter a man’s will or love, contribute nothing whatever to his salvation, because they are not within the man: but out of him. But still knowledges are necessary, for without them man can know nothing of spiritual life, and he who knows nothing of spiritual life cannot become spiritual; for that which a man knows he can think, can will, and can do, but not that which he does not know. But yet if knowledges enter no deeper than into the memory and into thought therefrom, they do not affect him, and consequently do not save him.
[3] It is believed by many in the world at this day, especially by those who make faith alone the essential of the church, that to know doctrinals and from mere knowing to believe that they are true, saves man, however he may live; but I can affirm that no one is saved by these alone. I have seen many, even the most learned, cast into hell; but on the other hand, those who have lived according to the knowledges of truth and good from the Word I have seen raised up into heaven. From this it is clear that knowledges are of no avail, but a life according to them; and that knowledges merely teach how man ought to live. To live according to the knowledges of truth and good is to think that one must do thus and not otherwise because it is commanded by the Lord in the Word. When man thus thinks and thus wills and does, he becomes spiritual. Yet it is necessary for those within the church to believe in the Lord, and when they think of Him to think of His Divine in the Human, since from His Divine Human everything of charity and faith proceed.

sRef Rev@2 @5 S0′ 106. But if not, I will come unto thee quickly, and will move thy lampstand out of its place, except thou repent, signifies that if not, it is certain that heaven will not be given. This is evident from the signification of “coming quickly,” as being for certain; (that “quickly” means what is certain, see above, n. 7); also from the signification of “lampstand,” as being the church and heaven (of which also see above, n. 62). Therefore, to “move the lampstand out of its place” means to separate from the church and heaven, or in other words, that heaven is not given to them. That to those who are in knowledges alone, and not in a life according to them, heaven is not given, see above (n. 104).

sRef Rev@2 @6 S0′ 107. Verse 6. But [this] thou hast, that thou hatest the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate, signifies an aversion, derived from the Divine, towards those who separate good from truth or charity from faith, from which separation there is no life. This is evident from the signification of “thou hast that thou hatest,” as being aversion (it is aversion derived from the Divine, because it is said, “which I also hate”); also from the signification of “works,” as being the things of the mind, that works spring from (see above, n. 98); from the signification of the “Nicolaitans,” as being those who separate good from truth, or charity from faith, such as do this being without life. These have no life, because all spiritual life is from charity, and from faith separate from charity there is no life. For to know and think are of faith, but to will and to do are of charity. Those that separate charity from faith can know nothing whatever of what makes heaven and the church with man, thus of what makes spiritual life; for they do not think within themselves, but outside of themselves. To think outside of oneself is to think from memory only; for the memory is outside of the man, being as it were a court, through which is an entrance into the house and its chambers; and into the thought that is outside of man heaven cannot flow in, for heaven flows into the things that are within man, and through these into the things that are outside of him. Such, therefore, cannot be taught what makes heaven and the church, or life eternal; for everyone is taught from heaven, that is, through heaven from the Lord, about the things that pertain to life eternal; thus he is taught by way of his life, which is by way of his soul and heart. He is greatly deceived who supposes that those who separate charity from faith can be in the knowledges of truth. For such apprehend all things from themselves, and nothing from heaven; and the things that man apprehends from self, and not from heaven, are falsities, because he then thinks in darkness, and not in light. All light in such things as pertain to the church must come from heaven.
[2] It is true that there are many in the church who say that charity is the essential of the church, and not faith separate; but to say this and believe it, and not to live a life of charity, is not to make it the essential, but only to say that it is. Such, therefore, are in the same position as those who say that faith is the essential, for to them charity is a matter of faith alone, and not of life; consequently they cannot be illustrated. About such in the spiritual world something snow-like, as if of light, appears; but the light from which the snow-like appearance is derived is natural; and this light is such that when light from heaven, which is spiritual light, flows in, it is changed into darkness. Such dwell there towards the left, almost in the angle of the north and west. These are intelligent only so far as they have applied the knowledges of truth and good to life.
[3] All who are in the knowledges of truth and good, but not, conformably to these, in the good of life, may live a moral life equally with those who are in knowledges and through these in the good of life; yet their moral life is not spiritual but natural, because in their life they do not live sincerely, justly, and well from religion; and those who do not live well from religion cannot be conjoined with heaven; for it is religion that makes a man spiritual and conjoins him with the angels, who are purely spiritual. To live well from religion is to think, to will, and to do because it has been so enjoined in the Word, and because the Lord has commanded it; but to live not from religion is to think, to will, and to do from a regard solely to civil and moral laws. Such as these, since they have regard only to these laws, conjoin themselves to this world alone, for which these laws are; but the former have regard to the Lord, and thereby conjoin themselves to Him. Gentiles are saved solely by this, that in their life they have regard to religion, thinking and saying that they ought to do thus and not otherwise, because to do otherwise would be contrary to the laws of their religion, thus contrary to the Divine; and when they thus think, and act accordingly, they are endowed with spiritual life, which with them is of such quality that afterwards, in the spiritual world, they receive truths more readily than those Christians who, in what they do, give no thought to the Word, or to the doctrine of the church, which is from the Word.
[4] Those who do not think from religion do not have conscience, because they are not spiritual; consequently, if their external bonds, which are fears respecting the law and reputation, should be loosened with them, they would rush into every wickedness; while on the other hand, if external bonds, which are fears respecting the law and reputation, should be taken away from those who think from religion, they would still act sincerely, justly, and well; for they fear God, and are kept in a life of obedience and charity out of heaven from the Lord, to whom they are conjoined. Those who separate charity from faith are called “Nicolaitans” chiefly from the sound of that word in heaven, for its sound is from truth or faith, and not from good or charity. (That from the expressions in the Word it may be known whether they involve good or truth, thus also whether they involve the one separate from the other, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 241.)

sRef Luke@6 @48 S0′ sRef Matt@7 @26 S0′ sRef Luke@6 @49 S0′ sRef Luke@8 @20 S0′ sRef Luke@8 @21 S0′ sRef Matt@7 @24 S0′ sRef Luke@8 @19 S0′ sRef Luke@6 @47 S0′ sRef Matt@11 @15 S0′ sRef Matt@13 @43 S0′ sRef Mark@4 @23 S0′ sRef Rev@2 @7 S0′ sRef Mark@4 @9 S0′ sRef Matt@13 @23 S0′ sRef Matt@13 @15 S0′ sRef Matt@13 @13 S0′ sRef Mark@7 @16 S0′ sRef Matt@13 @14 S0′ 108. Verse 7. 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. This is evident from the signification of “He that hath an ear let him hear,” as being that he who understands should hearken, or obey (that to “hear” is to understand and to do, that is, to hearken, see above, n. 11); also from the signification of “the Spirit,” here the Spirit of God, as being Divine truth proceeding from the Lord (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3704, 5307,6788, 6982, 6993, 7001, 7499, 8302, 9199, 9228, 9229, 9303, 9407, 9818, 9820, 10330); and from the signification of “churches,” as being those who are in truths from good, or in faith from charity, that is, who are of the church, for no others are of the church. These words, namely, “He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith into the churches,” are said to each of the churches (here to the church of Ephesus; afterwards to the church in Smyrna, verse 11; in Pergamum, verse 17; in Thyatira, verse 29; in Sardis, chapter 3:6; in Philadelphia, verse 13; and in Laodicea, verse 22), in order that everyone who is of the church may know that it is not knowing and understanding the truths and goods of faith, or doctrinals, or even the Word, that makes the church, but hearkening, that is, understanding and doing; for this is signified by the words “He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” Because this makes the church and forms heaven with man, and knowing and understanding, apart from doing, does not, therefore the Lord also uses the same words in several other places:
He that hath an ear to hear let him hear (as in Matt. 11:15; 12:43; Mark 4: 9, 23; 7:16; Luke 8:8; 14:35).
In Revelation it is added, “what the Spirit saith unto the churches;” since by this is signified what Divine truth teaches and says to those who are of the church, or what is the same, what the Lord teaches and says, for all Divine truth proceeds from Him (see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 13, 133, 137, 139); for this reason the Lord did not Himself say, “what the Spirit saith,” because He who spoke was the Divine truth.
[2] That knowing and understanding Divine truths does not make the church and form heaven with man, but knowing, understanding, and doing, the Lord teaches plainly in many passages; as in Matthew:
He that heareth these words of Mine and doeth them, is likened unto a prudent man, but he that heareth and doeth them not, is likened unto a foolish man (Matt. 7:24, 26).
In the same:
He that was sown upon good land, this is he that heareth the Word, and taketh heed and thence beareth fruit (Matt. 13:23).
In Luke:
Everyone that cometh to Me and heareth My words, and doeth them, I will show to whom he is like. He is like a man building a house, who laid the foundation on a rock. But he that heareth and doeth not is like a man that built a house upon the earth, without a foundation (Luke 6:47-49).
In the same:
My mother and My brethren are they who hear the Word of God and do it (Luke 8:21);
and in many other places. In these passages, “hearing” signifies simply hearing, which is knowing and understanding. “Hearing,” in common discourse, has this meaning when one is said “to hear” a thing; but it means both understanding and doing when it is said “give ear to,” or “hearken to,” also “listen to.” Moreover, those who have separated 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 (Matt. 13:13-15; Ezek. 12:2).

sRef Rev@2 @7 S0′ 109. 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 with heavenly joy therefrom. This is evident from the signification of “overcoming,” as being to receive in the heart (of which in what follows); also from the signification of “eating,” as being to be appropriated and to be conjoined (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 heavenly joy therefrom (of which also in what follows). “To overcome” is to receive in the heart, because everyone who is to receive spiritual life must fight against evils and falsities which belong to his natural life; and when he overcomes these he receives in the heart the goods and truths which belong to the spiritual life. To receive in the heart is to receive in the will and love, for “heart” in the Word signifies the will and love (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2930, 3313, 7542, 8910, 9050, 9113, 10336). To receive in the heart, then, is to do these from the will or love; this is what is meant by “overcoming.”
[2] “The tree of life” signifies the good of love and heavenly joy therefrom, because “trees” signify such things as are with man in his interiors, which are of his mind [mens] or disposition [animus]; “boughs” and “leaves” signifying those things that are of the knowledges of truth and good, and “fruits” the goods of life themselves. This signification of trees draws its origin from the spiritual world; for in that world trees of every kind are seen, and the trees that are seen correspond to the interiors of the angels and spirits which are of their mind; the most 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 fruits, to those who are only in the knowledges of truth; and horrible trees, with noxious fruits, to those who are in knowledges and in evil of life. To those, however, who are not in knowledges, and who are in evil of life, no trees appear, but stones and sands instead. These appearances in the spiritual world really flow from correspondence, for the interiors of the minds of those there are by such effigies presented actually before their eyes. (These things may be better seen from two chapters in the work on Heaven and Hell; first, where the Correspondence of Heaven with all things of Earth is treated of, n. 103-115; and the other, where Representatives and Appearances in Heaven are treated of, n. 170-176, and in what follows there, n. 177-190.)
[3] It is from this that “trees” are so often mentioned in the Word, and by them are signified the things with men that belong to their minds; and from this it is also that in the first chapters of Genesis: two trees are said to have been placed in the garden of Eden, one called “the tree of life,” and the other “the tree of knowledge.” “The tree of life” there signifies the good of love to the Lord, and heavenly joy therefrom, which were with those who were then of the church, and who are meant by the “man” and his “wife;” and by “the tree of knowledge” is signified the delight of knowledges apart from any other use than to be accounted learned and to acquire repute for erudition solely for the sake of honor or gain. “The tree of life” also signifies heavenly joy, because the good of love to the Lord, which is specifically signified by that tree, has heavenly joy in it (see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 395-414, and in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 230-239).
sRef Ezek@20 @47 S4′ sRef Rev@8 @7 S4′ sRef Dan@4 @11 S4′ sRef Dan@4 @10 S4′ sRef Isa@60 @13 S4′ sRef Ezek@17 @24 S4′ sRef Joel@1 @12 S4′ sRef Isa@41 @19 S4′ sRef Dan@4 @12 S4′ [4] That “trees,” which are so often mentioned in the Word, signify the interiors of man which belong to his mind and disposition, and the things that are on trees, as leaves and fruit, signify such things as are from these interiors, can be seen from the following passages:
I will give in the desert the cedar, the shittah tree,* and the myrtle, and the oil tree; I will set in the wilderness the fir tree, the pine, and the box tree (Isa. 41:19).
The establishment of the church is there treated of:
The glory of Lebanon shall come unto thee, the fir tree, the pine, and the box tree together, to deck the place of My sanctuary (Isa. 60:13).
All the trees of the field shall know that I, Jehovah, humble the high tree, exalt the low tree, dry up the green tree, and make the dry tree to bud (Ezek. 17:24).
Behold, I will kindle a fire in thee, and it shall devour the green tree in thee, and every dry tree (Ezek. 20:47).
The vine is withered, and the fig tree languisheth; the pomegranate tree, the palm tree also, and the apple tree, all the trees of the field are withered: joy is withered away from the sons of men (Joel 1:12).
When the angel sounded, there followed hail and fire, which fell upon the earth; and the third part of the trees was burnt up (Rev. 8:7).
Beltshasar** saw in a dream a tree in the midst of the earth, and the height thereof was great. The leaves thereof were fair, and the flowers many, and in it was food for all (Dan. 4:10-12).
(Because “trees” in general signify such things as are with man and constitute the interiors of his mind, and so also the spiritual things that are of the church; and because both are of various kinds, therefore there are so many kinds of trees mentioned, each signifying something different. What the various kinds signify is shown in the Arcana Coelestia, as what is signified by the “oil tree,” n. 9277, 10261; what by the “cedar,” n. 9472, 9486, 9528, 9715, 10178; what by the “vine,” n. 1069, 5113, 6375, 6378, 9277; what by the “fig,” n. 217, 4231, 5113, etc.)
sRef Ps@1 @3 S5′ sRef Ps@1 @1 S5′ sRef Ps@1 @2 S5′ sRef Ps@148 @9 S5′ sRef Ps@104 @16 S5′ sRef Jer@17 @8 S5′ sRef Rev@22 @2 S5′ sRef Joel@2 @22 S5′ sRef Ezek@47 @12 S5′ [5] Moreover, the things that are on trees, as leaves and fruit, signify such things as are with man; “leaves,” the truths with him, and “fruits,” the goods, as in the following passages:
He shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and shall spread out his roots by the river; his leaf shall be green; neither shall he cease from yielding fruit (Jer. 17:8).
By the river flowing out from the house of God, upon the bank on this side and on that, ascendeth the tree of food, whose leaf falleth not off, nor is its fruit consumed; it is renewed in its months, because its waters issue out of the sanctuary, whence its fruit is for food, and its leaf for medicine (Ezek. 47:12).
In the midst of the street and of the river (flowing out from the throne of God and of the Lamb), on this side and on that, was the tree of life, bearing twelve fruits, yielding its fruit every month, and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations (Rev. 22:1, 2).
Blessed is the man whose delight is in the law; he shall be like a tree planted by the streams of waters, that bringeth forth its fruit in its time, whose leaf also doth not wither (Ps. 1:3).
Be not afraid, for the tree shall bear fruit, the fig tree and the vine shall yield their strength (Joel 2:22).
The trees of Jehovah are satisfied, the cedars of Lebanon which He hath planted (Ps. 104:16).
Praise Jehovah, ye fruit trees, and all cedars (Ps. 148:7, 9).
sRef John@15 @2 S6′ sRef Deut@20 @19 S6′ sRef Lev@23 @41 S6′ sRef Matt@3 @10 S6′ sRef Luke@13 @7 S6′ sRef Luke@13 @8 S6′ sRef Deut@20 @20 S6′ sRef Luke@13 @9 S6′ sRef Luke@13 @10 S6′ sRef Luke@13 @6 S6′ sRef John@15 @5 S6′ sRef John@15 @6 S6′ sRef Lev@25 @20 S6′ sRef Lev@25 @4 S6′ sRef John@15 @8 S6′ sRef John@15 @7 S6′ sRef Lev@23 @40 S6′ sRef Matt@12 @33 S6′ sRef John@15 @3 S6′ sRef John@15 @4 S6′ [6] Because “fruits” signified the goods of life with man, therefore it was commanded in the Israelitish church, which was a representative church, that the fruits of trees, like men themselves, should be circumcised, concerning which it is thus written:
The fruit of the tree serving for food in the land of Canaan shall be uncircumcised; three years shall they be uncircumcised. But in the fourth year all the fruit thereof shall be holy, praises to Jehovah. And in the fifth year shall ye eat [of the fruit thereof] (Lev. 19:23-25).
Because the “fruits of the tree” signified the goods of life, it was also commanded:
That in the feast of tabernacles they should take the fruits of the tree of honor, and the boughs, and be glad before Jehovah, and thus should keep the feast (Lev. 23:40, 41).
For by “tabernacles” were signified the goods of heavenly love, and holy worship therefrom (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 414, 1102, 2145, 2152, 3312, 4391, 10545); and by the “feast of tabernacles” was signified the implantation of that good or love (n. 9296). Because “fruits” signified the goods of love which are goods of life:
It was amongst the blessings that the tree of the field should give its fruit, and among the curses that it should not bear fruit (Lev. 26:4, 20).
So also it was a command that when any city was besieged:
They should not lay the axe to any tree of good fruit (Deut. 20:19, 20).
From all this it can be seen that “fruits” signify the goods of love, or what is the same, the goods of life, which are also called “works,” as likewise in these passages in the Evangelists:
The axe lieth unto the root of the tree; every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit shall be hewn down and cast into the fire (Matt. 3:10; 7:16-21).
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. 12:33; Luke 6:43, 44).
Every branch that beareth not fruit shall be taken away; but every branch that beareth fruit shall be pruned, that it may bring forth more fruit (John 15:2-8).
A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came seeking fruit thereon, but found none. And he saith unto the vine dresser, Behold, for three years I come seeking fruit from the fig tree, and find none; cut it down; why should it make the ground unfruitful? (Luke 13:6-9).
Jesus saw a fig tree by the way; He came to it, and found nothing thereon but leaves only; and He said, Nevermore from thee shall there be fruit. And immediately the fig tree withered away (Matt. 21:19; Mark 11:13, 14, 20).
The “fig tree” signifies the natural man and its interiors, and “fruits” signify his goods (Arcana Coelestia, n. 217, 4231, 5113); but “leaves” signify knowledges (n. 885). From this it is clear what is signified by the fig tree’s withering away because the Lord found on it leaves only and no fruit. All these passages are cited that it may be known what is signified by the “tree of life in the midst of the paradise of God,” namely, the good of love proceeding from the Lord, and heavenly joy therefrom.
* This is translated “the cedar of Shittah” in Arcana Coelestia, n. 9472, 9780, Apocalypse Explained, n. 294, 375, 730.
** In the Chaldee this is related of Nebuchadnezzar.

sRef Rev@2 @7 S0′ 110. Which is in the midst of the paradise of God, signifies that all the knowledges of good and truth in heaven and in the church look thereto and proceed therefrom. This is evident from the signification of “the midst,” as being the center to which all things that are round about look and from which they proceed (of which above, n. 97) and from the signification of “paradise,” as being the knowledges of good and truth and intelligence therefrom (Arcana Coelestia, n. 100, 108, 1588, 2702, 3220); and because these are signified by “paradise,” therefore by the “paradise of God” heaven is signified, and as heaven, so also the church is signified, for the church is the Lord’s heaven on the earth. Heaven and the church are called the “paradise of God,” because the Lord is in the midst of them, and from Him is all intelligence and wisdom. Since it has not been known heretofore that all things in the Word are written by correspondences, consequently that there are spiritual things in every particular that is mentioned therein, it is believed that by the “paradise” treated of in the second chapter of Genesis, a paradisal garden is meant. But no earthly paradise is there meant, but the heavenly paradise which those possess who are in intelligence and wisdom from the knowledges of good and truth (see above, n. 109; and in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 176, 185).
sRef Ezek@31 @9 S2′ sRef Ezek@31 @3 S2′ sRef Ezek@31 @8 S2′ sRef Isa@51 @3 S2′ sRef Ezek@28 @13 S2′ [2] From this it can be seen not only what is signified by the “paradise” or “garden in Eden,” but also by the “paradises” or “gardens of God” elsewhere in the Word, as in Isaiah:
Jehovah shall comfort Zion, He will comfort all her waste places, even that He may make her wilderness into Eden, and her desert into a garden of Jehovah; joy and gladness shall be found therein (Isa. 51:3).
In Ezekiel:
Thou hast been in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering (Ezek. 28:13).
These things are said of Tyre, because by “Tyre” in the Word a church that is in the knowledges of truth and good and in intelligence therefrom is signified (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 1201); its intelligence therefrom is “Eden, the garden of God,” likewise “the precious stone” from which is its “covering” (see n. 114, 9863, 9865, 9868, 9873). In the same:
Behold Asshur a cedar in Lebanon. The cedars have not hid it in the garden of God; nor was any tree in the garden of God 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 (Ezek. 31:3, 8, 9).
By “Asshur” in the Word those who have become rational by the knowledges of good and truth, thus whose minds are illustrated from heaven, are meant. (That “Asshur” is the rational of man, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 119, 1186.)
[3] Something shall now be said to explain how it is to be understood that all knowledges of good and truth look to the good of love to the Lord and proceed therefrom, which is the significance of these 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, since the Lord is in the good of His love with man, spirit, and angel. That all knowledges of good and truth look thereto, or to the Lord, is known in the Christian church; for the doctrine of the church teaches that there is no salvation apart from the Lord, and also that all salvation is in the Lord.
The knowledges of good and truth, or doctrinals from the Word, teach how man can come to God and be conjoined to Him. (That no one can be conjoined to God except from the Lord and in the Lord, see Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 283, 296.) From this it can be seen that all things taught by the church from the Word look to the Lord and to love to Him, as the end to which [ad quem]. That all knowledges of good and truth, or all doctrinals from the Word, proceed from the Lord is also known in the church, for it is there taught that everything of love and everything of faith is from heaven, and that nothing is from man; and that no one can love God and believe in Him from himself. To love God and to believe in Him involve all things that the church teaches, called doctrinals and knowledges, since from these is God loved and believed in. There is no love and faith without previous knowledges; for without knowledges man would be empty.
sRef Rev@22 @2 S4′ sRef Ps@104 @16 S4′ [4] From this it follows that as everything of love and of faith proceeds from the Lord, so do all knowledges of good and truth which make and form love and faith. Because all knowledges of good and truth 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 paradise are called “trees of life” and “trees of Jehovah;” in Revelation “trees of life”:
In the midst of the street and of the river (flowing out from the throne of God and of the Lamb) on this side and on that was the tree of life, bearing twelve fruits (Rev. 22:2).
In David they are called “trees of Jehovah”:
The trees of Jehovah are satisfied, the cedars of Lebanon which He hath planted (Ps. 104:16).
From this also it is clear that by the “tree of life in the midst of paradise” is meant every tree there, in other words, every man in the midst of whom, that is, in whom is the Lord. From what has been shown here and in the preceding article, what is signified by the words, “The Lord will give to him that overcometh to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God,” may be learned.

sRef Rev@2 @8 S0′ sRef Rev@2 @9 S0′ sRef Rev@2 @11 S0′ sRef Rev@2 @10 S0′ 111. Verses 8-11. And to the angel of the church of the Smyrneans write: These things saith the First and the Last, who was dead and is alive. I know thy works, and affliction, and poverty, but thou art rich; and the blasphemy of them who say that they are Jews and they are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Fear not the things which thou art to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried, and ye shall have affliction ten days: be thou faithful even till death, and I will give thee the 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 by the second death. 8. “And to the angel of the church of the Smyrneans write,” signifies for remembrance to those within the church, who wish to understand the Word, but do not yet understand, and are therefore as yet but little in the knowledges of truth and good, which nevertheless they desire in heart (n. 112); “These things saith the First and the Last,” signifies the Lord, who governs all things from the Divine Human, from firsts by means of ultimates (n. 113); “who was dead and is alive,” signifies that He has been rejected, and yet eternal life is from Him (n. 114, 115). 9. “I know thy works,” signifies love (n. 116); “and affliction,” signifies anxiety from a longing to know truths (n. 117); “and poverty, but thou art rich,” signifies acknowledgment that they know nothing from themselves (n. 118); “and the blasphemy of them who say that they are Jews and they are not,” signifies denunciation by those who think themselves to be in the knowledges of good and truth because they have the Word, and yet are not (n. 119); “but are a synagogue of Satan,” signifies doctrine of all falsities with these (n. 120). 10. “Fear not the things which thou art to suffer,” signifies that they should not grieve because such men persecute them (n. 121); “Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison,” signifies that those who are in falsities from evil will set about to deprive them of all truth from the Word (n. 122); “that ye may be tried,” signifies consequent increase of longing for truth (n. 123); “and ye shall have affliction ten days,” signifies that infestation and temptation therefrom will last for some time (n. 124); “be thou faithful even till death,” signifies steadfastness in truths to the end (n. 125); “and I will give thee the crown of life,” signifies wisdom and eternal happiness therefrom (n. 126). 11. “He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches,” signifies that he that understands should hearken to what Divine truth proceeding from the Lord teaches and says to those who are of His church (n. 127). “He that overcometh shall not be hurt by the second death” signifies that he who is steadfast in the genuine affection of truth to the end of his life in the world shall come into the new heaven (n. 128).

sRef Rev@2 @8 S0′ 112. Verse 8. And to the angel of the church of the Smyrneans write, signifies for remembrance to those within the church who wish to understand the Word, but do not yet understand, and are therefore as yet but little in the knowledges of truth and good, which nevertheless they desire in heart. This 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 Smyrneans,” as being those within the church who wish to understand the Word but do not yet understand, and are therefore but little in the knowledges of truth and good, which nevertheless they desire in heart. That these are meant by the “angel of the church of the Smyrneans” is clear from the things written to that angel which follow: for who are meant by the angel of each church can be known only from the internal sense of the things written to him.
[2] In the things written to the angel of the Ephesian church, explained just above, those are described who are in the knowledges of truth and good, and not also, or not yet, in a life according to them. Here now those are described who are in the knowledges of truth and good, and at the same time in a life according to them; these, therefore, are in the affection of truth from a spiritual source; but the former are those who are in the affection of truth from a natural source. In general, there are affections of truth from two sources, namely, from a natural and from a spiritual source. Those who are in the affection of truth from a natural source look first to self and the world, and thence are natural; but those who are in the affection of truth from a spiritual source look first to the Lord and to heaven, and thence are spiritual. Man’s affection or love looks either downwards or upwards; those who look to self and the world look downwards, but those who look to the Lord and to heaven look upwards. A man’s interiors, which are of his mind, actually look in the same direction as his love or affection does, for love determines them; and such as is the determination of man’s interiors, which are of his mind, such after death does the man remain to eternity. Looking downwards or upwards is looking from love through the understanding, thus through the things that form and make the understanding, which are the knowledges of truth and good.
[3] In what is written to the angel of the Ephesian church, those within the church who are in the knowledges of truth and good, and not also, or not yet, in a life according to them, thus those who are in the affection of truth from a natural source, are described; and now in what is written to the angel of the church of the Smyrneans, those who are in the knowledges of truth and good, and also in a life according to them, thus those who are in the affection of truth from a spiritual source are described; and this because the former is the first [state] of the church, and the latter is the second. For no one can be introduced into the church and formed for heaven, except by knowledges from the Word. Without these man does not know the way to heaven, and without these the Lord cannot dwell with him. It can be seen that without the knowledges of truth and good from the Word no one can know anything of the Lord, of the angelic heaven, or of charity and faith; and that which a man does not know he cannot think, thus cannot will, and accordingly cannot believe and love. It is evident, therefore, that by means of knowledges man learns the way to heaven. It can also be seen that without the knowledges of truth and good from the Word the Lord cannot be present with man and lead him, for when man knows nothing of the Lord, of heaven, of charity and faith, his spiritual mind, which is the higher mind, and is intended to see by the light of heaven, is empty, and has nothing from the Divine in it. But the Lord cannot be with man except in His own with man, that is, in the things that are from Him. For this reason it was said that unless a man is in the knowledges of truth and good from the Word and in the life thereof, the Lord cannot dwell with him. From this, taken together, it follows that the natural man can by no means become spiritual without the knowledges of good and truth from the Word.
[4] By “the angel of the church of the Smyrneans” are meant those within the church who wish to understand the Word, but do not yet understand, and therefore are as yet but little in the knowledges of truth and good, which nevertheless they desire because they are in the spiritual affection of truth; and those who are in the spiritual affection of truth are also in the life of charity, for from that they have spiritual affection. The spiritual comes to man from no other source than from charity. Those who are in spiritual affection are interested in the Word, and desire nothing more earnestly than to understand it. But as there are innumerable things therein that they do not understand, because the Word in its bosom is spiritual and the spiritual includes infinite arcana, therefore, so long as man lives in the world and then sees from the natural man, he can be but little in the knowledges of truth and good, and in generals only, in which, however, innumerable things may be implanted when he comes into the spiritual world or heaven.
sRef Matt@13 @12 S5′ sRef Luke@6 @38 S5′ [5] A man who is in the affection of truth from a spiritual origin knows many more things than he knew before; for the general knowledges that he has are like vessels that can be filled with many things, and they are also actually filled when he comes into heaven. That this is so can be seen merely from this, that all the angels in heaven are from the human race, and yet they possess wisdom such as could be described only by what is unutterable and incomprehensible, as is well known. (That the angels of heaven are from no other source than the human race, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 311-317:, and in the small work on The Last Judgment, n. 14-22.) This fullness of intelligence and wisdom is what is meant by the words of the Lord in Luke:
Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, shall be given into your bosom (Luke 6:38);
and in Matthew:
Whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundantly (Matt. 13:12; 25:29);
and in Luke:
The lord said to the servant who from the pound given him gained ten pounds, Because thou hast been faithful in a very little, thou shalt have authority over ten cities (Luke 19:16, 17).
By “ten” is here signified much and full, and by “cities” intelligence and wisdom. (That “ten” signifies much and full, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 1988, 3107, 4638; and the “cities” signify those things that are of intelligence and wisdom, n. 2449, 2712, 2943, 3216, 3584, 4492, 4493, 5297.)

sRef Rev@2 @8 S0′ sRef Rev@2 @1 S1′ 113. These things saith the First and the Last, signifies the Lord, who governs all things from the Divine Human, from firsts by means of ultimates. This is evident from the signification of “the First and the Last,” as being, in reference to the Lord, His ruling all things from firsts by means of ultimates (see above, n. 41). That it is the Lord in respect to the Divine Human who here and in what follows speaks to the angels of the churches, can be seen from the preceding chapter, where similar things are said of the Son of man; and the Son of man is the Lord in respect to the Divine Human (see above, n. 63). This is clearly shown by bringing the passages together; for example, the Son of man is described in the preceding chapter as seen:
In the midst of the golden lampstands, having in his right hand seven stars (Rev. 1:13, 16).
These same things introduce what is written to the angel of the Ephesian Church in these words, “These things saith He that holdeth the seven stars in His right hand, that walketh in the midst of the seven golden lampstands” (verse 1 of this chapter).
sRef Rev@1 @18 S2′ sRef Rev@2 @8 S2′ sRef Rev@2 @12 S2′ sRef Rev@1 @17 S2′ sRef Rev@1 @14 S2′ sRef Rev@1 @18 S2′ sRef Rev@1 @15 S2′ sRef Rev@1 @16 S2′ [2] In the preceding chapter the Son of man is described thus:
I am the First and the Last; and the Living One; and I became dead; and behold I am alive unto the ages of the ages (Rev. 1:17-18).
These things here introduce what is written to the angel of the church of the Smyrneans, in these words; “These things saith the First and the Last, who was dead and is alive” (verse 8). In the preceding chapter the Son of man is described, that there was seen:
Out of His mouth a sharp two-edged sword going forth (Rev. 1:16).
This introduces what is written to the angel of the church Pergamum, in these words:
These things saith He that hath the sharp two-edged sword (Rev. 1:12).
In the preceding chapter the Son of man is described, that He was seen to have:
Eyes as a flame of fire; and feet like unto burnished brass, as if glowing in a furnace (Rev. 1:14-15).
These things introduce what is written to the angel of the church in Thyatira, in these words:
These things saith the Son of God, that hath His eyes as a flame of fire, and His feet like unto burnished brass (Rev. 1:18).
[3] Similar things introduce what is written to the angels of the other three churches (of which in the following chapter). From this it can be seen that it is the Son of man who says the things that are written to the churches; and as by the “Son of man” the Lord in respect to the Divine Human is meant (as was shown above, n. 63), it follows that all that is written to the churches is from the Lord’s Divine Human; and from this it also follows that the Divine Human is the All in all things of the church, as it is the All in all things of Heaven. So here by His being “the First and the Last” is signified that the Lord from His Divine Human governs all things from firsts by means of ultimates. (That the Lord in respect to the Divine Human is the All in all things of heaven, may be seen in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 7-12 and n. 78-86, and the rest there. And as the Lord is the All in all things of heaven, He is also the All in all things of the church, for the church is the kingdom of the Lord on the earth.) This I can affirm, that no one who is within the church, and does not acknowledge the Divine of the Lord in His Human, can enter heaven. To acknowledge the Divine of the Lord in His Human is to think of His Divine when thinking of His Human. That it must be so thought of is because the whole heaven is from His Divine Human (as may be seen shown in the work on Heaven and Hell, from beginning to end; and above in the explanation of Revelation, n. 10, 49, 52, 82).

sRef John@1 @2 S0′ sRef Rev@2 @8 S0′ 114. Who was dead and is alive, signifies that He has been rejected, and yet eternal life is from Him. This is evident from the signification of being “dead,” as being, in reference to the Lord, to have been rejected (of which see above, n. 83); also from the signification of “being alive,” as being that eternal life is from Him (of which also above, n. 84). The Lord is said to have been rejected when He is not approached and worshiped; and also when He is approached and worshiped in respect to His Human only, and not at the same time in respect to the Divine; therefore He is rejected at the present time within the church by those who do not approach and worship Him, but pray to the Father to have compassion for the sake of the Son, when yet neither man nor angel can ever approach the Father and worship Him immediately; for the Divine is invisible, and with it no one can be conjoined by faith and love; since what is invisible does not come into the idea of thought, nor, consequently, into the affection of the will; and what does not fall into the idea of thought does not fall within the faith; for the things that are to be of faith must be thought of. So also what does not enter into the affection of the will does not enter into love, for what is to be of the love must affect man’s will, for all the love that man has resides in the will (see The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 28-35).
sRef John@14 @9 S2′ sRef John@14 @10 S2′ sRef John@10 @30 S2′ sRef John@14 @6 S2′ sRef Matt@11 @27 S2′ sRef John@15 @5 S2′ sRef John@14 @7 S2′ sRef John@5 @37 S2′ sRef John@14 @8 S2′ sRef John@1 @18 S2′ sRef John@10 @38 S2′ sRef John@14 @11 S2′ [2] But the Divine Human of the Lord does come into the idea of the thought and thus into faith, and from that into the affection of the will, that is, into love. From this it is clear that there is no conjunction with the Father except from the Lord, and in the Lord. This the Lord Himself teaches with the utmost clearness in the Evangelists, as 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 (John 1:18).
In the same:
Ye have neither heard the Father’s voice at any time, nor seen His shape (John 5:37).
In Matthew:
No one knoweth the Father save the Son, and he to whom the Son willeth to reveal Him (Matt. 11:27).
In John:
I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no man cometh unto the Father but through Me (John 14:6).
In the same :
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 (John 14:7-11).
And that the Father and the Lord are one (John 10:30, 38).
I am the vine, ye are the branches; apart from Me ye can do nothing (John 15:5).
[3] From this it can be seen that the Lord has been rejected by those within the church who approach the Father immediately and pray to Him to have compassion for the sake of the Son; for these cannot do otherwise than think of the Lord’s Human as they think of the human of another man, thus they cannot think at the same time of His Divine as being in the Human, still less of His Divine as conjoined with His Human as the soul is conjoined with the body, according to the doctrine received throughout the universal Christian world (see above, n. 10, 26). Who is there in the Christian world, acknowledging the Divinity of the Lord, that is willing to be one who would place the Lord’s Divine outside of His Human? When yet to think of the Human only, and not at the same time of His Divine in the Human, is to view the two as separated, which is not to view the Lord, nor the two as one person; and yet the doctrine received throughout Christendom is, that the Divine and the Human of the Lord are not two persons but a single person.
[4] It is true that men of the church at this day, when they speak from the doctrine of the church think of the Divine of the Lord in His Human; but when they think and speak by themselves aside from doctrine, it is altogether otherwise. But be it known, that man is in one state when he is thinking and speaking from doctrine, and in another when he is thinking and speaking aside from doctrine. When man is thinking and speaking from doctrine, his thought and speech are from the memory of his natural man; but when he is thinking and speaking aside from doctrine, his thought and speech are from his spirit; for to think and speak from the spirit, is to think and speak from the interiors of one’s mind, from which is his real faith. Moreover, man’s state after death becomes such as were the thought and speech of his spirit by himself aside from doctrine, and not such as they were from doctrine, if the latter was not one with the former.
[5] Man does not know that he has two states in respect to faith and love; one when in doctrine and another aside from doctrine; but that the state of his faith and love aside from doctrine is what saves him, and not the state of his speech respecting faith and love from doctrine, unless the latter state makes one with the former. Yet to think and speak from doctrine respecting faith and love is to speak from the natural man and its memory, as is evident merely from this, that the evil, when with others, can think and speak thus equally with the good. For the same reason also evil preachers equally with good, or preachers that have no faith equally with those that have faith, can preach the Gospel, and, to appearance, with similar zeal and affection. This is because the man, as has been said, then thinks and speaks from his natural man and its memory. But to think from one’s spirit is not to think from the natural man and its memory, but from the spiritual man, and from its faith and affection. Merely from this it is clear that man has two states, and that it is the latter state, not the former, that saves him; for man after death is a spirit; therefore such as he was in the world in respect to his spirit, such he remains after his departure out of the world.
[6] Moreover, it has been given me to know from much experience that the man of the church has these two states. For after death, man can be let into either state, and is also actually let into both. Many of these, when they have been let into the former state, have spoken like Christians, and from such speech have been believed by others to be Christians; but as soon as they were remitted into the latter state, which was the real state of their spirit they spoke like devilish spirits, and altogether in opposition to what they had spoken before (see the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 491-498, 499-511).
[7] From this it can be seen how the statement is to be understood that the Lord has been at this day rejected by those within the church; namely, that although it is held from doctrine that the Divine of the Lord must be acknowledged and believed in the same degree 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, and neither of them greater or less, before or after the other” (see the Creed of Athanasius); yet they do not approach and worship the Lord and His Divine, but the Divine of the Father; this they do when they pray to the Father to have mercy for the sake of the Son; and when they say this they do not think at all of the Divine of the Lord, but they think of His Human as separated from the Divine, thus of His Human as similar to the human of any other man; and then they also think not of one God, but of two, or three. To think in this way of the Lord is to reject Him; for by not thinking of His Divine at the same time that they think of His Human, by the separation they thrust out the Divine. Yet these are not two, but one person, and make one as soul and body do.
[8] I once spoke with spirits who when they lived in the world were of the popish religion, and I asked whether in the world they ever thought about the Divine of the Lord? They said that they thought about it whenever they saw from doctrine, and that they then acknowledged His Divine to be equal with the Divine of the Father, but that apart from doctrine, they thought of His Human only, and not of His Divine. They were asked why they say that the power which His Human had was given to it by the Father and not by Himself, since they acknowledged His Divine to be equal with that of the Father? At this they turned away, making no answer. But it was said to them, that it was because they transferred to themselves all His Divine power, and that they could not have done this unless they had separated the Divine from the Human. That with them the Lord has been rejected, everyone may conclude from this, that they worship the pope instead of the Lord, and that they no longer attribute any power to the Lord.
[9] I will here also mention a great scandal heard from the pope called Benedict XIV. He openly declared that when he lived in the world he believed that the Lord had no power, because He had transferred it all to Peter, and after him to his successors; adding his belief that their saints have more power than the Lord, because they hold it from God the Father, while the Lord resigned it all and gave it to the popes; yet that He is still to be worshiped, because otherwise the pope is not worshiped with sanctity. But because this pope even after death claimed the Divine for himself, after a few days he was cast into hell.

sRef Rev@2 @8 S0′ 115. The Lord said to the angel of this church, “I am the First and the Last, who was dead and is alive,” because those within the church that are in the spiritual affection of truth are here treated of. These are such as search out truths from the Word, and when they find them they rejoice in heart, solely because they are truths. Those also are here treated of who are in a merely natural affection of truth. These are such as do not search for truths, nor rejoice in them because they are truths, but they simply acquiesce in the doctrinals of their church, not caring whether they are true or false; these they learn with the memory only, confirming them also by the sense of the letter of the Word; and doing this solely for the sake of acquiring repute, honors, or gain. It is with such that the Lord is “dead,” that is, rejected. The spiritual affection of truth, which is loving truth because it is truth, exists only with those who are conjoined to the Lord by the acknowledgment of His Divine in the Human, and by faith in it; since all the truth of heaven and all the truth of the church is from no other source than the Lord’s Divine Human; for out of this proceeds Divine truth, which is called “the Spirit of Truth,” or “the Holy Spirit.” From this the angels of heaven have all their affection of truth and all their wisdom (that this is so, see in the work on Heaven and Hell n. 126-140, 265-275, 346-356). It is with these that the Lord is alive.

sRef Rev@2 @9 S0′ 116. Verse 9. I know thy works, signifies love. This is evident from the signification of “works,” as being the things that are of the will or love, since works proceed therefrom, and that from which anything proceeds constitutes the all in that which proceeds, as cause does in effect, for when the cause is taken away or ceases the effect ceases. So it is with man’s will and works therefrom; will is the cause and works are the effects, and it is well known that when will ceases work ceases. From this it is clear that “works” in relation to cause are the will.
The will of man is spiritual, but works therefrom are natural; therefore here by “works,” in the spiritual sense, the will is meant. By “works” is meant also the love, because what a man loves that he wills, and what in heart he wills that he loves; and if you look more deeply you will see that all things of man’s interior will are of his love. Yet in common discourse we speak of man’s love, not of his will, because the loves are manifold, and there are many in one man, and all are together in the will, which is perceived by man as a one, because he distinguishes between will and understanding. The will, therefore, is man’s spiritual itself, because love is spiritual. “Works” are mentioned in the Word, and not the will or love (as here and in what follows, to the angels of the churches, “I know thy works,” and not “I know thy will,” or “thy love”), because all things that are in the sense of the letter of the Word are natural, and contain within them things spiritual; to bring out, therefore, the spiritual sense of the Word, the spiritual, which is in the natural or from which the natural proceeds, is to be explored.

sRef Rev@2 @9 S0′ 117. And affliction, signifies anxiety from a longing to know truths. This is evident from the signification of “affliction,” as being anxiety of mind from a longing to know truths; for those who wish to understand the Word, but who do not as yet well understand it, are here treated of (see above, n. 112), and these are in anxiety as to the spirit when they do not understand. That these have such anxiety when they do not understand, none can know except those who are in the affection of truth for the sake of truth, that is, who are in spiritual affection; who these are may be seen above (n. 115). The reason of this is, that such are conjoined to the angels of heaven, and angels continually long for truths, because they long for intelligence and wisdom; they long for these as a hungry man longs for food. For this reason also intelligence and wisdom are called spiritual food. This longing also man has from infancy, for when he is an infant, and afterwards when a child, he is conjoined to heaven, and this longing is from heaven; but with those who turn themselves to the world it perishes. From this it may be known what is the anxiety of mind or spiritual anxiety that is here signified by “affliction.”
[2] They have such anxiety when they read the Word and do not well understand it, because all the truths of heaven and the church are from the Word, and lie concealed therein in its spiritual sense, and are not opened to any except such as are conjoined to heaven, since that sense of the Word is in heaven. Yet the spiritual sense itself of the Word does not flow in with man out of heaven, but it flows into his affection, and through this into the knowledges that he has, and thus kindles his longing, and he then receives the genuine truths of the church so far as he can see them from the literal sense of the Word. Everyone who is in the spiritual affection of truth is conscious that the things that he knows are few, and the things that he does not know are infinite. He is aware, moreover, that knowing and acknowledging this is the first step towards wisdom; and that those who pride themselves on the things they know, and believe themselves on account of these to be most intelligent, have not reached this first step. Such persons also commonly glory more from falsities than from truths, for they have regard to their own reputation, and are affected by that alone, and not by truth itself. Such are they who are in natural affection only and in longing from that (see above, n. 115).

sRef Rev@2 @9 S0′ 118. And poverty, but thou art rich, signifies the acknowledgment that they know nothing from themselves. This is evident from the signification of “poverty,” as being the acknowledgment of heart that they know nothing from themselves (of which presently); and from the signification of “but thou art rich,” as being the affection of spiritual truth (of which also presently). That by “poverty” spiritual poverty is here meant, and that by “thou art rich” is meant to be spiritually rich, is clear, since these things are said to the church. To be spiritually poor, and yet to be rich, is to acknowledge in heart that one has no knowledge nor understanding nor wisdom from himself, but that he knows, understands, and is wise wholly from the Lord. In such acknowledgment are all the angels of heaven, wherefore they are also intelligent and wise, and this in the same degree in which they are in the acknowledgment and perception that this is the case. For they know and perceive that nothing of the truth that is called the truth of faith, and nothing of the good that is called the good of love, is from themselves, but that these are from the Lord; they also know and perceive that all things that they understand and in which they are wise have reference to the truth of faith and to the good of love; and from this again they know that all their intelligence and wisdom is from the Lord; and because they know and acknowledge this, and also wish and love it to be so, Divine truth from which are all intelligence and wisdom continually flows in from the Lord, and this they receive in the measure in which they are affected by it, that is, love it. But, on the other hand, the spirits of hell believe that all things which they think and will, and thence speak and do, are from themselves, and nothing from God; for they do not believe in a Divine; consequently, instead of intelligence and wisdom they have insanity and folly, for they think contrary to truth, and will contrary to good, and this is to be insane and foolish. Every man who is in the love of self does the same; he cannot do otherwise than attribute all things to self, because he looks only to self; and because he does this he is not in any acknowledgment that all intelligence and wisdom are from the Lord; consequently, when such persons think with themselves, they think contrary to the truths and goods of the church and of heaven, although when speaking with men they talk otherwise, from a fear of losing their reputation.
[2] From this it can be known what “poverty” in the spiritual sense means. He who is spiritually poor is nevertheless rich, because he is in the spiritual affection of truth; for into this affection intelligence and wisdom from the Lord flow; for everyone’s affection receives and imbibes things congenial to it, as a sponge does water; therefore the spiritual affection of truth receives and imbibes spiritual truths, which are the truths of the church, from the Word. The spiritual affection of truth has no other source than the Lord, because the Lord is Divine truth in heaven and in the church, for Divine truth proceeds from Him. And as the Lord loves to lead everyone to Himself, and to save him, and this He can do only by the knowledges of good and truth from the Word, so the Lord loves to impart these to man, and make them of his life, for in this way and no other can He lead man to Himself and save him. From this it is manifest 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 such acknowledgment there is conjunction, and according to conjunction there is reception. (On this more may be seen in the work on Heaven and Hell, where it treats of The Wisdom of the Angels of Heaven, n. 265-275; and of The Wise and the Simple in Heaven, n. 346-356, and elsewhere 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, in the explanation of Revelation, n. 6, 59, 112, 115, 117.
sRef Isa@41 @17 S3′ sRef Isa@14 @30 S3′ sRef Luke@14 @21 S3′ sRef Matt@5 @6 S3′ sRef Luke@6 @21 S3′ sRef Matt@25 @35 S3′ sRef Luke@6 @20 S3′ sRef Matt@5 @3 S3′ sRef Isa@41 @18 S3′ [3] In the Word, “the poor and needy” are mentioned here and there, also the “hungry and thirsty.” By “the poor and needy” are signified those who believe that of themselves they know nothing; and also those who are destitute of knowledge because they have not the Word; and by the “hungry and thirsty” are signified those who continually long for truths, and long to be perfected by means of truths. These two classes are meant by the “poor,” the “needy,” the “hungry,” and the “thirsty,” in the following passages:
Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the kingdom of the heavens. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness; for they shall be filled (Matt. 5:3, 6).
Blessed are the poor; for theirs is the kingdom of the heavens. Blessed are ye that hunger; for ye shall be filled (Luke 6:20, 21).
To the poor the Gospel shall be preached, and the poor hear the Gospel (Luke 7:22; Matt. 11:5).
The master of the house said to the servant that he should go out into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor (Luke 14:21).
Then the firstborn of the poor shall feed, and the needy shall lie down with confidence (Isa. 14:30).
I was an hungered and ye gave Me to eat; I was thirsty, and ye gave Me to drink (Matt. 25:35).
The poor and the needy seek water, and there is none, their tongue faileth for thirst, I, Jehovah, will answer them. I will open rivers on the heights, and fountains will I place in the midst of the valleys (Isa. 41:17-18).

From this last passage it is clear that the “poor and needy” are those who long for the knowledges of good and truth, for the “water” that such seek is truth. (That “water” is the truth of faith, see above, n. 71.) Their longing is here described by “their tongue fainting for thirst,” and the abundance they are to have by “rivers being opened on the heights, 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 thence can be in the knowledges of truth and good, and that by the “poor” are signified those who have not the Word, and yet long for truths, know no other than that by the “rich man” in Luke (16:19 seq.) “who was clothed in purple and fine linen,” are meant the rich in the world, and that by the “poor man” who “was laid at his gate, and desired to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table,” are meant the poor in this world. But by the “rich man” there the Jewish nation is meant, which had the Word, and might from it have been in the knowledges of truth and good; and by the “poor man” are there meant the Gentiles that had not the Word and yet longed for the knowledges of truth and good. The rich man is described as “clothed with purple and fine linen,” because “purple” signifies genuine good (Arcana Coelestia, n. 9467), and the “fine linen” genuine truth (Arcana Coelestia, n. 5319, 9469, 9596, 9744), both from the Word. The poor man is described as “laid at the rich man’s gate, and desiring to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table,” because by “to be laid at the gate” is meant to be rejected, and to be deprived of the opportunity to read and understand the Word; and “wishing to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table” means to long for some truths from the Word, for “food” signifies the things of knowledge, intelligence, and wisdom and in general, good and truth (Arcana Coelestia, n. 3114, 4459, 4792, 5147, 5293, 5340, 5342, 5410, 5426, 5576, 5582, 5588, 5655, 8562, 9003); and “table” signifies a receptacle for these (Arcana Coelestia, n. 9527). As the poor man was in that longing, which is the same as the spiritual affection of truth, it is said of him that “he was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom,” by which is signified to be raised into an angelic state in respect to intelligence and wisdom; “Abraham’s bosom” is the Divine truth that is in heaven, for those who are in that are with the Lord. (That “Abraham” in the Word signifies the Lord, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2010, 2833, 2836, 3245, 3251, 3305, 3439, 3703, 6098, 6185, 6276, 6804, 6847.)
sRef Luke@1 @53 S5′ [5] The like that is signified here by the “rich man” and the “poor man who hungered” is signified by the “rich” and the “hungry” in Luke:
The hungry He hath filled with good, and the rich He hath sent empty away (Luke 1:53).
(That by “riches” in the Word are meant spiritual riches, which are the knowledges of truth and good from the Word, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 1694, 4508, 10227; and in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 365; and in a contrary sense, the knowledges of what is false and evil, which are confirmed 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 intelligence and wisdom therefrom, is from correspondence; for with the angels in heaven all things appear as if refulgent with gold, and silver, and precious stones; and this so far as they are in the intelligence of truth and in the wisdom of good. Also with the spirits who are below the heavens there are riches in appearance according to the reception of truth and good from the Lord with them.

sRef Rev@2 @9 S0′ 119. And the blasphemy of them who say that they are Jews and they are not, signifies denunciation by those who think themselves to be in the knowledges of good and truth because they have the Word, and yet they are not. This is evident from the signification of “blasphemy,” as being reviling and denunciation; 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 in respect to celestial love, in the internal sense the Lord’s celestial kingdom and the Word, and in the external sense doctrine from the Word, which is of the celestial church (see Arcana Coelestia, 3881, 6363). From this it can be seen that by the “blasphemy of them who say that they are Jews and they are not,” is signified reviling and denunciation by those who say that they acknowledge the Lord, and are in His kingdom and in true doctrine, because they have the Word, and yet they are not; in general, those who say that they are in the knowledges of good and truth from the Word, and yet are in falsities and evils.
[2] Those who know nothing of the internal sense of the Word cannot know otherwise than that by “Judah” and “Jews,” in the prophetical parts of the word, are meant Judah and the Jews; these, however are not there meant by their names, but all who are in the true doctrine of the church, thus who are in the knowledges of good and truth from the Word; and in the contrary sense, those who are in false doctrine, thus who have adulterated the truths and goods of the Word. That Judah and the Jews are not meant can be seen merely from this, that there is an internal sense in every particular of the Word, and also in the names of persons and places; and that nothing is treated of in this sense except what pertains to heaven and the church; such things, therefore, must also be signified by the names “Judah” and “Israel.” And as with them a church was instituted in which all things were representative and significative of things heavenly, so by their names was signified that which essentially makes 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 was said above. From this it is clear how greatly 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 have been chosen and destined for heaven in preference to others; when yet but few from that nation are saved, since none are saved except those who believe in the Lord; and he who believes in the Lord in the world, believes in Him after death; but that nation has altogether rejected Him from its faith.
sRef Gen@49 @10 S3′ sRef Gen@49 @11 S3′ sRef Gen@49 @9 S3′ [3] That by “Judah” is meant the Lord in respect to His kingdom and the Word can be seen from the prophecy of Israel regarding his sons; when this is unfolded by the internal sense it is clear what each tribe represented in the church. It is clearly evident that the tribe of Judah represented the Lord’s kingdom, or the church where the Word is; for it is said of Judah:
Judah is a lion’s whelp; from the prey, my son, thou art gone up. The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and upon Him shall the clinging 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 shall have washed His garment in wine, and His vesture in the blood of grapes (Gen. 49:9-11).
That these particulars signify the Lord’s kingdom or the church, may be seen in the Arcana Coelestia, where they are explained.
sRef Joel@3 @6 S4′ sRef Joel@3 @18 S4′ sRef Isa@48 @1 S4′ sRef Joel@3 @20 S4′ [4] He who knows that by “Judah” is meant in the highest sense the Lord, and in the internal sense His kingdom and the Word, and in the external sense doctrine from the Word, also in a contrary sense those who deny the Lord and adulterate the Word, can know what is signified by “Judah” in very many passages of the Word, as in the following:
Hear ye, O house of Jacob, called by the name of Israel, and who are come forth out of the waters of Judah (Isa. 48:1).
The “house of Jacob” and “Israel” is the church; “to come forth out of the waters of Judah” signifies out of doctrine from the Word, for the church is from that. That “waters” denote the truths of doctrine out of the Word, see above (n. 71).
The sons of Judah and the sons of Jerusalem have ye sold unto the sons of the Grecians, that ye may remove them far from their borders. It shall come to pass in that day that all the brooks 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 3:6, 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” means when there is an end of that church and a new church has been established among the Gentiles; “all the brooks of Judah shall flow with waters” signifies the abundance of truth and good from the Word, for 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.” From this it is evident 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.
sRef Zech@2 @11 S5′ sRef Hos@1 @11 S5′ sRef Isa@65 @9 S5′ sRef Zech@10 @6 S5′ sRef Ps@69 @35 S5′ sRef Hos@1 @7 S5′ sRef Ps@69 @36 S5′ sRef Zech@2 @12 S5′ sRef Zech@10 @3 S5′ [5] Like things are meant by “Judah” in the following passages:
I will have mercy upon the house of Judah, and will save them. And the sons of Judah and the sons of Israel shall be gathered together, and they shall put over themselves one head, and they shall go up from the land; for great is the day of Jehovah* (Hos. 1:7, 11).
Then many nations shall join themselves to Jehovah in that day; they shall be to Me for a people, for I will dwell in thee; then Jehovah shall make Judah an heritage in Himself, His portion upon the land of holiness, and shall again choose Jerusalem (Zech. 2:11, 12).
Jehovah Zebaoth shall visit His flock, the house of Judah, and shall make them a horse of glory in war; I will render the house of Judah powerful (Zech. 10:3, 6).
God shall 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 that love the name of Jehovah shall dwell therein (Ps. 69:35, 36).
I will bring forth a seed out of Jacob, and out of Judah an inheritor of My mountains; that My chosen may possess it (Isa. 65:9);
besides very many other places. That the Jewish nation is not meant in the Word in these and other places, where they are called “chosen” and “heirs,” may be seen from what is cited respecting that nation from the Arcana Coelestia, in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem (n. 248). From this now can be seen what is signified by the “blasphemy of them who say that they are Jews, and they are not.”
* In Hebrew “Jezreel,” instead of “Jehovah”; in Doctrine of the Lord, n. 4, we have “Israel,” cf. Arcana Coelestia, n. 3580.

sRef Rev@2 @9 S0′ 120. But are a synagogue of Satan, signifies the doctrine of all falsities with these. This is evident from the signification of “synagogue,” as being doctrine (of which presently); and from the signification of “Satan,” as being the hell from which are all falsities. There are two kinds of hells, one in which those are who are in evils, and the other in which those are who are in the falsities of evil. The hell in which those are who are in evils is called, in one word, Devil, and that in which those are who are in the falsities of evil is called, in one word, Satan. That the hells are thus named is totally unknown to those who know nothing about the hells, but have adopted the belief that the devil was created an angel of light, and because he rebelled was cast down with his crew, and thus hell was made. (That the hells are called Devil and Satan may be seen in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 311, 544, 553; and in the small work on The Last Judgment, in the chapter where it is shown that Heaven and Hell are from the Human Race, n. 14-22.)
[2] Let it be known, moreover, that as all goods and truths are from the Lord out of the heavens, so all evils and falsities are out of the hells. He is greatly deceived who believes that goods and truths have any other source than out of the heavens from the Lord, or that evils and falsities have any other source than out of the hells. Man is simply a receptacle of these, and to whichever he turns himself of that he is a recipient. If he turns himself towards heaven, which is effected by the goods of love and the truths of faith, he receives goods and truths from the Lord; but if he turns himself towards hell, which is effected by the evils of love and falsities of faith, he receives evils and falsities from the hells. Now as all evils and falsities are from the hells, and as the hells are called, in one word, either Devil or Satan, it follows that by Devil are also signified all evils, and by Satan all falsities. From this it is that by a “synagogue of Satan” the doctrine of all falsities is signified.
[3] By “synagogue” doctrine is signified, because in the synagogues there was instruction, and differences in matters of doctrine were also adjusted. That there was instruction in the synagogues is evident from Matt. 4:23; 9:35; 13:54; Mark 1:21, 22, 29, 39; 6:2; Luke 4:15, 16, 44; 13:10, 14; John 18:20. That differences in matters of doctrine were adjusted in the synagogues may be inferred from what is said in Matt. 10:17; Mark 13:9; Luke 12:11; 21:12; John 9:22; 12:42; 16:2, 3. That with the Jewish nation there was the doctrine of all falsities can be seen from many things known as to that nation; namely, that they denied the Lord; that they wish for a Messiah whose kingdom will be upon the earth, and who will exalt them above all other nations in the world; that they place all worship in externals, and reject the internals of worship, which are of faith in the Lord and of love to Him; that they apply all things in the Word to themselves; and falsify it by traditions of their own invention (see Matt. 15:6-9; Mark 7:1-13). Again, what the quality of that nation in respect to their interiors has been from the beginning can be seen from the song of Moses (Deut. 32), and elsewhere in many passages (see also the quotations from the Arcana Coelestia, in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 248).

sRef Rev@2 @10 S0′ 121. Verse 10. Fear not the things which thou art to suffer, signifies that they should not grieve because such men persecute them. This is evident from the signification of “fear not,” as being, in reference to those about to suffer persecutions, that they should not grieve in mind; for fear with these is also grief; and from the signification of “the things which thou art to suffer,” namely, from those who are in the doctrine of all falsities, as being that such 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 can best be seen from those who are of this character in the world of spirits (of which world see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 421-535), for there the quality of everyone in respect to his interiors, which are of thought and intention, is manifest; since everyone there is in himself, because he is a spirit, and the spirit is what thinks and intends.
All spirits there are either conjoined with the hells or conjoined with the heavens. Those who are conjoined with the hells, as soon as they perceive anyone to be in the spiritual affection of truth begin to burn with hatred, and strive to destroy him; they cannot endure the sight of him. Very many of them, if they only perceive for a moment the delight of the spiritual affection of truth, which is the delight itself of heaven, become as if insane, and nothing is then more delightful to them than to destroy that delight. From this it is evident that all the hells are opposed to the spiritual affection of truth, and that all the heavens are in it. It would be similar among men on the earths if they were in the perception in which spirits are; but as they are not in such perception, and therefore do not know who are in spiritual affection, they remain quiet and act in a friendly manner towards each other, in accordance with the delights of the world. But this disposition displays itself in the churches, among those who are zealous in religious matters. It also becomes evident with those who are in that spiritual affection, in this way, that falsities break in upon their thoughts, endeavoring to extinguish their longing and the delight thence; these falsities that break in upon their thoughts are from hell; for everything that a man thinks is either from hell or from heaven (as was said above, n. 120).

sRef Matt@21 @37 S0′ sRef Matt@21 @40 S0′ sRef Matt@21 @34 S0′ sRef Matt@21 @35 S0′ sRef Matt@21 @39 S0′ sRef Matt@21 @38 S0′ sRef Rev@2 @10 S0′ sRef Matt@21 @33 S0′ sRef Matt@21 @41 S0′ sRef Luke@6 @22 S0′ sRef Luke@6 @23 S0′ sRef Matt@21 @36 S0′ 122. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, signifies that those who are in falsities from evil will set about to deprive them of all truth from the Word. This is evident from the signification of “casting into prison,” as being, in reference to those who are in the spiritual affection of truth, to endeavor and to set about to deprive them of truths from the Word (of which presently); and from the signification of the “devil,” as being the hells which are in evil and in falsities therefrom (of which above, n. 120). “To cast into prison,” in reference to those who are in the spiritual affection of truth, is to endeavor and to set about to deprive them of truths from the Word, for the reason that truths are, as it were, in prison or in confinement when falsities break in; and so long as falsities are under view, truths cannot appear, still less can they be set at liberty. Those that are in the spiritual affection of truth, who are those that love truths because they are truths, are held in such confinement whenever they do not understand the Word and yet wish to understand it; the falsities that imprison rise up from hell into the natural man when the delights of the love of self and the world have rule therein, for these delights are the origins of all evils and of the falsities therefrom (see Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 65-83).
[2] This is meant, in the spiritual sense, by “being cast by the devil into prison;” for as the devil is hell, and out of hell every evil arises, and as the influx from hell is into the natural man, and not into the spiritual, so the devil affects all who are in the delights of these loves, and subjects them to himself and makes them his crew; for all who are in the hells are in evils and the falsities thence from the loves of self and of the world (see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 551-565; but that the delights of those loves are changed into correspondences, the character of which may be seen there, n. 485-490).
This casting into prison by the devil is described in the Word, where it is said that the Jews and the evil will persecute the Lord’s disciples, and will evil entreat and kill them; for by the “disciples of the Lord” are meant all who are in truths from good, thus who are in truths from the Lord; and as these are meant by the Lord’s disciples, so in a sense abstracted from persons, which is the spiritual sense itself of the Word, truths and goods themselves, which are from the Lord through His Word, are meant. (That by the Lord’s twelve disciples all things of faith and love in the complex, thus all the truths and goods of the church, are meant, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2129, 3354, 3488, 3858, 6397; that the Word in heaven is understood in a sense abstracted from persons, see above, n. 99, 100.)
sRef Matt@24 @9 S3′ sRef Matt@5 @11 S3′ sRef Matt@5 @12 S3′ sRef Matt@24 @11 S3′ sRef Luke@11 @49 S3′ sRef Matt@10 @18 S3′ sRef Matt@10 @17 S3′ sRef Matt@23 @34 S3′ sRef Luke@21 @12 S3′ [3] When one knows that by the “disciples of the Lord” all those who are in truths from good from the Lord are meant, and in an abstract sense truths themselves from good; and that by their being “cast into prison by the devil” is meant the endeavor of those who are in falsities from evil to deprive them of truths, and in a sense abstracted from persons, the detention or imprisonment of truths by falsities, as described above, he can understand what is signified in each of these senses in the following passages:
They shall lay hands on you and shall persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, for My name’s sake (Luke 21:12).
That “for the sake of the Lord’s name” signifies for the sake of the goods of love and the truths of faith, from Him, see above (n. 102).
Then shall they deliver you up to affliction, and shall kill you, and ye shall be held in hatred for My name’s sake (Matt. 24:9, 11).
They will deliver you up to councils and to synagogues, and they will scourge you for My sake (Matt. 10:17, 18; Mark 13:9).
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. 23:34).
A man that was a householder planted a vineyard, and let it out to husbandmen. When the season of the fruits drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, to receive the fruits of it. But 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. At length he sent unto them his son. But the husbandmen, when they saw the son, said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and possess his inheritance. And they took him, and cast him forth out of the vineyard, and killed him (Matt. 21:33-44).
The wisdom of God said, I will send unto them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall kill and persecute (Luke 11:49).
(That by “prophets” in the Word are meant those who teach truths, and in a sense abstracted from persons the doctrine of truth, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2534, 7269; and that “apostles” have a similar signification, see above, n. 100.)
Blessed are ye, when men shall reproach you, and persecute you, and shall say every evil word against you falsely, for My sake; rejoice and exult, for great is your reward in the heavens; for so persecuted they the prophets that were before you (Matt. 5:10-12).
Blessed are ye when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you, and shall reproach you and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake; for in the same manner did their fathers unto the prophets (Luke 6:22, 23).
sRef Matt@16 @24 S4′ sRef Luke@14 @27 S4′ sRef John@15 @20 S4′ sRef Mark@10 @21 S4′ [4] Similar to this is the signification of the words of the Lord, that they should follow Him and take up their cross; as in the following passages:
Jesus said unto His disciples, If anyone will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me (Matt. 16:24; Mark 8:34);
“to deny oneself” is to put away evils that are from proprium [the self-life].
Whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after Me, cannot be My disciple (Luke 14:27).
Jesus said to the young man who was rich, One thing thou lackest; go, sell whatsoever thou hast, and come, follow Me, bearing the cross (Mark 10:21).
By this is meant, in the spiritual sense, that he should put away the falsities that were of the Jewish doctrine, and accept the doctrine of truth from the Lord, and should undergo assaults and temptations from falsities. Those, therefore, are deceived who believe that those who wish to follow the Lord are to sell their goods and suffer the cross. Since the Lord was Divine truth itself, which in John 1:1-3, 14, is called the “Word,” the Lord’s suffering Himself to be scourged and crucified signifies that Divine truth which is in the Word was so treated by the Jews. (That all things related of the Lord’s passion in the Evangelists involve and signify that the Jews so treated Divine truth, see above, n. 83.) Wherefore the Lord says:
Remember My word, if they have persecuted Me, they will also persecute you (John 15:20).
sRef Matt@25 @43 S5′ sRef John@8 @43 S5′ sRef John@8 @44 S5′ [5] That the Jews in particular are meant by the “devil” who was to cast the disciples of the Lord into prisons, and that, in general, all that call themselves “Jews, and are not, but are a synagogue of satan,” are meant (according to the passages cited above, n. 119, 120), is clear from the Lord’s words 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 stood not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie he speaketh from his own, for he is a liar and the father thereof (John 8:43, 44).
That “their father was a murderer from the beginning,” “and the truth was not in him, but a lie,” signifies that from the beginning they had been against truths and in falsities from evil. For a “murderer” is a destroyer of the truth of the church, and “father” means predecessors. (Of the quality of the Jewish nation formerly and at present, see The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 248; that the “bound in prison” signify those who are in falsities from evil, see the Arcana Coelestia, n. 4958, 5096; “to be overcome* in prison” signifies to be detained and separated from truths, n. 5037, 5038, 5083, 5086, 5096; and also to be tempted, n. 5037, 5038.)
[6] The Jews were such as are here described because they were in the love of self and the world more than other nations; and persons of that character, when they read the Word, apply all things of the Word to their own loves; and especially the Jews, because they are so frequently mentioned. It is similar with others who are in these loves, for the love that is dominant turns the mind of him who reads to those things only that favor the love; for love is like a fire, which lights up the things that favor it, while the rest are either passed by as if not seen, or drawn over to one’s side by perverse explanation and thus falsified. Both infest those who are in the spiritual affection of truth, and both are meant by the “devil” who “casts into prison” those who are of the Lord’s church; from them, indeed, all falsities from the spiritual world flow into those that long for truths, and hold them as if bound in confinement. The same are meant by those of whom the Lord says:
I was in prison and ye visited Me not (Matt. 25:43).
* Some of the Latin editors read vinciri for vinci, “bound” for “overcome.”

sRef Rev@2 @10 S0′ 123. That ye may be tried, signifies consequent increase of longing for truth. This is evident from the signification of “being tried,” as being to be infested by falsities (of which see in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 197, 198). But here, since it is said, “the devil shall cast some of you into prison,” by which such infestation is meant, so “being tried” signifies increase of longing, and as a consequence, increase of truth, since temptations effect this. (That through the temptations in which man conquers there come illustration and perception of truth and good, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 8367, 8370; that intelligence and wisdom are therefrom, n. 8966, 8967; that truths increase immensely after temptations, n. 6663; with many other things that may be seen in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 187-201.)

sRef Rev@2 @10 S0′ 124. And ye shall have affliction ten days, signifies that infestation and temptation therefrom will last for some time. This is evident from the signification of “affliction,” as being infestation and temptation of those who are in the spiritual affection of truth by those who are in falsities; (that this is meant by “affliction” is clear, since it is said in reference to such;) also from the signification of “ten days,” as being duration for some time. Duration for some time is signified by “ten days,” for the reason that the entire duration of infestation and temptation is signified by “forty days” (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2959, 7985, 7986), and “ten” means some part thereof; for all numbers in the Word signify things or states, with variety according to the relation to other numbers. The number “ten,” without reference to other numbers, signifies what is full or much (Arcana Coelestia, n. 3107, 4638); but in reference to a greater number, it signifies as much as is needed for uses (n. 9757); so here it signifies duration for some time, thus as use demands. (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, 10217, 10253.) He that considers, can see that by the “affliction of ten days” here, which they are to have who are cast into prison by the devil, something else must be meant than ten days’ affliction.

sRef Rev@2 @10 S0′ 125. Be thou faithful even till death, signifies steadfastness in truths to the end. This is evident without explanation. It is said “even till death,” because such as man is when he dies, such he remains to eternity; the life previously lived is only the life for the formation of his spirit (of which see many things in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 470-484).

sRef Rev@2 @10 S0′ 126. And I will give thee the crown of life, signifies wisdom and eternal happiness therefrom. This is evident from the signification of “crown,” as being wisdom, in reference to those who are in the spiritual affection of the knowledges of truth and good (of which more in what follows); and from the signification of “life,” as being eternal happiness, which is also called life eternal. Those who are in the spiritual affection of truth and good, and who are here treated of, have eternal happiness, because heaven with man is implanted by means of the knowledges of truth and good from the Word. He who believes that heaven is implanted by other means is much deceived; for man is born merely natural, with the faculty of becoming spiritual, and he becomes spiritual by means of truths from the Word and a life according to them. Who can ever become spiritual unless he has some knowledge of the Lord, of heaven, of the life after death, of faith, and of love, and of the other things that are means of salvation? If man had no knowledge of these things he would remain natural; and a merely natural man can have nothing in common with the angels of heaven, who are spiritual. Man has two minds, one exterior, the other interior.
The exterior mind is called the natural mind, but the interior is called the spiritual mind. The former or natural mind is opened by means of the knowledges of the things that are in the world; but the latter or spiritual mind by means of the knowledges of the things that are in heaven, which 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.
sRef John@3 @5 S2′ [2] This is meant by the Lord’s words in John:
Except a man has been born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God (John 3:5).
“Water” signifies the truths of faith, and “spirit” a life according to them (see above, n. 71; and in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 202-209). Most people at this day believe that they are to come into heaven solely by virtue of holy worship in temples and by adorations and prayers; but such of them as do not care for the knowledges of truth and good from the Word, and who fail to imbue with these the life, as well as the memory, remain natural as before, and do not become spiritual; for their holy worship, adorations, and prayers, do not proceed from any spiritual origin; since their spiritual mind has not been opened by the knowledges of spiritual things and a life according to them, but is empty; and worship that proceeds from what is empty is merely natural gesture, with nothing spiritual in it. If such persons are insincere and unjust in respect to moral and civil life, their holy worship, adorations, and prayers have within them what repels heaven from them, instead of opening heaven to them as they believe; for their holy worship is like a vessel containing things putrid and filthy, which are oozing forth, or like a splendid garment investing a body covered with ulcers. I have seen many thousands of such cast into hell. But wholly different are holy worship, adorations, and prayers with those who are in the knowledges of truth and good and in a life according to them; with such these acts are pleasing to the Lord, for they are the effects wrought by their spirit in the body, or the effects of their faith and love, thus they are not merely natural gestures, but spiritual acts.
From this it can be seen that the knowledges of truth and good from the Word, and a life according to them, alone make man spiritual; and that in him who is thereby made spiritual, angelic wisdom from the Lord can be implanted together with eternal happiness. Angels derive happiness from no other source than from wisdom.
sRef Ezek@16 @11 S3′ sRef Ezek@16 @12 S3′ [3] A “crown” signifies wisdom, because all things by which man is clothed or distinguished derive their signification from the part of man that they clothe or distinguish (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 9827), and “crown” signifies wisdom, because it is a sign upon the head, and “head” in the Word signifies wisdom, for there wisdom resides. So in Ezekiel:
I decked thee with ornaments, I put bracelets upon thy hands; and a chain upon thy throat. And I put a jewel upon thy nose, and earrings in thine ears, and a crown of adorning upon thy head (Ezek. 16:11, 12).
Jerusalem, which signifies the church, is here treated of, such as it was when it was established by the Lord; by these various insignia are meant, in the spiritual sense, such things as are of the church; and each one takes its signification from the part to which it is applied, and “the crown of adorning” here means wisdom. (But what is meant by “ornament,” may be seen in Arcana Coelestia, n. 10536, 10540; by “bracelets,” n. 3103, 3105; by “chain” n. 5320; by “jewel,” n. 4551; by “earrings,” n. 4551, 10402.) Wisdom, which is from the knowledges of truth and good from the Word and from a life according to them, is likewise signified by “crown” in many other passages in the Word (as in Isa. 28:5; Jer. 13:18; Lam. 5:15, 16; Ezek. 21:25, 26; 23:42; Zech. 6:11-14; Ps. 89:38, 39; Ps. 132:17, 18; Job 19:9; Rev. 3:11; 4:4). The crowning of kings is from ancient times, when men were familiar with representatives and significatives, and it was known that “kings” represented the Lord in respect to Divine truth, and that a “crown” was intended to signify wisdom (that “kings” represented the Lord in respect to Divine truth, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 1672, 2015, 2069, 3009, 4581, 4966, 5068, 6148); that those that are in truths are called “kings” and “king’s sons” see above (n. 31); and as these are called “kings” in the Word, and kings have crowns, so here where these are treated of it is said that they were to receive “the crown of life.”

sRef Rev@2 @11 S0′ 127. Verse 11. He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches, signifies that he that understands should hearken to what Divine truth proceeding from the Lord teaches and says to those who are of His church, as may be seen above (n. 108), where similar expressions occur.

sRef Rev@21 @8 S0′ sRef Rev@2 @11 S0′ sRef Rev@20 @5 S0′ sRef Rev@20 @6 S0′ 128. He that overcometh shall not be hurt by the second death, signifies that he who is steadfast in the genuine affection of truth to the end of his life in the world, shall come into the new heaven. This is evident from the signification of “overcoming,” as being in reference to those who long for the knowledges of truth and good from the Word, to be steadfast in the genuine affection of truth, even to the end of life in the world. It is said “he that overcometh,” because those are meant who endure spiritual temptation, which is from evils and falsities, and who fight; and “to overcome” is to resist evils and falsities, and to tame and subdue them as one’s enemies. But no one overcomes unless he is steadfast in the spiritual affection of truth, even to the end of his life in the world; then the work is finished; for man remains to eternity such as he then is, namely, such as his life has been up to that point; death is what completes it. But no one is able to overcome except the Lord only. The man who supposes that he overcomes of himself, and not that it is the Lord with him that overcomes, does not overcome but succumbs; for it is spiritual faith that overcomes, and there is nothing of spiritual faith from man, but the whole of it is from the Lord. (What spiritual faith is, see in the small work on 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.) That “not to be hurt by the second death” is to come into the new heaven, cannot be known unless it is known what the former heaven is, and what the new heaven, which are treated of in chapter 21 of Revelation. (Something of what the “former heaven” is can be seen in The small work on The Last Judgment, n. 65-72; and what the “new heaven” is, in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 1-7.) But what is meant by the “first death” and by the “second death,” also by the “first resurrection” and “second resurrection,” will be told in the explanation of chapters 20 and 21, where it is said:
The rest of the dead shall not live again until the thousand years be finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the second* resurrection; over these the second death hath no power; but they shall be priests of God and of Christ (Rev. 20:5-6).
Their part shall be in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death (Rev. 21:8).
From this it is clear that the “second death” is damnation; to be hurt by it, therefore, is to be damned, and on the other hand, not to be hurt by it is to be saved; and as all that are saved come into the new heaven, to come into the new heaven is signified by “not being hurt by the second death” (of which heaven, and of whom it consists, see in the small work on The New Jerusalem and Its Heavenly Doctrine, n. 2-6).
* The Greek has “first” for “second,” as we also find in Apocalypse Revealed, n. 851.

sRef Rev@2 @13 S0′ sRef Rev@2 @12 S0′ sRef Rev@2 @17 S0′ sRef Rev@2 @14 S0′ sRef Rev@2 @16 S0′ sRef Rev@2 @15 S0′ 129. Verses 12-17. And to the angel of the church in Pergamum 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 My name, and didst not deny My faith, even in the days wherein Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. But I have against thee a few things, that 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 idol-sacrifices, and to commit whoredom. So thou also hast them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. Repent; or else I will come to 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, to him will I give to eat of the hidden manna; and will give him a white stone, and upon the stone a new name written, which no one knoweth except he that receiveth. 12. “And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write,” signifies for remembrance to those within the church who are in temptations (n. 130); “these things saith He that hath the sharp two-edged sword,” signifies the Lord, who alone combats in temptations (n. 131). 13. “I know thy works,” signifies love and faith (n. 132); “and where thou dwellest,” signifies amongst whom he now lives (n. 133); “where Satan’s throne is,” signifies where all falsities reign (n. 134); “and thou holdest My name,” signifies the acknowledgment of the Divine in His Human (n. 135); “and didst not deny My faith,” signifies constancy in truths (n. 136); “even in the days wherein Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was slain among you,” signifies in that time and state in which all are hated who openly acknowledge the Divine Human of the Lord (n. 137); “where Satan dwelleth,” signifies by those who are in the doctrine of all falsities (n. 138). 14. “But I have against thee a few things,” signifies that heed should be taken (n. 139); “that thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumbling block before the sons of Israel,” signifies those who have been illustrated in respect to the understanding, and who teach truths, and yet love to destroy by craft those who are of the church (n. 140); “to eat idol-sacrifices, and to commit whoredom,” signifies that they may be imbued with evils and with falsities therefrom (n. 141). 15. “So thou also hast them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate,” signifies those who separate good from truth, or charity from faith, which is against Divine order (n. 142). 16. “Repent,” signifies dissociation from these (n. 143); “or else I will come to thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth,” signifies if not, when visitation comes, they will be dispersed (n. 144). 17. “He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith to 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 (n. 145); “to him that overcometh, to him will I give to eat of the hidden manna,” signifies that those who conquer in temptations will have the delight of heavenly love from the Lord’s Divine Human (n. 146); “and will give him a white stone,” signifies wisdom and intelligence (n. 147) “and upon the stone a new name written, which no one knoweth except he that receiveth,” signifies a state of interior life unknown to all except those who are in it (n. 148).

sRef Rev@2 @12 S0′ 130. Verse 12. And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write, signifies for remembrance to those within the church who are in temptations. This is evident from the signification of “writing,” as being for remembrance (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 8620); and from the signification of “angel,” as being a recipient of Divine truth, and in the highest sense Divine truth itself proceeding from the Lord (of which more in what follows); and from the signification of the “church in Pergamum,” as being those within the church who are in temptations.
That these are meant by the “church in Pergamum” is clear from the things written to that church, which follow. From no other source can it be known what is signified by each of the seven churches. For as was shown before, what is meant is not any church in Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, or Laodicea, but all who are of the Lord’s church, and by each of these churches something that constitutes the church with man is meant. And as the first things of the church are the knowledges of truth and good, and the affections of spiritual truth, these are first treated of, namely, in what is written to the angel of the Ephesian church and of the Smyrnean church; of the knowledges of truth and good to the angel of the Ephesian church, and of the spiritual affection of truth to the angel of the Smyrnean church. And as no one can be imbued with the knowledges of truth and good in respect to life, and be steadfast in the spiritual affection of truth, unless he undergoes temptations, so temptations are now treated of in what is written to the angel of the church in Pergamum. From this it appears in what order the things follow that are taught under the names of the seven churches.
[2] It is said “To the angel of the church, write,” and not, To the church, because by “angel” is signified Divine truth, which makes the church; for Divine truth teaches how man is to live that he may become a church. That “angel” in the Word, in its spiritual sense, does not mean any angel, but in the highest sense, Divine truth proceeding from the Lord, and in a respective sense, he that receives it, can be seen from this, that all the angels are recipients of Divine truth from the Lord, and no angel is of himself an angel; but he is so far an angel as he receives Divine truth; for angels more than men know and perceive that all the good of love and all the truth of faith are from the Lord, not from themselves, and as the good of love and the truth of faith constitute their wisdom and intelligence, and as these constitute the whole angel, they know and say that they are merely recipients of the Divine proceeding from the Lord, and thus are angels in the degree in which they receive it. On this account they desire that the term “angel” should be understood spiritually, that is, in a sense abstracted from persons, and as meaning Divine truths. By Divine truth is meant at the same time Divine good, because these proceed from the Lord united (see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 13, 140 [? 133-140].
sRef Ex@23 @23 S3′ sRef Ex@23 @21 S3′ sRef Ex@23 @20 S3′ sRef Ex@23 @22 S3′ sRef Gen@48 @16 S3′ sRef Isa@63 @9 S3′ [3] And as Divine truth proceeding from the Lord constitutes the angel, by “angel” in the Word in the highest sense is meant the Lord Himself, as in Isaiah:
The angel of the faces of Jehovah delivered them, in His love and His pity He redeemed them, and took them up, and carried them all the days of eternity (Isa. 63:9).
In Moses:
The angel who hath redeemed me from all evil, bless them (Gen. 48:16).
In the same:
I send an angel before thee to keep thee in the way; take ye heed of His faces, for my name is in the midst of Him (Exod. 23:20-23).
sRef Matt@13 @49 S4′ sRef Matt@13 @41 S4′ sRef John@1 @51 S4′ sRef Matt@25 @31 S4′ sRef Matt@24 @31 S4′ [4] As the Lord in respect to Divine truth is called an “angel,” so also Divine truths are meant by “angels” in the spiritual sense, as in the following passages:
The Son of man shall send His angels, and they shall gather out of His kingdom all things that cause stumbling. In the consummation of the age the angels shall come forth and sever the wicked out of the midst of the just (Matt. 13:41, 49).
In the consummation of the age the Son of man shall send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and shall gather together the elect from the four winds (Matt. 24:3, 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. 25:31).
Jesus said, After this ye shall see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man (John 1:51).
In these passages, in the spiritual sense, by “angels” Divine truths and not angels are meant. So when it is here said that, in the consummation of the age, “the angels are to gather out all things that cause stumbling,” “are to sever the wicked from the midst of the just,” “are to gather together the elect from the four winds with a great sound of a trumpet,” and that “the Son of man with the angels is to sit upon a throne of glory,” it is not meant that angels, together with the Lord, are to do these things, but that the Lord alone will do them by means of His Divine truths; for angels have no power of themselves, but all power is the Lord’s through His Divine truth (see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 230-233). That “ye shall see the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man,” means the like, namely, that Divine truths should be in Him and from Him.
sRef Rev@8 @7 S5′ sRef Rev@12 @9 S5′ sRef Rev@14 @6 S5′ sRef Rev@16 @12 S5′ sRef Rev@16 @8 S5′ sRef Rev@16 @4 S5′ sRef Rev@16 @10 S5′ sRef Rev@16 @3 S5′ sRef Rev@16 @1 S5′ sRef Rev@16 @2 S5′ sRef Rev@8 @6 S5′ sRef Rev@21 @12 S5′ sRef Rev@12 @7 S5′ sRef Rev@8 @8 S5′ [5] Moreover, in other places also “angels” mean Divine truths from the Lord, consequently the Lord in respect to Divine truths, as:
To the seven angels were given seven trumpets, and the angels sounded on the trumpets (Rev. 8:2, 6-8, 10, 12, 13; 9:1, 13, 14).
It is said that to the angels were given trumpets, and that they sounded thereon, because “trumpets” and their “sound” signify Divine truth to be revealed (see above, n. 55). Similar things are also meant:
By the angel warring against the dragon (Rev. 12:7, 9);
By the angel flying in the mid-heaven, having the eternal
gospel (Rev. 14:6);
By the seven angels pouring out the seven bowls (Rev.16:1-4, 8, 10, 12);
By the twelve angels upon the twelve gates of the New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:12).
That this is so will also be seen in what follows.
sRef Gen@2 @7 S6′ sRef Ps@104 @4 S6′ sRef John@3 @8 S6′ [6] That by “angels” are meant Divine truths which are from the Lord is clearly manifest in David:
Jehovah maketh His angels winds, and His ministers a flaming fire (Ps. 104:4);
by which 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 can be seen from what is shown in The Arcana Coelestia, as that the “wind of the nostrils” of Jehovah is Divine truth, n. 8286; that the “four winds” are all things of truth and good, n. 3708, 9642, 9668; consequently “to breathe” in the Word signifies the state of the life of faith, n. 9281; from which it is evident what is signified by Jehovah’s “breathing” into the nostrils of Adam (Gen. 2:7); by the Lord’s “breathing” upon His disciples (John 20:22); and by these words, “The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the voice thereof, but knowest not whence it cometh” (John 3:8); concerning which see n. 96, 97, 9229, 9281; and also n. 1119, 3886, 3887, 3889, 3892, 3893; that “flaming fire” is Divine love, and therefore Divine good, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 133-140, 566-568; and above, n. 68).
sRef Rev@21 @17 S7′ [7] That “angel” signifies Divine truth proceeding from the Lord is clearly manifest from these words in Revelation:
He measured the wall of the New Jerusalem, a hundred and forty-four cubits, the measure of a man, which is that of an angel (Rev. 21:17).
That the wall of the New Jerusalem is not the measure of an angel anyone can see, but that all protecting truths are there meant by an “angel” is evident from the signification of the “wall of Jerusalem,” and of the number “one hundred and forty-four.” (That the “wall” signifies all protecting truths, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 6419; that the number “one hundred and forty-four” signifies all things of truth in the complex, n. 7973; that “measure” signifies the quality of a thing in respect to truth and good, n. 3104, 9603, 10262. These things may also be found explained as to the spiritual sense, in The small work on The New Jerusalem and Its Heavenly Doctrine, n. 1.)
sRef Rev@8 @10 S8′ sRef Rev@8 @12 S8′ sRef Rev@8 @2 S8′ sRef Mal@2 @7 S8′ sRef Luke@7 @27 S8′ sRef Rev@8 @13 S8′ [8] Because by “angels” in the Word Divine truths are signified, therefore the men through whom Divine truths are made known are sometimes called “angels” in the Word, as in Malachi:
The priest’s lips ought to guard knowledge, and they shall seek the law at his mouth, because he is the angel of Jehovah (Mal. 2:7).
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 that he teaches is. Moreover, it is known in the church that no one has Divine truth from himself. “Lips” also here signify the doctrine of truth, and “law” Divine truth itself. (That “lips” signify the doctrine of truth, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 1286, 1288; and that “law” signifies Divine truth itself, see n. 3382, 7463.)
[9] From this it is that John the Baptist also is called an angel:
Jesus said, This is he of whom it is written, Behold, I send Mine angel before Thy face, who shall prepare Thy way before Thee (Luke 7:27).
John is called an “angel,” because by him, in the spiritual sense, is signified the Word, which is Divine truth, in like manner as by Elias (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 7643, 9372, and what is signified; this is what is meant by the persons mentioned 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 its spiritual sense, Divine truths proceeding from the Lord are meant, because these constitute the angels; when angels utter these truths, they speak not from themselves, but from the Lord. The angels not only know that this is so, but they also perceive it. The man who believes that nothing of faith is from himself, but that all faith is from God, also knows this, indeed, but he does not perceive it. That nothing of faith is from man, but all faith is from God, is the same as saying that nothing of truth that has life is from man, but all truth is from God, for truth is of faith and faith is of truth.

sRef Luke@22 @37 S0′ sRef Luke@22 @35 S0′ sRef Luke@22 @38 S0′ sRef Luke@22 @36 S0′ sRef Rev@2 @12 S0′ sRef Rev@1 @16 S1′ 131. These things saith He that hath the sharp two-edged sword, signifies the Lord, who alone combats in temptation. This is evident from the signification of “long sword” or “sword [romphaeae seu gladii],” as meaning truth combating against falsity, and in the opposite sense, falsity combating against truth. It is said to be “sharp two-edged,” because it pierces on both sides. Because this is signified by “the long sword,” dispersion of falsities is also signified by it, and also temptation. That it signifies dispersion of falsities, see above (n. 73). It signifies temptation, because in what is written to the angel of this church temptations are treated of. Moreover, “the long sword” also signifies temptation, because temptation is a combat of truth against falsity and of falsity against truth. (That spiritual temptation is such combat, see in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 187-201.) By “these things saith He that hath the sharp long sword with two edges” is meant that the Lord alone combats in temptations, because in the preceding chapter (verse 16) it was said that:
Out of the mouth of the Son of man, walking in the midst of the seven lampstands, a sharp two-edged long sword was seen going forth (Rev. 1:10).
and by the “Son of man” is meant the Lord in respect to Divine truth (as may be seen above, n. 63). (That the Lord alone combats in temptations, and not man at all, see in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 195-200.) By “long sword” or by “sword [romphaeam seu gladium]” is signified the combat of truth against falsity, and of falsity against truth, because by “wars” in the Word are signified spiritual wars, and spiritual wars are wars of truths against falsities and of falsities against truths; and as “wars” in the Word have such a signification, all weapons of war, as “sword,” “spear,” “bow,” “arrows,” “shield,” and many others, signify each some special thing pertaining to spiritual combat; especially the “sword,” because in wars they fight with swords. (That “wars” signify spiritual combats, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 1659, 1664, 8295, 10455; consequently that each weapon of war signifies something pertaining to spiritual combat, see n. 1788, 2686.)
sRef Matt@10 @34 S2′ [2] That “sword” in the Word signifies truth combating against falsity, and falsity against truth, and therefore the dispersion of falsities, and also spiritual temptation, can be seen from very many passages, of which I will introduce here only a few by way of confirmation. Thus in Matthew:
Jesus said that He came not to send peace on earth, but a sword (Matt. 10:34).
Here by “sword” is meant the combat of temptation. It was so said, because men at that time were in falsities, and the Lord uncovered interior truths, and only by combats from such truths can falsities be cast out.
[3] In Luke:
Jesus said to His disciples, Now he that hath a purse let him take it, likewise a wallet; and he that hath no sword let him sell his garments and buy one (Luke 22:35-38).
By “purse” and “wallet” spiritual knowledges, thus truths, are signified; “garments” signify what is their own; and by “sword” combat is signified.
sRef Jer@50 @38 S4′ sRef Jer@50 @36 S4′ sRef Jer@50 @37 S4′ sRef Jer@50 @35 S4′ [4] In Jeremiah:
A sword against the Chaldeans, and against the inhabitants of Babylon, and against her chiefs, and against her wise men. A sword against liars that they may become foolish; a sword against her mighty men that they may be dismayed; a sword against her horses and against her chariots; a sword against her treasures that they may be spoiled; a drought upon her waters that they may be dried up (Jer. 50:35-38).
By “sword” here dispersion and vastation of truth are signified; by each in particular against which the sword shall be, as the “Chaldeans,” the “inhabitants of Babylon,” her “chiefs” and “her wise men,” “liars,” “mighty men,” “horses,” “chariots,” and “treasures,” are signified the persons or things that will be vastated: as by “horses,” things intellectual; by “chariots,” doctrinals; and by “treasures,” knowledges; it is said, therefore, “a drought upon her waters, that they may be dried up,” for “waters” are the truths of the church, and “a drought that they may be dried up” is vastation. (That “drought” and “drying up” are where there is no truth, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 8185; that “waters” are truths of the church, see above, n. 71; that “treasures” are knowledges, Arcana Coelestia, 1694, 4508, 10227; that “horses” are things intellectual, and “chariots” doctrinals, see White Horse, n. 2-5.)
sRef Isa@21 @14 S5′ sRef Ps@149 @6 S5′ sRef Ps@149 @5 S5′ sRef Rev@19 @15 S5′ sRef Ezek@21 @15 S5′ sRef Ezek@21 @12 S5′ sRef Ezek@32 @12 S5′ sRef Ezek@32 @11 S5′ sRef Rev@6 @4 S5′ sRef Ps@45 @3 S5′ sRef Ezek@32 @10 S5′ sRef Ezek@21 @11 S5′ sRef Ezek@21 @10 S5′ sRef Ps@45 @5 S5′ sRef Ezek@21 @13 S5′ sRef Rev@19 @21 S5′ sRef Ezek@21 @9 S5′ sRef Isa@21 @15 S5′ sRef Ps@45 @4 S5′ sRef Jer@12 @12 S5′ sRef Ezek@21 @14 S5′ sRef Ezek@21 @28 S5′ [5] In Isaiah:
Jehovah will plead, and with His sword with all flesh, and the slain of Jehovah shall be multiplied (Isa. 66:16).
In Jeremiah:
Upon all the heights in the desert the devastators are come, because the sword of Jehovah devoureth from the end of the land even to the end of the land (Jer. 12:12).
In Ezekiel:
Prophesy and say, a sword sharpened and also furbished, it is sharpened to slay a slaughter, it is furbished that it may have luster; let the sword be doubled for the third time; the sword of the slain, the sword of great slaughter entering into the secret chambers that the heart may melt, and stumblings be multiplied; against all their gates will I set the point of the sword: Ah! It is made into lightning (Ezek. 21:9-15, 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 (Isa. 21:14, 15).
In Ezekiel:
They shall quake with fear when I shall make my sword to fly before their faces, that they may tremble every moment, a man for his own soul; by the swords of the mighty casting down their multitude (Ezek. 32:10-12).
In David:
Let the saints exult in glory; let them sing upon their beds. Let the exaltations of God be in their throat, and a two-edged sword in their hand (Ps. 149:5, 6).
In the same:
Gird thy sword upon the thigh, O mighty one, in thy honor ascend the chariot, ride on the Word of truth, thy right hand shall teach thee wonderful things. Thine arrows are sharp (Ps. 45:3-5).
In Revelation:
There was given unto him that sat on the red horse a great sword (Rev. 6:4).
In another place:
Out of the mouth of him that sat on the white horse went forth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations. The rest were killed with the sword of him that sat upon the horse (Rev. 19:15, 21).
By “sword” in these passages is signified truth combating and destroying; this destruction is especially apparent in the spiritual world; there those that are in falsities cannot sustain the truth; when they come into the sphere of light, that is, where Divine truth is, they are in anguish, like those who are struggling with death; and thus also they are deprived of truths and are vastated.
sRef Isa@66 @16 S6′ sRef Luke@21 @24 S6′ [6] As most expressions in the Word have also a contrary sense, so also has “sword;” 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 captive into all nations; Jerusalem shall finally be trodden down by all nations, until the times of the nations shall be fulfilled (Luke 21:24).
The consummation of the age, which is here treated of, is the last time of the church, when falsities are to prevail. “To fall by the edge of the sword” denotes that truth will be destroyed by falsity; “nations” here are evils and “Jerusalem” is the church.
sRef Isa@13 @12 S7′ sRef Isa@13 @15 S7′ [7] In Isaiah:
I will make a man more rare than fine gold. Everyone that is found shall be thrust through; and everyone gathered in shall fall by the sword (Isa. 13:12, 15).
“A man who is rare” for those that are in truths; “to be thrust through” and “to fall by the sword” means to be consumed by falsity.
sRef Isa@31 @7 S8′ sRef Isa@31 @8 S8′ [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 [viri]; and the sword not of a man [hominis] shall devour him; but he who fleeth for himself before the sword, his young man shall be for tribute (Isa. 31:7, 8).
“The idols which the hands have made” are falsities from self-intelligence; “Asshur” is the rational by which [per quod]. “To fall by the sword not of a man” [viri], and “not of a man” [hominis], is not to be destroyed by any combat of truth against falsity. “He who fleeth for himself before the sword, his young man shall be for tribute,” means that the truth which is not destroyed shall be subservient to falsities. That this is the meaning of these words does not appear in the sense of the letter, which shows how far distant the spiritual sense is from the sense of the letter.
sRef Jer@2 @30 S9′ [9] In Jeremiah:
In vain I have smitten your sons; they accepted not correction; your own sword hath devoured your prophets (Jer. 2:30).
Behold, the prophet say, Ye shall not see the sword, neither shall ye have famine. By sword and by famine shall the prophets be consumed. If I go forth into the field, behold the slain with the sword; and if I enter into the city, then behold the sickness of famine (Jer. 14:13-18).
Both these passages treat of the vastation of the church in respect to truth; “prophets” are those who teach truths; and “the sword that consumes them” is falsity combating and destroying; “the field” is the church; “the city” is doctrine; “the slain with the sword in the field” are those in the church with whom truths are destroyed; “the famine” that is in the city is dearth of all truth in doctrine.
sRef Jer@11 @22 S10′ sRef Jer@5 @12 S10′ [10] In the same:
They have denied Jehovah when they have said, It is not He; neither shall evil come upon us; neither shall we see sword and famine (Jer. 5:12).
In the same:
The young men shall die by the sword; and their sons and their daughters shall die by famine (Jer. 11:22).
“Young men” are 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” are the knowledges of truth and good; “famine” is a dearth of these.
sRef Lam@5 @9 S11′ [11] In Lamentations:
We get our bread with peril of our souls, because of the sword of the wilderness (Lam. 5:9).
“The wilderness” is where there is no good because there is no truth; its “sword” is the destruction of truth; “bread” is good, which is got with “peril of souls,” because all good is implanted in man by means of truth.
sRef Ezek@7 @15 S12′ [12] In Ezekiel:
The sword is without, and pestilence and famine within; he that is in the field shall die with the sword; and he that is in the city, famine and pestilence shall devour him (Ezek. 7:15).
“The sword” is the destruction of truth; “pestilence” consequent extermination; and “famine” complete dearth. Similarly in other places (as in Jeremiah 21:7; 29:17, 18; 34:17).
sRef Zech@11 @17 S13′ [13] In Zechariah:
Woe to the shepherd of nought forsaking 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 growing dim shall grow dim (Jer. 11:17).
“A sword upon the arm” is the destruction of the voluntary in respect to good; “a sword upon the right eye” is the destruction of the intellectual in respect to truth; that all good and all truth are to perish is signified by “the arm in drying up shall dry up; and the right eye in growing dim shall grow dim.”
sRef Isa@37 @37 S14′ sRef Isa@37 @6 S14′ sRef Isa@37 @7 S14′ sRef Isa@37 @38 S14′ [14] In Isaiah:
Thus shall ye say to your lord, Fear not for the words that thou hast heard, wherewith the lads of the king of Asshur have blasphemed Jehovah. Behold, I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land. And Senacherib, 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 (Isa. 37:6, 7, 37, 38).
As it is the rational that acknowledges and that denies the Divine, and when it denies seizes upon every falsity instead of truth, and thus perishes, there was this representative occurrence, namely, 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 either sense (Arcana Coelestia, n. 119, 1186); the “sons” of that king signify falsities, and the “sword” signifies destruction by falsities.
sRef Deut@13 @13 S15′ sRef Deut@13 @12 S15′ sRef Deut@13 @16 S15′ sRef Deut@13 @15 S15′ [15] In Moses:
[It was commanded that] the city that worshiped other gods should be smitten with the sword, and burned up with fire (Deut. 13:12-16).
This was decreed 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 up with fire” is to perish by the evil of falsity.
[16] In the same:
Whosoever in the field toucheth one that is slain with the sword shall be unclean (Num. 19:16, 18, 19).
“One in the field slain with the sword” represented those within the church who destroyed truths with themselves; “the field” here is the church.
sRef Matt@26 @52 S17′ sRef Matt@26 @51 S17′ sRef Ps@57 @4 S17′ sRef Ps@59 @7 S17′ sRef Ps@64 @3 S17′ sRef Ps@64 @2 S17′ [17] That “sword” signifies falsity destroying truth is manifest in David:
The sons of man are set on fire; their teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword (Ps. 57:4).
Behold, they belch out with their mouth, swords are in their lips (Ps. 59:7).
Workers of iniquity sharpen their tongues like a sword; they hurl their arrow with a bitter word (Ps. 64:3).
From this it is clear what is signified by the Lord’s words to Peter:
All they that take the sword shall perish by the sword (Matt. 26:51-52);
namely, that those who believe falsities will perish by falsities.
[18] From this it is now evident what is signified in the Word by “the long sword,” “the short sword,” or the “sword” [romphaea, macharera, seu gladius] in both senses. Such things are signified by “sword” by reason also of appearance 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, as swords, spears, shields, and the like are seen; not that the combats are maintained by these, but they are mere appearances, representative of spiritual combats. When falsities are fiercely combating truths, there sometimes appears from heaven the brightness or flashing of a sword vibrating every way, and causing great terror, by which those who are combating from falsities are dispersed.
sRef Ezek@32 @10 S19′ sRef Gen@3 @24 S19′ sRef Ezek@21 @10 S19′ sRef Ezek@21 @28 S19′ sRef Ezek@21 @13 S19′ sRef Ezek@32 @11 S19′ sRef Ezek@21 @14 S19′ sRef Ezek@21 @12 S19′ sRef Ezek@21 @11 S19′ sRef Ezek@32 @12 S19′ sRef Jer@14 @13 S19′ sRef Jer@14 @16 S19′ sRef Ezek@21 @15 S19′ sRef Ezek@21 @9 S19′ sRef Jer@14 @15 S19′ sRef Jer@14 @14 S19′ sRef Ezek@28 @7 S19′ sRef Jer@14 @17 S19′ sRef Jer@14 @18 S19′ [19] This makes 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 every moment for their soul (Ezek. 32:10-12).
And in the same:
Prophesy and say, a sword, it is sharpened and also furbished, that it may have luster, that the heart may melt. Ah! It is made into lightning (Ezek. 21:9-10, 15).
The sword causes so great terror because “iron,” of which a sword is made, signifies truth in ultimates, and the brightness and flashing are from the light of heaven and from vibration of this light upon the sword. The light of heaven is Divine truth proceeding from the Lord. Divine truth thus falling upon those who are in falsities strikes terror.
[20] This also makes clear what is signified by this, that:
Cherubim, after Adam had been driven out, were made to dwell at the east of Eden, and the flame of a sword turning and vibrating every way, to guard the way to the tree of life (Gen. 3:24).
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 every way” the terrific driving off and rejecting of all who are in falsities; the “east of Eden” is where the Lord’s presence is in celestial love; by these words, therefore, is signified that every approach to the acknowledgement of the Lord alone is closed to him who does not live a life of love. That “sword” signifies falsity is clearly evident in Ezekiel, where it is said of the prince of Tyre:
They shall unsheathe the swords upon the beauty of thy wisdom (Ezek. 28:7).
“The prince of Tyre” signifies intelligence from the knowledges of truth; because that is extinguished by falsities it is said that they should unsheathe their swords “upon wisdom,” which could not have been said unless by “swords” falsities were meant.

sRef Rev@2 @13 S0′ 132. Verse 13. I know thy works, signifies love and faith, as is made evident from what was shown above, (n. 98 and 116).

sRef Rev@2 @13 S0′ 133. And where thou dwellest, signifies amongst whom he now lives. This is evident from the signification of “dwelling,” as meaning to live. “To dwell,” in the spiritual sense, is to live, because dwellings in the spiritual world are all distinguished according to the lives and differences of life. (This can be seen from what is shown in the work on Heaven and Hell, concerning the Societies in Heaven, n. 41-50, and n. 205; the reasons are there given why “dwelling” in the Word signifies to live. That to “dwell” is to live may be seen in Arcana Coelestia, n. 1293, 3384, 3613, 4451, 6051. That “dwelling together” is to be in agreement of life, n. 6792. That “dwelling” in the Word signifies things of the mind, thus the things of intelligence and wisdom, from which man has life, n. 7719, 7910. That “cities” are predicated of truths of doctrine, and “dwellers” of good of life, n. 2268, 2451, 2712. That “to dwell in the midst of them,” when said of the Lord, is His presence and influx into the life of love and faith, n. 10153. That “the dwelling place of the Lord” is heaven, n. 8269, 8309. That “the dwelling place of the tent” with the sons of Israel represented and signified heaven, n. 9481, 9594, 9632.)

sRef Rev@2 @13 S0′ 134. Where Satan’s throne is, signifies where all falsities reign. This is evident from the signification of “where the throne is,” as being where reigns, for “throne” signifies sovereignty; also from the signification of “Satan,” as being the hells where and whence are all falsities (of which above, n. 120). “Thrones” are mentioned in many passages of the Word, and in the spiritual sense they signify judgment from Divine truths, and in the highest sense the Lord’s spiritual kingdom, where His Divine truth is received more than His Divine good (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2129, 5313, 5315, 6397, 8625). But as “throne” is here mentioned in a contrary sense, showing this by passages from the Word will here be omitted. It will be shown in what follows.

sRef Rev@2 @13 S0′ 135. And thou holdest My name, signifies the acknowledgment of the Divine in the Human of the Lord, as well as all things of love to Him and faith in Him. This is evident from what has been shown above about the signification of the “name” of Jehovah, Lord, and Jesus Christ (n. 102). By the Lord’s “name” in the Word is meant primarily the acknowledgment of the Divine in His Human, because all things of love and faith are from that; for Divine goods which are of love, and Divine truths which are of faith, proceed from no other source than from the Lord alone; and these cannot flow in with man unless he thinks of the Lord’s Divine at the same time that he thinks of His Human; nor is His Divine separate from the Human, but it is in the Human (as may be seen above, n. 10, 26, 49, 52, 77, 97, 113, 114). I can aver, from all experience of the spiritual world, that no one is in the truths of faith and in the goods of love except he who thinks of the Lord’s Divine at the same time that he thinks of His Human; as also that no one is spiritual, or is an angel, unless he has been in that thought and consequent acknowledgment in the world. Man must needs be conjoined to the Divine by his faith and love in order to be saved; and all conjunction is with the Lord; and to be conjoined to His Human only, and not to His Divine at the same time, is not conjunction; for the Divine saves, but not the Human apart from the Divine. (That the Human of the Lord is Divine, see The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 280-310.)

sRef Rev@2 @13 S0′ 136. And didst not deny My faith, signifies constancy in truths. This is evident from the signification of “not denying,” as being, in reference to faith, to be constant (for he who is constant does not deny); and from the signification of “faith,” as being truths, since truth is of faith and faith is of truth. There are two things that constitute man’s spiritual life, love and faith. Every good has reference to love, and every truth to faith; but truth with man is of faith only so far as it is derived from the good of love; since every truth is from good, for it is the form of good, and all good is the esse of truth. For good, when it is so formed as to appear to the mind, and through the mind in speech, is called truth; therefore it is said that good is the esse of truth. (But more may be seen on this subject in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 11-27, likewise 28-35, 54-64, 108-122.)

sRef Rev@2 @13 S0′ 137. Even in the days wherein Antipas was My faithful martyr who was slain among you, signifies in that time and state in which all are hated who openly acknowledge the Divine Human of the Lord. This is evident from the signification of “day,” as being time and state (on which see Arcana Coelestia, n. 23, 488, 493, 893, 2788, 3462, 3785, 4850, 10656); consequently “in the days in which” signifies in that time and state; also from the signification of “Antipas My faithful martyr,” as being those who openly acknowledge the Divine Human of the Lord (of which more in what follows); also from the signification of “being slain,” as being to be hated. “To be slain,” is to be hated, because he who hates is unceasingly slaying; he cherishes in his thought nothing else and purposes nothing else than to slay, and he would also slay if the laws did not prevent. This lies concealed in hatred; he, therefore, who hates the neighbor, when in the other life external bonds are removed from him, is continually breathing the murder of some one. This has been testified to me by much experience.
aRef Luke@16 @21 S2′ [2] “Antipas the faithful martyr” signifies those who are hated because of their acknowledgment of the Lord’s Divine Human, for the reason that at that time one Antipas was slain on that account; by “Antipas,” therefore, all who are hated on that account are meant; just as by “Lazarus,” who lay at the rich man’s gate and longed to be fed with the crumbs that fell from his table, are meant all whom the Lord loves because they long for truths from spiritual affection (see above, n. 118). That the Lord loved a certain one named Lazarus, whom also He raised from the dead, is manifest in John (chap. 11:3, 5, 36) and that he reclined with the Lord at table, (chap. 12), on which account he was called “Lazarus,” by the Lord, who longed to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table, whereby is signified a longing for truths from spiritual affection (as shown above, n. 118). As “Lazarus” was so named on that account, so was “Antipas” because he was made a martyr for the name of the Lord, that is, for the acknowledgment of His Divine Human.
sRef John@14 @6 S3′ sRef John@15 @18 S3′ sRef John@15 @19 S3′ sRef John@14 @9 S3′ sRef John@15 @21 S3′ sRef John@1 @18 S3′ sRef Matt@28 @18 S3′ sRef John@14 @10 S3′ sRef John@15 @22 S3′ sRef John@15 @25 S3′ sRef John@5 @37 S3′ sRef John@14 @11 S3′ sRef John@15 @23 S3′ sRef John@15 @24 S3′ sRef John@15 @20 S3′ sRef Matt@24 @10 S3′ sRef John@1 @2 S3′ sRef John@14 @8 S3′ sRef Matt@24 @9 S3′ sRef John@14 @7 S3′ [3] That such as he are hated by all who do not think of the Lord’s Divine and of His Human at the same time, cannot be known from those who are in the world; but it can be known from the same in the other life, where they all burn with such hatred against those who approach the Lord alone as cannot be described in a few words; they desire nothing more eagerly 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 with the Lord; and those who are of the church and who do not acknowledge the Lord’s Divine in His Human act as one with the hells, and it is from the hells that they have such hatred. They have frequently been told that they are doing wrong, since they know from the Word:
That the Lord has all power in the heavens and on earth (Matt. 28:18);
thus that He is the God of heaven and earth; likewise:
That He is the way, the truth, and the life, and that no one cometh unto the Father but by Him (John 14:6);
Also that he who seeth the Lord seeth the Father, because He is in the Father, and the Father in Him (John 14:7-11);
And that no one hath seen the Father’s shape, nor heard His voice, and that it is the Lord alone, who is in His bosom, and who is one with Him (John 1:18; 5:37).(Besides many other places.)
When they hear these truths they turn away, for they cannot deny them; but they are offended, and breathe forth the murder of all who openly acknowledge the Lord, as was just said, because hatred is inrooted in them (see above, n. 114).
[4] That they will hate all such for the Lord’s sake, He has predicted in several passages; as in Matthew:
In the consummation of the age, they shall deliver you up unto affliction, and shall kill you; and ye shall be hated of all [the nations] for My name’s sake (Matt. 24:9-10).
In John:
Jesus said, If the world hateth you, know that it hated Me before it hated you. If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. All these things will they do unto you for My name’s sake (John 15:18-25).
(See besides the passages cited above from the Word, n. 122.) These things have been said that it may be known that by “Antipas My faithful martyr, who was slain among you,” those are meant who are hated because they openly acknowledge the Lord’s Divine Human.

sRef Rev@2 @13 S0′ 138. Where Satan dwelleth, signifies by those who are in the doctrine of all falsities. This is evident from what was cited and shown above (n. 120 and 134). In what precedes we are told in what company those are who are in temptations, namely, they are among those who are in falsities of every kind; for man as to his body is with men in the natural world, but as to thoughts and intentions he is with spirits in the spiritual world. When he comes into spiritual temptation, he is among those spirits who are in falsities; these bind his thoughts and hold them as it were bound in prison, and continually pour in calumnies against the truths of faith, and call forth the evils of his life; but the Lord continually protects man by flowing in from the interior, and thus holds man in constancy in resisting; such are spiritual temptations. That man who is in temptations is among spirits that 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 words, “Even in the days wherein Antipas, My faithful martyr, was slain among you where Satan dwelleth;” and constancy in resisting is understood by these words, “Thou holdest My name, and didst not deny My faith.” But none except those who acknowledge the Lord’s Divine in His Human and who are in the spiritual affection of truth are let into spiritual temptations; the rest are natural men, who cannot be tempted. (On temptations, see what is shown in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 187-201.)

sRef Rev@2 @14 S0′ 139. Verse 14. But I have against thee a few things, signifies that heed should be taken, as is evident from what follows, where it is told of whom heed should be taken.

sRef Rev@2 @14 S0′ 140. That thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, signifies those who have been illustrated in respect to the understanding, and who teach truths, and yet love to destroy by craft those who are of the church. This is evident from the historicals of the Word respecting Balaam and Balak, understood in the spiritual sense; and these must first be told. Balaam was a soothsayer from Pethor of Mesopotamia, and was therefore called by Balak, king of Moab, to curse the Israelitish people; but this Jehovah prevented, and granted him to speak prophetically, yet he afterwards counseled with Balak how to destroy that people by craft, by leading them away from the worship of Jehovah to the worship of Baal-peor. Here, therefore, by “Balaam” those are meant who have been illuminated in respect to the understanding, and who teach truths, and yet love to destroy by craft those who are of the church. That Balaam was a soothsayer is evident from these words in Moses:
The elders of Moab and the elders of Midian went to Balaam with the rewards of enchantment in their hand (Num. 22:7).
When Balaam saw that it was good in the eyes of Jehovah to bless Israel, he went not as in former times to meet with divinations (Num. 24:1).
And in Joshua:
Balaam also, the son of Beor, the diviner, did the sons of Israel slay with the sword upon their slain (Joshua 13:22).
That he was called by Balak, king of Moab, to curse the people of Israel, see Num. 22:5, 6, 16, 17; Deut. 23:3, 4; but that Jehovah prevented this, and granted him to speak prophetically, Num. 22:9, 10, 12, 20; 23:5, 16; the prophecies which he uttered may be seen Num. 23:7-15, 18-24; 24:5-9, 16-19, 20-24; all which things are truths, because it is said that:
Jehovah put a word into his mouth (Num. 23:5, 12, 16).
sRef Num@25 @9 S2′ sRef Num@31 @9 S2′ sRef Num@22 @7 S2′ sRef Num@24 @4 S2′ sRef Num@24 @3 S2′ sRef Josh@13 @22 S2′ sRef Num@23 @12 S2′ sRef Num@25 @1 S2′ sRef Num@24 @15 S2′ sRef Num@23 @16 S2′ sRef Num@23 @5 S2′ sRef Num@24 @1 S2′ sRef Num@24 @16 S2′ sRef Num@31 @16 S2′ sRef Num@25 @3 S2′ sRef Num@31 @8 S2′ sRef Num@25 @2 S2′ sRef Num@25 @18 S2′ [2] That afterwards he counseled with Balak to destroy the people of Israel by craft, by leading them away from the worship of Jehovah to the worship of Baal-peor, is evident 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. Especially did Israel join himself unto Baal-peor. Therefore there were killed of Israel twenty and four thousand (Num. 25:1-3, 9, 18).
They slew Balaam amongst the Midianites; and the sons of Israel led captive all the women of the Midianites; which was of the counsel of Balaam, to deliver them to prevarication against Jehovah, in the matter of Peor (Num. 31:8, 9, 16).
That by “Balaam” those are meant who have been illustrated in respect to the understanding, and who teach truths, follows from what has now been shown, for he spoke prophetically truths about Israel, and also about the Lord; that he spoke truths about the Lord also may be seen in his prophecy (Num. 24:17). To speak prophetically about Israel is to speak not about the Israelitish people, but about the church of the Lord, which is signified by “Israel.” The illustration of his understanding he himself describes in these words:
The saying of Balaam the son of Beor, the saying of the man whose eyes are opened, the saying of him who heareth the words of God, who falls prostrate, and has his eyes uncovered (Num. 24:3-4, 15-16).
“To have the eyes opened,” or “to have them uncovered,” is to be illustrated in respect to the understanding, for “eyes” in the Word signify the understanding (as may be seen in Arcana Coelestia, n. 2701, 4410-4421, 4523-4534, 9051, 10569).
[3] That “Balaam” also means those who love to destroy by craft those who are of the church is evident also from what has been shown above; moreover, when he rode upon the ass, he continually thought upon the use of enchantments for destroying the sons of Israel; and when he was not able to do this by curses, he counseled Balak to destroy them by calling them to the sacrifices of his gods, and by their committing 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 among them (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 6426, 8805, 9340).
sRef Num@24 @1 S4′ sRef Num@22 @32 S4′ sRef Num@22 @33 S4′ [4] The arcanum respecting the she-ass on which Balaam rode, which turned aside three times out of the way from the angel seen with a drawn sword, and its speaking to Balaam, I will here briefly explain. When Balaam rode upon the ass he continually meditated enchantments against the sons of Israel; the riches with which he should be honored were in his mind, as is evident from what is said of him:
He went not as in former times to meet with divinations (Num. 24:1).
In heart, he was also a soothsayer, therefore when left to himself, he thought of nothing else. By the “she-ass” upon which he rides is signified, in the spiritual sense of the Word, the intellectual illustrated; consequently to ride on a she-ass or a mule was the distinction of a chief judge or a king (see above, n. 31; and in Arcana Coelestia, n. 2781, 5741, 9212). The angel with the drawn sword signifies Divine truth illustrating and combating against falsity (see above, n. 131). Therefore that “the ass turned aside three times out of the way” signifies that the understanding when illustrated did not agree with the thought of the soothsayer; this also is meant by what the angel said to Balaam:
Behold, I went forth to withstand thee, because thy way is evil before me (Num. 22:32).
By “way,” in the spiritual sense of the Word, is signified that which a man thinks from intention (see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 479, 534, 590; and in The small work on The Last Judgment, n. 48). That he was withheld from the thought and intention of using enchantments by the fear of death is manifest from what the angel said to him:
Unless the ass had turned aside before me, surely now I had even slain thee (Num. 22:33).
sRef Num@23 @23 S5′ [5] It sounded to Balaam as if the ass spoke to him, yet she did not speak, but the speech was heard as if from her. That such was the case has often been shown me by living experience; it has been granted me to hear horses seemingly speaking, when yet the speech was not from them, but was seemingly from them. This actually occurred in Balaam’s case, that the story might be so related in the Word for the sake of the internal sense in every particular of it. That sense describes how the Lord protects those who are in truths and goods, that they may not be harmed by those who speak from seeming illustration, and yet have the disposition and intention to lead astray. He who believes that Balaam could harm the sons of Israel by enchantments is much deceived; for enchantments could have availed nothing against them; this Balaam himself confessed when he said:
Divination avails not against Jacob, nor enchantments against Israel (Num. 23:23).
Balaam could lead that people astray by craft, because that people were such in heart; with the mouth only they worshiped Jehovah, but in heart they worshiped Baal-peor, and because they were such this was permitted.
[6] It is to be noted, moreover, that a man can be in illustration in respect to the understanding, and yet in evil in respect to the will; for the intellectual faculty is separated from the voluntary with all who are not regenerated, and only with those who are regenerated do they act as one; for it is the office of the understanding to know, to think, and to speak truths, but of the will to will the things that are understood, and from the will, or from the love, to do them. The divorcement of the two is clearly manifest with evil spirits; when these turn themselves towards good spirits, they, too, understand truths, and also acknowledge them, almost as if they were illustrated; but as soon as they turn themselves away from good spirits, they return to the love of their will and see nothing of truth, and even deny the things they have heard (see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 153, 424, 455).
[7] To be able to have the understanding illustrated is granted to man, for the sake of reformation; for in man’s will every evil resides, both that into which he is born and that into which he introduces himself; and the will cannot be corrected unless man knows, and by the understanding acknowledges, truths and goods, and also falsities and evils; in no other way can he turn away from the latter and love the former. (More may be seen on the will and the understanding in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 28-35.)

sRef Num@25 @1 S0′ sRef Num@25 @9 S0′ sRef Num@25 @2 S0′ sRef Num@25 @3 S0′ sRef Rev@2 @14 S0′ 141. To eat idol-sacrifices and to commit whoredom, signifies that they may be imbued with evils and with falsities therefrom. This is evident from the signification of “eating,” as being to appropriate to themselves, and to be consociated with (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2187, 2343, 3168, 3513, 5643, 8001); so also to be imbued with; and from the signification of “idol-sacrifices,” which are things consecrated to idols, as being evils of every kind (of which more in what follows); and from the signification of “committing whoredom,” as being to falsify truths (of which also more presently). That Balaam counseled Balak to invite the sons of Israel to the sacrifices of his gods appears 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 he called* the people unto the sacrifices of their gods; and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods. Especially did the people join themselves to Baal-peor; therefore the anger of Jehovah was kindled against Israel. And those that were slain were four and twenty thousand (Num. 25:1-3, 9).
It was among the statutes where sacrifices were instituted that some part of the sacrifices, especially of the thank-offerings, should be burnt from the altar, and some part eaten in the holy place. The “sacrifices” themselves signified worship from love and faith, and the “eating” of them signified appropriation of the good thereof. (That “sacrifices” signified all things of worship from the good of love and faith, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 923, 6905, 8680, 8936, 10042; and “eating” the appropriation of goods, n. 10109.) As the eating of things sanctified to Jehovah signified the appropriation of good, so the eating of the sacrifices offered to the gods of the nations, and which were called “idol-sacrifices,” signified the appropriation of evil.
[2] That to “commit whoredom,” in the spiritual sense, signifies to become imbued with falsities, so also to falsify truths, can be seen from many passages in the Word. The same was signified by the whoredoms of the sons of Israel with the daughters of Moab; for all historical parts of the Word involve spiritual things and signify them (as can be seen from the explanations of Genesis and Exodus, called Arcana Coelestia). And as the eating of idol-sacrifices by the sons of Israel and their whoredoms with the daughters of Moab involved such things (for what things signify they involve), therefore it was commanded that the heads of the people should be hung up to Jehovah before the sun; and for the same reason Phinehas the son of Eleazar thrust through a man of Israel and a Midianitish woman in the place of their lust, and for doing that he also was blessed; and for the same reason there were slain of Israel twenty and four thousand (as may be seen, Num. 25:1 to the end). Such punishments and such plagues merely because of the eating of idol-sacrifices, and committing whoredom with the women of another nation, would never have been commanded to be done, unless they had involved heinous offenses against heaven and the church, which do not appear in the literal sense of the Word, but only in its spiritual sense. The heinous offenses involved were the profanation at once of the goods and of the truths of the church, and this, as has been said above, was the appropriation of evil and falsity.
sRef Ezek@16 @32 S3′ sRef Ezek@16 @15 S3′ sRef Ezek@16 @33 S3′ sRef Ezek@16 @26 S3′ sRef Ezek@16 @28 S3′ sRef Ezek@16 @35 S3′ sRef Ezek@16 @29 S3′ [3] That adulteries and whoredoms involve such things is evident from numerous passages in the Word, where they are recounted, which show clearly that they signify the adulterations of good and the falsifications of truth, as in the following. In Ezekiel:
Jerusalem, thou hast trusted in thy beauty, and hast committed whoredom because of thy renown, so that thou hast poured out thy whoredoms on everyone that passed by. Thou has committed whoredom with the sons of Egypt thy neighbors, great of flesh, and hast multiplied thy whoredom. Thou hast committed whoredom with the sons of Asshur, when there was no satiety to thee, with whom thou committedst whoredom. Thou hast multiplied thy whoredom even to Chaldea, the land of traffic. An adulterous woman receiveth strangers instead of her husband. All 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 (Ezek. 16:15, 26, 28-29, 32-33, 35 seq.).
Who cannot see that by “whoredoms” here are not meant whoredoms in the usual natural sense? For the church in which all the truths of the Word have been falsified is treated of; this is what is meant by “whoredoms;” for “whoredoms” in the spiritual sense, or spiritual whoredoms, are no other than falsifications of truth. “Jerusalem” here is the church; the “sons of Egypt,” with whom she committed whoredom, are scientifics and knowledges of every kind, perversely applied to confirm falsities; the “sons of Asshur” are reasonings from falsities; “Chaldea,” the land of traffic, is the profanation of truth; the “rewards” that she gave to her lovers are the vendings of falsities; and because of the adulteration of good by the falsifications of truth, that church is called a “woman adulterous while subject to her husband.”
sRef Ezek@23 @11 S4′ sRef Ezek@23 @3 S4′ sRef Ezek@23 @5 S4′ sRef Ezek@23 @14 S4′ sRef Ezek@23 @2 S4′ sRef Ezek@23 @7 S4′ sRef Ezek@23 @16 S4′ sRef Ezek@23 @17 S4′ sRef Ezek@23 @8 S4′ [4] In the same:
Two women, the daughters of one mother, committed whoredoms in Egypt; they committed whoredoms in their youth. One committed whoredom while subject to me, and chose for lovers the Assyrians her neighbors; she bestowed her whoredoms upon them yet she hath not left her whoredoms in Egypt. The other hath corrupted her love more than she, and her whoredoms above the whoredoms of her sister; she increased 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 (Ezek. 23:2-3, 5-8, 11, 14, 16-17 seq.).
Here also by “whoredoms” are in like manner meant spiritual whoredoms, as is evident from every particular. “Two women, the daughters of one mother, are the two churches, the Israelitish and the Jewish; “whoredoms” with “the Egyptians,” “the Assyrians,” “the Chaldeans,” signify the like as above; “the bed of loves with the sons of Babel” is the profanation of good.
sRef Jer@3 @9 S5′ sRef Jer@3 @1 S5′ sRef Jer@3 @8 S5′ sRef Jer@3 @6 S5′ sRef Jer@3 @2 S5′ [5] In Jeremiah:
Thou hast committed whoredoms with many companions, thou hast profaned the land with thy whoredoms, and with thine evil. Hast thou seen that which backsliding Israel hath done? She hath gone away upon every high mountain, and under every green tree, and there committeth whoredom. Perfidious Judah also hath gone away and committed whoredom, so that by the voice of her whoredom she hath profaned the land; she hath committed adultery with stone and with wood (Jer. 3:1-2, 6, 8-9).
“Israel” is the church that is in truth, “Judah” the church that 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 to commit whoredom” is to seek after 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” signifying truth, and “wood” signifying good.
sRef Jer@5 @1 S6′ sRef Jer@5 @7 S6′ [6] In the same:
Run ye to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, and seek in the broad places thereof, if ye can find a man [vir], if there be any doing judgment, seeking truth. When I fed them to the full they committed whoredom and came by troops to the house of the harlot (Jer. 5:1, 7).
To “run to and fro through the streets, and to seek in the broad places of Jerusalem,” is to see and explore the doctrinals of that church; for “Jerusalem” is the church, and “streets” and “broad places” are doctrinals. “If ye have found a man, if there be any doing judgment, seeking truth,” means whether there be any truth in the church. “When I fed them to the full they committed whoredom,” means that when truths were revealed to them they falsified them. Such a church, in respect to doctrine, is the “house of the harlot,” into which they “came by troops.”
sRef Jer@13 @27 S7′ [7] In the same:
Thine adulteries, and thy neighings, the lewdness of thy whoredom, thine abominations on the hills in the field have I seen. Woe unto thee, O Jerusalem! thou wilt not be made clean (Jer. 13:27).
“Neighings” are profanations of truth, because a “horse” signifies the intellectual where there is truth; “the hills in the field” are goods of truth in the church, which have been perverted.
sRef Jer@23 @14 S8′ sRef Jer@29 @23 S8′ [8] In the same:
In the prophets of Jerusalem I have seen a horrible stubbornness in adulterating and in walking in a lie (Jer. 23:14).
They have wrought folly in Israel, and have committed adultery with their companions’ wives, and have spoken My*** word in My name falsely (Jer. 29:23).
To “adulterate” and to “commit adultery” here clearly mean to pervert truths; “the prophets” signifying those who teach truths from the Word; for it is said “in adulterating and walking in a lie,” and “they have spoken My word falsely.” A “lie” in the Word signifies falsity.
sRef Num@14 @33 S9′ [9] In Moses:
Your sons shall be shepherds in the wilderness forty years, and shall bear your**** whoredoms even till their carcasses are consumed in the wilderness (Num. 14:33).
The sons of Israel did not bear whoredoms and were not for that reason consumed in the wilderness, but because they spurned heavenly truths, as is evident from this, that it was so said to them because they wished not to enter into the land of Canaan, but to return to Egypt; “the land of Canaan” signifies heaven and the church, with the truths thereof; and “Egypt” signifies the same falsified and turned into magic.
sRef Micah@1 @7 S10′ [10] In Micah:
All her graven images shall be beaten to pieces, and all the rewards of whoredom shall be burned up with fire; and all her idols will I lay waste, for she hath gathered them from the hire of an harlot, therefore even to the hire of an harlot shall they return (Micah 1:7).
“Graven images” and “idols” signify falsities that are from self-intelligence; “the rewards of whoredom” are the knowledges of truth and good that they have applied to falsities and evils and have thus perverted.
sRef Hos@1 @2 S11′ [11] In Hosea:
Jehovah said to the prophet, Take unto thee a wife of whoredoms and children of whoredoms, for whoring the land doth commit whoredom in departing from Jehovah (Hosea 1:2).
By this was represented what the quality of the church was, namely, that it was wholly in falsities.
sRef Hos@4 @11 S12′ sRef Hos@4 @13 S12′ sRef Hos@4 @7 S12′ sRef Hos@4 @10 S12′ [12] In the same:
They sinned against Me; I will change their glory into disgrace. They committed whoredom; because they have forsaken Jehovah. Whoredom, wine, and new wine, have occupied the heart. Your daughters commit whoredom, and your daughters-in-law commit adultery (Hosea 4:7, 10-11, 13).
“Whoredom, wine, and new wine,” are falsified truths; “whoredom” falsification itself; “wine” interior falsity; “new wine” exterior falsity; “daughters who commit whoredom” are the goods of truth perverted; “daughters-in-law who commit adultery” are evils conjoined with falsities therefrom.
sRef Isa@23 @18 S13′ sRef Isa@23 @17 S13′ [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 whoredom with all the kingdoms of the earth upon the faces of the world; at length her merchandise [and her meretricious hire] shall be holiness to Jehovah (Isa. 23:17, 18).
“Tyre,” in the Word, is the church in respect to the knowledges of truth and good; “meretricious hire” the same knowledges applied, by perverting them, to evils and falsities; “her merchandise” the vending of these. “To commit whoredom with all the kingdoms of the earth,” is with all and every truth of the church. “Her merchandise and her meretricious hire shall be holiness to Jehovah” because these signify the knowledges of truth and good applied by them to falsities and evils; and by means of the knowledges themselves regarded in themselves, a man can gain wisdom; for knowledges are means of becoming wise, and they are also means of becoming insane. They are the means of becoming insane when they are falsified by being applied to evils and falsities. The like is signified where it is said that:
They should make to themselves friends of the unrighteous mammon (Luke 16:9);
and where it is commanded that:
They should borrow from the Egyptians gold, silver, and raiment, and take them away from them (Exod. 3:22; 12:35-36).
By the “Egyptians” are signified scientifics of every kind which they used to falsify truths.
sRef Nahum@3 @1 S14′ sRef Lev@20 @5 S14′ sRef Nahum@3 @3 S14′ sRef Rev@14 @8 S14′ sRef Nahum@3 @4 S14′ sRef Rev@18 @3 S14′ sRef Isa@57 @2 S14′ sRef Rev@17 @2 S14′ sRef Ex@34 @16 S14′ sRef Rev@17 @1 S14′ sRef Num@15 @39 S14′ sRef Ex@34 @15 S14′ sRef Rev@19 @2 S14′ sRef Isa@57 @3 S14′ [14] In Moses:
I will cut off the soul that looketh unto them that have familiar spirits and unto wizards, to go a-whoring after them (Lev. 20:5, 6).
In Isaiah:
He entereth into peace, he walketh in uprightness. But draw ye near, ye sons of the enchantress, the seed of the adulterer and the harlot (Isa. 57:2-3).
In Nahum:
Woe to the city of bloods, all in a lie, the horseman ascendeth, and the flaming of the sword, and the flashing of the spear, a multitude of the slain; for the multitude of the whoredoms of the harlot, of the mistress of sorceries, selling the nations through her whoredoms (Nahum 3:1, 3-4).
In Moses:
A covenant must not be made with the inhabitants of the land, lest the sons and daughters go a-whoring after their gods (Exod. 34:15-16).
In the same:
That ye may remember all the commandments of Jehovah, and do them; and that ye spy not after your own heart and your own eyes, after which ye are wont to go a-whoring (Num. 15:39).
In Revelation:
Babylon hath made all nations to drink of the wine of the wrath of her whoredom (Rev. 14:8);
The angel said, I will show thee the judgment of the great harlot that sitteth upon many waters; with whom the kings of the earth have committed whoredom (Rev. 17:1-2);
Babylon hath made all nations to drink of the wine of the wrath of her whoredom, and the kings of the earth have committed whoredom with her (Rev. 18:3);
He hath judged the great harlot, which did corrupt the earth with her whoredom (Rev. 19:2).
It is manifest that in these passages by “whoredoms” are meant the falsifications of truth.
sRef Lev@21 @9 S15′ sRef Lev@21 @7 S15′ sRef Lev@21 @14 S15′ sRef Deut@23 @18 S15′ sRef Deut@23 @17 S15′ sRef Lev@21 @13 S15′ sRef Lev@20 @10 S15′ [15] As such things are signified by “whoredoms” and “adulteries,” and as these 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 be no harlot nor whoremonger in Israel (Deut. 23:17);
That the man that committed adultery with the wife of a man, and the man that committed adultery with the wife of his companion should be put to death (Lev. 20:10);
That the hire of a harlot should not be brought into the house of Jehovah for any vow (Deut. 23:18);
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 (Lev. 21:7, 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 from spirits who have been of such character have made these things evident; from the presence of spirits who have confirmed falsities in themselves, and have applied truths from the sense of the letter of the Word to confirm them, there exhales an abominable sphere of whoredom. Such spheres correspond to all the prohibited degrees (of which, see Lev. 20:11- 21) with a difference according to the application of truths to falsities and the conjunction of falsities with evils, especially with evils that gush out of the love of self (of which more may be seen in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 384-386).
* In Hebrew: “they called,” as also found in Apocalypse Explained, n. 140, 401; Apocalypse Revealed, n. 114; Arcana Coelestia, n. 10652.
** In Hebrew: “They give reward to all harlots,” as also found in Apocalypse Explained, n. 695; Arcana Coelestia, n. 8904.
*** In Hebrew: “the word,” as also found in Arcana Coelestia, n. 2466, 8904. “My” is found in Apocalypse Revealed, n. 134 and in True Christian Religion, n. 314.
**** In Hebrew: “your,” as also found in Apocalypse Explained, n. 633; Arcana Coelestia, n. 2466, 8904, but Apocalypse Revealed, n. 134 has “their.”

sRef Rev@2 @15 S0′ 142. Verse 15. So thou hast them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate, signifies those who separate good from truth, or charity from faith, which is against Divine order. This is evident from what was said and shown above (n. 107), where similar words occur. To which this is to be added: That those who separate truth from good, or faith from charity, turn away from themselves all influx of heaven into the goods they do, in consequence of which their goods are not good; for heaven flows in, that is, the Lord through heaven, into the good of man’s love; he, therefore, that rejects the good of charity from the doctrine of the church, and receives instead only those things that are called matters of faith, is shut out of heaven; truths with such have no life; and it is the life of truth, which is good, that conjoins, but not truth without life, or faith without charity. (But more on these subjects in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem where it treats of Charity, n. 84-107, and of Faith, n. 108-122.)

sRef Rev@2 @16 S0′ 143. Verse 16. Repent, signifies dissociation from these. This is evident from the signification of “repent,” as being in reference to the things signified by “the doctrine of Balaam,” and by “the doctrine of the Nicolaitans,” to be dissociated from them. Nor is repentance anything else; for no one repents unless he actually separates himself from the things of which he has repented; and he separates himself from them only when he shuns them and turns away from them. (That this is repentance or penitence, see the Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 159-172.)

sRef Rev@2 @16 S0′ 144. Or else I will come to thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth, signifies if not, when visitation comes they will be dispersed. This is evident from the signification of “coming to thee quickly,” as being, in reference to the Lord, visitation (of which more in what follows); also from the signification of the “sword of the mouth,” as being truth combating against falsity, and the subsequent dispersion of falsities (see above, n. 73, 131); but here it signifies the dispersion of those who hold “the doctrine of Balaam,” and the “doctrine of the Nicolaitans,” that is, of those who are illustrated in respect to the understanding and who teach truths, and yet love to destroy by craft those who are of the church; and of those also who separate good from truth, or charity from faith (see above, n. 140, 142). “Coming quickly” means visitation, because the coming of the Lord in the Word signifies visitation (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 6895). Visitation is the exploration of man’s character after death, before he is judged.

sRef Rev@2 @17 S0′ 145. Verse 17. He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches, signifies that he who understands should harken to what Divine truth proceeding from the Lord teaches and says to those who are of His church, as is evident from what was said and shown above (n. 14, and n. 108), where there are similar words.

sRef Rev@2 @17 S0′ sRef John@6 @48 S1′ sRef John@6 @49 S1′ sRef John@6 @45 S1′ sRef John@6 @50 S1′ sRef John@6 @58 S1′ sRef John@6 @46 S1′ sRef John@6 @55 S1′ sRef John@6 @57 S1′ sRef John@6 @56 S1′ sRef John@6 @52 S1′ sRef John@6 @51 S1′ sRef John@6 @53 S1′ sRef John@6 @54 S1′ sRef John@6 @47 S1′ sRef John@6 @31 S1′ sRef John@6 @41 S1′ sRef John@6 @42 S1′ sRef John@6 @38 S1′ sRef John@6 @34 S1′ sRef John@6 @40 S1′ sRef John@6 @37 S1′ sRef John@6 @44 S1′ sRef John@6 @43 S1′ sRef John@6 @33 S1′ sRef John@6 @35 S1′ sRef John@6 @36 S1′ sRef John@6 @39 S1′ sRef John@6 @32 S1′ 146. To him that overcometh, to him will I give to eat of the hidden manna, signifies that those who conquer in temptations will have the delight of heavenly love from the Lord’s Divine Human. This is evident from the signification of “overcoming,” as being those who conquer in temptations (for it is these that are treated of in what is written to the angel of this church, see above, n. 130); from the signification of “giving to eat,” as being to be appropriated and to be conjoined by love and charity (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2187, 2343, 3168, 3513, 5643) and as it is said “of the hidden manna,” which means the Lord in respect to His Divine Human, the “eating” of this here signifies the delight of heavenly love, for this is appropriated by the Lord’s Divine Human to those who receive Him in love and faith; also from the signification of the “hidden manna,” as being the Lord in respect to His Divine Human. That this is “manna” is manifest from the Lord’s own words in John:
Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, as it is written, He gave them bread out of heaven to eat. The bread of God is He who cometh down out of heaven, and giveth life unto the world. I am the bread of life. Your fathers did eat the manna in the wilderness, and they are dead. This is the bread which cometh down out of heaven, that a man may eat thereof and not die. I am the living bread which came down out of heaven; if any man eat of this bread he shall live forever. The bread that I will give is My flesh (John 6:31-58).
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 which came down out of heaven.” That it is the Lord in respect to the Divine Human, He also teaches when He says, “The bread that I will give is My flesh.”
sRef John@6 @27 S2′ sRef Luke@22 @30 S2′ sRef Matt@26 @26 S2′ sRef Luke@14 @15 S2′ sRef Matt@8 @11 S2′ [2] The Lord taught the same when He instituted the Holy Supper:
Jesus took bread and blessed it, and gave to the disciples, and said, Take, eat, this is My body (Matt. 26:26; Mark 14:22; Luke 22:19).
“To eat of this bread” is to be conjoined to the Lord by love, for “to eat” signifies to be appropriated and to be conjoined (as above), and love is spiritual conjunction. The same is signified by “eating in the kingdom of God,” in Luke:
Blessed is he that eateth bread in the kingdom of God (Luke 14:15).
Ye shall eat and drink at My table in My kingdom (Luke 22:30).
In Matthew:
Many shall come from the east and the west, and shall recline to eat with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of God (Matt. 8:11).
(That by “Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,” the Lord is meant, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 1893, 4615, 6095, 6185, 6276, 6804, 6847.) In John:
Work not for the food which perisheth; but for the food which abideth, which the Son of man shall give unto you (John 6:27).
That the “Son of man” is the Lord in respect to the Divine Human, see above (n. 63).
sRef Ex@16 @31 S3′ sRef Deut@8 @3 S3′ sRef Ex@16 @15 S3′ sRef Ex@16 @14 S3′ sRef Ex@16 @4 S3′ [3] It is called “hidden manna,” because the delight of heavenly love, which those receive who are conjoined to the Lord through love, is wholly unknown to those that are in a love not heavenly; and this delight no one is able to receive except he that acknowledges the Lord’s Divine Human; for from this the delight proceeds. Because this delight was unknown to the children of Israel in the wilderness, they called it “manna,” as appears in Moses:
Jehovah said unto Moses, Behold, I will cause bread to rain from heaven itself 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 wilderness a small round thing; and when they saw it, they said, This is manna? (what is this)? Moses said unto them, this is the bread which Jehovah giveth you to eat. And the house of Israel called the name thereof manna (Exod. 16:3 to the end).
In the same:
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 all that is uttered by the mouth of Jehovah doth man live (Deut. 8:3).
This delight, which is meant by “manna,” was unknown to the sons of Israel, because they were in corporeal delight more than other nations, and those who are in that delight are altogether incapable of knowing anything of heavenly delight. (That the sons of Israel were such, see The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 248.) The term “delight” is used, and the delight of love is meant, for every delight of life is of love.
sRef John@6 @34 S4′ sRef John@6 @33 S4′ sRef John@6 @42 S4′ sRef John@6 @43 S4′ sRef John@6 @36 S4′ sRef John@6 @35 S4′ sRef John@6 @53 S4′ sRef Deut@8 @3 S4′ sRef John@6 @31 S4′ sRef John@6 @32 S4′ sRef John@6 @56 S4′ sRef John@6 @58 S4′ sRef John@6 @57 S4′ sRef John@6 @44 S4′ sRef John@6 @46 S4′ sRef John@6 @55 S4′ sRef John@6 @54 S4′ sRef John@6 @47 S4′ sRef John@6 @45 S4′ sRef Ps@105 @40 S4′ sRef John@6 @37 S4′ sRef John@6 @41 S4′ sRef John@6 @50 S4′ sRef John@6 @49 S4′ sRef John@6 @40 S4′ sRef John@6 @39 S4′ sRef John@6 @51 S4′ sRef John@6 @52 S4′ sRef Ps@78 @23 S4′ sRef John@6 @48 S4′ sRef Ps@78 @24 S4′ sRef John@6 @38 S4′ [4] As it is the delight of heavenly love that is signified by “eating of the hidden manna,” therefore it is called “the bread of the heavens” in David:
Jehovah commanded the skies from above, and opened the doors of the heavens; and He rained down upon them manna for food, and gave them corn of the heavens (Ps. 78:23, 24).
In another place:
Jehovah satisfied them with the bread of the heavens (Ps. 105:40).
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 that case no other heaven is meant, and no other bread than that which nourishes the soul of man. That it is in this sense that “bread” is to be understood here is evident from the words of the Lord Himself in John:
That He is the manna, or bread, that came down out of heaven (John 6:31-58).
And in Moses:
That Jehovah fed them with manna, that He might make them to know that man doth not live by bread only, but by all that is uttered by the mouth of Jehovah (Deut. 8:3).
“What is uttered by the mouth of Jehovah” is everything that proceeds from the Lord, and this, in a special sense, is Divine truth united with Divine good (see the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 13, 133, 139, 140, 284-290).
sRef Ex@16 @31 S5′ sRef Num@11 @7 S5′ sRef Num@11 @8 S5′ [5] This delight is also described by the correspondences in Moses:
The manna appeared like coriander seed, white, and the taste of it was like cakes made with honey (Exod. 16:31).
And in another place in the same:
They made cakes of it; and the taste of it was as the taste of the juice of oil (Num. 11:7, 8).
The appearance and taste of the manna was such because “Coriander seed, white,” signifies truth from a heavenly origin; “cake,” the good of heavenly love; “honey” its external delight; “oil” that love itself; and its “juice,” from which was the taste, its internal delight: and the “rain with dew,” in which the manna was, the influx of Divine truth in which that delight is. (That “seed” signifies truth from a heavenly origin, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3038, 3373, 10248, 10249; that “white” is predicated 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, 10261, 10269; its “juice,” therefore, signifies the delight of that love, because the taste is therefrom, and the taste is the delight and pleasantness, see n. 3502, 4791-4805. But more about these matters may be seen in the explanation of chapter 16 of Exodus in The Arcana Coelestia.)
[6] The delight of heavenly love is signified by “eating of the hidden manna,” when yet by “the hidden manna” the Lord in respect to the Divine Human is signified, because it is the same whether you say the Lord’s Divine Human, or the Divine Love, for the Lord is Divine Love itself, and what proceeds from Him is Divine good united to Divine truth; both are of love, and are also the Lord in heaven; consequently “to eat of Him” is to be conjoined to Him, and this by love from Him. (But these things may be better understood from what is said and shown in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 13-19, 116-125, 126-140; also in Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 210-222, 307.)

sRef Rev@2 @17 S0′ 147. And will give him a white stone, signifies wisdom and intelligence. This is evident from the signification of “a white stone,” when [it is given] by the Lord, as being reception from Him and influx; and as it is reception and influx from the Lord, it also is wisdom and intelligence from Him, for those who receive from the Lord and with whom the Lord flows in, are in wisdom and intelligence. “To give a white stone” signifies these things, because formerly in public decisions the votes were taken by means of stones; white stones indicating the affirmative opinions, and black stones the negative; therefore by a “white stone” is signified the reception of wisdom and intelligence.

sRef Rev@2 @17 S0′ 148. And upon the stone a new name written, which no one knoweth except he that receiveth, signifies a state of interior life unknown to all except those who are in it. This is evident from the signification of “name,” as being the quality of state (of which see Arcana Coelestia, n. 1754, 1896, 2009, 3237, 3421); here the quality of the state of the interior life, because it is said “a new name, which no one knoweth except he that receiveth,” for the quality of the state of the interior life is wholly unknown to those who are not in the interior life. Those are in the interior life who are in love to the Lord, and none are in love to the Lord except those who acknowledge the Divine in His Human (that to love the Lord is to live according to His precepts, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 10143, 10153, 10578, 10645, 10829). Interior life is the spiritual life, in which the angels of heaven are; but the exterior life is the natural life, in which are all who are not in heaven. With those, moreover, who live according to the precepts of the Lord and acknowledge the Divine in His Human, the interior mind is opened, and man then becomes spiritual; but those who do not so live, and do not acknowledge the Lord, remain natural. (That to all who are not in heavenly love the state of the interior or spiritual life is unknown, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 395-414; and in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 105, 238.)
sRef Isa@49 @1 S2′ sRef John@10 @2 S2′ sRef Isa@45 @4 S2′ sRef Isa@45 @3 S2′ sRef Isa@40 @26 S2′ sRef John@10 @3 S2′ sRef Isa@43 @1 S2′ [2] That “name” in the Word signifies quality of state is evident from many passages there, some of which I will here cite in confirmation. Thus in Isaiah:
Lift up your eyes on high and see; who hath created these? He that leadeth out the host in number; that calleth them all by name (Isa. 40:26).
“His calling them all by name” is knowing the quality of all, and giving to them according to the state of love and faith with them. In John the meaning is similar:
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 (John 10:2-3).
In Isaiah:
Thus saith Jehovah thy Creator, O Jacob, and thy Former, O Israel, Fear not; for I have redeemed thee, and have called thee by name; thou art Mine (Isa. 43:1).
In the same:
That thou mayest know that I am Jehovah, who had called thee by thy name. For Jacob My servant’s sake, and Israel My chosen, I have called thee by thy name, when thou didst not know Me (Isa. 45:3-4).
“I have called thee by thy name” means 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.
sRef Isa@65 @15 S3′ sRef Isa@62 @1 S3′ sRef Isa@48 @18 S3′ sRef Ezek@22 @5 S3′ sRef Isa@48 @19 S3′ sRef Ezek@22 @2 S3′ sRef Isa@62 @2 S3′ [3] In the same:
Israel, if thou hadst hearkened to My commandments, his name should not have been cut off nor destroyed from before Me (Isa. 48:18-19).
“The name being cut off and destroyed from before Jehovah” denotes the quality of the state by which conjunction is effected, which state is the spiritual state of him who is of the church signified by “Israel.” Again in the same prophet:
Jehovah hath called me from the womb, from the bowels of my mother doth He make mention of my name (Isa. 49:1).
here “making mention of the name” is knowing the quality. In the same:
For Zion’s sake I will not be still, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not be quiet. 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 (Isa. 62:1, 2).
In the same:
He shall call His servants by another name (Isa. 65:15).
“To call by a new name,” and “by another name,” is to bestow another state of life, namely, a state of spiritual life. In Ezekiel:
The city of bloods, polluted by name (Ezek. 22:2, 5).
“The city of bloods” is the doctrine that offers violence to the good of charity; this is said to be “polluted by name” when it abounds with falsities and evils therefrom, which constitute its quality.
sRef Ex@33 @12 S4′ sRef Ex@33 @17 S4′ sRef Rev@3 @5 S4′ sRef Rev@3 @12 S4′ sRef Rev@3 @4 S4′ sRef Rev@22 @4 S4′ sRef Rev@13 @8 S4′ [4] In Moses:
Moses said unto Jehovah, Thou hast said, I know thee by thy name. And Jehovah said unto Moses, This word also that thou hast spoken I will do, for I know thee by name (Exod. 33:12, 17).
“His knowing Moses by name” is knowing his quality. In Revelation:
Thou hast a few names in Sardis which have not defiled their garments. He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white garments, and I will confess his name before My Father. He 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 (Rev. 3:4, 5, 12).
It can be seen that “name” here signifies the quality of state in respect to the good of love and the truth of faith. In another place:
Whose names have not been written in the book of life (Rev. 13:8; 17:8).
“Names written in the book of life” are the quality of all things of man’s love and faith, the all things of his spiritual life. In another place:
They shall see the face of God and the Lamb, and His name shall be in their forehead (Rev. 22:4).
“His name in their forehead” is a state of love, for “forehead” corresponds to love, and therefore signifies love.
[5] “Name” in the Word signifies the quality of man’s state, because 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 these ideas fall into words. (This can be seen more clearly from what is shown on The Speech of the Angels in Heaven, in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 234-245; also see above, n. 102, 135, where it is shown what “the name of Jehovah,” “of the Lord,” and “of Jesus Christ” signify in the Word.)

sRef Rev@2 @21 S0′ sRef Rev@2 @25 S0′ sRef Rev@2 @22 S0′ sRef Rev@2 @20 S0′ sRef Rev@2 @27 S0′ sRef Rev@2 @24 S0′ sRef Rev@2 @29 S0′ sRef Rev@2 @28 S0′ sRef Rev@2 @19 S0′ sRef Rev@2 @26 S0′ sRef Rev@2 @18 S0′ sRef Rev@2 @23 S0′ 149. Verses 18-29. And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: These things saith the Son of God, that hath His eyes as a flame of fire, and His feet like burnished brass, I know thy works and charity, and ministry and faith, and thine endurance, and thy works, and the last to be more than the first. But I have against thee a few things, that thou sufferest the woman Jezebel, that calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit whoredom, and to eat idol-sacrifices. And I gave her time that she might repent of her whoredom, and she repented not. Behold, I cast her into a bed, and those that commit adultery with her into great affliction, except they repent of their works. And her sons I will kill with death; and all the churches shall know that I am He that searcheth the reins and hearts; and I will give to each one of you according to your 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 say; I put upon you no other burden. Nevertheless, that which ye have hold fast till I come. And he that overcometh and keepeth My works unto the end, I will give him power over the nations. And he shall rule them with an iron rod; as earthen vessels shall they be shivered, as I also have received from 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. 18. “And to 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 (n. 150); “These things saith the Son of man”* signifies the Lord in respect to the Divine Human, from which is that essential of the church (n. 151); “that hath His eyes as a flame of fire,” signifies Divine Providence from His Divine love and Divine wisdom and intelligence communicated to those who are in love towards Him and from that in faith in Him (n.152); “and His feet like burnished brass,” signifies the ultimate of Divine order, which is the natural, full of Divine love (n. 153). 19. “I know thy works and charity,” signifies the internal of those who are of the church (n. 154); “and ministry and faith,” signifies good and truth therein (n. 155); “and thine endurance,” signifies conjunction with the external [and consequent combat] (n. 156); “and thy works, and the last to be more than the first,” signifies the externals that are therefrom (n. 157). 20. “But I have against thee a few things,” signifies that heed should be taken (n. 158); “that thou sufferest the woman Jezebel,” signifies the delight of the love of self and of the world (159); “that calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce My servants,” signifies that the doctrine of all falsities is therefrom (n. 160); “to commit whoredom and to eat idol-sacrifices,” signifies the falsifications of truth and the adulterations of good (n. 161). 21. “And I gave her time that she might repent of her whoredom, and she repented not,” signifies that those who are in falsities therefrom do not turn themselves to truths by means of truths (n. 162). 22. “Behold, I cast her into a bed,” signifies that they are left to their natural man, and to the doctrine of falsities therein (n. 163); “and those that commit adultery with her into great affliction,” signifies the grievous temptations of those who addict themselves to the falsities of such (n. 164); “except they repent of their works,” signifies except they separate themselves from them (n. 165). 23. “And her sons I will kill with death,” signifies that thus falsities are extinguished (n. 166); “and all the churches shall know that I am He that searcheth the reins and hearts,” signifies the acknowledgment of all who are of the church that the Lord alone knows and explores the exteriors and interiors, and the things that are of faith and of love (n. 167); “and I will give to each one of you according to your works” signifies eternal blessedness according to one’s internal in the external (n. 168). 24. “But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira,” signifies to all and each one with whom the internal is conjoined to the external (n. 169); “as many as have not this doctrine,” signifies with whom external delight, which is the delight of the love of self and of the world, is not dominant (n. 170); “and who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say,” signifies entanglement with these (n. 171); “I put upon you no other burden,” signifies that this alone should be guarded against (n. 172). 25. “Nevertheless, that which ye have hold fast till I come,” signifies steadfastness in a state of love and of faith, even until visitation (n. 173). 26. “And he that overcometh and keepeth My works unto the end,” signifies perseverance in love and faith after combat against these loves, and their removal as far as possible (n. 174); “I will give him power over the nations,” signifies over the evils within him, which will then be scattered by the Lord (n. 175). 27. “And he shall rule them with an iron rod,” signifies that he is about to chastise evils by means of truths, that are in the natural man (n. 176); “as earthen vessels shall they be shivered,” signifies the total dispersion of falsities (n. 177); “as I also have received from My Father,” signifies comparatively as the Lord from His Divine, when He glorified His Human (n. 178). 28. “And I will give him the morning star,” signifies intelligence and wisdom from the Lord’s Divine Human (n. 179). 29. “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 (n. 180).
* In Greek: “Son of God,” as just above; but here the Latin has “Son of man,” as also in Apocalypse Explained, n. 98, 250; Apocalypse Revealed, n. 70, 125.

sRef Rev@2 @18 S0′ 150. Verse 18. And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write, signifies those of the church with whom the internal and the external, or the spiritual and natural man, make one. This is evident from what is written to this angel understood in the internal sense, which treats of the conjunction of the internal or spiritual man with the external or natural man, or concerning those of the church in whom these are conjoined. In every man there is an internal and an external; his internal is what is called the spiritual man, the external what is called the natural man. When man is born, the external or natural man is first opened; and afterwards, as he grows up and is perfected in intelligence and wisdom, the internal or spiritual man is opened. The external or natural man is opened by such things as man derives from the world, while the internal or spiritual man is opened by such things as he derives from heaven; for the external or natural man is formed for receiving such things as are in the world, but the internal or spiritual man for receiving such things as are in heaven. The things in the world, for receiving which the external or natural man is formed, have reference, in general, to all things of civil and moral life; while the things in heaven, for receiving which the internal or spiritual man is formed, have reference, in general, to all things of love and faith.
[2] Since there are these two in man, and each separately must be opened by means proper to it, it is clear that unless the internal is opened by its proper means man continues merely natural, and his internal in that case is closed. But those with whom the internal is closed are not men of the church; for the church with man is formed through communication with heaven: and there is no communication with heaven unless man’s internal is opened by its proper means, all which have reference, as was said above, to love and faith. It is to be known, moreover, that with the man of the church, that is, the man who has been regenerated by the Lord by means of truths called truths of faith and by means of a life according to them, the internal and external or the spiritual and natural man are conjoined, and that this conjunction is effected by correspondences. (The nature of correspondences, and therefore the nature of the conjunction effected by them can be seen from what is shown about them in The Arcana Coelestia, and cited from that work in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 261.)
[3] Now since a man does not become a man of the church until his internal or spiritual man has been opened and until this has been conjoined with the external or natural man, those within the church in whom this conjunction is effected are now treated of; for (as was said above, n. 20) by “the seven churches” are not meant seven churches, but all in general who are of the Lord’s church; consequently what is written to the angel of each church treats of such things as constitute the church; here, therefore, that is, “to the angel of the church of Thyatira,” the internal and external are treated of, and the conjunction of the two in those of the church. (But as hitherto it has not been known that these two are actually in man, and that they must be opened and conjoined that man may be a man of the church; and as these things cannot be made clear in a few words, therefore they have been treated of in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 36-53, 179-182.)

sRef Rev@2 @18 S0′ 151. These things saith the Son of man, signifies the Lord in respect to the Divine Human, from which is that essential of the church. This is evident from the signification of “the Son of man,” as being the Lord in respect to the Divine Human, and in respect to Divine truth, since Divine truth proceeds from Him (see above, n. 63); also as being that from which is that essential of the church, namely, the opening of the internal or spiritual man, and the conjunction thereof with the external, since everything of the church with man is from the Lord’s Divine Human. For everything of love and faith, which two constitute the church, proceeds from the Lord’s Divine Human, and not immediately from the Divine Itself; for what proceeds immediately from His Divine Itself, does not fall into any thought and affection of man, nor consequently into faith and love, because it is far above them. This can be seen from the fact that man is not able to think of the Divine Itself apart from the human form, except as he thinks of nature, as it were, in things least. Thought that is not determined to a certain figure is diffused in every direction, and what is diffused is dissipated. This has been given me to know most especially from those in the other life who are from the Christian world, who have thought only of the Father, and not of the Lord, that they make nature in its minutest parts their God, and finally fall away from all idea of God, consequently from the idea and faith in anything of heaven and the church.
[2] It is otherwise with those who have thought of God under the human form; these have all their ideas determined to the Divine, nor do their thoughts, like the thoughts of those mentioned before, wander in every direction. And as the Divine under the Human form, is the Lord’s Divine Human, therefore the Lord bends and determines their thoughts and affections to Himself. This, because it is the primary truth of the church, unceasingly flows in out of heaven with man; consequently it is, as it were, implanted in everyone to think of the Divine under the human form, and thus to see His Divine inwardly in himself, with the exception of such as have extinguished in themselves this implanted thought (see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 82). From this the reason can also be seen, why all men, whatsoever after death, when they become spirits, turn themselves to their own loves, and thus why those who have worshiped the Divine under the human form turn themselves to the Lord, who appears to them as a sun above the heavens. But those who have not worshiped the Divine under the human form, turn themselves to the loves of their natural man, all of which have reference to the loves of self and the world, thus turning backwards from the Lord; and turning oneself backwards from the Lord is turning towards hell. (That all in the spiritual world turn themselves to their own loves, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 17, 123, 142-145, 151, 153, 255, 272, 510, 548, 552, 561.)
[3] All who lived in ancient times and worshiped the Divine saw the Divine in thought under the human form, and hardly anyone thought of an invisible Divine; and the Divine under the human form was even then the Divine Human. But as this Divine Human was the Divine of the Lord in the heavens and passing through the heavens, when at length heaven became enfeebled, because men, of whom heaven is made up, from internal successively became external and thus natural, therefore it pleased the Divine Itself to put on a human, and to glorify it, 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 might save those who acknowledge and worship His Divine in the Human.
sRef John@1 @2 S4′ sRef John@1 @8 S4′ sRef John@1 @1 S4′ sRef John@1 @9 S4′ sRef John@1 @7 S4′ sRef John@1 @6 S4′ sRef John@1 @4 S4′ sRef John@1 @5 S4′ sRef John@1 @10 S4′ sRef John@1 @14 S4′ sRef John@1 @13 S4′ sRef John@1 @12 S4′ sRef John@1 @3 S4′ sRef John@1 @11 S4′ [4] This is clearly stated in many passages in the Old Testament Prophets, as well as in the Evangelists; of these I will cite 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 through Him, and without Him was not anything made that hath been made. In Him was life; and the life was the light of men. And that Light shineth in the darkness; and the darkness apprehended it not. It was the true Light, which lighteth every man coming into the world. He was in the world, but the world acknowledged Him not. And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory (John 1:1-14).
It is plainly evident that the Lord in respect to the Human is here meant by “the Word,” for it is said, “the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory.” It is also evident that the Lord made His Human to be Divine, for it is said, “the Word was with God and God was the Word, and this became flesh,” that is, a man. And since all Divine truth proceeds from the Lord’s Divine Human, and this is His Divine in the heavens, therefore by “the Word” is also signified Divine truth; and thence He is said to be “the Light which lighted every man coming into the world.” Moreover, “light” is Divine truth; and because men from being internal became so external or natural as no longer to acknowledge Divine truth or the Lord, therefore it is said that “the darkness apprehended not the light,” and that “the world acknowledged Him not.” (That the Word is the Lord in respect to the Divine Human and Divine truth proceeding therefrom, see The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 263, 304. That “light” is Divine truth, and “darkness” the falsities in which those are who are not in the light, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 126-140, 275.)
sRef John@1 @12 S5′ sRef John@1 @13 S5′ [5] That they who acknowledge the Lord and worship Him from love and faith, and are not in the love of self and the love of the world, are regenerated and saved, is also taught in these words in John:
As many as received Him, to them gave He power to be children of God, even 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, but of God (John 1:12, 13).
Here “of bloods” means such as destroy love and charity. “The will of the flesh” is every evil from the love of self and love of the world, also man’s will-proprium, which in itself is nothing but evil; “the will of man” is falsity thence that comes from that will-proprium. That those who are not in these loves receive the Lord and are regenerated and saved, is meant by its being said that those who “believe in His name become children of God,” and are “born of God.” (That to “believe in the Lord’s name” is to acknowledge His Divine Human and to receive love and faith from Him, see above. n. 102-135. That “bloods” are the things that destroy love and charity, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 4735, 5476, 9127; that “flesh” is man’s will-proprium, which in itself is nothing but evil, n. 210, 215, 731, 874-876, 987, 1047, 2307, 2308, 3518, 3701, 3812, 4328, 8480, 8550, 10283, 10284, 10286, 10732; and that man’s proprium is the love of self and the love of the world, n. 694, 731, 4317, 5660. That “man” [vir] is the intellectual, and therefore truth or falsity, since the intellectual is of the one or the other, see n. 3134, 3309, 9007. Thus “the will of man” [viri] is the intelligence-proprium, which, when it exists from the will-proprium [which in itself is nothing but evil], is nothing but falsity, for where evil is in the will there is falsity in the understanding. That to be “born of God” is to be regenerated by the Lord, see 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 in the human form, see Earths in the Universe, n. 98, 121, 141, 154, 158, 159, 169; likewise all angels of the higher heavens, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 78-86.)
[6] From this it can now be seen that everything of the church, thus also everything of heaven with men, is from the Lord’s Divine Human. For this reason “the Son of man,” who is the Divine Human, is described in the first chapter of Revelation by various representatives; and from that description the introductory sentences to each of the churches are taken (as may be seen above, n. 113), and what is said to this church in particular treats of this chief essential of the church, namely, 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 God, that hath His eyes as a flame of fire.”

sRef Rev@2 @18 S0′ 152. That hath His eyes as a flame of fire, signifies Divine Providence from His Divine love, also Divine wisdom and intelligence communicated to those who are in love towards Him and from that in faith in Him. That “eyes as a flame of fire,” means in reference to the Lord, His Divine Providence from His Divine love, see above (n. 68). This means also Divine wisdom and intelligence communicated to those who are in love towards the Lord, and from that in faith in Him, because “eyes” in the Word signify in reference to man the understanding of truth, and the understanding of truth is intelligence and wisdom; consequently “eyes” signify, in reference to the Lord, Divine wisdom and intelligence proceeding from Him; and what proceeds from Him is communicated to angels and to men who are in love towards Him and from that in faith in Him. All the wisdom and intelligence that angels and men have is the Lord’s with them and not their own; and this is also well known in the church; for it is known that all good, which is of love, and all truth, which is of faith, are from God, and nothing thereof from man; and truths interiorly seen and acknowledged constitute intelligence, and these together with goods interiorly perceived and thence seen constitute wisdom. From this then it is that “having His eyes as a flame of fire” also signifies the Lord’s Divine wisdom and intelligence communicated to those who are in the goods of love, and from that in faith in Him.
[2] “Eyes” signify the understanding, because all the sight of the eyes with men and angels is from the understanding. That all the sight of the eyes is from the understanding must sound absurd to those who are ignorant of the interior causes of things, out of which effects are presented in the body; those ignorant of these causes believe no otherwise than 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 yet it is the interior life of man, the life of his spirit, which is the life of his understanding and will, or of his thought and affection that, through the organs of the body, has sensation of the things that are in the world, and thus perceives them naturally. The whole body, with all its sensories, is merely an instrument of its soul, or of its spirit; which is also the reason that when man’s spirit is separated from the body the body has no sensation whatever, but the spirit afterwards continues to have sensation as before. (That man’s spirit sees, hears, and feels, after it is released from the body equally as before while in the body, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 461-469; and on The Correspondence of the Understanding with the Sight of the Eye, see Arcana Coelestia n. 4403-4421, 4523-4534.) With beasts, moreover, their interior life, which is also called their soul, has sensation equally through the external organs of their body, but with a difference, in that the sensation of the beast is not rational like man’s, thus is not formed from an understanding and will such as man has (see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 108; and The Last Judgment, n. 25).
[3] From this, then, it is, that by “eye” in the Word is signified the understanding of truth, or intelligence and wisdom, as may be seen from the following passages. In Isaiah:
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 (Isa. 6:9-10; John 12:40).
“To smear the eyes, lest they see with their eyes,” is to darken the understanding, that they may not understand.
sRef Isa@29 @10 S4′ [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 (Isa. 29:10);
where “He hath closed the eyes; the prophets and the heads, and the seers hath He covered,” is the understanding of truth. “Prophets” are those that teach truths, who are also called “heads,” because the head signifies intelligence, and are also called “seers” from the revelation of Divine truth with them.
sRef Isa@33 @17 S5′ sRef Isa@33 @15 S5′ sRef Isa@32 @3 S5′ [5] In the same:
The eyes of them that see shall not be closed, and the ears of them that hear shall hearken (Isa. 32:3).
“The eyes of them that see” means of those that understand truths. In the same:
Who shutteth his eyes from seeing evil. Thine eyes shall behold the king in his beauty (Isa. 33:15, 17).
“To shut the eyes from seeing evil” is not to admit evil into the thought; “their eyes shall behold the king in his beauty” is that they are to understand truth in its light with pleasantness; for by “king” here is not meant a king but truth (see above, n. 31).
sRef Lam@5 @16 S6′ sRef Jer@5 @21 S6′ sRef Lam@5 @17 S6′ [6] In Jeremiah:
Hear now this, O foolish people, who have no heart; who have eyes and see not; who have ears and hear not (Jer. 5:21; Ezek. 12:2).
In Lamentations:
The crown of our head hath fallen; for this our heart hath become faint; and for this our eyes have been darkened (Lam. 5:16, 17).
“The crown of the head” is wisdom (see above n. 126); the “faint heart” means that the will of good is no more (that “heart” is the will and love, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 95). “Eyes” are the understanding of truth, and they are said to be darkened when truth is no longer understood.
sRef Zech@11 @17 S7′ [7] In Zechariah:
The punishment of the shepherd forsaking the flock, a sword upon his right eye; and his right eye in growing dim shall be dimmed (Zech. 11:17).
“The sword upon the right eye,” and “the right eye in growing dim shall be dimmed,” means that all truth in the understanding is to perish through falsity (that “sword” is the destruction of truth by falsity, see above, n. 131).
sRef Zech@14 @12 S8′ [8] In the same:
The plague wherewith Jehovah will strike all the peoples that shall war against Jerusalem; their eyes shall consume away in their sockets (Zech. 14:12).
“The peoples that shall war against Jerusalem” are those that fight against the church; “Jerusalem” is the church; that “their eyes shall consume away” means that intelligence is to perish because they fight by falsities against truths.
sRef Zech@12 @4 S9′ [9] In Zechariah:
I will smite every horse with astonishment, and every horse of the peoples with blindness (Zech. 12:4).
Here the vastation of the church is treated of; by “horse” is signified the intellectual, therefore the understanding is meant when it is said that the horse should be smitten with astonishment and with blindness. (That “horse” signifies the intellectual, see the small treatise on The White Horse, n. 1-5.)
sRef Deut@16 @19 S10′ sRef Ps@13 @3 S10′ [10] In David:
Hear me, O Jehovah, my God; lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep [the sleep of] death (Ps. 13:4).
“Lighten the eyes” means the understanding. In Moses:
Thou shalt not take a gift, for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise (Deut. 16:19).
“To blind the eyes of the wise” is that they may not see or understand the truth.
sRef Matt@6 @22 S11′ sRef Matt@6 @23 S11′ [11] In Matthew:
The lamp of the body is the eye: if the eye be single the whole body is light; if the eye be evil the whole body is darkened. If therefore the light be darkness, how great is the darkness (Matt. 6:22, 23; Luke 11:34).
By “eye” here is not meant the eye, but the understanding; by “the eye single” the understanding of truth; by “the eye evil” the understanding of falsity; “darkness” is falsities; “the whole body” is the whole spirit, which is wholly such as the will is and the understanding therefrom; but if it has the understanding of truth from the will of good it is an angel of light; but if it has an understanding of falsity it is a spirit of darkness. By these words the reformation of man through the understanding of truth is described. From this it is clear that he who knows what “eye” signifies can know the arcanum of these words. That man is reformed by means of truths in the understanding, see above (n. 112, 126).
sRef Matt@5 @29 S12′ [12] In Matthew:
If thy right eye causeth thee to stumble, pluck it out, and cast it from thee; for it is better for thee to enter life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire (Matt. 5:29; 18:9; Mark 9:47).
Here also, by “eye” is not meant the eye, but the understanding thinking; by “the right eye causing to stumble” the understanding thinking evil; “plucking it out and casting it away” is not admitting such evil, but rejecting it; “having one eye” is the understanding thinking not evil, but truth only, for the understanding can think the truth; if it thinks evil it is from the will of evil. It is said “the right eye,” because “the right eye” signifies the understanding of good, and the “left eye” the understanding of truth (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 4410, 6923).
sRef Isa@42 @7 S13′ sRef Isa@43 @8 S13′ sRef Isa@42 @6 S13′ sRef Isa@35 @5 S13′ sRef Isa@29 @18 S13′ [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 thick darkness and out of darkness (Isa. 29:18).
In the same:
Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf (Isa. 35:5).
In the same:
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 dungeon, and them that sit in darkness out of the house of prison (Isa. 42:6, 7).
In the same:
Bring forth the blind people that have eyes, and the deaf that have ears (Isa. 43:8).
“To open the eyes of the blind” is to instruct those who as yet are ignorant of truths, but nevertheless have a longing for them, that is, the Gentiles. The like is signified by:
The Lord’s healing the blind (Matt. 9:27-29; 20:29 to the end; 21:14; Mark 8:23, 25; Luke 18:35 to the end; John 9:1-21);
for all the Lord’s miracles involved such things as pertain to the church and heaven, therefore they were Divine (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 7337, 8364, 9301).
sRef Lev@21 @18 S14′ sRef Lev@21 @17 S14′ sRef Lev@22 @22 S14′ sRef Lev@21 @19 S14′ sRef Lev@21 @22 S14′ sRef Lev@21 @21 S14′ sRef Lev@21 @20 S14′ sRef Lev@21 @23 S14′ sRef Lev@26 @16 S14′ [14] Because the “eye” signified the understanding it was among the statutes pertaining to the sons of Israel:
That no one of the seed of Aaron who was blind or had a blemish in the eye should come nigh to offer sacrifice, or enter within the veil (Lev. 21:17-23).
That what was blind should not be offered for a sacrifice (Lev. 22:22; Mal. 1:8);
so also among the curses was:
A fever that should consume the eyes (Lev. 26:16).
From all this it can now be known what is signified by “the eyes of the Son of God that were as a flame of fire,” namely, Divine wisdom and intelligence communicated to those who are in love towards the Lord and thence in faith in Him.
sRef Rev@4 @6 S15′ sRef Ezek@10 @12 S15′ sRef Rev@4 @8 S15′ [15] That His Divine Providence is also signified is evident from what was shown above (n. 68). To this may be added what is said of the cherubim in Ezekiel, and of the four animals about the throne in Revelation, which also signify the Divine Providence of the Lord, and in particular, a guard that the Lord be not approached except through good. In Ezekiel:
I saw, and 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 (Ezek. 10:9, 12).
In Revelation:
About the throne were four living creatures full of eyes before and behind; each one had wings full of eyes about and within (Rev. 4:6, 8).
These four “living creatures” also were cherubim, for the description of them is almost like that of the cherubim in Ezekiel. So many “eyes” are ascribed to them because the Lord’s Divine Providence, which is signified by “cherubim,” is His government of all things in the heavens and on the earth by Divine wisdom; for the Lord by Divine Providence sees all things, disposes all things, and looks out for all things. (That by “cherubim” is signified the Lord’s Divine Providence, and in particular, a guard that the Lord be not approached except through good, see n. 9277, 9509, 9673.)

sRef Rev@2 @18 S0′ 153. And His feet like burnished brass, signifies the ultimate of Divine order, which is the natural, full of Divine love, as is evident from what is said and shown above (n. 69), where similar words occur. As what is written to the angel of this church treats of the internal of the church, which is spiritual, and its external, which is natural, that they must make one (see above, n. 150), so it is prefaced by these things respecting the Lord, from whom is everything of the church, “These things saith the Son of God, that hath His eyes as a flame of fire, and His feet like unto burnished brass;” for in respect to man, “eyes” signify the internal, which is spiritual, and “feet” the external, which is natural; but in respect to the Lord, “eyes” and “feet” signify the Divine things from which are the internal and external with man.

sRef Rev@2 @19 S0′ 154. Verse 19. I know thy works and charity, signifies the internal of those who are of the church. This is evident from the signification of “works,” as being the things that are of the will, or of celestial love (of which see above, n. 98), and from the signification of “charity,” as being the things that are of spiritual love. “Works and charity” signifies the internal of the church, because its internal is made up of the things that are of the will or love, and its external of the things that are of the understanding and faith. There are two loves that constitute heaven or the church, love to the Lord and love towards the neighbor, or charity; love to the Lord is called celestial love, and love toward the neighbor, which is charity, is called spiritual love. They are so called for the reason that heaven is divided into two kingdoms, one called the celestial kingdom, the other the spiritual kingdom, consequently the loves that govern there are so called (see the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 13-19, 20-28 also Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 54-62, 84-100, where also it is shown what celestial love is, and what spiritual love, namely, that celestial love is to do the commandments of the Lord from the affection of the will, and spiritual love is to do them from the affection of the understanding). There are two things that constitute heaven or the church with man, namely, love and faith. Love resides in man’s will, for what man loves that he also wills; but faith resides in his understanding, for what a man believes that he also thinks, and thought is of the understanding.
[2] The internal of the celestial church, therefore, is to do the Lord’s commandments from the affection of the will, consequently from the love of good; while the internal of the spiritual church is to do the Lord’s commandments from the affection of the understanding, consequently from the love of truth. That doing the Lord’s commandments is loving Him, He Himself teaches in John (14:21, 23). The internal of the celestial church is what is meant by “works,” and the internal of the spiritual church is meant by “charity.” (But as these things cannot be explained in a few words, so as to be clearly perceived, see what is said respecting them in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, on The Will and Understanding, n. 28-36; on The Internal and the External Man, n. 36-53; on Love in General, n. 54-64; on Love towards the Neighbor, or Charity, n. 84-107; on Faith, n. 108-122; and in the work on Heaven and Hell, where Celestial Love and Spiritual Love are treated of, n. 13-19.)

sRef Rev@2 @19 S0′ 155. And ministry and faith, signifies good and truth therein. This is evident from the signification of “ministry,” as being good (of which presently); and from the signification of “faith,” as being truth. Faith signifies truth, because truth is of faith, and faith is of truth. “Ministry” signifies good, because in the Word “ministry” is predicated of good. For this reason the function of Aaron, of his sons, and of the Levites, and the priestly function in general, was called a “ministry.” For the same reason, “ministering” to Jehovah, or to the Lord, means to worship Him from the good of love. From this it is clear that “ministry” has reference to works, and “faith” to charity, of which just above, where it is said, “I know thy works and charity,” for faith and charity make one, since where there is no charity there is no faith (see The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 108-122; and the small work on The Last Judgment, n. 33-40).
sRef Ps@104 @4 S2′ [2] That “ministry” and “ministering” in the Word are predicated of the good of love can be seen from the following passages. In David:
Jehovah maketh His angels spirits, His ministers a flaming fire (Ps. 104:4).
Jehovah’s “making His angels spirits” means that they are recipients of Divine truth (see above, n. 130). “Making His ministers a flaming fire” means that they are recipients of Divine good for “flaming fire” signifies the good of love (see above, n. 68). From this it is clear that by “ministers” those who are in the good of love are meant.
sRef Ps@103 @21 S3′ [3] In the same:
Bless Jehovah, all ye His hosts; ye ministers of His that do His will (Ps. 103:21).
Those are called “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 do His will.” Doing the Lord’s will is acting 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 (Isa. 61:6).
Priests are called “ministers” because they represented the Lord in respect to the good of love; those, therefore, who are in the good of love are called “priests” in the Word (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2015, 6148, 9809, 10017); and for the same reason they are called “ministers of God.” On this account the function of Aaron and of his sons is called “a ministry;” also the function of the Levite priests; and entering into the tent of meeting and officiating in the ministry there, also approaching the altar and officiating in the ministry there, is called “ministering” (see Exod. 28:35; 30:20; Num. 8:15, 19, 24-26). And in Jeremiah:
Then shall My covenant become void with the Levites the priests, My ministers (Jer. 33:21).
(That Aaron represented the Lord in respect to the good of love, see Arcana Coelestia, 9806, 9946, 10017; likewise priests in general, n. 2015, 6148; consequently by “priesthood” in the Word the Divine good of the Lord’s Divine love is signified, 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] There are two kingdoms into which the whole heaven is divided, in one of which 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 in charity. The Lord’s celestial kingdom is called His “priesthood,” the spiritual kingdom His “royalty” (see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 24, 226). “Ministry” is predicated of those in the celestial kingdom, and “service” of those in the spiritual kingdom. From this it is clear what is meant in the following passages by “ministering” and “minister,” and by “serving” and “servant”:
Jesus said to the disciples, Whosoever would be great let him be your minister; and whosoever would be first, let him be your servant; as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister (Matt. 20:26-28; 23:11-12; Mark 9:35; Luke 22:24-27).
Jesus said, If any man will minister to Me let him follow Me; then where I am, there shall also My minister be; yea, if any man will minister to Me, him will My Father honor (John 12:26).
Jesus said, Blessed are those servants whom the Lord when He cometh shall find watching; I say unto you, that He shall gird Himself, and make them to recline to eat, and He will come forth and minister to them (Luke 12:37).
In Isaiah:
The sons of the alien that conjoin themselves to Jehovah to minister to Him, and to love the name of Jehovah (Isa. 56:6).
Because “ministering” is predicated of the good of love, “the sons of the alien” are said “to minister to Jehovah,” and “to love Him;” and of the Lord Himself it is said that “He would minister.” From all this it can now be seen that by “ministry” is signified everything that is done from the good of love, thus the good of love.

sRef Rev@2 @19 S0′ 156. And thine endurance, signifies conjunction with the external, and consequent combat. This is evident from the signification of “endurance,” as being in respect to those who are in the internal and the external of the church (who are here treated of), the conjunction of the internal with the external, and consequent combat. This is signified by “endurance,” because the conjunction of the internal with the external, or of the spiritual man with the natural, is effected by temptations; without these the two are not conjoined; therefore the combat by which that conjunction is effected, since man then suffers and endures, is signified by “endurance.” (That the internal man is conjoined with the external by temptations, which are spiritual combats, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 10685; and in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 190, 194, 199.)

sRef Rev@2 @19 S0′ 157. And thy works, and the last to be more than the first, signifies the externals that are therefrom. This is evident from the signification of “works,” as being externals in which are internals; for “works” are ultimate effects, in which internals are presented together, and are in a series therein; there they form their ultimate and fullness. The things that are of the thought and the will, and spiritually speaking, those that are of love and of faith, are called internal; these are in works, consequently “works” are ultimates. (That the interior things, which are of the mind, successively flow into external things, even into the extreme or ultimate, and that they have existence and subsistence therein, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 634, 6239, 6465, 9215-9216; that in the ultimate they also form what is simultaneous, in what series, see n. 5897, 6451, 8603, 10099; that the whole man is in his deeds or works, and that what is only willed and not done, when man is able to do, does not yet have existence, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 475-476.)
sRef Zech@6 @1 S2′ [2] To this I will add an arcanum not yet known. After death, man’s spirit appears in a human form according to the life of his affection while in the world; in a beautiful form if he lived a life of heavenly love; in an unbeautiful form if he lived a life of worldly love. It is from this that angels are forms of love and charity; yet their form is not so beautiful from the affection of thought and will alone as from the affection of these expressed in deeds or works; for deeds or works from the affection of the will and thought, or of love and faith, are what constitute the outward aspect of the spirit, thus the beauty of his face, body, and speech. The reason for this is, that as the interiors terminate in deeds or works as into their extremes, so do they terminate in the outward form of the body. For it is well known that everything of man’s will terminates in the extremes of his body. Any part of the body in which the will does not terminate is not a part of the body; as is evident from the actions of the body, even the least of them; for these all flow from the impulse of the will and are manifested in the extremes of the body (see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 59, 60; and in the small work on The Last Judgment, n. 30, 31).
[3] The same is manifest from this, that man’s spirit is altogether as his will is; not as his will is that does not go forth into act when it can (that will is nothing but thought in which there is an appearance of wing), but as the actual will is, which has no other desire than to act; this will is the same with man’s love; in accordance with this is the whole spirit and its human form. (That the will or love is the spirit itself, see above, n. 105; and in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 479.) On this account it is so often said in the Word that man ought “to do the Lord’s commandments,” and that he will be recompensed according to his “doings,” that is, according to the love in deeds, but not according to the love without deeds, when doing is possible.
[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 the works are more full of love after the conjunction of the internal man with the external; for the more the internal is conjoined with the external the more there is of the internal in externals; consequently in the deeds or works; for externals or works are nothing but effects of the interiors which are of the will and of the thought therefrom; and effects derive their all from the internals from which they exist, as motion does from its conatus. In man the conatus is the will, and the motion therefrom is action.
[5] From what has been explained in this verse it can be seen in what order the conjunction of the internal with the external in the man of the church is described, namely, 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 externals therefrom by “I know thy works, and the last to be more than the first.” That such things are involved in these words no one can see from the sense of the letter, but only from the spiritual sense which is within the literal sense.

sRef Rev@3 @2 S0′ sRef Rev@2 @20 S0′ 158. Verse 20. But I have against thee a few things, signifies that heed should be taken, as is evident from what follows, for it is there told of what things heed should be taken.

sRef Rev@2 @20 S0′ sRef Rev@3 @2 S0′ 159. That thou sufferest the woman Jezebel, signifies the delight of the love of self and of the world. This is evident from the signification of “the woman Jezebel,” as being the church wholly perverted; for “woman” in the Word signifies the Church (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 252, 253, 749, 770, 6014, 7337, 8994), here the church perverted. And as all perversion of the church springs from those two loves, namely, from the love of self and the love of the world, “Jezebel” signifies the delight of these loves. The church in which these loves reign is called “the woman Jezebel,” because Jezebel the wife of Ahab represented in the Word the delight of these loves, and the perversion of the church thereby. For all things that are written in the Word, even in the historical portion, are representative of such things as are of the church (see The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 249-266). Every perversion of the church springs from these two loves when they reign over the heavenly loves, because these two loves are altogether opposite to the two loves that constitute heaven and the church, which are love to the Lord and love towards the neighbor, and because from these two loves all evils and the falsities thence spring (see in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 59, 61, 65-82 and in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 252, 396, 399, 400, 486, 551-565, 566-575).
[2] That Jezebel the wife of Ahab represented what has been said will be seen presently; but something shall first be said about the delights of loves. Every man is such as his love is, and every delight of his life is from his love; for whatever favors his love he perceives as delightful, and whatever is adverse to his love he perceives as undelightful; consequently it is the same whether it be said that man is such as his love is, or such as his life’s delight is. Those, therefore, who are loves of self and of the world, that is, they, with whom these loves reign, have no other life’s delight or no other life than infernal life. For these loves, or the life’s delights from them that are permanent, turn all their thoughts and intentions to self and the world; and so far as they turn them to self and to the world, they so far immerse them in man’s proprium [what is his own], which he has by inheritance, thus at the same time in evils of every kind; and so far as man’s thoughts and intentions are turned to his inherited proprium, which in itself is nothing but evil, so far are they turned away from heaven. For man’s interiors, which are of his mind, that is, of his thought and intention, or of his understanding and will, are actually turned to his own loves, that is, downwards to self where the love of self and its delights reign, and outwards, that is, away from heaven towards the world, where the love of the world and its delights reign. It is otherwise when man loves God above all things, and his neighbor as himself; then the Lord turns the interiors which are of man’s mind, or of his thought and intention, to Himself, thus turning them away from man’s proprium [what is his own], and elevating them; and this without man’s knowing anything about it. From this it is that man’s spirit, which is the man himself, after its release from the body is actually turned to its own love, because that constitutes his life’s delight, that is, his life. (That all spirits are actually turned to their own loves, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 17, 123, 142-145, 151, 153, 272, 510, 548, 552, 561; and above, n. 41.)
[3] This may be illustrated somewhat by the fact that all the least parts of the body turn themselves to the common center of our earth, which is called the center of gravity; and from this it is that wheresoever men are, even those who are in directly opposite positions, and are called antipodes, all stand upon their feet. Yet this center of gravity is merely nature’s center of gravity; but there is another center of gravity in the spiritual world, and this, with man, is determined by the love in which he is, downwards if his love is infernal, but upwards if his love is heavenly; and whichever way man’s love is determined, in the same way his thoughts and intentions are determined; for these are in the spiritual world, and are impelled by the forces that are there.
[4] From this it can now be seen that the perversion of the church with men, which is signified by “the woman Jezebel,” is solely from the loves of self and of the world, since these turn man’s interiors, which are of his mind, downward, thus turning them away from heaven. It is said “the perversion of the church with men,” because the church is in man, as heaven is in the angel; every church is constituted of those that are of the church, and not of any others, even though they may be born where the church is; as can be clearly seen from this, that love and faith constitute the church, and love and faith must be in man, consequently the church must be in him. (That heaven is in the angel, and the church in man, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 33, 53, 54, 57, 454; and in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 232, 233, 241, 245, 246.)

sRef Rev@2 @20 S0′ sRef Rev@3 @2 S0′ 160. That calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce My servants, signifies that the doctrine of all falsities is therefrom. This is evident from the signification of a “prophet,” as being one who teaches truths, and abstractly from persons, the doctrine of truth (of which, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2534, 7269); therefore in the contrary sense by a “prophet” those who teach falsities are meant, and abstractly from persons, the doctrine of falsities, and the like is here meant by “prophetess.” Because “prophetess” here signifies one who teaches falsities and the doctrine of all falsities, it is therefore added that “she teaches and seduces the servants of the Lord.” It is said “to teach and to seduce,” because “to teach” is predicated of truths and falsities, and to “seduce” of goods and evils; and those who are in truths are called in the Word “servants of the Lord,” and those who are in good are called “ministers” (see above, n. 155). It is said of Jezebel that she “calleth herself a prophetess,” not that Jezebel the wife of Ahab called herself a prophetess, but this is said because “Jezebel” signifies the delight of the love of self and the world; and this delight teaches and seduces those who are in truths. For everyone, when he thinks by himself, thinks from his own love, and thus imbues himself with falsities, which is “to teach and to seduce.” Of Jezebel we read in the Word:
That Ahab the king of Israel took to wife Jezebel the daughter of the king of the Zidonians, and that he went away and served Baal, and reared up to him an altar in Samaria, and made a grove (1 Kings 16:31-33);
And that Jezebel slew the prophets of Jehovah (1 Kings 18:4, 13);
And that she wished to slay Elijah also (1 Kings 19:1-2 seq.);
And that through craft, by substituting false witnesses, she took away the vineyard from Naboth, and slew him (1 Kings 21:6-7 seq.);
It was therefore predicted by Elijah that dogs should eat her (1 Kings 21:23; 2 Kings 9:10);
And afterwards, by the command of Jehu, she was thrown out of the window, and some of her blood was sprinkled upon the wall and upon the horses that trod her under foot (2 Kings 9:32-34).
[2] By all these things the perversion of the church by the delight of the love of self and the world, and by the evils and falsities flowing forth therefrom, was represented. For all the historical parts of the Word, as well as the prophetical, are representative of such things as are of the church. “Baal” whom Ahab served, and to whom he raised up an altar, signifies the worship from the evils of the love of self and the world; the “grove” which he made signifies worship from the falsities therefrom. That “Jezebel slew the prophets of Jehovah” signifies the destruction of the church in respect to its truths; that “she wished to slay Elijah also” signifies a desire to annihilate the Word, for Elijah represented the Word. “The vineyard which by means of false witnesses she took away from Naboth” signifies the falsification of truth and the adulteration of good; the prophecy of Elijah that “dogs should eat her” signifies uncleanness and profanation. That “she was thrown out of a window, and some of her blood was sprinkled upon the wall and upon the horses that trod her under foot,” signifies the lot of those who are of that character; what the lot of such will be can be seen from the internal sense of the particulars there. From this it can be seen that by “the woman Jezebel, who calleth herself a prophetess,” no other Jezebel is meant than Jezebel the wife of Ahab, spoken of in the Word; and that by her those are described who are in the doctrine of all falsities from the delights of the loves of self and of the world.

sRef Rev@2 @21 S0′ sRef Rev@2 @20 S0′ sRef 2Ki@9 @22 S0′ 161. To commit whoredom, and to eat idol sacrifices, signifies falsifications of truth and adulterations of good. This is evident from the signification of “committing whoredom,” as being to falsify truths (of which see above, n. 141), and from the signification of “eating idol sacrifices,” as being to appropriate evil (of which see also above, n. 141); to adulterate good is also signified, because appropriations of evil are, in things of the church, adulterations of good; for it is an application of its goods to evils, thus adulterating them. For example, the goods of the Israelitish church were signified by the altar, the sacrifices, and eating together of the things sacrificed; when these things were given over to Baal, goods were applied to evils (besides other like instances). It is the like in a church in which there are no representatives, when the Word is applied to confirm the evils of self, as is done by the papal body to gain dominion over the universal heaven. That “to commit whoredom and to eat idol sacrifices” signifies to falsify truths and adulterate goods, is also clear from this, that the deeds of Jezebel are in one expression called “whoredoms” and “witchcrafts,” in the second book of Kings:
When Jehoram saw Jehu, he said, Is it peace, Jehu? and he said, What peace, so long as the whoredoms of thy mother Jezebel and her witchcrafts are many? (2 Kings 9:22).

sRef Rev@2 @21 S0′ 162. Verse 21. And I gave her time that she might repent of her whoredom, and she repented not, signifies that those who are in falsities therefrom do not turn themselves to truths nor by means of truths. This is evident from the signification of “repenting of whoredom,” as being to turn oneself from falsities to truths; for “whoredom” is the falsification of truth, and “to repent” is to turn oneself away from falsities; for repentance is an actual turning from falsities to truths, and dissociation and separation from falsities (see above, n. 143); also from the signification of “she repented not,” as being that they do not turn themselves from falsities to truths. These things are said of Jezebel, but those are meant who from the delight of the loves of self and the world have falsified truths and adulterated goods; for in the prophecies of the Word one person is named, and by that person are meant all of that character.
[2] Something shall be here said briefly about this statement that those who have falsified truths with themselves by applying them to the delights of self-love do not afterwards turn themselves to truths. Man sees from the Word the truths of the church from the spiritual or internal man and from its intellectual, but he does not receive them therein except to the extent that he loves them so as to wish to do them. When man so wills, his internal or spiritual man calls forth and elevates to itself, out of the natural man and its memory, the truths that are there, and conjoins them to the love that is of his will; thus the internal spiritual man, where man’s interior and higher mind resides, is opened and is successively filled and perfected. But if man permits the natural delight, which is the delight of the love of self and the world, to have dominion, then he views all things from that delight; and if he then sees truths he applies them to his own love and falsifies them. When this is done the internal spiritual man is closed; for as this is suited only to the reception of such things as are in heaven, it cannot bear that truths should be falsified; consequently when truths are falsified it contracts itself and closes almost, as a fibril does when touched by a prickle. When the internal is once closed, the love of self reigns, or the love of the world, or both together; and they form the external or natural man altogether in opposition to the internal or spiritual man. For this reason those who have falsified truths by applying them to the delights of the love of self and the world are unable afterwards to turn themselves to truths. This is what is here meant by these words, “I gave to the woman Jezebel time that she might repent of her whoredom, and she repented not.”

sRef Rev@2 @22 S0′ 163. Verse 22. Behold, I cast her into a bed, signifies that they are left to their natural man, and to the doctrine of falsities therein. This is evident from the signification of a “bed,” as being the natural man, also the doctrine of falsities (of which presently). What now follows treats of those who suffer themselves to be seduced by those who are in the doctrine of falsities from the delight of the love of self and the world, who are meant by “Jezebel” (as was said above). Those who suffer themselves to be seduced are not like those who have falsified truths and adulterated goods from the delight of those loves; for such have seen truths and have applied them to favor their delights, and have thus perverted them, and afterwards these are unable to turn themselves to truths and acknowledge them. These are treated of in the preceding article (n. 162). But those who have not done this, but have suffered themselves to be led away by those who have, have not so closed the internal or spiritual man with themselves; for they have not themselves falsified truths, but have put faith in those who have, because these falsities sound like truths. For these think no more deeply than that their leaders must be believed because they are intelligent and wise; thus they hang upon the lips of a master. There are many such at this day in Christendom, especially among those born in countries where the papal religion prevails. These are meant by those that commit adultery with Jezebel in a bed.
[2] “Bed” signifies the doctrine of falsities, and at the same time the natural man, because the doctrine of falsities has no other source than the natural man separated from the spiritual; and the natural man separated from the spiritual sees worldly things in light, but heavenly things in thick darkness; it sees falsity, therefore, in the place of truth, and evil in the place of good; moreover, if it sees truth it falsifies it, and if it sees good it adulterates it; for heaven flows into the natural or external man through the spiritual or internal man, and not immediately into the natural or external; into it the world flows immediately. And when the natural world with man is not governed by the spiritual world, the bond with heaven is broken; and when this is broken man makes the world his all, and heaven of little or no account; so also self as all, and God of little or no account. When the external or natural man is in such a state it is in falsities from the evils that spring forth out of the love of self and the world. As “bed,” therefore, signifies the natural man, it also signifies the doctrine of falsities.
sRef Amos@3 @12 S3′ [3] “Bed” signifies the natural man, because the natural man underlies the spiritual, thus the spiritual lies on it and on the things that are in it as on its own bed. That “bed” signifies the natural man, also the doctrinals that are in it, can be seen from the passages in the word where “bed” is mentioned, as in the following. In Amos:
As the shepherd hath rescued out of the mouth of the lion two legs and a bit of an ear, so shall the sons of Israel be rescued that dwell in Samaria on the corner of a bed, and on the end of a couch (Amos 3:12).
“Lion” signifies the church, here those therein that destroy goods and truths; “legs and a bit of an ear” are the goods that are in the natural man, and something of perception of truth therefrom; “the sons of Israel that dwell in Samaria” are those of the church; “on the corner of the bed, and on the end of a couch,” are those in a little natural light from the spiritual, and in some truths therefrom.
sRef Amos@6 @5 S4′ sRef Amos@6 @4 S4′ sRef Amos@6 @1 S4′ sRef Amos@6 @6 S4′ [4] In the same:
Woe to them that are at ease in Zion, and trust in the mountains of Samaria; to them that lie upon the beds of ivory, and stretch themselves upon their couches, and eat the lambs out of the flock, and the calves out of the midst of the stall; that devise for themselves instruments of song; that drink out of bowls of wine, and anoint themselves with the firstlings of the oils: but they are not grieved over the breach of Joseph (Amos 6:4-6).
Those that the “trust in the mountains of Samaria” are those that trust in themselves, and from self-intelligence hatch out doctrines. “Samaria” is the perverted spiritual church; “beds of ivory” are fallacies of the senses on which doctrine is founded; “to stretch themselves upon couches” is to confirm and multiply the falsities therefrom; “to eat the lambs out of the flock, and the calves out of the midst of the stall, to drink out of bowls of wine and to anoint themselves with the firstlings of the oils,” is to draw the truths and goods of the Word out of the sense of its letter and to apply and falsify them. “Not to be grieved over the breach of Joseph” is not to care that the spiritual church is perishing, and that its truths are being infringed upon. (That “Joseph” in the highest sense signifies the Lord in respect to the Divine spiritual; in the internal sense the Lord’s spiritual kingdom, thus also the spiritual church; and in the external sense the fructification of good and multiplication of truth, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3969, 3971, 4669, 6417, 6526.)
sRef Gen@49 @26 S5′ [5] In Moses:
May the blessings of thy father prevail above the blessings of my parents, may they be on the head of Joseph, and on the head of the bed* of his brethren (Gen. 49:26).
“Joseph,” as was said, is the Lord’s spiritual church; “the head of the bed of his brethren” is the spiritual that 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 complex, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3858, 3926, 4060, 6335).
sRef Luke@17 @35 S6′ sRef Luke@17 @34 S6′ sRef Luke@17 @36 S6′ [6] In Luke:
I say unto you, In that night there shall be two [men] in one bed; one shall be taken, the other shall be left. There shall be two [women] grinding together; one shall be taken, the other shall be left. There shall be two [men] in the field; one shall be taken, the other shall be left (Luke 17:34-36).
This treats of the consummation of the age, which is the last time of the church when judgment takes place. To be “in one bed” is to be in the same doctrine of the church; “two [women] grinding” are those that collect and learn such things as are serviceable to faith; “two [men] in the field” are those in the church that apply goods and truths to themselves. (That “those who grind” are those who collect and learn such things as are serviceable to faith, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 4335, 7780, 9995; that “field” means reception of truth and good, see n. 368, 3310, 9141, 9295.)
sRef John@5 @10 S7′ sRef John@5 @14 S7′ sRef John@5 @9 S7′ sRef John@5 @12 S7′ sRef John@5 @11 S7′ sRef Mark@2 @4 S7′ sRef Mark@2 @9 S7′ sRef Mark@2 @11 S7′ sRef Mark@2 @12 S7′ sRef John@5 @8 S7′ [7] In John:
Jesus said to the sick man at the pool of Bethsaida,** Arise, take up thy bed, and walk. And straightway the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked. Afterward Jesus findeth him, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole; sin no more, lest a worse thing befall thee (John 5:8-12, 14).
And in Mark:
They uncovered the roof where Jesus was, and they let down*** the bed whereon the sick of the palsy lay. Jesus said, Whether is easier to say, Thy sins are forgiven thee, or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed and walk? Then he said, Arise, take up thy bed, and walk and go unto thine house. And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all (Mark 2:4, 9, 11-12).
The Lord saying to these sick, “Arise, take up thy bed, and walk,” signifies doctrine, and a life according thereto; “bed” signifies doctrine, and “to walk” life (that ” walking” is living, see above, n. 97). “The sick man” signifies those that have transgressed and sinned; consequently the Lord said to the sick man at the pool of Bethsaida, “Behold, thou art made whole; sin no more, lest a worse thing befall thee;” and to the paralytic let down on a bed through the roof, “Whether it is easier to say, Thy sins are forgiven thee, or to say, Arise, take up thy bed, and walk?” Those who know nothing of the internal sense of the Word may believe that the words that the Lord spoke involve nothing more than what is obvious in the sense of the letter, when yet every particular of what the Lord spoke has a spiritual meaning, for He spoke from the Divine, and thus in the presence both of heaven and of the world (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2533, 4637, 4807, 9048, 9063, 9086, 10126, 10276).
sRef Deut@3 @11 S8′ [8] The bed of Og, the king of Bashan, is thus described in Moses:
Og, king of Bashan, remained 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. 3:11).
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,” those were signified who were in the love of self above others, and therefore natural above all others, and from a persuasion of their eminence over others were in falsities of every kind (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 581, 1268, 1270, 1271, 1673, 7686). And by “Bashan” the external of the church, thus the natural, was signified, for Bashan was outside the land of Canaan where the church was. On this account the bed of Og is described, which would not have been described unless such things had been signified by “Og;” for whatsoever is mentioned in the Word, even in the historical Word, is significative as to every expression. From this it is that the Word is spiritual in each and every particular, and therefore Divine from inmosts to ultimates. On this account, also, it is said that the bed was “of iron,” that it was “in Rabbah of the sons of Ammon,” and that “nine cubits was the length thereof, and four cubits the breadth of it, after the cubit of a man.” For “iron” signifies what is natural (see below, n. 176); “Rabbah of Ammon” signifies the falsifications of truth (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2468); and “nine cubits the length thereof, and four cubits the breadth of it,” signifies the conjunction of evil and falsity.
sRef Lev@15 @4 S9′ sRef Gen@49 @33 S9′ sRef Lev@15 @5 S9′ [9] From this it can be seen what the Word is in its bosom. Because “bed” signifies doctrine, it was among the statutes in the church with the sons of Israel:
That every bed whereon he that hath the issue lieth should be unclean; and that the man who touched his bed should wash his clothes, and bathe himself in waters (Lev. 15:4-5).
“Having the issue” signifies those who are in natural love, separate from spiritual love; “washing the clothes, and bathing himself in waters,” signifies purification by the truths of faith (see The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 202-209). Because “Jacob” in the Word signifies the external church, which is with those who are in natural light, and who live a moral life from the obedience of faith, though not from internal affection, when “Jacob” is spoken of there is in the spiritual world above on the right side, the appearance of a man lying in a bed; therefore in the Word it is said of him when he was dying:
When Jacob had made an end of charging his sons, he gathered up his feet upon his bed and expired (Gen. 49:33).
It is said “he gathered up his feet upon the bed,” because “feet” also signify the natural (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2162, 3147, 3761, 3986, 4280, 4938-4952).
* The word lectus here is a participle, meaning one chosen. Swedenborg read it in his Latin Bible for the noun lectus, a bed. In other places he translates the word “chosen.”
** The common reading is “Bethesda,” though a number of the Greek manuscripts, with Swedenborg, have “Bethsaida.”
*** The Latin has dimiserunt, “let go,” for which the Latin editor reads demiserunt, “let down.”

sRef Rev@2 @22 S0′ 164. And those that commit adultery with her into great affliction, signifies grievous temptations for those who addict themselves to the falsities of such. This is evident from the signification of “committing adultery,” as being to falsify truths (see above, n. 141) therefore “to commit adultery with Jezebel” is to surrender oneself to the falsities of those signified by “Jezebel;” and from the signification of “affliction,” as being the infestation of truth by falsities (see above, n. 47), here temptation, since temptation with man is nothing else but infestation of truth by falsities (see The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 188, 196, 197); therefore “casting those who commit adultery with her into great affliction” signifies the grievous temptations of those who addict themselves to the falsities of such.
Here those are treated of with whom the spiritual or internal man is not so closed, because they are in some spiritual affection of truth, and yet they suffer themselves to be seduced by those who are in the doctrine of falsities (see above, n. 162). As these receive falsities into the memory of their natural man, with which falsities the internal spiritual man cannot agree, for this receives nothing but truths, a combat arises between the spiritual and the natural man. This combat is temptation, and this is signified by “great affliction.” (That temptation is the combat between the spiritual and natural man, see in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 190, 194, 197, 199.)

sRef Rev@2 @22 S0′ 165. Except they repent of their works, signifies except they separate themselves from them. This is evident from the signification of “repenting,” as being to separate oneself from falsities (of which see above, n. 143); also from the signification of “works,” which are here whoredoms with Jezebel, by which are signified the reception of falsities (of which see just above, n. 163). To separate oneself from these is to repent, and to repent is to refrain from evils and falsities, and afterwards to shun them and to have them in aversion (see The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 161, 165, 169 seq.)

sRef Rev@2 @23 S0′ 166. Verse 23. And her sons I will kill with death, signifies that thus falsities are extinguished. This is evident from the signification of “sons,” as being truths of the church from the Word, and, in the contrary sense, falsities (of which presently); also from the signification of “king with death,” as being to extinguish; for falsities are separated, and as it were extinguished by temptations, and by man’s refraining from them, and shunning them, and holding them in aversion. “Sons” in the Word signify truths, and in the contrary sense falsities, because the spiritual sense of the Word treats only of such things as relate to the church and heaven; and all things of the church and of heaven have reference to the goods which are of love, and to the truths which are of faith. From this it is that the names of kinships and relationships, as husband, wife, son, daughter, brother, sister, daughter-in-law, son-in-law, and 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 that are born of this marriage are likewise goods and truths. From this it is that “daughters” in the Word signify goods, and “sons” truths, both derived from the good that is signified by “father,” and from the truth that is signified by “mother.” (That all the truths and goods that are with the regenerate man are conjoined according to spiritual relationships, and follow in order, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2508, 3815, 4121. That all who are in heaven are also associated according to spiritual relationships, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 205. That “sons” signify truths and the affections of truth, is shown in Arcana Coelestia, n. 489, 491, 533, 2623, 3373, 4257, 8649, 9807; that “sons of sons” signify truths in successive order, n. 6583, 6584; that by “father,” “mother,” “brethren,” “children,” goods and truths, or evils and falsities with man are signified, n. 10490; that “to smite the mother upon the sons,” is to destroy all things of the church, n. 4257; that the Lord called Himself “the Son of man,” because He was Divine truth, and because every truth of heaven and of the church proceeds from Him, see above, n. 63.)

sRef Rev@2 @23 S0′ 167. And all [the churches] shall know that I am He that searcheth the reins and hearts signifies the acknowledgment of all who are of the church, that the Lord alone knows and explores the exteriors and interiors, and the things that are of faith and love. This is evident from the signification of “searching,” as being, in reference to the Lord, that He alone knows and explores; also from the signification of “reins” as being the truths of faith and their purification from falsities (of which in what follows); also from the signification of “hearts,” as being the goods of love. “Heart” signifies the good of love, because there are two things that rule in man, and from these is the whole life of his body, namely the heart and the lungs. And as all things in man’s body correspond to the things that are in his mind, there are two things also that rule there, namely the will and the understanding. These two kingdoms of the mind correspond to the two kingdoms of the body, namely 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, not even a particle of it. As the heart corresponds to the will, so it corresponds to the good of love; and as the lungs correspond to the understanding, so they also correspond to the truths of faith. It is from this correspondence that “heart” signifies love, and “soul” signifies faith. It is from this that the expression “from the heart and soul” is so often used in the Word, by which is meant from love and faith. (As this correspondence is much treated of in the Arcana Coelestia, these things may be seen more fully explained there, namely, that “heart” in the Word signifies love; and because it signifies love, it also signifies the will, n. 2930, 3313, 7542, 8910, 9050, 9113, 10336. That the heart corresponds to the things that are of love with man, and the lungs to the things that are of faith with him, n. 3883-3896. That in heaven there is a pulse such as that of the heart, and a respiration such as that of the lungs, n. 3884, 3885, 3887. That the pulse of the heart there is in accordance with the state of love, and the respiration of the lungs in accord with the state of faith, n. 3886-3889. That the influx of the heart into the lungs is like the influx of good into truth, and like the influx of the will into the understanding; it is also according to the influx of love into faith, and there are like communications and conjunctions, n. 3884, 3887-3889, 9300, 9495. Of the influx of heaven into the heart and into the lungs, from experience, n. 3884. That from this the correspondence in the Word, “from the heart and soul” signifies from 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 the pulse of the heart, and that therefore when these cease man dies as to the body, but lives as to the spirit, see in the work on Heaven and Hell [n. 521]; 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 the same work. Many other things respecting this correspondence, see n. 95.) “Reins” signify the truths of faith, and their purification from falsities, because the purification of the blood is performed in the reins and “blood” in the Word signifies truth (as may be seen in Arcana Coelestia, n. 4735, 9127). The like is signified by the organ that purifies; and all purification from falsities is effected by truths. From this it is clear what is signified in the Word by the expression, that Jehovah, or the Lord, “searcheth the hearts and reins,” namely, that He explores the truths of faith and the goods of love, and separates them from evils and falsities.
sRef Jer@12 @2 S2′ sRef Jer@11 @20 S2′ sRef Jer@12 @3 S2′ [2] This is signified by “reins” in the following places. In Jeremiah:
Jehovah Zebaoth, Judge of righteousness, trying the reins and the heart (Jer. 11:20).
In the same:
Thou hast proved* them, yea, they have taken root; they grow, yea, they bring forth fruit: Thou art near in their mouth, and far from their reins. But thou, O Jehovah, Thou shalt see me, and shalt prove my heart (Jer. 12:2, 3).
“Near in the mouth and far from the reins” is truth in the memory only, and in some thought therefrom when man speaks, but not in the will and from that in act. Truth in the will and from that in the act is what separates and dissipates falsities. Truth in the will and from that in the act is willing and doing what a man knows and thinks to be true; such truth is what is especially meant by “reins.”
sRef Jer@17 @10 S3′ [3] In the same:
I, Jehovah, search the heart, I prove the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruits of his works (Jer. 17:10).
“Searching the heart” is purifying good by separating evil from it; “proving the reins” is purifying truth by separating falsity from it; it is therefore said “to give to every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his works;” “ways” are the truths that are of faith, and “the fruit of works” are the goods that are of love. (That “ways” are truths that are of faith, see above, n. 97; and that “the fruit of works” are the goods that are of love, n. 98, 109, 116.)
sRef Ps@73 @22 S4′ sRef Ps@26 @2 S4′ sRef Ps@51 @8 S4′ sRef Ps@73 @21 S4′ sRef Ps@51 @6 S4′ sRef Ps@7 @9 S4′ sRef Jer@20 @12 S4′ [4] In the same:
Jehovah Zebaoth, that provest the righteous, that seest the reins, and the heart (Jer. 20:12).
And in David:
Establish Thou the righteous; for Thou that provest the hearts and the reins art a righteous God (Ps. 7:9);
“the righteous” are those who love to do what is true and good, their goods and truths are purified by the Lord, which is meant by “seeing” and by “proving the reins and the hearts.”
In David:
Prove me, O Jehovah, and try me, explore my reins and my heart (Ps. 26:2).
Because truths are separated from falsities and goods from evils by means of temptations, it is said, “Try me.” In the same:
My heart is in a ferment, and I am pricked in my reins, but I am foolish and know not (Ps. 73:21, 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. 51:6).
Here there is another word in the original for “reins,” that includes the separation both of falsities from truths and of evils from goods. This shows that the “reins” signify purification and separation.
sRef Ps@139 @15 S5′ sRef Ps@139 @13 S5′ sRef Ps@139 @12 S5′ sRef Ps@16 @7 S5′ [5] In the same:
I will bless Jehovah, who hath given me counsel; also my reins chastise me in the night (Ps. 16:7).
“Night” signifies the state of man when falsities rise up; the consequent combat of truths with falsities is signified by “my reins chastise me.” In the same:
Even the darkness doth not make darkness before Thee, but the night is lucid as the day; as the darkness so is the light. For thou possessest my reins, my bone was not hidden from Thee when I was made in secret (Ps. 139:12, 13, 15).
“Darkness” means falsities, and “light” truths; to “possess the reins” is to know falsities and truths with man; therefore it is said, “my bone was not hidden from Thee when I was made in secret,” which signifies that no falsity that was made was hidden. (That “darkness” means falsity and “light” truth, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 126-140; and that “bone” means truth in the ultimate of order and in the contrary sense, falsity, Arcana Coelestia, n. 3812, 5560, 5565, 6592, 8005.)
[6] As “the reins” signified truths purified from falsities, so:
In the sacrifices, the fats and reins alone were offered up (as may be seen in Exod. 29:13; Lev. 3:4, 10, 15; 4:9; and elsewhere).
Fats and reins alone were offered upon the altar because “fats” signified the goods of love, and “reins” the truths of faith. (That “fats” or “fatnesses” signify the goods of love, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 353, 5943, 6409, 10033. That the “reins” signify the truths of faith, examining, purifying, and rejecting from themselves falsities, is from correspondence; for each and every thing of the body corresponds, as can be seen in the work on Heaven and Hell, where this is shown in its chapter entitled, There is a Correspondence of all things of Heaven with all things of Man, n. 87-102; and on the Reins, n. 96, 97.) Unless it be known that there is such a correspondence, who could ever know why it is so often said of Jehovah or the Lord in the Word, that “He searcheth and proveth the reins and the heart?” (On the correspondence of the reins, of the ureters, and of the bladder, see further in Arcana Coelestia, n. 5380-5386.) To “search the reins and the heart” signifies also to explore the exteriors and the interiors of man, because truth is without and good is within; and spiritual good, which in its essence is truth, and in particular is signified by the “reins,” is exterior good; while celestial good which in particular is signified by the “heart,” is interior good. (This can be seen more fully from what is shown respecting The Spiritual Kingdom and the Celestial Kingdom, in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 20-26.)
* The Hebrew instead of “proved” has “planted,” as also found in Arcana Coelestia, n. 348, 8918.

sRef Rev@2 @23 S0′ 168. And I will give to each one of you according to your works, signifies eternal blessedness according to one’s internal in the external. This is evident from the signification of “works,” as being the things that are of love and of faith therefrom (of which see above, n. 98, 116); and as being the same in deeds or works (see n. 157); also from the signification of “giving to each one according to his works,” as being eternal blessedness; for everything blessed and delightful is of love and according to the love (of which also see above, n. 146). Here “giving to each one according to his works” signifies eternal blessedness according to the internal in the external, because those are here treated of, who at the same time are in the internal and the external, and of the conjunction of the two (see above, n. 150). It is said, eternal blessedness according to the internal in the external, because all heavenly blessedness with man, spirit, and angel flows in through the internal into their external; for their internal is formed for the reception of all things of heaven, and their external for the reception of all things of the world; therefore there is heavenly blessedness with those only with whom the internal has been opened and formed after the image of heaven; and not with those in whom the internal has been shut; the blessedness of these is the delight of honor, glory, and gain, which delight a man may have so long as he lives in the world. (But after death, when man becomes a spirit, this is changed into the corresponding delight which is filthy and direful, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 485-490; and that the blessedness of heaven, which is called heavenly joy, those only have who are in the internal and from that in the external, see the same, n. 395-414; and what the internal and the external are, see The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 36-53.)

sRef Rev@2 @24 S0′ 169. Verse 24. But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, signifies to all and each one within whom the internal is conjoined to the external. This 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 from that in the external, thus those with whom the internal is conjoined to the external.

sRef Rev@2 @24 S0′ 170. As many as have not this doctrine, signifies with whom external delight, which is the delight of the love of self and the world, is not dominant. This is evident from the signification of that “doctrine” which “Jezebel, who calleth herself a prophetess,” taught, and by which she seduced, as being the delight of love of self and the world (of which see above, n. 159-161). Here “doctrine” signifies life; so by “not having it,” is signified not to live according to it; for what is meant is having doctrine in themselves; and to have doctrine in themselves is to have it in the life. From this it is clear that by the “doctrine of Jezebel” is meant the life of the love of self and the world.

sRef Rev@2 @24 S0′ 171. And who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, signifies entanglement with these, as is evident from this, that the loves that rule in the hells are the loves of self and of the world, and those loves are altogether contrary to the love to the Lord and the love to the neighbor, which rule in heaven. “Satan,” by whom is meant hell (see above, n. 120), unceasingly inspires the loves of self and of the world; and these man also receives with delight, because they are in him hereditarily, and are therefore his proprium [his own]; thus hell insinuates itself with man and entangles him. This is what is signified by “the depths of Satan.” There are few, however, who are aware of this, because these loves, as they are man’s proprium [man’s own] by inheritance, draw his mind to themselves by allurements from delight, and thus draw him away from the delights of heavenly loves, even until he does not know what the delights of heaven are. These delights of the love of self and the love of the world are what close up the internal man and open the external; and to the extent that the external is opened the internal is closed, so that the man is finally in total thick darkness in respect to the things of heaven and the church, though in light [lumen] in respect to the things of self and the world. (These things may be seen more fully described in the work on Heaven and Hell, in the chapter where it is shown that The Divine of the Lord in Heaven is Love to Him, and Charity towards the neighbor, n. 13-19; and in the chapter where it is shown that All who are in the Hells are in Evils and in Falsities therefrom, out of the loves of Self and of the World, and that these loves are the Infernal Fires, n. 551-565, 566-575; also in the Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 65-83, where these two loves are treated of.

sRef Rev@2 @24 S0′ 172. I put upon you no other burden, signifies that this alone should be guarded against. This is evident from the signification of “laying a burden” upon those in whom the internal can be conjoined with the external, as being that they should carefully guard against this, since the delights of these two loves are the sole cause of the closing of man’s internal, which looks to heaven. When that is closed there is no conjunction of the internal with the external, which looks to the world, nor any influx from heaven. It is said “burden,” because man’s proprium [what is man’s own], which is to love self above God and the world above heaven, offers resistance.

sRef Rev@2 @25 S0′ 173. Verse 25. Nevertheless that which ye have, hold fast till I come, signifies steadfastness in a state of the good of love and faith, even until visitation. This is evident from the signification of “that which ye have hold fast,” as being to be steadfast in a state of love and faith, thus in a state of conjunction of the internal with the external, in which they are capable of being so far as they resist the delights of the loves of self and of the world. For so far as man removes these delights from him is the internal conjoined with the external, thus more in one man and less in another. This is evident also from the signification of “till I come,” as meaning visitation (of which see above, n. 144).

sRef Rev@2 @26 S0′ 174. Verse 26. And he that overcometh and keepeth My works unto the end, signifies perseverance in love and faith after combat against these loves and their removal as far as possible. This is evident from the signification of “overcoming” as being 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 connection. It is evident also from the signification of “keeping unto the end,” as being perseverance even unto death; for he who perseveres even unto death in love and faith is saved; for such as he then is in respect to his life, he thenceforth remains to eternity (see above, n. 125). It is evident also from the signification of “works” as being the things of love and faith in cause and in effect, that is in internals and in externals. These things are here signified by “works,” because these are the things treated of in what is written to the angel of this church (see above, n. 150). It is said, “keepeth My works,” because everything of love and faith, and every opening of the internal and its conjunction with the external is from the Lord alone; therefore the “works,” by which these are signified, are not man’s, but the Lord’s with man; and consequently it is said, “My works.”

sRef Rev@2 @26 S0′ 175. I will give him power over the nations, signifies over the evils within him, which will then be scattered by the Lord. This is evident from the signification of “nations,” as being evils (of which presently); and from the signification of “giving power over them,” as being that these (the evils) will then be dispersed by the Lord. “To have power,” in reference to “over the nations,” means to scatter in reference to evils; thus there is an adaptation of words to their subjects. It is said that evils will be scattered by the Lord, for the Lord scatters evils by means of truths. He first discovers them to man by means of truths, and when man acknowledges the evils, the Lord scatters them. (That the Lord alone does this, see The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 200.) “Nations and peoples” are often mentioned in the Word, and those who know nothing of the spiritual or internal sense of the Word, believe that peoples and nations are to be understood. But “peoples” mean those who are in truths, or in the contrary sense those who are in falsities, and “nations” those who are in goods, or in the contrary sense, those who are in evils. And as such are meant by “peoples” and by “nations,” so abstractly from persons “peoples” mean truths or falsities, and “nations” goods and evils; for the true spiritual sense is abstracted from persons, spaces, times, and like things, that are proper to nature.
[2] With these the natural sense of the Word, which is the sense of its letter, is at one; and the sense that is at one with these serves as a basis to the sense that is apart from them. For all things that are in nature are ultimates of Divine order, and the Divine does not rest in the middle, but flows down even to its ultimates, and there subsists. From this it is that the Word in the letter is such as it is, and unless it were such it would not serve as a basis for the wisdom of angels who are spiritual. It can be seen from this how mistaken those are who despise the Word on account of its style. “Nations” signify those who are in good, and in the abstract, goods, because men who lived in ancient times were divided into nations, families, and houses; and they then loved each other mutually; and the father of a nation loved the whole nation which was from him; thus the good of love reigned among them. For this reason “nations” signified goods. But when men came into the opposite state, which took place in the following ages when empires were established, then “nations” signified evils. (See further on this subject in The small work on The Earths in the Universe, n. 49, 90, 173, 174.)
sRef Isa@60 @3 S3′ sRef Isa@60 @12 S3′ sRef Isa@60 @11 S3′ sRef Isa@60 @22 S3′ sRef Isa@60 @5 S3′ sRef Isa@60 @16 S3′ [3] That “nations” in the Word signify either goods or evils, and “people” either truths or falsities, can be seen from the following passages. In Isaiah:
Nations shall walk to Thy light, and kings to the brightness of Thy rising. Then shalt Thou see and flow together, and Thine heart shall be enlarged, because the multitude of the sea is converted unto Thee, the army of the nations come unto Thee; Thy gates shall be opened continually, they shall not be shut by day and by night, that men may bring unto Thee the army of the nations, and their kings shall be brought; 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, even the breasts of kings shalt Thou suck. The little one shall become a thousand, and the few a numerous nation (Isa. 60:3, 5, 11-12, 16, 22).
Here the Lord is treated of; and by “nations” all who are in the good of love to Him are meant, and by “kings” all who are in the truths of faith in Him. From this it is manifest who are meant by the “nations” that “shall walk to Thy light;” and by “the army of the nations that shall be brought;” also, who are meant by “the kings” that “shall walk to the brightness of Thy rising;” and by “the kings of the nations” that “shall be brought;” also, what is meant by “Thou shalt suck the milk of nations and the breasts of kings” (“milk” is the delight of the good of love, likewise “breasts,” for milk is from them). The multiplication of truth and the fructification of good are described by the “little one shall become a thousand, and the few a numerous nation.” But by “the nations that shall be wasted” are meant all that are in evils, and also the evils themselves.
sRef Isa@49 @22 S4′ sRef Isa@49 @23 S4′ [4] In the same:
Behold I will lift up My hand towards the nations, and set up Mine ensign towards the peoples, that they may bring thy sons in the bosom, and carry thy daughters upon the shoulder; and kings shall be thy nourishers and the chief women thy sucklers; with the face to the earth shall they bow down to thee (Isa. 49:22, 23).
here also the Lord is treated of, and those who shall worship and adore Him. To “lift up His hand towards the nations, and His ensign towards the peoples,”* is to join to Himself all who are in the goods of love and in truths therefrom; of these it is said that “they shall bring thy sons in the bosom, and carry thy daughters upon the shoulder;” “sons” are the affections of truth, and “daughters” the affections of good (see above, n. 166). And of these it is said that their “kings shall be thy nourishers, and the chief women thy sucklers.” “Kings” are truths themselves, “chief women” are the goods thereof; and as man is regenerated by both of these, and also nourished, it is said that they shall be “nourishers” and “sucklers.” (That man is regenerated by means of truths and a life according to them, see in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 23, 24, 27, 186.) This is the internal sense of these words; without that sense who could understand them?
sRef Isa@66 @20 S5′ sRef Isa@66 @19 S5′ sRef Isa@66 @18 S5′ sRef Isa@66 @12 S5′ [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 will come to gather all nations and tongues, that they may come and see My glory. They shall declare My glory among the nations; then shall they bring your brethren out of all nations, as a gift to Jehovah, upon horses and upon the chariot, to the mountain of My holiness (Isa. 66:12, 18-20).
Here “Jerusalem” is the Lord’s church in the heavens and on the earth; it is said the church in the heavens, for the church is there also (see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 221-227). By “nations and tongues” all who are in the goods of love and in truths therefrom are meant. It is said that “they shall bring out of all nations a gift to Jehovah, upon horses and upon the chariot;” “a gift to Jehovah” is worship from the good of love; “horses and chariots” are intellectuals and doctrinals, for these are the source and foundation of worship. (That this is what “horses and chariots” signify, see in the small work on The White Horse, n. 1-5.)
sRef Isa@11 @10 S6′ [6] In the same:
It shall be in that day that a Root of Jesse, which shall stand for a sign of the people, the nations shall seek (Isa. 11:10). “The root of Jesse” is the Lord; “to stand for a sign of the people” means that it may be seen by those who are in truths; “the nations which shall seek,” are those who are in the good of love. It is believed that “nations” here mean the nations that are to approach and acknowledge the Lord, from which is to be the church that is called the church of the Gentiles; but these are not meant by “nation” but all who are in love to the Lord and faith in Him, whether within the church or out of it (see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 308, 318-328).
sRef Isa@26 @15 S7′ sRef Isa@25 @3 S7′ sRef Ps@67 @4 S7′ sRef Ps@67 @5 S7′ sRef Ps@106 @5 S7′ sRef Ps@67 @3 S7′ sRef Dan@7 @14 S7′ sRef Dan@7 @13 S7′ sRef Jer@4 @2 S7′ sRef Isa@61 @6 S7′ sRef Isa@26 @2 S7′ sRef Isa@42 @6 S7′ sRef Isa@34 @1 S7′ sRef Lam@4 @20 S7′ sRef Jer@10 @7 S7′ sRef Rev@21 @26 S7′ sRef Rev@21 @25 S7′ [7] In the same:
A strong people shall honor Thee, the city of the powerful nations shall fear thee (Isa. 25:3).
In the same:
Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation may enter in. Thou hast increased the nation, O Jehovah, Thou hast increased the nation, Thou art glorified (Isa. 26:2, 15).
In the same:
Come near, ye nations, to hear; and hearken, ye peoples (Isa. 34:1).
In the same:
I, Jehovah, have called thee in righteousness, for a covenant to the people, for a light of the nations (Isa. 42:6).
In Jeremiah:
The nations shall bless themselves in Him, and in Him shall they glory (Jer. 4:2).
In the same:
Who will not fear Thee, O king of nations? and in all their kingdom there is none like unto Thee (Jer. 10:7).
In Daniel:
I was seeing in the night visions, 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 worship Him (Jer. 7:13, 14).
In David:
The peoples shall give thanks unto Thee, O God; all the peoples shall give thanks unto Thee. Let the nations be glad and sing for joy; for Thou shalt judge the peoples with equity, and shalt lead the nations upon the earth (Ps. 67:3, 4).
In the same:
That I may see the good of Thy chosen, and be glad in the joy of Thy nations (Ps. 106:5).
In Revelation:
The glory and honor of the nations shall be brought into the New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:26).
In Isaiah:
Ye shall be called priests of Jehovah; ministers of your** God, it shall be said to you. Ye shall eat the wealth of the nations, and in their glory shall ye glory (Isa. 61:6).
In the Lamentations:
The breath of our nostrils, the Anointed of Jehovah, was taken in their pits; of whom we had said, In His shadow we shall live among the nations (Lam. 4:20).
In these passages, by “nations” all who are in love to the Lord, whether within the church where the Word is or out it: are meant.

sRef Jer@5 @15 S8′ sRef Jer@5 @17 S8′ [8] That by “nations” in a contrary sense those who are in evils are meant, and in the abstract, evils themselves, can be seen from the following passages. In Jeremiah:
I will bring a nation upon you from far, it is a mighty nation; it is a nation of an age, a nation whose tongue thou shalt not know. It shall eat up thy harvest and thy bread; it shall eat up thy sons and thy daughters; it shall eat up thy vine and thy fig-tree; it shall impoverish the cities with the sword (Jer. 5:15, 17).
The vastation of the church is here treated of; and by “nation” is meant the evil that will consummate it; it is therefore said, that “it shall eat up the harvest and the bread,” “the sons and daughters,” “the vine and the fig-tree,” and “shall impoverish the cities with the sword;” by which all the goods of love and the truths of faith are signified; by “harvest” a state of the reception of truth from good (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 9295); by “bread” the good of love (see in 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 “fig-tree” the external church, thus the external things of the church (Arcana Coelestia, n. 5113); by “cities” doctrines (Arcana Coelestia, n. 402, 2449, 2712, 2943, 3216, 4492, 4493); by “sword” falsity destroying (see above, n. 73, 131). From this it can be seen that by “nations” is signified the evil that destroys all these.
sRef Jer@6 @21 S9′ sRef Jer@6 @22 S9′ sRef Jer@6 @23 S9′ [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 earth. They have no compassion, their voice roareth like the sea, and they ride upon horses (Jer. 6:21-23).
(vi. 21-23).
Here also “nation” means evil, and “peoples” falsities, “the stumbling-blocks upon which the fathers and the sons stumble” are the perversions of good and truth (“fathers” are goods, and “sons” truths therefrom). It is said, “a people from the land of the north, and a nation from the sides of the earth,” for the “north” signifies falsity from evil, and “the sides of the earth” signify what is outside of the church, thus evils remote from the goods of the church. “To roar like the sea, and to ride upon horses,” is to persuade by fallacies of the senses, and by reasonings therefrom.
sRef Ezek@7 @24 S10′ sRef Ezek@7 @23 S10′ sRef Ezek@7 @27 S10′ [10] In Ezekiel:
The land is full of the judgment of bloods, and the city is full of violence, wherefore I will bring the worst of the nations, that they may occupy their houses; the king shall mourn, and the prince shall be clothed with stupor (Ezek. 7:23-24, 27).
The “land” is the church; “full of the judgment of bloods” is to be in falsities that destroy goods; “city” is doctrine; “full of violence” is to use force against the good of charity; “the worst of the nations” are direful falsities from evil; “to occupy their houses” is to possess their minds; “the king who shall mourn” is the truth of the church; “the prince who shall be clothed with stupor,” is subservient truth. (That the “land” is the church, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 662, 1066, 1068, 1262, 1413, 1607, 2928, 3355, 4447, 4535, 5577, 8011, 9325, 9643; that “bloods” are falsities destroying good, n. 374, 1005, 4735, 5476, 9127; that “city” is doctrine, n. 2268, 2449, 2451, 2712, 2943, 3216, 4492, 4493; that “violence” is using force against the good of charity, n. 6353; that “houses” are the things of man that belong to his mind, n. 710, 2231, 2233, 2559, 3128, 3538, 4973, 5023, 6690, 7353, 7848, 7910, 7929, 9150; that “the king who shall mourn” is the truth of the church, see above n. 31.)
sRef Ps@33 @10 S11′ [11] In David:
Jehovah bringeth the counsel of the nations to naught, He overthroweth the thoughts of the peoples (Ps. 33:10).
“Nations” mean those who are in evils, and “peoples” those who are in falsities; and because both are signified, it is said that “Jehovah bringeth the counsel of the nations to naught, and overthroweth the thoughts of the peoples,” which are two expressions, as it were, of one thing, yet they are distinct in the internal sense, in which “nations” signify one thing, and “peoples” another.
sRef Luke@21 @24 S12′ sRef Luke@21 @25 S12′ [12] In Luke:
Then they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led captive among all nations, and at length Jerusalem shall be trodden down by the nations, until the time of the nations be fulfilled. Then there shall be signs in sun, moon, and stars, and upon the earth anguish of nations, the sea and the waves roaring (Luke 21:24-25).
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 there is no charity, or no truth because there is no good. This is here described by correspondences: “to fall by the edge of the sword” is to be destroyed by falsities; “to be led captive among all nations” is to be possessed by evils of every kind; “Jerusalem, which shall be trodden down,” is the church; the “sun” is love to the Lord; the “moon” faith in Him; the “stars” the knowledges of good and truth; the “signs” in them mean that these are to perish; “the sea and the waves that shall roar” are fallacies and reasonings therefrom.
sRef Matt@24 @9 S13′ sRef Matt@24 @7 S13′ [13] In Matthew:
Nation shall rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. And they shall deliver you unto affliction, and ye shall be hated of all the nations for My name’s sake (Matt. 24:7, 9; Luke 21:10, 11).
These things also were said by the Lord respecting the last time of the church; and by “nation shall rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom” is signified that there will be conflicts of evils and falsities among themselves; by “famines and pestilences” are signified the failure and wasting of truths; by “earthquakes” the perversion of the church; by “being hated of all nations” is signified to be hated by all who are in evil; “the name of the Lord,” for the sake of which they shall be hated, signifies all things of love and faith whereby the Lord is worshiped (see above, n. 102, 135).
sRef Ezek@31 @12 S14′ sRef Ezek@31 @11 S14′ sRef Ezek@31 @5 S14′ sRef Ezek@31 @10 S14′ sRef Ezek@31 @6 S14′ sRef Ezek@31 @3 S14′ [14] In Ezekiel:
Behold Asshur a cedar in Lebanon. He has become high, and his branches have been multiplied. In his branches have all the fowl 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 all great nations. But his heart is lifted up in his height; therefore I will give him into the hand of the strong one of the nations, strangers shall cut him off, the violent of the nations, and they shall cast him down; whence all peoples of the earth have gone down from his shadow, and have abandoned him (Ezek. 31:3, 5, 6, 10-12).
These things no one can understand unless he has a knowledge of the spiritual or internal sense of the Word. He will believe them to be mere comparisons, in which there is no spiritual signification; when yet all the particulars therein signify things of heaven and the church; therefore they shall be explained briefly. “Asshur” is the rational of the man of the church which is illustrated; this is called “a cedar in Lebanon,” because a “cedar” has the same signification as “Asshur,” specifically truth from good in the rational; and “Lebanon” is the mind where the rational resides, because there were cedars in Lebanon.
By “his branches that were multiplied” are meant truths therefrom; “the fowl of the heavens that built their nests in his branches” are the affections of truth; and “the beasts of the field that brought forth under his branches” are the affections of good; the “great nations that dwelt in his shade” are the goods of love; “his heart lifted up in his height” is the love of self; “to be given into the hands of the strong one of the nations,” and “to be cast down by the violent of the nations,” means that evils from that love will destroy goods and truths; “the peoples of the earth that went down from his shadow and abandoned him” are all truths of the church. From this it is manifest that “nations” signify goods, and in the contrary sense evils; by “the nations that dwelt in his shade,” goods; and by “the nations that cut him off, and cast him down,” evils. (See, moreover, what is said and shown about nations and their signification in Arcana Coelestia, namely, that by “nations” in the Word are meant those who are in good, and consequently goods themselves, n. 1059, 1159, 1258, 1260, 1416, 1849, 6005; “the assembly of the nations,” truths and goods, n. 4574, 7830; “the holy nation,” the spiritual kingdom, n. 9255, 9256; when it is said “nation and people,” by “nation” those who are in celestial good are meant, and by “people” those who are in spiritual good, n. 10288. That by “nations,” especially the nations of the land of Canaan, evils and falsities of every kind are meant, n. 1059, 1205, 1868, 6306, 8054, 8317, 9320, 9327).
* The Latin has “kings” for “peoples,” but see text as quoted just before.
** Hebrew: “our,” as also found in Apocalypse Explained, n. 155, 1115, Arcana Coelestia, n. 9809; but in Apocalypse Revealed, n. 128 we find “your.”

sRef Rev@2 @27 S0′ 176. Verse 27.And He shall rule them with an iron rod, signifies that He is about to chastise evils by means of truths that are in the natural man. This is evident from the signification of “ruling,” as being to chastise, for it is added that “He would shiver them as pottery vessels,” and the evils which are signified are chastised by means of truths. It is evident also from the signification of “an iron rod,” as being truths that are in the natural man; a “rod” or “staff” signifies the power by which chastisement is effected; and “iron” truths in the natural man which chastise. (That a “rod” or “staff:” is power, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 4013, 4015, 4876, 4936, 6947, 7011, 7026, 7568, 7572; that it is for this reason that kings have a scepter, which is a short staff, n. 4581, 4876.)
“Iron” signifies truths in the natural man, because metals, as well as the other things of the earth, by 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 truth; “copper” or “brass” the good of the external or natural man; “iron” its truth. For this reason the ages were called by the ancients after the names of the metals, namely, Golden, Silver, Copper, and Iron; the Golden Age from the most ancient men, who lived in the good of love; the Silver Age from the ancients after them who lived in truths from that good; the Copper Age from their posterity who were in external or natural good; the Iron Age from the posterity of these who were in natural truth alone without good. Natural truth is truth in the memory, not in the life; truth of life is good. (But more about this correspondence in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 104, 115.)
sRef Dan@2 @32 S2′ sRef Dan@2 @43 S2′ sRef Dan@2 @33 S2′ sRef Dan@2 @34 S2′ sRef Dan@2 @42 S2′ sRef Dan@2 @41 S2′ [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, which is thus described in Daniel:
His head was good gold, his breast and his arms silver, his belly and his thighs brass, his legs iron, his feet part iron and part clay. A stone was cut out of the rock, and it smote the image upon his feet that were iron and clay, and brake them to pieces. Whereas thou sawest the feet partly of potter’s clay and partly of iron, it signifies that the kingdom shall be divided; the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken. Whereas thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves by the seed of man; but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron doth not mingle with clay (Dan. 2:32-34, 41-43).
By “the head which was good gold,” the first state of the church is meant, when men were in the good of love to the Lord; by “the breast and arms which were silver,” the second state of the church is meant, when they were in truths from that good; by “the belly and thighs which were of brass,” the following third state of the church, when they were no longer in spiritual good but in natural good, for “brass” signifies natural good; by “the legs which were of iron,” the fourth state of the church is meant, when natural good was no more, but truth only; but by “the feet which were of iron and clay,” the last state of the church is meant when there are both truth and falsity, truth in the Word and falsity in doctrine; when the truths of the Word are falsified, and doctrine is drawn from truths falsified, the state of the church is “partly iron and partly clay,” thus the kingdom is “partly strong and partly broken.” “The kingdom” here is the church; it is therefore called also “the kingdom of God.” That truths are thus mixed with falsities, but still they do not cohere, is meant by these words, “Whereas thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves by the seed of man; but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron doth not mingle with clay.” “The seed of man” is Divine truth, which is in the Word. (That this is signified by “seed,” see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3038, 3373, 10248, 10249; that “man” signifies the Lord, from whom is the Word, and also signifies 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 in the following article (n. 177). By “the stone cut of the rock,” which “smote the image upon his feet,” the Lord by means of Divine truth is meant, and the destruction of falsities not cohering with truths from the Word. (That a “stone” is truth, and that “the stone of Israel” is the Lord in respect to Divine truth, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 643, 1298, 3720, 6426, 8609, 10376; that “rock” likewise signifies the Lord, n. 8581, 10580, and in the small work on The Last Judgement, n. 57.) Because “iron” signifies truths in the natural man, “the feet of the statue” were seen to be “of iron,” for “feet” signify the natural (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2162, 3147, 3761, 3986, 4280, 4938-4952).
sRef Isa@60 @17 S3′ [3] Like things are signified by “gold,” “silver,” “brass,” and “iron,” in these words in Isaiah:
For brass I will bring gold, for iron I will bring silver, for woods brass, and for stones iron (Isa. 60:17).
“To bring gold for brass” means celestial good for natural good; “silver for iron” means celestial truth for natural truth; “brass for woods, and iron for stones,” means natural good and truth in great abundance like that of woods and stones. Here the state of the celestial church is treated of. (That “iron” signifies truth in the natural man, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 425, 426.)
[4] These passages are cited that it may be known what is meant by the “iron rod,” namely, the power whereby 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 Lord chastises evils and disperses falsities by means of truths in the natural man, because all evils and the falsities therefrom have their seat in the natural man, and none in the spiritual or internal man. The internal man does not receive evils and falsities, but is closed against them. And as all evils and falsities have their seat in the natural man, they must needs be chastised and dispersed by means of such things as are there, which are truths in the natural man. Truths in the natural man are knowledges and cognitions, from which man can think, reason, and conclude naturally respecting the truths and goods of the church, and the falsities and evils which are opposed to these, and can consequently be in some natural illustration when he reads the Word. For the Word in the letter is not understood without illustration; and illustration is either spiritual or natural. Spiritual illustration is only with those who are spiritual; and the spiritual are those that are of the good of love and charity and in truths therefrom; while mere natural illustration is with those who are natural (see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 153, 425, 455; and above, n. 140). Moreover, those who are spiritual have, whilst they live in the world, illustration in the natural; but this springs from illustration in the spiritual; for with them the Lord flows in through the spiritual or internal man into the natural or external, and thus illustrates it, from which enlightenment man can see what is true and good, and what is false and evil, and when he sees that, the Lord scatters the evils and the falsities that are in the natural man, by means of the truths and goods that are also there and that make one with the goods and truths in the spiritual or internal man (see in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, on Sciences and knowledges, what they effect, n. 51, and on Influx, n. 277,278).
sRef Rev@19 @15 S5′ sRef Micah@4 @13 S5′ sRef Rev@12 @5 S5′ sRef Isa@11 @4 S5′ sRef Ps@2 @9 S5′ [5] From this it can now be seen what is signified by “the iron rod,” with which the Lord is to rule the nations, that is, chastise the evils that are in the natural man. These things are said to the angel of this church, because in what is written to this angel the internal and external man and their conjunction are treated of; for when the internal and the external or the spiritual and the natural are conjoined, the Lord chastises the evils and falsities that are in the natural man, and this by means of the knowledges of truth and good. But with those with whom the internal and external man are not conjoined, evils and falsities cannot be chastised and scattered, since they receive nothing from heaven through the spiritual man, but all things they receive are from the world; and these their rational favors, and supplies confirmations. Things similar to those here signified by “the iron rod” are also signified in the following passages. In David:
Thou shalt bruise [the nations] with an iron scepter; as a potter’s vessel Thou shalt dash them in pieces (Ps. 2:9).
In Isaiah:
He shall smite the land with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His lips shall He slay the wicked (Isa. 11:4).
In Revelation:
The woman brought forth a male, a son, who is to rule all nations with an iron rod (Rev. 12:5).
Out of the mouth of the One sitting on the white horse went forth a sharp sword, that with it He should smite the nations; for He shall rule them with an iron rod (Rev. 19:15).
In Micah:
Arise, O daughter of Zion; for I will make thine horn iron, and I will make thy hoofs brass, that thou mayest beat in pieces many peoples (Micah 4:13).
The “daughter of Zion” is the celestial church; “horn” is power in the natural man; “hoofs” are the ultimates there, called sensual scientifics; 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, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2362, 9055; that “horn” is the power of truth from good in the natural man, n. 2832, 9081, 9719, 9720, 9721, 10182, 10186; and that “hoofs” are the knowledges of the sensual man, which are truths in the ultimate of order, n. 7729.)

sRef Rev@2 @27 S0′ 177. As earthen vessels shall they be shivered, signifies the total dispersion of falsities. This is evident from the signification of “earthen vessels,” as being such things in the natural man as are from self-intelligence; and all things in the natural man that have respect to the things of heaven and the church and which are from self-intelligence are falsities (of which presently). It is evident also from the signification of being “shivered,” as being to be dispersed; “to disperse” is said of falsities, as “to shiver” is said of earthen vessels. That “earthen vessels” signify the things in the natural man that are from self-intelligence in matters of heaven and the church, and that these things are falsities, will be shown in what follows; something must first be said to show that the things that have respect to heaven and the church that gain entrance by self-intelligence are falsities.
Those who think from self-intelligence think from the world; for man, from his proprium [what is his own] loves only the things of the world and of self, and what he loves he also sees and perceives; the things he loves he calls goods, and the things he sees and perceives therefrom he calls truths; but these goods, which from love he so calls, are evils, and the truths which he sees from that love are falsities, since they spring forth from the loves of self and of the world, which loves are contrary to the loves of heaven, which are love to the Lord and love to the neighbor; and the things that pour forth from contraries are contraries.
[2] Those, therefore, who read the Word solely for repute of erudition, or to acquire fame that they may be exalted to honors or may gain wealth, never see and perceive truths, but falsities instead; and the truths that stand out before the eyes in the Word they either pass by as if not seen or they falsify them. The reason is, that to read the Word solely for the repute of erudition or for fame, that they may be exalted to honors and gain wealth, is to read it for the sake of self and the world as ends, thus from the loves of self and the world. And as these loves are of man’s proprium [man’s self] so the things that man sees and perceives from them are from self-intelligence.
[3] But those who read the Word from the spiritual affection of truth, which affection is a love of knowing truth because it is truth, see truths in the Word, and rejoice in heart when they see them; and this because they are in illustration from the Lord. Illustration descends from the Lord through heaven from the light there, which light is Divine truth. It is therefore given to them to see truths from the light of truth, and this in the Word, because the Word is Divine truth, and in it are stored up all the truths of heaven. But those only are in this illustration who are in the two loves of heaven, which are love to the Lord and love towards the neighbor; for these loves open the inner or higher mind, which is formed to receive the light of heaven, and through that mind in them the light of heaven flows in and illustrates. But so long as they live in the world they do not perceive truths in that mind, but they see them in the lower mind, the mind of the external or natural man. Such as these do not think from self-intelligence when they read the Word. The especial reason why these do not think from their self-intelligence when they read the Word is, that their interior or spiritual mind looks to the Lord, and the Lord then elevates it up to Himself, and with it the lower or natural mind, thus withdrawing it from man’s proprium [man’s self] which cannot be done with those who have regard first and foremost to themselves and the world.
[4] From this it can be seen that man from self-intelligence perceives nothing but evils and sees nothing but falsities; but that goods and truths that are of heaven and the church he perceives and sees from the Lord. When the internal or spiritual man, in which is the inner or higher mind of which we have just spoken, is opened, then the Lord subdues the evils and disperses the falsities which are in the external or natural man. These things, then, are what are meant in the spiritual sense by this, that the Son of man is to “give them power over the nations, and He shall rule them with an iron rod, and as earthen vessels they shall be shivered.”
sRef Ps@2 @9 S5′ [5] That “earthen vessels” signify such things as are from self-intelligence, thus the falsities that are in the natural man, is evident from various passages in the Word, of which I will cite the following as confirmation. In David:
Thou shalt bruise the nations with an iron scepter; as a potter’s vessel Thou shall dash them in pieces (Ps. 2:9).
In this passage also “to bruise the nations with an iron scepter” is to chastise and subdue the evils that are in the natural man. “Scepter” here has the same signification as “staff” or “rod.” It is added “as a potter’s vessel,” because that signifies falsity from self-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, since comparisons are equally from things significative (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3579, 8989.) “A potter’s vessel,” or “earthen vessel,” signifies what is false, because a potter is one who forms, and a vessel is what is formed; and when man forms the vessel it is a falsity, but when the Lord forms it with man it is a truth; consequently in the Word “a potter’s vessel” signifies either what is false or what is true, and “a potter” signifies one who forms.
sRef Isa@29 @16 S6′ sRef Isa@64 @8 S6′ sRef Isa@45 @9 S6′ [6] The Lord Himself is called in the Word a “Potter,” from His forming man by means of truths; as in Isaiah:
Jehovah our Father; we are the clay, and Thou art our Potter, and we all are the work of Thy hands (Isa. 64:8).
In the same:
Woe unto him that striveth with the Former! a potsherd with the potsherds of the earth! Shall the clay say to its potter, What makest thou? (Isa. 45:9).
In the same :
Shall the potter be counted as clay? Shall the work say to its Former, He made me not, and shall the thing formed say of its potter, He understandeth not? (Isa. 29:16).
sRef Isa@30 @14 S7′ sRef Isa@30 @11 S7′ sRef Isa@30 @10 S7′ [7] As the Jews and Israelites falsified all the truths of the Word by applying them to themselves and to their own exaltation above all nations and peoples in the universal world, so their falsities are called “marred vessels” of a potter, as in Isaiah:
Who have said to the seers, See not; and to those that have vision, See not for us right things, speak unto us smooth things, see illusions; depart from the way; therefore iniquity shall break them as the breaking of the potter’s bottle; in beating it shall not spare, so that there shall not be found in the fragment thereof a sherd to take fire from the hearth or to draw waters from the cistern (Isa. 30:10-11, 13-14).
That they wholly deprived themselves of truths, and immersed themselves in falsities, is described by this, “They said to the seers, See not; and to those that have vision, See not for us right things, speak unto us smooth things, see illusions; depart from the way.” That they had so immersed themselves in falsities that no more truth remained, is described by “the breaking of the potter’s bottle, so that there should not be found in the fragment a sherd to take fire from the hearth or to draw waters out of the cistern.” By this is signified that not enough of truth should be left to enable them to perceive any good and truth from the Word; for “fire” signifies good, and “water” truth; “hearth” the Word in respect to good; “cistern” and “fountain” the Word in respect to truth.
sRef Jer@18 @2 S8′ sRef Jer@18 @1 S8′ sRef Jer@18 @3 S8′ sRef Jer@18 @4 S8′ [8] In Jeremiah:
The word came to Jeremiah, Arise, and go down to the potter’s house. Then I went down to the potter’s house, and behold he wrought a work on the table. But the vessel that he was making was marred; and he turned back and made it another vessel as was right in the potter’s eyes to make (Jer. 18:1-4).
This also means that with the Jewish nation there was nothing but falsity; and “the vessel that was marred in the potter’s house” is that falsity; “the potter’s house” is the state in which they were. That the truth of the church should be taken away from them and given to others, is meant by this, that “the potter turned back and made it another vessel, as was right in his eyes.”
sRef Jer@19 @1 S9′ sRef Jer@19 @11 S9′ sRef Jer@19 @21 S9′ [9] In the same:
Jehovah said, Go buy a potter’s earthen 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 they shall bury in Tophet, because there is no more a place to bury in (Jer. 19:1-2, 10-11).
“The potter’s earthen bottle, or vessel, from the elders of the people and of the priests” is here also the falsity in which all of that nation were. That this falsity was such that it could not be dispersed by means of truths is described by this, that “he should break the vessel before the eyes of the men that went with him, that it could not be made whole again;” that they should “bury in Tophet, because there was no more a place,” signifies where all truths and goods have been destroyed.
sRef Nahum@3 @14 S10′ sRef Nahum@3 @15 S10′ [10] In Nahum:
Draw thee waters for the siege; strengthen thy fortresses; go into the mire and tread the clay, repair the brick-kiln. There shall the fire devour thee; the sword shall cut thee off (Nahum 3:14-15).
“To draw waters for the siege and to strengthen the fortresses” is to fortify falsities by various means against truths; “to go into the mire and tread the clay” is to confirm falsities by fictions and fallacies; doctrine thence derived is called “a brickkiln,” because infernal love is strengthened by falsifications; it is therefore said that “the fire shall devour, and the sword cut off;” “fire” is infernal love, and a “sword” is falsity combating and destroying truth. “A potter’s vessel” or “earthen vessel” signifies falsity, because it corresponds to something fabricated, and what is fabricated is a product of man’s self-intelligence; it was from this correspondence that the prophets were commanded to do such things as are mentioned above.

sRef Rev@2 @27 S0′ 178. As I also have received from my Father, signifies comparatively as the Lord did from His Divine Human, when He glorified His Human, namely, that He dissipated all evils and falsities arising from the human that He had from the mother. By “the Father” here the Divine in Himself, or that which He had from conception, is meant, for this Divine was one with the Father, as He declares. It is said comparatively, for 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 as this arcanum cannot be explained in a few words so as to be understood, consult what has been shown respecting it in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 280-297, and in the passages cited from the Arcana Coelestia in that work, n. 185, 298-307, in which it is fully explained.)

sRef Rev@2 @28 S0′ 179. Verse 28. And I will give him the morning star, signifies intelligence and wisdom from the Lord’s Divine Human. This is evident from the signification of “stars,” as being the knowledges of good and truth (see above, n. 72); and as they signify the knowledges of good and truth, they also signify intelligence and wisdom, for all intelligence and wisdom come by means of the knowledges of good and truth. It is evident also from the signification of “morning” as being the Lord in respect to His Divine Human, therefore “the morning star” means intelligence and wisdom from Him. “Morning” is often mentioned in the Word, and its signification varies according to the connection 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, and a state of illustration, consequently a state of intelligence and wisdom, and also a state of the conjunction of good and truth, the state in which the internal man is conjoined to the external. “Morning” has such various significations, because in the highest sense it signifies the Lord’s Divine Human; it therefore also signifies all things that proceed from the Divine Human, for the Lord is in those things that proceed from Him, even so that it is He there.
[2] The Divine Human of the Lord in the highest sense is meant by “morning,” because 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 remains constantly in its place, in front above the heavens; consequently the sun is always in the morning there, and never in the evening. And since all the intelligence and wisdom that the angels have comes from the Lord as their sun, their state of love, and state of wisdom and intelligence, and in general their state of illustration is signified by “morning;” for these proceed from the Lord as a sun, and what proceeds from Him is Himself, for from the Divine nothing but what is Divine goes forth, and everything Divine is Himself. (That the Lord is the sun of the angelic heaven, and that from Him as a sun there exist all love, wisdom, and intelligence, and in general all illustration in respect to Divine truths, from which is wisdom, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 116-125, 126-143, 155, 156.)
sRef 2Sam@23 @3 S3′ sRef 2Sam@23 @4 S3′ [3] From this it can he seen why “morning” is so often mentioned in the Word when Jehovah or the Lord, His coming, His kingdom and church, and the goods thereof are treated of; as in the following passages, which I will cite by way of illustration. In the second book of Samuel:
The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spoke to me. He is as the light of the morning; the son riseth, a morning without clouds (2 Sam. 23:3, 4).
“The God of Israel” and “the Rock” is the Lord in respect to the Divine Human and Divine truth proceeding therefrom; “the God of Israel” because Israel is His spiritual church, and “the Rock” because His Divine in the spiritual church is Divine truth (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3720, 6426, 8581, 10580). As the Lord in the angelic heaven is a sun, and as all the light that angels have is therefrom, and as the sun there is continually in its morning, it is said, “He is as the light of the morning; the sun riseth, a morning without clouds.”
sRef Ps@110 @4 S4′ sRef Ps@110 @3 S4′ [4] In David:
From the womb of the morning thou hast the dew of thy youth; thou art a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek (110:3, 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” is conception from the Divine Itself, and the glorification of His Human thereby; “a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek,” means that Divine good and Divine truth proceed from Him, for the Lord as priest is Divine good, and as king of holiness, who is, “Melchizedek,” is Divine truth (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 1725).
sRef Ezek@10 @19 S5′ [5] In Ezekiel:
The cherubim stood at the east entrance of the gate of the house; the glory of the God of Israel was over them above (Ezek. 10:19).
“Cherubim” signify the Lord in respect to providence and as to guard lest He be approached otherwise than by the good of love; “the east entrance 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 as the morning; therefore it is said “the glory of the God of Israel was over them above.”
sRef Ezek@43 @2 S6′ sRef Ezek@43 @1 S6′ sRef Ezek@43 @4 S6′ [6] In the same:
The angel brought me to the gate that looketh towards the east; and behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east; and the earth was enlightened by His glory. And the glory of Jehovah came into the house by the way of the gate whose face is toward the east (Ezek. 43:1, 2, 4).
Here, in the internal sense, the influx of the Lord into those who are in His kingdom and church is described; “the God of Israel” is the Lord in respect to the Divine Human and the Divine truth proceeding therefrom; “the house of God” is His kingdom and the church; “glory” is Divine truth as it is in heaven; “to come by the way of the east into the house” means from the sun, where it is continually in its morning. (That “glory” is Divine truth as it is in heaven, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 4809, 5922, 8267, 8427, 9429; that “the house of God” is heaven and the church in respect to good, and “temple” is the same in respect to truth, 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, consequently the “east” is the good of love from Him, see n. 3708, 5097, 9668.) sRef Ezek@47 @8 S7′ sRef Ezek@47 @1 S7′ sRef Ezek@47 @2 S7′ sRef Ezek@47 @9 S7′ [7] In the same:
The angel afterwards brought me back to the entrance of the house, where behold, waters issuing out from under the threshold of the house towards the east, they shall 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 creeps, whithersoever the rivers come, shall live, whence there are exceeding many fishes, because these waters shall come thither, and they are healed, that everything may live whither the river shall come (Ezek. 47:1, 8, 9).
Here also, the influx of the Lord from His Divine Human with those who are of His kingdom and church is described by pure correspondences. By “waters issuing out from under the threshold of the house towards the east,” Divine truth proceeding from the Lord and flowing in with those that are in the east, that is, that are in the good of love to Him, is described. “The waters shall descend into the plain” and “into the sea,” and “thereby the waters of the sea are healed,” signifies influx into the natural man and into the knowledges which are therein; the “fishes therefrom” signifies many scientific truths in the natural man; that “everything shall live whither the river shall come” signifies that they should have life from Divine truth. That such thing are hereby signified there, no one can see except from the internal sense of the Word, yet every single expression therein involves arcana of man’s regeneration by the Lord; but what is involved in each expression here will he disclosed in explaining 22:1, 2, of Revelation, where like things are mentioned.
sRef Ps@130 @7 S8′ sRef Ps@130 @8 S8′ sRef Ps@130 @6 S8′ sRef Ps@130 @5 S8′ [8] In David:
I have waited for Jehovah, my soul doth wait, my soul waiteth for the Lord more than the watchmen for the morning, the watchmen for the morning; for with Him is much redemption, and He will redeem Israel (Ps. 130:5-8).
Here the Lord’s coming into the world, and His reception by those that are in the good of love are treated of. The Lord’s coming is signified by “I have waited for Jehovah, my soul doth wait for the Lord, for with Him is much redemption, and He shall redeem Israel;” and His reception by those that are in the good of love is signified by “more than watchmen for the morning, the watchmen for the morning.” Here “morning” in the highest sense signifies the Lord, and in the internal sense His kingdom and church; and “watchmen for the morning” signify those who wait for the Lord’s corning, who are those that are in the good of love, since to those the Lord is “coming.”
sRef Isa@21 @12 S9′ sRef Dan@8 @26 S9′ sRef Isa@21 @11 S9′ sRef Dan@8 @14 S9′ sRef Zeph@3 @5 S9′ sRef Ezek@7 @7 S9′ sRef Ezek@7 @10 S9′ sRef Ezek@7 @6 S9′ [9] That “morning” signifies the Lord’s coming into the world and then a new church is evident from the following passages.
In Daniel:
Unto evening and morning, two thousand three hundred, then the holy (sanctum) shall be justified. The vision of the evening and the morning, which has been told, is truth (Dan. 8:14, 26). “Evening” signifies the last time of the former church, and “morning” the first time of the new church, thus the Lord’s coming.
In Isaiah:
Crying to me from Seir, Watchman,* what of the night? watchman, what of the night? The watchman said, The morning cometh, and also the night (Dan. 21:11, 12).
Here also the Lord’s coming is treated of; “night” is the last time of the former church, and “morning” the first of the new. (What is signified by “calling out of Seir,” see Arcana Coelestia, n. 4240, 4384.) In Ezekiel:
The end is come, the end is come, the morning is come upon thee, O inhabitant of the land; behold the day cometh, the morning is gone forth (Ezek. 7:6, 7, 10).
Here likewise the Lord’s coming and the end of the former church and the beginning of a new one are treated of. In Zephaniah, where similar things are meant:
Jehovah in the morning, in the morning, He shall bring His judgment to light, nor shall He fail (Zeph. 3:5).
sRef Isa@17 @11 S10′ sRef Ps@59 @16 S10′ sRef Isa@33 @2 S10′ sRef Ps@143 @8 S10′ sRef Lev@6 @12 S10′ sRef Deut@16 @7 S10′ sRef Deut@16 @6 S10′ sRef Isa@50 @4 S10′ sRef Ex@19 @16 S10′ sRef Ps@63 @1 S10′ sRef Ps@90 @14 S10′ sRef Ps@5 @3 S10′ sRef Ps@46 @5 S10′ sRef Rev@22 @16 S10′ sRef Jer@7 @13 S10′ sRef Ex@16 @13 S10′ sRef Ex@16 @12 S10′ sRef Ex@16 @21 S10′ [10] As “morning” signifies the Lord, His coming, also His kingdom and church, as also the good of love from Him, what is meant by “morning” in the following passages can be seen.
In David:
Cause me to hear Thy mercy in the morning (Ps. 143: 8).
In the same:
I will sing aloud of Thy mercy in the morning (Ps. 59:16).
In the same:
O satisfy us in the morning with Thy mercy; that we may sing aloud and be glad all our days (Ps. 90:14).
In the same:
O Jehovah, in the morning shalt Thou hear my voice; in the morning I will set myself in order for Thee (Ps. 5:3).
In the same:
God is in the midst of her; God shall help him** at the turning of the morning (Ps. 46:5).
In the same:
O God, my God, in the morning do I seek Thee (Ps. 63:1).
In Isaiah:
In the day shalt thou make thy plant to grow, and in the morning shalt thou make thy seed to blossom (Isa. 17:11).
In the same:
Jehovah is*** their arm every morning (Isa. 33:2).
In the same :
Jehovah**** hath given me the tongue of the learned; he hath awakened me every morning (Isa. 50:4).
In Jeremiah:
I speak unto you every morning (Jer. 7:13; 11:7; 25:3, 4). From the signification of “morning” it can be seen what is meant by the following:
That manna fell in the morning (Exod. 16:12, 13, 21).
That Jehovah descended in the morning from Mount Sinai (Exod. 19:16);
That the priest kindled wood upon the altar every morning and placed thereon the whole burnt-offering (Lev. 6:12). Also what is involved in the command respecting the sacrifice of the passover:
Thou shalt sacrifice the passover at the going down of the sun. Then thou shalt eat it; and thou shalt turn in the morning and go into thy tents (Deut. 16:6, 7).
“They should sacrifice the passover when the sun went down,” because “the setting of the sun” signified the last time of the church; that “they should turn in the morning,” signified the establishment of a new church, thus the Lord’s coming. These things are cited that it may be known what is signified by the “morning star,” which the Son of man would give, namely wisdom and intelligence from the Lord’s Divine Human. And as those who receive wisdom and intelligence from the Lord also receive Him, for the Lord is in the wisdom and intelligence that are from Him, even so that He is the wisdom and intelligence with them, the Lord Himself also is called “the Morning Star” in Revelation:
I am the root and the offspring of David, the bright and Morning Star (Rev. 22:16).
He is likewise called a Star (Num. 24:17).
* The Latin has “Watchman, watchman,” the Hebrew has it only once.
** In Hebrew: “help her” as found in AR 151; TCR 764; Coronis 5.
*** The Hebrew has “be Thou their arm,” as also found in AC 4933, 8211.
**** The Hebrew has “Lord Jehovih,” as also found in Arcana Coelestia 3869.

sRef Rev@2 @29 S0′ 180. Verse 29. 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 in His church, as is evident from what was said and shown above (n. 108), where there are like words.


Revelation 3

1. And to 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 confirm the things remaining that 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 in what hour I will come upon thee.
4. Thou hast a few names even in Sardis that 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 the Holy, the 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 given before thee an opened door, and no one is able to shut it; for thou hast some power, and hast kept My word, and hast not denied My name.
9. Behold, I will give, from the synagogue of Satan, of those saying that they are Jews and they 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 hath kept the word of My endurance I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation that is to come upon the whole world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
11. Behold, I come quickly; hold fast what 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 out thence no more; and I will write upon him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from My God, and My new name.
13. He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches.
14. And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the working of God:
15. I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot; would that thou wert cold or hot.
16. So because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I am about to vomit thee out of My mouth.
17. Because thou sayest, I am rich and have gotten riches, 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 by fire, that thou mayest be enriched; and white garments, that thou mayest be clothed, that the shame of thy nakedness be not manifest; and anoint thine eyes with eye-salve, that thou mayest see.
19. As many as I love I reprove and chasten; be zealous, therefore, and repent.
20. Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.
21. He that overcometh, I will give to him to sit with Me in My throne, as I also have overcome and am sitting with My Father in His throne.
22. He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

sRef Rev@3 @1 S0′ sRef Rev@3 @2 S0′ sRef Rev@3 @6 S0′ sRef Rev@3 @4 S0′ sRef Rev@3 @3 S0′ sRef Rev@3 @5 S0′ 181. EXPOSITION.
Verses 1-6. And to 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 confirm the things remaining that 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 in what hour I will come upon thee. The hast a few names even in Sardis that 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.
1. “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write” signifies those who live a moral but not a spiritual life, because they have little regard for the knowledges of spiritual things and for intelligence and wisdom therefrom (n. 182); “these things saith he that hath the seven spirits of God,” signifies the Lord, from whom are all the truths of heaven and of the church (n. 183); “and the seven stars,” signifies from whom are all the knowledges of truth and good (n. 184); “I know thy works,” signifies the things that are of their life (n. 185); “that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead,” signifies the quality of their thought, in that they think themselves to be alive because they are living a moral life, when yet they are dead (n. 186). 2. “Be wakeful,” signifies that they should acquire for themselves life (n. 187); “and confirm the things remaining that are about to die,” signifies in order that the things that belong to the moral life may be vivified (n. 188); “for I have not found thy works full before God,” signifies that otherwise the Divine is not in the moral life (n. 189). 3. “Remember, therefore, how thou hast received and heard, and take heed,” signifies recalling to mind and attention what the Lord teaches in the Word (n. 190); “and repent,” signifies consequent spiritual life (n. 191); “if, therefore, thou shalt not be wakeful,” signifies if thou dost not acquire spiritual life (n. 192); “I will come on thee as a thief,” signifies the unexpected time of death, when all knowledges procured from the Word that have not acquired spiritual life will be taken away (n. 193); “and thou shalt not know in what hour I will come upon thee,” signifies ignorance of that time and the state then (n. 194). 4. “Thou hast a few names even in Sardis that have not defiled their garments,” signifies those who live a moral life from a spiritual origin, by applying the knowledges of truth and good [from the Word] to the uses of their life (n. 195); “and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy,” signifies their spiritual life which they have by means of the knowledges of truth and good from the Word (n. 196). 5.”He that overcometh,” signifies he that is steadfast even until death (n. 197); “shall be clothed in white garments,” signifies intelligence and wisdom according to truths and their reception (n. 198); “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 (n. 199); “and I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels,” signifies that they will be in Divine good and in Divine truth therefrom (n. 200). 6. “He that hath an ear let him hear, what the Spirit saith to 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 (n. 201).

sRef Rev@3 @1 S0′ 182. Verse 1. And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, signifies those who live a moral but not a spiritual life, because they have little regard for the knowledges of spiritual things and for intelligence and wisdom therefrom. This is evident from what is written to the angel of this church, from which, when viewed in the internal or spiritual sense, it can be seen that those who live a moral but not a spiritual life, because they have little regard for the knowledges of the spiritual things and for intelligence and wisdom therefrom, are here treated of. But before unfolding the things that follow as to their spiritual sense, it is necessary to explain and open what moral life is and what spiritual life is, also what moral life from spiritual life is, and what moral life apart from spiritual life. Moral life is acting well, sincerely, and justly with one’s companions in all the affairs and occupations of life; in a word, it is the life that is apparent before men, because it is the life lived with them. But this life has a two-fold origin; it is either from the love of self and the world, or it is from love to God and love towards the neighbor.
[2] Moral life from the love of self and the world is not in itself moral life, although it seems to be moral; for the man acting thus acts well, sincerely, and justly for the sake of self and the world only, and what is good, sincere, and just serves him as means to an end, which is, either that he may be raised above others and rule over them, or that he may gain wealth; and of these things he thinks in his spirit, or when he is by himself secretly; but these things that he thinks he does not dare to avow openly, because they would destroy the good opinion others have of him, and thus destroy the means by which he wishes to attain his ends. From this it can be seen that there lies within the moral life of such a man nothing else than to acquire all things in preference to others, thus that he wishes to have all others to serve him, or to gain possession of their goods; from which it is evident that his moral life is not in itself a moral life; for if he should gain what he aims at, or what he has as an end, he would subject others to himself as slaves, and would deprive them of their goods. And as all means savor of the end, and in their essence are of the same quality as their ends, for which reason they are also called intermediate ends, therefore such a life, regarded in itself, is merely craftiness and fraud. And this also becomes clearly evident in the case of those with whom these external bonds are released, as takes place, when engaged in lawsuits against their fellows, when they desire nothing so much as to subvert justice, and secure the good will of the judge or the favor of the king, and this secretly, that they may deprive others of their goods; and when they obtain this, they rejoice in spirit and in heart. This is still more evident in the case of kings who place honor in wars and victories, that they find the highest joy of their hearts in subjugating provinces and kingdoms, and where resistance is made, in depriving the vanquished of all their goods, and even of life. Such also is the delight of many who engage at such times in military service. This becomes still more evident with all of this character when they become spirits, which is immediately after the death of the body. As they then think and act from their spirit, they rush into every wickedness according to their love, however morally they may have lived in appearance while in the world.
[3] But spiritual life is wholly different, because it has a different origin; for it is from love to God and love towards the neighbor. Consequently, the moral life also of those who are spiritual is different, and is a truly moral life; for these, when they think in their spirit, which takes place when they are thinking secretly by themselves, do not think from self and the world, but from the Lord and heaven; for the interiors of their minds, that is, of their thought and will, are actually elevated by the Lord into heaven, and are there conjoined to Him; thus the Lord flows into their thoughts, intentions, and ends, and governs them and withdraws them from their proprium [what is their own], which is solely from the love of self and of the world. The moral life of such persons is, in appearance, like the moral life of those described above, and yet their moral life is spiritual, because it is from a spiritual origin. Their moral life is simply an effect of spiritual life, which is the efficient cause, thus the origin. For they act well, sincerely, and justly with their fellows from fear of God and from love of the neighbor; in these loves the Lord keeps their mind and disposition [mentem et animum]; consequently when they become spirits, which takes place when the body dies, they think and act intelligently and wisely, and are elevated into heaven. Of these it may be said, that with them every good of love and every truth of faith flows in out of heaven, that is, through heaven from the Lord. But this is not true of those described above; for their good* is not the good of heaven, nor is their truth the truth of heaven; but what they call good is the delight of the lust of the flesh, and it is falsity therefrom that they call truth; these flow into them from self and from the world. From this it can also be known what moral life from spiritual life is, and what moral life apart from spiritual life is; namely, that moral life from spiritual life is truly moral life, which may be called spiritual, since it has its cause and origin in the spiritual; but that moral life apart from spiritual life not moral life, and may be called infernal, for so far as the love of self and of the world reign in it, so far it is fraudulent and hypocritical.
[4] From what has now been said, the quality of external sanctity may also be inferred (by which is meant worship in churches, prayers, and gestures then), with such as are in the love of self and of the world, and yet live an apparently moral life, namely, that nothing of these is elevated to heaven and is heard there, but that they flow out from some thought of the external or natural man, and thus from their mouth into the world. For the interior thoughts of such, which are of their very spirits, are full of craftiness and fraud against the neighbor; and yet it is through interiors that there is elevation into heaven. Moreover, their worship in churches, and prayers, and gestures at such times, are either the result of habit from infancy, and are thence become familiar, or they are from a principle that such external things contribute everything to salvation, or they are a consequence of there being no business for them at home and abroad on holy days, or of a fear of being regarded as irreligious by their companions. But worship with those who live a moral life from a spiritual origin is altogether different, for it is truly a worship of God, for their prayers are elevated to heaven and are heard, for the Lord leads their prayers through heaven to Himself. (But more may be seen on these subjects in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 468, 484, 529, 530-534; and above, in the explanation of Revelation n. 107.) These things are premised, because what is written to the angel of this church treats of those who live a moral but not a spiritual life, for the reason that they have little regard for the knowledges of spiritual things.
* The Latin for “good” has “the good of heaven.”

sRef Rev@3 @1 S0′ 183. These things saith He that hath the seven spirits of God, signifies the Lord from whom are all the truths of heaven and of the church. This may appear from the fact that it is the Lord who is meant, because it is the Son of man who said these things, as well as those said to the angels of the other churches; and the Son of man is the Lord in respect to the Divine Human (see n. 63, 151). By “the seven spirits of God” all the truths of heaven and of the church are meant, because “the Spirit of God” in the Word signifies Divine truth proceeding from the Lord. “Spirit” is mentioned in many passages in the Word, and “spirit,” when used in reference to man, signifies Divine truth received in the life, thus it signifies man’s spiritual life; but in reference to the Lord, by “spirit” is meant the Divine that proceeds from Him, which is called by the general term Divine truth. But since few at this day know what is meant by “spirit” in the Word, I will first show by passages from the Word that “spirit,” in reference to man, signifies Divine truth received in the life, thus man’s spiritual life. But because there are two things that constitute man’s spiritual life, namely, the good of love and the truth of faith, in many passages in the Word mention is made of “heart and spirit,” and also of “heart and soul;” and by “heart” the good of love is signified, and by “spirit” the truth of faith; the latter is also signified by “soul,” for this means in the Word man’s spirit.
sRef Ps@51 @17 S2′ sRef Ezek@36 @26 S2′ sRef Ps@51 @10 S2′ sRef Ps@51 @11 S2′ sRef Ezek@18 @31 S2′ sRef Ps@51 @12 S2′ [2] That “spirit,” in reference to man, signifies truth received in the life, is clear from the following passages. In Ezekiel:
Make you a new heart and a new spirit; why will ye die, O house of Israel (Ezek. 18:31).
In the same:
A new heart will I give you, and a new spirit will I give in the midst of you (Ezek. 36:26).
And in David:
Create for me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit in the midst of me. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart God doth not despise (Ps. 51:10, 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 make all of man’s life, namely, good and truth; these two when united in man make his spiritual life.
sRef Ezek@13 @3 S3′ sRef Ps@78 @8 S3′ sRef Isa@33 @11 S3′ sRef Deut@2 @30 S3′ sRef Ezek@21 @7 S3′ sRef Ezek@20 @32 S3′ [3] As “heart” signifies good, and “spirit” truth, both received in the life, so “heart,” in the contrary sense, signifies evil, and “spirit” falsity; for most expressions in the Word have also a contrary sense. In this sense “heart” and “spirit” are mentioned, in David:
A generation that doth not set its heart aright, neither is its spirit steadfast with God (Ps. 78:8).
And in Ezekiel:
Every heart shall melt, and every spirit shall faint (Ezek. 21:7).
In Moses:
Jehovah hardened the spirit of the king of Heshbon, and confirmed his heart (Deut. 2:30).
In Isaiah:
Conceive chaff, bring forth stubble; your spirit fire shall devour (Isa. 33:11).
In Ezekiel:
Woe unto the foolish prophets that go away after their own spirit (Ezek. 13:3).
In the same:
That which ascendeth upon your spirit shall never come to pass (Ezek. 20:32).
[4] From this it is clear that the whole of man’s life is meant by “heart and spirit;” and as his whole life refers itself to these two, namely, to good and truth, and in a spiritual sense to love and faith, so these two lives of man are meant by “heart and spirit.” From this also it is that “heart and spirit” signify the will and the understanding of man; since these two faculties in man make all his life; nowhere else than in these has man life; and for the reason 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 with man refer themselves to good and truth, or to evil and falsity, and in a spiritual sense to love and faith (see The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 28-35). In reference to man, “spirit” signifies truth or falsity, and man’s life from one or the other; because by “spirit” is meant especially the spirit that is in man and that thinks, and it thinks** either from truths or from falsities. But as was said just above, there are two things that make the life of man, understanding and will; the life of the understanding is to think either from truths or from falsities, and the life of the will is to affect or inflame with love those things that the understanding thinks. These two lives of man 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; it is by this correspondence that spirit and body with man are united (see above, n. 167; and in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 446-447).
sRef Rev@11 @7 S5′ sRef Rev@11 @11 S5′ sRef Ps@104 @29 S5′ sRef Ezek@37 @5 S5′ sRef Luke@8 @54 S5′ sRef Ezek@37 @10 S5′ sRef Luke@8 @55 S5′ sRef Ezek@37 @9 S5′ [5] Because of this correspondence the word that means spirit in the Hebrew, as well as in many other languages, means wind or breath; so also to expire [to breathe out] is expressed by the term “to give up the spirit [breath, or ghost];” and this also in the Word; as in David:
I gathered in*** their spirit, he expired (Ps. 104:29).
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, From the four winds come, O spirit, and breathe into these slain; and the spirit came into them, and they revived (Ezek. 37:5, 9-10).
In Revelation:
The two witnesses were slain by the beast that cometh up out of the abyss; but after the three days and a half the spirit of life from God entered into them, so that they stood upon their feet (Rev. 11:7, 11).
In Luke:
Jesus, taking the hand of the dead girl, called, saying, Maiden, arise. Therefore her spirit came again, and she rose up immediately (Luke 8:54-55).
sRef John@3 @8 S6′ sRef John@3 @5 S6′ sRef John@20 @22 S6′ sRef John@20 @21 S6′ [6] When these passages are understood it can be seen what “spirit” signifies, when predicated of man, in many places in the Word, of which I will cite only these. In John:
Except one 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 knowest not whence it cometh and whither it goeth; so is everyone that is born of the spirit (John 3:5, 8).
The Lord breathed on the disciples, and said, Receive ye the Holy Spirit (John 20:22).
And in the book of Genesis:
Jehovah breathed into man’s nostrils the breath of lives (Gen. 2:7);
besides other places.
sRef Luke@2 @40 S7′ sRef Dan@5 @12 S7′ sRef Luke@1 @80 S7′ sRef Dan@5 @14 S7′ sRef Ex@28 @3 S7′ sRef John@4 @23 S7′ [7] That “spirit,” in the spiritual sense, signifies truth, and man’s life therefrom, which is intelligence, is clear from the following passages. In John:
The hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth (John 4:23).
In Daniel:
In him was an excellent spirit of knowledge and understanding. I have heard of thee that the spirit of God is in thee, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom is found in thee (Dan. 5:12, 14).
In Moses:
Thou shalt speak to all the wise in heart, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom (Exod. 28:3).
In Luke:
John grew, and waxed strong in spirit (Luke 1:80).
And concerning the Lord:
The child Jesus grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was filled with wisdom (Luke 2:40).
sRef Isa@11 @1 S8′ sRef Isa@11 @2 S8′ sRef Isa@42 @1 S8′ sRef John@3 @34 S8′ sRef John@16 @13 S8′ sRef John@6 @63 S8′ sRef John@16 @14 S8′ sRef John@16 @7 S8′ sRef Isa@59 @19 S8′ sRef Isa@61 @1 S8′ [8] When it is known what “spirit,” in reference to man, signifies, it can be known what it signifies when predicated of Jehovah or the Lord, to whom are attributed all things that a man has, as face, eyes, ears, arms, hands, as also heart and soul, and so also a 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.” That “spirit” means Divine truth proceeding from the Lord is plain from many passages in the Word. Divine truth proceeding from the Lord is “the Spirit of God,” because from it men have all their life; and those who receive that Divine truth in faith and life have heavenly life. That this is “the Spirit of God” the Lord Himself teaches. In John:
The words that I speak unto you are spirit and are life (John 6:63).
In Isaiah:
There went forth**** a shoot out of the stock of Jesse; the spirit of Jehovah shall rest upon Him, the spirit of wisdom and intelligence, the spirit of counsel and of might (Isa. 11:1, 2). In the same:
I have given My spirit unto Him: He shall bring forth judgment to the nations (Isa. 42:1).
In the same:
He shall come like a flood; the spirit of Jehovah shall lift up a standard against Him (Isa. 59:19).
In the same:
The spirit of the Lord Jehovih is upon me, therefore Jehovah hath anointed me to preach good tidings to the poor (Isa. 61:1). In John:
He whom the Father hath sent speaketh the words of God, for not by measure hath God given the spirit (John 3:34).
These things are said of the Lord.
[9] That the Holy Spirit is Divine truth proceeding from the Lord can be seen 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 go away I will send Him unto you. When He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He shall guide you into all truth; He shall not speak from Himself, but He shall take of Mine, and shall declare it unto you (John 16:7, 13, 14).
That “the Comforter (Paraclete)” here is Divine truth proceeding from the Lord is plainly evident, for it is said that the Lord Himself spoke to them the “truth,” and 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 said “He shall take of Mine,” because Divine truth proceeds from the Lord, and what proceeds is called “Mine;” for the Lord Himself is Divine love; and what proceeds from Him is Divine truth, thus it is His (see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 139, 140, and the preceding numbers; and in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 307). “Being sent” and “sending” mean proceeding and going forth (see Arcana Coelestia., n. 2397, 4710, 6831, 10561); the same is meant here by “I will send Him to you.” That “the Comforter” is the Holy Spirit is evident in John:
The Comforter, the Holy Spirit, He shall teach you all things (John 14:26).
sRef John@7 @37 S10′ sRef John@14 @26 S10′ sRef John@7 @38 S10′ sRef John@7 @39 S10′ [10] In the same:
Jesus cried with a great voice, saying, 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. This He saith of the spirit which they that believe on Him were to receive; the Holy Spirit was not yet, because Jesus was not yet glorified (John 7:37-39).
It is clear from this that the Holy Spirit is Divine truth, proceeding from the Lord, which flows in with man, both immediately from the Lord Himself and mediately through angels and spirits; for the Lord says first, that “he who believes on Him, out of His belly shall flow rivers of living water,” and then that “He spake this of the spirit which they were to receive;” for “water” in the spiritual sense, signifies truth, and “rivers of living water,” Divine truth from the Lord in abundance; the like is therefore meant by “the spirit which they were to receive.” (That “water” signifies truth,” and “living water” Divine truth,” see above, n. 71.) And as Divine truth proceeds from the glorified Human of the Lord and not immediately from the Divine Itself, for this was glorified in Itself from eternity, so it is 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, see The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem (n. 293-295, 300-306).
[11] It is greatly wondered at in heaven that the man of the church does not know that the Holy Spirit, which is Divine truth, proceeds from the Lord’s Human, and not immediately from His Divine, when yet 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 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 they are not two, but one Christ; He is one, but not by changing the Divine into the Human but the Divine took the Human to Itself. He is altogether one, not by a mingling of two natures, but He is a single person, because as body and soul are one man, so God and man is one Christ. (This from the Creed of Athanasius).
Now as the Divine and the Human of the Lord are not two, but a single person, and are united as soul and body, it may be known that the Divine which is called the Holy Spirit goes out and proceeds from His Divine through the Human, thus from the Divine Human; for nothing whatever can go forth from the body except from the soul through the body, since all the life of the body is from its soul. And since “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 nor least,” it follows that the proceeding Divine, which is called the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Divine Itself of the Lord through His Human, and not from another Divine that is called the Father; for the Lord teaches that the Father and He are one, and that the Father is in Him and He in the Father (see below, n. 200). But the reason why most of those in the Christian world think otherwise in their hearts, and thence believe otherwise, is, the angels said, because they think of the Lord’s Human as separate from His Divine, although this is contrary to the doctrine which teaches that the Divine and the Human of the Lord are not two persons, but a single person, united as soul and body. That this should be 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 they have divided the Divine and the 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, because they do not know that when the Lord fully glorified His Human He put off the human from the mother, and put on a Human from the Father (according to what is shown in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 295. That this distinction was made in a certain council by those who were there, for the pope’s sake, that he might be acknowledged as the Lord’s vicar, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 4738).
sRef Rev@19 @10 S12′ sRef Isa@28 @5 S12′ sRef Ezek@37 @14 S12′ sRef Isa@44 @3 S12′ sRef Isa@28 @6 S12′ sRef Matt@3 @11 S12′ sRef Ezek@37 @13 S12′ sRef Micah@3 @8 S12′ sRef Ps@33 @6 S12′ sRef Lam@4 @20 S12′ sRef Joel@2 @28 S12′ sRef Job@4 @9 S12′ sRef Joel@2 @29 S12′ [12] That the “Spirit of God” is Divine truth, and thence spiritual life to the man who receives it, is further evident from these passages. In Micah:
I am full of power with the spirit of Jehovah and of judgment (Micah 3:8).
And in Isaiah:
I will pour out waters upon him that is thirsty, and streams upon the dry ground, and My spirit upon thy seed (Isa. 44:3).
In that day shall Jehovah Zebaoth be for a spirit of judgment to him that sitteth in judgment, and for might to them (Isa. 28:5-6).
In Ezekiel:
And ye shall know that I will put my spirit in you that ye may live (Ezek. 37:14).
In Joel:
I will pour out My spirit upon all flesh, and upon the menservants and upon the maidservants (Joel 2:28).
In Revelation:
The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy (Rev. 19:10).
Since the “Spirit of God” signifies Divine truth, it is called:
The spirit of the mouth of Jehovah (Ps. 33:6);
The spirit of His lips (Isa. 11:4);
The breath of God and the spirit of His nostrils (Lam. 4:20; Ps. 18:16; Job 4:9).
In Matthew:
John said, I baptize you with water unto repentance; but He that cometh after me, He shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire (Matt. 3:11).
In the spiritual sense, “to baptize” signifies to regenerate; the “Holy Spirit” is Divine truth, and “fire” Divine good. (That to “baptize” signifies to regenerate, see above, n. 71; and that “fire” signifies the good of love, n. 68.)
sRef Matt@28 @19 S13′ [13] From this it can now be seen what is meant by the words of the Lord to His disciples:
Go ye, baptize into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:19).
Here “the Father” is the Divine Itself, “the Son” is the Divine Human, and “the Holy Spirit” is the proceeding Divine which is Divine truth; thus there is one Divine, and yet there is a trine. That this is so the Lord teaches in John:
Henceforth 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 (John 14:7, 9-10).
sRef Ps@104 @4 S14′ sRef Rev@5 @6 S14′ sRef Rev@4 @5 S14′ [14] Since the proceeding Divine, which is Divine truth, flows in with men immediately, as well as mediately through angels and spirits, it is believed that the Holy Spirit is a third person, distinct from the two called Father and Son. But I can affirm that no one in heaven knows any other Holy Divine than the Divine truth proceeding from the Lord. And since Divine truth is also communicated to men mediately through angels, it is said in David:
Jehovah God maketh His angels spirits (Ps. 104:1, 4).
These passages have been cited that it may be known that “the seven spirits” signify all the truths of heaven and of the church from the Lord. It is made still more manifest that “the seven spirits” are all the truths of heaven and of the church, from these passages in Revelation:
The seven lamps of fire burning before the throne are the seven spirits of God (Rev. 4:5).
And further:
In the midst of the elders a Lamb standing, having seven horns, and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent forth into all the earth (Rev. 5:6).
It is plain that the spirits here are not spirits, from the fact that the “lamps” and the “eyes of the Lamb” are called spirits. “Lamps” signify Divine truths, and “eyes” the understanding of truth; and when predicated of the Lord, His Divine wisdom and intelligence (see above, n. 152).
* The Latin has “or,” but the context requires “and.”
** The Latin for “thinks either” has “either thinks either.”
*** For “I gathered in” the Hebrew has “thou gatherest in.”
**** For “there went forth,” the Hebrew has, “There shall go forth,” as found in AC 2826, 9818; AR 46, 962.

sRef Rev@3 @1 S0′ 184. And the seven stars, signifies from whom are all the knowledges of truth and good. This is evident from the signification of “seven,” as being what is full and all things (see above, n. 20, 24), also from the signification of “stars” as being the knowledges of truth and good (see also above, n. 72). It is said to the angel of this church, “These things saith He that hath the seven spirits of God, and the seven stars,” because those within the church who are living a moral but not a spiritual life, because they have little regard for the knowledges of spiritual things and thence for intelligence and wisdom, are here treated of; for “the seven spirits of God” signify all the truths of heaven and of the church, and “the seven stars” the knowledges of truth and good; and through these two come all intelligence and wisdom. To the angel of each church is premised something respecting the Lord, which indicates what is treated of (see above, n. 113).

sRef Rev@3 @1 S0′ 185. I know thy works, signifies the things that are of their life. This is evident from the signification of “works,” as being the things that are of man’s life, both the good and the evil. “Works” signify the things that are of life because they are the effects of life, for they proceed from the life of everyone. If the life is good the works are good, but if the life is evil the works are evil. The life that is in works is the intention, which is of the will, and of the thought therefrom; and this life is the life of man’s spirit; for it is the spirit in man that intends and thinks. Without this life in works they would be only motions like those of automatons. For this reason the wise do not look at the works, but at the life that is in the works, namely, at the intention. This is especially true of the angels who are with man; they do not see his works, but only the intentions of his mind, and conclude therefrom what the man’s state is. From this it can be seen that “works” in the spiritual sense mean the life; and as the life of man is diverse, depending mainly upon his love, it is his love that is especially signified by “works;” see above (n. 98, 116). This is why it is said to the angel of each church in the beginning, “I know thy works;” which therefore means that the Lord knows the whole life of man, and its quality in respect to love.

sRef Rev@3 @1 S0′ 186. That thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead, signifies the quality of their thought, in that they think themselves to be alive, because they are living a moral life, when yet they are dead. This is evident from the signification of “name,” as being quality of state (see above, n. 148); also from the signification of “living,” as being to have spiritual life (of which presently); also from the signification of “being dead,” as being not to have spiritual life, but only moral life without it. This is “being dead,” because in the Word “life” signifies the life of heaven with man, which is there also called “life eternal;” while “death” signifies the life of hell, which life in the Word is called “death,” because it is the privation of the life of heaven. Here, therefore, “thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead,” signifies thinking that they have spiritual life, and thus are saved, because they are living a moral life, when yet they are spiritually dead. But how this is to be understood can be seen from what was said above (n. 182) of each life, spiritual and moral, namely, that moral life apart from spiritual life is the life of the love of self and the love of the world, while moral life that is from spiritual life is a life of love to the Lord and love towards the neighbor; this life is the life of heaven, but the other life is what is called spiritual death. When this is understood (see above, n. 182), it can be known what is meant here by “being alive and yet being dead.”
sRef Ezek@3 @21 S2′ sRef Ezek@3 @20 S2′ sRef Ezek@3 @19 S2′ sRef Ezek@3 @18 S2′ [2] That “to live,” or “being alive,” signifies spiritual life in man, and “being dead” deprivation of that life, and damnation, can be seen from many passages in the Word, of which I will cite the following. Thus in Ezekiel:
When I shall say unto the wicked, In dying he* shall die, and thou shalt not give him warning, nor speak to warn the wicked one from his evil way, that he may be made alive, the wicked shall die in his iniquity. But if thou shalt give warning to the wicked, and he shall not** turn back from his wickedness nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; yet hast thou delivered thy soul. So if thou shalt give warning to a righteous man that he sin no more,*** and he sin not, living he shall live, because he took warning (Ezek. 3:18-21).
Here “dying he shall die” is to perish in eternal death, which is damnation, for it is said of the wicked; and “living he shall live” is to enjoy eternal life, which is salvation, for it is said of those who repent, and of the righteous.
sRef Ezek@13 @19 S3′ [3] In the same:
Ye have profaned Me with My people, to kill the souls that should not die, and to keep alive the souls that should not live, whilst ye lie to My people, to them that hear a lie (Ezek. 13:19).
This treats of the falsification of truth, which is meant by “Ye have profaned Me with My people,” and by “ye lie to the people, to them that hear a lie.” Here “a lie” signifies what is false, and what is falsified. “To kill the souls that should not die” is to deprive them of the life that comes from truths; and “to keep alive the souls that should not live” is to persuade them that life eternal is from falsities. That this is here meant by “making alive” is evident from the preceding verse there.
sRef John@5 @24 S4′ sRef Ps@56 @13 S4′ sRef Ps@33 @19 S4′ sRef Jer@21 @8 S4′ sRef Ps@33 @18 S4′ [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. 33:18-19).
In the same:
Thou hast delivered my soul from death, and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living (Ps. 56:13).
In Jeremiah:
Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death (Jer. 21:8).
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 into life (John 5:24).
sRef Isa@28 @15 S5′ sRef Rev@20 @14 S5′ sRef Ps@18 @4 S5′ sRef Ps@30 @3 S5′ sRef Ps@18 @5 S5′ sRef Hos@13 @14 S5′ sRef Isa@38 @18 S5′ sRef Rev@6 @8 S5′ sRef Isa@38 @19 S5′ sRef Ps@6 @5 S5′ sRef Ps@49 @14 S5′ [5] It is clear that in these passages “death” means damnation, and “life” salvation. Because “death” is damnation it is also hell, for which reason hell is commonly called “death” in the Word, as in these passages. In Isaiah:
Hell will not confess Thee, nor will death praise Thee; they that go down into the pit will not hope on Thy truth. The living, the living, he shall confess Thee (Isa. 38:18-19).
In the same:
We have made a covenant with death, and with hell we have made a vision (Isa. 28:15).
In Hosea:
I will ransom them from the hand of hell; I will redeem them from death. O death, I will be thy plague! O hell, I will be thy perdition! (Hosea 13:14).
In David:
In death there is no remembrance of Thee; in hell who shall confess Thee? (Ps. 6:5).
In the same:
The cords of death compassed me, and the cords of hell (Ps. 18:4-5).
In the same:
Like sheep shall they be laid in hell; death shall feed them (Ps. 49:14).
In the same:
Jehovah, thou hast brought up my soul from hell; Thou hast made Me to live (Ps. 30:3).
In Revelation:
A pale horse, and he that sat upon him whose name was death, and hell will follow**** him (Rev. 6:8).
And in another place:
Death and hell were cast into the lake of fire (Rev. 20:14).
sRef Ps@91 @6 S6′ sRef Rev@8 @11 S6′ sRef John@8 @51 S6′ sRef Isa@25 @8 S6′ sRef Isa@53 @9 S6′ sRef Ps@91 @5 S6′ sRef Ps@9 @13 S6′ sRef John@8 @52 S6′ sRef Rev@16 @3 S6′ sRef Rev@2 @11 S6′ [6] As “death” signifies damnation and hell, its meaning in the following passages is evident. In Isaiah:
He will swallow up death for ever; and the Lord Jehovih will wipe away tears from off all faces (Isa. 25:8).
In the same:
That he might give the wicked to their sepulcher, and the rich in their deaths (Isa. 53:9).
In David:
Jehovah, Thou liftest me up from the gates of death (Ps. 9:13).
Thou shalt not be afraid for the arrow that flieth by day, nor for the death that wasteth at noonday (Ps. 91:5-6).
In John:
If any one keep My word he shall never see death John 8:51).
In Revelation:
He that overcometh shall not be destroyed in the second death (Rev. 2:11).
In another place:
Many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter (Rev. 8:11).
In the same:
The second angel poured out a bowl upon the sea, and it became blood as of one dead, whence every living soul died in the sea (Rev. 16:3).
sRef Num@19 @17 S7′ sRef Num@19 @18 S7′ sRef Num@19 @19 S7′ sRef Matt@8 @22 S7′ sRef Ps@106 @28 S7′ sRef Num@19 @22 S7′ sRef Num@19 @21 S7′ sRef Lev@21 @11 S7′ sRef Num@19 @20 S7′ sRef Ezek@44 @25 S7′ sRef Num@19 @16 S7′ sRef Num@6 @7 S7′ sRef Num@6 @6 S7′ sRef Num@19 @11 S7′ sRef Lev@21 @2 S7′ sRef Lev@21 @3 S7′ sRef Matt@8 @21 S7′ sRef Num@19 @13 S7′ sRef Num@19 @14 S7′ sRef Num@19 @12 S7′ sRef Num@19 @15 S7′ sRef Ps@143 @3 S7′ [7] From these passages it can be seen what is meant by “the dead,” namely, those who have not in themselves the life of heaven, and consequently are in evils and in falsities therefrom. These are meant also in the following passages. In David:
They joined themselves also unto Baal-peor, and ate the sacrifices of the dead (Ps. 106:28).
In the same:
He hath made me to sit in darkness, like the dead of eternity (Ps. 143:3).
In Matthew:
One of His disciples said, Lord, suffer me first to go away and bury my father. Jesus said, Follow Me, and let the dead bury the dead (Matt. 8:21-22).
On account of this signification of “the dead”:
The sons of Aaron were forbidden to touch any dead body (Lev. 21:2-3, 11);
Likewise the priests, the Levites (Ezek. 44:25);
Likewise the Nazirite (Num. 6:6-7);
And whoever of the sons of Israel touched the dead must be cleansed by the water of separation (Num. 19:11 to the end).
sRef Ps@66 @9 S8′ sRef Ps@66 @8 S8′ sRef Matt@19 @17 S8′ sRef Ps@142 @5 S8′ sRef Ps@27 @13 S8′ sRef John@5 @29 S8′ sRef Matt@18 @9 S8′ sRef Matt@7 @14 S8′ [8] As “death” signifies damnation and hell, so on the other hand “life” signifies salvation and heaven; as in the passages that follow. In Matthew:
Narrow is the gate and straitened is the way which leadeth unto life (Matt. 7:14).
In the same:
It is good to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into the hell of fire (Matt. 18:9).
If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments (Matt. 19:17).
In John:
They shall come forth; they that have done good unto the resurrection of life (John 5:29).
From this it is that salvation is called “eternal life” (as in Matt. 19:16, 29; 25:46; Mark 10:30, 31; Luke 10:25; 18:18, 30; John 3:14-16, 36; 17:2, 3; and other places). For the same reason heaven is called “the land of the living,” as in David:
“the land of the living,” as in David:
O Jehovah, Thou art my reliance, my part in the land of the living (Ps. 142:5).
In the same:
That thou mayest see the good of Jehovah in the land of the living (Ps. 27:13).
In the same:
O bless our God, ye peoples, who places our soul among the living (Ps. 66:8, 9).
sRef John@11 @26 S9′ sRef John@6 @48 S9′ sRef John@5 @21 S9′ sRef John@14 @6 S9′ sRef John@11 @25 S9′ sRef John@5 @26 S9′ sRef John@6 @33 S9′ sRef John@6 @47 S9′ sRef John@6 @35 S9′ [9] That the Lord alone has life in Himself, and that even man has life from Him, the Lord Himself teaches in the following passages. In John:
As the Father raiseth up the dead and maketh them alive, even so the Son maketh alive whom He will. For as the Father hath life in Himself, so hath He given to the Son to have life in Himself (John 5:21, 26).
In the same:
Jesus said, I am the resurrection and the life; he that believeth in Me, though he die, shall live (John 11:25, 26).
In the same:
I am the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6).
In the same:
I am the bread of life that cometh down out of heaven, and giveth life unto the world (John 6:33, 35, 47, 48).
From this it is that the Lord is said to be “Living” and “the Living One” (Apoc. 4:9, 10; 5:14; 7:2; 10:6). The same is said of Jehovah in many passages in the prophets.
sRef John@11 @26 S10′ sRef John@5 @40 S10′ sRef John@10 @10 S10′ sRef John@10 @28 S10′ sRef John@11 @25 S10′ sRef John@3 @36 S10′ [10] And as the Lord is life, so all have life from Him; this also the Lord teaches. In John:
He that believeth on the Son hath eternal life; but he that believeth not the Son shall not see life (John 3:36).
In the same:
Jesus said, I came that the sheep may have life. I give unto them eternal life (John 10:10, 28).
In the same:
He that believeth on Me, though he die, shall live (John 11:25, 26).
In the same:
Ye will not come to Me, that ye may have life (v. 40).
sRef Ps@36 @9 S11′ sRef John@1 @1 S11′ sRef John@1 @9 S11′ sRef John@8 @12 S11′ sRef John@1 @4 S11′ [11] “Life” signifies the Lord, and thence salvation and heaven, because all of life is from one only Fountain, and that only Fountain of life is the Lord, while angels and men are merely forms receiving life from Him. The Life itself that proceeds from the Lord and fills heaven and the world, is the life of His love, and in heaven this appears as light, and because this light is life it enlightens the minds of angels, and enables them to understand and be wise. From this 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 coming into the world (John 1:1, 4-12).
In the same:
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 (John 8:12).
In David:
Jehovah, with Thee is the fountain of life, in Thy light shall we see light (Ps. 36:9).
The light which is life from the Lord in heaven is there called Divine truth, because it shines in the minds of those who are there, and thence shines before their eyes. From this it is that in the Word “light” signifies Divine truth, and intelligence and wisdom therefrom, and that the Lord Himself is called “the Light.” (But this is shown more fully in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 126-140, 275, which see.)
[12] The Lord is the source [a quo] of everything of life, because He is the sun of the angelic heaven, and the light of that sun is Divine truth, and its heat is Divine good; the two are life. From that origin is all life in heaven and in the world. The spiritual that flows into nature, and gives life there, is from no other source; but it gives life according to reception. (On this also see the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 116-125.) From this it is now evident why it is that the Lord calls Himself “the Life,” and why it is that those are said to have life and to live who receive light which is Divine truth, from the Lord, and why those who do not receive it are said not to live, but to be dead. (That there is one only Fountain of life, and that the Lord is that Fountain, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 9; and in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 278.)
* The Hebrew has: “thou shalt die,” as found also in Arcana Coelestia, n. 5890.
** Latin for “and he shall not turn” has “and he shall turn.”
*** Latin for “that he sin no more” has “lest he sin more.”
**** For “will follow” the Greek has “followed,” as found in AE 377, 383.

sRef Rev@3 @2 S0′ 187. Verse 2. Be wakeful, signifies that they should acquire for themselves life. This is evident from the signification of “being wakeful,” as meaning to be in spiritual life; but here, since those whose life is moral and not yet spiritual are treated of, “Be wakeful” is that they should acquire for themselves spiritual life. This life is meant by “wakefulness” and “being awake,” because spiritual life is to moral life, apart from spiritual life, as wakefulness is to sleep, or as noonday light is to the evening, yea, to darkness. But that this is so is not known or perceived by those who are in natural life alone, neither by those who are in moral life apart from spiritual life, for this life also is natural life. They do not know or perceive this, because they are in natural lumen only, and this lumen in comparison with spiritual light is as the darkness of evening to the light of noonday. Moreover, to such the darkness of evening seems like light; for their interior sight, which is that of the thought, is adapted to that darkness, just as the sight of owls, bats, and other birds that fly by night, is adapted to the shade. Consequently they believe themselves to be in light because they are able to reason, when yet they are in darkness. That this is so is manifest from the state of such after death, when they become spirits. They then believe, when with their companions, that they are in light, because they not only see all things that are about them, but also are able to think and speak about any matter whatever; and yet their light, when the light of heaven flows in with them, is changed into darkness, and they become so blind in respect to the understanding as not to be able to think at all. Moreover, when angels who are in the heavens look down on those who are in such lumen, they see nothing there but mere darkness. That spiritual life compared with moral life apart from spiritual life is as wakefulness compared with sleep, can be further seen from this, that those who are in spiritual light are in angelic wisdom and intelligence, which is such as to be incomprehensible and ineffable to those who are in natural lumen alone, and this not only with men while living in the world, but also with the same when after death they become spirits; and when intelligence and wisdom constitute wakefulness. From this it can now be seen that “Be wakeful” here signifies 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 “be awake” has a similar signification in the following passages. In Matthew:
Be awake, therefore, for ye know not in what hour your Lord cometh (Matt. 24:42).
In Mark:
Be ye awake, for ye know not when the lord of the house cometh, at evening, or at midnight, or at cock-crowing;* lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. What I say unto you I say unto all, Be awake (Mark 13:35-37).
He that is ignorant of the internal sense of the Word may believe that these words refer to the Last Judgment, and that everyone should be prepared for that; but man’s state in respect to love and faith when he dies is what they refer to, for then is his judgment. “Evening,” “night,” and “cock-crowing” signify such states; “evening” signifying a state of waning faith and charity, which is man’s state when he comes into the exercise of his own judgment, and is extinguishing in himself the things that he imbibed in childhood; “night” signifying a state of no faith and charity; “cock-crowing” or “daybreak” the state when faith and charity are beginning, which is, when man loves truths and wishes to be reformed by them.
In whatever state a man dies he remains, and according to that he is judged. From this it is evident what is meant by “Be ye awake, lest the Lord coming suddenly find you sleeping. What I say unto you I say unto all, Be awake,” namely, that “to be awake” means to receive life from the Lord, which life is spiritual life, and that “sleeping” means living a natural life apart from a spiritual life. (That “evening” signifies a state of waning faith and charity, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3056, 3197, 3833, 8431, 10134, 10135; “night” a state of no faith or charity, n. 221, 709, 2353, 6000, 7870, 7947; and “daybreak” before morning, or “cock-crowing,” the state when faith and charity are beginning, n. 10134.)
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 awake; verily I say unto you, He shall gird himself, and make them recline to eat, and drawing near will minister unto them. Be ye ready; for in an hour that ye think not the Son of man will come (Luke 12:37, 40).
Here also, those that “are awake” mean those who are spiritually awake, that is, those who receive spiritual life from the Lord, for these come into the light of intelligence and wisdom respecting Divine truths; but those who do not receive spiritual life remain in obscurity and thick darkness respecting those truths; these, therefore, are asleep, while the former are awake. His “girding himself, making them recline to eat, and drawing near to minister unto them,” signifies to communicate to them the goods of heaven, which are all from the Lord.
[4] In Matthew:
The kingdom of the heavens is like unto ten virgins, five of them were prudent, and five were foolish. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept; but the bridegroom coming, they all arose and trimmed their lamps. And when the foolish came, who had no oil in their lamps, and said, Lord, Lord, open to us, the Lord answered, I say unto you, I know you not. Be awake, therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh (Matt. 25:1-13).
By “the ten virgins” all who are of the church are meant; by “five” some of them are meant; this is what these numbers signify; by “lamps” the things of faith are signified; by “oil” the things of love. By “the five prudent virgins,” therefore, those who are in love and in faith therefrom are meant; but by “the five foolish virgins” those who are in no love, but in faith alone. As such are in no spiritual life (for only those who are in love and charity have spiritual life, because they only are in faith), so because such as these are shut out of heaven, it is said unto them, “I say unto you, I know you not.” From this it is most evident what is signified by “Be awake, therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh,” namely, that they should receive spiritual life, which those have who are in love and in faith therefrom. (But these things may be seen more fully explained in Arcana Coelestia, n. 4635-4638.)
sRef Luke@21 @36 S5′ [5] In Luke:
Be wakeful, therefore, praying at every season, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man (Luke 21:36).
Here, also, “to be wakeful” means to receive spiritual life; “to pray at every season” signifies to prepare oneself.
sRef Rev@16 @15 S6′ [6] In Revelation:
Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that is awake, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked (Rev. 16:15).
Here “to be awake” signifies to receive spiritual life from the Lord, as is evident from its being said, “Blessed is he that is awake and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked;” “garments” signifying the knowledges of truth and good by means of which man has spiritual life; and “to walk naked” signifying life without such knowledges as means, thus life not spiritual but merely natural. (That “garments” signify the knowledges of truth and good, see below, n. 195, and that by “naked” is signified the deprivation of these, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 1073, 5433, 5954, 9960.)
sRef Lam@2 @19 S7′ [7] In Lamentations:
Arise, cry aloud in the night, at the beginning of the watches; lift up thy hands to the Lord respecting the soul of thy babes, who have fainted through hunger at the head of every street (Lam. 2:19);
here, as above, “night” signifies a state of no faith; “the beginning of the watches” signifies the state when faith begins, thus a state of illustration, which is when man becomes spiritual. By “babes” are meant those who love truths, and long for them; “to faint through hunger at the head of every street” is to be deprived of spiritual life through a lack of the knowledges of truth and good. (That “hunger” means a lack of knowledges and a longing for them, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 1460, 3364, 5277, 5279, 5281, 5300, 5360, 5376, 5893; and that “streets” are the 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 “to be awake” signifies to receive spiritual life, therefore “sleeping” signifies natural life apart from spiritual life, since natural life compared with spiritual life is as sleep compared with wakefulness, as has been said above. This is what “sleeping” signifies in Matthew:
The kingdom of the heavens is like unto a man that sowed good seed in his field; but while men slept the enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat (Matt. 13:24-25).
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 (Jer. 51:39, 57).
In David:
Look! answer me, Jehovah my God! lighten Thine eyes** lest I sleep death (Ps. 13:3).
In the same:
The strong in heart have become a spoil, they have slumbered their sleep; at Thy rebuke both the chariot and the horse have fallen into a deep sleep (Ps. 76:5-6).
“Chariot and horse” signify the doctrine of the church and the understanding of doctrine; these are said “to fall into a deep sleep” when they are without truths, and when consequently the man of the church is without spiritual life by means of truths. (That “chariots and horses” in the Word signify doctrine and the intellectual, see in The small work on The White Horse, n. 1-5.)
* For “cock-crowing” the Latin has “belonging to chickens.”
** For “thine” the Hebrew has “mine,” as found in Apocalypse Explained, n. 152; Arcana Coelestia, n. 212, 6119.

sRef Rev@3 @2 S0′ 188. And confirm the things remaining that are about to die, signifies in order that the things that belong to the moral life may be vivified. This is evident from the signification of “confirming,” as being to vivify the moral life by means of truths; for truths from the Word are what vivify it; and when it is vivified it is also confirmed, for it then acts as one with the spiritual life; for spiritual life and moral life act as one with those who are spiritual, as will and action do; will is of the spiritual man and its life, and action is of the moral (see above, n. 182). It is said, “confirm the things remaining that are about to die,” which signifies lest the moral life be destroyed by evils and falsities; for moral life apart from spiritual life is nothing else than natural life; since all the good things that man does from a moral life, apart from the spiritual, are from no other origin than from the love of self and the world, that is, from the proprium [one’s own], and from the proprium [one’s own] nothing flows out except evil and falsity; man, indeed, wishes to be esteemed moral, because by feigning goodness, sincerity, and righteousness in outward form, he may gain ends that have respect to self and the world.
From this it is that all things that are with him are in themselves dead, that is, are “about to die,” unless they are made alive by truths and goods, which may bring about an opening of the internal spiritual man; for it is by this means that the Lord takes away the evils and falsities that are in the natural.

sRef Rev@3 @2 S0′ 189. For I have not found thy works full before God, signifies that otherwise the Divine is not in the moral life. This is evident from the signification of “works,” as being the things of life (of which see above, n. 185); here of moral life, because that is here treated of; also from the signification of “not full before God,” as being that the Divine is not in that life. The things of moral life, which are 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 moral life, which is the external life of man, must be either from a spiritual origin or from an origin not spiritual; it is not permitted to be from both, that is, something of it from one origin and something from the other, or something from heaven and something from hell, since this would be to “serve two masters, God and Mammon;” and then the man is “lukewarm, neither cold nor hot.” “Works,” therefore, must be either “full before God,” or they are nothing before God. This is why “I have not found thy works full before God” signifies that the Divine is not in the moral life. The meaning is the same whether it is said a moral life from a spiritual origin or from the Divine, since all spiritual life is from the Divine, for the spiritual means the same as the proceeding Divine, and is the Divine truth in heaven; and all angels of heaven, because they are recipients of this, are spiritual; and the like is true of men who receive Divine truth in faith and life. (What the spiritual is, see The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 48-49.)

sRef Rev@3 @3 S0′ 190. Verse 3. Remember, therefore, how thou hast received and heard, and take heed, signifies recalling to mind what the Lord teaches in the Word and attention. This is evident from this, that what is written to the angel of this church treats of those who are in a moral, and not in a spiritual life; and these are here told to acquire for themselves spiritual life, that their moral life may be made alive, which is signified by the words just preceding, “Be wakeful, and confirm the things remaining that are about to die;” from which it can be seen that “Remember, therefore, how thou hast received and heard, and take heed,” signifies recalling to mind what the Lord teaches in the Word, and attention. “To take heed” signifies attention, as it is with those who are in the spiritual affection of truth; for when these read the Word they do not look at it from the doctrine of the church in which they are born, but they look at it as if they were separated from that doctrine; for their wish is to be illustrated, and to see truths inwardly in themselves, and not from others. Those who are in such a state are illustrated by the Lord, and it is granted to them to make doctrine for themselves out of the truths that they see; and this doctrine is implanted in them, and abides in their spirit to eternity.
[2] But those who read the Word from the doctrine received from others are not able to see truths in the light of their own spirit, thus not inwardly in themselves, but only outside of themselves; for they think that a thing is true because others have seen it, and therefore they attend only to what corroborates it; other things they pass by as if not seen, or they bring them over to the support of what their doctrine declares. Such as these cannot be illustrated, as anyone can see; for they only store up confirmations in the memory, which belongs to their natural man, and from this memory they henceforth speak; consequently they stay natural as before, and do not become spiritual; for to become spiritual is to imbue one’s spirit with truths from the Word; and the spirit is not imbued with truths except as it desires to know truth wherever it is in the Word, and delights in it when it sees and perceives it; this affection is the spiritual affection of truth, that has been so often spoken of before. This, then, 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 others may say, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 1017, 4741, 7012, 7680, 7950; that to see and perceive truth from the light of heaven is granted only to those that love truth because it is truth, and are therefore in the spiritual affection of truth, n. 8521; that the light of confirmation is not spiritual but natural light, which also the evil may have, n. 8780.)

sRef Rev@3 @3 S0′ 191. And repent, signifies consequent spiritual life. This is evident from what has been said above, thus without further explanation.

sRef Rev@3 @3 S0′ 192. If therefore thou shalt not be wakeful, signifies if thou dost not acquire spiritual life. This is evident from the signification of “be wakeful,” as being to acquire for oneself spiritual life (of which see above, n. 187).

sRef Rev@3 @3 S0′ 193. I will come on thee as a thief, signifies the unexpected time of death, when all the knowledges procured from the Word that have not acquired spiritual life will be taken away. This is evident from the signification of “coming as a thief,” when said of those who are not wakeful, that is, who are not acquiring for themselves spiritual life, as being that all the knowledges acquired from the Word that have not acquired spiritual life will be taken away from them. These words signify also the unexpected time of death, because death comes unexpectedly, and after death man remains to eternity in the state of that life which he acquired for himself in the world; for this reason man must be wakeful. As it is known to few that all the knowledges gained from the Word that have not acquired spiritual life are taken away, it is necessary to explain how this is done. All things that are in man’s spirit remain with him to eternity; but the things that are not in man’s spirit, after death, when he becomes a spirit, are dissipated. Those things remain in the spirit of man that he has thought from himself, that is, the things that he has thought from his own love when he was alone, for his spirit then thinks from itself and not from the things in the memory of his body that 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 the memory of his body; when these two states do not make one, man can think in one way by himself, and can think and speak in another way with others.
[2] Take a preacher, for instance, who loves himself and the world above all things, and cares nothing for the Divine, even so that he denies it in heart, and therefore schemes evils of every kind, in consort with the crafty and malignant of the world; and yet when he is speaking with others, especially when he is preaching, he may be able to speak as from zeal for the Divine, and for Divine truths, and even at such times may be able to think in like manner; but this state is a state of his thought from the memory of the body, and is evidently separated from the state of his thought from the spirit, since when left to himself he thinks contrary to these things. This is the state that remains with man after death, but the other state does not remain, because it belongs to his body and not to his spirit; consequently when he becomes a spirit, which takes place when he dies, all knowledges that he acquired for himself from the Word that do not agree with the life of his spirit’s love, he casts away from him. But it is otherwise with those who, when left to themselves alone, think justly about the Divine, about the Word and the truths of the church therefrom, and who love truths even to the life, that is, so that they wish to live according to them.
The thoughts of these in their spirit make one with their thoughts from the memory of the body, thus they make one with the knowledges of truth and good which they have from the Word; and so far as these make one, these knowledges receive spiritual life, for they are elevated by the Lord from the external or natural man into the internal or spiritual man, and constitute the life, that is, the understanding and will, of the spiritual man. Truths, in the spiritual man, are living truths, because they are Divine, and from these man has life there. That this is so it has been granted me to know from much experience; if I were to adduce it all it would fill many pages. (Something may be seen in The work on Heaven and Hell, n. 491-498, 499-511; and above, n. 114.)
sRef Matt@6 @24 S3′ sRef Rev@16 @15 S3′ [3] From this it can now be seen 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 that have not acquired spiritual life will be taken away. The same is meant by the following in Revelation:
Behold I come as a thief; blessed is he that is wakeful, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked (Rev. 16:15);
it is said “as a thief” because evils and falsities therefrom in the natural man take away and cast out the knowledges of truth and good that are there from the Word; for the things that are not loved are cast out. With man there is either the love of evil and of falsity therefrom, or the love of good and of truth therefrom. These two loves are opposite to one another; consequently he who is in one of them cannot be in the other, for “no one can serve two masters,” without loving the one and hating the other (Matt. 6:24).
sRef Matt@6 @20 S4′ sRef Matt@6 @19 S4′ [4] Because evils and falsities therefrom penetrate from within, and break through as it were the wall that 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 truth and good that have their abode with man in his outward part, therefore such evils and falsities are what are meant by “thieves,” also in the following passages.
In Matthew:
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon the earth, but in heaven, where thieves do not dig through nor steal (Matt. 6:19-20).
“Treasures” are the knowledges of truth and good; “laying them up in heaven” is in the spiritual man, for the spiritual man is in heaven. (That “treasures” are the knowledges of truth and good, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 1694, 4508, 10227; and that the internal spiritual man is in heaven, see The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 36-50.)
sRef Matt@24 @42 S5′ sRef Matt@24 @43 S5′ [5] In the same:
Be wakeful, therefore, for ye know not at what hour your Lord will come. But know this, that if the master of the house knew in what hour the thief would come he would be wakeful, and would not suffer him to dig through his house (Matt. 24:42-43).
This means that if man knew the hour of his death he would get himself ready, not from a love of what is true and good, but from a fear of hell; and whatever a man does from fear does not remain with him, but what he does from love remains; therefore he should be getting ready all the time (see The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 143, 168).
sRef Obad@1 @5 S6′ [6] In Obadiah:
If thieves come to thee, if robbers by night, how wilt thou be cut off! Will they not steal till they have enough? (Obad. 5).
Here also falsities and evils are called “thieves,” and are said to “steal;” falsities are “thieves,” and evils are “robbers by night;” it is said “by night,” because “night” signifies a state of no love and 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 come up into the houses, they shall enter in through the windows like a thief (Joel 2:9).
The vastation of the church through falsities from evil is here treated of; “city” and “wall” signify the things of doctrine; “houses” and “windows” things pertaining to the mind that receives; “houses” that part of the mind that is called the will, where good is, and “windows” that part of the mind that is called the understanding, where truth is.
(That “city” in the Word is doctrine, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 402, 2449, 2712, 2943, 3216, 4492, 4493; that “wall” is the truth of doctrine defending, n. 6419; that “house” is 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 “windows” that part of the mind which is called the understanding where truth is, n. 655, 658, 3391.) From this it is clear what is signified by “running upon the wall,” “coming up into the houses,” and “entering in through 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 made a lie, and the thief cometh in, and the troop spreadeth itself without (Hosea 7:1).
The “iniquity of Ephraim” signifies the falsities of the understanding; and the “evils of Samaria” the evils of the will; “to make a lie” is thinking and willing falsity from evil; “the thief” is falsity taking away and dissipating truth; and “the troop spreading itself” is evil casting out good. (That “Ephraim” is the intellectual of such things as are of the church, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3969, 5354, 6222, 6234, 6238, 6267, 6296; that “a lie” is falsity from evil, n. 8908, 9248; that “a troop” is good casting out evil, and in a contrary 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 that it may be known what “a thief” in the Word signifies, namely, falsity vastating, that is, taking away and destroying truth. It was shown above, that after death all knowledges of truth and good from the Word that have not acquired spiritual life are taken away; consequently they are taken away from those who have not been made spiritual by knowledges from the Word. The same is signified by many other things in the historical parts of the Word; but this no one can see unless he knows the spiritual sense of the Word. This was signified by the sons of Israel’s borrowing from the Egyptians gold, and silver, and garments, and thus taking them away as it were by theft, which is thus described in Moses:
It was commanded that they should borrow of the Egyptians vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and raiment. And Jehovah gave the people grace in the eyes of the Egyptians, so that they lent to them; and thus they plundered the Egyptians (Exod. 12:35-36).
The “Egyptians” represented those who are merely natural and yet possess many knowledges. By “the sons of Israel” are meant those who are spiritual; “vessels of gold and of silver,” and also “raiment,” signify the knowledges of truth and good, which the spiritual apply to good, but which the natural apply to evil and thus destroy. That nations were given up to the curse, and at the same time all things with them were either burnt with fire or plundered, to which there is frequent reference in the book of Joshua, and in the books of Samuel and of the Kings, has a like signification; 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 truth and good from the Word will be taken away from those who have not acquired spiritual life for themselves, is also meant in the Lord’s parables respecting the talents and pounds given to the servants that they might trade and make gain, and respecting the servant who traded not and gained nothing, of whom it is written in the parables:
Unto him who hid his talent in the earth his lord said, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou oughtest to have put my silver to the bankers, in order that at my coming I might have received mine own with interest. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him that hath the ten talents. For unto everyone that hath shall be given, that he may have abundance; but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. And cast ye out the unprofitable servant into outer darkness (Matt. 25:14-30).
And in another place:
He came who had received the one pound, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I kept laid up in a napkin. The lord said, Wherefore gavest not thou my money into the bank, that coming I might have regained mine own with interest. And He said, Take from him the pound, and give to him that hath ten pounds. I say unto you, To everyone that hath shall be given; but from him that hath not, even than which he hath shall be taken away from him (Luke 19:13-26).
Here “talents,” “pounds,” and “money,” signify the knowledges of truth and good from the Word; “to trade,” “to make gain,” “to put it to the bankers,” or “in the bank,” signifies to acquire for oneself thereby spiritual life and intelligence; “hiding these in the earth” or “in a napkin” signifies in the memory of the natural man only; of such it is therefore said that from them should be taken away that which they have, according to what has been explained in the beginning of this article.
[11] This takes place with all in the other life who have acquired for themselves knowledges from the Word, and have not committed them to the life, but only to the memory. He who has knowledges from the Word in the memory only, even if they were thousands, if he has not committed them to the life, remains natural as before. Committing knowledges from the Word to the life is thinking from them, when one, left to himself, thinks from his spirit, and also willing them and doing them; for this is loving truths because they are truths; and those who do this are those who become spiritual by means of knowledges from the Word.

sRef Rev@3 @3 S0′ 194. And thou shalt not know in what hour I will come upon thee, signifies ignorance of that time and of the state then. This is evident from the signification of “hour,” as being the time when man is to die, and also his state then; and from the signification of “not knowing” it, as being ignorance. It is said “In what hour I will come upon thee,” namely, “as a thief,” and this means, in the sense of the letter, that the Lord will so come; but in the spiritual sense, it means that evils and falsities will steal away the knowledges that they have from the Word. For in the sense of the letter of the Word doing evil is attributed to Jehovah, or to the Lord, but in the spiritual sense the meaning is that He does evil to no one, but that man does evil to himself (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2447, 5798, 6071, 6991, 6997, 7533, 7632, 7643, 7679, 7710, 7877, 7926, 8227, 8228, 8284, 8483, 8632, 9010, 9128, 9306, 10431).
sRef Matt@20 @3 S2′ sRef Matt@20 @15 S2′ sRef Matt@20 @14 S2′ sRef Matt@20 @16 S2′ sRef Matt@20 @2 S2′ sRef Matt@20 @1 S2′ sRef Matt@20 @5 S2′ sRef Matt@20 @4 S2′ sRef Matt@20 @6 S2′ sRef Matt@20 @12 S2′ sRef Matt@20 @11 S2′ sRef Matt@20 @8 S2′ sRef Matt@20 @13 S2′ sRef Matt@20 @7 S2′ sRef Matt@20 @10 S2′ sRef Matt@20 @9 S2′ [2] “Hour,” moreover signifies state, because all times in the Word, as a day, a week, a month, a year, an age, signify states of life, so likewise “an hour” (the reason of this may be seen in The work on Heaven and Hell, n. 162-169, where Time in Heaven is treated of). But as “hour” means both time and state, where “hour” occurs in the Word it can scarcely be known that it signifies anything except time. As in Matthew:
A householder hired laborers into his vineyard, who labored from the third hour, the sixth, the ninth, and the eleventh, and received equal reward (Matt. 20:1-16).
These “hours” mean, in the world, times, but in heaven, states of life, since in heaven there are no hours, because times there are not measurable and divided into days and these into hours, as in the world; consequently instead of these times the angels perceive the states of life of those who die, as old men, men, youths, or children, and who have equally acquired for themselves spiritual life; “laboring in the vineyard” is acquiring for oneself spiritual life by the knowledges of truth and good from the Word applied to the uses of life; the “third,” the “sixth,” and the “ninth hours” signify a like state of life, for all numbers in the Word are significative, and these numbers have a similar signification. (That “vineyard” in the Word signifies the spiritual church, and with man spiritual life, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 9139, 3220. That “three” signifies a full state, or what is complete even to the end, n. 2788, 4495, 7715, 8347, 9825; likewise “six” and “nine.” But “eleven” signifies a state not yet full, and yet a receptive state such as there is with well-disposed children and infants. The “twelfth hour,” to which all labored, signifies truths and goods in their fullness, n. 577, 2089, 2129, 2130, 3272, 3858, 3913. That all numbers in the Word are significative, n. 4495, 4670, 5265, 6175, 9488, 9659, 10217, 10253; and that composite numbers have a signification like that of the simple numbers from which they arise by multiplication, thus “three,” “six,” and “nine,” have a similar signification, n. 5291, 5335, 5708, 7973.)
sRef Rev@9 @15 S3′ sRef John@11 @9 S3′ [3] Since “twelve” signifies truths and goods in their fullness, thus man’s state of light or intelligence from these, the Lord says:
Are there not twelve hours of the day? If a man walk in the day he stumbleth not (John 11:9).
Elsewhere, also, “hours” signify states of life, as in Revelation:
Those four angels were loosed, which were prepared for the hour and day and month and year, that they should kill the third part of men (Rev. 9:15).
The times here mentioned mean the states of evil with man, as will be seen in the explanation of these words hereafter. From this it is now evident that “Thou shalt not know in what hour I will come upon thee,” means not only that one is ignorant of the time of death but also of the state of life at that time which will continue to eternity; for such as the state of man’s past life is, even to the end, such he remains to eternity.
sRef Matt@24 @44 S4′ sRef Matt@24 @42 S4′ sRef Matt@24 @50 S4′ sRef Matt@25 @13 S4′ [4] Like things are said by the Lord here and there in the Evangelists. In Matthew:
Ye know not in what hour your Lord will come; be ye ready; for in an hour that ye think not, the Son of man cometh (Matt. 24:42, 44).
The lord of the servant shall come in the day when he expecteth not, and in an hour that he knoweth not (Matt. 24:50).
Be wakeful, therefore, for ye know not the day, neither the hour, wherein the Son of man shall come (Matt. 25:13).
It should be known that man remains to eternity such as his whole life is, even to the end, and by no means such as he is at the hour of death: repentance at that time with the evil is of no avail, but with the good it strengthens.

sRef Rev@3 @4 S0′ 195. Verse 4. Thou hast a few names even in Sardis that have not defiled their garments, signifies those who live a moral life from a spiritual origin, by applying the knowledges of truth and good from the Word to the uses of their life. This is evident from the signification of “name,” as being the quality of the state of man’s life (see above, n. 148); here, therefore, “names” signify men who are such. It is evident also from the signification of “the church in Sardis,” as being those who live a moral life but not a spiritual life, because they have little regard for the knowledges of truth and good from the Word (see also above, n. 148, 182); but here those are meant who live a moral life from a spiritual origin, for it is said, “that have not defiled their garments.” It is evident also from the signification of “garments,” as being knowledges [scientifica] and cognitions in the natural man (of which presently). “Not defiling their garments,” therefore, signifies living as a moral man not for the sake of self and the world, which is for the sake of the body and its life only, but for the sake of the Lord and of heaven, which is for the sake of the soul and its life. From this it is clear that “Thou hast a few names even in Sardis that have not defiled their garments,” signifies such as live a moral life from a spiritual origin, by applying the knowledges of truth and good from the Word to their life.
[2] But as few know what it is to live a moral life from a spiritual origin, and what it is to apply the knowledges of truth and good from the Word to the uses of their life, it shall be told. Man lives a moral life from a spiritual origin when he lives it from religion; that is, when he thinks, when anything evil, insincere, or unjust presents itself: that this must not be done because it is contrary to the Divine laws. When one abstains from doing such things in deference to Divine laws he acquires for himself spiritual life, and his moral life is then from the spiritual; for by such thoughts and faith man communicates with the angels of heaven, and by communication with heaven his internal spiritual man is opened, the mind of which is a higher mind, such as the angels of heaven have, and he is thereby imbued with heavenly intelligence and wisdom. From this it can be seen that to live a moral life from a spiritual origin is to live from religion, and within the church, to live from the Word; for those who live a moral life from religion and from the Word are elevated above their natural man, thus above what is their own [proprium], and are led by the Lord through heaven; consequently they have faith, the fear of God, and conscience, and also the spiritual affection of truth, which is the affection of the knowledges of truth and good from the Word, for to such men these are Divine laws, according to which they live. Many of the heathen live such a moral life, for they think that evil must not be done because it is contrary to their religion; this is why so many of them are saved.
[3] But on the other hand, to live a moral life not from religion, but only from the fear of the law in the world, and of the loss of fame, honor, and gain, is to live a moral life not from a spiritual but from a natural origin; therefore to such there is no communication with heaven. And as they think insincerely and unjustly regarding the neighbor, although they speak and act otherwise, their internal spiritual man is closed, and the internal natural man only is opened; and when this is open they are in the light of the world, but not in the light of heaven. For this reason such persons have in them little regard for Divine and heavenly things, and some deny them, believing nature and the world to be everything. (From this it can now be seen what it is to live a moral life from a spiritual origin, and what it is to live it from a natural origin; but these things may be seen set forth in clearer light in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 528-535.) Of those who live a moral life from a natural origin only, it may be said that they “defile their garments,” for “garments” mean that which is outside the man himself and which clothes him, thus his natural man with the things that are in it, which are knowledges [scientifica] and cognitions; and when these are from the Word they are defiled by the fact that he learns and holds them only for the sake of reputation, that he may be thought learned or well informed, or that he may thereby acquire honors and gain wealth; and except for such ends he has no regard for them. Thus it is that the knowledges from the Word are polluted and defiled by the loves of self and the world, for these knowledges dwell in the same place with the evils and falsities that gush out from those loves as from their fountains.
sRef John@6 @68 S4′ sRef John@6 @63 S4′ [4] It was said above, that man becomes spiritual by means of the knowledges of truth and good from the Word applied to the uses of life. Why men become spiritual by means of knowledges from the Word, and not by means of other knowledges, shall now be told. All things that are in the Word are Divine, and they are Divine for the reason that they have in them a spiritual sense, and by that sense communicate with heaven and with the angels there. When, therefore, man has knowledges from the Word and applies them to life, then through these he has communication with heaven and by that communication becomes spiritual; for man becomes spiritual by his being in like or in corresponding truths with the angels of heaven. It is said in “corresponding” truths, because each and all things in the sense of the letter of the Word are correspondences, for they correspond to the truths that angels have. But the knowledges derived from other books, which set forth and by various means establish the doctrines of the church, do not effect communication with heaven except by the knowledges from the Word they contain; such knowledges do give communication if they are rightly understood and are applied to life, and not to faith alone. Everyone can see that this is so from this, that the Word in itself is Divine, and what is Divine in itself can become Divine with man by his applying it to life. “Becoming Divine with man” means that the Lord can have His abode with man (John 14:23), thus dwelling with him in what is His own (that the Lord dwells in His own with man and angel, and not in what is their own [proprio illorum], see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 12). The Lord dwells in His own when He dwells in those things with man that are from the Word, for the Lord is the Word (John 1:1, 2, 14); and the words that He spoke, that is, that are in the Word:
Are spirit and life (John 6:63, 68; 12:50).
[5] That “garments” signify the things that are in the natural man, which are knowledges [scientifica],* true or false, or cognitions, is from the spiritual world; for in the spiritual world all, however many, appear clothed according to their moral life; consequently those who have lived a moral life from a spiritual origin appear clothed in shining white garments, like fine linen; but those who have lived a moral life from a natural origin only, appear according to the nature of that life, those who have polluted their life by evils and falsities appearing in dark garments, mean, torn, and hideous to behold (see the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 177-182). From this now it is that “garments” in the Word signify truths from good, and in the contrary sense falsities from evil, both of them in the natural man; truths and falsities in the natural man are called knowledges [scientifica] and cognitions.
sRef Isa@52 @1 S6′ [6] That “garments” in the Word signify truths or falsities can be clearly seen from the following passages. In Isaiah:
Awake, awake, put on thy strength, O Zion, put on the garments of thy splendor, O Jerusalem; for henceforth there shall no more come to thee the uncircumcised and the unclean (Isa. 52:1).
“Zion” in the Word signifies the Lord’s celestial kingdom, thus also the celestial church, and “Jerusalem” the spiritual kingdom and the spiritual church (what the celestial kingdom is, and the spiritual kingdom, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 20-28). The “garments of splendor that Jerusalem must put on” are Divine truths; the “uncircumcised and the unclean that shall not come to them” are those who are in evils and falsities.
sRef Isa@15 @3 S7′ [7] In Ezekiel:
Jerusalem, I clothed thee with broidered work, I shod thee with badger’s skin, I girded thee about with fine linen. I adorned thee with ornament, and I put bracelets upon thy hands, and a chain on thy throat, and a jewel upon thy nose, and earrings upon thine ears, yea, a crown of ornament upon thy head. Thus wast thou decked with gold and silver, and thy garments were fine linen, silk, and broidered work, whence thou becamest exceeding beautiful, and didst prosper even unto the kingdom. But thou didst take of thy garments, and didst make to thee high places with divers colors, that thou mightest commit whoredom upon them; thou also didst take garments of thy broidered work, and didst cover the images of a male, with which thou didst commit whoredom (Ezek. 16:10-13, 16-18).
Here what the church was when it was first established by the Lord is described; the “garments” that are mentioned are truths from good; “broidered work” is true knowledge [scientificum]; “fine linen and silk” are truths from a celestial source; the “bracelets,” “chain,” “jewel,” “earrings,” and “crown,” are decorations signifying things spiritual of various kinds; the “gold and silver” with which she was decked are the good of love and its truth. Then the same church when perverted is described, by this, that “she took of the garments, and did make to herself high places with divers colors,” signifying truths falsified; and that “she took the garments of broidered work, and covered the images of a male,” signifies that they applied the truths of the sense of the letter of the Word to so confirm falsities even so as to make them appear like truths; “committing whoredom with them” and “under them” signifies making doctrine and worship out of falsities (that this is to “commit whoredom,” see above, n. 141, 161).
(That “Jerusalem” is the church where there is true doctrine, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 402, 3654, 9166. That “broidered work” is knowledges [scientificum], 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 chain [for the neck]” is representative of the conjunction of interior and exterior things, n. 5320; that “jewels [for the nose]” and “earrings” are representatives of perception and obedience, n. 4551. That “a crown” means 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 “high places with divers colors” are truths falsified, n. 796, 4005. That the “male” or “masculine” is truth, n. 749, 2046, 4005, 7838; therefore “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 purple from the isles of Elishah was thy covering. Syria was thy merchant in purple, and broidered work, and fine linen, with chrysoprasus. Dedan was thy merchant with garments of liberty for the chariot; Asshur and Chilmad with bales of blue and of broidered work, and with treasures of precious garments (Ezek. 27:7, 16, 20, 23-24).
Here Tyre and her wares are treated of, and “Tyre” signifies the knowledges of truth and good, and “trading” and “trafficking,” signify acquiring for oneself and communicating such knowledges; “purple and blue” signify the celestial love of good and truth; “Egypt,” the knowledge belonging to the natural man; by “broidered work from Egypt” the like; “Syria” the church in respect to the knowledges of truth and good; “Asshur” the rational of that church; “Dedan” those who are in the knowledges of celestial things. From this it can be seen that the “wares of Tyre,” treated of in the whole of that chapter, do not mean wares, but each and all these things mean spiritual things, which man ought to acquire, be imbued with, and communicate. (That “Tyre” signifies the knowledges of good and truth, see Arcana Coelestia n. 1201. That “Egypt” signifies the knowledges [scientificum] belonging to the natural man, n. 1164, 1165, 1186, 1462, 5700, 5702, 6015, 6651, 6679, 6682, 6683, 6692, 7296, 9340, 9391. That “Syria” is the church in respect 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” is the rational therefrom, n. 119, 1186. That “purple” is the celestial love of good, n. 9467. That “blue” is the celestial love of truth, n. 9466, 9687, 9833; likewise “chrysoprasus,” n. 9868. What “fine linen” and “broidered work” signify, see just above.)
sRef Ps@45 @14 S9′ sRef Ps@45 @13 S9′ [9] In David:
The king’s daughter is all glorious within, her clothing is inwrought with gold. She shall be brought unto the king in broidered work (Ps. 45:13-14).
The “king’s daughter” signifies the spiritual affection of truth, and therefore the church consisting of those who are in that affection; “king” signifies the Lord in respect to Divine truth; “clothing inwrought with gold,” intelligence and wisdom from that truth; the “broidered work” 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, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2362, 2623, 3373, 3963, 4257, 6729, 6775, 6779, 8649, 9055, 9807. That “king” signifies the Lord in respect to Divine truth, see above, n. 31.)
sRef 2Sam@1 @24 S10′ [10] In the second book of Samuel:
Daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet with dainty things, and who put an ornament of gold upon your apparel (2 Sam. 1:24).
This is in the lamentation of David over Saul, which he wrote:
To teach the sons of Judah the bow (2 Sam. 1:18);
by “bow” is signified truth combating against falsities (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2686, 2709); “Saul” here, as a king, signifies such truth; the “sons of Judah” signify those who are in truths from good; “to clothe the daughters of Israel in scarlet,” and “to put ornaments of gold upon the apparel,” is to impart intelligence and wisdom to those who are in the spiritual affection of truth.
sRef Matt@22 @11 S11′ sRef Matt@22 @13 S11′ sRef Matt@22 @12 S11′ [11] In Matthew:
When the king came in to behold those reclining to eat, he saw there a man that had not on a wedding garment; and he said unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? He was speechless. Then said the king, Bind him hand and foot, and cast him out into outer darkness (Matt. 22:11-13).
A “wedding garment” signifies the intelligence of the spiritual man, which is from the knowledges of truth and good; but “he that had not on a wedding garment” signifies a hypocrite, who by a moral life counterfeits the spiritual life when yet he is merely natural; “to bind him hand and foot” signifies the deprivation of the knowledges from the Word, by which he has put on the likeness of a spiritual man; “to be cast out into outer darkness” signifies among those who are in falsities from evil (for “outer darkness” signifies falsities from evil).
sRef Zeph@1 @8 S12′ [12] In Zephaniah :
I will visit upon the princes, and upon the king’s sons, and upon all that are clothed with the garments of the alien (Zeph. 1:8). “Princes” and “king’s sons” signify those who are in truths, and in a contrary sense, as here, those who are in falsities; these are said to be “clothed with the garment of the alien,” because “garment” signifies falsity, and “alien” those who are out of the church and do not acknowledge the truths of the church.
sRef Matt@7 @15 S13′ [13] In Matthew:
Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing; inwardly they are ravening wolves (Mat. 7:15).
“False prophets in sheep’s clothing, who inwardly are ravening wolves,” are those who teach falsities as if they were truths, and who in appearance live a moral life, but who by themselves, when they think from their spirit, think of nothing but themselves and the world, and are eager to deprive all others of truths.
sRef John@8 @32 S14′ sRef John@21 @18 S14′ sRef John@8 @31 S14′ [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 thy hands and another shall gird thee, and lead thee whither thou wouldest not (John 21:18).
What these words signify in the spiritual sense may be seen above (n. 9); namely, that by “Peter” is meant the faith of the church; when he “was younger and girded himself and walked whither he would” means the faith of the church at the beginning, when men are in the good of charity, that they then think about the truths of the church from the spiritual man, which is to think from their spirit, thus from the spiritual affection of truth, that is, from freedom. But by “Peter when old, that he should stretch forth his hands and another should gird him,” is meant the faith of the church at its end, when faith would be without charity, that they then would think nothing about the truths of the church from themselves, but from others, thus from doctrine only and not from the Word, which is relatively a servile state. For to believe what another says is servile, but to believe what one himself thinks from the Word is freedom; according to the Lord’s words in John:
If ye abide in My Word, ye are truly My disciples; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free (John 8:31-32).
sRef Luke@5 @37 S15′ sRef Luke@5 @38 S15′ sRef Luke@5 @36 S15′ [15] In Luke:
No man putteth a piece of a new garment on an old garment; else the new will rend the old, and the piece from the new agreeth not with the old. And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and itself be spilt, and the bottles be destroyed (Luke 5:36-37; Matt. 9:16-17; Mark 2:21-22).
Because a “garment” signifies truth, 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 spiritual truths themselves, to a piece of a new garment; He compared them likewise to bottles of wine, because “wine” in like manner signifies truth, and “bottles” mean the knowledges that contain truth. (That “wine” in the Word signifies truth, see The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 219.)
sRef Rev@6 @11 S16′ sRef Rev@7 @9 S16′ sRef Rev@15 @6 S16′ sRef Rev@4 @4 S16′ sRef Rev@3 @18 S16′ sRef Rev@19 @14 S16′ [16] From this it can now be seen what is signified in the Word elsewhere by “garments,” which are often mentioned there, as in the following passages. In Revelation:
And upon the thrones four and twenty elders sitting, arrayed in white garments (Rev. 4:4).
Again:
The armies of the One sitting upon the white horse followed Him, clothed in fine linen, white and clean (Rev. 19:14).
And:
They who stood before the throne in sight of the Lamb, were clothed in white robes (Rev. 7:9).
Again:
The seven angels from the temple were clothed in linen, clean and shining (Rev. 15:6).
Again:
White robes were given to everyone of those under the altar (Rev. 6:11).
Again:
Buy gold and white garments (Rev. 3:18).
In Ezekiel:
If he giveth his bread to the hungry, and covereth the naked with a garment (Ezek. 18:16).
“To give bread to the hungry” signifies in the spiritual sense to instruct from the good of charity those who long for truths; “to cover the naked with a garment” signifies to instruct, in like manner, those who are not in truths.
sRef Deut@22 @5 S17′ sRef Ezek@18 @16 S17′ sRef Matt@21 @8 S17′ sRef Matt@21 @9 S17′ sRef Matt@21 @7 S17′ sRef Ezek@23 @26 S17′ sRef Zech@3 @4 S17′ sRef Zech@3 @5 S17′ sRef Ex@19 @14 S17′ sRef Lam@4 @14 S17′ sRef Lev@19 @19 S17′ sRef Zech@3 @3 S17′ [17] In the same:
The enemies shall strip thee of thy garments, and shall take away the jewels of thine adorning (Ezek. 23:26).
In Zechariah:
Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and thus stood before the angel. And he said to those that stood before him, Take away the filthy garments from off him. And he said, I have made thine iniquity to pass from off thee, in clothing thee with changed garments (Zech. 3:3-5).
In Lamentations :
They have wandered blind in the streets, they have been polluted with blood; what they cannot pollute they touch with their clothes (Lam. 4:14).
From the signification of “garments” it can be known what is meant by many statutes with the sons of Israel:
That they should not put on mixed garments (Lev. 19:19; Deut. 22:11);
That a woman should not wear the vessels of a man, nor a man be clothed with the garments of a woman (Deut. 22:5);
That they should wash their garments that they might be purified, and thus sanctified (Exod. 19:14; Lev. 11:25, 28, 40; 14:8-9; Num. 19:11 to the end);
and elsewhere:
That in mourning for transgression against Divine truths they should put off their garments and put on sackcloth (Isa. 15:3; 22:12; 37:1-2; Jer. 4:8; 6:26; 48:37; 49:3; Lam. 2:10; Ezek. 27:31; Amos 8:10; Jonah 3:5-6, 8);
And that they should rend their garments (Isa. 37:1; and elsewhere).
Also what this signifies:
That the disciples laid their garments upon the ass and the colt when the Lord was going to Jerusalem, and that the people then strewed their garments in the way (Matt. 21:7-9; Mark 11:7-8; Luke 19:35-36);
can be seen above (n. 31).
sRef Luke@24 @4 S18′ sRef Ps@104 @2 S18′ sRef Ps@45 @8 S18′ sRef Mark@9 @3 S18′ sRef Matt@28 @3 S18′ sRef Dan@7 @9 S18′ sRef Matt@17 @2 S18′ sRef Luke@9 @29 S18′ [18] That “garments” signify truths has its origin in this, that the light of heaven is Divine truth proceeding from the Lord as a sun there, and all things that have existence in the heavens have existence from the light there, and this is true in like manner of the garments in which the angels appear clothed. It is from this:
That the angels who sat at the Lord’s sepulchre had raiment white as snow (Matt. 28:3);
And that their garments were shining (Luke 24:4).
(That the garments in which the angels appear clothed correspond to their intelligence, and that they have intelligence according to their reception of Divine truth from the Lord, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 177-182; and that Divine truth proceeding from the Lord is light in heaven, n. 126-135.) From this it can be seen what “garments” signify in reference to the Lord, namely, Divine truth proceeding from Him; and as Divine truth is signified, the Word also is signified, for the Word is Divine truth from the Lord on earth and in the heavens. This was represented by the Lord’s “garments” when He was transfigured before Peter, James, and John, which are thus described in the Evangelists:
When Jesus was transfigured, His face did shine as the sun, and His garments became white as the light (Matt. 17:2);
And white, dazzling (Luke 9:29);
And glistering white as snow, so as no fuller on earth can whiten them (Mark 9:3).
The like is said of the Ancient of Days in Daniel:
The Ancient of Days did sit, and His garment was like white snow (Dan. 7:9).
“The Ancient of Days” is the Lord from eternity. As “light” is Divine truth, and this in reference to the Lord is signified by “garments,” therefore it is said in David:
Jehovah covereth Himself with light as with a garment (Ps. 104:2).
sRef Isa@63 @2 S19′ sRef Matt@9 @21 S19′ sRef Isa@63 @3 S19′ sRef Gen@49 @11 S19′ sRef Matt@9 @20 S19′ sRef Isa@63 @1 S19′ [19] From this it can be seen what the Lord’s garments mentioned elsewhere in the Word signify. As in David:
He hath anointed all Thy garments with myrrh and aloes and cassia (Ps. 45:7-8);
where the Lord is treated of. In Moses:
He will wash His vesture in wine, and His covering in the blood of grapes (Gen. 49:11).
This is also said of the Lord. “Wine” and “the blood of grapes” signify Divine truth. Because the Lord’s garments signified Divine truth, therefore also:
Those who touched the border of His garment were healed (Matt. 9:20-21; Mark 5:27-28, 30; 6:56; Luke 8:44).
In Isaiah:
Who is this that cometh from Edom, His garments bespattered from Bozrah; this that is honorable in His apparel? Wherefore art Thou red in Thine apparel, and Thy garments as of one treading in the wine-press? Their victory is sprinkled upon My garments, and I have stained all Mine apparel (Isa. 63:1-3).
This also is said of the Lord; “garments” here signify 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 to the Word by those who were then of the church, is described by this, that “He was red in apparel as one treading in the wine-press,” and that “victory was sprinkled upon His garments,” and that “He had stained all his raiment.”
sRef Rev@19 @13 S20′ sRef Rev@19 @16 S20′ [20] In Revelation:
He that sat on the white horse was arrayed with a garment dipped in blood; and His name is called the Word of God (Rev. 19:13).
Here it is plainly declared that He who sat on the white horse was called “the Word of God;” and it is clear that this is the Lord, for it is immediately said of Him:
He hath on His garment and on His thigh a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords (Rev. 19:16).
It is therefore the Word in the letter that is signified by the “garment dipped in blood,” since violence was done to it, but not to the Word in the spiritual sense; violence could not be done to this, because they knew nothing about it.
sRef John@19 @23 S21′ sRef John@19 @24 S21′ sRef Ps@22 @18 S21′ [21] That violence was done to the Word in the sense of the letter, but not to the Word in the spiritual sense, is signified also by the soldiers dividing the Lord’s garments, but not His tunic, of which it is said in John:
The soldiers took His garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part, also the tunic. Now the tunic was without seam, woven from the top throughout. They said therefore one to another, Let us not divide it, but let us cast lots for it, whose it shall be. These things therefore the soldiers did (John 19:23-24).
And in David:
They parted My garments, and cast the lot upon My vesture (Ps. 22:18).
“The garments of the Lord which they parted” signify the Word in the letter; His “tunic” the Word in the spiritual sense; “soldiers” signify those of the church who should fight in behalf of Divine truth; therefore it is said, “These things therefore the soldiers did.” (That “tunic” signifies Divine truth, or the Word in the spiritual sense, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 9826, 9942; that “soldiers” signify those who are of the church, and who should fight in behalf of Divine truth, see above, n. 64, at the end, where these things are more fully explained.) It should be known that each particular related in the Evangelists respecting the Lord’s passion, involves and signifies how the church at that time, which was among the Jews, had treated Divine truth, thus the Word, for this was Divine truth with them; the Lord also was the Word, because He was Divine truth (John 1:1, 2, 14). But what each particular involves and signifies cannot be known except from the internal sense. Here it will be told only what “the Lord’s garments” signified, because the meaning of “garments” is here treated of, namely, that they signify truths, and in reference to the Lord, Divine truths.
[22] “The garments of Aaron and of his sons” have a like signification, because Aaron with his sons represented the Lord in respect to Divine good, and their garments the Lord in respect to Divine truth. (But these things may be seen explained and shown in The Arcana Coelestia; as that Aaron represented the Lord in respect to Divine good, n. 9806, 9946, 10017; also what each of their garments signified, the breastplate, the ephod, the cloak, the tunic wrought with checker work, the miter, and the belt, n. 9814, 9823-9828 seq.)
* The Latin has “knowledge,” for “knowledges.”

sRef Rev@3 @4 S0′ sRef John@3 @21 S1′ sRef John@1 @9 S1′ sRef John@1 @4 S1′ sRef John@14 @6 S1′ 196. And they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy, signifies their spiritual life, which they have by means of the knowledges of truth and good from the Word. This is evident from the signification of “to walk,” as being to live (see above, n. 97); from the signification of “in white,” as being in truths, for “whiteness” and “brightness” in the Word are predicated of truths (of which presently); therefore by these words, “they shall walk with me in white,” is signified spiritual life, since spiritual life is the life of truth, that is, a life according to truths, or according to the precepts of the Lord in the Word. This is evident also from the signification of “for they are worthy,” as being because they have spiritual life from the Lord. So far as anyone receives from the Lord he is worthy; but so far as he receives from self, that is, from what is his, or from what is his own [proprium] he is not worthy. Nothing else constitutes spiritual life with man but the knowledges of truth and good from the Word applied to life; and they are applied to life when man holds them as the laws of his life, for he then looks to the Lord in everything, and with such the Lord is present, and gives intelligence and wisdom and an affection for them and delight in them. For the Lord is in His truths with man, since every truth proceeds from the Lord, and what proceeds from the Lord that is His, even so that it is He; therefore the Lord says:
I am the truth and the life (John 14:6).
He that doeth the truth cometh to the light, [that his works may be made manifest] that they have been 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. That was the true light, that lighteth every man. And the Word was made flesh (John 1:1, 4, 9, 14).
The Lord is called “the Word” because the Word signifies Divine truth; He is also called “the Light” because Divine truth is the light in the heavens; He is also called “the Life,” because everything that lives, lives from that life; from that also angels have intelligence and wisdom, in which their life consists. He who would derive life from any other source than from the Divine that proceeds from the Lord, which in heaven is called Divine truth and is there seen as light, is greatly mistaken. From this it can be seen how it is to be understood that “God was the Word,” and that “in Him was life, and that the life was the light of men.”
sRef Matt@17 @2 S2′ sRef Ps@51 @7 S2′ sRef Ps@51 @6 S2′ sRef Rev@15 @6 S2′ sRef Lev@16 @3 S2′ sRef Rev@6 @11 S2′ sRef Matt@28 @3 S2′ sRef Lev@16 @1 S2′ sRef Lev@16 @4 S2′ sRef Lev@16 @2 S2′ sRef Lev@16 @5 S2′ sRef Mark@9 @3 S2′ sRef Luke@24 @4 S2′ sRef Rev@19 @14 S2′ sRef Lev@16 @32 S2′ sRef Luke@9 @29 S2′ [2] “White” in the Word is predicated of truths, because Divine truth is the light of heaven, as was just said, and whiteness and brightness are from the light of heaven. From this it was:
That when the Lord was transfigured before Peter, James, and John, His face appeared as the sun, and His garments as the light (Matt. 17:2);
And as white, dazzling (Luke 9:29);
And glistering as snow, so as no fuller on earth could whiten (Mark 9:3);
That the angels at the Lord’s sepulcher had raiment white as snow (Matt. 28:3);
And shining (Luke 24:4);
That there appeared to John seven angels from the temple clothed in linen clean and shining (Rev. 15:6);
That those who stood before the throne of the Lamb were clothed in white robes (Rev. 6:11; 7:9, 13-14; 19:8);
That the armies of the One sitting upon the white horse followed Him on white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean (Rev. 14:14).
From this also it was:
That Aaron had garments of linen, and that he put them on when he went within the veil before the mercy-seat (Lev. 16:1-5, 32).
“Linen” also signifies truth, because of its whiteness (Arcana Coelestia, n. 7601, 9959). As “white” signifies truth, and truths are what disclose falsities and evil with man and thus purify him, it is said in David:
Behold, Thou desirest truth in the reins, and in the hidden part Thou makest me to know wisdom. Thou shalt purge me with hyssop that I may be made clean; Thou shalt wash me and I shall be whiter than snow (Ps. 51:6-7).
sRef Lam@4 @7 S3′ sRef Lam@4 @8 S3′ [3] Because the Nazirites represented the Lord in respect to Divine truth in ultimates, which on earth is the Word in the sense of the letter, and this with the Jews was falsified and perverted, it is said of them in Lamentations:
The Nazirites were whiter than snow, they were brighter than milk, their bones were more ruddy than pearls, their polishing was sapphire; but their form is darkened, that they are not known in the streets (Lam. 4:7-8).
(That “Nazirites” represented the Lord in respect to Divine truth, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 6437; that “the crown of the head of the Nazirites” means Divine truths in ultimates, or the Word in the letter, n. 6437, 9407. That the “hair” which was of the Naziriteship, and was called “the crown of the head of the Nazirite,” is Divine truth in ultimates, n. 3301, 5247, 10044. That Divine truth in ultimates has strength and power, n. 9836; that therefore the strength of Samson was in his hair, n. 3301.)
[4] From this it is clear what is signified by “the Nazirites were whiter than snow and brighter than milk,” and “sapphire was the polishing of their bones; but their form was darkened, that they were not known in the streets;” for “whiteness” and “brightness” signify Divine truth in its light (as was said above); and “bones,” as they are man’s ultimates, being the supports of his whole body, correspond to ultimates in heaven. (For all things of man correspond, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 87-102; consequently “bones” signify the ultimates in the spiritual world, which are also the ultimates of Divine truth or the Word, Arcana Coelestia, n. 5560-5564, 8005; that “sapphire” signifies what is translucent from truths, n. 9407; and “not to be known in the streets” signifies that Divine truth is no more seen, since “streets” signify where there are truths of doctrine, n. 2336.)

sRef Rev@3 @5 S0′ 197. Verse 5. He that overcometh, signifies he that is steadfast even until death. This is evident from the signification of “overcoming” as meaning to be steadfast in spiritual affection for truth even to the end of life (see above, 128).

sRef Rev@3 @5 S0′ 198. Shall be clothed in white garments, signifies intelligence and wisdom according to truths and their reception. This is evident from what was said above (n. 195-196), where it was shown that “white garments” are Divine truths. “To be clothed with them” signifies intelligence and wisdom according to truths and their reception, because all intelligence and wisdom are from Divine truths according to the perception of them and their reception in the life. To see truths, and to see what they are, is of perception; and to live according to them is of reception; and according to perception and reception there is intelligence and wisdom. Intelligence and wisdom which are not from Divine truths, but from worldly things only, are not intelligence and wisdom but merely knowledge [scientia] and thence a faculty to reason; for intelligence is seeing inwardly in oneself whether a thing be true or not; but they who are wise from worldly things only do not see truths inwardly in themselves, but from others; and to see from others is merely to know [scire]; and such things come no farther under the mind’s vision than that they may be confirmed. In such a state are most persons at this day within the church who make faith alone, separate from life, to be saving; consequently 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 with man than by the way of his spirit which is also the way of his soul; and man’s spirit is such as his life is, but not such as his memory apart from his life is; and the light of heaven enters into man’s spirit when he is in the good of love and of charity from the Lord, and when he is in that good he is also in faith. (That man has no faith where there is no love or charity, see in the small work on The Last Judgment, n. 33-40. Moreover, what true intelligence is, what spurious, and what false, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 346-356.)

sRef Rev@3 @5 S0′ 199. 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. This is evident from the signification of “name,” as being the quality of man’s state of life (see above, n. 148); and from the signification of “the book of life,” as being heaven (of which presently); therefore, “not to blot his name out of the book of life” signifies that they will be in heaven because their state in respect to love and faith is such, thus because they are fitted for heaven. “The book of life” signifies heaven, because a man who is in the love to the Lord and faith in Him is a heaven in least form, and this heaven of man 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 correspondence, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 51-58, 73-77, 87-102; and Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 230-236.) From this it is that “the book of life” is that with man that corresponds to the heaven with him. Because this remains with man to eternity, if he has become spiritual by means of the knowledges of truth and good applied to life in the world, it is said, “I will not blot his name out of the book of life.” In the world indeed it may be blotted out if man does not remain spiritual to the end of life; but if he does so remain it cannot be blotted out, because he is conjoined to the Lord by love and faith, and such conjunction with the Lord as there has been in the world remains with man after death.
sRef Ps@139 @15 S2′ sRef Rev@21 @27 S2′ sRef Ex@32 @33 S2′ sRef Ps@69 @28 S2′ sRef Rev@20 @12 S2′ sRef Rev@20 @15 S2′ sRef Dan@7 @10 S2′ sRef Rev@20 @14 S2′ sRef Rev@20 @13 S2′ sRef Dan@7 @9 S2′ sRef Rev@13 @8 S2′ sRef Dan@12 @1 S2′ sRef Ex@32 @32 S2′ sRef Ps@139 @16 S2′ [2] From this it can be seen that “the book of life” means that from the Lord which has been written on man’s spirit, that is, on his heart and soul, or what is the same, on his love and faith; and what is written by the Lord in man is heaven. From this it is clear what is meant by “the book of life” in the following passages. In Daniel:
The Ancient of Days sat, and the books were opened (Dan. 7:9-10).
In the same:
The people shall be delivered, everyone that shall be found written in the book (Dan. 12:1).
In David:
Let them be blotted out of the book of lives, and not be written with the righteous (Ps. 69:28).
In Moses:
Moses said, Blot me, I pray, out of the book which Thou hast written. And Jehovah said, Whosoever hath sinned against Me, him will I blot out of the book (Exod. 32:32-33).
In Revelation:
All shall worship the beast whose names have not been written in the Lamb’s book of life (Rev. 13:8; 17:8).
Again:
I saw that the books were opened; and another book was opened, which is that of life; and the dead were judged out of the things which were written in the books, according to their works. And if any was not found written in the book of life he was cast into the lake of fire (Rev. 20:12-13, 15).
Again:
There shall enter into the New Jerusalem only they that are written in the Lamb’s book of life (Rev. 21:27).
In David:
My bone was not hidden from Thee when I was made in secret. Upon Thy book all the days were written in which they were formed, and not one of them is wanting (Ps. 139:15-16).
“All the days were written” means all states of life. (That each and all things that man has thought, willed, spoken, and done, even all that he has seen and heard, are with him in his spirit as if written therein, so that nothing whatever is wanting, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 462, 463; and Arcana Coelestia, n. 2469-2494, 7398; and that this is man’s “book of life,” see n. 2474, 9386, 9841, 10505; and likewise, n. 5212, 8067, 9334, 9723, 9841.

sRef Rev@3 @5 S0′ 200. And I will confess his name before My father and before His angels, signifies that they will be in Divine good and in Divine truth therefrom. This is evident from the signification of “I will confess his name,” as being that things are to be in agreement with the quality of their state of life; for “I will confess,” when said by the Lord, means to grant that things may be; for what the Lord says or confesses respecting a man or angel who is in the good of love and faith, He grants and provides, since all the good of love and of faith is from Him. Therefore in the Word, “to speak,” when predicated of the Lord, signifies to instruct, to illustrate, and to provide (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 5361, 6946, 6951, 7019, 8095, 10234, 10290). That “name” means the quality of the state of life, see above (n.148). This is evident also from the signification of “Father,” when it is said by the Lord, as being the Divine good, which is in the Lord and from Him (of which in what follows); and from the signification of “angels,” as being Divine truth, which is also from the Lord (of which above, n. 130). From this it is clear that “I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels,” signifies that they will be in Divine good and in Divine truth.
sRef John@14 @9 S2′ sRef John@8 @19 S2′ sRef John@14 @7 S2′ sRef John@14 @8 S2′ sRef John@14 @10 S2′ sRef John@10 @38 S2′ sRef John@12 @45 S2′ sRef John@16 @32 S2′ sRef John@10 @30 S2′ sRef John@14 @11 S2′ [2] “Father,” when it is said by the Lord, means the Divine good, which is in the Lord and from the Lord, because the Divine, which was in the Lord from conception, and which was the Esse of His life, to which Divine He united His Human when He was in the world; this He called “His Father.” That the Divine that was in Him from conception was what the Lord called “Father,” can be clearly seen from His teaching that He is one with the Father. As in John:
I and the Father are one (John 10:30).
In the same:
Believe that the Father is in Me, and I in the Father (John 10:38).
In the same:
He that beholdeth Me beholdeth Him that sent Me (John 12:45).
In the same:
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, Am I so long time with you, and thou dost not know Me, Philip? he that hath seen Me hath seen the Father; how sayest thou then, Show us the Father? Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The Father that abideth in Me doeth the works. Believe Me, that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me (John 14:7-11).
In the same:
If ye had known Me ye would have known My Father also (John 8:19).
In the same:
I am not alone, became the Father is with Me (John 16:32).
sRef John@1 @14 S3′ sRef John@1 @1 S3′ sRef John@16 @15 S3′ sRef John@3 @35 S3′ sRef Matt@28 @18 S3′ sRef John@15 @5 S3′ sRef John@1 @18 S3′ sRef John@17 @10 S3′ sRef John@1 @2 S3′ sRef John@1 @2 S3′ sRef John@14 @6 S3′ sRef Matt@11 @27 S3′ [3] Because the Lord is one with the Father He also declares:
That all things of the Father are His, and His are the Father’s (John 17:10);
That all things whatsoever that the Father hath are His (John 16:15);
That the Father hath given all things into the hands of the Son (John 3:35; 13:3);
And that all things have been delivered unto Him by the Father; that no one knoweth the Son save the Father, neither doth any one know the Father save the Son (Matt. 11:27; Luke 19:22).
That no one hath seen the Father except the Son, who is in the bosom of the Father (John 1:18; 6:46).
That the Word was with God, and God was the Word, and the Word became flesh (John 1:1, 14).
From this last passage also it is clear that they are one, for it is said, “The Word was with God, and God was the Word.” It is plain, too, that the Human of the Lord is also God, for it is said, “And the Word became flesh.” Because all things of the Father are also the Lord’s, and because He and the Father are one, the Lord when He ascended into heaven said to His disciples:
All power hath been given unto Me in heaven and on earth (Matt. 28:18);
by which He taught that men should approach Him alone, because He alone can do all things; as He also said to them before:
Without Me ye can do nothing (John 15:5).
This makes clear how these words are to be understood:
I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one cometh unto the Father but through Me (John 14:6);
namely, that the Father is approached when the Lord is approached.
sRef Matt@10 @32 S4′ [4] The Lord so often spoke of the Father as another than Himself, for this, among many reasons, 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 as well for men as for angels. The “Father” therefore is mentioned, that the Lord’s Divine good may be perceived by the angels who are in the spiritual sense of the Word; and “Son of God” and “Son of man” are mentioned, that the Divine truth may be perceived (as can be seen from what has been shown in the Arcana Coelestia, namely, that “Father” in the Word signifies good, n. 3703, 5902, 6050, 7833, 7834; that “father” signifies the church in respect to good, thus the good of the church, and “mother” the church in respect to truth, thus the truth of the church, n. 2691, 2717, 3703, 5581, 8897. That the Divine good that was in Him from conception, and which was the Esse of life, from which was His Human, the Lord called “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 also is a Father to those who are being regenerated, since they are receiving new life from Him, and His life, n. 2293, 3690, 6492; that the “Son of God,” and the “Son of man,” are the Lord in respect to the Divine Human and the proceeding Divine truth, see above, n. 63, 151, 166). Since, then, all who come into heaven must be in good as well as in truth (for no one can be in the one unless he is at the same time in the other, since good is the esse of truth, and truth is the existere of good); and since “the Father” signifies the Divine good, and “angels” the Divine truth, both from the Lord, therefore it is said, “I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.” So, too, in the Evangelists:
Everyone who shall confess Me before men, him will I confess before My Father who is in the heavens (Matt. 10:32).
Everyone who shall have confessed Me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God (Luke 12:8).
sRef Luke@9 @26 S5′ sRef John@5 @37 S5′ sRef Mark@8 @38 S5′ sRef Matt@25 @31 S5′ [5] Since “Father” signifies Divine good, and “angels” Divine truth, the Lord also says:
When the Son of man shall come in His glory and that of the Father and of the holy angels (Luke 9:26; Matt. 16:27).
Here the Lord calls His glory “the glory of the Father and of the angels,” for He says, “in His glory and that of the Father and of the holy angels;” but in another place, “in the glory of the Father with the angels;” and elsewhere, “in His glory with the angels.” As in Mark:
When He shall come in the glory of His Father with the holy angels (Mark 8:38).
And in Matthew:
When the Son of man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him (Matt. 25:31).
It should be added further that if it is accepted as a 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 that which is assumed as doctrine and acknowledged from doctrine is in light when the Word is read; moreover, the Lord, from whom is all light and who has all power, will enlighten those who acknowledge this. But on the other hand, if it is assumed and acknowledged as a doctrine that the Divine of the Father is another Divine than the Lord’s, nothing will be seen in light in the Word; since the man who is in that doctrine turns himself from one Divine to the other, and away from the Divine of the Lord which he can see (which is done by thought and faith), to a Divine that he cannot see; for the Lord says:
Ye have neither heard the Father’s voice at any time, nor seen His form (John 5:37; also John 1:18);
and to believe in a Divine and love a Divine that cannot be thought of under any form is impossible.

sRef Rev@3 @6 S0′ 201. Verse 6. 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, as is evident from what has been said above (n. 108), where there are like words.

sRef Rev@3 @8 S0′ sRef Rev@3 @7 S0′ sRef Rev@3 @9 S0′ sRef Rev@3 @11 S0′ sRef Rev@3 @10 S0′ sRef Rev@3 @13 S0′ sRef Rev@3 @12 S0′ 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 given before thee an opened door, and no one is able to shut it; for thou hast some power, and hast kept My word, and hast not denied My name. Behold, I will give, from the synagogue of Satan, of those saying that 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 that is to come upon the whole world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Behold, I come quickly; hold fast what 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 out thence no more; and I will write upon him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which is coming 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. 7. “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write,” signifies those of the church who are in the faith of charity (n. 203); “these things saith He that is Holy, He that is True,” signifies from whom is that faith (n. 204); “He that hath the key of David,” signifies who has power by means of Divine truth (n. 205); “He that openeth and no one shutteth, and shutteth and no one openeth,” signifies power to admit into heaven all who are in the faith of charity, and to remove from heaven all who are not (n. 206). 8. “I know thy works,” signifies the life of charity (n. 207); “behold, I have given before thee an opened door, and no one is able to shut it,” signifies that they will be admitted into heaven, and that to no one of such a quality will it be refused (n. 208); “for thou hast some 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 the measure in which they make truths from the Word to be of the life, and acknowledge the Divine of the Lord in His Human (n. 209). 9. “Behold, I will give, from the synagogue of Satan,” signifies those who are in the doctrine of faith alone, and in no charity (n. 210); “of those saying that they are Jews and are not, but do lie,” signifies who believe themselves to be in truths, when yet they are in falsities (n. 211); “Behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet,” signifies the state of such after death, that they will be out of heaven, and are not to be admitted (n. 212); “and to know that I have loved thee,” signifies a consequent knowledge that the Lord is present in charity, and not in faith apart from charity (n. 213). 10. “Because thou hast kept the word of My endurance,” signifies that they have lived according to the Lord’s commandments (n. 214); “I also will keep thee in the hour of temptation that is to come upon the whole world, to try them that dwell upon the earth,” signifies the time of the last judgment, when there will be visitation upon those who are in the former heaven, and that they will then be saved (n. 215). 11. “Behold, I come quickly,” signifies that this is certain (n. 216); “hold fast what thou hast,” signifies steadfastness in the state of faith from charity even unto the end (n. 217); “that no one take thy crown,” signifies lest intelligence should perish (n. 218). 12. “He that overcometh I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God,” signifies that those who are steadfast will be in Divine truth in heaven (n. 219, 220); “and he shall go out thence no more,” signifies that they shall be in it to eternity (n. 221); “and I will write upon him the name of My God,” signifies their quality according to the Divine truth implanted in the life (n. 222); “and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from My God,” signifies the doctrine of the new church, which is in the heavens (n. 223); “and My new name,” signifies that they will also acknowledge the Lord’s Divine Human (n. 224). 13. “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 (n. 225).

sRef Rev@3 @7 S0′ 203. Verse 7. And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, signifies those of the church who are in the faith of charity. This is evident from the things written to the angel of this church understood in the internal sense, for (as was said above, n. 20) the “seven churches” mean, not seven churches, but all persons whatever who are of the church, or all things whatsoever with man that constitute the church; for “seven” in the Word means all persons and all things; for every number in the Word signifies something either of thing or state, as can be most plainly seen in this prophetic book, in which numbers are so frequently mentioned; and also in Ezekiel (chap. 40-48), where the new temple and the new earth are described, which is done by measurements given in numbers. The “new temple” and “new earth,” here mean a new church, and each measurement or each number signifies something pertaining to the church. (That all numbers in the Word signify things and states, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 263.)

sRef Rev@3 @7 S0′ 204. These things saith He that is Holy, He that is True, signifies from whom is that faith. This is evident from the signification of “He that is Holy, He that is True,” as being, in reference to the Lord, He from whom are charity and faith. He is called “holy” because charity is from Him, and “true” because faith is from Him. That the Lord is called “holy” because charity is from Him, and consequently that “holy” in the Word is predicated of charity and of faith therefrom will be seen presently. But the Lord is called “true” because faith is from Him, and consequently “true” in the Word is predicated of faith, for the reason that all truth is of faith; for that is called “true” which is believed; other things are not of faith because they are not believed. But because the faith of charity is here treated of, something shall first be said about faith and what it is.
[2] There is spiritual faith, and there is faith merely natural. Spiritual faith is wholly from charity, and in its essence is charity. Charity, or love towards the neighbor, is to love truth, sincerity, and what is just, and to do them from willing them. For the neighbor in the spiritual sense is not every man, but it is that which is with man; if this be truth, sincerity, and what is just, and the man is loved on account of these, then the neighbor is loved. That this is what charity means, in the spiritual sense, anyone may know if he will but reflect. Everyone loves another, not for the sake of his person, but for the sake of what is with him; this is the ground of all friendship, all favor, and all honor. From this it follows, that to love men for the sake of what is true, sincere, and just in them is spiritual love; for what is true, sincere, and just are spiritual things, because they are out of heaven from the Lord. For no man thinks, wills, and does any good thing that is good in itself, but it is all from the Lord; and what is true, sincere, and just are good things that are good in themselves when they are from the Lord. These things, then, are the neighbor in the spiritual sense; from which it is clear what is meant in that sense by loving the neighbor, or by charity. From that is spiritual faith; for whatever is loved is called truth when it is thought. Everyone can see that this is so if he will reflect upon it, for everyone confirms that which he loves by many things in the thought, and all things by which he confirms himself he calls truths; no one has truth from any other source. From this it follows, that the truths a man has are such as is the love with him; consequently, if the love with him is spiritual, the truths will also be spiritual, since the truths act as one with his love. All truths, because they are believed, are called in one complex, faith. From this it is clear that spiritual faith in its essence is charity. So far concerning spiritual faith.
[3] But faith merely natural is not a faith of the church, although it is called faith, but is merely knowing [scientia]. It is not a faith of the church, because it does not proceed from love to the neighbor, or charity, which is the spiritual itself from which faith comes, but proceeds from some natural love that has reference either to love of self or to love of the world, and whatever proceeds from these loves is natural. Love forms the spirit of man; for man in respect to his spirit is wholly as his love is; from that he thinks, from that he wills, and from that acts; therefore he makes no other truth to be of his faith than that which is of his love; and truth that is of the love of self or the world is merely natural, because it comes from man and from the world, and not from the Lord and from heaven; for such a man loves truth, not from a love of truth but from a love of honor, of gain and of fame, which he serves; and as his truth is such, his faith also is such. This faith, therefore, is not a faith of the truth of the church, or faith in a spiritual sense, but only in a natural sense which is a mere knowing [scientia]. And again because nothing of this is in man’s spirit but only in his memory, together with other things of this world, therefore also after death it is dissipated. For only that which is of man’s love remains with him after death, for (as has been said) it is love that forms man’s spirit, and man in respect to his spirit is wholly such as his love is. (Other things respecting charity and faith therefrom may be seen in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, where charity and faith are treated of, n. 84-106, 108-122; also in the small work on The Last Judgment, where it is shown that there is no faith where there is not charity, n. 33-39.)
sRef Rev@22 @11 S4′ [4] That “holy” in the Word is predicated of Divine truth, and therefore of charity and its faith, is evident from the passages where it is spoken of. There are two things that proceed from the Lord and are received by angels, Divine good and Divine truth. These two proceed united from the Lord, but they are received by angels variously; some receive Divine good more that Divine truth, and some receive Divine truth more than Divine good. Those who receive Divine good more than Divine truth constitute the Lord’s celestial kingdom and are called celestial angels, and in the Word are called “the righteous” [or “just”]; but those who receive Divine truth more than Divine good constitute the Lord’s spiritual kingdom, and are called spiritual angels, and in the Word “holy” [or “saints”]. (Of these two kingdoms and their angels, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 20-28.) From this it is that “the righteous” [or “just”] and “righteousness” [or “justice”] in the Word mean the Divine good and what proceeds therefrom, and that “the holy” and “holiness” mean Divine truth and what proceeds therefrom. From this can be seen what is meant in the Word by “being justified” [or “made righteous”], and “being made holy.” As in Revelation:
He that is righteous let him be made righteous still, and he that is holy let him be made holy still (Rev. 22:11).
And in Luke:
To serve Him in holiness and righteousness (Luke 1:74-75).
sRef Rev@15 @3 S5′ sRef Rev@15 @4 S5′ [5] Since Divine truth proceeding from the Lord is meant by “holy,” therefore the Lord is called in the Word “the Holy One,” ” the Holy One of God,” “the Holy One of Israel,” “the Holy One of Jacob;” and it is also from this that angels are called “holy,” and also the prophets and apostles; and it is from this that 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. 29:23; 31:1; 40:25; 41:14, 16; 43:3; 49:7; Dan. 4:13; 9:24; Mark 1:24; Luke 4:34. He is also called “King of the holy ones [of saints]” in Revelation:
Righteous [or just] and true are Thy ways, Thou King of saints (Rev. 15:3).
The Lord is called “the Holy One,” “the Holy One of God,” “the Holy One of Israel,” and “the Holy One of Jacob” because He alone, and no one else, is holy, which is also declared in Revelation:
Who shall not fear Thee, O Lord and glorify Thy name? for Thou only art holy (Rev. 15:4).
[6] Angels, prophets, and apostles are called “holy” because by them, in the spiritual sense, is meant Divine truth; and Jerusalem is called “the holy city,” because by that city, in the spiritual sense, is meant the church in respect to the doctrine of truth. That angels in the Word are called “holy,” see Matt. 25:31; Mark 8:38; Luke 9:26; the prophets, Mark 6:20; Luke 1:70; Rev. 18:20; the apostles, Rev. 18:20; that Jerusalem is called “the holy city,” Isa. 48:2; 66:20, 22; Dan. 9:24; Matt. 27:53; Rev. 21:2, 10. (That by “angels” in the Word Divine truth proceeding from the Lord is meant, see above, n. 130, 200; the like by “prophets,” see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2534, 7269; likewise by “apostles,” see above, n. 100; that by “Jerusalem” in the Word the church in respect to the doctrine of truth is meant, see The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 6.) From this it can be seen why it is that Divine truth proceeding from the Lord is called “the Spirit of truth,” and “the Holy Spirit” (see above, n. 183), so also why heaven is called the “habitation of holiness” (Isa. 63:15; Deut. 26:15); and why the church is called “the sanctuary” (Jer. 17:12; Lam. 2:7; Ps. 68:35).
sRef Deut@33 @3 S7′ sRef Deut@33 @2 S7′ sRef John@17 @19 S7′ sRef John@17 @17 S7′ [7] That “holiness” is predicated of Divine truth is evident from the following passages. In John:
Jesus when praying said, Father, sanctify them [make them Holy] in Thy truth, Thy Word is truth, and for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified in the truth (John 17:17, 19).
Here “being made holy” is plainly said in respect to truth, and “those made holy” in respect to those who receive Divine truth from the Lord. In Moses:
Jehovah came from Sinai, out of the myriads of holiness; from His right hand the fire of the law unto them; even He who loveth the peoples; in Thy hand are all His saints, and they are prostrated at Thy foot; he shall receive of Thy words (Deut. 33:2-3).
“Sinai” signifies heaven where the Lord is, from whom is Divine truth, or from whom is the “law,” both in a strict and in a broad sense; “myriads of holiness” signifies Divine truths; “the law” signifies, in a strict sense, the ten commandments of the Decalogue, and in a broad sense, the whole Word, which is Divine truth; those are called “peoples” in the Word who are in truths, and those of them that are in truths are called “saints.” “Being prostrated at Thy foot,” and “receiving of Thy words,” is the holy reception of Divine truth in ultimates, which is the Word in the sense of the letter, and being instructed therefrom. From this 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 strict and a broad sense, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 8399, 8753, 8793, 8805, 9420. That “the law” signifies, in a strict sense, the ten commandments of the Decalogue, and in a broad sense, the whole Word, n. 2606, 3382, 6752, 7463. That those are called “peoples” who are in truths, and “nations” who are in goods, n. 1259, 1260, 2928, 3295, 3581, 6451, 6465, 7207, 10288. That “foot,” a “place of feet,” and “footstool,” signify, in reference to the Lord, Divine truth in ultimates, thus the Word in the letter, n. 9406.) From this it is clear that “myriads of holiness” are Divine truths, and that those here called “holy [saints]” are those who are in Divine truths.
sRef Deut@26 @19 S8′ sRef Zech@14 @20 S8′ sRef Deut@26 @17 S8′ sRef Lev@19 @2 S8′ sRef Ps@65 @4 S8′ sRef Lev@20 @7 S8′ sRef Lev@20 @8 S8′ [8] In Moses:
Speak unto all the congregation of the sons of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy, for I Jehovah [God] of Israel am holy (Lev. 19:2).
This chapter treats of the statutes, judgments, and precepts which they were to keep; and as these signify Divine truths, it is said that those who keep them “shall be holy.” Moreover, “Israel” signifies the spiritual church, which is the church that is in Divine truths, therefore it is said, “I Jehovah [God] of Israel am holy.” In the same:
Ye shall sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy. And ye shall keep My statutes that ye may do them (Lev. 20:7-8).
Here also the statutes, judgments, and precepts which are to be kept are treated of.
In the same:
If they have kept thy statutes and judgments, they shall be a holy people unto Jehovah (Deut. 26:16-19).
In David :
We shall be satisfied with the goodness of Thy house, with the holiness of Thy temple (Ps. 65:4).
It is said “to be satisfied with the goodness of Jehovah’s house and with the holiness of His temple,” because the “house of God” in the highest sense signifies the Lord in respect to Divine good, and “temple” in respect 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 (Zech. 14:20).
The establishment of a new church is here treated of, and “bells” signify knowledges [scientifica] which are from the intellectual. (That “bells” signify such truths, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 9921, 9926; and that “horse” signifies the intellectual, see in The small work on The White Horse, n. 1-4.)
sRef Ex@28 @38 S9′ sRef Ex@28 @36 S9′ sRef Ex@28 @37 S9′ [9] From this it can be seen what is represented and signified by this:
That upon the miter which was upon the head of Aaron was placed a plate, upon which was engraved Holiness to Jehovah (Exod. 28:36-38; 39:30-31);
for the “miter” signifies wisdom, which is of Divine truth (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 9827, 9949); so also what it represented and signified by:
That Aaron, his sons, their garments, the altar, the tabernacle, with everything there, were anointed with oil, and thus made holy (Exod. 29:1-36; 30:22-30; Lev. 8:1 to the end);
for “oil” signified the Divine good of the Divine love, and “sanctification” the proceeding Divine; for it is Divine good that makes holy, and Divine truth is what is holy therefrom.
[10] That the word “holy” is predicated of charity can be seen from what was said above respecting the angels of heaven, namely, that there are some who receive Divine good more than Divine truth, and some who receive Divine truth more than Divine good; the former constitute the Lord’s celestial kingdom, and are those who are in love to the Lord, and because they are in love to the Lord are called “righteous” [or “just”]; but the latter constitute the Lord’s spiritual kingdom, and are those who are in charity towards the neighbor, and because these are in charity towards the neighbor, they are called “holy [or saints].” (That there are two loves that make heaven, namely, love to the Lord, and love towards the neighbor or charity, and that the heavens are thereby distinguished into two kingdoms, namely, a celestial kingdom and a spiritual kingdom, see in the work on Heaven and Hell. n 13-19; 20-28.)

sRef Rev@3 @7 S0′ 205. He that hath the key of David, signifies who has power by means of Divine truth. This is evident from the signification of “key,” as being the power of opening and shutting, here heaven and hell, for it follows, “He that openeth and no one shutteth, and shutteth and no one openeth;” therefore “key” means here the power of saving (as above, n. 86), since to open heaven and to shut hell is to save. It is evident also from the representation of “David,” as being the Lord in respect to Divine truth. By “David” in the Word the Lord is meant, because by “kings” in the Word the Lord in respect to Divine truth is represented, and by “priests” there the Lord in respect to Divine good. The Lord is represented especially by king David, because David had much care of the matters of the church, and also wrote the Psalms. (That “kings” in the Word signify Divine truth, and “priests” Divine good, see above, n. 31; moreover, that all names of persons and places in the Word signify spiritual things, which are the things pertaining to the church and to heaven, see above, n. 19, 50, 102.)
It is said, “He that hath the key of David,” because David (as was just said) represented the Lord in respect to Divine truth, and the Lord has all power in the heavens and on earth from Divine good through Divine truth; for in general good without truth has no power, neither has truth without good any power, for good acts through truth. From this it is that Divine good and Divine truth proceed united from the Lord, and so far as they are conjointly received by the angels, so far the angels are powers. This then, is why it is said “the key of David.” (That all power is in truths from good, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 228-233, where the Power of the Angels of Heaven is treated of; also n. 539.)
sRef Ezek@37 @24 S2′ sRef Ezek@37 @25 S2′ sRef Ezek@37 @23 S2′ sRef Hos@3 @5 S2′ [2] That by “David” in the Word the Lord is meant is clearly evident from certain passages where he is mentioned 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 land, they and their sons and their son’s sons even to eternity; and David My servant shall be prince to them to eternity (Ezek. 37:23-25).
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 extremity of days (Hosea 3:5).
It is said “They shall seek Jehovah their God, and David their king,” because “Jehovah” in the Word means the Lord in respect to Divine good, which is the Divine Esse, and “David a king” means the Lord in respect to Divine truth, which is the Divine Existere. (That “Jehovah” in the Word means the Lord in respect to Divine good, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 732, 2586, 2807, 2822, 3921, 4253, 4402, 7010, 9167, 9315.)
sRef Zech@12 @8 S3′ sRef Zech@12 @10 S3′ sRef Zech@12 @9 S3′ sRef Zech@12 @7 S3′ sRef Zech@13 @1 S3′ [3] In Zechariah:
Jehovah shall save the tents of Judah first, that the glory of the house of David, and the glory of the inhabitant of Jerusalem, may not exalt itself above Judah. In that day shall Jehovah defend the inhabitant of Jerusalem, and the house of David shall be as God, and 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 (Zech. 12:7-8, 10; 13:1).
Here the Lord’s coming is treated of, and the salvation at that time of those who are of His spiritual kingdom. “Tents of Judah” mean the celestial kingdom; and the “house of David and the inhabitant of Jerusalem,” the spiritual kingdom. The spiritual kingdom is constituted of those in heaven and on earth who are in Divine truth, and the celestial kingdom of those who are in Divine good (see just above, n. 204). From this it can be seen what these words mean, namely, that these two kingdoms shall act as one, and that one shall not exalt itself above the other. (Of these two kingdoms, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 20-28). That “Judah” signifies the Lord in respect to celestial love and the Lord’s celestial kingdom may be seen above (n. 119). And that “Jerusalem” signifies the Lord’s spiritual kingdom, see in The Arcana Coelestia (n. 402, 3654, 9166). The same is therefore signified by “the house of David;” consequently it is here said, “the house of David shall be as God, and as the angel of Jehovah;” “God” also means the Lord in respect to Divine truth (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2586, 2769, 2807, 2822, 3921, 4287, 4402, 7010, 9167); and the like is meant by the “angel of Jehovah” (see above, n. 130, 200).
sRef Ps@89 @4 S4′ sRef Ps@89 @5 S4′ sRef Ps@89 @3 S4′ sRef Ps@89 @2 S4′ sRef Isa@55 @3 S4′ sRef Isa@55 @4 S4′ [4] “David” and his “house” have a like signification also in the following passages. 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 as a witness to the peoples, a prince and a lawgiver to the nations* (Isa. 55:3-4).
These things are said of the Lord, who is here “David.” In David:
In the heavens Thou shalt establish 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 will build up thy throne to generation and generation; and the heavens shall confess Thy wonder, O Jehovah; Thy truth also in the congregation of the saints (Ps. 89:2-5).
These things also were said 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 will build up thy throne to generation and generation;” this is not applicable to David, whose seed and throne were not established to eternity, and yet Jehovah swore, and an oath from Jehovah is irrevocable confirmation from the Divine (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2842). The “seed of David” in the spiritual sense, means those who are in the truths from good from the Lord, and in an abstract sense, truths themselves that are from good (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3373, 3380, 10249, 10445); and “throne” means the Lord’s spiritual kingdom (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 5313, 5922, 6397, 8625). David is called “My servant” (as also above in Ezekiel 37:23-25), because “servant” in the Word is used of every person and every thing that serves and ministers (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3441, 7143, 8241), and Divine truth proceeding serves and ministers to Divine good from which it proceeds. That it is the Lord in respect to Divine truth, or Divine truth proceeding from the Lord that is meant by “David,” is evident, for it is said, “In the heavens Thou shalt establish Thy truth, and the heavens shall confess Thy truth in the congregation of the saints.” That those also are called “saints” who are in Divine truths, see just above (n. 204).
sRef Ps@132 @9 S5′ sRef Ps@89 @34 S5′ sRef Ps@132 @10 S5′ sRef Ps@132 @17 S5′ sRef Ps@132 @18 S5′ sRef Ps@89 @35 S5′ sRef Ps@89 @37 S5′ sRef Ps@89 @36 S5′ sRef Ps@132 @4 S5′ sRef Ps@132 @5 S5′ sRef Ps@132 @2 S5′ sRef Ps@132 @7 S5′ sRef Ps@132 @6 S5′ [5] In the same:
I will not profane My covenant, and what is pronounced by My lips will I not change. Once have I sworn by My holiness; I will not lie unto David. His seed shall be to eternity, and his throne as the sun before Me. It shall be established as the moon to eternity, a faithful witness in the clouds (Ps. 89:34-37).
That these things are said of the Lord is evident in the whole Psalm, for it treats of His coming, and afterwards of the repudiation of Him by the Jewish nation. That the Lord is here treated of, and that He is here meant by “David” is plain 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 the firstborn, high above the kings of the earth. I will set his throne as the days of the heavens (Ps. 89:20, 25-27, 29).
The Lord is meant also by “David,” by “the anointed,” and by “king,” in other passages in the Psalms, as can be clearly seen by those who understand the Word spiritually, but obscurely by those who understand it only naturally. As in these words in David:
Thy priests shall be clothed with righteousness, and Thy saints shall shout 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 set in order a lamp for Mine anointed; upon himself shall his crown flourish (Ps. 132:9-10, 17-18);
here also the Lord is meant by “David” and by “the anointed;” for the Lord is treated of in this Psalm, as is clear from what goes before, where it is said:
He swore 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 Ephrathah [Bethlehem]. We will come into His habitations, we will worship at His footstool (Ps. 132:2, 4-7).
[6] That David might represent the Lord in respect to Divine truth, the Lord was willing to be born of the house of David, and also to be called “the Son of David,” “his Root and Offspring,” also “the Root of Jesse.” But when the Lord put off the human from the mother, and put on the Human from the Father, which is the Divine Human, He was no longer David’s son. This is meant by the Lord’s words to the Pharisees:
Jesus said to the Pharisees, How does it seem to you respecting Christ? whose Son is He? They said unto Him, David’s. He said unto them, How then doth David in spirit call Him Lord, saying, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at My right hand, until I place thine enemies as a stool of thy feet? If David then calleth Him Lord, how is He his Son (Matt. 22:42-45; Luke 20:41-44).
That the Lord glorified His Human, that is, put off the human from the mother, and put on a Human from the Father, which is the Divine Human, see in the Doctrine of the New Jerusalem (n. 293-295, 298-310). For this reason He was not David’s son, as He was not the son of Mary, whom therefore He did not call His mother, but “woman” (Matt. 12:46-49; Mark. 3:31 to the end; Luke 8:19-21; John 2:4; 19:25, 26). The like is meant by “the key of Peter,” as by “the key of David,” namely, that the Lord has all power, and that He has this power through His Divine truth, as will be seen in the article that now follows.
* The Latin has “nations,” the Hebrew “peoples,” as found also in Arcana Coelestia, n. 1259, 4197.

sRef Rev@3 @7 S0′ 206. He that openeth and no one shutteth, and shutteth and no one openeth, signifies power to admit into heaven all who are in the faith of charity, and to remove from heaven all who are not. This is evident from the signification of “that openeth and no one shutteth,” as being, in reference to the Lord, to admit into heaven (of which presently); and from the signification of “and shutteth and no one openeth,” as being to remove from heaven. The former means to admit into heaven, and the latter to remove from heaven, because the Lord alone opens heaven to those who are admitted. This no man, spirit, or angel can do from himself. How this is shall be explained in a few words. When a man after death is in such a state that he can be admitted into heaven, there appears to him a way that leads to the heavenly society in which he is to be; until he is in this state the way thither does not appear to him; this way is opened to him by the Lord only. Such is each one’s introduction and admission into heaven. The same is true of the evil man after death. When he is in the state for passing into hell, a way appears to him that leads to the infernal society in which he is to be; until he is in this state the way thither does not appear to him. The reason of this is that ways in the spiritual world appear to each one according to the intention of his thought, thus according to the affection of his love. When, therefore, a spirit has been brought into his reigning love (for everyone after death is brought into that love), then ways to the society where his love reigns appear. From this it is clear that it is love itself that opens; and as all the love of good and truth is from the Lord, it follows that the Lord alone opens the ways for those who are admitted into heaven. On the other hand, as all the love of evil and of falsity is from the man or spirit only, it follows that the spirit himself opens for himself the way to hell. (These things may be seen more clearly in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 545-550, where it is shown that the Lord casts no one into hell, but that it is the spirit who casts himself thither. That ways in the spiritual world appear to everyone according to the intention of his thought, thus according to the affection of his love, see in the same work, n. 479, 590.)
[2] As regards the hells, they are all shut, and can in no wise be opened except by the Lord’s permission; they are shut because of the evils and falsities that are continually striving to break out from them and do harm to those who are in goods and truths from the Lord (about which see also in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 584-592). From this then it is clear how it is and thence 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.” Heaven is opened to those who are in the faith of charity, and is shut to those who are not, for those who are in the faith of charity are here treated of (see above, n. 203), and those who are in the faith of charity are in Divine truth from the Lord, and Divine truth from the Lord has all power, as was shown in the articles that immediately precede.
sRef Matt@16 @19 S3′ sRef Matt@16 @16 S3′ sRef Matt@16 @17 S3′ sRef Matt@16 @18 S3′ sRef Matt@16 @18 S3′ [3] Similar to what is here meant by the “key of David” is the signification of the “key of Peter,” thus referred to in Matthew:
I say unto thee, Thou art Peter, and upon this Rock I will build My church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail over it. And unto thee will I give the keys of the kingdom of the heavens, 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 (Matt. 16:18-19).
“Peter” here, in like manner as “David,” signifies in the highest sense, Divine truth proceeding from the Lord’s Divine good, and in the internal sense, every truth from good that is from the Lord. The “rock” [petra] that is spoken of in the Word where Peter is mentioned, and from which Peter’s name is derived, has a like signification. The Lord’s twelve disciples represented all the truths and goods of the church in the complex; Peter represented truth or faith, James charity, and John the works of charity. But here Peter represented faith from charity, or truth from good which is from the Lord, because Peter here acknowledged the Lord in heart, saying:
Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answering, said, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jonah;* 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. (Matt. 16:16-18, and the following).
(This may be seen illustrated in The small work on The Last Judgment, n. 57.)
sRef Matt@18 @18 S4′ sRef Matt@19 @28 S4′ sRef Isa@22 @21 S4′ sRef Isa@22 @22 S4′ [4] There is a like meaning in the Lord’s words to the rest of the disciples, in Matthew:
Jesus said to His disciples, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven (Matt. 18:18).
These things are said to the disciples because they represented all the truths and goods in the complex that are from the Lord. (That those things were represented by the twelve disciples, as also by the twelve tribes of Israel, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2129, 3354, 3488, 3858, 6397.) The like is meant by the disciples where it is said, that:
They shall sit upon twelve thrones, and shall judge the twelve tribes of Israel (Matt. 19:28; Luke 22:30);
(see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2129, 6397). And the like is 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 the key of the house of David I will lay upon his shoulder, that he may open and none shut, and that he may shut and none open (Isa. 22:21-22).
By “the house of the king” over which he was to be, is signified the church that is in truth out of good from the Lord; “opening and shutting,” and “binding and loosing,” mean in general to save (see above, n. 86).
* The Latin has “Jonah”; the Greek “Bar-jonah,” as found in Apocalypse Explained, n. 209.

sRef Rev@3 @8 S0′ 207. Verse 8. I know thy works, signifies a life of charity. This is evident from the signification of “works,” as being those things that are of man’s love, thus of his life (see above, n. 98, 116, 185); here, therefore, the things that are of charity, since that is what is treated of in what is written to this church.

sRef Rev@3 @8 S0′ 208. Behold I have given before thee an opened door, and no one is able to shut it, signifies that they will be admitted into heaven, and that to no one of such a quality will it be refused. This is evident from the signification of “giving an opened door,” as being to admit into heaven (of which presently) and from the signification of “no one is able to shut,” as being that it will not be refused; for when a door is shut entrance is refused, but when it is not shut it is not refused. This refers to those who are in charity, because they are treated of in what is written to this church (see above, n. 203). From this it is clear that “I have given before thee an opened door, and no one is able to shut it,” signifies that all such will be admitted into heaven, and that to none of these will entrance be refused. It is indeed plain from the common use of language, that “to give an opened door” signifies to admit into heaven; and still this is from correspondence; for a house and all things pertaining to a house correspond to the interiors of man which are of his mind, and from that correspondence they also signify in the Word the things of the mind. That this is so can be seen from representatives and appearances in heaven, where there are palaces, houses, rooms, bed-chambers, hallways, courts, and within them a variety of things for uses; these things the angels have from correspondence; and for this reason the wiser angels have palaces more magnificent than the less wise have (but respecting these, see in The work on Heaven and Hell, n. 183-190, where The Habitations of the angels of Heaven are treated of); and as palaces, houses, and all things pertaining to a house have a correspondence, so evidently do doorways, doors, and gates, which correspond to entrance and admission; and when the doorway appears open, it is a sign that there is opportunity to enter, and when it is closed, that there is no opportunity.
sRef John@10 @7 S2′ sRef John@10 @3 S2′ sRef John@10 @1 S2′ sRef John@10 @2 S2′ sRef John@10 @9 S2′ [2] Moreover, when newly arrived spirits are introduced into a heavenly society, the way that leads to it is opened to them by the Lord; and when they come thither there appears a gate with a door at the side, where there are guards who admit them, and afterwards there are others who receive and introduce them. From this it can now be seen what “doorways,” “doors,” and “gates,” signify in the Word, namely, admission into heaven: and as the church is the Lord’s heaven on earth, they also signify admission into the church; and as heaven or the church is within man, “doorways,” “doors,” and “gates” signify approach and entrance, with man (of which presently). And because all things that signify heaven and the church signify also the things of heaven and the church, and here the things that introduce, which are truths out of good from the Lord, and because these truths are from the Lord, and are therefore His, yea, are Himself in them, therefore “doorway,” “door,” and “gate” to heaven and the church, mean in the highest sense the Lord. From this is clear the signification of what the Lord says in John:
Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, he that entereth not through the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up another way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in through the door is the shepherd of the sheep; to him the porter openeth. I am the door of the sheep, through Me if anyone enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and go out, and find pasture (John 10:1-3, 7, 9).
Here “to enter in through the door” is evidently to enter in through the Lord, for it is said, “I am the door of the sheep.” To enter in through the Lord is to approach Him, acknowledge Him, believe in Him, and love Him, as He teaches in many passages; thus is man admitted into heaven, and in no other way; consequently the Lord says, “Through Me if anyone enter in, he shall be saved;” also “he that climbeth up another way, the same is a thief and a robber.”
sRef Rev@3 @20 S3′ [3] Therefore he that approaches the Lord, acknowledges Him, and believes in Him, is said to open the door to the Lord, that he may enter in. In Revelation:
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 (Rev. 3:20).
What this means will be told in what follows where this part of the chapter will be explained. Here something shall merely be said about doors or gates, in respect to man, since it is said, “I stand at the door and knock.” To man’s rational two ways lead, one from heaven, the other from the world. By the way from heaven good is introduced, by the way from the world truth is introduced. So far as the way from heaven is opened with man, so far he is affected by truth and becomes rational, that is, sees truth from the light of truth. But if the way from heaven is shut, man does not become rational; for he does not see truth, and yet it is truth from the light of truth that makes the rational; he can, indeed, reason about truth, and from reasoning or from memory can talk about it; but he is not able to see whether truth is truth.
To think well about the Lord and about the neighbor opens the way from heaven; while to think not well about the Lord and to think evil about the neighbor shuts that way. As there are two ways that lead into man, so there are two doorways or gates through which entrance is effected. Through the gate or doorway that is opened from heaven the spiritual affection of truth from the Lord enters, because through that door (as was said above), good enters, and all spiritual affection of truth is from good; but by the gate or doorway that is open from the world all knowledge from the Word and from preaching from the Word enters, since by this way truth enters (as was also said above), for the knowledges from the Word and from preaching therefrom are truths. The spiritual affection of truth joined with such knowledges constitutes man’s rational, and enlightens it according to the quality of the truth conjoined to good, and according to the quality of the conjunction. Let these few words suffice respecting the two doorways or gates pertaining to man.
sRef Isa@26 @2 S4′ [4] As “doorways,” “doors,” and “gates,” signify admission into heaven and into the church, they therefore also signify truths from good which are from the Lord, because by them admission is effected; as in the following passages.
In Isaiah:
Open ye the gates, that the righteous nations keeping faithfulness may enter in (Isa. 26:2).
This means, in the sense of the letter, that they will admit those who are righteous and faithful into the cities; but in the internal sense, that they will admit them into the church; for “gates” signify admission; “a righteous nation” signifies those who are in good; “keeping faithfulness” signifies those who are in truths from good.
sRef Isa@60 @12 S5′ sRef Isa@60 @11 S5′ sRef Isa@60 @18 S5′ [5] In the same:
Thy gates shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night, that the army of the nations may be brought unto Thee, and their kings shall be led; for the nation and kingdom that will not serve Thee shall perish. Thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise (Isa. 60:11-12, 18).
This treats of the Lord and of the church about to be established by Him, and these words describe the continual admission of those who are in good and in truths therefrom. “The gates shall be opened continually, and shall not be shut day nor night,” signifies perpetual admission; “the army of the nations” signifies those who are in good, and “kings” those who are in truths; and that all shall 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).
sRef Isa@45 @1 S6′ sRef Isa@45 @3 S6′ [6] In the same:
Thus saith 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 that the gates may not be shut. And I will give thee the treasures of dark places, and hidden riches of secret places (Isa. 45:1, 3).
This likewise treats of the Lord and of the church to be established by Him. “To open the doors that the gates may not be shut” signifies perpetual admission; “nations and kings” signify those who are in goods and truths, and in the abstract, goods and truths (as above); “treasures of dark places and hidden riches of secret places” signifies interior intelligence and wisdom from heaven, for the things that enter by the gate that is open from heaven (of which above) come in secretly and affect all things that are with man; from this comes the spiritual affection of truth, through which things before unknown are revealed.
sRef Jer@17 @25 S7′ sRef Jer@17 @24 S7′ [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 in by 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 (Jer. 17:24-25).
Anyone can see what is meant by these things in the sense of the letter; but that something more holy is contained in them may be known, for this is the Word, and everything in the Word contains things that are of heaven and the church and these alone are holy; the holy thing meant is known from the internal sense. “The Sabbath day” in that sense means the conjunction of the Lord’s Divine Human with heaven and the church; “the city” which here is Jerusalem, means the church; “to bring in no burden through the gates of this city” means not to admit that which is from man’s own [proprium], but that which is from the Lord. “Kings and princes that shall enter in by the gates of the city” mean Divine truths which they should then have; “sitting upon the throne of David” means truths from the Lord; “riding upon the chariot and on horses” means that from these they should be in the doctrine of truth and in intelligence; “to be inhabited to eternity” means life and eternal salvation. (That “Sabbath” signifies the conjunction of the Lord’s Divine Human with heaven and the church, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 8494, 8495, 8510, 10356, 10360, 10367, 10370, 10374, 10668, 10730. That “Jerusalem” signifies the church, see n. 402, 3654, 9166. That “burden” or “work” on the Sabbath day signifies not to be led by the Lord but by one’s own [proprium], n. 7893, 8495, 10360, 10362, 10365. That “kings and princes” signify those who are in Divine truths, and in the abstract, Divine truths, see above, n. 29, 31. That “chariot” signifies the doctrine of truth, and “horses” the intellectual, see in the small work concerning The White Horse, n. 1-5.)
sRef Rev@21 @25 S8′ sRef Rev@21 @21 S8′ sRef Rev@21 @12 S8′ [8] In Revelation:
The New Jerusalem, having a wall great and high, and twelve gates, and upon the gates twelve angels, and names inscribed, which are the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. The twelve gates were twelve pearls. The gates shall not be shut (Rev. 21:12, 21, 25).
That “gates” signify Divine truths introducing into the New Church, thus those who are in truths from good from the Lord, can be seen from the explanation of these words in The small work on The New Jerusalem (n. 1 seq.). It is clear also from its being said that 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.” (For “twelve” signifies all, and is predicated of truths from good, Arcana Coelestia, n. 577, 2089, 2129, 2130, 3272, 3858, 3913; in like manner “angels,” see above, n. 130, 200; likewise the “twelve tribes of Israel,” n. 3858, 3926, 4060, 6335; and likewise “pearls.”)
sRef Jer@1 @16 S9′ sRef Jer@1 @14 S9′ sRef Jer@1 @15 S9′ [9] In Jeremiah:
Out of the north an evil shall be opened, that they may come and set every man his throne at the entrance of the gates of Jerusalem, and against all its walls round about, because they have forsaken Me (Jer. 1:14-16).
This treats of the destruction of the church; the “north,” signifies falsity from which is evil; “to come and set every man his throne at the entrance of the gates of Jerusalem” is to destroy truths introductory to the church by means of falsities; “and against all the walls” means to destroy all protecting truths.
sRef Isa@14 @31 S10′ sRef Isa@24 @12 S10′ sRef Isa@22 @7 S10′ sRef Isa@22 @8 S10′ [10] In Isaiah:
Howl, O gate; cry, O city; thou whole Philistia art dissolved, for from the north cometh smoke (Isa. 14:31).
In the same:
The choicest of thy valleys are full of chariots, and the horsemen setting have set themselves even to the gate; he hath uncovered the covering of Judah (Isa. 22:7-8).
In these passages also the destruction of the church is treated of; and “gates” here signify introductory truths which are destroyed; these truths are called “the covering of Judah,” because “Judah” signifies celestial love (see above, n. 119), and these truths cover and protect that love.
sRef Jer@14 @2 S11′ sRef Ezek@26 @2 S11′ sRef Judg@5 @7 S11′ sRef Judg@5 @8 S11′ [11] In the same:
The remnant in the city is a waste, and the gate is beaten* even to devastation (Isa. 24:12).
In Jeremiah:
Judah hath mourned, and the gates thereof have been made to languish (Jer. 14:2).
In the book of Judges:
The villages have ceased in Israel; he hath chosen new gods; there was fighting at the gates (Judg. 5:7-8).
In Ezekiel:
Tyre hath said about Jerusalem, Aha, she is broken, the doors of the peoples; she is brought around unto me (Ezek. 26:2).
Here also the destruction of the church is treated of; “Tyre” signifies the knowledges of truth and good, which are introductory truths; and “Jerusalem” the church in respect to the doctrine of truth; this shows why Jerusalem is here called the “doors of the people;” also what this signifies, “Tyre says, Aha, Jerusalem is broken, the doors of the people; she is brought around unto me, I shall be filled.”
sRef Isa@54 @5 S12′ sRef Matt@25 @11 S12′ sRef Ps@87 @2 S12′ sRef Matt@25 @10 S12′ sRef Matt@25 @12 S12′ sRef Luke@13 @25 S12′ sRef Ps@9 @14 S12′ sRef Luke@13 @24 S12′ sRef Isa@54 @12 S12′ sRef Ps@24 @7 S12′ sRef Ps@24 @9 S12′ [12] Since, as was said above, “doors” and “gates” signify admission, and in particular, introductory truths, which are truths from good from the Lord, it is clear what “doors” and “gates” signify in the following passage. In David:
Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lifted up, ye everlasting portals, that the King of glory may come in (Ps. 24:7, 9).
In the same:
Recount the praises of Jehovah in the gates of the daughter of Zion (Ps. 9:14).
In the same:
Jehovah loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob (Ps. 87:2).
By “Zion” and “the daughter of Zion” the celestial church is meant.
In Isaiah:
Thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; the God of the whole earth he is called. I will make thy windows** of rubies, and thy gates of carbuncles (Isa. 54:5, 12).
In Matthew:
The five prudent virgins went into the marriage feast, and the door was shut; and the five foolish virgins came and knocked, but the door was not opened to them (Matt. 25:10-12).
In Luke:
Jesus said, strive to enter in through the narrow gate; for many shall seek to enter in, and shall not be able. When once the Master of the house is risen up and hath shut to the door, then shall ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and He shall answer and say, I know you not whence you are (Luke 13:24-25).
These two passages treat of the state of man after death, showing that those who are in faith and not in love cannot then be admitted into heaven, although they may wish to be admitted because they have so believed; this is meant by the “door’s being shut,” and they knocked but were rejected.
sRef Deut@6 @9 S13′ sRef Deut@6 @8 S13′ sRef Deut@21 @19 S13′ sRef Ex@21 @6 S13′ [13] Because “gates” signify introductory truths, therefore it was among the statutes:
That the elders should sit at the gates and judge (Deut. 21:19; 22:15, 21; Amos 5:12, 15; Zech. 8:16);
therefore it was also commanded:
That they should write the commandments upon the posts and gates (Deut. 6:8-9);
and therefore it was likewise 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 (Exod. 21:6; Deut. 15:17).
“Servants” from the sons of Israel signified those who were in truths and not in good; and “freemen” those who are in good and in truths therefrom. That “the ear should be bored through at the door” signified perpetual obedience and servitude, since he was not willing to be introduced by means of truths into good; for those who are in truths and this not from good, are perpetually in a servile state, because they are not in the spiritual affection of truth; and yet it is the affection which is of the love that makes man free (see in The Doctrine of The New Jerusalem, n. 141-149). Moreover introductory truths in respect to their quality are described by the covering of the entrance of the tent, and by the covering of the entrance of the tabernacle (Exod. 26:14, 36, 37; 38:18, 19); also by the measurements in numbers of the entrances and gates of the house of God and of the temple (in Ezekiel 40:6, 8-11, 13-15, 18-20, 24, 27, 28, 32, 35, 37; 41:1-3, 11, 17-20, 23-25; 42:2, 12, 15; 43:1-4; 44:1-3, 17; 46:1-3, 8, 12, 19; 47:1, 2; 48:31-34). He who knows what these particular numbers signify, may know many arcana respecting these truths. The gates of the house of Jehovah towards the north and towards the east are also spoken of in the same prophet (8:3-4; 10:19).
* Latin has “is beaten”; the Hebrew “shall be beaten,” as found in Apocalypse Explained, n. 223, 919.
** The Latin has “windows”; the Hebrew “suns,” as found in Arcana Coelestia, n. 655; Apocalypse Explained, n. 401.

sRef Rev@3 @8 S0′ 209. For thou hast some 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 the measure in which they make truths from the Word to be of the life, and acknowledge the Divine of the Lord in His Human. This is evident from the signification of “having power,” as being power from the Lord against evils and falsities; and as those who are in faith from charity are treated of, it is said that they “have some power” (of which presently). It is evident also from the signification of “to keep My word,” as being to make truths from the Word to be of the life; for to keep truths or commandments means not only to know and perceive them but also to will and do them, that is to keep them; and those who will and do, make the truths that they know and perceive from the Word to be of their life (see also above n. 15). It is evident also from the signification of “not denying My name,” as being to acknowledge the Divine of the Lord in His Human (see above, n. 135).
[2] It should be known that there are two principal things of the church, namely, the acknowledgment of the Lord’s Divine in His Human, and making the truths from the Word to be of one’s life; moreover, no one can be in the one of these unless he is at the same time in the other; for all truths that are made to be of the life are from the Lord, and this is done with those who acknowledge the Divine in His Human. For the Lord flows in with all, as well in the heavens as on the earth, from His Divine Human, and not from the Divine separately. Consequently those 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 beside it or above it, thus separated from it, receive no influx from the Lord nor thus from heaven, for all who are in the heavens acknowledge the Lord’s Divine Human (see concerning this in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 2-12, 59-72, 78-86 seq., 212). From this it is clear that all truths that are made of the life are from the Lord with those who acknowledge the Divine in His Human, that is the Divine Human. Truths become of the life when man loves them, thus when he wills them and does them, for he who loves, wills and does; in a word, truths are made of the life when man from affection lives according to them. Such truths are from the Lord because the Lord flows into the love with man, and through the love into truths and thus makes them to be of the life.
sRef Matt@16 @19 S3′ sRef Matt@16 @18 S3′ sRef Matt@16 @16 S3′ sRef Matt@16 @17 S3′ sRef Matt@16 @15 S3′ [3] Something shall now be said about the power that man has from the Lord against evils and falsities. All power that angels have and also that men have is from the Lord; and the measure in which they receive the Lord is the measure of their power. He who believes that any power against evils and falsities comes from what is man’s own [proprium] is greatly mistaken; for it is evil spirits, conjoined to the hells, that induce evils and falsities thence with men, and these spirits are numerous, and each one of them is conjoined to many hells, in each of which also there are many spirits, and no one except the Lord can turn these away from man, for the Lord alone has power over the hells, and man has no power at all from himself or from what is his own [proprium]; therefore man has power to the extent that he is conjoined to the Lord by love. There are two loves that reign in the heavens and constitute the heavens, namely, love to the Lord and love towards the neighbor; love to the Lord is called celestial love, and love toward the neighbor is called spiritual love. Those who are in celestial love have much power, but those who are in spiritual love have some power; and because what is written to the angel of this church, treats of those who are in love towards the neighbor, or in charity and in faith therefrom, which love is spiritual love, it is said, “Thou hast some power.”
[4] But it is to be noted, that all the power that angels and men have from the Lord is from the good of love; and since the good of love does not act from itself but through truths, therefore all power is from the good of love through truths, and with those who are spiritual, from the good of charity through the truths of faith. For good takes on a quality through truths, good without truths having no quality and where there is no quality there is neither force nor power. From this it is clear, that good has all power through truths, or charity through faith, and neither charity apart from faith nor faith apart from charity has any power. This is meant also by the keys given to Peter, for “Peter” there means, in the spiritual sense, truth from good which is from the Lord, thus faith from charity; and the “keys” given to him the power over evil and falsities. These things were said to Peter when he acknowledged the Divine of the Lord in His Human; which means, that those have power who acknowledge the Divine of the Lord in His Human, and from Him are in the good of charity, and in the truths of faith. That these things were said to Peter when he acknowledged the Lord is shown in Matthew:
Jesus said to the disciples, Who say ye that I am? Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answering said unto him, Blessed art thou Simon Bar-Jonah; for flesh and blood hath not revealed this unto thee, but My Father who is in the heavens. But I also say unto thee, thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of the hells shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 16:15-19).
(But of Peter and his keys, see what is said above, n. 9; also what is shown in The small work on The Last Judgment, n. 57, and in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 122; and that truth has all power from good, which is from the Lord, in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 228-233, 539, and Arcana Coelestia, n. 3091, 3387, 3563, 4592, 4933, 6344, 6423, 7518, 7673, 8281, 8304, 9133, 9327, 9410, 10019, 10182).

sRef Rev@3 @9 S0′ 210. Verse 9. And* I will give from the synagogue of Satan, signifies those who are in the doctrine of faith alone, and in no charity. This is evident from the signification of “from the synagogue of Satan,” as being those who are in the doctrine of all falsities (see above, n. 120). Here therefore, “from the synagogue of Satan” means those who are in the doctrine of faith alone, and in no charity, since what is written to the angel of this church treats of those who are in faith from charity. These are said to be “from the synagogue of Satan” because they are not in faith, although they think they are; and because they reject charity as being no means to salvation, and yet the Lord flows into faith through charity, and not into faith separate from charity; for faith separate from charity is merely knowing [scientia] in which there is no life from the Divine. From this it is that they who are in the doctrine of faith alone, and not in charity, are in no illustration; they are therefore in the doctrine of many falsities, which is specially signified by “the synagogue of Satan.” (That there is no faith where there is no charity, see in the small work on The Last Judgment, n. 33-39; and what faith and what charity are, in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 84-107, 108-122.) That they are in the doctrine of many falsities will be seen in the following article.
* Latin has “and” for “behold,” as found in n. 202.

sRef Rev@3 @9 S0′ 211. Of those saying that they are Jews, and are not, but do lie, signifies who believe themselves to be in truths, when yet they are in falsities. This is evident from the signification of “Judah,” which is in the highest sense, the Lord in respect to celestial love; in the internal sense the Lord’s celestial kingdom and the Word, and in the external sense, doctrine from the Word which belongs to the celestial church (of which see above, n. 119). From this it is that “to say that they are Jews” signifies to believe themselves to be in genuine doctrine, thus in truths themselves. This is evident also from the signification of “to lie,” as meaning to be in falsities, for “a lie” signifies in the Word the falsity of doctrine (about which see Arcana Coelestia, n. 8908, 9248).
They who are in faith alone and in no charity, know not that they are in falsities, because they believe themselves to be in truths, when yet, out of the false principle, which is that faith alone saves, falsities flow in a continual series; for a principle draws all things to its own side, since they must be connected with it; and this is the cause of their great ignorance in regard to the things of heaven and the church. That they who are in faith alone are so ignorant is clear from this, that they do not know what celestial love is, which is love to the Lord; what spiritual love is, which is charity towards the neighbor; what the neighbor is, what good is, what the conjunction of good and truth is, what spiritual life is, what spiritual affection is, what conscience is, what freedom of choice is, what regeneration is, what spiritual temptation is, what baptism and the holy supper are, and why they are commanded, what the spiritual sense of the Word is, what heaven and hell are, and that both of them are from the human race; and as to many other things. From this their ignorance falsities flow whenever these subjects are thought about, since they are unable to think, as was said above, from any illustration or to have any internal sight respecting anything spiritual. (See, moreover, what is shown on this subject in Arcana Coelestia, that faith separate from charity is no faith, n. 654, 724, 1162, 1176, 2049, 2116, 2343, 2349, 3849, 3868, 6348, 7039, 7822, 9780, 9783; that such faith perishes in the other life, n. 2228, 5820; that when faith alone is taken as the principle, truths are contaminated by a false principle, n. 2435; that such persons will not suffer themselves to be persuaded, because it is against their principle, n. 2385; that the doctrinals of faith alone destroy charity, n. 6353, 8094; that they who separate faith from charity, are inwardly in the falsities of their own evil, although they are ignorant of it, n. 7790, 7950; that therefore good cannot be conjoined to them, n. 8981, 8993; that faith separate from love and charity is as the light of winter, in which all things of the earth become torpid, and there is no production of corn, fruits, and flowers; but that faith from love of charity is as the light of spring and summer, in which all things flourish and are produced, n. 2231, 3146, 3412, 3413; that the light of winter, which is that of faith separate from charity, is turned into dense darkness when light out of heaven flows in; and that they who are in such faith then become blind and stupid, n. 3412, 3413; that they 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 into evils therefrom, 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 all that the Lord so often said about love and charity, and about fruits and good things in act, concerning which n. 1017, 3416; that they do not know what good is, thus what celestial love is, nor what charity is, n. 2417, 3603, 4126, 9995; that the simple in heart, who still are wise, know what the good of life is, thus what charity is, but not what faith is separate from charity, n. 4741, 4754.)

sRef Rev@3 @9 S0′ 212. Behold, I will make them to come and worship at thy feet, signifies the state of such after death, that they will be out of heaven, and are not to be admitted. This is evident from the connection with what precedes and follows. This verse treats of those who say that they are in truths when yet they are in falsities, because in no 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 the whole complex resembles a man; the highest or third heaven answers to the head, the middle or second heaven to the body, and the lowest or first heaven to the feet; therefore, to stand at the feet and worship, is to be out of heaven and to wish to be admitted, but not to be able. (That heaven in one complex resembles a man, see Heaven and Hell, n. 59-67 seq.; that there are three heavens, n. 29-40; and that the highest heaven forms the head, the middle the body, and the lowest the feet, n. 65.) From this it is clear why those who are out of heaven are said to stand “at the feet.” They cannot be admitted for the reason that the whole heaven is formed according to the affections of good and truth, and is divided into societies according to all the differences of those affections; therefore, those who are not in charity are not in any affection in which heaven is, for charity or love towards the neighbor is affection; consequently those who are not in charity have no place in heaven, but are out of it; and such of them as have been in evils and falsities are conjoined according to their loves or affections, to those who are in internals,* and thither they are cast down.
sRef Matt@7 @21 S2′ sRef Matt@7 @23 S2′ sRef Matt@7 @19 S2′ sRef Matt@7 @20 S2′ sRef Matt@7 @24 S2′ sRef Matt@7 @27 S2′ sRef Matt@7 @22 S2′ sRef Matt@7 @26 S2′ sRef Matt@7 @25 S2′ [2] That such a lot awaits those who are in faith alone and in no charity, was foretold by the Lord in many passages. Thus in Matthew:
Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire; therefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not everyone 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. Many shall say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied by Thy name, and by Thy name cast out demons, and in Thy name done many powers? And then will I confess unto them, I never knew you; depart from Me all ye workers of iniquity. Every one that heareth My words and doeth them, I will liken to a prudent man, who built his house upon a rock. And everyone that heareth My words and doeth them not, shall be likened to a foolish man who built his house upon the sand (Matt. 7:19-27).
Here those who are in faith from charity, and those who are in faith and in no charity are described; those who are in faith from charity, by “the tree bearing good fruit,” and by “the house that was built upon a rock;” “fruits” moreover signify in the Word the works of charity and a “rock” faith from charity; but those who are in faith separate from charity are meant by “the tree that bringeth forth no good fruit,” and by those “building a house upon the sand,” “evil fruit” moreover signifies in the Word evil works, and “sand” faith separate from charity. Of such it is said that they will say, “Lord, Lord, open to us,” but that the reply will be, “I never knew you; depart from Me, all ye workers of iniquity.”
sRef Matt@25 @3 S3′ sRef Matt@25 @7 S3′ sRef Matt@25 @6 S3′ sRef Matt@25 @11 S3′ sRef Luke@13 @25 S3′ sRef Matt@25 @5 S3′ sRef Matt@25 @8 S3′ sRef Matt@25 @9 S3′ sRef Matt@25 @10 S3′ sRef Luke@13 @26 S3′ sRef Luke@13 @24 S3′ sRef Matt@25 @43 S3′ sRef Matt@25 @42 S3′ sRef Matt@25 @41 S3′ sRef Matt@25 @1 S3′ sRef Matt@25 @2 S3′ sRef Matt@25 @4 S3′ sRef Luke@13 @27 S3′ sRef Matt@25 @12 S3′ [3] In like manner in Luke:
Strive to enter in through the narrow gate; for many shall seek to enter in, and shall 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; and He shall answer and say, I know you not whence ye are; then shall ye begin to say, We did eat and drink before Thee, and Thou didst teach 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 (Luke 13:24-27).
Here again those are treated of who are in faith and not in charity of whom it is said that they “will stand without, knocking at the door,” but that they will not be admitted; “to eat and to drink before the Lord, and to be taught in the streets” signifies to listen to the Word and preachings from the Word, and to know the matters of faith; but as such are in no charity, it is said to them, “I know you not whence ye are, depart from Me;” for the Lord knows all from love and not from faith separate.
[4] The same is meant by:
The five foolish virgins, who had not oil in their lamps, concerning whom also it is said that they came, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us; but He answered, Verily I say unto you, I know you not (Matt. 25:1-12).
“Virgins” signify in the Word those who are of the church; “lamps” the things that belong to faith, and “oil” the good of love; therefore by “the five foolish virgins, who had no oil in their lamps,” are signified they who are in faith and not in love. The like is signified also by:
The goats on the left hand to whom it was said that He hungered and thirsted and they gave Him not 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. 25:41-43);
“the sheep at the right hand” here signify those who are in charity; “the goats” those who are in faith and in no charity. (That the latter are signified by “goats,” see Arcana Coelestia, n. 4769; and the former by “sheep,” n. 4169, 4809.)
* For “internals” the context requires “infernals.”

sRef John@14 @21 S0′ sRef Rev@3 @9 S0′ sRef John@14 @23 S0′ 213. And to know that I have loved thee, signifies a consequent knowledge that the Lord is present in charity, and not in faith apart from charity. This is evident from the signification of “to know,” as being knowledge; and from the signification of “to love,” as being, in reference to the Lord, that He is present. It means that He is present in charity, and not in faith apart from charity, because those are here treated of who are in the faith of charity (see above, n. 203); and the Lord is present in man’s affection or love, thus in the life of his spirit, for it is love or affection that makes the life of his spirit; consequently the Lord is present in charity, for charity is affection itself or man’s spiritual love; and as the Lord is present with man in charity, He is evidently not present in faith without charity; neither is faith without charity spiritual, consequently it is not inwardly in man, nor does it constitute his life, but it is outside of him, in the memory, and in something of natural thought therefrom. “To be loved,” in reference to the Lord, means that He is present, because love [dilectio seu amor] causes conjunction and consequent presence, and to him who loves, the Lord enters in, and teaches and leads him, and enables him also to love Him, that is, to do His commandments and precepts, for this is to love the Lord. That with him whom He loves the Lord is present, and that he who keeps His commandments and precepts loves Him, He Himself teaches in John:
He that hath My commandments, and doeth 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 (John 14:21, 23).

sRef Rev@3 @10 S0′ 214. Verse 10. And* thou hast kept the word of My endurance, signifies that they have lived according to the Lord’s commandments. This is evident from the signification of “keeping the word” of the Lord, as being to live according to His commandments, for “word” is commandment, and to “keep” it is to live. It is said, “the word of My endurance,” because of steadfastness in it without being wearied. The term “endurance,” is occasionally used in Revelation, and when used it signifies what is applied to life (as also above, n. 98).
* For “and” the Greek has “because,” as found in n. 202.

sRef Rev@3 @10 S0′ 215. I also will keep thee in the hour of temptation that is to come upon the whole world, to try them that dwell upon the earth, signifies the time of the Last Judgment, when there will be visitation upon those who are in the former heaven, and that they will then be saved. This is evident from the signification of “the hour of temptation that is to come upon the whole world,” as being 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; that those who are in faith from charity, who are here treated of, will then be saved, is meant by “I will keep thee.” These things evidently relate to the Last Judgment, for it is said, “the hour of temptation that is to come upon the whole world, when they shall he tried that dwell upon the earth.” But as the Last Judgment, also the former heaven and its abolition, and the new heaven and its formation, are treated of in the small works on The Lost Judgment and The New Jerusalem, and will be further treated of in this work, additional explanation of these words is deferred.

sRef Rev@3 @11 S0′ 216. Verse 11. Behold, I come quickly, signifies that this is certain. This is evident from the signification of “quickly,” as being certainty and fullness (see above, n. 7). “Quickly” signifies certainty and fullness, because time and all things pertaining to time in the Word signify states; therefore “quickly” and “speedily” signify a present state of affection and of thought therefrom, consequently certainty and fullness. (That time and all things of time correspond to states, and therefore signify states, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 162-169; and that “quickly” signifies what is stirred up by affection, thus what is present and certain, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 7695, 7866.)

sRef Rev@3 @11 S0′ 217. Hold what thou hast, signifies steadfastness in a state of faith from charity even unto the end, as is evident from what was said above (n. 173), where there are similar words.

sRef Rev@3 @11 S0′ 218. That no one take thy crown, signifies lest intelligence should perish. This is evident from the signification of “crown,” as meaning wisdom (of which see above, n. 126), here intelligence, because those who are in spiritual love or in charity and faith therefrom, are in intelligence; while those who are in celestial love, or in love to the Lord, and in the perception of truth therefrom, are in wisdom. “That no one take thy crown” signifies lest intelligence should perish, since evils and falsities therefrom take away man’s intelligence; for intelligence pertains to 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.

sRef Rev@3 @12 S0′ 219. Verse 12. He that overcometh I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, signifies that those who are steadfast will be in Divine truth in heaven. This is evident from the signification of “overcoming,” as being to be steadfast in the genuine affection of truth (see above n. 128); here in faith from charity, since that faith is treated of in what is written to the angel of this church (see above, n. 203); also from the signification of “pillar” as being Divine truth sustaining; also from the signification of “the temple of God” as being in the highest sense, the Lord’s Divine Human, and in the relative sense, the Lord’s spiritual kingdom, thus the heaven that constitutes that kingdom (of which presently). “A pillar in the temple” means Divine truth sustaining, because “temple” signifies heaven, and heaven is heaven from the Divine truth that proceeds from the Lord; for by heaven all angels are meant, because heaven is made up of angels, and from them is called heaven: and angels are angels in the measure in which they receive the Divine truth that proceeds from the Lord; and for this reason angels in the Word also signify Divine truths (see above, n. 130, 200).
Now as heaven is Divine truth, and “temple” signifies heaven, it follows that all things of the temple signify such things as pertain to Divine truth, and that the “pillars” therein signify Divine truths sustaining. Divine truths sustaining are in general lower truths, because these sustain the higher; for there are lower and higher Divine truths, as there are lower and higher heavens. (There are degrees of these, on which see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 38, 208, 209, 211.) The heavens that belong to a lower degree sustain those that belong to a higher degree; here, therefore, by the Lord’s making him that overcometh “a pillar in the temple” is meant that such will be in a lower heaven. They who are in the faith of charity are also in the lower heaven, which is called the spiritual heaven; while 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. (But a clearer idea can be had of these things from what is shown in three chapters in the work on Heaven and Hell, namely, in the chapter where it is shown that The Divine of the Lord in Heaven is Love to Him and Charity towards the Neighbor, n. 13-19; in another where it is shown that Heaven is distinguished into Two Kingdoms, Celestial and Spiritual, n. 20-28; and in a third where it is shown that There are Three Heavens, n. 29-40.)
sRef Jer@1 @18 S2′ sRef Jer@1 @19 S2′ [2] “Pillars” are here and there mentioned in the Word, and they signify lower truths, because they sustain the higher. That lower truths are signified by “pillars” in the Word can be seen from the following. In Jeremiah:
Behold I have given thee this day for a fenced 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 (Jer. 1:18-19).
These things were said to the prophet, because all prophets signify the doctrines of Divine truth, and because the church in which Divine truths are falsified is here treated of it is therefore said, “Behold I have given thee this day for a fenced city, for a pillar of iron, and for walls of brass against the whole land;” “a fenced city” signifies the doctrine of truth; “a pillar of iron” truth sustaining it; “walls of brass” good defending, and “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 “the kings of Judah,” and “princes,” signify truths falsified; “priests,” goods adulterated, and “the people of the land,” falsities in general; of these it is said, that they will fight against truths themselves, but shall not prevail.
sRef Jer@31 @21 S3′ [3] In the same:
Set thee up signs, place for thee high pillars, set thine heart to the highway, the way thou mayest go; return, O virgin of Israel, return to thy cities (Jer. 31:21).
The restoration of the church is here treated of. “The virgin of Israel” signifies the church; “to set up signs, and to place high pillars,” signifies instruction in such things as are the fundamentals of the church, which are called “high pillars” because they sustain: “to set the heart to the highway, the way thou mayest go,” signifies the affection of truth leading to life.
sRef 1Ki@7 @18 S4′ sRef 1Ki@7 @20 S4′ sRef 1Ki@7 @19 S4′ sRef 1Ki@7 @22 S4′ sRef 1Ki@7 @16 S4′ sRef 1Ki@7 @21 S4′ sRef 1Ki@7 @17 S4′ sRef Job@9 @6 S4′ sRef Ps@75 @2 S4′ sRef 1Ki@7 @15 S4′ sRef Ps@75 @3 S4′ [4] In David:
I will judge in uprightness; the earth and all the inhabitants thereof are dissolved; I will make firm the pillars of it (Ps. 75:2-3).
“The earth dissolving” signifies those of the church who are not in truths but yet long for them; “to make firm the pillars” of it signifies to sustain the church by those truths upon which it is founded. Again, in Job:
Who causeth the earth to shake out of its place, so that the pillars thereof tremble (Job 9:6).
“The earth” here signifies the church, and “pillars” the truths that sustain it. That:
The pillars of the court of the tabernacle (mentioned in Exod. 27:10-12, 14-17);
also signify the ultimate truths sustaining the higher ones, see Arcana Coelestia, in the explanation of that chapter and those verses. Like truths are signified by:
The pillars of the house of the forest of Lebanon built by Solomon (mentioned in 1 Kings 7:2, 6).
[5] Similar also is the signification of:
The two pillars that Solomon set up in the porch of the temple, and that are described in the first book of Kings. He fashioned two pillars of brass, eighteen cubits was the height of each pillar; and a line of twelve cubits compassed the second pillar. And he made two chapiters of molten brass, to set upon the tops of the pillars; seven chains for the one chapiter, and seven chains for the other chapiter. 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 (1 Kings 7:15-21).
Since “the temple” signified heaven (as will be shown presently), therefore all things of the temple signified such things as are of heaven, thus of Divine truth there; for, as said above, heaven is heaven from the Divine truth that proceeds from the Lord; therefore “the porch of the temple” signified the things pertaining to the ultimate heaven, and as this sustains the two higher heavens, those two pillars were placed in the porch.

sRef Rev@3 @12 S0′ 220. But it shall be told also what “temple” signifies in the Word. In the highest sense, “temple” signifies the Lord’s Divine Human, and in the relative sense, heaven; and as it signifies heaven, it also signifies the church, for the church is the Lord’s heaven on earth; and as “temple” signifies heaven and the church it also signifies Divine truth proceeding from the Lord, for the reason that this makes heaven and the church; for those who receive Divine truth in soul and heart, that is, in faith and love, are they who constitute heaven and the church. As such is the signification of “temple,” it is said, “the temple of My God;” “My God,” when said by the Lord, meaning heaven and Divine truth there, which also is the Lord in heaven. The Lord is above the heavens, and to those who are in the heavens He appears as a sun. From the Lord as a sun light and heat go forth. Light in heaven is in its essence Divine truth, and heat in heaven is in its essence Divine good; these two make heaven in general and in particular. Divine truth is what is meant by “My God;” therefore in the Word of the Old Testament the Lord is called both “Jehovah” and “God;” “Jehovah” where Divine good is treated of, and “God” where Divine truth is treated of; for the same reason also angels are called “gods,” and the word God in the Hebrew is used in the plural, Elohim. This shows why it is said, “the temple of My God.” (That the Lord is called “Jehovah” where Divine good is treated of, but “God” where Divine truth is treated of, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 709, 732, 2586, 2769, 2807, 2822, 3921, 4283, 4402, 7010, 9167; that He is called Jehovah” from Esse, thus from Essence, but “God” from Existere, thus from Existence, n. 300, 3910, 6905; that the Divine Esse moreover is Divine good, and the Divine Existere is Divine truth, n. 3061, 6280, 6880, 6905, 10579; and in general that good is the esse, and truth the existere therefrom, n. 5002; that the angels are called “gods” from their reception of Divine truth from the Lord, n. 4295, 4402, 7268, 7873, 8192, 8301. That the Divine of the Lord in the heavens is Divine truth united to Divine good, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 13, 133, 139-140. That light in the heavens is in its essence Divine truth, and heat there is Divine good, both from the Lord, see in the same work n. 126-140, 275.)
sRef John@2 @18 S2′ sRef John@2 @22 S2′ sRef John@2 @19 S2′ sRef John@2 @20 S2′ sRef John@2 @21 S2′ [2] That “temple” in the Word signifies the Lord’s Divine Human, and in the relative sense, heaven and the church, consequently also Divine truth, can be seen from the following passages. In John:
The Jews asking, 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, In forty and six years was this temple built, and wilt Thou raise it up in three days? But He was speaking of the Temple of His body (John 2:18-23).
That “temple” signifies the Lord’s Divine Human is here openly declared; for “destroying the temple and raising it up after three days” means the Lord’s death, burial, and resurrection.
sRef Mal@3 @1 S3′ [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 (Malachi 3:1).
Here also “temple” means the Lord’s Divine Human; for the Lord’s coming is here treated of, therefore “coming to His temple” signifies to His Human.
sRef Luke@12 @8 S4′ sRef Rev@21 @22 S4′ [4] In Revelation:
I saw no temple in the New Jerusalem, for the Lord God Almighty is its temple, and the Lamb (Rev. 21:22).
The New Heaven and the New Earth, when they will be in internals, and not in externals, are here treated of, therefore it is said, that “there will be no temple,” but “the Lord God Almighty, and the Lamb.” “The Lord God Almighty,” is the Divine Itself of the Lord, and “the Lamb” is His Divine Human; from which also it is clear, that His Divine in the heavens is meant by “temple.”
sRef Matt@27 @51 S5′ sRef Isa@6 @1 S5′ [5] In Isaiah:
I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and His skirts filled the temple (Isa. 6:1).
“The throne high and lifted up,” upon which the Lord was seen to sit, signifies the Lord in respect to Divine truth in the higher heavens; but “His skirts” signify His Divine truth in the church. (That “skirts” signify, in reference to the Lord, His Divine truth in ultimates, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 9917.) That:
The veil of the temple was rent into two parts from the top to the bottom, after the Lord suffered (Matt. 27:51; Mark 15:34, 38; Luke 23:45);
signified the union of the Lord’s Divine Human with the Divine itself (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 9670).
sRef Jonah@2 @4 S6′ sRef John@2 @16 S6′ sRef Jonah@2 @7 S6′ sRef Matt@23 @16 S6′ sRef John@2 @17 S6′ sRef Hab@2 @20 S6′ sRef Ps@138 @2 S6′ sRef Matt@23 @17 S6′ [6] In the passages that follow “temple” signifies the Lord’s Divine Human, and at the same time heaven and the church. In David :
I will bow myself down toward the temple of Thy holiness, and will confess unto Thy name (Ps. 138:2).
In Jonah:
I said, I am cast out from before Thine eyes, but yet will I add to look to the temple of Thy holiness, and my prayer came to Thee to the temple of Thy holiness (Jon. 2:4, 7).
In Habakkuk:
Jehovah in the temple of Thy* holiness (Hab. 2:20).
In Matthew:
Woe unto you, ye blind guides, who 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? (Matt. 23:16, 17).
In John :
Jesus said to them that sold in the temple, Take these hence; make not My Father’s house a house of merchandise. Then the disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of Thine house hath consumed me (John 2:16, 17).
sRef Ps@92 @12 S7′ sRef Ps@92 @13 S7′ sRef Ps@27 @4 S7′ sRef Ps@18 @6 S7′ sRef Ps@23 @6 S7′ sRef Ps@84 @10 S7′ [7] Beside these, there are many other passages in the Word where “temple” is mentioned. That it may be known that “temple” means heaven and the church, as also Divine truth proceeding from the Lord, I will cite these passages here, lest the mind should cling to the idea that a mere temple is meant, and not something more holy; for the temple in Jerusalem was holy because it represented and thus signified what is holy. That “temple” signified heaven is evident from these passages. In David:
I called upon Jehovah, and cried unto my God: He heard my voice from His temple (Ps. 18:6).
In the same:
A day in Thy courts is better than thousands. I have chosen to stand at the door in the house of my God, rather than to dwell in the tents of wickedness (Ps. 84:10).
In the same:
The righteous shall flourish like the palm-tree; he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They that are planted in the house of Jehovah shall flourish in the courts of our God (Ps. 92:12-13).
In the same :
One thing have I asked of Jehovah; that I may dwell in the house of Jehovah, and to early visit His temple (Ps. 27:4).
I shall be at rest in the house of Jehovah for length of days (Ps. 23:6).
In John:
Jesus said, In My Father’s house are many mansions (John 14:2).
It is clear that in these passages, by “house of Jehovah” and “Father’s house” heaven is meant.
sRef John@14 @2 S8′ sRef Jer@12 @7 S8′ sRef Hag@2 @8 S8′ sRef Dan@5 @2 S8′ sRef Zech@8 @9 S8′ sRef Hag@2 @9 S8′ sRef Hag@2 @7 S8′ sRef Isa@44 @28 S8′ sRef Dan@5 @4 S8′ sRef Isa@64 @11 S8′ sRef Dan@5 @3 S8′ [8] In the following passages the church also is meant. In Isaiah:
The house of our holiness and our splendor, where our fathers praised Thee, is burned up with fire (Isa. 64:11).
In Jeremiah:
I have forsaken My house, I have abandoned Mine heritage (Jer. 12:7).
In Haggai:
I will shake 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 (Hag. 2:7-9).
In Isaiah:
He shall say to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thou shalt be founded (Isa. 44:28).

Here the coming of the Lord and a new church at that time are treated of. In Zechariah the meaning is similar:
The house of Jehovah was founded that the temple may be built (Zech. 8:9).
In Daniel:
Belshazzar commanded to bring the vessels of gold and silver which Nebuchadnezzar his father had taken out of the temple in Jerusalem, that they might drink from them. They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone, and then came the writing on the wall (Dan. 5:2-4 seq.).
The “gold and silver vessels that were brought from the temple of Jerusalem” signified the goods and truths of the church; that they “drank wine from them and praised the gods of gold, of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone,” signifies the profanation of those goods and truths; and on account of this the writing appeared on the wall, and the king** was changed from a man into a wild beast.
sRef Matt@24 @1 S9′ sRef Matt@24 @2 S9′ sRef Rev@11 @1 S9′ [9] In Matthew:
And the disciples came to show Jesus the building of the temple. Jesus said unto them, See ye all these things? There shall not be left here stone upon stone that shall not be thrown down (Matt. 24:1, 2; Mark 13:1-5; Luke 21:5-7).
That “there should not be left of the temple stone upon stone that should not be thrown down” signifies the total destruction and vastation of the church (“stone” signifying the truth of the church); and because this is what is meant, the successive vastation of the church is what is treated of in these chapters in the Evangelists. In Revelation:
And the angel stood, saying, Rise and measure the temple of God and the altar, and them that worship therein (Rev. 11:1).
The “temple” here also signifies the church, and “measuring” signifies to explore its quality:
The new temple and its measurements (Ezek. 40-47);
have a like signification.
sRef Ezek@10 @4 S10′ [10] That “temple” signifies Divine truth which is from the Lord, is evident from the following passages. In Ezekiel:
The glory of Jehovah mounted up from above the cherub over the threshold of the house; and the house was filled with the cloud; but the court was full of the brightness of the glory of Jehovah (Ezek. 10:4).
“House” here means heaven and the church, and “cloud” and “glory” Divine truth. (That “cloud” is Divine truth, see above, n. 36; and “glory” the like, n. 33.)
sRef Micah@4 @2 S11′ [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 instruct us of His ways, and that we may go in His paths; for from Zion shall go forth instruction, and the Word out of Jerusalem (Micah 4:2).
“Mountain of Jehovah, and house of God,” signify the church, likewise “Zion” and “Jerusalem;” “to be instructed of His ways, and to go in His paths,” is to be instructed in Divine truths; it is therefore said, “From Zion shall go forth instruction, and the Word out of Jerusalem.”
sRef Rev@16 @17 S12′ sRef Rev@15 @6 S12′ sRef Rev@15 @8 S12′ sRef Rev@11 @19 S12′ sRef Rev@15 @5 S12′ sRef Isa@66 @6 S12′ [12] In Isaiah:
A voice of a tumult of Jehovah*** from the city, the voice of Jehovah out of the temple (Isa. 66:6).
“City” means the doctrine of truth; “temple” the church; and “the voice of Jehovah out of the temple” Divine truth. In Revelation:
There came forth a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying (Rev. 16:17).
Here, likewise, “voice” means Divine truth.
Again:
And the temple of God in heaven was opened, and there was seen in the temple the ark of His covenant; and there were lightnings, voices, thunderings (Rev. 11:19).
“Lightnings, voices, thunderings,” signify in the Word Divine truths out of heaven (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 7573, 8914).
The temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened; and there came out from the temple seven angels, having the seven plagues. And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from His power (Rev. 15:5-6, 8).
Here seven angels are said to have come out from the temple in heaven, because “angels” signify Divine truths (see above, n. 130, 200). What is signified by “smoke from the glory of God” will be seen in the explanation of these words further on. It should be known, moreover, that the temple built by Solomon, and also the house of the forest of Lebanon, and each particular thing pertaining to them (as described in 1 Kings 6, 7), signified spiritual and celestial things pertaining to the church and to heaven.
* The Hebrew has “His,” as found in Apocalypse Explained, n. 587; Arcana Coelestia, n. 643.
** It was not Belshazzar but Nebuchadnezzar who was changed into a beast.
*** “Of Jehovah” is not found in the Hebrew.

sRef Rev@3 @12 S0′ 221. And he shall go out thence no more, signifies that they shall be in it to eternity. This is evident from the signification of “going in* thence no more,” when it is said of heaven and the Divine truth there (which are signified by “the temple of God”), as being that they shall be steadfast in these to eternity.
* For “going in” the context requires “going out.”

sRef Rev@3 @12 S0′ 222. And I will write upon him the name of My God, signifies their quality in respect to Divine truth implanted in the life. This is evident from the signification of “writing upon one,” when spoken of the Lord, as being to implant in the life (of which presently); also from the signification of “name,” as being quality of state (see above, n. 148); and also from the signification of “God,” as being Divine truth proceeding from the Lord in heaven, thus the Lord in heaven (concerning which see above, n. 220); for the Lord is above the heavens, appearing to those who are in heaven as a sun (see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 116-125). The Divine proceeding therefrom, which is called Divine truth, and which makes heaven in general and in particular, is what is meant in the Word by “God;” from this it is that angels are called “gods,” and that “God,” in the Hebrew is Elohim, in the plural. This makes clear why the Lord here says, “the name of My God;” and above, “I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God” (n. 219); and below, “I will write upon him the name of the city of My God, of the New Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from My God” (n. 223).
sRef Rev@20 @13 S2′ sRef Ex@32 @32 S2′ sRef Ps@139 @15 S2′ sRef Rev@5 @1 S2′ sRef Ps@139 @16 S2′ sRef Rev@13 @8 S2′ sRef Rev@20 @12 S2′ sRef Rev@21 @27 S2′ sRef Dan@12 @1 S2′ sRef Ex@32 @33 S2′ sRef Ps@69 @28 S2′ [2] “To write upon one” means to implant in the life, because to write is to commit to paper anything from the memory, thought, or mind, that is to be preserved; in the spiritual sense, therefore, it signifies that which is to endure in man’s life, inscribed on it and implanted in it. Thus the natural sense of this expression is turned into a spiritual sense; for it is natural to write upon paper and in a book, but it is spiritual to inscribe on the life, which is done when anything is implanted in the faith and love, since love and faith make man’s spiritual life. Because “to write” signifies to implant in the life, it is said of Jehovah or the Lord that “He writes,” and that “He has written in a book,” meaning that which is inscribed by the Lord on man’s spirit, that is, on his heart and soul, or what is the same, on his love and faith. Thus, in David:
My bone was not hidden from Thee when I was made in secret; upon Thy book were written all the days when they were fashioned, and not one of them is wanting (Ps. 139:15-16).
In the same :
Let them be blotted out of the book of lives, and not be written with the righteous (Ps. 69:28).
In Daniel:
The people shall be delivered, everyone that shall be found written in the book (Dan. 12:1).
In Moses:
Blot me, I pray Thee, out of the book which Thou hast written. And Jehovah said, Whosoever hath sinned against Me will I blot out of My book (Exod. 32:32-33).
In Revelation:
A book written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals, which no one could open but the Lamb only (Rev. 5:1).
Again:
All shall worship the beast whose names have not been written in the Lamb’s book of life (Rev. 13:8; 17:8).
Again:
I saw that the books were opened: and another book was opened which is that of life; and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the book,* according to their works. And if anyone was not found written in the book of life, he was cast into the lake of fire (Rev. 20:12-13, 15).
Again :
And there shall enter into the New Jerusalem only they that are written in the Lamb’s book of life (Rev. 21:27).
In these passages it is not meant that they are written in a book, but that all things of faith and love are inscribed on man’s spirit (as may be seen from the things shown in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 461-469).
sRef Ex@31 @18 S3′ sRef Deut@27 @4 S3′ sRef Deut@27 @3 S3′ sRef Deut@27 @8 S3′ sRef Ezek@2 @10 S3′ sRef Deut@27 @2 S3′ sRef Jer@31 @33 S3′ sRef Ezek@2 @8 S3′ sRef Ezek@2 @9 S3′ [3] That “to write,” in the Word, signifies to inscribe on and implant in the life, is clear from other passages where “writing” is mentioned. Thus in Jeremiah:
I will give My law in the midst of them, and will write it on their heart (Jer. 31:33).
“To give the law in the midst of them” means Divine truths in them; “in the midst” signifies inwardly with man (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 1074, 2940, 2973); and “to write it on the heart” is to impress upon the love, for “heart” signifies love (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 7542, 9050, 10336). In Ezekiel:
The prophet saw a roll of a book written front and back, and there were written thereon plaints, moaning, and woe (Ezek. 2:9, 10; 3:1-3).
“The roll of a book written front and back” signifies the state of the church at that time, thus what the life was of those of the church; therefore “the roll of the book” means the same as “the book of life” mentioned above; and as their life was destitute of the goods of love and the truths of faith, it is said that “there were written thereon plaints, moaning, and woe”:
That the law was inscribed on tables of stone, and written with the finger of God (Exod. 31:18; Deut. 4:13; 9:10); signified that it must be impressed on the life (Arcana Coelestia, n. 9416); for “the law,” in a strict sense, means the ten commandments of the Decalogue, but in a broad sense, the whole Word (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 6752, 7463); and “stone” signifies truth, here Divine truth (Arcana Coelestia, n. 643, 1298, 3720, 6426, 8609, 10376). The like is signified by :
Their writing the words of the law upon the twelve stones taken out of the Jordan (Deut. 27:2-4, 8; Josh. 4:3, seq.)
sRef Ezek@37 @19 S4′ sRef John@10 @16 S4′ sRef Ezek@37 @16 S4′ sRef Ezek@37 @17 S4′ [4] In Ezekiel:
Son of man, take thee one stick, and write upon it, For Judah and for the sons of Israel, his fellows; and take another stick, and write upon it, For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and of all the house of Israel, his fellows; and then join them for thee one to another into one stick, that they both may be one in My** hand (Ezek. 37:16, 17).
What these things signify no one can know unless he knows what was represented by “Judah,” and what by “Joseph.” “Judah” represented the Lord’s celestial kingdom, and “Joseph” His spiritual kingdom; and “writing them upon two sticks” signifies each one’s state of love and of life therefrom. Their conjunction into one heaven is signified by “joining them one to another into one stick, that they both may be one in My hand.” The signification of these words is like that of the Lord’s words:
Other sheep also I have, which are not of this fold; them also I must bring; and there shall be one flock and one shepherd (John 10:16).
The writing was to be upon a stick, because a “stick (wood)” signifies good, and it is good that conjoins. (But these things will be more evident from what is shown in the Arcana Coelestia, namely, that the spiritual kingdom before the Lord’s coming was not as it was after His coming, n. 6372, 8054; that it was the spiritual especially that were saved by the Lord’s coming 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 spiritual, and that there are three heavens, and that these are conjoined into one heaven, see the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 20-28, 29-40. That “Judah” in the representative sense signifies the Lord’s celestial kingdom, Arcana Coelestia, n. 3654, 3881, 5583, 5603, 5782, 6363; that ” Joseph” signifies the Lord’s spiritual kingdom, n. 3969, 3971, 4669, 6417; that ” Ephraim” signifies the intellectual of the spiritual church, n. 3969, 5354, 6222, 6234, 6238, 6267, 6296; that “wood” signifies the good of love, n. 643, 3720, 8354.)
sRef Isa@44 @5 S5′ [5] In Isaiah:
This one shall say, I am Jehovah’s; and another shall call himself by the name of Jacob; and another shall subscribe with his hand unto Jehovah, and surname himself by the name of Israel (Isa. 44:5).
These things are said of the Lord and of His Divine Human. “Jacob” and “Israel,” where the Lord is treated of, signifies His Human, and that the Human is Jehovah is meant by “This one shall say, I am Jehovah’s,” and “he shall subscribe with his hand unto Jehovah.” (That “Israel” and “Jacob” are, in the highest sense, the Lord, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 4286, 4570, 6424.)
sRef Jer@17 @14 S6′ sRef Jer@17 @13 S6′ [6] In Jeremiah :
O Jehovah, the hope of Israel, all that forsake Me shall be ashamed, and they that depart from Me shall be written on the earth, because they have forsaken Jehovah, the fountain of living waters. Heal me, O Jehovah, that I may be healed (Jer. 17:13, 14). “To be written in the earth” is to be condemned on account of the state of life, since “earth” signifies what is condemned (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2327, 7418, 8306).
sRef John@8 @11 S7′ sRef John@8 @6 S7′ sRef John@8 @10 S7′ sRef John@8 @8 S7′ sRef John@8 @9 S7′ sRef John@8 @4 S7′ sRef John@8 @3 S7′ sRef John@8 @5 S7′ sRef John@8 @2 S7′ sRef John@8 @7 S7′ [7] This makes clear what is signified by the Lord’s writing with His finger in the earth in John:
The Scribes and Pharisees brought to Jesus in the temple a woman taken in adultery; and they said, This woman was taken in the very act. They asked whether she should be stoned according to the law of Moses. Jesus stooped down, and with His finger wrote in the earth; and rising He said, He that is without sin among you let him first cast a stone at her; and again stooping down, He wrote in the earth. And when they heard these things, they went out one after another; and Jesus was left alone, and the woman; and He said to her, Woman, where are thine accusers; hath no man condemned thee? And He said, Go and sin no more (John 8:2-11).
The Lord’s “writing in the earth” signifies the same as above in Jeremiah, “they that depart from Me shall be written in the earth,” namely, that they also were condemned on account of adulteries; therefore He said, “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” The Lord’s “writing twice in the earth” in the temple, signified their condemnation for adulteries in the spiritual sense; for the Scribes and Pharisees were those who adulterated the goods and falsified the truths of the Word, thus of the church; and “adulteries” in the spiritual sense are adulterations of good and falsifications of truth (see above, n. 141, 161); therefore that nation was also called by the Lord:
An adulterous and sinful generation (Mark 8:38).
* The Greek has “books,” as found in Apocalypse Explained, n. 98, 250, 785.
** The Hebrew has “my.”

sRef Rev@3 @12 S0′ 223. And the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from My God, signifies the doctrine of the new church, which is in the heavens. This is evident from the signification of “the city of My God,” as being the doctrine of Divine truth (of which presently); also from the signification of “the New Jerusalem,” as being the church in respect to doctrine (see the small work on The New Jerusalem, n. 6); also from the signification of “which cometh down out of heaven from My God,” as being that it is out of heaven from Divine truth there. That “God” means in the Word Divine truth, see above (n. 220, 222). And as Divine truth, which is in heaven and which comes down from heaven, is from the Lord alone, the Lord calls it His God. That “the city of My God” signifies the doctrine of Divine truth seems at first view remote, for the mind cannot readily think of doctrine when “city” is mentioned, or think of the church when a “land” is mentioned; yet in the Word, “cities” [civitates aut urbes] mean nothing else in the spiritual sense; and for the reason that the idea of a city is merely natural, but the idea of doctrine in a city is spiritual. Angels, because they are spiritual, can have no other idea of a city than of the people therein in respect to doctrine, as they can have no other idea of a land than of the people therein in respect to their church or their religion. The reason of this is that the societies into which the heavens are divided are for the most part like cities [communities], all differing from one another in respect to the reception of Divine truth in good; when, therefore, a “city” is mentioned angels think of the doctrine of truth. (That the heavens are divided into societies according to the differences of the good of love and faith, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 41-50; and that their habitations are disposed into the form of cities, n. 184).
sRef Jer@1 @18 S2′ sRef Jer@13 @18 S2′ sRef Jer@13 @19 S2′ [2] That “cities” [civitates seu urbes] in the Word signify doctrines can be seen from many passages there, of which I will cite here only the following. In Jeremiah:
Behold I have given thee this day for a fenced city against the whole land (Jer. 1:18).
These things are said to the prophet, because “a prophet” in the Word signifies one who teaches truth, and in an abstract sense, the doctrine of truth; and as this is what “prophet” signifies, it is said to him, “I have given thee for a fenced city,” which signifies the doctrine of truth defending against falsities. (That “prophet” in the Word signifies one who teaches truth, and in the abstract sense, the doctrine of truth, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2534, 7269.) In the same:
The crown of your splendor cometh down. The cities of the south are shut (Jer. 13:18-19).
Here the falsification of truth is treated of; and “the crown of their splendor cometh down” means that intelligence comes down; and “the cities of the south are shut” means that all the truths of doctrine are closed, which otherwise would be in the light. (That “crown” means intelligence and wisdom, see above, n. 126, 218; and that “south” means a state of light, see in the work on 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 done [wonderful things, Thy] counsels from afar [are] truth, fidelity; and Thou hast made of a city a heap, of a fenced city a ruin, a palace of strangers to be no city, that it may not be built for ever; therefore a strong people shall honor Thee, a city of powerful nations shall fear Thee (Isa. 25:1-3).
The vastation of the former church, and the establishment of a new one, are here treated of; the vastation of the church in respect to doctrine is meant by “Thou hast made of a city a heap, of a fenced city a ruin, a palace of strangers to be no city;” and the establishment of a new church in respect to doctrine is meant by “a strong people shall honor Thee, a city of powerful nations shall fear Thee.” In the same:
In that day shall a 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 righteous nation that keepeth faithfulness may enter in (Isa. 26:1-2).
Here “a strong city” signifies the doctrine of genuine truth, which falsities cannot destroy; “walls and bulwarks” signify truths defending; “gates” signify admission (as above, n. 208); “the righteous nation keeping faithfulness” means those who are in good and in truths therefrom.
sRef Rev@16 @19 S4′ [4] In the same:
How art thou fallen from heaven O Lucifer, how art thou cut down to the earth: that made the world as a wilderness, and threw down the cities thereof. Prepare slaughter for his sons, that they may not rise up and possess the land, and fill the faces of the world with cities (Isa. 14:12, 17, 21).
Here “Lucifer” means Babylon, where every truth of the doctrine of the church was either falsified or annihilated; “he made the world as a wilderness, and threw down the cities thereof,” signifies that this was done to the church and its doctrines; “prepare slaughter for his sons, that they may not rise up,” signifies that its falsities must be destroyed; “and may not possess the land, and fill the faces of the world with cities,” signifies in order that a church and doctrine may be there. In Revelation:
And the great city was broken* into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell (Rev. 16:18-19).
Here also Babylon is treated of; the doctrine of its falsities is what is meant by “a city broken** into three parts,” and the doctrine of evils therefrom by “the cities of the nations which fell.”
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 loneliness of life;*** they found not a city of habitation; hungry and thirsty [their soul fainted in them]. He led them into a straight way, that they might go to a city of habitation (Ps. 107:2, 4-5, 7).
“To wander in the wilderness and in loneliness of way,” is to be in want of the knowledges of truth and good; “to find not a city of habitation” means not to find the doctrine of truth according to which they may live; “the hungry and thirsty” are those who have a longing to know good and truth; “to lead them into a straight way, that they might go to a city of habitation” is to lead them into genuine truth, and into the doctrine of life. In Isaiah:
I said, Lord, how long? And He said, Until the cities shall be so devastated as to be without inhabitant, and the houses so that no man be in them, and the land be reduced to a waste (Isa. 6:11).
Here the total vastation of the church is treated of; “cities” are the 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] In the same:
The land shall be 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 is a waste, and the gate shall be beaten down even to devastation (Isa. 24:3-5, 10-12).
Here also the devastation of the church is treated of; “the land which is said to be emptied, confounded, and profaned,” is the church; “city” is the truth of doctrine, “house” is its good; “wine, over which there is a cry in the streets,” is the truth of doctrine falsified, over 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 (Zeph. 3:6).
Here “nations” are those who are in evils; “to desolate streets” means to desolate truths, and “to lay waste cities” means to lay waste doctrines. In Jeremiah:
The lion is gone up from the thicket, to reduce thy land to a waste; thy cities shall be destroyed; I saw Carmel a wilderness, and all its cities desolate; for this shall the land mourn; the whole city fleeing at the voice of a horseman and of the bowmen; the whole city is forsaken, not a man dwelling therein (Jer. 4:7, 26-29).
The “lion from the thicket” is falsity from evil; “the land” is the church, “cities” are the truths of doctrine; “Carmel” is the spiritual church; “the voice of the horseman and the bowmen,” because of which “the city will flee,” is reasoning 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] In the same:
The devastator shall come upon every city, and no city shall escape; and the valley shall perish, and the plain shall be destroyed (Jer. 48:8).
These words describe the total vastation of the church, until nothing of the truth of doctrine shall remain. In the same:
Behold, waters rising up out of the north, which shall become an overflowing brook, and shall overflow the land, the city, and them that dwell therein (Jer. 47:2).
Vastation also is signified by “an overflowing brook.” In the same:
If ye hallow the day of the Sabbath, there shall enter in through the gates of this city kings and princes, riding in chariot and on horses, and this city shall be inhabited to eternity (Jer. 17:24-25).
“Hallowing the Sabbath” in the spiritual sense signifies holy acknowledgment of the Lord’s Divine Human and of His conjunction with heaven and the church; “kings and princes entering in through the gates of the city” signify the truths of the church; “their riding in a chariot and on horses” signifies that they shall be in the truths of doctrine and in intelligence; “the city,” which here is Jerusalem, is the church in respect to doctrine. Such is the spiritual sense of these words; such therefore is the sense in heaven.
sRef Zech@8 @5 S9′ sRef Zech@8 @4 S9′ sRef Zech@8 @3 S9′ [9] In Zechariah:
Thus said Jehovah; I will return to Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem; whence 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 (Zech. 8:3-5).
Here “Zion” does not mean Zion, nor “Jerusalem” Jerusalem; but “Zion” means the celestial church, and “Jerusalem” that church in respect to the doctrine of truth; therefore it is called “a city of truth;” “the streets of the city” signify the truths of doctrine; “boys and girls playing in the streets” signify the affections of truth and good. (That “Zion” signifies the celestial church, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2362, 9055; that “Jerusalem” signifies the church in respect to doctrine, n. 402, 3654, 9166; and in the small work on The New Jerusalem, n. 6; that “streets” signify the truths of doctrine, n. 2336; that “boys and girls” signify the affections of truth and good, in which there is innocence, n. 3067, 3110, 3179, 5236, 6742; that “to play” means what pertains to interior festivity, which is the affection of truth and good, n. 10416.)
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] Because “Zion” signifies the celestial church, and “Jerusalem” the church in respect to the doctrine of truth, Zion is called “the city of Jehovah,” and Jerusalem is called “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 (Isa. 60:14).
In Ezekiel:
The prophet saw upon a high mountain the frame of a city on the south, and an angel measured the wall, the gate, the chambers, the porch of the gate; and the name of the city was Jehovah-is-there (Ezek. 40:1 seq.; 48:35).
In Isaiah:
Behold, Jehovah hath caused it to be heard, even to the end of the earth, Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh. And thou shalt be called a city that is sought (Isa. 62:11-12).
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 forever (Ps. 48:8).
(What the celestial church is, and what the spiritual church, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 20-28.) These two cities are called “holy cities,” in Isaiah:
Thy holy cities are become a wilderness, Zion is become a wilderness, Jerusalem a waste (Isa. 64:10).
Jerusalem in particular is called “the holy city,” in Revelation:
The nations shall tread down the holy city (Rev. 11:2).
Again:
I saw the holy city, coming down from God out of heaven (Rev. 21:2).
In Matthew:
The devil took Jesus into the holy city (Matt. 4:5).
And in the same:
Coming forth out of the tombs, they entered into the holy city (Matt. 27:53).
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] Jerusalem was called “the holy city” because it signified the church in respect to the doctrine of truth; and Divine truth proceeding from the Lord is what is called “holy” (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 6788, 8302, 9229, 9820, 10361). That city, apart from such representation and consequent signification, was not at all holy, but rather profane, is evident from the Lord’s having been rejected and crucified there; and for this reason it is also called “Sodom and Egypt” (Rev. 11:8). But because it signified the church in respect to the doctrine of truth, it was called not only “the holy city,” but also “the city of God,” and “the city of the great king.” Thus in David:
There is a river, the streams whereof have made glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High. God is in the midst of her (Ps. 46:4-5).
In the same:
Great is Jehovah in the city of our God, beautiful in situation the city of the great king (Ps. 48:1-2).
In Matthew:
Swear not by the earth, for it is the footstool of God’s feet; neither by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great king (Matt. 5:35).
Jerusalem was called “the city of God” because “God” in the Word of the Old Testament means Divine truth proceeding from the Lord (as may be seen above, n. 220, 222); and it was called “the city of the great king,” because “king” also signifies, in reference to the Lord, Divine truth proceeding from Him (see above, n. 31). From this then it is that Jerusalem is called “the city of truth” (Zechariah 8:3).
[12] In Isaiah:
Thus saith Jehovah, thy Redeemer and Former from the womb, I make void the signs of 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 desolate places thereof (Isa. 44:24-26).
This treats of the rejection of the church whose doctrine is from self-intelligence, and of the establishment of a new church, whose doctrine is from the Lord. Doctrine from self-intelligence is meant by “I make void the signs of liars, turning wise men backward, and making their knowledge foolish,” and doctrine that is from the Lord 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 become a waste (Jer. 7:17, 34).
Here also “the cities of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem” signify the truths of doctrine; “the voice of joy and the voice of gladness” is delight from the affection of good and truth; “the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride” are those affections themselves; and that these are to cease is meant by “the land shall become a waste;” the “land” is the church.
sRef Isa@19 @19 S14′ sRef Isa@19 @2 S14′ sRef Isa@19 @18 S14′ [14] In Isaiah:
I will commingle 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 there shall be five cities in the land of Egypt that speak with the lip of Canaan and that swear to Jehovah of Hosts. In that day there shall be an altar to Jehovah in the midst of Egypt (Isa. 19:2, 18-19).
“Egypt” means the natural man and its knowledge [ejus scientificum]; “that they may fight a man against his brother, and a man against his companion,” means against good and truth; “city against city, and kingdom against kingdom,” signifies doctrine against doctrine, and church against church; “in that day” signifies the Lord’s coming, and the state then of those who are natural and in true knowledges [scientificis]; “five cities in the land of Egypt that speak with the lip of Canaan” signify the truths of doctrine in abundance, which are genuine truths of the church, “five” meaning many or in abundance; “cities” truths of doctrine; “the lip of Canaan” genuine truths of the church. “An altar to Jehovah” here signifies worship from the good of love.
sRef Isa@33 @9 S15′ sRef Isa@33 @8 S15′ [15] In the same:
The highways have been laid waste, he that passeth through the way hath ceased; he hath rejected the cities, he regardeth not man. The land mourneth, it languisheth; Lebanon hath faded away (Isa. 33:8-9).
“The highways that have been laid waste, and the way that is not passed through,” are truths leading to heaven, which are truths of the church; “to reject the cities” is to reject the truths of doctrine; “to regard not man” is to regard not truth and good. “The land that mourneth and languisheth” is the church in respect to good; “Lebanon that hath faded away” is the church in respect to truth.
sRef Isa@54 @3 S16′ sRef Isa@54 @1 S16′ sRef Isa@54 @2 S16′ [16] In the same:
Sing, O barren, that did not bear, for more are the sons of the desolate than the sons of the married one. Enlarge the place of thy tent; thy seed shall inherit the nations, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited (Isa. 54:1-3).
“The barren that did not bear” signifies the nations that have not as yet truths from the Word; “the sons of the desolate” are the truths that these will receive; “the sons of the married one” are the truths that are with those who are in the church; “to enlarge the place of the tent” means that their worship is from good; “seed” is truth therefrom; “the nations which the seed will inherit” are goods; and “the cities which shall be inhabited” are the 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 this 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 (Jer. 32:42, 44; 33:13).
These things are said of those in the church who are in good and in truths therefrom; “to buy fields with silver” is to acquire for themselves the good of the church by means of truths; “to write in a book” is to implant in the life; “the cities of Judah” and “the cities of the mountain” are the truths of doctrine which those have who are of the Lord’s celestial kingdom; “the cities of the plain, and the cities of the south,” are the truths of doctrine which those have 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 (Matt. 5:14-15).
These things were said to the disciples, by whom all truths and goods in the complex are signified; therefore it is said, “Ye are the light of the world;” for “light” signifies Divine truth and intelligence therefrom. Because that is what the words signify, “Ye are the light of the world,” therefore it is said, “A city that is set on a mountain cannot be hid. Neither can a lamp be lighted and be put under a bushel;” for “a city set on a mountain” signifies the truth of doctrine from the good of love; and “a lamp” signifies in general truth from good and intelligence therefrom.
sRef Matt@12 @25 S19′ [19] In the same:
Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city and house divided against itself standeth not (Matt. 12:25).
“Kingdom,” in the spiritual sense, signifies the church; “city” and “house” the truth and good of its doctrine, which do not stand but fall, if they do not unanimously agree.
[20] In the same:
Jesus sends forth the twelve disciples, saying to them, Go not off into the way of the nations, and enter not into a city of the Samaritans; go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel (Matt. 10:5-6).
“The way of the nations” into which they were not to go off, signifies falsity from evil; “a city of the Samaritans” into which they were not 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 in faith therefrom, “Israel” meaning all such wherever they may be. “A city of the Samaritans” signifies the false doctrine of those who reject the Lord, because the Samaritans did not receive Him (as may be seen in Luke 9:52-56).
sRef Matt@10 @23 S21′ [21] In the same:
Jesus said, When they persecute you in one city they should flee**** into another (Matt. 10:23).
Here also by “city” is meant the doctrine of falsity from evil; that where this doctrine is the doctrine of truth will not be admitted, is meant by “when they persecute you in one city flee ye into another.”
[22] In Luke:
Then the master of the house being angry, said to his servants, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor and maimed and blind and halt (Luke 14:21).
“Their going out into the streets and lanes of the city” signifies that they should enquire where those are who receive the truths of the doctrine; for “streets” and “lanes” are the truths of doctrine (as above); and “city” means doctrine. The “poor,” “the maimed,” “the halt,” and “the blind,” signify those who are not in truths and goods, and yet long for them. (Who are signified specifically by “the poor,” who by “the maimed,” “the halt,” and “the blind,” may be seen in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 107, from Arcana Coelestia.)
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] In the same:
A certain nobleman going into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, gave to his servants ten pounds for trading; when he returned, he commanded the servants to be called. The first came, saying, Thy pound hath gained ten pounds. He said to him, good servant, because thou hast been faithful over the least, thou shalt have authority over ten cities. Then the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath made five pounds. He said to him, Be thou also over five cities (Luke 20:12-19 seq.).
These words signify, in the spiritual sense, much more than can be expressed in a few words; let it be noted merely that by “cities” here are not meant cities but the doctrinals of truth and good; and by “having authority over them” intelligence and wisdom are meant; by “ten” much, and by “five” some. (That “ten” in the Word signifies much, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 1988, 3107, 4638, 9757; and that “five” signifies some, n. 4638, 9604.) From this it can now be seen that “the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from My God,” signifies the doctrine of the new church, which is in the heavens. (This doctrine is also given in a separate small work, entitled The New Jerusalem and Its Heavenly Doctrine.)
* The Latin has “broken”; the Greek “made.”
** The Latin has “broken”; the Greek “made,” as found in Arcana Coelestia, n. 5120.
*** The Hebrew has “way” for “life,” as found in Arcana Coelestia, n. 2708, 3708.
**** For “they should flee” the Greek has “flee ye.”

sRef Rev@3 @12 S0′ sRef John@12 @28 S0′ 224. And My new name, signifies that they will also acknowledge the Lord’s Divine Human. This is evident from the signification of “I will write upon him My new name,” as being that they will acknowledge the Lord’s Divine Human. “To write upon one” is to implant in the life (see above, n. 222), here to implant in the faith that is 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 is to acknowledge in heart. “The Lord’s new name” is His Divine Human, because this prophetic book, which is called Revelation, treats of those who will be in the New Jerusalem, and of those who will not, and not of the successive states of the church as is believed (see above, n. 5); and those who will be in the New Jerusalem are all who will acknowledge the Lord’s Divine Human. It is therefore also said at the end of The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem:
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).
It can be seen that this is “the Lord’s new name,” since this truth was not before acknowledged in the church. What besides this is meant in the Word by “the name of Jehovah,” “the name of the Lord,” and “the name of Jesus Christ,” can be seen above (n. 26, 102, 135, 148); and that the Lord’s Divine Human is meant (n. 26, 102). This is meant by “the name of Jehovah,” because “name” in the Word signifies the quality of a state and of a thing (see above, n. 148), and the Divine quality by which all things were created and made in the heavens and on earth, is the Lord’s Divine Human, as is said in John:
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and God was the Word. All things were made through Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made. And the world was made through Him. And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only-begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:1-3, 10, 14).
From this it can be seen why “the name of Jehovah” means 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 out of heaven, saying, I have glorified it, and will glorify it again (John 12:28).
To “glorify” is to make Divine. In the same:
Jesus said, I have manifested Thy name unto men, and I have made known unto them Thy name, and will make it known (John 17:6, 26).

sRef Rev@3 @13 S0′ 225. Verse 13. He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith to 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, as is evident from what was said above (n. 108), where there are like words.

sRef Rev@3 @20 S0′ sRef Rev@3 @18 S0′ sRef Rev@3 @19 S0′ sRef Rev@3 @17 S0′ sRef Rev@3 @22 S0′ sRef Rev@3 @15 S0′ sRef Rev@3 @14 S0′ sRef Rev@3 @16 S0′ sRef Rev@3 @21 S0′ 226. Verses 14-22. And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the working of God. I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot; would that thou wert cold or hot. So because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I am about to vomit thee out of My mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich and have gotten riches, and have need of nothing, and knowest not that thou are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked: I counsel thee to buy of Me gold tried by fire, that thou mayest be enriched, and white garments that thou mayest be clothed, that the shame of thy nakedness be not manifest, and anoint thine eyes with eye-salve that thou mayest see. As many as I love I reprove and chasten; be zealous, therefore, and repent. Behold I stand at the door and knock; if anyone 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 I will give to him to sit with Me in My throne, as I also have overcome and sit with My Father in His Throne. He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. 14. “And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write,” signifies those who are in faith alone, thus those who are in faith separate from charity (n. 227); “These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true Witness,” signifies from whom is every truth and everything of faith (n. 228); “the beginning of the working of God,” signifies faith from Him, which in appearance is the first thing of the church (n. 229). 15. “I know thy works,” signifies the life of faith alone (n. 230); “that thou art neither cold nor hot,” signifies that it is between heaven and hell, because it is apart from charity (n. 231); “would that thou wert cold or hot,” signifies that it were better that there should be no faith or that there should be charity alone (n. 232). 16. “So because thou art lukewarm,” signifies those who live according to the doctrine of faith alone and of justification by faith (n. 233); “and neither cold nor hot,” signifies that they are between heaven and hell, because they are without charity (n. 234); “I am about to vomit thee out of My mouth,” signifies separation from the knowledges from the Word (n. 235). 17. “Because thou sayest, I am rich and have gotten riches, and have need of nothing,” signifies their faith that they believe themselves to be in truths more than others (n. 236); “and knowest not that thou art wretched,” signifies that they do not know that their falsities have no coherence with truths (n. 237); “and miserable and poor,” signifies that they do not know that they have neither knowledges of truth nor knowledges of good (n. 238); “and blind and naked,” signifies that they are without the understanding of truth, and without the understanding and will of good (n. 239, 240). 18. “I counsel thee,” signifies the means of reformation of those who are in the doctrine of faith alone (n. 241); “to buy of Me gold tried by fire, that thou mayest be enriched,” signifies that they should acquire for themselves from the Lord genuine good, that they may be able to receive the truths of faith (n. 242); “and white garments, that thou mayest be clothed,” signifies genuine truths and intelligence therefrom (n. 243); “that the shame of thy nakedness be not manifest,” signifies that filthy loves may not appear (n. 244); “and anoint thine eyes with eye-salve that thou mayest see,” signifies that the understanding may be somewhat opened (n. 245). 19. “As many as I love I reprove and chasten,” signifies temptations then (n. 246); “be zealous, therefore, and repent,” signifies that they must have charity (n. 247). 20. “Behold I stand at the door and knock,” signifies the perpetual presence of the Lord (n. 248); “if anyone hear My voice,” signifies if one attends to the Lord’s precepts (n. 249); “and open the door,” signifies reception in the heart or the life (n. 250); “I will come in to him,” signifies conjunction (n. 251); “and will sup with him, and he with Me,” signifies the communication to them of the felicities of heaven (n. 252). 21. “He that overcometh I will give to him to sit with Me in My throne,” signifies that he who is steadfast to the end of life shall be conjoined with heaven where the Lord is (n. 253); “as I also have overcome and sit with My Father in His throne,” signifies comparatively as Divine good is united to Divine truth in heaven (n. 254). 22.”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 (n. 255).

sRef Rev@3 @14 S0′ 227. Verse 14. And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, signifies those who are in faith alone, thus those who are in faith separate from charity. This is evident from the internal or spiritual sense of all things that are written to the angel of this church; for the essential of the church that is described in what is written to each of the churches, is made evident only from the internal sense; for these are prophecies; and all prophecies, like all things else in the Word, are written by correspondences, to the end that by means of these there may be conjunction of heaven with the church. Conjunction is effected by means of correspondences; for heaven, or the angels in heaven, understand spiritually all those things that man understands naturally, and between natural and spiritual things there is a perpetual correspondence, and by means of correspondences there is conjunction like that between soul and body. On this account the Word is written in the style that it is; otherwise there would be no soul within it, consequently no heaven within it; and if heaven were not in it, the Divine would not be in it. For this reason then it is said that from the internal or spiritual sense of all things in what is written to each church, it is made manifest what essential of the church is meant; thus that what is written to the angel of this church treats of those who are in faith alone, that is, in faith separate from charity. It is said faith separate from charity, by which is meant faith separate from the life, for charity is of the life; consequently when faith has been separated from the life, it is not in the man but outside of him; for whatever has place in the memory only, and is taken up from the memory into the thought, without entering into man’s will and from the will into act, that is not within man but outside of him; for the memory, and thought therefrom, is only as a court, through which there is entrance into the house; the house is the will. Such is faith alone, or faith separate from charity. Moreover, what this faith is may be seen in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 108-122; also in The small work on The Last Judgment, n. 33-39; and in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 270, 271, 364, 482, 526. Also above, in the Explanation of Revelation, n. 204, 211-213. Moreover, what charity is and what the neighbor is, in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 84-107; in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 13-19, 528-535; and above, in the Explanation, n. 182, 198, 213.)

sRef Rev@3 @14 S0′ 228. These things saith the Amen, the faithful and the Witness, signifies from whom is every truth and everything of faith. This is evident from the signification of “amen,” as being verity or truth (of which presently); also from the signification of “the faithful and true Witness,” as being, in reference to the Lord, everything of faith from Him; “for witness,” in reference to the Lord signifies Divine truth which is from Him, and therefore everything of faith, for faith is of truth and truth is of faith. Divine truth proceeding from the Lord is called “a 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 and makes it; and from this it is that heaven in the whole complex resembles one man. Because Divine truth is from that source and is such, it is called “a witness;” for it bears witness respecting the Lord’s Divine Human, and makes it clear with all who receive the Divine truth from Him. From this it is that the angels of the higher heavens do not and cannot perceive any other Divine than the Lord’s Divine Human, and this from the influx of the whole heaven into their minds. From this it can be seen why, in reference to the Lord, “witness” signifies the Lord in respect to Divine truth in heaven and in the church; and why “to bear witness,” in reference to 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 as a whole and in every part resembles one man, and that this is from the Lord’s Divine Human, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 59-86, seq., 101; and that the Divine that proceeds from the Lord, which forms heaven, and forms angels into the image of heaven, is Divine truth, n. 13, 133, 138-140).
sRef John@15 @26 S2′ sRef John@16 @15 S2′ sRef John@16 @14 S2′ sRef John@16 @13 S2′ [2] This Divine truth is called by the Lord “the Comforter, the Spirit of truth,” about which it is said that it should “bear Witness of Him,” and that it is “from Him;” that it bears witness of Him, in John :
When the Comforter is come, the Spirit of truth, He shall bear witness of Me (John 15:26).
And that it is from Him, in the same:
The Comforter, the Spirit of truth, shall guide you into all the truth; for He shall not speak from Himself, but whatsoever things He shall hear, He shall speak. He shall glorify Me; for He shall take of Mine, and shall declare it unto you. All things whatsoever the Father hath are Mine; therefore said I, He shall take of Mine and shall declare it unto you (John 16:13-15).
That Divine truth is from the Lord, is meant by “He shall not speak from Himself, but He shall take of Mine, and shall declare it unto you;” and that Divine truth is from the Lord’s Divine Human is meant by “All things whatsoever the Father hath are Mine, therefore said I that He shall take of Mine, and shall declare it unto you;” and that Divine truth manifests the Lord’s Divine Human is meant by “He shall glorify Me;” “to glorify” is to make known the Lord’s Divine Human. (That “to glorify,” in reference to the Lord means this, see The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 294.)
aRef John@1 @51 S3′ sRef John@16 @8 S3′ sRef John@16 @7 S3′ [3] The like is signified by these words of the Lord:
I tell you the truth; it is expedient that I go away; if I go, I will send the Comforter, the Spirit of truth, unto you (John 16:7, 8).
From this it is clear that Divine truth is from the Lord’s Divine Human. The Lord calls Himself the “Amen,” because “amen” signifies verity, thus the Lord Himself, because when He was in the world He was Divine verity itself, or Divine truth itself. It was for this reason that He so often said “Amen,” and “amen, amen [verily, verily]” (as in Matt. 5:18, 26; 6:16; 10:23, 42; 17:20; 18:3, 13, 18; 24:2; 28:20; John 1:51; 3:11; 5:19, 24, 25; 6:26, 32, 47, 53; 8:34, 51, 58; 10:1, 7; 12:24; 13:16, 20, 21; 21:18, 25).
sRef John@17 @19 S4′ [4] That the Lord was Divine truth itself when He was in the world, He teaches in John:
I am the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6).
In the same:
For their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth (John 17:19).
That “holy” in the Word is predicated of Divine truth, and “to be sanctified [made holy]” is predicated of those who receive Divine truth, see above (n. 204); therefore the Lord’s sanctifying Himself [making Himself holy], is making His Human to be Divine. (But on these things more may be seen shown in The Arcana Coelestia, in the quotations therefrom in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 303-306.) Moreover, that “Amen” signifies Divine confirmation, see above (n. 34); as also in the Old Testament (Deut. 27:15-26; 1 Kings 1:36; Isa. 65:16; Jer. 11:5; 28:6; Ps. 41:13; 72:19; 89:52; 106:48).

sRef Rev@3 @14 S0′ 229. The beginning of the working of God signifies faith from Him, which in appearance is the first thing of the church. This is evident from the signification of “beginning,” as being the first; and from the signification of “the working of God,” as being the church (of which presently). Faith is what is meant by “the beginning of the working of God,” for this is the subject treated of in what is written to the angel of this church; but that faith is “the beginning of the working of God,” that is, in appearance the first thing of the church, shall now be explained. By faith here is meant faith from the Lord, for faith not from the Lord is not the faith of the church; but faith from the Lord is the faith of charity. This faith is in appearance the first thing of the church, because it is the first to appear to the man of the church. But charity itself is actually the first thing of the church, because this is what makes the church with man.
[2] There are two things that make the church, charity and faith. Charity is of affection, and faith is of thought therefrom. Affection is the very essence of thought, for apart from affection no one can think; everything of life that is in thought is from affection. From this it is clear that the first thing of the church is the affection that is of charity or love. But faith is called the first thing of the church because it is the first to appear; for what a man believes, that he thinks, and by thought sees; but that whereby he is spiritually affected he does not think, and therefore does not see in thought, but he perceives it by a certain sensation that has no relation to sight, but to another feeling called the feeling of enjoyment. This enjoyment, as it is spiritual and is above the sense of natural enjoyment, man does not perceive, except when he has become spiritual, that is, when he has been regenerated by the Lord. For this reason the things that are of faith, and thus of sight, are believed to be the first things of the church, although they are not first except in appearance. This therefore is called “the beginning of the working of God,” because the Word in the letter is according to appearance, since it is for the simple. But spiritual men, like the angels, are lifted above appearances, and perceive the Word as it is in its internal sense; consequently they perceive that charity is the first thing of the church, and that faith is therefrom; for as was said above, the faith that is not from charity and that is not of charity, is not faith (about which, see also in the small work on The Last Judgment, n. 33-39).
[3] Even from ancient times, what the first thing of the church is, whether faith or charity, has been a disputed point; and those who have not known what charity is have declared that faith is the first things; but those who have known what charity is have declared that charity is the first thing, and that faith is charity in its manifestation, since the affection of charity made manifest to sight in thought, is faith; for when the delight of affection passes from the will into the thought it takes form, and presents itself to view in a variety of forms. This the simple have not apprehended, consequently they have taken that which appeared before the sight of their thought to be the first thing of the church; and because the Word in the letter is according to appearances, this therefore is there called “the first,” “the beginning,” and “the firstborn.” For the same reason, Peter, by whom the faith of the church was represented, was called the first of the apostles; when yet John was the first, because by “John” the good of charity was represented. That John, not Peter, was the first of the apostles, is clear from this, that it was John who leaned on the breast of the Lord, and that he, and not Peter, followed the Lord (John 21:20-22). (That the twelve disciples of the Lord represented all the truths and goods of the church, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2199, 3354, 3488, 3858, 6397; that Peter represented faith, n. 4738, 6000, 6073, 6344, 10087, 10580; and that John represented the good of charity, n. 3934, 6073, 10087).
[4] For the same reason, by Reuben also, because he was the firstborn of the sons of Jacob, faith was represented, and it was believed that the tribe that had its name from him was the first; but yet that tribe was not the first, but the tribe of Levi, since by Levi the good of charity was represented; and for this reason the tribe of Levi was appointed to the priesthood, and the priesthood is the first of the church. (That the twelve sons of Jacob, or the twelve tribes named from them, represented all the truths and goods of the church, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3858, 3926, 4060, 6335, 7836, 7891, 7996; that Reuben represented faith, n. 3861, 3866, 4605, 4731, 4734, 4761, 6342-6345; and that Levi represented the good of charity, n. 3875, 4497, 4502, 4503.) For the same reason in the first chapter of Genesis, where in the sense of the letter the creation of heaven and earth is treated of, but in the internal sense the new creation or regeneration of the man of the church at that time, it is said that light was first made, and afterwards the sun and the moon (see verses 3-5, 14-19); when yet the sun is first, and light is from it. Light was said to be the first of creation, because “light” signifies the truth of faith, and “the sun and moon” the good of love and of charity. (That by the creation of heaven and earth in the first chapter of Genesis, in the spiritual sense, the new creation of the man of the celestial church, or his regeneration, is meant and described, see the explanation of that chapter in The Arcana Coelestia, also n. 8891, 9942, 10545. That “light” signifies truth from good, thus also the truth of faith, see in the work on 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, in the same work, n. 116-125, 146.) From this it can now be seen what “the beginning of the working of God” signifies, namely, faith from the Lord, which in appearance is the first thing of the church.

sRef Rev@3 @15 S0′ 230. Verse 15. I know thy works, signifies the life of faith alone. This is evident from the signification of “works,” as being the things that are of man’s interior life, for works proceed from these and are their effects (see above n. 157-185); here, therefore, they signify the life of faith alone, because this is treated of in what is written to this church. To each of the churches it is said first, “I know thy works,” and in every case “works” signify the things of the church there treated of (see above, n. 98); therefore what now follows describes what the life of faith alone is or the life of faith separate from charity.

sRef Rev@3 @15 S0′ 231. That thou art neither cold nor hot, signifies that it is between heaven and hell, because it is without charity. This is evident from the signification of “cold,” as meaning to be not in spiritual love but in infernal love (of which presently); also from the signification of “hot,” as meaning to be in spiritual love (of which also presently). From this it is clear that “to be neither cold nor hot” signifies to be neither in infernal love nor in spiritual love, but between the two, and he who is between the two is between hell and heaven.
[2] That those who are in faith alone, or in faith separate from charity, are in this state, has not been known; but it is evident that they are so, from the particulars of what is written to the angel of this church, and moreover from this, that those who are in faith separate from charity live for themselves, the world, and appetite, and those who so live are in infernal love; and yet these, by reading the Word, by hearing discourses therefrom, by receiving the Holy Supper, and by many things from the Word that they merely retain in the memory, look towards heaven; and when they do this, they are in some spiritual heat; but yet because this is not spiritual heat, or spiritual love, since they do not live according to the Word; consequently they are neither hot nor cold. Moreover, they thus draw the mind in two directions, for by the things that are from the Word they turn themselves towards heaven, and by the things that are of the life they turn themselves towards hell, thus they halt between the two. When such as these come into the other life, they are eager for heaven, saying, that they have had faith, have read the Word, heard sermons, often attended the Holy Supper, and by these things ought to be saved. But when their life is explored, it is seen to be altogether infernal, that is, they have made enmities, hatred, revenge, craft, deceitful devices, of no account, and when they did what was upright, sincere, and just, it was only in the external form for the sake of appearing such before the world, whilst within themselves, or in their spirit, they had other thoughts, and many opposite thoughts, believing that thoughts and intentions are of no account providing they do not become manifest to the world. For this reason their spirit becomes such when freed from the ties of the earthly body; for it is the spirit of man that thinks and purposes.
sRef Matt@7 @22 S3′ sRef Luke@13 @25 S3′ sRef Matt@7 @23 S3′ sRef Luke@13 @27 S3′ sRef Luke@13 @26 S3′ [3] These are meant by the Lord’s words in Matthew:
Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied by Thy name, and by Thy name 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 (Matt. 7:22-23).
Also by these words in Luke:
When ye begin to stand without and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and He shall answer and say, I know you not whence ye are; then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk before Thee, 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 (Luke 13:25-27).
[4] “Cold” signifies infernal love, because “heat” signifies heavenly love. (That “heat” signifies heavenly love, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 126-140, 567, 568; and that love to the Lord, and love toward the neighbor or charity are heavenly loves, and make heaven, 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 unclean, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 1773, 2757, 3340; and that that heat is turned into cold when heavenly heat flows in, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 572.)

sRef Rev@3 @15 S0′ 232. Would that thou wert cold or hot, signifies that it were better that there should be no faith or that there should be charity alone. This is evident from the signification of “would that thou wert cold,” as being that it were better that there should be no faith (of which below); and from the signification of “or hot,” as being that there should be charity alone. What charity alone is, will be shown presently; first let it be shown what no faith is. Those who are in the doctrine of faith alone have, indeed, no faith, but this means no spiritual faith, or no faith of the church; yet they have a natural faith, which may be called a persuasive faith. For they believe that the Word is divine, they believe in eternal life, in the remission of sins, and in many other things; but with those who are without charity, this belief is a persuasive faith which, regarded in itself, is not different from a belief in things not known, which are heard from others in the world and believed in, although neither seen nor understood, but because they were said by someone thought worthy of credit. This is not one’s own faith, but another’s faith within oneself; and such a faith, if not made our own by seeing and understanding, is not unlike the faith that one born blind and whose sense of touch is dull might have regarding colors and objects of sight in the world, of which he has an extraneous idea that no one knows but himself. This is what is called historical faith, and is not at all a spiritual faith, such as the faith of the church must be. Spiritual faith, or the faith of the church, is wholly from charity, so that in its essence it is charity; moreover, to those who are in charity, things spiritual that are believed appear in light. This I say from experience; for everyone who has lived in charity in the world sees in the other life his truths that he believes, while those who have been in faith alone, see nothing at all.
[2] Yet still faith merely historical has a kind of conjunction with heaven through thought about God, heaven, and eternal life, but only through obscure thought, and not through the affection, which is of charity, for of this it has none. Such therefore, through the affection they have, which is the affection of the love of self and the world, are conjoined to hell. From this it can be seen that such are between heaven and hell, for they look with their eyes towards heaven, and with the heart towards hell. To do this is profanation, and the lot of profaners in the other life is the worst of all. To profane is to believe in God, in the Word, in eternal life, and in many things taught in the sense of the letter of the Word, and still to live contrary to them.
[3] It is for this reason then that it is said, “would that thou wert cold or hot;” for he who is cold, that is, without faith, does not profane; neither does he who is hot, that is, who has charity alone. (What profanation is and the nature of it, see in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 169, 172; and what and of what nature the persuasive faith is, n. 116-119; also, that there is no spiritual faith where there is no charity, in the small work on The Last Judgment, n. 33-39.) It shall now be told briefly what charity alone is. Charity regarded in itself is a spiritual affection, but charity alone is natural affection, and not spiritual; for charity itself, which is spiritual affection, is formed by truths from the Word, and so far as it is formed by these, so far 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 giving heed to truths or learning them; therefore charity alone is without faith, for faith is of truth, and truth is of faith.

sRef Rev@3 @16 S0′ 233. Verse 16. So because thou art lukewarm, signifies those who live according to the doctrine of faith alone and of justification by faith. This is evident from the signification of “lukewarm,” as being those who are between heaven and hell, and thereby serve two masters. That those who think, believe, and live according to the doctrine of faith alone and justification by faith are such, has not yet been known; it shall therefore be made clear. With men of the church, there are two states of faith and of life therefrom, or of life and of faith therefrom; one is from doctrine, the other from the Word or from preachings from the Word. That there are these two states hardly anyone knows; yet that there are these two and that with some they act as one, and with many others they do not act as one, has been granted me to see and know through living experience with spirits recently from the world, since these carry with them all the states of their life. But so long as men live in the world this cannot be seen and known, since what man’s spirit in itself thinks, believes, and loves, in spiritual things, cannot be disclosed to anyone except by speech and outward deeds; and these, as to those things which are of faith, proceed either from the doctrine received in the church, or from the Lord’s precepts out of the Word without thought from doctrine. The former is true of the learned, the latter of the simple.
[2] What, therefore, the state of thought, faith, and life from doctrine is, shall first be said. The doctrine of the churches in the Christian world at this day declares that faith alone saves, and that the life of love is of no avail; also that when a man has received faith he is righteous, and that when he is thus justified nothing of evil can thenceforth be imputed to him; consequently, that any man is saved, even a wicked man, if he only has faith, or receives faith, though it be in the last hour of life. Those, therefore, who think and live from doctrine omit good works, because they believe that these do not affect a man, or contribute to his salvation. They are also unconcerned about evils of their thought and will, whether they be contempt of others in comparison with themselves, or enmities, hatreds, revenge, craft, deceits, and other like evils, because they believe that such evils are not imputed to those who have been justified by faith; saying in heart that they are not under the yoke of the law because the Lord fulfilled the law for them, nor under condemnation because the Lord took this upon Himself. From this then it is, that those who think, live, and believe according to the doctrine of faith alone and justification, do not look to God in their life, but only to self and the world; and those who in the course of their life look only to self and the world join themselves to the hells, for all who are in the hells make good and evil of no account. In a word, to live according to that doctrine is to confirm oneself in life that it is all the same to think, will, and do good, since this does not save, and also that it is the same to think, will, and so far as they have no fear of the law, do evil, since this does not damn, provided one has the confidence or trust, which is called saving faith (see in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 115). These are evidently the “lukewarm” since they think, speak, and preach about God, the Lord, the Word, eternal life, whenever they are thinking, talking, or preaching from this doctrine, but give no thought to these subjects when they think or talk apart from doctrine. By such thought they look to heaven, but by their life they join themselves to hell; consequently they are between heaven and hell, and those who are between the two are “lukewarm.” Thus much about the state of faith and of life therefrom with those within the church, when their state is from doctrine.
[3] Something shall now be said about the state of faith and of life therefrom with men of the church, when it is from the Word. The greater part of those born within the churches where the doctrine of faith alone and of justification by faith is received, do not know what faith alone is, nor what is meant by justification; when, therefore, they hear those things preached, they think that a life according to the commandment of God in the Word is meant, for they believe that this is faith and also justification, not entering more deeply into the mysteries of doctrine. And when these are taught about faith alone and justification by faith, they believe no otherwise, than that faith alone is to think about God and salvation, and how they ought to live; and that justification is to live before God. All within the church who are saved are kept by the Lord in this state of thought and faith, and after their departure from this world they are illustrated in truths, for they are capable of receiving instruction. But those who have lived according to the doctrine of faith alone and justification by faith (of whom above), become blind, for the reason that faith alone is no faith, and therefore justification by faith alone is a thing of nought. (That faith alone is no faith, see in The little work on The Last Judgment, n. 33-39.)
[4] From this it can be seen who are meant by “the lukewarm,” namely, those who say in heart, What does it signify if I think, will, and do good, since this does not save? it is enough to have faith. Again, What does it signify if I think and will evil, since this does not damn? Thus they relax all restraints to their thoughts and intentions, that is, to their spirit, for it is the spirit that thinks and intends, and doing is wholly in agreement herewith. But it should be known that there are very few who thus live according to doctrine, although it is believed by the preachers that all do so who listen to their preachings. For it is of the Divine providence of the Lord that there are very few such, for the reason that the lot of the “lukewarm” is not unlike that of profaners, and their lot is, that after their life in the world, all that they have known from the Word is taken away from them, and they are then left to the thought and love of their spirit. And when the thought that they had from the Word is taken away, they become the most stupid of all; and they appear in the light of heaven like burnt skeletons covered over with some skin. (Of profanation, and the lot of those who profane, see in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 172.)

sRef Rev@3 @16 S0′ 234. And neither cold nor hot, signifies that they are between heaven and hell, because they are without charity, as is evident from what was said and shown above (n. 231).

sRef Rev@3 @16 S0′ 235. I am about to vomit thee out of My mouth, signifies separation from the knowledges from the Word. This is evident from the signification of “vomiting out,” when said by the Lord, as being separation; not that the Lord separates them from Himself, but they separate themselves from the Lord. It is said “to vomit out,” because the “lukewarm” are treated of, and in the world what is lukewarm produces vomiting. And this is also from correspondence; for the food that man takes corresponds to knowledges, and thence in the Word signifies knowledges; therefore separation from knowledges means non-admission; but as those here treated of do admit something from the Word, it means ejection or vomiting. (That “food,” from correspondence, signifies knowledges and intelligence therefrom, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3114, 4459, 4792, 5147, 5293, 5340, 5342, 5410, 5426, 5576, 5582, 5588, 5655, 8562; for the reason that knowledges nourish the internal man or spirit, as food nourishes the external man or body, n. 4459, 5293, 5576, 6277, 8418.) This is evident also from the signification of “out of My mouth,” as being, in reference to the Lord, out of the Word. “Out of the mouth” signifies, in reference to the Lord, out of the Word, because the Word is Divine truth, and this proceeds from the Lord, and what proceeds from the Lord and flows in with man is said to be “out of the mouth,” although it is not from the mouth, but is like light from the sun. For the Lord is seen above the heavens where the angels are as a sun, and light therefrom is Divine truth, from which angels and men have all their intelligence and wisdom (see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 116-125, 126-140). From this it can be seen that “I will vomit thee out of My mouth” signifies to separate from Divine truth, or what is the same, from the knowledges from the Word.
[2] That those who are “lukewarm,” that is, “neither cold nor hot,” who are those that live according to the doctrine of faith alone and justification by faith (of which just above), are separated from the knowledges from the Word, is not known to themselves, for they believe that they are in knowledges more than others; but they are not, yea, they are in scarcely any knowledge; and this for the reason that the principles of their doctrine and religion are false, and from false principles nothing results but falsities; when therefore they read the Word, they keep their minds in their falsities, and as a consequence, either they do not see truths, or if they see them they pass them by or falsify them. These false principles are, that salvation is by faith alone, and that man is justified by faith. That they are separated from the knowledges from the Word and that they do not see truths therein, they may know if they will; for what is more frequently declared by the Lord, than that they ought to do His words, His commandments, His will, and that everyone shall be recompensed according to his deeds; also that the whole Word is based upon two commandments, which are to love God, and to love the neighbor; also that loving God is doing His commandments (John 14:21, 23, 24)? What men must do in order to be saved is said a thousand times in each Testament, also that hearing and knowing are nothing without doing. But do those who have confirmed themselves in faith alone and justification by faith, see these things? And if they see them do they not falsify them? Consequently they have no doctrine of life, but a doctrine of faith alone; when yet, life makes the man of the church, and those things come to be of his faith which are of his life.
[3] That such persons are separated from the knowledges from the Word, can be seen also from this, that they are not aware that they are to live as men after the death of the body; that they have a spirit that lives; that heaven is from the human race, and hell also; that they know nothing at all about heaven and heavenly joy; nothing about hell and infernal fire; thus nothing about the spiritual world; nothing about the internal or spiritual sense of the Word; nothing about the glorification of the Lord’s Human; nothing about regeneration; nothing about temptation; about baptism, what it involves; about the Holy Supper, and what the flesh and blood, or the bread and wine in it signify; nothing about free will; nothing about the internal man; nothing about charity, about the neighbor, about good, about love; neither do they know what the remission of sins is; and many other things. Moreover, I have heard angels say that when they are permitted to look into the church, and to see those who believe themselves to be intelligent from doctrine, that they see nothing but mere thick darkness, and those so believing are seen as if deep down under waters.
sRef Isa@19 @14 S4′ [4] These are separated from the knowledges from the Word for two reasons; first, because they cannot be illustrated by the Lord, for the Lord flows into man’s good, and from that illustrates him in truths, that is, He flows into man’s love and therefrom into his faith; secondly, because they profane truths by falsifications, and those who do this are separated from truths themselves while they live in the world, that they may not know them, but in the other life they cast away from themselves all things they knew from the Word while in the world. Both these separations are meant by “being vomited out of the mouth.” Like things are meant by “vomiting” and “vomit” elsewhere in the Word; as in the following passages. In Isaiah:
Jehovah hath mingled a spirit of perversities in the midst of Egypt; whence they have led Egypt astray in every work thereof, even as a drunkard goeth astray in his vomit (Isa. 19:14).
“Egypt” signifies the knowledge [scientia] of things, both spiritual and natural; “mingling the spirit of perversities in the midst thereof” signifies to pervert and falsify these things; “a drunkard” signifies those who are insane in spiritual things; and as truths mingled with falsities are cast out, it is said “as a drunkard goeth astray in his vomit.” (That “Egypt” signifies knowledge [scientia], see Arcana Coelestia, n. 1164, 1165, 1186, 1462, 5700, 5702, 6015, 6651, 6679, 6683, 6692, 7296; also the knowledges [scientifica] of the church, n. 7296, 9340, 9391; that “drunkards” signify those who are insane in spiritual things, n. 1072.)
sRef Jer@25 @27 S5′ sRef Jer@48 @26 S5′ [5] In Jeremiah:
Drink ye, and be drunken, and vomit and fall, and rise not because of the sword (Jer. 25:27).
“To drink and be drunken” is to drink in falsities and mix them with truths, and thence to be insane; “to vomit and fall” is altogether to cast out things falsified; “the sword,” because of which they shall not rise, signifies falsity destroying and laying waste truth (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2799, 4499, 7102); which shows clearly what is meant by “vomiting and falling.” In the same:
Make Moab drunken, for he hath magnified himself against Jehovah, that he may clap the hands in his vomit (Jer. 48:26).
“Moab” signifies those who adulterate the goods of the church, therefore “vomiting” is predicated of them.
sRef Hab@2 @16 S6′ sRef Hab@2 @15 S6′ [6] In Habakkuk:
Woe unto him that maketh his companion to drink even making him drunken, that thou mayest look upon their nakednesses. Thou shalt be satiated with disgrace instead of glory; drink thou also, and let thy foreskin be uncovered; the cup of Jehovah shall go about unto thee, and disgraceful vomiting shall be on thy glory (Hab. 2:15-16).
“To drink even making him drunken” also signifies to drink in truths and mix them with falsities; the “nakednesses” upon which they look, signify the deprivation of truth and of intelligence therefrom (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 1073, 5433, 9960). The “foreskin that shall be uncovered” signifies the defilement of good (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2056, 3412, 3413, 4462, 7225, 7245); “glory” signifies Divine truth, thus the Word (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 4809, 5922, 8267, 8427, 9429); which shows what is meant by “disgraceful vomiting upon their glory.”
sRef Isa@28 @7 S7′ sRef Isa@28 @8 S7′ sRef Isa@28 @9 S7′ [7] In Isaiah:
These err through wine, through strong drink they are gone astray; the priest and the prophet err through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they err among the seeing, they stumble in judgment; yea, even all tables are full of the vomit of filthiness; there is no place. Whom shall he teach knowledge? (Isa. 28:7-9).
Here “wine” and “strong drink,” by which they err, signify truths mixed with falsities; “priest” and “prophet” signify those who teach goods and truths, and in an abstract sense, the goods and truths of the church; “the seeing” among whom they err signify those who might be about to see truths; “to stumble in judgment” signifies insanity; “tables” signify all things that should nourish spiritual life, for tables mean the food that is on them, and “food” signifies all truths and goods, because these are what nourish spiritual life; therefore “tables full of the vomit of filthiness” signify the same things falsified and adulterated.
sRef Lev@18 @28 S8′ sRef Lev@18 @24 S8′ sRef Lev@18 @25 S8′ [8] In Moses:
Defile not yourselves with any of these things; for in all these the nations are defiled which I cast out before you; whence the land is defiled; and the land hath vomited out her inhabitants; thus the land will not vomit you out, as it vomited out the nations that were before you (Lev. 18:24-25, 28).
Adulteries of every kind are here treated of, by which in the spiritual sense all kinds of adulterations of good and falsifications of truth or profanations are meant; and as it is not possible for evils and goods, nor for the falsities of evil and the truths of good to exist together without being cast out, therefore it is said that “the land,” that is, the church, “hath vomited them out.” From this it can be seen what is signified by “vomiting out.”

sRef Rev@3 @17 S0′ 236. Verse 17. Because thou sayest I am rich, and have gotten riches and have need of nothing, signifies their faith that they believe themselves to be in truths more than others. This is evident from the signification of “saying,” as involving what is believed by them; and as those who are in faith alone are here treated of, “saying” signifies their faith. Moreover, “to say,” in the spiritual sense, signifies to think, because what is said goes forth from the thought, and thought is spiritual because it pertains to the spirit of man, while expression and speech from thought are natural because they pertain to the body. For this reason, “saying” has several significations in the Word. This is evident also from the signification of “being rich,” as being to possess the knowledges of truth and good, and to be intelligent and wise thereby (of which presently); also from the signification of “have gotten riches and have need of nothing,” as being to know all things so that nothing is lacking.
[2] That those who are in the doctrine of faith alone and justification by faith are such, or believe themselves to be so, is not known to those who are not in that faith, although they are among them; but that still they are so it has been given me to know by much experience. I have talked with many who in the world believed themselves to be more intelligent and wise than others, from their knowing many things about faith alone and justification by faith, and such things as the simple minded are ignorant of; and these they called interior things and mysteries of doctrine, and believed they knew and understood everything, with nothing lacking. Among them were many who had written about faith alone and justification by faith. But it was shown them that they know nothing of truth, and that those who have lived a life of faith, which is charity, and have not understood justification by faith alone, are more intelligent and wise than they. It was also shown that the things they knew are not truths but falsities, and that knowing and thinking falsities is not being intelligent and wise, for intelligence is of truth, and wisdom is of the life therefrom. And the reason of this was disclosed, namely that they were in no spiritual affection of truth, but only in a natural affection of knowing the things taught by their leaders, by some for the sake of their function, by others for the fame of erudition; and that those who are in natural and not in spiritual affection believe that when they know these things they know everything. This is still more so with those who have confirmed these things by the sense of the letter of the Word, and have labored to connect these with other falsities by means of the fallacies of reason.
[3] I will also say something from experience about these things. Some spirits who were believed by others when they lived as men in the world to be men of learning, were examined to ascertain whether they knew what spiritual faith is. They said that they knew. They were therefore sent to those who were in that faith; and when they were given communication with these they perceived that they had no faith, and did not know what faith is. They were then asked what they now believe about faith alone, on which the whole doctrine of their church is founded, but they were ashamed and dumb-founded. There were also many of the learned of the church who were asked about regeneration, whether they knew what it is; they replied that they knew that it is baptism, since the Lord says, that “unless a man is born of water and spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God;” but when it was shown them that baptism is not regeneration, but that “water and spirit” mean truths and a life according to them, and that no one can enter heaven unless he is regenerated through these, they went away confessing their ignorance. Again, when they were asked about angels, about heaven and hell, about the life of man after death, and many other matters, they knew nothing, and these things were all like thick darkness in their minds. They therefore confessed that they had believed that they knew all things, but they now know that they know scarcely anything. Knowing something means, in the spiritual world, knowing something of truth; but knowing falsities is not knowing, because it is not understanding and being wise. They were afterwards told that this is meant by the Lord’s words, “Because thou sayest I am rich, and have gotten riches, and knowest not that thou art wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked.”
sRef Ezek@28 @5 S4′ sRef Ezek@28 @4 S4′ [4] The “rich” in the Word signify those who are in truths, because spiritual riches are nothing else; and therefore “riches” in the Word signify the knowledges of truth and good, and “the rich” those who are in intelligence thereby; as can be seen from the following passages. In Ezekiel:
In thy wisdom and in thine intelligence thou hast made to thee wealth, gold and silver in thy treasures; by the abundance of thy wisdom thou hast multiplied to thee wealth (Ezek. 28:4-5).
These things were said to the prince of Tyre, by whom in the spiritual sense those who are in the knowledges of truth are meant; “wealth” means those knowledges themselves in general; “gold in treasures” mean the knowledges of good, and “silver in treasures” the knowledges of truth. That these signify knowledges is very clear, for it is said, “In thy wisdom and in thine intelligence thou hast made to thee wealth, and by the abundance of thy wisdom thou hast multiplied to thee wealth.” (“The prince of Tyre” means those who are in the knowledges of truth, because “prince” signifies primary truths, Arcana Coelestia, n. 1482, 2089, 5044; and “Tyre” the knowledges of truth, n. 1201; “treasures” signify the possessions of knowledges, n. 1694, 4508, 10227; “gold” signifies good, and “silver” truth, n. 1551, 1552, 2954, 5658.)
sRef Zech@9 @3 S5′ sRef Zech@9 @4 S5′ sRef Ps@45 @12 S5′ [5] In Zechariah:
Tyre heapeth up silver as dust, and gold as the mire of the streets; behold the Lord will impoverish her, and smite her wealth in the sea (Zech. 9:3-4).
Here also “Tyre” stands for those who acquire for themselves knowledges, which are “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 entreat thy faces (Ps. 45:12-13).
Here is described the church in respect to the affection of truth, which is meant by “the king’s daughter,” for “daughter” means the church in respect to affection (Arcana Coelestia, n. 3262, 3963, 6729, 9059; and “king” means truth, n. 1672, 2015, 2069, 3670, 4575, 4581, 4966, 6148). For this reason it is said that “the daughter of Tyre shall bring a gift,” and that “the rich of the people shall entreat thy faces;” “the rich of the people” are those who abound in truths.
sRef Hos@12 @10 S6′ sRef Hos@12 @9 S6′ sRef Hos@12 @8 S6′ [6] In Hosea:
Ephraim said, Surely I am become rich, I have found me wealth, all my labors shall not find iniquity to me which is sin; but I will yet speak to the prophets and I will multiply vision (Hosea 12:8, 10).
“I am become rich, and I have found me wealth,” does not mean being enriched by worldly but by heavenly riches and wealth, which are the knowledges of truth and good; for “Ephraim” means the intellectual of those who are of the church, which is illustrated when the Word is read (Arcana Coelestia, n. 5354, 6222, 6238, 6267); therefore it is said, “I will yet speak to the prophets, and I will multiply vision;” “prophets” and likewise “visions” signifying the truths of doctrine.
sRef Jer@17 @11 S7′ sRef Jer@17 @10 S7′ [7] In Jeremiah:
Jehovah giving to every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit 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 leave them, in the end of days he shall become foolish (Jer. 17:10-11).
This treats of those who acquire for themselves knowledges with no other purpose than merely to know, when, yet knowledges ought to be subservient to the life. This is what is meant by “gathering as the partridge and not bringing forth,” and by “making riches but not with judgment;” and by “becoming foolish in the end of days.” And as the knowledges of truth and good ought to be subservient to the life, for by these the life will be perfected, it is said that “Jehovah gives to everyone according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.”
sRef Luke@14 @33 S8′ [8] In Luke:
Whosoever he be of you that renounceth not all his possessions, he cannot be My disciple (Luke 14:33).
He who does not know that “possessions” mean in the Word spiritual riches and wealth, which are knowledges from the Word, can know no otherwise than that he ought to deprive himself of all wealth in order to be saved; where yet that is not the meaning of these words. “Possessions” here mean all things that are from self-intelligence, for no one can be wise from himself, but only from the Lord; “to renounce all possessions” is to attribute nothing of intelligence and wisdom to oneself, and he who does not do this cannot be instructed by the Lord, that is, cannot be His disciple.
[9] They who do not know that “the rich” mean those who possess the knowledges of truth and good, thus who have the Word, and that “the poor” mean those who do not possess knowledges, but yet long for them, can know no otherwise than that “the rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen,” and “the poor man who was laid at his gate” (Luke 16), mean the rich and the poor in the common acceptation of these words, when yet “the rich man” there means the Jewish nation, which had the Word, in which are all the knowledges of truth and good; the “purple” with which he was clothed means genuine good (Arcana Coelestia, n. 9467); “fine linen” genuine truth (Arcana Coelestia, n. 5319, 9469, 9596, 9744); and “the poor man who was laid at his gate” means the Gentiles that were outside of the church, and did not have the Word, and yet longed for the truths and goods of heaven and the church. From this it is clear that “the rich” mean those who have the Word, and thus the knowledges of truth and good, since these are in the Word.
sRef Luke@1 @53 S10′ [10] So also in the prophecy to Elizabeth, in Luke:
God hath filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He hath sent empty away (Luke 1:53).
“The hungry” are those who long for knowledges; such were the Gentiles that received the Lord and doctrine from Him; but “the rich” are those who have knowledges because they have the Word; such were the Jews, and yet they did not wish to know truths from the Word, consequently they did not receive the Lord and doctrine from Him. These are “the rich” who were sent empty away; but the others are “the hungry” who were filled with good things.

sRef Isa@47 @11 S0′ sRef Isa@47 @10 S0′ sRef Rev@3 @17 S0′ 237. And knowest not that thou are wretched, signifies that they do not know that their falsities have no coherence with truths. This is evident from the signification of “wretchedness,” as meaning the breaking up of truth by means of falsities, and also no coherence; this shows what is meant by “the wretched.” They are so because their doctrine is founded on two false principles, which are faith alone and justification by faith; consequently falsities flow in from these in constant succession, and the truths which they adduce from the sense of the letter of the Word to confirm these are weakened and falsified, and truths when falsified are in themselves falsities. This is described in many passages in the Word, and is meant by the “vanities” that the prophets see, and the “lies” that they speak. It is described also by the “breaches” in the walls and houses so that they fall; likewise by “idols” and “graven images” that the artificer makes and connects by chains that they may cohere; for “idols” and “graven images” signify the falsities of doctrine; the like is signified by “breaches of the walls” and “of the houses,” and by “the prophets who see vanities and speak lies;” for “prophets” mean doctrines, “vanities” such things as are of no account, and “lies” falsities. But as these things are mentioned in many passages in the Word they cannot be cited here on account of their abundance; they will therefore be omitted, and a few only quoted here in which “wretchedness” and “wall” are mentioned, that it may be known that these signify the weakening of truth by falsities, and thus no coherence.
[2] In Isaiah:
Thy wisdom and thy knowledge it hath misled thee, when thou hast said in thine heart, I, and none like me besides. Therefore shall wretchedness fall upon thee, and devastation shall come upon thee (Isa. 47:10-11).
Here also those are described who believe that they know all things and that they are more intelligent than all others, when yet they know and understand nothing of truth; and that therefore 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 misled thee, when thou hast said in thine heart, I, and none like me besides;” and the loss of all understanding of truth is meant by “wretchedness shall fall upon thee, devastation shall come upon thee.”
sRef Ezek@7 @27 S3′ sRef Ezek@7 @26 S3′ [3] In Ezekiel:
Wretchedness shall come upon wretchedness; therefore they shall 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 astonishment (Ezek. 7:26-27).
Here the vastation of the church is treated of, which takes place when there is no truth that is not falsified. Falsity from falsity is meant by “wretchedness upon wretchedness;” “a vision from the prophet” is doctrine, here the doctrine of falsity; “the law hath perished from the priest” means that the Word is not understood, for “law” signifies the Word, and the “priest” one who teaches; “counsel hath perished from the elders” means that right has perished from the intelligent, “counsel” signifying right, and “elders” the intelligent; “the king shall mourn, and the prince shall be clothed with astonishment,” means that there is no longer any truth, “king” signifying truth, and “prince” truths that are primarily of service.
sRef Jer@49 @3 S4′ sRef Ps@5 @9 S4′ [4] In David:
Right is not in their mouth, wretchedness is in their inward part (Ps. 5:9);
where “wretchedness” likewise stands for falsities not cohering with any truth. So too in Jeremiah:
Lament, and wander among the walls; for their king is gone into exile, and his priests and his princes together (Jer. 49:3).
“Wandering among the walls” is among truths destroyed by falsities; “the king gone into exile” signifies truth; and “his priests and princes together” signify the goods and truths of life and doctrine (see above).
sRef Ezek@13 @12 S5′ sRef Ezek@13 @11 S5′ sRef Ezek@13 @10 S5′ [5] In Ezekiel:
When they build a wall [maceriem], behold they daub it with untempered mortar. Say to them which daub it with untempered mortar, that the wall [paries] shall fall. Is it not said unto you, Where is the daubing wherewith ye have daubed it? (Ezek. 13:10-12).
“The wall which they daub with untempered mortar” signifies falsity assumed as a principle, and by application of the Word from the sense of the letter made to appear as truth; “daubing” is application and seeming confirmation thereby; “untempered mortar” is what has been falsified; and because the truth of the Word is thus destroyed, and the truths used to confirm become truths falsified, which in themselves are falsities, and these with the false principle perish together, it is said, “Behold, the wall shall fall. Is it not said unto you, Where is the daubing wherewith ye have daubed it?”
sRef Hos@2 @6 S6′ [6] In Hosea:
Behold, I obstruct thy way with thorns, and I will encompass wall with wall, that she shall not find thy* paths (Hosea 2:6).
“To obstruct the way with thorns” is to obstruct all thoughts by falsities of evil, that truths be not seen; falsities of evil are “thorns;” “to encompass wall with wall” is to heap falsities upon falsities; “that she shall not find thy paths” means that nothing of truth can be seen; this comes to pass because truths and falsities of evil cannot be together, as heaven cannot be with hell; for truths are from heaven, and falsities of evil are from hell; therefore when falsities from evil reign communication with heaven is taken away, and when that is taken away truths cannot be seen, and if presented by others they are rejected. For this reason, those who are in false principles, as those who are in the principles of faith alone and justification by faith, cannot be in any truths (as may be seen above, n. 235, 236).
[7] But let examples illustrate this. Those who have adopted faith alone and justification by faith as a principle of religion, when they read the Word and see that the Lord says that man shall be recompensed according to his deeds and works, and that he who has done good, shall come into heaven, and he who has done evils into hell, call the good things that they do fruits of faith, not knowing or not wanting to know, that the good things called fruits are all from charity, and none of them from faith separate, which is called faith alone; every good also is of charity, and truth is of the faith therefrom. From this it is clear that they pervert the Word; and they do this because they cannot otherwise apply truth to their principle, believing still that the two may thus cohere; but the result is that truth perishes and becomes falsity, and not only falsity but also evil.
[8] From this falsities evidently follow in constant succession, for they teach that the good works that man does are meritorious, not being willing to see that as faith with its truths are from the Lord, and thus not meritorious, so are charity with its goods. They teach also that as soon as a man receives faith he is reconciled to God the Father through the Son, and that the evils thenceforth done, as well as those done before, are not imputed; for they say that all are saved however they have lived, if only they receive faith, even though it be in the hours before death. But these, and many other things which are deductions from the falsity of the principle, do not cohere with the truths from the Word, but destroy them, and truths destroyed are falsities, even such falsities as emit a bad odor. From these a grievous smell is perceived in the other life, which is such that it cannot be endured by any good spirit; it is like the stench of purulent matter from the lungs. Many other examples might be adduced; there is an abundance of them; for whatever is deduced from a false principle becomes thereby a falsity, since in the deduction the principle only is regarded to which it clings because from this it flows and to this it is applied.
[9] What the religion of faith alone and of justification by faith is can be inferred from the simple fact that all who have confirmed these tenets in themselves by doctrine and life, send out from themselves in the other life a sphere of abominable adultery like that of a mother or stepmother with a son; this abominable adultery corresponds to such, and is also perceived from them wherever they go; from that sphere I have a thousand times recognized their presence. Such a sphere flows out from them because they adulterate the goods of charity and of the Word, and adulteries correspond to adulterations of good, while whoredoms correspond to the falsifications of truth (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2466, 2729, 3399, 4865, 6348, 8904, 10648).
[10] There is a like meaning in:
Reuben’s lying with Bilhah, of whom his father begat Dan and Naphtali (Gen. 35:22);
And therefore he was also accursed (Gen. 49:4);
And because he defiled his father’s couch the primogeniture was taken away from him and given to Joseph (1 Chron. 5:1).
For by “Reuben” in the Word faith is meant, and here faith alone (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3325, 3861, 3866, 3870, 4601, 4605, 4731, 4734, 4761, 6342, 6350); and by “Joseph,” the good of faith (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3969, 3971, 4669, 6417).
sRef Dan@2 @43 S11′ [11] That such things are to take place at the end of the church is predicted in Daniel, where the statue that Nebuchadnezzar saw in a dream is described in these words:
Whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of man; but they shall not cleave one to the other, even as iron doth not mingle with clay (Dan. 2:43).
By “iron” truth without good is meant; by “miry clay” the falsity that is from self-intelligence; by “the seed of man” the Word of the Lord (Matt. 13:24, 37). That these do not cohere is meant by “they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron doth not mingle with clay.”
* For “thy” the Hebrew has “her,” as found in Arcana Coelestia, n. 9144.

sRef Rev@3 @17 S0′ 238. And miserable and poor, signifies that they do not know that they have neither knowledges of truth nor knowledges of good. This is evident from the signification of “miserable” or “pitiable,” as meaning those who are in no knowledges of truth; and from the signification of “poor” as meaning those who are in no knowledges of good. That this is the meaning of “miserable” and “poor” is evident from many passages in the Word, and also from this, that spiritual misery and poverty are nothing else than a lack of the knowledges of truth and good, for the spirit is then miserable and poor; but when the spirit possesses these it is rich and wealthy; therefore also “riches” and “wealth” in the Word signifies spiritual riches and wealth, which are the knowledges of truth and good (as was shown just above, n. 236).
sRef Ps@40 @17 S2′ sRef Ps@86 @1 S2′ [2] “Miserable and poor” are terms used in many passages in the Word. He who is ignorant of the spiritual sense of the Word believes that by these no others are meant than the miserable and poor in the world. These, however, are not meant, but those who are not in truths and goods and in the knowledges thereof; and by the “miserable” indeed, those who are not in truths because not in the knowledges of truths, and by the “poor” those who are not in goods because not in the knowledges of goods. As these two, truths and goods, are meant by these two expressions, the two in many places are mentioned together; as in the passages that now follow. In David:
I am miserable and poor, Lord, remember me (Ps. 40:17; 70:5). Incline thine ear, O Jehovah, answer me, for I am miserable and poor (Ps. 86:1).
The “miserable and poor” here mean evidently those who are miserable and poor, not in respect to worldly riches but in respect to spiritual riches, as David says this of himself; therefore he also said, “Jehovah, incline thine ear, and answer me.”
sRef Ps@37 @14 S3′ [3] In the same:
The wicked draw out the sword and bend their bow, to cast down the miserable and poor (Ps. 37:14).
Here also “the miserable and poor” mean evidently those who are spiritually such and yet long for the knowledges of truth and good, for it is said that “the wicked draw out the sword and bend the bow,” “sword” signifying falsity combating against truth and striving to destroy it, and “bow” the doctrine of falsity fighting against the doctrine of truth; therefore it is said that they do this “to cast down the miserable and poor.” (That “sword” signifies truth combating against falsity, and in a contrary sense, falsity combating against truth, see above, n. 131; and that “bow” signifies doctrine in both senses, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2686, 2709.)
sRef Isa@32 @6 S4′ sRef Isa@29 @19 S4′ sRef Isa@32 @7 S4′ sRef Ps@109 @16 S4′ [4] So in another place in the same:
The wicked man hath persecuted the miserable and poor and the broken in heart, to slay them (Ps. 109:16).
In Isaiah:
The fool speaketh folly, and his heart doeth iniquity to practice hypocrisy and to speak error against Jehovah, to make empty the hungry soul, and to make him who thirsteth for drink to want. He counseleth wicked devices to destroy the miserable by words of a lie, even when the poor speaketh judgment (Isa. 32:6-7).
Here likewise “the miserable and poor” mean those who are destitute of the knowledges of truth and good; therefore it is said that “the wicked counseleth wicked devices to destroy the miserable by the words of a lie, even when the poor speaketh judgment;” “by the words of a lie” means by falsities, and “to speak judgment” is to speak what is right. Because such are treated of, it is also said that he “practices hypocrisy and speaketh error against Jehovah, to make empty the hungry soul and to make him who thirsteth for drink to want.” “To practice hypocrisy and to speak error” is to do evil from falsity, and to speak falsity from evil; “to make empty the hungry soul” is to deprive those of the knowledges of good who long for them, and “to make him who thirsteth for drink to want” is to deprive those of the knowledges of truth who long for them. In the same:
The miserable shall have joy in Jehovah, and the poor of men shall exult in the Holy One of Israel (Isa. 29:19).
Here also “the miserable and poor” signify those who are in lack of truth and good and yet long for them; of these, and not of those who are miserable and poor in respect to worldly wealth, it is said that they “shall have joy in Jehovah, and shall exult in the Holy One of Israel.” sRef Ps@72 @13 S5′ sRef Ps@72 @12 S5′ sRef Ps@69 @33 S5′ sRef Ps@69 @32 S5′ sRef Ps@35 @10 S5′ sRef Ps@140 @12 S5′ sRef Ps@74 @21 S5′ sRef Ps@72 @4 S5′ sRef Ps@9 @18 S5′ [5] From this it can be seen what is signified by the “miserable and poor” in other passages of the Word, as in the following. In David:
The poor shall not always be forgotten; and the hope of the miserable shall not perish for ever (Ps. 9:18).
In the same:
God shall judge the miserable of the people, He shall save the sons of the poor. He shall deliver the poor when he crieth, and the miserable. He shall spare the weak and the poor, and the souls of the poor He shall save (Ps. 72:4, 12-13).
In the same:
The miserable shall see, they that seek Jehovah* shall be glad. For Jehovah heareth the poor (Ps. 69:32-33).
In the same:
Jehovah deliverest the miserable from him that is too strong for him, the poor from them that despoil him (Ps. 35:10).
In the same:
The miserable and the poor praise Thy name (Ps. 74:21; 109:22).
In the same:
I know that Jehovah will maintain the cause of the miserable, and the judgment of the poor (Ps. 140:12).
Also elsewhere (as Isa. 10:2; Jer. 22:16; Ezek. 16:49; 18:12; 22:29; Amos 8:4; Deut. 15:11; 24:14). “The miserable” and “the poor” are both mentioned in these passages, because it is according to the style of the Word that where truth is spoken of, good is also spoken of; and in a contrary sense, where falsity is spoken of, evil is also spoken of, since they make a one, and as if it were a marriage; this is why “the miserable and the poor” are mentioned together; for, by “the miserable” those deficient in the knowledges of truth are meant, and by “the poor” those deficient in the knowledges of good. (That there is such a marriage almost everywhere in the prophetical parts of the Word, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 683, 793, 801, 2516, 2712, 3004, 3005, 3009, 4138, 5138, 5194, 5502, 6343, 7022, 7945, 8339, 9263, 9314.) For the same reason it is said in what follows, “and blind and naked;” for by “the blind” one who is in no understanding of truth is meant, and by “the naked” one who is in no understanding and will of good. So in the following verse, “I counsel thee to buy of Me gold tried by fire, and white garments that thou mayest be clothed;” for by “gold tried by fire” the good of love is meant, and by “white garments” the truths of faith. And further, “That the shame of thy nakedness be not manifest; and anoint thine eyes with eye-salve, that thou mayest see,” which means, lest evils and falsities be seen. So also elsewhere. But that there is such a marriage in the particulars of the Word, none but those who know its internal sense can see.
* For “Jehovah” the Hebrew has “God.”

sRef Rev@3 @17 S0′ 239. And blind and naked, signifies that they are without the understanding of truth, and without the understanding and will of good. This is evident from the signification of “blind,” as being those who are without the understanding of truth (of which presently); and from the signification of “naked,” as being those who are without the will of good, and thus without the understanding of it (of which presently). That those who are in the doctrine of faith alone and of justification by faith are without the understanding of truth, can be seen from this, that faith alone, or faith apart from charity, has its seat altogether in the memory, with nothing of it in the understanding; those, therefore, who are in it withdraw the understanding from matters of faith, saying that these must be believed, and that the understanding has nothing to do with matters of faith; thus they can say whatsoever they wish, even if most false, provided they know how to adduce something in proof of it from the sense of the letter of the Word, the spiritual sense of which they know nothing about; in this there lurks something like the decree of the popes, which is that all should hang on their mouth; thus persuading the people that they know and see, when yet they see nothing. Those, therefore, who do not see, that is, understand the things they believe, are “blind.” And in consequence of this also they are unable to perfect the life by means of the things pertaining to faith; for the understanding is the way to man’s life; by no other way can man become spiritual. All who are in heaven see truths with the understanding, and thus receive them; but what they do not see with the understanding they do not receive; and if anyone says to them that they must have faith, although they do not see or understand, they turn away, saying, “How can this be? I believe what I see or understand; but I am unable to believe what I do not see or understand; such things may be falsities that destroy spiritual life.”
[2] That those who are in the doctrine of faith alone and justification by faith are without the understanding of good, because they are without the will of good, can be seen from this, that they know nothing whatever about charity towards the neighbor, consequently nothing about good; for all spiritual good is from charity, and there is nothing without charity; consequently those who separate faith from charity, saying that charity contributes nothing to salvation, but only faith, are altogether ignorant of what good is because they are ignorant of what charity is, and yet spiritual good and the affection of it that is called charity is the spiritual life of man, and without it there is no faith. From this it is clear that such are without the understanding of good. And this is in consequence of their being without the will of good, for the reason that they declare themselves to be righteous [just] or to have been made righteous [justified] when they have faith; and by “justified” they mean not to be condemned on account of anything that they think and will, since they have been reconciled to God; consequently they believe, because it follows by connection with their principle, that the evil equally with the good are saved if only they receive faith, even if this should be in the last hours of life. The mysteries of this doctrine consist in this, that they speak of progressive steps of justification that are not from anything of man’s life, or from his affection of charity, but are from mere faith in the reconciliation of God the Father through the Son, which faith they call confidence or trust, and saving faith itself; not knowing that where there is nothing of charity there can be nothing of spiritual life. That which is interiorly perceived or is manifest in their confidence, still has nothing in it derived from spiritual affection, but only from natural thought about happiness or about escape from damnation.
[3] Moreover, those who know nothing about the good of charity have no will of good, and those who know nothing about this good know nothing about evil, for good discloses evil, consequently such persons cannot examine themselves, see their evils, and thus shun them and reject them. They therefore relax all restraints on their thought and their will, only being careful on account of the laws, the loss of fame, of honor, of gain, and of life, to avoid evil doings. And for this reason when such persons become spirits and these fears are taken away from them, they associate themselves with devils, for they think and will as devils do, because they so thought in the world; for it is the spirit in man that thinks. But it is otherwise with those who have lived a life of charity.
[4] Again, those who believe that they have been justified by faith alone, are of the opinion that they are led by God, and therefore that what they do is good, saying, that all good is from God, and nothing from man, and that otherwise good would be meritorious. They do not know that there ought to be reception on man’s part, and that reception is not possible unless man gives heed to his thoughts and intentions, and thence to his deeds; and then refrains from evils and does good, which is done when he has regard for the truths that he knows from the Word, and lives according to them. Unless man does this, there is nothing reciprocal, and therefore no reformation: and of what other use are the precepts of the Lord in the Word? That man is able to do this is also from the Lord, for every man has this faculty from the Lord’s Divine presence, and His will that there be reception. In a word, unless man receives in the understanding and will, that is, in the thought and affection, or what is the same, in faith and love, there is no reception on his part, consequently no conjunction with the Lord. Everyone knows that the Lord is continually present with good, and desires to be received, but He cannot flow in when all restraints on the thoughts are cast off; He can flow in only when the thoughts and intentions which are from lust are held in check by 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 teaches in the following words of this chapter, where he says, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone will hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me” (Rev. 3:20). “Opening the door” is reception on man’s part, as has just been said. The Lord teaches the same elsewhere in 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 (John 14:23-24).
In Matthew:
He that is sown in the good earth, this is he that heareth the Word and understandeth it, who beareth fruit and bringeth forth (Matt. 13:23).
In Mark:
Those are they that were sown upon the good ground, such as hear the Word and receive, and bear fruit (Mark 4:20).
As it is reception by man that conjoins him to the Lord, and thus makes him spiritual, so when the Lord said these things He cried saying:
He that hath ears to hear let him hear (Matt. 13:9; Mark 4:9; Luke 8:8).
sRef Isa@29 @18 S6′ [6] That “the blind” signify those who are in no understanding of truth, and that “the naked” signify those who are in no understanding of good, because they are in no will of good, is evident from many passages in the Word, which I will here cite, so also that it can be seen that the Word in its bosom is spiritual, while in the letter it is natural, consequently that the sense of the letter of the Word, which is natural, has a spiritual sense treasured up within it. That “the blind” signify those who are in no understanding of truth, is clear from the following passages in Isaiah:
And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of thick darkness, and out of darkness (Isa. 29:18).
In this passage, the restoration of the church is treated of, and “the deaf who shall hear the words of the book” mean those who are willing to obey truths, and thus to live a life of good, but are not able because they have not the Word, and “the blind whose eyes shall see in thick darkness, and in darkness,” means that those who are in no understanding of truth because in ignorance, are then to understand. It plainly does not refer to the deaf and blind.
sRef Isa@35 @6 S7′ sRef Isa@35 @5 S7′ sRef Isa@35 @4 S7′ [7] In the same:
Behold your God will come for vengeance, for the retribution of God will He come, 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 wilderness, and rivers in the plain of the desert (Isa. 35:4-6).
These things are said of the Lord’s coming, that then those will be saved who believe in Him. That those who are in no understanding of truth will then understand, is signified by “the eyes of the blind shall be opened;” and that those who are in no perception and will of good shall then obey and live in good, is signified by “the ears of the deaf shall be opened;” therefore it is said “waters shall break out in the wilderness, and rivers in the plain of the desert;” “wilderness” signifying where there is no good because there is no truth, “waters” truths, and “rivers” intelligence derived from truths.
sRef Isa@42 @7 S8′ sRef Isa@42 @8 S8′ sRef Isa@42 @6 S8′ [8] In the same:
I will give thee for a covenant to the people, for a light of the nations, to open the blind eyes, to lead forth him that is bound out of prison. I am Jehovah; that is My name; and My glory will I not give to another (Isa. 42:6-8).
These things also are said of the Lord, and of the establishment of a church by Him among the Gentiles. That those who before have been in ignorance are then to understand truths is signified by “the blind eyes which He will open;” and that they are to be led out of ignorance and falsities is signified by “He will bring him that is bound out of prison.” That the Divine Itself would assume a 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] In the same:
I will cause the blind to go in a way that they have not known; I will lead them into paths that they have not known; I will make their darkness light (Isa. 42:16).
Here also “the blind” are those who are in no understanding of truth; the truths and goods of truth that they are to receive are signified by “they will be caused to go a way and into paths that they have not known;” the dispersion of the falsity of ignorance and illustration 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] In the same:
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 end of the earth; everyone that is called by My name. I have created him; I have formed him; yea, I have made him. Bring forth the blind people that have eyes, and the deaf that have ears (Isa. 43:5-8).
These things also are said of the establishment by the Lord of a church among the Gentiles; “to bring seed from the east, the west, the north, and the south,” means all of whatsoever religion; for “east” and “west” signify where the good of love is clear and obscure; and “north” and “south” where the truth of faith is in obscurity and where it is in clearness. Here those who are in obscurity from ignorance are meant, for it is said, “Bring My sons from far, and My daughters from the end of the earth;” those who receive truths are called “sons” and those who receive goods are called “daughters;” “from far,” and “from the end 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, have formed, and have made everyone called by My name.” These are here 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] In the same:
Hoping* for light, but we behold darkness; in thick darkness we walk, we grope for the wall like the blind, and we grope as they that have no eyes, we stumble in the noonday as in twilight, among the living we are as dead (Isa. 59:9, 10).
Here likewise “the blind” stand for those who are in no understanding of truth; “darkness” and “thick darkness” mean falsities; “to stumble in the noonday as in twilight” is to go astray in falsities, although able to be in light from the Word. sRef Isa@56 @11 S12′ sRef Isa@56 @10 S12′ [12] In the same:
His watchmen are all blind; and they are shepherds who know not to understand (Isa. 56:10, 11).
Here again “the blind” stand for those who do not understand truths, although they have the Word; “the blind” evidently signify such, 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:
I bring them from the land of the north, among them the blind and the lame; with weeping they shall come, and with prayers I will bring them; I will lead them to the fountains of waters in the way of straightness (Jer. 31:8, 9).
“The land of the north” is where the falsity of ignorance prevails; those who are in it are called “blind;” that these are to be led to truths is meant by “I will lead them to fountains of waters in the way of straightness.”
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, which hath devoured the foundation’s thereof, because of the sins of her prophets, the iniquities of her priests; they have wandered as blind men in the streets, they were polluted with blood, the things that they cannot, they touch with their garments (Lam. 4:11, 13, 14).
“Zion” is the church; the “fire that will devour her foundations” is the love of self which will disperse all the knowledges of truth; the sins of the prophets,” and “the iniquities of the priests,” are the perversions of those who teach what is true and good; that they will on this account understand nothing of truth is signified by their “wandering as blind men in the streets.” The “blood with which they were polluted” is the falsification of the truth and the adulteration of the good in the Word; the profanation of good and of truth therefrom by evils and falsities is meant by “the things that 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 (Zech. 12:4).
“Horse” signifies the intellectual, and “horseman” one that is intelligent. This makes clear what is signified by “smiting every horse with astonishment,” and “every horse of the peoples with blindness,” and “the horseman with madness.” (That “horse” signifies the intellectual, see in The small work on 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 eyes of] the blind (Ps. 146:7-8).
Those are called “bound” who are in falsities and long to be loosed from them; “the blind” are those who on this account are not in the understanding of truth; “to open their eyes” is to make them understand.
sRef John@12 @40 S17′ [17] In John:
Isaiah said, He hath blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, that they may not see with their eyes and understand with the heart (John 12:39-40).
“To blind the eyes that they may not see with their eyes” signifies evidently not to understand truths.
sRef John@9 @40 S18′ sRef John@9 @41 S18′ sRef John@9 @39 S18′ [18] In the same:
Jesus said, For judgment came I unto this world, that they who see not may see, and that they who see may become blind. They said, Are we blind then? Jesus said, If ye were blind ye would not have sin; but now ye say, We see, therefore your sin remaineth (John 9:39-41).
“They who see not” mean those who are outside of the church and do not know truths because they have not the Word, thus the Gentiles; but “they who see” mean those who are within the church and have the Word, thus the Jews; of these it is said that “they shall become blind;” but of the former, that “they shall see.” It is said that “their sin remaineth” because they say that they are not blind but see, for the reason that they are in the church where the Word is, and yet are not willing to see and acknowledge truths, nor, consequently, the Lord. On this account the Scribes and Pharisees among the Jews were called by the Lord:
Blind guides of the blind (Matt. 15:14; Luke 6:39).
Also blind guides, fools, and foolish (Matt. 23:16-17, 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 seeth a man blind from birth. He said to the disciples, while I am in the world I am the light of the world. When He had thus spoken, He spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, and said, Go and wash thee in the pool of Siloam. He went away therefore and washed himself, and came seeing (John 9:1, 5-7).
Why the Lord did this no one understands unless he knows the internal or spiritual sense of the Word; in that sense, by “a man blind from birth” those are meant who are born outside of the church and who therefore could not know anything about the Lord, or be taught out of the Word. “The clay that the Lord made from spittle on the ground” signifies reformation by means of truths from the sense of the letter of the Word; “the ground” is the church where the Word is; “clay” is the ultimate Divine forming; “anointing the eyes of the blind with it” is to give thereby the understanding of truth; “the pool of Siloam” also signifies the Word in the letter; “to be washed there” is to be purified from falsities and evils. That this is what is meant by it has been hitherto concealed. (That “ground” signifies the church, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 566, 10570; that “clay” signifies good from which is truth, thus good forming, n. 1300, 6669; that “the pool of Siloam” signifies the Word in the sense of the letter, is evident in Isaiah 8:6; and that “the pools” that were in Jerusalem in general signify this, Isaiah 22:9, 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 to Him a blind man and beseech Him to touch him. And He took hold of the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and spitting on his eyes, He asked him if he saw aught. And looking up, he said, I see trees as men** walking. After that He put His hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up; then he was restored, and saw all clearly (Mark 8:22-27).
What these words involve cannot be known except from the internal or spiritual sense of the Word; he who does not understand this sees nothing except that these things were done, and his thought about it will perhaps be merely sensual; but all things that the Lord spoke and all things that He did in the world contained spiritual things in order from things highest to the ultimates, thus in fullness as do all miracles and the accounts of them. The “blind” whom the Lord restored to sight signified the spiritually blind, who are those that do not know and understand truths. The blind man here was “led out of the town” of Bethsaida, because “Bethsaida” signified damnation, on account of its not receiving the Lord; “spitting on his eyes” has the same signification as “making clay of the spittle,” before; that He then touched his eyes signifies that he was illustrated from the Divine; then the blind man at first “saw trees as men walking,” which signifies common and obscure perception of truth from the sense of the letter, “trees” signifying knowledges, and “to walk” signifying to live. “His seeing all clearly” after he was touched by the Lord, signifies that after instruction and illustration from the Lord he understood truths; this meaning is in these words and this meaning is perceived by the angels. (That the town “Bethsaida” signifies damnation on account of its not receiving the Lord, is clear from Matt. 11:21, and Luke 10:13; that “touch” signifies communication and transference, but here illustration, because the eyes were touched, see above, n. 79. That “trees” signify knowledges, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2722, 2972, 7692; that “to walk” signifies to live, see n. 519, 1794, 8417, 8420; and above, n. 97.)
[21] Moreover, by all “the blind” whom the Lord healed those were meant who are in ignorance, and who receive Him and are illustrated by Him through the Word; and in general all the Lord’s miracles signify such things as are of heaven and the church, thus spiritual things; from this it is that His miracles were Divine, for it is Divine to act from firsts and to present these in ultimates. From this it is clear what was signified by “the blind” whom the Lord healed (about whom see Matt. 9:27-31; 12:22; 20:29 to end; 21:14; Mark 10:46 to end; Luke 7:21-23; 18:35 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] As “the blind” signify those who are not in the knowledges of truth, and who therefore are not in any understanding of truth, therefore it was among the laws and statutes given to the sons of Israel:
That no one blind of the sons of Aaron or of the Levites should approach to offer the bread of his God, that is, to offer sacrifice (Lev. 21:18).
Also that anything blind should not be offered (Lev. 22:22; Deut. 15:21).
Likewise that a stumbling-block should not be placed before one blind (Lev. 19:14).
And that he should be cursed who made the blind to go astray from the way (Deut. 27:18).
These laws were enacted because the church instituted among the sons of Israel was a representative church, in which all things represented spiritual things because they corresponded to them. Therefore also the following curse is pronounced upon those who do not keep the commandments, in Moses:
If thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of thy God, to observe to do all His commandments. Jehovah shall smite thee with madness and blindness and astonishment of heart; that thou mayest grope at noonday, as the blind gropeth in thick darkness (Deut. 28:15, 28-29).
This also means that those shall be smitten with spiritual blindness and astonishment who do not hearken to the voice of the Lord by doing those things that He has commanded in the Word. Spiritual blindness of the eyes and spiritual astonishment of the heart mean no understanding of the truth and no will of good; “to grope at noonday” is to be such in the church, where the light of truth is given through the Word. (That “noonday” signifies where truth is in light, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 9642; and in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 148, 149, 151.)
* For “hoping” the Hebrew has “we hope.”
** For “trees as men” the Greek has “men as trees.”

sRef Rev@3 @17 S0′ 240. But that “naked” signifies those who are without the understanding of truth because without the will of good, is evident from the passages in the Word where “naked” and “nakedness” occur, which will be cited below. This is what “naked” and “nakedness” signify, because “garments” signify truths that are of the understanding, and he that is without truths is also without good, for all spiritual good is procured by means of truths; without truths, or except by means of truths, there is no spiritual good; spiritual good is charity. “Naked” and “nakedness” signify lacking in, or the lack of, intelligence and love, thus of the understanding and will of good; also for the reason that garments cover the body and flesh, and “body” and “flesh” signify good, therefore “garments” signify the things that cover good.
[2] There is the understanding of truth, and the understanding of good; the understanding of truth is the understanding of such things as are of faith, and the understanding of good is the understanding of such things as are of love and charity. There is also the will of truth and the will of good; the will of truth is with those who are of the Lord’s spiritual kingdom; but the will of good with those who are of His celestial kingdom. The latter, because they are in love to the Lord, and from this in mutual love, which is to them charity towards the neighbor, have truths inscribed on their hearts, and thence do them; and what proceeds out of the heart is out of the will of good, “heart” meaning the will of good. But those who are in love towards the neighbor, which love is charity, have truths inscribed not on their hearts but on the memory, and therefore on the intellectual mind, and what proceeds therefrom out of the affection is the will of truth. Thus it is that spiritual angels are distinguished from celestial angels. The latter appear naked in heaven, but the former clothed. Celestial angels appear naked because they have no need of the memory to retain truths, nor of understanding therefrom to comprehend them, because they have them inscribed on the heart, that is, on the love and will, and thence see them. But spiritual angels appear clothed because they have truths inscribed on the memory and thence on the understanding, and truths of the memory and of the understanding therefrom correspond to garments; they therefore all appear clothed according to their intelligence. (That angels are thus clothed, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 177-182.) From this it can be seen what “naked” signifies in both senses, namely, in the one sense it signifies those who are in celestial good, but in the other those who are not in good because not in truths.
sRef Isa@20 @3 S3′ sRef Isa@20 @2 S3′ sRef Isa@20 @4 S3′ [3] But these things can be better seen from the passages in the word where “naked” and “nakedness” occur, which now follow. 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 gone naked and barefoot, so shall the king of Assyria lead the captivity of Egypt, and the crowd of Cush that is to be carried away, lads and old men, naked and barefoot, and with buttocks bare, the nakedness of Egypt (Isa. 20:2-4).
What of the church and of heaven lies hidden in these words no one can see unless he knows their spiritual sense; for in every particular of the Word there is something of the church and of heaven, because the Word is spiritual; this shall therefore be explained. By “prophet” the doctrine of the church is here meant; “putting off the sackcloth from his loins,” or presenting the loins naked, means to disclose filthy loves; the customary “sackcloth” of the prophet here means the breeches that cover, and “the loin” signify such loves; “putting off the shoe from upon his foot,” or unshoeing the soles of the foot, signifies to disclose the filthy things of nature; that “the king of Assyria shall lead the captivity of Egypt, and the crowd of Cush that is to be carried away,” means that the perverted rational will confirm evils and falsities by means of knowledges [scientifica] and by means of fallacies; “lads and old men” means by means of all things both general and particular; “naked and barefoot” means that they are deprived of all truth and all good; “buttocks bare” means the evils of self-love; “the nakedness of Egypt” means falsities therefrom. From this it is clear what things of the church and of heaven are here treated of, namely, that the perverted rational, which is the rational that denies God and attributes all things to nature, confirms itself by means of knowledges [scientifica] and fallacies, until it is destitute of all the understanding of truth and the will of good.
(That “prophet” in the Word means doctrine, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2534, 7269; that the “loins” signify loves in both senses, n. 3021, 4280, 5059; that “feet” signify the natural things with man, and “the soles of the feet” the things that are in ultimates, n. 2162, 3147, 3761, 3986, 4280, 4938-4952; that “shoes” signify these same things in respect to their covering, n. 1748, 2162, 4835, 6844; that “the king of Assyria” signifies the rational in both senses, n. 119, 1186; that “Egypt” signifies the faculty of knowing [scientificum] of the natural man, in both senses, good and bad, n. 1164, 1165, 1186, 1462, 5700, 5702, 6015, 6651, 6679, 6683, 6692, 7296, 9340, 9391. That “Cush” signifies the fallacies of the senses, n. 1163, 1164, 1166.)
sRef Ezek@16 @6 S4′ [4] In Ezekiel:
When I passed by thee, and saw thee, I covered thy nakedness, and I washed thee, and I clothed thee. But thou didst trust in thy beauty and play the harlot, and thou hast not remembered the things* of thy youth, when thou wast naked and bare; thou hast committed whoredom with the sons of Egypt, and with the sons of Asshur. And thou hast multiplied thy whoredom even unto Chaldea. Moreover, thy nakedness was revealed through thy whoredoms. Therefore they shall stone thee with stones, and shall cut thee in pieces with swords; and shall burn up thine houses with fire (Ezek 16:6 seq.).
Jerusalem is here treated of, by which the church in respect to doctrine is meant, and these and many other expressions in the same chapter describe what the church was in its beginning, and what it became when it turned away from good and from truth. What the church was when it was established by the Lord, thus what it was in the beginning, is described by these words, “When I passed by thee, and saw thee, I covered thy nakedness, I washed thee and clothed thee.” “To cover the 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 what the church became when it turned away from good and truth is described by what follows; “thou didst trust in thy beauty” signifies intelligence from one’s own [ex proprio], and that this gave delight; “committing whoredom” signifies that thus it was imbued with falsities; “committing whoredom with the sons of Egypt, and with the sons of Asshur,” signifies falsifications confirmed by knowledges [scientifica] and by things rational therefrom; “multiplying whoredom even unto Chaldea” signifies even to the profanation of truth. This shows what is signified by “Moreover thy nakedness was revealed through thy whoredoms,” namely, that the church through falsities and falsifications was deprived of all the understanding of truth. “They shall stone thee with stones” signifies that the church will die through falsities; “they shall cut thee in pieces with swords” signifies that the church will utterly die through the falsifications of truth; and “they shall burn up thy houses with fire” signifies that it will wholly perish through infernal loves, “houses” meaning all things with man, and “fire” meaning infernal love. From this it is clear what is contained in these words relating to heaven and the church, and that this can be seen only from the spiritual sense. (That “to wash” signifies to purify from evils and falsities, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3147, 10237, 10240, 10243; that “to clothe” signifies to instruct in truths, n. 1073, 2576, 5248, 5319, 5954, 9212, 9216, 9952, 10536; that “beauty” signifies intelligence, n. 3080, 4985, 5199, here intelligence from one’s own [ex proprio]. That “to commit whoredom” means to become imbued with falsities, see above, n. 141; that “Egypt” means the faculty of knowing [scientificum]; and “Asshur” the rational, see just above. That “Chaldea” is the profanation of truth, Arcana Coelestia, n. 1182, 1283, 1295, 1304, 1306-1308, 1321, 1322, 1326; that “to stone with stones” signifies to die through falsities, n. 5156, 7456, 8575, 8799; that “sword” signifies falsity combating against truth and destroying it, n. 2799, 4499, 7102; therefore “to cut in pieces with swords” means to die utterly through falsifications of truth. That “fire” signifies infernal love, n. 1861, 5071, 6314, 6832, 7575, 10747; and that “house” signifies the whole man, and the things which are with him, thus that are of his understanding and will, n. 710, 2231, 2233, 2559, 3128, 3538, 4973, 5023, 6690, 7353, 7848, 7910, 7929, 9150. From this it is clear what is signified by “they shall burn up thy houses with fire.”)
sRef Hos@2 @4 S5′ sRef Hos@2 @3 S5′ sRef Hos@2 @2 S5′ [5] In Hosea:
Strive with your mother, that she may put away her whoredoms and her adulteries; lest I strip her naked, and make her as the wilderness, as a land of dryness, and let her die with thirst; and on her sons I will not have compassion, because they are the sons of whoredoms (Hosea 2:2-4).
Here also the church fallen into falsities and evils is treated of; “the mother with whom they should strive” signifies the church; “whoredoms” and “adulteries” signify falsities and evils therefrom; “to make her as the wilderness, and as a land of dryness,” signifies to be without good and truth; “to let her die with thirst” signifies a total lack of truth; “her sons whom I will not have compassion on” signify all the falsities thereof in general, and they are therefore called “sons of whoredoms.” (That “mother” signifies the church, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 289, 2691, 2717, 3703, 4257, 5581, 8897; that “wilderness” signifies where there is no good, because no truth, n. 2708, 4736, 7055; “a land of dryness” signifies where there is no truth, because “water” signifies the truth of faith, n. 2702, 3058, 5668, 8568, 10238; that “to cause to die with thirst” signifies to perish from the lack of truth, n. 8568 at the end. That “sons” signify the affections of truth and truths in general, n. 2362, 3963, 6729, 6775, 6779, 9055; thus, in the opposite sense, the affections of falsity and falsities in general. From this it can be seen what is signified by “stripping her naked,” namely, that the church will be without good and truth.)
sRef Ezek@23 @8 S6′ sRef Ezek@23 @4 S6′ sRef Lam@1 @8 S6′ sRef Ezek@23 @10 S6′ sRef Ezek@23 @28 S6′ sRef Ezek@23 @9 S6′ sRef Ezek@23 @29 S6′ [6] In Lamentations:
Jerusalem hath sinned a sin; therefore all that honored her hold her vile, because they have seen her nakedness (Lam. 1:8).
In Ezekiel:
Oholah, which is Samaria, committed whoredom with the Egyptians and with the sons of Asshur; these uncovered her nakedness, they took her sons and daughters, and her they finally slew with the sword; therefore will I give thee into the hand of those whom thou hatest, that they may deal with thee in hatred, and take away all thy labor, and leave thee naked and bare, that the nakedness of thy whoredoms may be uncovered (Ezek. 23:4, 8-10, 18, 28-29).
In this chapter Samaria, which is called “Oholah,” and Jerusalem, which is called “Oholibah,” are treated of, and by both the church is signified. “Samaria,” where the sons of Israel were, signifies the church in which there are not truths but falsities, and “Jerusalem” the church where there are not goods but evils. What is signified by “committing whoredom with the Egyptians, and with the sons of Asshur,” and by “slaying her daughters and sons with the sword,” was explained above. From this it is clear that “leaving her naked and bare” signifies without truth and good.
sRef Isa@3 @17 S7′ [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 (Isa. 3:17).
“The daughters of Zion” signify the celestial church and the things of that church, but here that church perverted. “The crown of their head which shall be made bald” signifies intelligence of which the church shall be deprived; and “the buttocks which shall be made naked” signify the love of evil and falsity.
sRef Nahum@3 @5 S8′ sRef Nahum@3 @1 S8′ sRef Nahum@3 @4 S8′ [8] In Nahum:
Woe to the city of bloods; it is all full of lies and rapine, because of the multitude of her whoredoms. I will uncover thy skirts upon thy faces; and will show the nations thy nakedness, and the kingdoms thy disgrace (Nahum 3:1, 4-5).
“The city of bloods” signifies the doctrine of falsity which offers violence to the good of charity.
sRef Gen@9 @22 S9′ sRef Gen@9 @21 S9′ sRef Hab@2 @15 S9′ sRef Hab@2 @16 S9′ sRef Gen@9 @23 S9′ [9] In Habakkuk:
Woe unto him that maketh his companion drink, also making him drunken; that thou mayest look on their nakednesses; drink thou also, that thy foreskin may be uncovered (Hab. 2:15-16).
“To make a companion drink, and drunken,” signifies to so imbue one with falsities that he does not see the truth; “to look on nakednesses” means so that falsities which are of the understanding and evils which are of the will are seen; “that the foreskin may be uncovered” means so that filthy loves are seen. (That “to drink” is to be instructed in truths, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3069, 3772, 4017, 4018, 8562, 9412; in the contrary sense, therefore, it means to be imbued with falsities. That “to be made drunken” means to become insane from falsities, thus not to see truths, n. 1072; that “the foreskin” signifies corporeal and earthly loves, n. 4462, 7045.) From this it can be seen what is signified by:
Noah’s drinking wine and becoming drunken, so that he lay naked in the midst of his tent, and that Ham laughed at the nakedness of his father; but Shem and Japheth covered his nakedness, and turned away their faces that they might not see the nakedness of their father (Gen. 9:21-23).
(But these things may be seen explained in the Arcana Coelestia, where they are treated of.)
sRef Isa@47 @2 S10′ sRef Isa@47 @3 S10′ sRef Isa@47 @1 S10′ sRef Lam@4 @21 S10′ [10] In Lamentations:
O daughter of Edom, the cup shall pass over unto thee also; thou shalt be drunken, and shall be made naked (Lam. 4:21).
Here, “being drunken and made naked” signify the like as above. (But who those are who are meant by “Edom,” see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3322, 8314.) In Isaiah:
Daughter of Babylon and of Chaldea, sit upon the earth. Take the millstone, and grind meal; uncover thy locks, uncover the thigh, pass through the rivers. Thy nakedness shall be uncovered, yea, thy reproach shall be seen (Isa. 47:1-3).
By “the daughter of Babylon and of Chaldea” those are meant who profane the goods and truths of the church. “To grind meal” means to falsify truths; “to uncover the locks and the thigh” means to be deprived of the intelligence of truth and of the will of good; the like is meant by “passing through the rivers,” and “uncovering nakedness.”
sRef Rev@16 @15 S11′ sRef Ex@28 @43 S11′ sRef Ex@28 @42 S11′ sRef Ex@20 @26 S11′ [11] Because “nakedness” signified the deprivation of the understanding of truth and of the will of good, it was commanded:
That Aaron and his sons should not ascend by steps upon the altar, that their nakedness be not discovered thereon (Exod. 20:26);
Also that they should make them linen breeches to cover the flesh of their nakedness, and that these should be upon them when they went in unto the tent of meeting, and when they came near to the altar, and that otherwise they should bear iniquity and die (Exod. 28:42-43).
From this it is clear what is signified by the words in the following verse of this chapter: “I counsel thee to buy of Me white garments, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness be not manifest.” Also in the following passages of this book, of Revelation:
Blessed is he that is wakeful and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and his shame be seen (Rev. 16:15).
sRef Isa@58 @6 S12′ sRef Matt@25 @38 S12′ sRef Isa@58 @7 S12′ sRef Ezek@18 @7 S12′ sRef Matt@25 @36 S12′ [12] Moreover, “the naked” in the Word mean those also who are not in truths and thence not in good, being ignorant of truths and yet longing for them. This is the case with those within the church when those who teach are in falsities, and with those outside of the church who do not have the Word and consequently do not know truths and thence know nothing about the Lord. Such are meant in the following passages. In Isaiah:
Is not this the fast that I choose, To break bread to the hungry, and when thou seest the naked that thou cover him? (Isa. 58:6-7).
In Ezekiel:
He giveth his bread to the hungry, and covereth the naked with a garment (Ezek. 18:7);
and in Matthew:
I was naked, and ye clothed Me not (Matt. 25:43).
“To cover with a garment,” and “to clothe,” signify to instruct in truths. (That “garments” are truths, see above, n. 195. That “naked” signifies also the good of innocence, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 165, 8375, 9960; and in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 179, 180, 280.)
* For “things” the Hebrew has “days.”

sRef Rev@3 @18 S0′ 241. Verse 18. I counsel thee, signifies the means of reformation of those who are in the doctrine of faith alone. This is evident from what now follows, for the reformation of those who are in that doctrine is now treated of; therefore “I counsel thee” implies precepts as to how such must live that they may be reformed and thus saved.

sRef Rev@3 @18 S0′ 242. To buy of Me gold tried by fire, that thou mayest be enriched, signifies that they should acquire for themselves from the Lord genuine good, that they may be able to receive the truths of faith. This is evident from the signification of “buying,” as being to acquire and appropriate to oneself (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 4397, 5374, 5397, 5406, 5410, 5426); also from the signification of “gold tried by fire,” as being genuine good, thus good from the Lord (of which presently); also from the signification of “that thou mayest be enriched,” as being to be enabled to receive the truths of faith. This is the signification of being “enriched,” because “riches” and “wealth” signify the knowledges of truth and good, and “the rich” are those who are in intelligence by means of knowledges, here, those who are in faith by means of them, since those who are in the doctrine of faith alone are here treated of. From this it is clear that “to buy of Me gold tried by fire, that thou mayest be enriched,” signifies that they must acquire for themselves genuine good from the Lord so that they may receive the truths of faith.
[2] It shall first be told how this is to be understood. It has often been said before, that there is no truth which is truth in itself unless it be from good, thus no faith that is faith in itself unless it be from charity: for there is no truth that is truth in itself unless there is spiritual life within it, and spiritual life is within it when it is formed out of the good of charity; for truth is the form of good, and good is the esse of truth, thus also its life; and good is from no other source than from the Lord. When there is good from the Lord, the truth that is from the good looks primarily to the Lord and also to the neighbor and his good, for the Lord flows in with good and by it forms truth, which is the truth of faith, and causes man’s spiritual sight to look to him and to the neighbor. (That this is so, may be seen in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 145, 251, namely, that the Lord looks at angels and men in the forehead, and these look to the Lord through the eyes; for the reason that the forehead corresponds to the good of love, and the eyes to the understanding illustrated thereby, consequently to the truths of faith. 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 thereby have good, and through good, illustration in respect to truths.) From this it can be seen what the genuine good is that is signified by “gold tried by fire,” namely, that it is good from the Lord alone.
[3] As what is written to the angel of this church treats of those who live according to the doctrine of faith alone, and as those who had confirmed themselves in that doctrine, and were on that account called learned in the world, were able to join falsities with truths and make the doctrine appear as if it were true, therefore, it was granted me to talk with some of them in the other life; and as the things that were then said on either side may serve for illustration I will present them. These learned ones, from their belief while in the world, supposed that there might be faith without charity, and that man may be justified by that alone. Their talk was very ingenious; they said that there is faith without charity, because it is prior to charity, and because by it man is in good. “Who,” they said, “is not able to believe that there is a God, that the Word is Divine, and other like truths, which unless believed could not be received and thought of by man?”
From this they concluded that as faith precedes, or is prior to, charity, there can be faith without charity; and if there can be, that it must be saving, since man cannot do good from himself; unless, therefore, that faith were saving all would perish: moreover, without faith there could be no presence of God with man; and without the presence of God evil would reign, and no one would have any good. This, they said, is what is meant by justification by faith alone. But it was shown them that there could not be faith unless there was at the same time charity; and that what they called faith was nothing but the knowledges that are first with every man; for example, that there is a God, that the Word is Divine, and the like, and that these knowledges are not in the man before they are in his will, but are in the entrance to him, which is his memory; but so far as they are in his will so far they are in the man himself, for the will is the man himself; and so far as they are in the will so far they are in his sight, which is faith. The knowledges themselves that precede, and that appear to the natural sight as if believed, do not until then come to be of faith; consequently this seeing the knowledges, that is thought to be of faith, recedes step by step from man as he begins from willing evil to think evil, and also recedes from him after death when man becomes a spirit, if the knowledges have not been rooted in his life, that is, in his will or love.
[4] This may be illustrated by a comparison with the stomachs of birds and beasts of the earth that are called ruminating stomachs. Into these they first collect their food, and afterwards by degrees take it out and eat it, and thus nourish the blood; food thus becomes a part of their life. With man the memory corresponds to these stomachs; and man is endowed with memory instead of these because he is spiritual; into this he first gathers spiritual foods, which are knowledges, and afterwards he takes them out by a sort of ruminating, that is, by thinking and willing, and appropriates them, and thus makes them a part of his life.
From this comparison, although trifling, it can be seen that knowledges, unless implanted in the life by thinking and willing them and then doing them, are like food that remains unconsumed in ruminating stomachs, where it either becomes putrid or is vomited out. Moreover, the circle of man’s life is to know,* to understand, to will, and to do; for man’s spiritual life begins with knowing, passes next to understanding, then to willing, and finally to doing. From this it is clear that so long as knowledges are in the memory they are merely in the entrance to the life, and that they are not fully in man until they are in acts, and the more fully they are in acts the more fully they are in the understanding and will.
[5] It was further shown that the faith of knowledges before it becomes the faith of life is historical faith, the nature of which is well known, namely, that it is believed because another has said it; until this has been made man’s own it is an alien thing, or something with ourself belonging to someone else. Historical faith, moreover, is like a belief in things unknown, for it is said that things must be believed though not understood, yea, that they must not be searched into by the understanding; and yet spiritual faith is such that in it truths themselves are seen and are consequently believed. In heaven no one believes any truth unless he sees it or has seen it; for they say, “Who can believe that a thing is so unless he sees it? It may possibly be false.” And only the evil can believe what is false; for the evil from evil see falsities, but the good from good see truths; and as good is from the Lord, so also seeing truth from good is from the Lord. Angels see truths because the light of heaven, in which they are, is Divine truth proceeding from the Lord; all, therefore, even those in the world, who are in that light are able to see truth. (Of the light of heaven, and that it is such, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 126-140.)
[6] It was then shown that charity and faith act as one and enter together into man, thus that man is so far in faith as he is in charity, since faith as to its essence is charity, just as truth as to its essence is good; for good, when it exists in shape or in form is truth; in like manner charity is faith, for good is of charity and truth is of faith; moreover, the one loves the other and conjoins itself to the other, therefore one is not given unless the other be with it. This was illustrated by man’s thought, which is of his understanding, and his affection, which is of his will; to think apart from affection is impossible, for the very essence of thought is affection or love. Man is able, to be sure, to think all things that he knows from the doctrine of the church, but only from a natural affection, which is the affection or love of glory, fame, honor or gain; but such an affection does not make thought to be spiritual; this requires charity, which is spiritual affection itself. When this is conjoined with knowledges there is faith, and then so far as man is in that affection he sees in thought the things that are of his faith, which are called truths, and acknowledges them, because they are from his very spirit, thus from his very spiritual life. This also is what is called illustration; and this is why no one can be illustrated from the Word unless he is in the spiritual affection of truth. Something like illustration there is, indeed, with those who have confirmed themselves in such things as are of the doctrine of faith alone and justification by faith; but that illustration is a fatuous illustration, since falsities as well as truths can be confirmed, like all those heresies that prevail both among the Jews and among Papists. With those who are called naturalists, and who deny God, the Divinity of the Word, and all other things belonging to the church, there is a similar light after confirmations; like that with those who have confirmed themselves in faith alone and justification by faith. (That the light of confirmation is natural, not spiritual, and exists also with the evil, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 8780.)
[7] But let us return to the faith that in its essence is charity. That faith is continually perfected by such things as confirm; for from spiritual light more truths are constantly being seen, and all these join themselves to the good of charity, and perfect it. From this man has intelligence and wisdom, which at length become angelic. Moreover, those who are merely in the knowledges of faith, and not in a life according to them, believe that man can easily receive faith, if not in the world yet in another life, saying within themselves, “When I hear and see that a thing is so can I not believe it?” But they are greatly mistaken; for those who have not received spiritual faith in the world can never afterwards receive it, even if they were to hear of it and see it a thousand times; and for the reason that such a faith is not in man, but outside of him. That this is so can be clearly seen from this, that all who come from the world are first received by angels and good spirits, and instructed in every way, yea, many things are shown them to the life and before their very eyes, and yet they do not receive; thus they alienate themselves from angels and good spirits, and join those who are in no faith.
[8] Again, it was also told them, that if faith could be received by merely knowing and thinking it would be received by all,** the evil and the good alike, and thus no one would be damned. That charity, which is spiritual affection, can never be given to anyone unless he knows truths, examines himself by means of them, accepts them, and leads a new life in accordance with them, may be seen above (n. 239). From this it follows that charity is the life of faith, and that there is nothing of life in faith except in the measure of the charity that is in it; and also that in the measure that charity is in faith man is led by the Lord, but in the measure that charity is not in faith man is led by himself; and he who is led by himself and not by the Lord is unable to think of good, still less to will and do good which is good in itself; for from what is man’s own [ex proprio] nothing proceeds except evil; for when a man thinks of good, and wills and does good and*** what is his own [ex propio], it is only for his own sake and for the sake of the world, which are the ends of what he does, and the ends are the loves that lead him; and man cannot be withdrawn from his selfhood [a suo proprio] or elevated unless he looks to the Lord in regard to the things that are of life; by this looking he is conjoined with heaven, and from heaven a spiritual affection is given him by the Lord. When this had been said, it was granted to those with whom I was talking on this subject to be in spiritual light, which light is such that in it truths can be seen 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 by faith could not but affirm that this was true; but as soon as that light was taken away from them, and they were let back into their own light, which was natural, they were unable to see otherwise than that the sight of knowledges is saving faith, and therefore that the falsities that they had made part of their faith were truths. Falsities come to be of the faith when evils are of the life.
sRef Mal@3 @1 S9′ sRef Mal@3 @2 S9′ sRef Mal@3 @3 S9′ [9] But to return to the explanation of the words of this passage, “I counsel thee to buy of Me gold tried by fire, that thou mayest be enriched,” which signifies that they should acquire for themselves from the Lord genuine good, that they may be able to receive truths. It now remains to be shown that “gold” in the Word signifies the good of love. This can be seen from the following passages. In Malachi:
Behold, I send My angel [messenger] who shall prepare the way before Me; and the Lord whom ye seek shall suddenly come to His temple, even the angel [messenger] of the covenant whom ye desire; He shall sit refining and purifying silver, and shall purify the sons of Levi, and shall purge them as gold and silver, that they may bring to Jehovah an offering in righteousness (Mal. 3:1-3).
These things are said of the Lord’s coming. It is said that Jehovah is to send a messenger [an angel] who will prepare the way before Him; and the messenger [angel] meant is John the Baptist, as is known. “Before Me,” or before Jehovah, means before the Lord’s Divine Itself; “the temple to which He is to come” means His Divine Human; this is also called “the messenger [angel] of the covenant,” because through it there is a conjunction of men and angels with the Divine Itself, for covenant means conjunction. “The silver that He shall sit refining and purifying” means truth from good; “the sons of Levi” mean all those who are in the good of charity and in the truths of faith therefrom; it is therefore said, “He shall purge them as gold and silver.” This is said because “gold” signifies good, and “silver” the truth therefrom. “Bringing to Jehovah an offering in righteousness” means worship of the Lord from the good of charity. (That “temple” signifies the Lord’s Divine Human, see above, n. 220; that “covenant” signifies conjunction, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 665, 666, 1023, 1038, 1864, 1996, 2003, 2021, 6804, 8767, 8778, 9396, 10632; that “silver” signifies truth from good, n. 1551, 1552, 2954, 5658; that “an offering” signifies the good of love and charity, n. 4581, 9992-9994, 10079, 10137; that “righteousness” is predicated of good, n. 2235, 9857.) Therefore “to bring an offering in righteousness” signifies worship from the good of love.
sRef Zech@13 @9 S10′ sRef Zech@13 @8 S10′ sRef Num@31 @22 S10′ sRef Num@31 @23 S10′ [10] In Zechariah:
Two parts in all the land shall be cut off, shall expire, but the third shall be left therein. Yet I will lead the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and I will try them as gold is tried. (Zech. 13:8-9).
“All the land” does not mean all the land, but the whole church; nor does “the third part” mean a third part, but some in the church. “To lead it through the fire, and refine as silver is refined, and to try as gold is tried,” signifies to so purify them from falsities and evils that good and truth may be implanted. (That “earth” [land] in the Word signifies the church, see 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.) In these passages there are comparisons of “silver” and “gold” with truth and good; but in the Word all things that serve as comparisons also correspond, and thence signify (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3579, 8989). Because “gold tried by fire” signifies the good of love purified from evils, it was commanded:
That the gold and silver taken from the Midianites should be passed through the fire, and thus be purified (Num. 31:22-23).
[11] That “gold” signifies the good of love and of charity is shown further in the following passages. In Hosea:
Israel hath forsaken good; the enemy pursueth him; they have made their silver and their gold into idols for themselves (Hosea 8:3-4).
“Making their silver and their gold into idols for themselves” signifies that they have turned truth and good into falsities and evils, as is evident from its being said, “Israel hath forsaken good, and the enemy pursueth him;” “the enemy” is falsity from evil, and evil from falsity.
sRef Joel@3 @4 S12′ sRef Joel@3 @6 S12′ sRef Joel@3 @5 S12′ [12] In Joel:
What are ye to Me, O Tyre and Zidon? My silver and My gold ye have 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 (Joel 3:4-6).
“Tyre and Zidon” mean those within the church who are in the knowledges of truth and good; here those who have perverted these, and applied them to falsities and to the evils of falsities; this is signified by “Ye have taken My silver and My gold, and the desirable things of My goods have ye brought into your temples;” “silver” signifying truth, “gold” good, and “the desirable things of goods” signifying derived truths and goods, which are knowledges from the sense of the letter of the Word; “to bring them into their temples” signifies to turn them into profane worship; that “they sold the sons of Judah and the sons of Jerusalem to the sons of the Grecians” means that they changed all the truths of good into the falsities of evil; “removing them far from their borders” means far from truths themselves. (That “Tyre and Zidon” mean those within the church who are in the knowledges of truth and good, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 1201; that “sons of Judah and sons of Jerusalem” mean all truths of good, because “sons” signify truths, n. 1729, 1733, 2159, 2623, 2803, 2813, 3373, 3704, 7499, 8897, 9807; “Judah” the celestial church, n. 3654, 6364; “Jerusalem” the church where there is genuine doctrine, n. 3654, 9166; that “sons of the Grecians” mean falsities, because “Grecians” signify the nations that are in falsities, see above, n. 50.)
sRef Ezek@28 @13 S13′ sRef Ezek@27 @22 S13′ sRef Ezek@28 @4 S13′ [13] In Ezekiel:
The traders of Sheba and Raamah, by the chief of all spices, and by every precious stone and gold, they gave for thy tradings (27:22).
In the same:
In thy wisdom and thine intelligence thou hadst made to thyself wealth, and hast gotten gold and silver in thy treasures. Thou wast in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, and gold (Ezek. 28:4, 13).
In these two passages also Tyre is treated of, and by it, as was said above, those within the church who are in the knowledges of truth and good are meant. (By “her tradings” those knowledges themselves are meant. “Sheba and Raamah” also mean those who are in these knowledges, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 1171, 3240; “spices” signify truths which are pleasing because from good, see n. 4748, 5621, 9474, 9475, 10199, 10254; “precious stones” signify truths, which are beautiful because from good, n. 9863, 9865, 9868, 9873, 9905; “the garden of Eden” signifies intelligence and wisdom therefrom, n. 100, 108, 1588, 2702, 3220.) Now because these things signify the knowledges of truth and of good, and “gold and silver” the goods and truths themselves, and because through these all intelligence and wisdom are acquired, it is said, “In thine intelligence and thy wisdom thou hast gotten gold and silver in thy treasures.”
sRef Lam@4 @1 S14′ sRef Lam@4 @2 S14′ [14] In Lamentations:
How is the gold become dim! How is the most pure gold changed! The stones of holiness are poured out at the head of every street. The sons of Zion are esteemed equal to pure gold; how are they reputed as earthen bottles, the work of the hands of the potter! (Lam. 4:1-2).
Here the vastation of the church is treated of; “the gold that is become dim, and the most pure gold that is changed,” signify the goods of the church; “the stones of holiness that are poured out at the head of every street,” signify the truths therefrom that are falsified; “the sons of Zion, who were esteemed equal to pure gold,” signify the truths of the former church; “earthen bottles, the work of the hands of the potter,” signify evils of life from falsities of doctrine, which are from self-intelligence.
sRef Ezek@16 @11 S15′ sRef Ezek@16 @17 S15′ sRef Ezek@16 @13 S15′ [15] In Ezekiel:
I decked thee with ornaments, and I gave bracelets upon thy hands, and a chain on thy neck. Thus wast thou decked with gold and silver; and thy garments of fine linen and silk and broidered work. Thou didst also take the vessels of thine adorning of My gold and My silver, which I had given thee, and madest for thee images with which thou couldst commit whoredom (Ezek. 16:11, 13, 17-18).
Here Jerusalem is treated of, which signifies the church in respect to doctrine (as above). “The ornaments with which she was decked” signify in general all truths from good and intelligence therefrom (Arcana Coelestia, n. 10536, 10540); “bracelets upon the hands” signify in particular, truths from good (Arcana Coelestia, n. 3103, 3105); “the chain upon the neck” signifies the conjunction of interior truths and goods with exterior, or things spiritual with things natural (Arcana Coelestia, n. 5320); “fine linen” signifies genuine truth, and “silk” the same, resplendent from interior good (Arcana Coelestia, n. 5319, 9469); “broidered work” signifies knowledge [scientificum] pertaining to the natural man (n. 9688); “the images with which she committed whoredom” are the fallacies of the senses, that appear as truths to those who are in falsities; “to commit whoredom with them” is to establish falsities by fallacies (that “to commit whoredom” signifies to imbue with falsities, see above, n. 141). From this it is clear that the contents of this chapter describe the church as it was when first established by the Lord, and as it afterwards became.
sRef Isa@13 @18 S16′ sRef Isa@13 @17 S16′ [16] In Isaiah:
Behold, I stir up against them the Medes, who shall not value silver, and shall not delight in gold; their bows shall dash to pieces the young men, their eye shall not spare the sons (Isa. 13:17-18).
The “Medes” mean those who are against the truths and goods of the church; it is therefore said of them, “they shall not value silver nor delight in gold;” “silver” is the truth of the church, and “gold” its good. Their “bows” signify the doctrinals of falsity fighting against truths and goods (Arcana Coelestia, n. 2686, 2709); “the young men whom they shall dash to pieces” signify those who are intelligent from truths (n. 7668); “the sons whom they shall not spare” signify the truths themselves.
sRef Isa@60 @6 S17′ sRef Matt@2 @11 S17′ sRef Isa@60 @9 S17′ [17] In the same:
The troop of camels shall cover thee; they all shall come from Sheba; they shall bring gold and frankincense; and they shall proclaim the praises of Jehovah. The isles hope in Me, and the ships of Tarshish, to bring thy sons from far, their silver and their gold with them (Isa. 60:6, 9).
Here the coming of the Lord is treated of, and “the troop of camels” means all who are in the knowledges of truth and good (Arcana Coelestia, n. 3048, 3071, 3143, 3145); “Sheba, from which they shall come,” means where those knowledges themselves are (n. 1171, 3240); “the gold and frankincense which they shall bring” mean goods and truths from good, which are therefore pleasing, “gold” is goods, and “frankincense” truths (n. 9993, 10177, 10296); “the isles which shall hope” mean the nations that are in Divine worship, but more remote from the truths of the church (n. 1158); “the ships of Tarshish” mean the general knowledges of truth and good, which contain many knowledges in particular (n. 1977, 6385); “the sons whom they shall bring from far” mean truths more remote, “sons” meaning truths (as above), and “from far” those more remote (n. 1613, 9487); “their silver and gold with them” signify the knowledges of truth and good with them.
Like things are signified by:
The wise men who came from the East to the place where Christ was born, offering gifts, gold, frankincense, and myrrh (Matt. 2:11).
They offered these because these signified goods and truths, interior and exterior, which are gifts pleasing to God.
sRef Ps@72 @11 S18′ sRef Ps@72 @15 S18′ sRef Ps@72 @13 S18′ [18] In David:
All kings shall bow themselves before Him; and all nations shall serve Him. He shall save the souls of the needy. And they shall live, and He shall give them of the gold of Sheba (Ps. 72:11, 13, 15).
Here also the coming of the Lord is treated of; by “kings that shall bow themselves before Him,” and “nations that shall serve Him,” all who are in truths from good are meant (that “kings” signify those who are in truths, see above, n. 31; and that “nations” signify those who are in good, see also above, n. 175); “the needy whom He shall save” mean those who are not in the knowledges of good and truth but yet long for them (see also above, n. 238); “the gold of Sheba, of which He shall give them,” means the good of love into which the Lord shall lead them by means of knowledges (what “Sheba” signifies see just above).
sRef Hag@2 @8 S19′ sRef Hag@2 @9 S19′ sRef Hag@2 @7 S19′ [19] In Haggai:
I will stir 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. The glory of this latter house shall be greater than that of the former (Hag. 2:7-9).
This also treats of the coming of the Lord; by “nations” those who are in good and in truths therefrom are meant; by “house” the church (Arcana Coelestia, n. 3720); “the glory with which it shall be filled” means Divine truth (n. 4809, 5922, 8267, 8427, 9429). “The silver is Mine, and the gold,” means that truth and good are from the Lord alone.
sRef Zech@14 @14 S20′ sRef Ex@3 @22 S20′ [20] In Zechariah:
The wealth of all nations round about shall be gathered together, gold, silver, and garments in great abundance (Zech. 14:14).
“The wealth of all nations” means knowledges, wheresoever they are, even with the evil; “gold, silver, and garments, in great abundance,” mean goods and truths, spiritual and natural. The like was signified by:
The gold, silver, and garments that the sons of Israel borrowed from the Egyptians, when they went away from them (Exod. 3:22; 11:2, 3; 12:35-36).
Why this was done, and what it involves, may be seen in The Arcana Coelestia (n. 6914, 6917), namely, to represent that the things the evil have shall be taken away from them and given to the good (according to the Lord’s words in Matthew 25:28, 29; and in Luke 19:24, 26); and that they should make to themselves friends by the unrighteous mammon (according to the words of the Lord in Luke 16:9). “The unrighteous mammon” means the knowledges of truth and good with those who do not possess them justly, who are those that do not apply them to life.
sRef Ps@45 @9 S21′ sRef Ps@45 @13 S21′ [21] In David:
Kings’ daughters are among thy precious ones; at Thy right hand stood the queen in the best gold of Ophir. The king’s daughter is all glorious within; her vesture is inwrought with gold (Ps. 45:9, 13).
This treats of the Lord; and “a king’s daughter” means the church that is in the affection of truth, which is described by “kings’ daughters are among His precious ones,” which means the affections of truths themselves; “at His right hand doth stand the queen in the best gold of Ophir” means the Lord’s celestial kingdom, which is in the good of love; “her vesture is inwrought with gold” means that its truths are from good.
sRef Ex@25 @35 S22′ sRef Ex@25 @36 S22′ sRef Ex@25 @32 S22′ sRef Ex@25 @34 S22′ sRef Ex@25 @31 S22′ sRef Ex@25 @38 S22′ sRef Ex@25 @33 S22′ sRef Matt@10 @9 S22′ sRef Ex@25 @23 S22′ sRef Ex@25 @24 S22′ sRef Ex@25 @37 S22′ sRef Ex@25 @38 S22′ [22] In Matthew:
Jesus said to His disciples whom He sent forth to preach the gospel, that they should possess no gold, nor silver, nor brass in their purses (Matt. 10:9);
by this was represented that they should have nothing of good and truth from themselves, but only from the Lord, and that all things would be given them freely. Because “gold” signified the good of love:
The table on which the shewbread was placed was overlaid with gold (Exod. 25:23-24);
Likewise the altar of incense, which was thence called the golden altar (Exod. 30:3);
For the same reason the lampstand was made of pure gold (Exod. 25:31, 38);
Also the cherubim (Exod. 25:18);
And for the same reason the ark was overlaid within and without with gold (Exod. 25:11);
Likewise many things in the temple at Jerusalem.
For the tabernacle, in which were the ark, the cherubim, the table on which was the shewbread, the altar of incense, and the lampstand, represented heaven, and so did the temple; therefore the gold therein signified the good of love, and the silver truth from good.
sRef Dan@5 @2 S23′ [23] As what is most holy in heaven was represented by the gold in the temple:
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, silver, brass, iron, wood, and stone, there appeared written on the wall: Numbered, weighed, divided; and in that night he was slain (Dan. 5:2 seq.);
for thereby was signified the profanation of good.
sRef Deut@7 @26 S24′ sRef Deut@7 @25 S24′ [24] Moreover “gold” in the Word in a contrary sense signifies the evil of self-love, and “silver” the falsity therefrom. As in Moses:
The silver and gold of the nations they shall not covet, for they are abominations, nor bring them into their houses, but they shall be accursed, because they are to be abhorred and abominated (Deut. 7:25-26).
But this signification of “gold” and “silver” shall be spoken of further on.
* For “is to know” the Latin has “and to know.”
** For “received by all” the Latin has “received that by all.”
*** For “and what is his own” the context requires “from what is his own.”

sRef Rev@3 @18 S0′ 243. And white garments, that thou mayest be clothed, signifies genuine truths and intelligence therefrom. This is evident from the signification of “white garments,” as being genuine truths, for garments signify truths (see above, n. 195), and “white” signifies what is genuine, and is predicated of truths (see above, n. 196); also from the signification of “to clothe,” as being to acquire intelligence for oneself therefrom, for by means of genuine truths all intelligence is acquired; for the human understanding is formed to receive truths, therefore it becomes such as the truths are out of which it is formed. It is supposed that understanding is also the ability to reason from thought and to speak from falsities, and to confirm falsities by many arguments; but this is not understanding, it is only a faculty granted to man with the memory to which it is adjoined, and of which it is an activity. Yet by means of this faculty the understanding is born and formed, so far as man receives truths from affection; but genuine truths it is not possible for any man to receive from affection except only from the Lord, since they are from Him; consequently, to receive understanding, or to become intelligent, is not given to any man, except only from the Lord, but it is given to everyone who applies himself to receive (according to what was said above, n. 239). This, therefore, is signified by “I counsel thee to buy of Me white garments, that thou mayest be clothed.”

sRef Rev@3 @18 S0′ 244. That the shame of thy nakedness do not appear, signifies that filthy loves may not appear. This is evident from the signification of “nakedness,” as being the deprivation of truth and good from the understanding, because of the deprivation of them from the will, or the deprivation of the truth which is of faith, because there is no good which is of love (see above, n. 240). And because this deprivation is signified by “nakedness,” “the shame of nakedness” signifies filthy loves, for these appear when they are not removed by the love of good and by the faith of truth therefrom. For man is born into two loves, which are the love of self and the love of the world, therefore by heredity he derives the inclination to love self and the world above all things; these loves are filthy loves, because out of them all evils flow, namely, contempt of others in comparison with oneself, enmity against those who do not favor oneself, hatred, revenge, craftiness, and deceits of every kind. These loves with their evils cannot be removed except by the two loves, which are the love to the Lord and the love towards the neighbor; from these man inclines to love the Lord above all things, and the neighbor as himself. These two loves are pure loves, since they are out of heaven from the Lord. Moreover, from these all goods flow; so far, therefore, as man is in these, so far the filthy loves into which he is born are removed, even until they do not appear; and they are removed by the Lord by means of truths. From this it can be seen that “I counsel thee to buy of Me white garments, that thou mayest be clothed, that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear,” signifies that they should acquire for themselves genuine truths, and from these intelligence from the Lord, that filthy loves may not appear.

sRef Rev@3 @18 S0′ 245. And anoint thine eyes with eye-salve, that thou mayest see, signifies that the understanding may be somewhat opened. This is evident from the signification of “eyes,” as being the understanding (see above, n. 152); therefore “to anoint the eyes that thou mayest see” signifies that the understanding may be opened. It is said “to anoint with eye-salve,” because “eye-salve” means an ointment made out of flour mixed with oil, and “flour” signifies the truth of faith, and “oil” the good of love. (That “flour” signifies the truth of faith, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2177, 9995; and that “oil” signifies the good of love, n. 3728, 4582, 4638.) This is so said because the understanding sees nothing of truth unless the will is in good, for truth in the understanding is nothing else than the form of the good that is in the will.

sRef Rev@3 @19 S0′ 246. Verse 19. As many as I love I reprove and chasten, signifies temptations then. This is evident from the signification of “reproving and chastening,” as being to let into temptations, when it is said of those who are acquiring for themselves good, and by means of it are receiving truths, of whom the preceding verse treats. It is said “as many as I love,” which means all those in the doctrine of faith alone who are in good or in charity, and in truths, that is, in faith, therefrom. These are loved by the Lord, because the Lord is present in good, or in charity; and through good or charity is present in truths or faith, and not conversely. It is here said of those who are in the doctrine of faith alone that the Lord “reproves and chastens” them, because it was said above, “I counsel thee to buy of Me gold tried by 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,” which means that those who are in the doctrine of faith alone should acquire for themselves genuine good and genuine truths, and intelligence therefrom, that filthy loves may not appear, and that the understanding may be somewhat opened.
And when this takes place with those who have been in the doctrine of faith alone, they cannot but be let into temptations; for the principles of falsity in them respecting faith alone and justification by faith cannot be done away with except by means of temptations; and they must be wholly done away with, since they cannot be conjoined with the good of charity, with this truths only are conjoined; therefore truths must be acquired, as has been said. There is, to be sure, a conjunction of truths through their declaring that after man has received faith he is led by God, and is thus in the good of charity; and yet they make this of no account, as contributing nothing to salvation, saying, moreover, that nothing condemns one who is in that faith, neither evil of thought and will nor evil of life; as also that he is not under the law, because the Lord has fulfilled the law for him; and that nothing is regarded except faith; by these things there is disjunction. That they conjoin them, is because otherwise the doctrine would not cohere with the Word, where charity and works are so often mentioned; but this conjunction is not conjunction with those who are in a life according to the doctrine, but with those who are in a life according to the Word.
[2] It is said, “As many as I love I reprove and chasten,” but by this it is meant not that it is the Lord who reproves and chastens, but infernal spirits, who are in principles of like falsity; it is these who chastise, that is, tempt men. God tempts no one, as is well known; this, therefore, must 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 like things. From this it is clear that Divine truth in the Word is but little understood except through its spiritual sense, or through doctrine from those who have been in illustration. In respect to temptations, man comes into them when he is let into what is his own [in suum proprium], for then spirits from hell who are in the falsities of his principle and in the evils of his love join themselves to him and hold his thoughts therein; but the Lord holds his thoughts in the truths that are of faith and in the goods that are of charity, and as he then is also in constant thought about salvation and heaven, there thence arises in him interior anxiety of mind and combat, which is called temptation. But those who are not in truths and goods, thus not in any faith from charity, cannot be let into temptations, for there is nothing with them that combats with falsities and evils. From this it is that at this day there are few who are tempted, and that it is little known what spiritual temptation is. (This is more fully explained in the Arcana Coelestia: see extracts therefrom in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 196-201.)

sRef Rev@3 @19 S0′ 247. Be zealous, therefore, and repent, signifies that they must have charity. This is evident from the signification of “being zealous,” as being to act from spiritual affection, for this affection is zeal in the spiritual sense; and as charity is this affection itself, it is said, “be zealous and repent,” which signifies that they must have charity. Moreover, no one is let into spiritual temptation unless he is in spiritual affection, which is called charity; for unless he is in that, no combat arises with falsities and evils, because there is no zeal in behalf of truths and goods. Since by temptation not only are evils subdued and falsities removed, but also truths are implanted in their place, and these are so conjoined with the good of charity as to be one with it, therefore to “be zealous and repent” signifies that they must have charity.

sRef Rev@3 @20 S0′ 248. Verse 20. Behold I stand at the door and knock, signifies the perpetual presence of the Lord. This is evident from the signification of “door or entrance,” as being in the highest sense the Lord in respect to admission into heaven or into the church, and in the internal sense truth from good, which is from Him, since by this man is admitted (see above, n. 208). Since it is here said by the Lord, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock,” not only His perpetual presence is signified, but also His perpetual wish to admit, and He does admit and conjoin Himself with all who receive Him, which is effected by means of truths from good or by means of faith from charity; therefore this follows, “If anyone hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.” As the word “door” is used, so the word “knocking” is used, which signifies the Lord’s perpetual wish to conjoin Himself with man, and to communicate to him the blessednesses of heaven. That this is the meaning can be seen from this, that in the Lord is Divine love, and Divine love is wishing to give all its own to others, and wishing that they may receive Him; and as this can be effected only by man’s receiving good and truth, or love and faith, since these are the Divine things that proceed from the Lord and are received (and as these are Divine, the Lord is in them), therefore there is conjunction of the Lord with the angels and with men by means of truths from good or by means of faith from love. The desire to give these things to man and to implant them in him is signified especially by, “I stand at the door and knock.”
[2] There are two things that are in man’s freedom by reason of the perpetual presence of the Lord, and His perpetual desire to conjoin Himself with man. The first thing therefrom in man’s freedom is that he has the means and faculty to think well about the Lord and the neighbor; for everyone is able to think well or ill about the Lord and the neighbor; if he thinks well the door is opened, if ill it is shut. To think well about the Lord and the neighbor is not from man himself and from what is his own [ejus proprio], but from the Lord, who is perpetually present and by His perpetual presence gives man that means and faculty; but to think ill about the Lord and the neighbor is from man himself and from what is his own [ejus proprio]. The other thing which is in man’s freedom by reason of the perpetual presence of the Lord with him, and the Lord’s perpetual desire to conjoin Himself with man, is man’s ability to abstain from evils; and so far as he does abstain the Lord opens the door and enters; for the Lord is unable to open and enter so long as evils are in man’s thought and will, since these block the way and close it up. Moreover, it has been granted to man by the Lord to know the evils of the thought and will, as also the truths by which evils are to be dispersed; for the Word is given wherein these things are disclosed.
[3] From this it can be seen that nothing is lacking that man may be reformed if he wishes to be; for all the means of reformation have been bequeathed to man in his freedom; but it should be well known that this freedom is from the Lord, as was said above, and that the Lord effects reformation thereby, provided man, from the freedom that is given to everyone, receives. There must absolutely be reception on the part of man, which is meant by “If anyone hear My voice and open the door.” It does not matter, if man, because he does not perceive the inflowing, does not know in the beginning that this is from the Lord, provided he afterwards believes from the Word that all the good of love and the truth of faith are from the Lord, for the Lord effects these things, although man does not know it, and this by His perpetual presence, which is signified by “I stand at the door and knock.” In short, it is the Lord’s wish that man of himself should abstain from evil things and do good, if he only believes that the ability to do so is not from man, but from the Lord; for it is the Lord’s will that there be reception on man’s part, and reception is possible only as man acts as of himself, though it is from the Lord. Thus something reciprocal is given with man, and this is his new will. [4] From this it can be seen how mistaken those are who say that man is justified and saved by faith alone, because he cannot do good from himself. What else would this be than letting his hands hang down waiting for immediate influx? He who does this receives nothing at all. They also err who believe that they can make themselves receptive of influx by prayers, adorations, and the externals of worship; these things are of no effect unless man abstains from thinking and doing evils, and by truths from the Word leads himself, as of himself, to things good in respect to life; when man does this he makes himself receptive, and then his prayers, adorations, and externals of worship avail before the Lord. (On this see more in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 521-527.)

sRef Rev@3 @20 S0′ 249. If any one hear My voice, signifies if one attends to the Lord’s precepts. This is evident from the signification of “to hear,” as being to attend, that is, to observe with attention, and to hearken or obey; for the things that enter by the hearing are not only seen by the understanding, but also, if they are in accord with man’s affection, are obeyed; for interior affection joins itself to things heard, but not to things seen. There are therefore two significations of hearing and hearkening in common discourse, namely, to hear anyone or listen, and to hear anyone or hearken to him; the latter means to obey, but the former means to perceive; consequently “hear thou” means to be obedient, and “see thou” means to be intelligent. Such things in common discourse have their origin in the spiritual world, in which man is in respect to his spirit (see above, n. 14 and 108). This is evident also from the signification of “My voice,” or the Lord’s voice, as being the truths of the Word, of doctrine, and of faith therefrom, thus precepts (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 219, 220, 3563, 6971, 8813, 9926).
[2] It is said, if one attends to the Lord’s precepts; which means if one wishes to know truths, and to study 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 have confirmed themselves in falsities of doctrine attend to nothing in the Word except what favors the principles of their falsity; other things they either pass by, as if not seen, or pervert and falsify; while those who are in evils of life do not care about truths, and when they hear them do not listen to them. Thus in one way of hearing, which is seeing and perceiving truths, they receive, but not in the other way, which is hearkening to or obeying truths. But those who wish to know truths, and to study them from the Word, are such as are in the spiritual affection of truth; these love truth because it is truth; and those are in that affection who wish to live according to truths from the Word, thus according to the Lord’s commandments. Such are meant by “If anyone hear My voice and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.”

sRef Matt@7 @21 S0′ sRef Luke@8 @8 S0′ sRef Matt@7 @19 S0′ sRef Luke@8 @15 S0′ sRef Matt@7 @20 S0′ sRef Rev@3 @20 S0′ sRef Matt@7 @22 S0′ sRef Matt@7 @26 S0′ sRef Matt@7 @23 S0′ sRef Matt@7 @27 S0′ sRef Matt@7 @24 S0′ sRef Matt@7 @25 S0′ sRef Matt@13 @9 S0′ 250. And open the door, signifies reception in the heart or the life. This is evident from the signification of “opening the door,” as being to admit, for “door” signifies admission (see above, n. 208); but here “opening the door” signifies reception in the heart or the life, for it follows, “I will come in to him.” It is said, “if he open the door,” as if man opened it, when yet it is the Lord Himself who opens, as was said and shown just above (n. 248). It is so said, however, because it so appears to man, by reason of the freedom given him by the Lord. Moreover, in the sense of the letter of the Word many things are said according to appearances; but those appearances 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 as a basis for the spiritual sense; otherwise it would have no basis or foundation. That many things in the Word are said according to appearances can be seen from this, that it is said in the Word that evil is from God, that wrath, anger, and revenge pertain to God, and other like things; when yet God does evil to no one, nor does any anger or revenge pertain to Him; for He is good itself and love itself; but because such is the appearance when man does evil and is punished, it is so said in the sense of the letter; but still in the spiritual sense of the Word the meaning is different. So is it with this “if man open the door.”
[2] It shall moreover be explained what is meant by “opening the door,” when this is said to be done by man, as here. The Lord is always present with good and truth in man, and strives to open his spiritual mind; this is the door which the Lord wishes to open, and to endow man with heavenly love and faith; for He says, “I stand at the door and knock.” But of this endeavor or this perpetual desire of the Lord man has no perception; for he supposes that he does good from himself, and that this endeavor or this wish is in himself. It is sufficient then for man to acknowledge from the doctrine of the church that all good is from God, and nothing thereof from man. This is not perceived by man, in order that there may be reception by man, and by reception appropriation, for otherwise man cannot be reformed.
[3] This shows how much in error those in the doctrine of faith alone are in saying and believing that it is faith and not the good of life that saves, that is, that man is justified by faith alone, thus excluding man’s application to receive. They know that man must examine himself, must see and acknowledge his evils, not only those of his works but also those of thought and intention, and that he must afterwards abstain from them and shun them and lead a new life, which must be a life of good; and that unless he does this there is no forgiveness for him, but damnation. This the doctors and leaders of the church teach when they preach from the Word, and this they teach everyone who comes to the Holy Supper; this they then teach as if from faith; but as soon as they go back and look to their doctrine of justification by faith alone they no longer believe these things, but say that all are led from evil to good by God after they have received faith; and some of them, that they may connect their principles of falsity with truths, say that after they have been justified by faith they are led by God to examine themselves, to confess their sins before God, to abstain from them, and so on. This, however, takes place with no one who believes in justification by faith alone, but it does take place with those who live a life of charity. By that life man is conjoined with heaven, but no man is so by faith alone. He who is conjoined with heaven by a life of charity is led by the Lord to see his evils, both the evils of thought and the evils of will. Man sees evils from good, because evils are contrary to good. But he who believes in salvation by faith alone says in heart, “I have faith, since I believe the things that are said; nothing condemns me; I have been justified;” and one who so believes can in no way be led by the Lord to examine himself and to repent of evils. Thus do they teach truths before the people, who from this believe that living well and believing well are meant by being justified by faith, neither do they look any deeper into the arcana of their doctrine. These are the ones who are saved; but the former are the ones who are condemned. That they are condemned they themselves might see if they were willing, for they believe from doctrine that the goods of life, which are works, contribute nothing to salvation, but faith alone; when yet works are abstaining from evils and living a new life, without which there is condemnation.
[4] That such preachings as are not from the arcana of their doctrine, and also the prayers received in the church teach this, can be seen from what is read before all the people who come to the altar to enjoy the Sacrament of the Supper, which shall be quoted here in the vernacular in which they are written [in English], as follows:
The way and means to be received as worthy partakers of that 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 offenses to be such as are not only against God but also against your neighbors, 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 offenses 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 full of iniquities, and bring you to destruction both of body and soul.
Judge therefore yourselves, that ye be not judged of the Lord; repent ye truly for your sins past; have a lively and steadfast faith in Christ our Savior; 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 neighbors, and intend to live a new life, following the commandments of God, and walking from 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 this it can now be seen that the doctors and leaders of the church know, and yet do not know, that this way, and not the way of faith apart from this, is the way to heaven; they know when they pray and preach before the people what is here quoted; 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. But I am able to affirm that those who live according to the doctrine of faith alone and of justification by faith have no spiritual faith at all, and after the life in this world they come into damnation. But those who live according to the doctrine drawn from the above exhortations have spiritual faith, and after the life in the world come into heaven. This also perfectly agrees with the faith received throughout the Christian world, called the Athanasian Faith, in which are these words respecting 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.
sRef Rev@3 @14 S6′ sRef Rev@3 @1 S6′ sRef Rev@22 @12 S6′ sRef Rev@2 @23 S6′ sRef Rev@3 @7 S6′ sRef Jer@32 @19 S6′ sRef Rev@2 @2 S6′ sRef Rev@2 @18 S6′ sRef Luke@6 @46 S6′ sRef Rev@2 @8 S6′ sRef Rev@2 @19 S6′ sRef Rev@2 @13 S6′ sRef Zech@1 @6 S6′ sRef Rev@2 @12 S6′ sRef John@13 @17 S6′ sRef Matt@16 @27 S6′ sRef Rev@3 @15 S6′ sRef Rev@2 @9 S6′ sRef Rev@20 @13 S6′ sRef Matt@5 @19 S6′ sRef Rev@20 @12 S6′ sRef Rev@2 @1 S6′ sRef Rev@14 @13 S6′ sRef John@5 @28 S6′ sRef Hos@4 @9 S6′ sRef John@5 @29 S6′ sRef Matt@13 @23 S6′ sRef Rev@3 @8 S6′ sRef Jer@25 @14 S6′ [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 render unto everyone according to his works (Matt. 16:27).
They that have done good shall go forth unto the resurrection of life, but they that have done evil unto the resurrection of damnation (John 5:28, 29).
Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord; yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; their works do follow them (Rev. 14:13).
I will give unto each one of you according to his works (Rev. 2:23).
I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and books were opened; and the dead were judged out of the things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, and death and hell gave up the dead that were in them, and they were judged everyone according to their works (Rev. 20:12, 13).
Behold, I come quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give everyone according to his works (Rev. 22:12).
In what is written to the seven churches it is said to each, “I know thy works.” Thus:
To the angel of the Ephesian church write, These things saith He that holdeth the seven stars in His right hand, I know thy works (Rev. 2:1, 2).
To the angel of the Church of the Smyrneans write, These things saith the First and the Last, I know thy works (Rev. 2:8, 9).
To the angel of the church in Pergamum write, These things saith He that hath the sword, I know thy works (Rev. 2:12, 13).
To the angel of the church in Thyatira write, These things saith the Son of God, I know thy works and charity (Rev. 2:18, 19).
To the angel of the church of Sardis write, These things saith He that hath the seven spirits of God, I know thy works (Rev. 3:1).
To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, These things saith the Holy, the True, I know thy works (Rev. 3:7, 8).
To the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true Witness, I know thy works (Rev. 3:14, 15).
In Jeremiah:
Requite* them according to their work, and according to the doing of their hands (Jer. 25:14).
In the same:
Jehovah, whose eyes are open upon all the ways of men, to give every man according to his ways and according to the fruit of his doings (Jer. 32:19).
In Hosea:
And I will visit upon him his ways, and render his doings to him (Hos. 4:9).
In Zechariah:
Jehovah according to our ways and according to our doings doeth with us (Zech. 1:6).
So in the following passages.
In John:
If ye know these things, blessed are ye if ye have done them (John 13:17).
In Luke:
Why call ye Me lord, and do not the things that I say (Luke 6:46).
In Matthew:
Whosoever doeth and teacheth, he shall be called great in the kingdom of the heavens (Matt. 5:19).
In the same:
Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit shall be hewn down, and cast into the fire. Not everyone 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. Whosoever heareth My words and doeth them, I will liken him unto a prudent man. But whosoever heareth My words and doeth them not, I will liken him unto a foolish man (Matt. 7:19-27).
In the same:
He that was sown into the good earth, this is he that heareth the Word and understandeth, who beareth fruit and bringeth forth (Matt. 13:23).
These are they that were sown into the good earth who hear the Word and receive it, and bear fruit (Mark 4:20).
The seed that fell into the good earth are such as in a simple and good heart hear the Word, hold fast, and bring forth fruit (Luke 8:15).
When the Lord had said these things. He cried, saying, He that hath ears to hear let him hear (Matt. 13:9; Mark 4:9; Luke 8:8).
In Matthew:
Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul. This is the first and great commandment. The second is like unto this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang the Law and the Prophets (Matt. 22:37-40).
“The Law and the Prophets” means the Word in its whole complex.
sRef Matt@25 @36 S7′ sRef John@14 @21 S7′ sRef Matt@25 @37 S7′ sRef John@14 @23 S7′ sRef Matt@25 @34 S7′ sRef Matt@25 @35 S7′ sRef John@21 @22 S7′ sRef Matt@22 @40 S7′ sRef Matt@22 @39 S7′ sRef Matt@22 @38 S7′ sRef Matt@25 @38 S7′ sRef Matt@26 @74 S7′ sRef Matt@25 @39 S7′ sRef Matt@25 @43 S7′ sRef Mark@4 @20 S7′ sRef Matt@26 @71 S7′ sRef Matt@26 @70 S7′ sRef John@14 @24 S7′ sRef Matt@26 @72 S7′ sRef Matt@26 @69 S7′ sRef Matt@25 @31 S7′ sRef Matt@25 @32 S7′ sRef Matt@25 @33 S7′ sRef Matt@26 @34 S7′ sRef John@21 @20 S7′ sRef Matt@26 @73 S7′ sRef John@21 @21 S7′ sRef Matt@25 @46 S7′ sRef Matt@26 @75 S7′ sRef Matt@25 @44 S7′ sRef Matt@25 @42 S7′ sRef Matt@25 @45 S7′ sRef Matt@22 @37 S7′ sRef Matt@25 @40 S7′ sRef Matt@25 @41 S7′ [7] That to love the Lord God is to obey 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 unto him and make our abode with him. But he that loveth Me not keepeth not My words (John 14:21, 23-24).
Also in Matthew:
The Lord said to the goats who were on His left hand that they should go away into everlasting fire; and to the sheep who were on His right hand that they should go into eternal life (Matt. 25:31-46).
That “goats” are those who do not do the good things of charity, and “sheep” those who do, is clear from the words there; they both said that they did not know that doing good to the neighbor is doing it to the Lord; but they are taught at the day of judgment, if not before, that to do good is to love the Lord. “The five foolish virgins who had no oil in their lamps” also mean those who are in faith, and not in the good of charity; and “the five prudent virgins who had oil in their lamps” mean those who are in the good of charity also; for “lamp” signifies faith, and “oil” the good of charity:
It is said of them that the prudent virgins were admitted; but the others who said, Lord, Lord, open to us, received the answer, Verily, I say unto you, I know you not (Matt. 25:1-12).
That in the last time of the church there would be no faith in the Lord because no charity, was signified by:
Peter’s denying the Lord thrice before the cock crew (Matt. 26:34, 69-74).
The like is signified by:
The Lord’s saying to Peter, when Peter saw John following the Lord, What is that to thee, Peter? Follow thou Me, John; for Peter had said of John, What of this man? (John 21:21-22).
For “Peter” in a representative sense signifies faith, and “John” the good of charity; and because John signified the good of charity, therefore he reclined on the Lord’s breast (John 21:20).
sRef John@19 @27 S8′ sRef John@19 @26 S8′ [8] That this good is what makes the church is signified by the Lord’s words from the cross to John:
Jesus saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by; and He said unto His mother, Woman, behold thy son! And He said to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto himself (John 19:26-27).
“Mother” and “Woman” here mean the church; and “John” the good of charity, and thus these words signify that the church will be where there is the good of charity. (But these things may be seen more fully explained in the passages quoted in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 122; moreover, that there is no faith where there is no charity, see in The small work on 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, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 470-484; also what charity is, and what faith is in its essence, see The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 84-122.)
[9] From what has now been presented let it be considered whether having faith is anything else than living it; and whether living it is not merely knowing and thinking, but also willing and doing; for faith is not in man when it is only in his knowing and thinking, but when it is also in his willing and doing. Faith in man is the faith of the life, but faith not yet in man is the faith of the memory and of thought therefrom. The faith of the life means believing in God; but believing those things that are from God, and not believing in God, is historical faith, which is not saving. Who that is a true priest and good pastor does not wish that men should live aright; and who does not know that the faith of knowledges, based on what another has said, is not the faith of the life, but historical faith?
[10] Faith of the life is the faith of charity, for charity is life. But even though this be so, still I foresee that those who have confirmed themselves in the doctrine of faith alone and of justification by faith will not recede from it, because they connect falsities with truths; for they teach truths when they teach from the Word, but falsities when they teach from doctrine; and they therefore confound these 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 that faith alone saves. Thus they both join and separate the two; and when they join the two they teach truths, but only before the people, who do not know that they are inverting things, and that they say these things of necessity, in order that their doctrine may cohere with the Word; but when they separate the two they teach falsities, for they say that faith saves, and not the goods of charity which are works, not knowing then that charity and faith act as one, and that charity is acting well and faith is believing well, and that believing well apart from acting well is impossible; thus that there can be no faith apart from charity; as also that charity is the esse of faith and its soul; consequently faith alone is faith without a soul, thus a dead faith; and as such faith is not faith, so justification by such faith is a thing of naught.
* For “requite” the Hebrew has “I will requite.”

sRef Rev@3 @20 S0′ 251. I will come in to him, signifies conjunction. This is evident from the signification of “coming in,” as being, in reference to the Lord, to be conjoined with Him (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3914, 3918, 6782, 6783). The Lord is conjoined with those who receive Him in heart and life, because the Lord enters or flows in into life; He enters or flows in only with those who are in a life of spiritual love, or in a life of charity; for charity is spiritual love. When that love makes a man’s life, the Lord enters or flows in through it into the truths of faith, and causes man to see, or to know them; from this man has the spiritual affection of truth. It is a great mistake to suppose that the Lord enters or flows in into faith alone or into faith separate from charity with man; in such a faith there is no life, for it is like the breathing of the lungs without the inflow from the heart, which breathing would be only a lifeless movement, for the breathing of the lungs is made alive by the inflow from the heart, as is well known.
This makes clear by what way the Divine proceeding from the Lord is admitted, namely, by the way of the heart, that is, of the love; whether you say the heart or the love, it is the same as the life of the spirit therefrom. Love makes man’s life, as anyone may know and see if he is only willing to give thought to it; for what is a man without love? Is he not a stock? Therefore, as the love is so is the man. Love is willing and doing, for what man loves he wills and does. An idea of the good of charity and of the truth of faith may be formed from the sun’s light and heat. When the light that proceeds from the sun is conjoined with heat, as in spring and summer time, then all things of the earth bud and blossom; but when there is no heat in the light, as in winter time, then all things of the earth become torpid and die. Spiritual light also is the truth of faith, and spiritual heat is the good of charity. From this an idea may be formed of the man of the church; that when faith with him is conjoined to charity he is like a garden and a paradise; but when faith in him is not conjoined to charity he is like a desert, or a land covered with snow.

sRef Rev@3 @20 S0′ sRef Rev@19 @9 S1′ sRef Rev@19 @17 S1′ 252. And will sup with him, and he with Me, signifies communicating to them the felicities of heaven. This is evident from the signification of “supping,” as being to communicate the goods of heaven. “To sup” means to communicate, because “banquets,” “feasts,” “dinners,” and “suppers” in the Word signify consociations by love, and thus a communication of love’s delights, for all delights are of love. These things derive their signification from that of bread and of wine, which signify the good of love, celestial and spiritual; and from that of 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 (see above, n. 146; and in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 210-222). Mention is made of “supping,” because weddings were celebrated at supper time, and weddings signify the conjunction of good and truth, and the consequent communication of delights. It is therefore said in Revelation:
Blessed are they which are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb (Rev. 19:9);
and afterwards:
Come and be gathered together unto the supper of the great God (Rev. 19:17).
sRef Luke@14 @21 S2′ sRef Luke@14 @16 S2′ sRef Luke@14 @19 S2′ sRef Luke@14 @22 S2′ sRef Luke@14 @18 S2′ sRef Luke@14 @23 S2′ sRef Luke@14 @17 S2′ sRef Luke@14 @24 S2′ sRef Luke@14 @20 S2′ [2] As suppers signify consociations by love, and consequent communication of delights, therefore the Lord compared the church and heaven to a “supper,” and also to a “wedding;” to a “supper” in Luke:
The master of the house made a great supper, and bade many; but all those that were called excused themselves. Therefore, being angry, he ordered his servant to bring in the poor, the maimed, the halt, and the blind; saying of those called, that none of them should taste of the supper (Luke 14:16-24).
(Nearly the same is meant by the wedding to which invitations were given in Matthew 22:1-15.) “Supper” here means heaven and the church; “those called who excused themselves” mean the Jews with whom the church then was; for the church specifically is where the Word is, and where the Lord is known through the Word. “The poor, the maimed, the halt, and the blind,” mean those who are spiritually such, and who were then outside the church. Heaven and the church are here likened to “a supper” and to “a wedding,” because heaven is the conjunction of angels with the Lord by love, and their consociation among themselves by charity, and the consequent communication of all delights and felicities; the like is true of the church, since 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 consociation by charity, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 13-19, and a consequent communication of all delights and felicities, n. 396-400.)
sRef Luke@13 @29 S3′ sRef Matt@8 @11 S3′ [3] In the Word it is said in many places that in heaven they will “eat together;” and this means in the spiritual sense that they are to enjoy blessedness and felicity; thus “eating together” has here a like significance as “supping.” Thus in Luke:
They shall come from the east and the west, and from the north and the south, and shall recline to eat in the kingdom of God (Luke 13:29).
And in Matthew:
Many shall come from the east and the west, and shall recline to eat with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of the heavens (Matt. 8:11).
Those who are to “come from the east, the west, the north and the south,” are all who are in the good of love, and in the truths of faith therefrom. (That the “four quarters” in the Word have such a signification, may be seen in the work on Heaven and Hell. n. 141-153: that “Abraham. Isaac, and Jacob,” mean the Lord in respect to the Divine Itself and the Divine Human, Arcana Coelestia, n. 1893, 4615, 6098, 6185, 6276, 6804, 6847; consequently “to recline to eat with them” means to be conjoined with the Lord, and to be consociated one to another by love, and by such conjunction and consociation to enjoy eternal blessedness and felicity, and this from the Lord alone.)
sRef Luke@12 @36 S4′ sRef Luke@12 @35 S4′ sRef Luke@12 @37 S4′ [4] In Luke:
Jesus said, Let your loins be girded about, and your lamps burning, and be ye yourselves like unto men waiting for their Lord when He shall return from the wedding, that when He cometh and knocketh they may open unto Him. 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 to eat, and drawing near, He will minister to them (Luke 12:35 seq.).
“The loins that are to be girded” mean the good of love (Arcana Coelestia, n. 3021, 4280, 9961); “the lamps that are to be burning” signify the truths of faith from the good of love (Arcana Coelestia, n. 9548, 9551, 9783); “girding Himself, making them to recline to eat, and ministering to them,” signifies to bestow upon them every good.
sRef Luke@22 @29 S5′ sRef Luke@22 @28 S5′ sRef Luke@22 @30 S5′ [5] In the same:
Ye are they which have continued with Me in My temptations; I appoint unto you, even as My Father hath appointed unto Me, a kingdom, that ye may eat and drink at My table in the kingdom (Luke 22:28-30).
“To eat and drink at the Lord’s table in the kingdom of God” is to be conjoined to the Lord by love and faith, and to enjoy heavenly blessedness.
sRef Matt@26 @29 S6′ [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 will drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom (Matt. 26:29).
These words were spoken by the Lord after He instituted the Holy Supper; and “the product of the vine” signifies Divine truth from Divine good, and blessedness and felicity therefrom.
sRef Isa@25 @6 S7′ [7] The signification of “feast” is like that of “supper,” in Isaiah:
In this mountain shall Jehovah make unto all peoples a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees (Isa. 25:6);
here the coming of the Lord is treated of, and “a feast of fat things” signifies the appropriation and communication of goods, and “a feast of wines on the lees,” or the best wine, the appropriation of truths. (That “fat things” signify the goods of love, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 353, 5943, 10033; 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.)
sRef Matt@25 @10 S8′ sRef Matt@25 @1 S8′ sRef Matt@25 @8 S8′ sRef Matt@25 @9 S8′ sRef Matt@25 @7 S8′ sRef Matt@25 @12 S8′ sRef Matt@25 @2 S8′ sRef Matt@25 @5 S8′ sRef Matt@25 @4 S8′ sRef Matt@25 @11 S8′ sRef Matt@25 @3 S8′ sRef Matt@25 @6 S8′ [8] The “wedding to which the ten virgins were invited” has a like meaning, of which in Matthew:
The kingdom of the heavens is like unto ten virgins, who took their lamps and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were prudent, and five were foolish. The foolish, when they took their lamps, took no oil with them; but the prudent took oil in their vessels with their lamps. Now while the bridegroom tarried they all slumbered and slept. But at midnight a cry arose, 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 prudent, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are going out. But the prudent answered, saying, Peradventure there will not be enough for us and you; go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the wedding, and the door was shut. Afterward came the other virgins, saying, lord, lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say to you, I know you not (Matt. 25:1-12).
This treats of conjunction with the Lord by love and faith; this the “wedding” moreover signifies; “oil” signifies the good of love, and “lamps” the truth of faith. To make clear that in every particular that the Lord spoke there is a spiritual sense, I will lay open the particulars of the spiritual sense of this parable. “The kingdom of the heavens,” to which the ten virgins are likened, means heaven and the church; “the ten virgins” signify all who are of the church (“ten” all, and “virgins” those who are in the affection of spiritual truth and good, which affection constitutes the church), therefore “Zion” and “Jerusalem,” by which the church is signified, are called in the Word “virgins,” as “the virgin Zion,” and “the virgin Jerusalem,” and in Revelation it is said that “virgins follow the Lamb.” “The lamps that they took to go forth to meet the bridegroom” signify the truths of faith; “the bridegroom” means the Lord in respect to conjunction with heaven and the church by love and faith; for “a wedding” is treated of, which signifies that conjunction. “The five prudent virgins” and “the five foolish” signify those of the church who are in faith from love, and those who are in faith apart from love (the same as “the prudent and foolish” in Matthew 7:24, 26). “Midnight, when the cry arose,” signifies the Last Judgment, and in general the end of man’s life, when he will be adjudged either to heaven or to hell; “the foolish virgins then saying to the prudent, Give us of your oil, and the prudent answering that they should go to them who sell,” signifies the state of all after death-that those who have not the good of love in faith, or the truth of faith from the good of love, then wish to acquire it for themselves, but in vain, since such as man’s life has been in the world such he remains. From this it is clear what is signified by “the prudent virgins” going in to the marriage, and that the foolish who said, “Lord, Lord, open to us,” received for answer, “Verily I say unto you, I know you not.” “I know you not” signifies that the Lord was not conjoined to them, since spiritual love conjoins, and not faith without love; for the Lord has His abode with those who are in love, and in faith therefrom, and these He knows because He Himself is there.

sRef Rev@3 @21 S0′ 253. Verse 21. He that overcometh, I will give to him to sit with Me in My throne, signifies that he who is steadfast to the end of life shall be conjoined with heaven where the Lord is. This is evident from the signification of “overcoming,” as being to be steadfast in the spiritual affection of truth even to the end of life (see above, n. 128); but here it means to be steadfast in a state of faith from charity, since charity is here treated of. This is what “overcoming” means; because so long as man lives in the world he is in combat against the evils and the falsities therefrom that are with him; and he who is in combat, and is steadfast in the faith of charity even to the end of life, overcomes; and he who overcomes in the world overcomes to eternity, since man after death is such as his life had been in the world. This is evident also from the signification of “to sit with Me in My throne,” as being to be conjoined with heaven where the Lord is; for “throne” signifies heaven, and to “sit with Me” signifies to be together with the Lord, thus conjoined to Him.
sRef Isa@6 @1 S2′ sRef Ps@103 @19 S2′ sRef Matt@23 @22 S2′ sRef Isa@66 @1 S2′ [2] In the Word the word “throne” is many times used, and in reference to the Lord it signifies in general, heaven, in particular the spiritual heaven, and in the abstract, Divine truth proceeding from the Lord, since this is what makes heaven. For this reason “throne” is also predicated of judgment, since all judgment is effected from truths. That such is the signification of “throne” in the Word can be seen from the following passages. In Isaiah:
Jehovah said, The heavens are My throne (Isa. 66:1).
In David:
Jehovah hath established His throne in the heavens (Ps. 103:19).
And in Matthew:
He that sweareth by heaven sweareth by the throne of God and by Him that sitteth thereon (Matt. 23:22).
It is clear that “throne” in these passages signifies heaven; for it is said that “the heavens are His throne,” that “He hath established His throne in the heavens,” and that “he who sweareth by heaven sweareth by the throne of God;” not because Jehovah or the Lord there sits upon a throne, but because His Divine in the heavens is called “throne:” and also appears at times as a throne to those to whom it is given 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 train filling the temple (Isa. 6:1).
“His train filling the temple” signifies that Divine truth proceeding filled the ultimate of heaven and the church, for the “Lord’s train” signifies in general Divine truth proceeding, and in particular Divine truth in the extremities of heaven and in the church (see above, n. 220).
sRef Ezek@1 @26 S3′ [3] In Ezekiel:
Above the expanse that was over the head [of the cherubim] there was as the appearance of a sapphire stone, the likeness of a throne, and upon the likeness of the throne was a likeness as the appearance of a man upon it above (Ezek. 1:26; 10:1).
The “throne” had an appearance like a sapphire stone, because “sapphire” signified Divine truth proceeding from the Lord’s Divine good, and therefore spiritual truth pellucid from celestial good (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 9407, 9873); thus “throne” here signifies the whole heaven, for heaven is heaven from Divine truth. (What “cherub” signifies, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 9277 end, 9509, 9673.)
sRef Rev@22 @1 S4′ sRef Rev@4 @9 S4′ sRef Rev@4 @10 S4′ sRef Rev@4 @4 S4′ sRef Rev@4 @2 S4′ sRef Rev@4 @5 S4′ sRef Rev@4 @3 S4′ sRef Rev@4 @6 S4′ [4] In Revelation:
Behold, a throne set in heaven, and upon the throne One sitting. A rainbow round about the throne, in aspect like an emerald. And out of the throne went forth lightnings and thunders and voices. Before the throne a glassy sea like unto crystal; and round about the throne four animals, full of eyes before and behind (Rev. 4:2-6, 9-10).
That heaven in respect to Divine truths is here described will be seen in the explanation of these words in the following chapter. There is a like meaning in the following from Revelation:
A pure river and bright as crystal went forth out of the throne of God and of the Lamb (Rev. 22:1).
“A pure river and bright as crystal” was seen “going forth out of the throne,” because a “river” as well as “crystal” signifies Divine truth.
sRef Ps@122 @5 S5′ sRef Jer@14 @21 S5′ sRef Luke@1 @32 S5′ sRef Ps@122 @3 S5′ sRef Ps@122 @4 S5′ sRef Mark@12 @2 S5′ sRef Ps@89 @29 S5′ sRef Ps@89 @3 S5′ sRef Isa@9 @6 S5′ sRef Ps@89 @14 S5′ sRef Ps@89 @4 S5′ sRef Isa@9 @7 S5′ sRef Ezek@43 @4 S5′ sRef Ezek@43 @7 S5′ sRef Matt@25 @31 S5′ sRef Jer@3 @17 S5′ [5] “The throne of David” in the Word has a like meaning; since by “David” in the prophetic Word is meant, not David, but the Lord in respect to royalty, which is Divine truth in the spiritual heaven, which is the second heaven. So in Luke:
The angel said to Mary, He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord shall give unto Him the throne of His father David (Luke 1:32).
And in Isaiah:
Unto us a child is born, unto as a Son is given, and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, God, Hero, Father of Eternity, Prince of Peace. Of the multiplication of His government and peace there shall be no end; upon the throne of David, and upon His kingdom, to establish it in judgment and in righteousness, from henceforth and even to eternity (Isa. 9:6-7).
It is clear that here is not meant David, and his throne, on which the Lord was to sit; for the Lord’s kingdom was not on earth but in heaven; by “the throne of David,” therefore, heaven in respect to Divine truth is meant (see above, n. 205). The meaning is similar in the Psalm of David, where the Lord speaks of His throne and His kingdom; as in the whole of Psalm 89, in which are also these words:
I have sworn unto David My servant: Thy seed will I establish for ever; and thy throne to generation and generation. Judgment and righteousness are the foundation of thy throne; I will establish his throne as the days of the heavens (Ps. 89:3-4, 14, 29).
That the Lord is here meant by David, see above n. 205). The like is signified by “the throne of glory” where the Lord is spoken of, 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 on the throne of His glory (Matt. 25:31).
(That “glory” signifies Divine truth in heaven, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 4809, 5922, 8267, 8427, 9429; and above, n. 33.) This shows what is signified by “the throne of glory” in Jeremiah:
Do not disgrace the throne of thy glory (Jer. 14:21; 17:12);
which signifies that Divine truth should not be disgraced. The like is signified by Jerusalem being called “the throne of Jehovah;” for “Jerusalem” signifies the church in respect to doctrine; and doctrine is Divine truth. From this it is clear how these words are to be understood in Jeremiah:
At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of Jehovah, and all the nations shall be gathered unto it (Jer. 3:17).
In David:
Jerusalem is builded; thither the tribes go up; and there are set thrones for judgment, the thrones of the house of David (Ps. 122:3-5).
In Ezekiel:
The glory of Jehovah came into the house by the way of the gate whose face was toward the east. And 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 (Ezek. 43:4, 7).
(That “Jerusalem” signifies the church in respect to doctrine, thus Divine truth in the heavens and on the earth, for this makes the church, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3654, 9166; and above, n. 223.) As all judgment is effected by truths, and judgment in the heavens by Divine truth, “throne” is also mentioned where the Lord in respect to judgment is treated of, as above (Matthew 25:31; and in David, Ps. 122:3-5). Again, in David:
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 (Ps. 9:4-5, 7).
sRef 1Sam@2 @8 S6′ sRef Ps@9 @4 S6′ sRef Ps@9 @5 S6′ sRef Rev@11 @16 S6′ sRef Matt@19 @28 S6′ sRef Ps@9 @7 S6′ sRef Rev@20 @4 S6′ [6] It is also said in many places in the Word, not only that the Lord is to sit on a throne, but that others also shall sit upon thrones, but still these “thrones” do not mean thrones, but Divine truths. Thus in the first book of Samuel:
He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth on high the needy from the dunghill, to make them sit with princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory (1 Sam. 2:8).
In Revelation:
The four and twenty elders who are before the throne of God, sitting upon their thrones (Rev. 11:16).
Again:
I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them (Rev. 20:4).
In Matthew:
Ye who have followed Me in the regeneration, when the Son of man shall sit upon the throne of His glory, ye also shall sit upon thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel (Matt. 19:28; Luke 22:30).
Here “thrones” mean Divine truths, according to which and from which all are to be judged; “twelve” and “twenty-four” signify all things and are predicated of truths; “elders,” and “disciples” also, likewise “tribes,” signify Divine truths. When this is known, what is meant by “thrones” in the above passages can be seen; as also what is meant by “throne” in these words now treated of. “He that overcometh will I give to him to sit with Me in My throne.” (That “twelve” signifies all, and that it is predicated of truths, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 577, 2089, 2129, 2130, 3272, 3858, 3913; likewise “twenty-four” because that number is the double of the number twelve, and arises from it by multiplication, n. 5921, 5335, 5708, 7973. That “the elders of Israel” signify all in the church who are in truths from good, n. 6524, 6525, 6890, 7912, 8578, 8585, 9376, 9404; likewise “the Lord’s twelve disciples,” n. 2129, 3354, 3488, 3858, 6397; likewise “the twelve tribes,” n. 3858, 3926, 4060, 6335, 7836, 7891.)
sRef 1Ki@10 @20 S7′ sRef 1Ki@10 @18 S7′ sRef 1Ki@10 @19 S7′ [7] From this it can be seen what was represented by the throne built by Solomon, thus described in the first book of Kings:
Solomon made a great ebony* throne, and overlaid it with pure gold. There were six steps to the throne; the head of the throne was round; and behind it were hands on either side 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 (1 Kings 10:18-20).
Here “ebony”* signifies Divine truth in ultimates; “the head being round,” the corresponding good; “the gold with which it was overlaid” Divine good from which is Divine truth. “The six steps” signify all things from first to last; “the two hands” all power; “lions,” the truths of the church in their power; “twelve,” all things. As “throne,” in reference to the Lord, signifies heaven in respect to all Divine truth, so in a contrary sense it signifies hell in respect to all falsity. (In this contrary sense “throne” is mentioned Rev. 2:13; Isa. 14:9, 13; 47:1; Hag. 2:22; Dan. 7:9; Luke 1:52; and elsewhere.)
* The Latin has “ebony”; the Hebrew is “ivory.”

sRef Rev@3 @21 S0′ 254. As I also have overcome, and sit with My Father in His throne, signifies comparatively as Divine good is united to Divine truth in heaven. This is evident from the signification of “overcoming,” as being in reference to the Lord Himself, to unite Divine good to Divine truth. Because this was effected through temptations and victories, it is said, “as I also have overcome.” (That the Lord united Divine good to Divine truth through temptations admitted into His Human, and then through continued victories, see The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 201, 293, 302.) “To sit with My Father in His throne” signifies Divine good united to Divine truth in heaven, because “Father,” when said by the Lord, means the Divine good that was in Him from conception, and “Son” the Divine truth, both in heaven, “throne” meaning heaven (see above). This Divine of the Lord in the heavens is called Divine truth, but it is Divine good united to Divine truth. (That this is so, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 13, 133, 139, 140.)
sRef John@17 @22 S2′ sRef John@17 @16 S2′ sRef John@20 @21 S2′ sRef John@15 @9 S2′ sRef John@17 @18 S2′ sRef John@17 @26 S2′ sRef John@17 @23 S2′ sRef John@17 @24 S2′ sRef John@15 @10 S2′ [2] There is a comparison made between the men of the church and the Lord Himself, in His saying, “He that overcometh I will give to him to sit with Me in My throne, as I also have overcome and sit with My Father in His throne,” because the Lord’s life in the world was an example according to which the men of the church are to live, as the Lord Himself teaches in John:
I have even unto you an example that ye also should do as I have done to you. If ye know these things, blessed are ye if ye do them (John 13:16, 17).
So in other places the Lord compares Himself with others; for example, in John:
Jesus said, Even as the Father hath loved Me, so have I loved you; abide ye in My love, as I have kept My Father’s commandments, and abide in His love (John 15:9, 10).
In the same:
They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. As Thou didst send Me into the world, even so sent I them into the world (John 17:16, 18).
In the same:
As the Father hath sent Me, even so send I you (John 20:21).
In the same:
The glory which Thou hast given Me I have given unto them; that they may be one even as We are one, I in them, Thou in Me. Father, those whom Thou hast given Me, I will that where I am they also may be with Me, that they may behold My glory which Thou hast given Me. I have made known unto them Thy name, and will make it known that the love wherewith Thou hast loved Me may be in them, and I in them (John 17:22-24, 26).
The Lord spoke of His conjunction with men in the same way as He spoke of His conjunction with the Father, that is, the conjunction of His Human with the Divine that was in Him, for the reason that the Lord is not conjoined with what is man’s own [proprio], but with His own that is with man. The Lord removes what is man’s own [proprium], and gives of His own, and dwells in that. That this is so is known in the church, as is clear from the customary prayer and exhortation to those who come to 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; and we are one with Christ, and Christ with us. (See also John 6:56. But these things may be better understood from what is shown in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 11, 12.) From this it follows that as the Divine of the Lord received by angels and by men makes heaven and the church with them, they are one with the Lord, as He and the Father are one.
sRef Matt@7 @11 S3′ sRef Matt@7 @21 S3′ sRef Matt@15 @13 S3′ sRef Matt@5 @44 S3′ sRef Matt@5 @45 S3′ sRef Matt@5 @48 S3′ [3] That the meaning of these words of the Lord, that “He sitteth with His Father in His throne,” may be more clearly seen, it must be known that “God’s throne” is heaven (as was shown in the preceding article), and that heaven is heaven from the Divine that proceeds from the Lord, and this Divine is called Divine truth, but is Divine good united to Divine truth (as was said above). The Lord Himself is not in heaven, but is above the heavens, and is seen by those who are in the heavens as a sun. He is seen as a sun because He is Divine love, and Divine love is seen by the angels as solar fire; this is why “sacred fire” in the Word signifies love Divine. From the Lord as a sun light and heat proceed: the light that proceeds, since it is spiritual light, is Divine truth; and the heat, since it is spiritual heat, is Divine good. This, namely, the Divine good, is what is meant by “the Father in the heavens.” (That the Lord is the Sun of Heaven, and that the light and heat therefrom are Divine truth united to Divine good, may be seen in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 116-125, 126-140; and that Heaven is Heaven from the Divine that proceeds from the Lord, n. 7-12.) From this what is meant in the Word by “the Father in the heavens” and by “Heavenly Father” can be seen. Thus in Matthew:
Do good to your enemies, that ye may be sons of your Father who is in the heavens (Matt. 5:44, 45).
In the same:
Ye shall be perfect, as your Father in the heavens is perfect (Matt 5:48).
In the same:
Ye who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children; how much more shall your Father who is in the heavens give good things to them who ask Him (Matt. 7:11).
In the same:
He that doeth the will of the Father who is in the heavens shall enter into the kingdom of the heavens (Matt. 7:21).
In the same:
Every plant which the heavenly Father hath not planted shall be rooted up (Matt. 15:13).
Also in other places (as in Matt. 5:16; 6:1, 6, 8; 12:50; 16:17; 18:14, 19, 35; Mark 11:25, 26; Luke 11:13).
sRef John@1 @2 S4′ sRef Matt@18 @10 S4′ sRef Matt@23 @9 S4′ sRef John@1 @18 S4′ [4] That “Father” means the Divine good can be seen also from this passage in Matthew:
Despise not one of these little ones; for their angels do always behold the face of My Father who is in the heavens (Matt. 18:10);
that “they behold the face of the Father who is in the heavens” signifies that they receive Divine good from the Lord; that they do not see His face is evident from the Lord’s words in John:
That no one hath ever seen the Father (John 1:18; 5:37; 6:46).
The same can be seen from this passage in Matthew:
Call no man your Father on the earth, for one is your Father who is in the heavens (Matt. 23:9).
It is plain that no one is forbidden to call his father on the earth “father,” nor is this here forbidden by the Lord; but this was said because “Father” means the Divine good, and:
No one is good except the one God (Matt. 19:17).
(The Lord spoke thus because “Father” in the Word of both Testaments means in the spiritual sense good, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3703, 5902, 6050, 7833, 7834; and also heaven and the church in respect to good, n. 2691, 2717, 3703, 5581, 8897; and “Father,” when said by the Lord, means the Divine good of His Divine love, n. 2803, 3704, 7499, 8328, 8897.)

sRef Rev@3 @22 S0′ 255. Verse 22. 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, as is evident from what was said and shown above (n. 108).

sRef Rev@3 @22 S0′ 256. It has been said above, that “the seven churches,” which are here written to, mean not seven churches, but all who are of the church, and in an abstract sense all things of the church. That this is so can be seen from this, that “seven” signifies all persons and all things, and that by names things are meant. That the things written to these seven churches mean all who are of the church, or all things of the church, can be seen also from the explanation of all the things written to them. For all things of the church have reference to these four* generals, namely, Doctrine: A life according to doctrine: Faith according to life: these three are treated of in what is written to six of the churches; Doctrine, in what is written to the churches in Ephesus and Smyrna; a life according to doctrine, in what is written to the churches in Thyatira and Sardis; and Faith according to life, in what is written to the churches in Philadelphia and Laodicea; and since doctrine cannot be implanted in the life and come to be of faith unless man combats against the evils and falsities, which he has by heredity, that combat also is treated of in what is written to the church in Pergamos; for there Temptations are treated of, and temptations are combats against evils and falsities. (That temptations are there treated of, see above, n. 130; that doctrine is treated of in what is written to the churches in Ephesus and Smyrna, see above, 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 in Philadelphia and Laodicea, n. 203 and 227.) Since what is written to this last church, that in Laodicea, treats of those who are in the doctrine of faith alone, and near the end treats also of the faith of charity, it should be added to what has been said, that love makes heaven, and because it makes heaven it also makes the church; for all the societies of heaven, and they are innumerable, as well as all within each society, are arranged according to the affections of love; so that it is affection or love according to which all things are arranged in the heavens, and not one person has his place according to faith. Spiritual affection or love is charity; it is evident, therefore, that no one can ever enter heaven if he is not in charity.
* The Latin has “four” for “three.”

sRef Lev@16 @12 S0′ sRef Ezek@39 @9 S0′ sRef Lev@16 @15 S0′ sRef Lev@16 @13 S0′ sRef Lev@16 @14 S0′ sRef Ezek@39 @11 S0′ sRef Rev@3 @22 S0′ sRef Ezek@39 @12 S0′ 257. Since in this prophetical book numbers are often mentioned, and no one can know the spiritual sense of the things contained therein unless it is known what the particular numbers signify (for all numbers in the Word, like all names, signify spiritual things), and since the number “seven” is often mentioned among others, I will here show that “seven” signifies all persons and all things, likewise fullness and totality; for that which signifies all persons and all things signifies also fullness and totality, for fullness and totality are predicated of the magnitude of a thing, and all persons and all things are predicated of multitude. That “seven” has such a signification can be seen from the following passages. In Ezekiel:
They that dwell in the cities of Israel shall set fire to and burn the arms, and the shield, and the buckler, with the bow and with the arrows, and the hand-staff, and the spear; and they shall make a fire with them seven years. And they shall bury Gog and all his multitude, and they shall cleanse the earth seven months (Ezek. 39:9, 11-12).
Here the desolation of all things in the church is treated of: “those that dwell in the cities of Israel” signify all goods of truth; “to set fire” signifies to consume by evils. “The arms, the shield, the buckler, the bow, the arrows, the hand-staff, the spear,” are all things pertaining to doctrine; “to make a fire with them seven years” means 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 earth” means to destroy all such, and completely purge the church of them.
[2] In Jeremiah:
The 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 noonday. She that hath borne seven shall languish, she shall breathe out her soul (Jer. 15:8-9).
“The widows,” that shall be multiplied, signify those who are in good and who long for truths, and in a contrary sense, as here, those who are in evil and desire falsities; “the mother of the youths” signifies the church; “the waster at noonday” signifies the vastation of that church, however much it may be in truths from the Word; “she that hath borne seven shall languish, she shall breathe out her soul,” signifies that the church, to which all truths were given because the Word was given to it, is to perish; for “she that hath borne seven” signifies to whom all truths were given. This was particularly said of the Jews.
sRef Lev@26 @28 S3′ sRef Ps@79 @12 S3′ sRef Lev@26 @18 S3′ sRef 1Sam@2 @5 S3′ sRef Lev@26 @24 S3′ sRef Lev@26 @21 S3′ [3] Likewise in the first book of Samuel:
They that were hungry have ceased; the barren hath borne seven, and she that hath many children hath failed (1 Sam. 2:5).
“They that were hungry,” who have ceased, are those who long for the truths and goods of the church; “the barren bearing seven” signifies those who are outside of the church, and are ignorant of truths, because they have not the Word, thus the Gentiles, to whom all things will be given; “she that hath many children failing” signifies those who have, from whom will be taken away. In David:
Render unto our neighbors sevenfold into their bosom (Ps. 79:12).
And in Moses:
That the Jews should be punished seven times for their sins (Lev. 26:18, 21, 24, 28);
“seven times” here signifying fully.
sRef Matt@18 @21 S4′ sRef Luke@17 @4 S4′ sRef Matt@18 @22 S4′ sRef Ps@119 @164 S4′ [4] In Luke:
If thy brother sin against thee seven times in the day, and seven times in the day turn again to thee, saying, I repent, thou shalt forgive him (Luke 17:4).
“To forgive seven times, if he should turn again seven times,” means to forgive as often as he turns, thus every time. But lest it should be understood to mean seven times, the Lord explained his meaning to Peter, who supposed seven times to be meant, in Matthew:
Peter said, Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Until seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, until seven times, but until seventy times seven (Matt. 18:21-22).
“Seventy times seven” means always, without counting.
In David:
Seven times a day do I praise thee for the judgments of righteousness (Ps. 119:164).
“Seven times a day” means always, or at all times.
sRef Ps@12 @6 S5′ [5] In the same:
The sayings of Jehovah are pure sayings, as silver refined in a crucible purified seven times (Ps. 12:6).
“Silver” signifies truth from the Divine; “purified seven times” means wholly and fully pure.
sRef Isa@30 @26 S6′ [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 (Isa. 30:26).
“The light of the sun” signifies Divine truth from Divine good; that “this light shall be sevenfold, as the light of seven days,” signifies that Divine truth in heaven shall be without any falsity, thus altogether and fully pure.
sRef Matt@12 @45 S7′ [7] In Matthew:
The unclean spirit shall take seven other spirits more evil than himself, and shall dwell there (Matt. 12:45; Luke 11. 26).
Here profanation is treated of, and “the seven unclean spirits” with which the unclean spirit would return, signify all the falsities of evil, thus a complete destruction of good and truth.
sRef Dan@4 @32 S8′ sRef Dan@4 @25 S8′ sRef Dan@4 @16 S8′ [8] The “seven times” that were to pass over the king of Babylon have a like meaning, in Daniel:
His heart shall be changed from man, and a beast’s heart shall be given unto him, while seven times shall pass over him (Dan 4:16, 25, 32).
“The king of Babylon” signifies those who profane the goods and truths of the Word; that “his heart should be changed from man, and a beast’s heart be given him,” means that nothing spiritual, which is the truly human, should remain, but instead there should be the diabolical; “the seven times which were to pass over him” signify profanation, which is the complete destruction of truth and good.
sRef Num@23 @4 S9′ sRef Rev@8 @2 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @91 S9′ sRef Num@23 @3 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @83 S9′ sRef Num@23 @5 S9′ sRef Lev@4 @17 S9′ sRef Lev@4 @16 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @13 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @11 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @12 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @17 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @18 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @16 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @14 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @15 S9′ sRef Lev@16 @18 S9′ sRef Num@23 @7 S9′ sRef Rev@5 @1 S9′ sRef Num@23 @6 S9′ sRef Rev@1 @20 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @10 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @9 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @8 S9′ sRef Ex@29 @37 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @95 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @94 S9′ sRef Matt@15 @35 S9′ sRef Lev@16 @15 S9′ sRef Lev@16 @14 S9′ sRef Lev@16 @19 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @93 S9′ sRef Rev@4 @5 S9′ sRef Matt@15 @34 S9′ sRef Rev@10 @3 S9′ sRef Ex@29 @35 S9′ sRef Num@19 @4 S9′ sRef Rev@15 @1 S9′ sRef Matt@15 @37 S9′ sRef Matt@15 @36 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @96 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @97 S9′ sRef Rev@10 @4 S9′ sRef Matt@15 @38 S9′ sRef Lev@16 @13 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @86 S9′ sRef Ezek@45 @23 S9′ sRef Ex@29 @30 S9′ sRef Rev@3 @1 S9′ sRef Num@23 @2 S9′ sRef Num@23 @1 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @85 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @84 S9′ sRef Lev@8 @33 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @89 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @90 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @92 S9′ sRef Lev@8 @34 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @87 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @88 S9′ sRef Rev@1 @4 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @47 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @69 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @48 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @45 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @70 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @46 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @49 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @50 S9′ sRef Ex@25 @37 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @51 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @44 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @75 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @39 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @74 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @76 S9′ sRef Lev@14 @8 S9′ sRef Lev@14 @7 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @73 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @42 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @43 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @71 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @72 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @40 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @41 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @60 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @65 S9′ sRef Rev@1 @11 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @58 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @59 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @61 S9′ sRef Num@23 @29 S9′ sRef Rev@1 @13 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @64 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @62 S9′ sRef Ex@25 @32 S9′ sRef Num@23 @30 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @57 S9′ sRef Rev@16 @1 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @52 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @68 S9′ sRef Lev@16 @12 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @53 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @54 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @55 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @56 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @67 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @66 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @38 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @21 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @22 S9′ sRef Lev@25 @9 S9′ sRef Lev@25 @8 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @24 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @23 S9′ sRef Lev@14 @27 S9′ sRef Num@23 @16 S9′ sRef Num@23 @15 S9′ sRef Rev@1 @16 S9′ sRef Lev@14 @51 S9′ sRef Lev@14 @38 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @19 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @20 S9′ sRef Num@23 @18 S9′ sRef Num@23 @17 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @63 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @25 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @79 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @33 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @34 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @81 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @80 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @32 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @35 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @36 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @77 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @37 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @78 S9′ sRef Rev@15 @6 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @30 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @29 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @31 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @82 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @27 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @28 S9′ sRef Rev@21 @26 S9′ [9] Because “seven” and “seven times” signified all things and fullness, the following commands were given:
Seven days the hands [of Aaron and his sons] should be filled (Exod. 29:35).
Seven days [the altar] should be sanctified (Exod. 29:37).
Seven days Aaron should be clothed with the garments when he was to be initiated (Exod. 29:30).
For seven days Aaron and his sons were not to go out of the tabernacle when they were to initiated into the priesthood (Lev. 8:33, 34).
Seven times was the altar to be sprinkled for expiation upon its horns (Lev. 16:18, 19).
Seven times was the altar to be sanctified with oil (Lev. 8:11).
Seven times was the blood to be sprinkled towards the veil (Lev. 4:16, 17).
Seven times was the blood to be sprinkled with the fingers eastward, when Aaron went towards the mercy-seat (Lev. 16:12-15).
Seven times was the water of separation to be sprinkled towards the tent (Num. 19:4).
Seven times the blood was to be sprinkled in the cleansing of leprosy (Lev. 14:7, 8, 27, 38, 51).
The lampstand was to have seven lamps (Exod. 25:32, 37; 37:18-25).
For seven days were the feasts to be kept (Exod. 34:18, Lev. 23:-9, 39-44; Deut. 16:3, 4, 8).
For the seven days of the feast there was to be a burnt-offering of seven bullocks, and seven rams daily (Ezek. 45:23).
Balaam built seven altars, and sacrificed seven oxen and seven rams (Num. 23:1-7, 15-18, 29, 30).
They numbered seven weeks of years, seven times seven years, and then they were to cause the trumpet of the jubilee to be sounded in the seventh month (Lev. 25:8, 9).
From the signification of the number “seven” it can be seen what is signified:
By the seven days of creation (Gen. 1);
Also by the fact that four thousand men were satisfied by seven loaves and that seven basketful remained (Matt. 15:34-38; Mark 8:5-9).
From this then it is evident what is signified in Revelation:
By the seven churches (Rev. 1:4, 11);
By the seven golden lampstands, in the midst of which was the Son of man (Rev. 1:13);
By the seven stars in His right hand (Rev. 1:16, 20);
By the seven spirits of God (Rev. 3:1);
By the seven lamps of fire before the throne (Re. 4:5);
By the book sealed with seven seals (Rev. 5:1);
By the seven angels to whom were given seven trumpets (Rev. 8:2);
By the seven thunders which uttered their voices (Re. 10:3, 4);
By the seven angels having the seven last plagues (Re. 16:1, 6);
And by the seven vials full of the seven last plagues (Rev. 16:1; 21:9);
and elsewhere in the Word, where “seven” is mentioned.


Revelation 4

1. After these things I saw, and, behold, a door opened in heaven; and the first voice that I heard, as of a trumpet speaking with me, said, Come up hither, and I will show thee things that 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 was One sitting.
3. And He that sat was in aspect like to a jasper stone and a sardius; and a rainbow was round about the throne, in aspect like an emerald.
4. And around the throne were four and twenty thrones, and upon the throne I saw four and twenty elders sitting, arrayed in white garments, and they had on their heads golden crowns.
5. And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunders and voices; and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which were the seven spirits of God;
6. And in sight of the throne a glassy sea like crystal. And in the midst of the throne and around 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, each by itself, had six wings around 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 the glory and the honor and the thanksgiving to Him that sitteth upon the throne, that liveth unto ages of ages,
10. The four and twenty elders fell down before Him that sitteth upon the throne, and worshiped Him that liveth unto ages of ages, and cast down their crowns before the throne, saying,
11. Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power, for Thou hast created all things, and by Thy will they are, and they were created.

258. EXPOSITION.
It was pointed out above (n. 5) that this prophetical book does not treat of the successive states of the Christian Church from its beginning to its end, as has been believed heretofore, but of the state of the church and of heaven in the last times, when there is to be a new heaven and a new earth, that is, when there is to be a new church in the heavens and on the earth, thus when there is to be a judgment. It is said a new church in the heavens, because the church is there as well as on the earth (see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 221-227). As this is the subject of this book, the first chapter treats of the Lord who is the Judge; and the second and third chapters treat of those who are of the church and of those who are not of the church, thus of those in the former heaven which was to be done away with, and of those in the new heaven which was to be formed. That the seven churches treated of in the second and third chapters mean all who are in the church, and also all things of the church, see above (n. 256, 257). This fourth chapter now treats of the arrangement of all things, especially in the heavens, before the judgment; therefore a throne was now seen in heaven, and round about four and twenty thrones upon which were four and twenty elders; so also four animals were near the throne, which were cherubim. That these things described the arrangement of all things before the judgment and for judgment will be seen by the examination of this chapter. Be it known, that before any change takes place all things must be prearranged and prepared for the coming event; for all things are foreseen by the Lord, and disposed and provided for according to what is foreseen. A “throne,” therefore, in the midst of heaven means judgment, and “He that sat upon it,” the Lord; the “four and twenty thrones upon which were four and twenty elders,” mean all truths in the complex, by which and according to which is judgment; “the four animals,” which are the cherubim, mean the Lord’s Divine Providence that the former heavens should not suffer injury through the notable change about to take place, and that all things should then be done according to order; that is, that those interiorly evil should be separated from those interiorly good, and the latter be raised up into heaven, but the former cast down into hell.

sRef Rev@4 @1 S0′ 259. Verse 1. After these things I saw, and behold a door opened in heaven; and the first voice that I heard, as of a trumpet speaking with me, said, Come up hither, and I will show thee things that must come to pass hereafter. 1. “After these things I saw,” signifies the understanding illustrated (n. 260); “and behold a door opened in heaven,” signifies the arcana of heaven revealed (n. 260); “and the first voice that I heard,” signifies revelation now of things to come (n. 261); “as of a trumpet speaking with me,” signifies clear and manifest (n. 262); “said, Come up hither” signifies elevation of mind and attention (n. 263); “and I will show thee things that must come to pass hereafter,” signifies instruction about the things that will occur in the last time of the church (n. 264).

sRef Rev@4 @1 S0′ 260. Verse 1. After these things I saw, signifies the understanding illustrated. This is evident from the signification of “to see” as being to understand. “To see” signifies to understand because the sight of the eye corresponds to the sight of the mind, which is understanding. The correspondence is from this, that as the understanding sees spiritual things, so the sight of the eye sees 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 distinctly as objects before the eye, yet with much difference; for these truths are seen intellectually, that is, they are perceived; and the nature of this sight or perception cannot be described by human words; it can be apprehended only so far as this, that it has in it consent and confirmation from the inmost that so it is. There are, indeed, confirming reasons in very great abundance, which present themselves to the intellectual sight as a one, and this one is as it were a conclusion from many particulars. These confirming reasons are in the light of heaven, which is Divine truth or Divine wisdom proceeding from the Lord, and which operate in each angel according to his state of reception. This is the spiritual sight of the understanding. Since with angels this sight operates upon the sight of the eyes, and presents the truths of the understanding in correspondent forms that appear in heaven not unlike the forms in the natural world that are called objects, so “to see,” in the sense of the letter of the Word, signifies to understand. (What the appearances in heaven are, and that they correspond to the objects of the interior sight of the angels, see in The work on Heaven and Hell, n. 170-176.)
sRef Isa@42 @18 S2′ sRef Isa@30 @10 S2′ sRef Matt@13 @14 S2′ sRef Matt@13 @13 S2′ sRef Matt@13 @15 S2′ sRef Isa@32 @3 S2′ sRef Isa@42 @20 S2′ sRef Isa@28 @7 S2′ [2] The expression “to see” and not to understand is used in the Word because the Word in its ultimates is natural, and the natural is the basis on which spiritual things have their foundation; consequently if the Word were spiritual in the letter it would have no basis, thus it would be like a house without a foundation. (On this, also see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 303-310.) That in the Word “to see” signifies to understand, is evident from the following passages.
In Isaiah:
Who said to the seers, See not; and to those that have vision, See not for us right things; speak to us smooth things, see illusions (Isa. 30:10).
In the same:
The eyes of them that see shall not be closed, and the ears of them that hear shall hearken (Isa. 32:3).
In the same:
Look, ye blind, that ye may behold, seeing great things ye do not keep them (Isa. 42:18, 20).
In the same:
The priest and the prophet err among the seeing, they stumble in judgment (Isa. 28:7).
And in other places:
Seeing they see not, and hearing they hear not (Matt. 13:13-15; Mark 4:11-12; 8:17-18; Isa. 6:9-10; Ezek. 12:2);
besides very many other instances, that do not need to be quoted, since everyone knows, also from the customary modes of speaking everywhere that “to see” signifies to understand; for it is said “I see that this is so,” or “that it is not so,” meaning “I understand.”

260 1/2. And behold a door opened in heaven, signifies the arcana of heaven revealed. This is evident from the signification of “door,” as meaning admission (of which above, n. 208), here, a looking into, which is admission of the sight; moreover, the sight is admitted into heaven where the sight of the bodily eyes is dimmed, and at the same time the sight of the spirit’s eyes is enlightened. By this sight all things seen by the prophets were seen. A “door opened in heaven” here signifies the arcana of heaven revealed, because at such a time things that are in the heavens appear; and before the prophets the things that are arcana of the church appear; here arcana respecting the things that were to take place upon the time of the Last Judgment, none of which have been revealed as yet, and which could not be revealed until the judgment was accomplished, and then only through some one in the world to whom it was granted by the Lord to see them, and to whom was revealed at the same time the spiritual sense of the Word. For all things written in this prophetic book were written respecting the Last Judgment, but by means of representatives and correspondences; for whatever is said by the Lord and is perceived by angels, in coming down is changed into representatives, and is so made to appear before the eyes of angels in the ultimate heavens and before prophetic men when the eyes of their spirit have been opened. From this it can be seen what is meant by “a door opened in heaven.”

sRef Rev@4 @1 S0′ sRef Ps@29 @6 S1′ sRef Ps@29 @7 S1′ sRef Ps@29 @9 S1′ sRef Ps@29 @8 S1′ sRef Ps@29 @3 S1′ sRef Ps@29 @4 S1′ sRef Ps@29 @5 S1′ 261. And the first voice that I heard, signifies revelation now of things to come. This is evident from the signification of “voice,” as being whatever proceeds from the Lord and is perceived by angels and by men; here especially revelation of things to come, that were to occur before the Last Judgment, about the time of it, and after it, since these are treated of in what now follows. That “the voice of Jehovah” in the Word signifies the Divine proceeding which is Divine truth, from which is all intelligence and wisdom (see Arcana Coelestia n. 219, 220, 375, 3563, 6971, 8813, 9926); this is clear also from the following passages. In David:
The voice of Jehovah is upon the waters, the voice of Jehovah is in power; the voice of Jehovah is with honor. The voice of Jehovah breaketh the cedars. The voice of Jehovah hewing as a flame of fire. The voice of Jehovah maketh the wilderness to shiver. The voice of Jehovah maketh the hinds to travail; and in His temple everyone saith, Glory (Ps. 29:3-9).
This Psalm treats of the Divine that proceeds from the Lord, and that is called, in a word, Divine truth. Its effect both with the good and with the evil is described in this passage; from which it is evident what is meant by “the voice of Jehovah.”
sRef John@10 @26 S2′ sRef John@10 @16 S2′ sRef John@10 @3 S2′ sRef John@10 @5 S2′ sRef John@10 @4 S2′ sRef John@10 @2 S2′ sRef John@10 @27 S2′ [2] In John:
He is the Shepherd of the sheep; to Him the porter openeth, and the sheep hear His voice. A stranger they do not follow, for they know not the voice of strangers. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold; them also I must 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 (John 10:2-5, 16, 26-27).

“Sheep” in the Word mean those who are in truths from good, thus who are in faith from charity; “voice” here means not a voice but the Divine proceeding, which is Divine truth. This flows in with those who are in the good of charity, and gives them intelligence, and so far as they are in good gives them wisdom; intelligence is of truth, and wisdom is of truth from good.
sRef Jer@10 @12 S3′ sRef Joel@2 @11 S3′ sRef Jer@10 @13 S3′ sRef Ps@68 @32 S3′ sRef John@5 @25 S3′ sRef Rev@1 @15 S3′ sRef Ps@68 @33 S3′ sRef Ps@29 @3 S3′ sRef Joel@3 @16 S3′ [3] In Jeremiah:
The Maker of the earth, through His intelligence hath He stretched out the heavens, at the voice which He utters there is a multitude of waters in the heavens (Jer. 10:12-13; 51:16).
In David:
The voice of Jehovah is upon the waters. Jehovah upon great waters (Ps. 29:3).
In Revelation:
The voice of the Son of man was as the voice of many waters (Rev. 1:15).
Again:
I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters (Rev. 14:2).
“The voice of Jehovah” and “the voice from heaven” is the Divine proceeding, or Divine truth, from which is all intelligence and wisdom; it is said to have been heard “as the voice of many waters” because “waters” signify Divine truths in ultimates (that this is the signification of “waters,” see above, n. 71).
[4] In David:
Ye kingdoms of the earth, sing psalms unto the Lord. To Him, that rideth upon the heaven of the heaven of old; behold, He will give forth with His voice, a voice of strength (Ps. 68:32-33).
In John:
I say unto you, that the hour is coming when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of man,* and they that hear shall live (John 5:25).
In Joel:
Jehovah shall give forth His voice from Jerusalem, that the heavens and the earth may shake (Joel 3:16).
In the same:
Jehovah hath given forth His voice before His army; for it is numberless that doeth His word (Joel 2:11).
That Divine truth here is “the voice of Jehovah” is evident, as in many other places.
* For “Son of man” the Greek has “Son of God,” as found in Apocalypse Explained, n. 815, 899.

sRef Rev@4 @1 S0′ 262. As of a trumpet speaking with me, signifies clear and manifest. This is evident from the signification of “trumpet,” as being Divine truth manifested and revealed out of heaven (of which above, n. 55). A voice that is heard out of heaven with those who are in the spirit is heard usually as a human voice; but it was heard “as a trumpet speaking” because it was clearly and manifestly perceived by the angels, and what is clearly and manifestly perceived by them falls loudly into the hearing of the spirit; and this was done with John that his attention might be awakened, and thence his sight, lest anything should be obscure to him. This is meant by “the voice of a trumpet” in other places also (Matt. 24:31; Zech. 9:14; Ps. 47:5; Rev. 8:2, 7-8, 13; 9:1, 13-14; 10:7; 18:22; and elsewhere).

sRef Rev@4 @1 S0′ 263. Said, come up hither, signifies elevation of mind and attention. This is evident from the signification of “coming up,” when said of hearing from the Divine, as being elevation of mind (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3084, 4539, 4969, 5406, 5817, 6007). It also means attention, because when the mind is elevated, attention is awakened. For in respect to thought and will, man has interiors and exteriors: the interiors pertain to the internal man, the exteriors to the external man. The interiors, which pertain to the internal man, are in the spiritual world, consequently the things there are spiritual; but the exteriors, which pertain to the external man, are in the natural world, and the things there are natural. As the latter things are exterior and the former interior, therefore “coming up” signifies elevation towards the interiors, or elevation of mind. (But of this elevation, see what is shown in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 33, 34, 38, 92, 499, 501; and in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 36-53.)

sRef Rev@4 @1 S0′ 264. And I will show thee things that must come to pass hereafter, signifies instruction about the things that will occur in the last time of the church. This is evident from the signification of “to show,” as being to instruct vividly (of which presently); and from the signification of “things that must come to pass hereafter,” as being things that are to take place in the last time of the church. This is the signification because in what now follows the state of heaven and the church just before the Last Judgment is treated of, and afterwards the judgment itself: and because the judgment was to take place at the end of the church, therefore these things signify what was to take place at the last time of the church. (That the Last Judgment takes place at the end of the church, and that it has taken place, see in The small work on The Last Judgment, n. 33-39, 45-52.) “I will show thee” signifies vivid instruction about these things, because all the things shown contain these, for they lie hidden in the representatives described in Revelation; but they are manifest before the angels, and also before such men as know the spiritual sense of the Word.

sRef Rev@4 @4 S0′ sRef Rev@4 @5 S0′ sRef Rev@4 @2 S0′ sRef Rev@4 @3 S0′ sRef Rev@4 @6 S0′ 265. Verses 2-6. 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 to a jasper stone and a sardius; and a rainbow was round about the throne in aspect like an emerald. And around the throne were four and twenty thrones, and upon the thrones I saw four and twenty elders sitting, arrayed in white garments, and they had on their heads golden crowns. And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunders and voices; and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven spirits of God; and in sight of the throne a glassy sea like crystal. 2. “And immediately I was in the spirit,” signifies a spiritual state when there is revelation (n. 266); “and behold, a throne was set in heaven,” and upon the throne One sitting,” signifies the Lord in respect to the Last Judgment (n. 267). 3. “And He that sat was in aspect like to a jasper stone and a sardius” signifies the Lord’s appearance in respect to Divine truth pellucid by virtue of the Divine good of the Divine love (n. 268); “and a rainbow was round about the throne in aspect like an emerald,” signifies the appearance of Divine truth in the heavens about the Lord (n. 269). 4. “And around the throne were four and twenty thrones, and upon the thrones four and twenty elders sitting,” signifies all truths from good in the higher heavens, arranged by the Lord before judgment (n. 270); “arrayed in white garments,” signifies all truths from good in the lower heavens (n. 271); “and they had on their heads golden crowns,” signifies all truths arranged into order by Divine good, thus also all the former heavens (n. 272). 5. “And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunders and voices,” signifies illustration, understanding, and perception of Divine truth in the heavens (n. 273); “and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven spirits of God,” signifies Divine truth itself united to Divine good, proceeding from the Lord’s Divine love (n. 274). 6. “And in sight of the throne a glassy sea like crystal,” signifies the appearance of Divine truth in ultimates where its generals are, pellucid by virtue of the influx of Divine truth united to Divine good in firsts (n. 275).

sRef Rev@4 @2 S0′ 266. Verse 2. And immediately I was in the spirit, signifies a spiritual state when there is revelation, as is evident from what was said and shown above (n. 53), where it is similarly stated “I was in the spirit.”

sRef John@5 @27 S0′ sRef Rev@4 @2 S0′ sRef Matt@25 @31 S0′ sRef Matt@25 @32 S0′ sRef Matt@25 @33 S0′ sRef John@5 @22 S0′ 267. And behold, a throne was set in heaven, and upon the throne One sitting, signifies the Lord in respect to the Last Judgment. This is evident from the signification of “throne,” which in general means heaven, in particular the spiritual heaven, and abstractly Divine truth proceeding from the Lord; it also signifies judgment, because all are judged by Divine truth; and also all who are in heaven (of which see above, n. 253). “That the One sitting upon the throne” is the Lord is clear; and that judgment belongs to the Lord alone He teaches in Matthew:
When the Son of man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, He shall sit on the throne of His glory; and before Him shall be gathered all the nations; and He shall separate them one from another, as the shepherd separateth the sheep from the goats (Matt. 25:31-32).
And in John:
The Father judgeth no one, but hath given all judgment unto the Son; He hath given Him authority to execute judgment, because He is the Son of man (John 5:22, 23).
Because no one is judged from Divine good but from Divine truth, therefore it is said “the Father judgeth no one, but the Son, because He is the Son of man;” for “the Father” signifies Divine good, and “the Son of man” Divine truth proceeding. (That “Father” signifies Divine good, see above, n. 254; and that “the Son of man” signifies Divine truth proceeding, see n. 53, 151.) Here “throne” signifies judgment because the arrangement of all things for judgment is treated of in this chapter (see above, n. 258).

sRef Rev@4 @3 S0′ 268. Verse 3. And He that sat was in aspect like to a jasper stone and a sardius, signifies the Lord’s appearance in respect to Divine truth pellucid by virtue of the Divine good of the Divine love. This is evident from the signification of “One sitting upon the throne,” as being the Lord in respect to the Last Judgment (of which just above, n. 267); and from the signification of “in aspect like,” as being appearance; from the signification of “jasper stone,” as being the spiritual love of truth (of which in what follows); and from the signification of a “sardius stone” as being the celestial love of good; thus “a jasper stone and a sardius,” which the Lord appeared like, signify Divine truth pellucid, by virtue of the Divine good of the Divine love.
sRef Rev@21 @18 S2′ [2] That a “jasper” signifies the Divine love of truth, or Divine truth proceeding, is evident from passages in the Word where it is mentioned, as Exodus 28:20; and Ezekiel 28:13; also in Revelation:
The light [luminare] of the holy Jerusalem was like unto a stone most precious, as it were a jasper stone, shining like crystal (Rev. 21:11);
“the light of the holy Jerusalem” signifies the Divine truth of the church shining, “the light” truth itself shining, and “Jerusalem” the church in respect to doctrine; this is likened to “a jasper stone,” because “jasper” has a like signification.
Again:
The building of the wall [of the holy Jerusalem] was of jasper, and the city was pure gold, like unto pure glass (Rev. 21:18).
The “wall” of the holy Jerusalem is said to be “of jasper,” because “wall” signifies Divine truth guarding; and because 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 mentioned because that stone signifies good, here Divine good, because the Lord is described. This is the stone that is called “pyropus” [firestone], and since it shines as by fire, both names signify the translucency of truth from good. (That all precious stones signify the truths from good of heaven and of the church, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 114, 9863, 9865, 9868, 9873; for this reason twelve precious stones were set in the breastplate of Aaron, which is called the Urim and Thummim, and by them responses were given, and this by their shining forth, and at the same time by a perception as to the thing interrogated or by a living voice, n. 9905.)

sRef Rev@4 @3 S0′ 269. And a rainbow was round about the throne in aspect like an emerald, signifies the appearance of Divine truth in the heavens about the Lord. This is evident from the signification of “a rainbow in aspect like an emerald,” as denoting the appearance of Divine truth in its circumference; for “a rainbow round about the throne” signifies Divine truth round about; “in aspect like” signifies appearance. The appearance was like an emerald, because it had reference to the Last Judgment; for the color of this stone is green, and “green” signifies truth obscured. Divine truth in its brightness appears either of the color of heaven, or in various colors in beautiful order like a rainbow; but when obscured it appears of the color of an emerald. The heaven that was obscured was the heaven called “the former heaven,” on which judgment was to be executed, and which was about to perish (see Rev. 21:1). On this account “a rainbow round about like an emerald” is mentioned. “Rainbow” signifies Divine truth in the heavens in its order and consequently in its beauty, because there are infinite varieties of truth from good in the heavens, and when these are represented by colors, they present the aspect of a most beautiful rainbow. For this reason “a rainbow” was made the sign of the covenant after the flood (Gen. 9:12-17). (That there are infinite varieties in the heavens see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 56, 405, 418, 486; and in The small work on The Last Judgment, n. 13; and in Arcana Coelestia, n. 684, 690, 3744, 5598, 7236, 7833, 7836, 9002; that colors in heaven appear from the light there, and that they are modifications and variegations of the light, n. 1042, 1043, 1053, 1624, 3993, 4530, 4742, 4922; and that the colors 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 are seen in heaven, and whence and what they are, n. 1042, 1043, 1623-1625.)

sRef Rev@4 @4 S0′ 270. Verse 4. And around the throne were four and twenty thrones, and upon the thrones I saw four and twenty elders sitting, signifies all truths from good in the higher heavens, arranged by the Lord before judgment. This is evident from the signification of “throne” on which was “One sitting,” as being the Lord in respect to the Last Judgment (on which see just above, n. 267; and that “throne” signifies judgment, see n. 253). Also from the signification of “the four and twenty thrones around it, and four and twenty elders on them,” as being all the truths of heaven in the complex, arranged before judgment. “Four and twenty” signifies all, “thrones” judgment, and “elders” those who are in truths from good, and abstractly truths from good. The higher heavens are here meant, because all who are in them are in truths from the good of love, and because the lower heavens are treated of in what immediately follows. (“Twenty-four” signifies all, because that number signifies the like with the number “twelve,” and “twelve” signifies all, and is predicated of truths, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 577, 2089, 2129, 2130, 3272, 3858, 3913. The number “twenty-four” signifies the like with the number “twelve,” because it is the double thereof, and the double of a number signifies something similar as the number from which it arises by multiplication, as may be seen, n. 5291, 5335, 5708, 7973.)
sRef Matt@19 @28 S2′ sRef Rev@20 @4 S2′ [2] The like is signified by “the thrones upon which the twelve apostles were to sit,” of which 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 thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel (Matt. 19:28; Luke 22:30);
the “twelve apostles” signifying all truths in the complex. Likewise in the following words in Revelation:
I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them (Rev. 20:4).
“Judgment was given to those who sat upon thrones” signifies that judgment belongs to the Lord alone, for “elders” in the Word signify all who are in truths from good, and abstractly, truths from good by which is judgment. He who supposes that “elders” and “apostles” in the Word mean elders and apostles is much mistaken; in the spiritual sense of the Word no persons are perceived, but things abstractly from persons, for what is spiritual has nothing in common with persons. It is otherwise in the sense of the letter of the Word, which is natural; in that sense not only are persons mentioned, but the idea of person is implied in many expressions, in order that the Word in its ultimates may be natural, and thus be a basis for the spiritual sense. It is the same with the signification of “elders” as with that of “infants,” “children,” “young men,” “old men,” “virgins,” “women,” and many words of that kind; in the natural sense these are all thought of simply as persons; but in the spiritual sense “infants” mean innocence, “children” charity, “young men” intelligence, “old men” wisdom, “virgins” the affection of truth and good, and “women” the goods of the church; and so in other cases.
The same is true of the natural and spiritual senses of “neighbor;” in the natural sense “neighbor” means any man whatever; but in the spiritual sense the good, truth, sincerity, and justice itself that are in the person. Everyone who reflects can see that this is the neighbor in the spiritual sense; for who loves a person for any other reason? For good and truth make the man, and cause him to be loved, and not the countenance and body.
sRef Isa@24 @23 S3′ [3] But to return to the signification of “elders.” That “elders” signify truths from good can be seen from the passages in the Word where they are mentioned. In Isaiah:
Then the moon shall blush, and the sun be ashamed, and Jehovah of Hosts shall reign in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem; and before His elders shall be glory (Isa. 24:23).
The “moon” and “sun” mean their idolatrous worship and the falsity of faith and the evil of love; “Mount Zion” and “Jerusalem” mean heaven and the church; “the elders” mean truths from good; it is therefore said, “before them shall be glory,” for “glory” signifies Divine truth in heaven (see above n. 33).
sRef Lam@1 @18 S4′ sRef Lam@1 @19 S4′ [4] In Lamentations:
My virgins and my young men have gone into captivity. I have cried to my lovers, they have deceived me; and mine elders expired in the city (Lam. 1:18-19).
Here the vastation of the church is treated of, over which there is lamentation; there is such vastation when there is no longer any spiritual affection of truth, and thence no intelligence in such things as pertain to the church, and when there is then no truth. The “virgins,” that are gone into captivity, mean the spiritual affection of truth, “the young men” intelligence; “captivity” is removal from this affection and intelligence; the “elders,” who expired, mean the truths of the church.
sRef Ezek@9 @6 S5′ [5] In Ezekiel:
Slay to destruction the old man, the young man, and the virgin, and the infant and the women; begin from My sanctuary; therefore they began from the elders who were before the house (Ezek. 9:6).
Here too, the vastation of the church is treated of; an “old man” and “young man” mean wisdom and intelligence; “virgin” means the affection of truth and good; “infant” innocence; “women” the goods of the church; “to slay to destruction” signifies devastation; the “sanctuary,” from which they should begin, is the church in respect to the good of love and the truth of faith, which are “the elders who are before the house.”
sRef Lam@5 @14 S6′ sRef Lam@5 @12 S6′ sRef Ex@24 @11 S6′ sRef Ex@24 @10 S6′ sRef Ex@24 @9 S6′ sRef Ex@24 @12 S6′ [6] In Lamentations:
The faces of the old men were not honored. The elders have ceased from the gate, the young men from their music (Lam. 5:12, 14).
“Old men” signify the wisdom that is of good; “elders,” the truths that are from good; “young men,” intelligence. That the God of Israel was seen:
Under His feet as a work of sapphire, by Moses, Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy elders, and not by the rest (Exod. 24:1, 9-12);
signified that the Lord is seen solely by those who are in good and in truths from good (see the explanation of the passage in The Arcana Coelestia, n. 9403-9411). This is what the seventy elders of Israel represented, and what the “four and twenty elders” sitting upon as many thrones signified; this also is what the “twelve apostles” signify, of whom it is said that “they are to sit
upon thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” (That the “twelve apostles” signify all truths from good, Arcana Coelestia, n. 2129, 3354, 3488, 3858, 6397; that the “twelve tribes of Israel” have a like signification, n. 3858, 3926, 4060, 6335; likewise the “elders of Israel,” n. 6524, 6525, 6890, 7912, 8578, 8585, 9376, 9404.)

sRef Rev@4 @4 S0′ 271. Arrayed in white garments, signifies all truths from good in the lower heavens. This is evident from the signification of “white garments,” as being truths that invest, which specifically are true knowledges [scientifica] and cognitions (see above, n. 195, 196, 198); and because the lower heavens are in these truths, they are meant. That “white garments” signify the lower heavens may seem strange to those who know nothing about appearances and representatives in heaven. All in the heavens are clothed according to truths, and lower truths correspond to garments, and because the lower heavens are in these truths, therefore the garments of the angels in the higher heavens also correspond to these. (But this arcanum may be more clearly understood from what is said and shown respecting the Garments in which the Angels are Clothed, in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 177-182; likewise from what was represented and signified by the garments of Aaron and his sons, explained in Arcana Coelestia, n. 9814, 10068; as also by the garments of the Lord when He was transfigured, n. 9212, 9216.)

sRef Rev@4 @4 S0′ 272. And they had on their heads golden crowns, signifies all truths arranged into order by Divine good, thus also all the former heavens. This is evident from the signification of “four and twenty elders sitting upon four and twenty thrones, arrayed in white garments,” as being all truths of the heavens, thus all the heavens both higher and lower (of which just above, n. 270, 271); also from the signification of a “golden crown,” as being Divine good, from which are truths (of which in what follows). All the truths of heaven and of the church are from Divine good; truths that are not therefrom are not truths. Truths that are not from good are like shells without a kernel, and like a house in which no man dwells, but a wild beast; such are the truths that are called truths of faith apart from the good of charity; the good of charity is good from the Lord, thus Divine good. Now as “the elders upon thrones” signify the truths of the heavens, and “golden crowns” the good from which these are, therefore the elders were seen with crowns. The “crowns of kings” have a like signification; for “kings” in a representative sense signify truths, and “crowns” upon their heads signify the good from which the truths are (that “kings” signify truths may be seen above, n. 31). For this reason the crowns are of gold, for “gold” in like manner signifies good (see above. n. 242).
sRef Ps@132 @18 S2′ sRef Ps@132 @17 S2′ [2] That “crowns” signify good and wisdom therefrom, and that truths are what are crowned, can be seen from the following passages. In David:
I will make the horn to spring forth for David; I will set in order a lamp for Mine anointed; his enemies will I clothe with shame; but upon himself shall his crown blossom (Ps. 132:17-18).
Here “David” and “anointed” mean the Lord (see above, n. 205); “horn” His power; “lamp” is the Divine truth from which is Divine intelligence; “Crown” the Divine good from which is Divine wisdom, and from which is the Lord’s government; and the “enemies,” that shall be clothed with shame, are evils and falsities.
sRef Ps@89 @39 S3′ sRef Ps@89 @38 S3′ [3] In the same:
Thou showest anger with Thine anointed. Thou hast condemned even to the earth his crown (Ps. 89:38-39).
Here also “anointed” stands for the Lord, and “anger” for a state of temptation, in which He was when in combats with the hells. “Anger” and “condemnation” describe the lamentation at that time, as the Lord’s last lamentation on the cross, that He was forsaken; for the cross was the last of His 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 to the Divine Itself which was in Him.
sRef Isa@28 @5 S4′ [4] In Isaiah:
In that day shall Jehovah of Hosts be for a crown of adornment, and for a diadem of splendor, unto the remnant of His people (Isa. 28:5).
Here “crown of adornment” means wisdom that is of good from the Divine; and “the diadem of splendor” intelligence that is of truth from that good.
sRef Isa@62 @3 S5′ sRef Isa@62 @1 S5′ [5] In the same:
For Zion’s sake will I not be silent, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not be quiet, until her righteousness go forth as brightness, and her salvation as a lamp burneth; and thou shalt be a crown of splendor in the hand of Jehovah, and a royal tiara in the hand of thy God (Isa. 62:1, 3).
Here “Zion” and “Jerusalem” mean the church, “Zion” the church which is in good, and “Jerusalem” the church which is in truths from that good; therefore it is called “a crown of splendor in the hand of Jehovah,” and “a royal tiara in the hand of thy God;” a “crown of splendor” is wisdom that is of good, and a “royal tiara” is intelligence that is of truth; and because “crown” signifies wisdom that is of good it is said to be “in the hand of Jehovah;” and because “tiara” signifies intelligence that is of truth it is said to be “in the hand of God;” for “Jehovah” is used where good is treated of, and “God” where truth is treated of (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2586, 2769, 6905).
sRef Jer@13 @18 S6′ [6] In Jeremiah:
Say to the king and to the mistress, Humble yourselves, sit ye; for your headtire is come down, the crown of your splendor (Jer. 13:18);
a “crown of splendor” meaning wisdom that is of good (“splendor” is the Divine truth of the church, Arcana Coelestia, n. 9815).
sRef Lam@5 @16 S7′ sRef Lam@5 @15 S7′ [7] In the same:
The joy of our heart hath ceased; our dance is turned into mourning; the crown of our head hath fallen (Lam. 5:15, 16);
“the crown of the head that hath fallen” means the wisdom which those who are of the church have through Divine truth, which wisdom hath ceased, together with internal blessedness.
sRef Ezek@16 @12 S8′ sRef Job@19 @9 S8′ [8] in Ezekiel:
I put a jewel upon thy nose, and ear-rings on thine ears, and a crown of splendor upon thine head (Ezek. 16:12).
This refers to Jerusalem, which is the church, here the church at its first establishment; “the jewel upon the nose” signifies the perception of good; and “the ear-rings on the ears” the perception of truth and obedience; and the “crown upon the head” signifies wisdom therefrom. In Job:
He hath stripped from me the glory, and taken away the crown of my head (Job 19:9);
“glory” meaning intelligence from Divine truth, and a “crown of the head” the wisdom therefrom.
sRef Rev@6 @2 S9′ [9] in Revelation:
I saw, and behold a white horse; and He that sat on him had a bow, and there was given unto Him a crown; and He went forth conquering and to conquer (Rev. 6:2).
“The white horse and He that sat on him” is the Lord in respect to the Word; “the bow” is the doctrine of truth by which the combat is waged; from which it is clear that “crown,” since it is attributed to the Lord, is the Divine good that He put on even in respect to the human, as a reward of victory.
sRef Rev@14 @14 S10′ [10] Again:
Afterwards I saw, and behold a white cloud; and on the cloud One sat like unto the Son of man, having on His head a golden crown, and in His hand a sharp sickle (Rev. 14:14);
a “white cloud” standing for the literal sense of the Word (Arcana Coelestia, n. 4060, 4391, 5922, 6343, 6752, 8281, 8781); “the Son of man” meaning the Lord in respect to Divine truth; “the golden crown,” the Divine good from which is Divine truth; and “the sharp sickle,” the dispersion of evil and falsity.
sRef Ex@28 @37 S11′ sRef Ex@28 @36 S11′ [11] That a “crown” is Divine good from which is Divine truth was represented by the plats of gold upon the front of the miter that was upon Aaron, which plate was also called a “crown” and a “coronet;” it is thus described in Exodus:
Thou shalt make a plate of gold, and grave upon it with the engraving of a signet, Holiness to Jehovah; and thou shalt put it on a thread of blue, and it shall be on the miter, over against the face of it (Exod. 28:36, 37).
That this plate was called a “crown of holiness” and a “coronet,” see Exod. 39:30; Lev. 8:9. (But what was specially signified thereby, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 9930-9936, where the particulars are explained.)

sRef Rev@4 @5 S0′ 273. Verse 5. And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunders and voices, signifies illustration, understanding, and the perception of the Divine truth in the heavens from the Lord. This is evident from the signification of “lightnings, thunders, and voices,” as predicated of Divine truth; “lightnings” referring to its illustration, “thunders” to its understanding, and “voices” to the perception of it; that these things are thereby signified will be made clear by passages in the Word where they are mentioned. But let something first be said in respect to the origin of these significations. All things that appear before the eyes of men in the visible heaven, as the sun, the moon, the stars, the air, the ether, light, heat, clouds, mists, showers, and many more, are correspondences; they are correspondences for the reason that all things in the natural world correspond to those in the spiritual world. These are also correspondences in heaven where the angels are, because like things are seen by them but there they are not natural but spiritual (as can be seen from what is shown respecting them in the work on Heaven and Hell, On the Sun and Moon in Heaven, n 116-125; On Light and Heat in Heaven, n. 126-140; and in general, On the Correspondence of Heaven with all Things of the Earth, n. 103-115; and on Appearances in Heaven, n. 170-176), Therefore “lightnings” and “thunders” also are correspondences; and because they are correspondences, they have the like significance as the things have to which they correspond. Their significance in general is Divine truth received and uttered by the highest angels; which, when it descends to the lower angels sometimes appears as lightning, and is heard as thunder with voices. From this it is that “lightning” signifies Divine truth in respect to illustration; “thunder” Divine truth in respect to understanding; and “voices” Divine truth in respect to perception. It is said in respect to the understanding and in respect to the perception, since what enters into the mind through the hearing is both seen and perceived; seen in the understanding, and perceived through communication with the will. (What perception is, strictly, such as the angels in heaven have, may be seen in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 140.)
sRef Ps@77 @15 S2′ [2] From this then it is that “lightnings” and “thunders” in the Word signify Divine truth in respect to illustration and in respect to the understanding, as can be seen from the following passages. In David:
Thou hast with Thine arm redeemed Thy people. The clouds poured out waters; the skies gave forth a voice; Thine arrows also went forth; the voice of Thy thunder into the world; the lightning lightened the world (Ps. 77:15, 17-18).
Here the establishment of the church is treated of; “the clouds poured out waters” signifies truths from the sense of the letter of the Word; “the skies gave forth a voice” (that is, the higher clouds), signifies truths from the spiritual sense of the Word; “the arrows that went forth” (meaning thunderbolts, from which there is an appearance as of arrows from a bow and which are present when there are thunders and lightnings) signify Divine truths; “the voice of thunder into the world” signifies Divine truth in respect to perception and understanding in the church; and “the lightnings lightened the world” signifies Divine truth in respect to illustration thence; “the world” signifies the church.
sRef Ps@97 @3 S3′ sRef Ps@97 @4 S3′ [3] In the same:
A fire shall go before Jehovah, and burn up His enemies round about; His lightnings shall lighten the world (Ps. 97:3-4).
From these words also it is clear that “lightnings” signify Divine truth in respect to illustration, for it is said “His lightnings shall lighten the world.”
sRef Jer@10 @12 S4′ sRef Jer@10 @13 S4′ [4] In Jeremiah:
The Maker of the earth by His power, He prepareth the world by His wisdom, and by His intelligence stretcheth out the heavens; at the voice that He giveth forth there is a multitude of waters in the heavens, and He maketh the vapors to go up from the end of the earth, He maketh lightnings for the rain (Jer. 10:12-13; 51:16; Ps. 135:7-8).
Here again the establishment of the church is treated of. That “the voice of thunder” signifies Divine truth in respect to perception and understanding, and “lightnings” Divine truth in respect to illustration, can be seen from its being said, “The Maker of the earth prepareth the world by His wisdom, and by His intelligence stretcheth out the heavens;” and then, “at the voice that He giveth forth there is a multitude of waters in the heavens,” and “He maketh lightnings for the rain;” “earth” and “world” signifying the church; “waters in the heavens” spiritual truths; “rain” these truths when they descend and become natural; “lightnings” their illustration.
sRef 2Sam@22 @15 S5′ sRef 2Sam@22 @14 S5′ [5] In the second book of Samuel:
Jehovah thundered from heaven, and the Most High gave forth His voice and sent forth His arrows and scattered them, lightning, and discomforted them (2 Sam. 22:14-15).
Thunders are here described by “thundering from heaven” and by “giving forth a voice,” flying thunderbolts by “arrows,” and all these signify Divine truths, and “lightning” their light; and as these vivify and illustrate the good, so they terrify and blind the evil, which is meant by “He sent forth arrows and scattered them, lightning, and discomfited them;” for the evil cannot bear Divine truths, nor any light at all from heaven, therefore they flee away at their presence.
sRef Rev@8 @5 S6′ sRef Rev@14 @2 S6′ sRef Ps@18 @13 S6′ sRef Rev@11 @19 S6′ sRef Ex@19 @16 S6′ sRef Rev@10 @3 S6′ sRef Rev@10 @4 S6′ sRef Ps@81 @7 S6′ sRef Rev@19 @6 S6′ sRef Rev@6 @1 S6′ sRef Ps@144 @6 S6′ sRef Ps@18 @14 S6′ [6] Likewise in David:
Jehovah thundered in the heavens, and the Most High gave forth His voice; and He sent forth His arrows and scattered them, and many lightnings and discomfited them (Ps. 18:13-14).
Lighten forth lightning and scatter them; send forth Thine arrows and discomfit them (Ps. 144:6).
That “thunders” and “lightnings” signify Divine truth in respect to the understanding and illustration is still further evident from the following passages. In David:
In distress thou didst call and I delivered thee; I answered thee in the secret place with thunder (Ps. 81:7).
In Revelation:
I heard one of the four animals saying, as with a voice of thunder, Come and see (Rev. 6:1).
Again:
And the angel took the censer and filled it from the fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth; and there followed thunders and voices and lightnings (Rev. 8:5).
Again:
The angel cried with a great voice, as a lion, and when he cried the seven thunders uttered their voices (Rev. 10:3-4).
Again:
The temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in the temple the ark of the covenant; and there followed lightnings and voices and thunders (Rev. 11:19).
Again:
I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of great thunder (Rev. 14:2).
And again:
I heard the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, as the voice of vehement thunders, saying, Alleluia; for the Lord our God, the Almighty, hath received the kingdom (Rev. 19:6).

Moreover, since “thunders” and “lightnings” signify Divine truths, when Jehovah came down upon Mount Sinai to promulgate these truths:
There were voices and lightnings, and also the voice of a trumpet (Exod. 19:16).
That “the voice of a trumpet” signifies Divine truth in respect to revelation, see above (n. 55, 262);
A voice out of heaven to the Lord was heard as thunder (John 12:28-29).
That James and John were called Boanerges, sons of thunder (Mark 3:14, 17).

sRef Rev@4 @5 S0′ 274. And there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven spirits of God, signifies Divine truth itself united to Divine good, proceeding from the Lord’s Divine love. This is evident from the signification of “seven” as being all things in the complex; also from the signification of “lamps burning with fire before the throne,” as being Divine truth united to Divine good proceeding from the Lord’s Divine love; for “lamps” signify truths; therefore “seven lamps” signify all truth in the complex, which is the Divine truth; and “fire” signifies the good of love; and since the lamps were seen “burning before the throne” upon which the Lord was, it is signified that truth is from the Lord. As “the seven spirits of God” signify all truths of heaven and the church from the Lord (see above, n. 183), therefore it is said, “which are the seven spirits of God.” (That “seven” signifies all, see above, n. 256; that “fire” signifies the good of love, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 934, 4906, 5215, 6314, 6832, 10055.)
sRef Ps@18 @28 S2′ sRef Ps@119 @105 S2′ sRef Luke@12 @35 S2′ [2] That “lamps” signify truths, which are called the truths of faith, can be seen from the following passages in the Word. In David:
Thy Word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path (Ps. 119:105).
The Word is called a “lamp” because it is Divine truth. In the same:
Thou makest my lamp to shine; Jehovah God maketh bright my darkness (Ps. 18:28).
“To make a lamp to shine” signifies to enlighten the understanding by Divine truth; and “to make bright the darkness” signifies to disperse the falsities of ignorance by the light of truth. In Luke:
Let your loins be girded about, and your lamps shining (Luke 12:35*).
The “loins” to be girded signify the good of love (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3021, 4280, 4462, 5050-5052, 9961); and “lamps shining” signify the truths of faith from the good of love.
sRef Matt@25 @3 S3′ sRef Matt@25 @6 S3′ sRef Matt@25 @5 S3′ sRef Matt@25 @2 S3′ sRef Jer@25 @10 S3′ sRef Matt@25 @4 S3′ sRef Matt@25 @11 S3′ sRef Matt@25 @12 S3′ sRef Matt@25 @1 S3′ sRef Matt@25 @10 S3′ sRef Matt@25 @7 S3′ sRef Matt@25 @8 S3′ sRef Matt@25 @9 S3′ sRef Matt@6 @23 S3′ sRef Rev@18 @23 S3′ sRef Isa@62 @1 S3′ sRef Matt@6 @22 S3′ [3] 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 darkness. If, therefore, the light be darkness, how great is the darkness (Matt. 6:22-23).
The eye is here called “lucerna,” that is, a lighted lamp, because the “eye” signifies the understanding of truth, and therefore the truth of faith; and as the understanding derives its all from the will (for such as the will is, such is the understanding), so the truth of faith derives its all from the good of love; consequently when the understanding of truth is from the good of the will the whole man is spiritual, which is signified by the words, “if the eye be good the whole body is light;” but the contrary is true when the understanding is formed out of the evil of the will; that it is then in mere falsities is signified by the words, “If thine eye be evil the whole body is darkened. If, therefore, the light be darkness, how great is the darkness.” (That “the eye” signifies the understanding, see above, n. 152; and that “darkness” signifies falsities, Arcana Coelestia, n. 1839, 1860, 3340, 4418, 4531, 7688, 7711, 7712.) He who does not know that “eye” signifies the understanding does not apprehend at all the meaning of those words.
[4] In Jeremiah:
I will take away 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 (Jer. 25:10).
“To take away the voice of joy and the voice of gladness” signifies to take away the interior felicity that is 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 take away all conjunction of good and truth, which makes heaven and the church with man; “to take away the voice of the millstones and the light of the lamp” signifies to take away the doctrine of charity and faith. (What is signified by “millstone” and “grinding,” see Arcana Coelestia, n. 4335, 7780, 9995, 10303.) Likewise in Revelation:
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 (Rev. 18:23).
In Isaiah:
Her** salvation as a lamp that burneth (Isa. 62:1);
signifying that the truth of faith should be from the good of love. In Matthew:
The kingdom of heaven is like 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 prudent took oil also. When, therefore, the bridegroom came, the prudent went in to the wedding, but the foolish were not admitted (Matt. 25:1-12).
“Lamps” here signify the truths of faith, and “oil” the good of love. What the rest of this parable signifies may be seen above (n. 252), where the particulars are explained.
* The printed text has vii. However, the Latin is clearly xii. NewSearch footnote.
** For “Her salvation” the Latin has “Your salvation”; but “her” is found in Apocalypse Explained, n. 272, Arcana Coelestia, n. 9930; Apocalypse Revealed, n. 880.

sRef Rev@4 @6 S0′ 275. Verse 6. And in sight of the throne a glassy sea like crystal, signifies the appearance of [Divine] truth in ultimates where its generals are, and its pellucidity by virtue of the influx of Divine truth united to Divine good in firsts. This is evident from the signification of “in sight of the throne,” as being appearance; also from the signification of “glassy,” as being pellucid. It is also said “like crystal,” that pellucidity from the influx of Divine truth united to Divine good in firsts may be described; this is signified by “the seven lamps of fire burning before the throne” (as shown just above, n. 274). In this and what precedes, the state of the whole heaven arranged in order for judgment is described, and its ultimate is meant by “the glassy sea like crystal.” The truth of the ultimate heaven is signified by “a glassy sea” because “sea” signifies the generals of truth, such truth as exists in the ultimates of heaven, and with man in the natural man, which truth is called knowledge [scientificum]. The “sea” signifies such truths because in the sea is the gathering together of waters, and “waters” signify truths (see above, n. 71).
sRef Isa@19 @4 S2′ sRef Isa@19 @5 S2′ [2] That this is the signification of “sea” is evident from many passages in the Word, a number of which I will cite here. In Isaiah:
I will shut up the Egyptians into the land of a hard lord; and a fierce king shall rule over them. Then the waters shall fail from the sea, and the river shall dry up and become dry (Isa. 19:4-5).
By “the Egyptians” knowledges [scientiae] that are of the natural man are meant; “the hard lord into whose hands they should be shut up” signifies the evil of self-love; “a fierce king” signifies falsity therefrom; “the waters shall fail from the sea” signifies that with all the abundance of knowledges [scientiarum] there still are no truths; and “the river shall dry up and become dry” signifies that there is no doctrine of truth and no intelligence therefrom.
sRef Isa@27 @1 S3′ [3] In the same:
Jehovah will visit with His sword, hard, great, and strong, upon leviathan the stretched out serpent, and leviathan the crooked serpent, and will slay the whales that are in the sea (Isa. 27:1).
This is also said of “Egypt,” by which knowledges [scientiae] that are of the natural man are signified; “leviathan the stretched out serpent” signifies those who reject all things which they do not see with the eyes, thus the merely sensual, who are without faith, because they do not comprehend. “Leviathan the crooked serpent” signifies those who, for the same reason, do not believe, and yet say that they believe. “The sword, hard, and great, and strong, with which they shall be visited,” signifies the extinction of all truth, for “sword” signifies falsity destroying truth. “The whales in the sea,” that shall be slain, signify knowledges [scientifica] in general. (That these are signified by “whales,” see Arcana Coelestia, n. 7293.)
[4] In the same:
Let the inhabitants of the isle be still; thou merchant of Zidon passing over the sea, they have filled thee. Blush, O Zidon, for the sea hath said, the stronghold of the sea, saying, I have not travailed, and I have not brought forth, and I have not brought up young men, and have not raised up virgins; when the report comes to Egypt they shall be seized with grief, as by the report respecting Tyre (Isa. 23:2-5).
“Zidon” and “Tyre” signify the knowledges of good and truth; therefore it is said “the merchant of Zidon passing over the sea,” “merchant” meaning one who acquires these knowledges for himself and communicates them. That they acquired for themselves thereby nothing of good and truth is signified by “the sea said, I have not travailed and I have not brought forth, I have not brought up young men, and have not raised up virgins;” “to travail and bring forth” is to produce something from knowledges; “young men” mean truths, and “virgins” goods. That the use of cognitions and knowledges (cognitionum et scientiarum) would therefore perish, is signified by “when the report comes to Egypt they shall be seized with grief, as by the report respecting Tyre.”
sRef Ezek@26 @18 S5′ sRef Ezek@26 @15 S5′ sRef Ezek@26 @16 S5′ sRef Ezek@26 @17 S5′ [5] In Ezekiel:
All the princes of the sea shall come down from their thrones, and cast away their robes, and strip off their broidered garments, they shall be clothed with terrors. They shall take up a lamentation over thee, and shall say, How hast thou perished, thou that dwelt by the seas, the renowned city which was strong in the sea; therefore the islands in the sea shall be dismayed at thy outcome (Ezek. 26:15-18).
These things are said of “Tyre,” which signifies the cognitions of truth, the neglect and loss of which are thus described; the “princes of the sea that shall come down from their thrones” signify primary cognitions; that these together with knowledges [scientificis] shall be abandoned is signified by “they shall cast away their robes, and strip off their broidered garments;” “broidered work,” is knowledges [scientificum]; “the city that dwelt by the seas and was strong in the sea” signifies the power of knowing in all abundance (“seas” signify collections); “the islands in the sea” signify nations more remote from truths that long for cognitions, of which it is said “therefore the islands in the sea shall be dismayed at thy outcome.”
sRef Isa@11 @9 S6′ [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 [scientifia] of Jehovah, as the waters cover the sea (Isa. 11:9).
This treats of a new heaven and a new church, which are meant by “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 shall be full of the knowledge [scientia] of Jehovah; “and as waters” signify truths, and the “sea” the fullness of them, it is said, “as the waters cover the sea.”
sRef Isa@50 @2 S7′ [7] In the same:
By My rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a wilderness; their fish shall become putrid because there is no water, and shall die of thirst (Isa 1:2).
“To dry up the sea” signifies an entire lack of the general knowledges of truth; “to make the rivers a wilderness” signifies the deprivation of all truth and of intelligence therefrom; “the fish shall become putrid” signifies that the knowledges [scientifica] pertaining to the natural man shall be without any spiritual life; this takes place when they are applied to confirm falsities in opposition to the truths of the church; “by cause there is no water” signifies because there is no truth; “to die of thirst” signifies the extinction of truth. (That “rivers” signify the things of intelligence, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 108, 2702, 3051; that “wilderness” signifies where there is no good because there is no truth, n. 2708, 4736, 7055; that “fish” signifies the knowledge [scientificum] pertaining to the natural man, n. 40, 991; that “water” signifies truth, n. 2702, 3058, 3424, 5668, 8568; and that “to die of thirst” signifies the absence of spiritual life from lack of truth, n. 8568 at the end.)
sRef Ps@89 @9 S8′ [8] In David:
O Jehovah, Thou rulest in the uprising of the sea; when it raiseth up its waves (Ps. 89:9).
The “sea” here signifies the natural man, because in the natural man are the generals of truth; “the uprising of the sea” signifies its exalting itself against the Divine, denying the things that are of the church; the “waves” which it raiseth up signify falsities.
sRef Ps@24 @2 S9′ [9] In the same:
Jehovah hath founded the world upon the seas, and established it upon the rivers (Ps. 24:2).
The “world” signifies the church; the “seas” knowledges in general which are in the natural man; and “rivers” the truths of faith; upon these two the church has its foundation.
sRef Amos@9 @6 S10′ [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 (Amos 9:6).
“The steps that Jehovah buildeth in the heavens” signify interior truths which are called spiritual; “the waters of the sea” signify exterior truths, which are natural because they are in the natural man; “to pour them out upon the faces of the earth” signifies upon the men of the church, for the “earth” is the church.
sRef Ps@33 @7 S11′ sRef Ps@33 @6 S11′ [11] In David:
By the word of Jehovah were the heavens made; and all the hosts of them by the breath of His mouth. He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap; He giveth the deeps in treasuries (Ps. 33:6-7).
“The word of Jehovah by which the heavens were made,” and “the breath of His mouth by which all the hosts of them were made,” signify Divine truth proceeding from the Lord; “the hosts of the heavens” are all things of love and faith; “the waters of the sea that He gathereth together as an heap” signify the knowledges of truth, and truths in general, which are together in the natural man; “the deeps that He gives in treasuries” signify sensual knowledges [scientifica sensualia], which are the most general and ultimate things of the natural man, and in which at the same time are interior or higher truths, therefore they are called “treasures.”
sRef Ps@104 @5 S12′ sRef Ps@104 @6 S12′ [12] In the same:
Jehovah hath founded the earth upon its bases, that it be not removed for ever and ever. Thou hast covered it with the deep as with a vesture (Ps. 104:5-6).
The “earth” signifies the church; “the bases on which Jehovah hath founded it for ever” are the knowledges of truth and good; “the deep with which He hath covered it as with a vesture” signifies sensual knowledge [scientificum sensuale], which is the ultimate of the natural man, and being the ultimate, it is said that “He covered it as with a vesture.”
sRef Isa@43 @16 S13′ sRef Ps@77 @19 S13′ [13] In the same:
Jehovah, Thy way is in the sea, and Thy path in many waters, yet Thy footsteps have not been known (Ps. 77:19).
In Isaiah:
Thus saith Jehovah, I who have given a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters (Isa. 43:16).
That “sea” here does not mean the sea, nor “waters” the waters, is clear, since it is said that therein “are the way and the path of Jehovah;” therefore by “sea” and by “waters” are meant such things as Jehovah or the Lord is in, which are the knowledges of truth in general from the Word, and the truths therein; “the sea” being such knowledges, and “waters” truths. Knowledges and truths differ in this, that knowledges are of the natural man, and truths of the spiritual man.
sRef Jer@51 @36 S14′ sRef Jer@51 @42 S14′ [14] In Jeremiah:
Behold, I will plead thy cause, and will revenge thy revenging; that I may dry up the sea of Babylon, and make dry her fountain. The sea shall come up upon Babylon, she shall be covered with the multitude of its waves (Jer. 51:36, 42).
By “Babylon” those who profane goods are meant; “the sea of Babylon” means their traditions, which are the adulterations of good from the Word; “the waves” are the falsities from these; their destruction at the Last Judgment is hereby described. sRef Jer@50 @42 S15′ sRef Jer@50 @41 S15′ [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 (Jer. 50:41, 42).
“A people coming from the north” are those who are in falsities from evil; “the great nation” means evils; and “many kings” falsities; “the sides of the earth” are the things outside of the church, and those that are not of the church, for the “earth” means the church; “their voice maketh a tumult like the sea” means 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.
sRef Jer@31 @35 S16′ [16] In the same:
Jehovah giveth the sun for light by day, the statutes of the moon and stars for light by night, stirring up the sea so that the waves thereof roar (Jer. 31:35).
“The sun from which is the light of day” signifies the good of celestial love, from which is the perception of truth; “the statutes of the moon and stars, from which is the light of night,” signify truths from spiritual good and from knowledges, by which there is intelligence; “the sea that is stirred up, and the waves that roar,” signify the generals of truth in the natural man, and knowledges [scientifica].
sRef Isa@57 @20 S17′ [17] In Isaiah:
The wicked are like the troubled sea when it cannot be quiet, but its waters cast up filth and mire (Isa. 57:20).
“The troubled sea which is like the wicked,” signifies reasonings from falsities; “the waters that cast up filth and mire,” signify the falsities themselves, from which come evils of life and falsities of doctrine.
sRef Ezek@25 @16 S18′ [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 coast (Ezek. 25:16).
“The Philistines” signify those who are in the doctrine of faith alone, and “the remnant of the sea coast that shall be destroyed,” signifies all things of truth.
sRef Hos@11 @9 S19′ sRef Hos@11 @10 S19′ sRef Hos@11 @11 S19′ [19] In Hosea:
I will not return to destroy Ephraim. They shall go after Jehovah; and the sons from the sea shall draw near with honor, with honor shall they come as a bird out of Egypt, and as a dove out of the land of Assyria (Hos. 11:9-11).
“Ephraim” signifies the church in respect to the understanding of truth; “the sons from the sea, who shall draw near,” signify truths from a common fountain, which is the Word; “a bird out of Egypt” signifies knowledge [scientificum] agreeing; and “a dove out of the land of Assyria” signifies the rational.
sRef Zech@14 @8 S20′ [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 (Zech. 14:8).
“Living waters from Jerusalem” signify truths from a spiritual origin in the church, which are the truths that are received by man when he is illustrated by the Lord while he is reading the Word. “Jerusalem” is the church in respect to doctrine, the “sea” signifies the natural man, into which those things that are in the spiritual man descend; the “eastern sea” signifies the natural man in respect to good; and the “hinder sea” the natural man in respect to truth; and as the natural man is in the generals of truth, “sea” also signifies the general of truth.
[21] He who knows nothing about the spiritual man, and the truths and goods that are therein, may suppose that the truths that are in the natural man, and are called cognitions and knowledges [scientifica] are not merely the generals of truth, but are all there is of truth with man. But let him know that the truths in the spiritual man, from which those are that are in the natural, are incomparably more numerous; but these truths in the spiritual man do not come to 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 so can be seen from this fact alone, that angels are in intelligence and wisdom ineffable as compared with man, and yet they are from the human race. (That angels are from the human race, see in The small work on The Last Judgment, n. 14-22 and 23-27.)
[22] As the “sea” signifies the generals of truth, therefore the great vessel, which was for general washing, was called “the brazen sea” (1 Kings 7:23-26); for the “washings” represented purifications from falsities and evils, and “waters” signify truths, by which purifications are effected; and as all truths are from good, the containing vessel was made of brass, and was therefore called “the barren sea,” for brass signifies good. Spiritual purification, which is called purification from falsities and evils, is there fully described by the measurements of that vessel, and by the bases thereof, understood in a spiritual sense. From what has been brought forward it can be seen that “sea” signifies the generals of truth or the knowledges of truth together and collectively. But what further is signified by “sea” will be shown in the explanation of what follows, for “sea” is used in various senses (as in Rev. 5:13; 7:1-3; 8:8,9; 10:2, 8; 12:12; 13:1; 14:7; 15:2; 16:3; 18:17, 19, 21; 20:13; 21:1).

sRef Rev@4 @6 S0′ sRef Rev@4 @8 S0′ sRef Rev@4 @7 S0′ 276. Verses 6b, 7, 8. And in the midst of the throne and around 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 like a man, and the fourth animal was like a flying eagle. And the four animals, each by itself had 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. “And in the midst of the throne and around the throne were four animals, full of eyes before and behind,” signifies the Lord’s guard and providence that the interior heavens be not approached except by the good of love and charity, that lower things depending thereon may be in order (n. 277) 7. “And the first animal was like a lion,” signifies the appearance, in ultimates of Divine truth proceeding from the Lord in respect to power and efficiency (n. 278); “and the second animal like a calf,” signifies the appearance, in ultimates, of Divine good in respect to protection (n. 279); “and the third animal had a face like a man,” signifies the appearance, in ultimates, of the Divine guard and providence in respect to wisdom (n. 280); “and the fourth animal was like a flying eagle,” signifies the appearance, in ultimates, of the Divine guard and providence in respect to intelligence and as to circumspection on every side (n. 281-282.) 8. “And the four animals, each by itself, had six wings round about,” signifies the appearance of the spiritual Divine on all sides about the celestial Divine (n. 283); “and full of eyes within,” signifies the Divine Providence and guard (n. 284); “and they had no rest day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy,” signifies that which is most holy proceeding from the Lord (n. 285); “Lord God Almighty, who was, and who is, and who is to come,” signifies the infinite and eternal (n. 286).

sRef Rev@4 @6 S0′ 277. And in the midst of the throne and around the throne were four animals, full of eyes before and behind, signifies the Lord’s guard and providence that the interior heavens be not approached except by the good of love and charity, that lower things depending thereon may be in the order. This is evident from the signification of “out of the midst of the throne,” as being from the Lord, for the “One sitting upon the throne” was the Lord (see above, n. 268); also from the signification of “around the throne,” as being the interior or higher heavens, for these are most nearly around the Lord; also from the signification of “four animals,” which were cherubim, as being the Divine guard and providence that the interior or higher heavens be not approached except from the good of love and charity (of which in what follows); also from the signification of “eyes,” of which they were full before and behind, as being the Lord’s Divine Providence; for “eyes,” in reference to man, signify the understanding, which is his internal sight; but when “eyes” are predicated of God, they signify the Divine Providence (see above, n. 68, 152). And since “eyes” here signify the Lord’s Divine Providence that the higher heavens be not approached except from the good of love and of charity, therefore these cherubim were seen “full of eyes before and behind.”
On this providence of the Lord, lower things, which are the lower heavens and also the church on earth, depend, that they may be in order, because the influx of the Lord is both immediate from Himself, and also mediate through the higher heavens into the lower heavens and into the church; consequently unless the higher heavens were in order the lower could not be in order. (On this influx see The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 277-278.)
sRef Ezek@1 @26 S2′ sRef Ezek@1 @27 S2′ sRef Ezek@1 @22 S2′ sRef Ezek@10 @15 S2′ sRef Ezek@10 @20 S2′ sRef Ezek@1 @10 S2′ sRef Ezek@1 @28 S2′ sRef Ezek@1 @13 S2′ sRef Ezek@1 @6 S2′ sRef Ezek@1 @5 S2′ [2] That by “the four animals” here cherubim are meant is evident in Ezekiel, by whom like things were seen at the river Chebar, which are described by him in chap. 1 and in chap. 10, and in the latter called “cherubim” (Ezek. 10:1-2, 4-9, 14, 16, 18-19), and it is said of them:
The cherubim mounted up; these are the animals that I saw by the river Chebar. These are the animals that I saw under the God of Israel by the river Chebar; and I knew that they were the cherubim (Ezek. 10:15, 20).
These “four animals, that were cherubim,” are thus described by that prophet:
Near the river Chebar appeared the likeness of four animals. This was their aspect: they had the likeness of a man, and each one had four faces, and each one of them had four wings. This was the likeness of their faces: the four of them had the face of a man and the face of a lion on the right side, and the four of them had the face of an ox on the left side, and the four of them had the face of an eagle. Their appearance was like burning coals of fire, like the appearance of lamps; the same 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 of the appearance of a wonderful crystal. Above the expanse which was over their head was as it were the appearance of a sapphire stone, the likeness of a throne; and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man upon it. From the appearance of his loins and downwards I saw as it were an appearance of fire, and it had brightness round about, as the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud; so was the appearance of the brightness of Jehovah round about; this appearance was the likeness of the glory of Jehovah (Ezek. 1:5-6, 10, 13, 22, 26-28).
By these representatives the Divine of the Lord in the higher heavens, and His Providence that they be not approached except from the good of love and charity, are described; and in this description are contained all the things that are mentioned in this chapter of Revelation respecting the arrangement of the heavens, and signified by “the throne on which was One sitting in aspect like a jasper stone and a sardius;” also by the “rainbow round about the throne,” by the “lamps of fire burning before the throne,” and the other things which it is not necessary therefore to explain here singly.
sRef Gen@3 @24 S3′ [3] It shall now be shown merely that “cherubim” in the Word signify the guard and providence of the Lord that the higher heavens be not approached except from the good of love and charity, that lower things may be in order. This is plainly seen by the cherubim placed before the garden of Eden, when man was driven from it, which are thus described in Moses:
When Jehovah God had driven out the man, He made to dwell on the east of Eden the cherubim, and the flame of a sword turning hither and thither, to guard the way of the tree of life (Gen. 3:24).
What is meant by the “man” and “his wife” in these chapters may be seen explained in The Arcana Coelestia, namely, that “man” here means the Most Ancient Church, which was a celestial church; and the celestial is distinguished from the spiritual church in this, that the celestial church is in the good of love to the Lord, but the spiritual in the good of charity towards the neighbor (see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 20-28). Of the men who constitute these two churches on the 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, it is said that “cherubim were made to dwell on the east of Eden, and the flame of a sword turning hither and thither, to guard the way of the tree of life.” The “east of Eden” signifies where the good of celestial love enters; “the flame of a sword turning hither and thither” signifies truth from that good, protecting; and “the tree of life” signifies the Divine that is from the Lord in the higher heavens, which is the good of love and charity and heavenly joy therefrom. From this it is clear that “cherubim” signify guards that these heavens be not approached except through the good of love and charity; for this reason they are also said “to guard the way of the tree of life.” (That the “east” signifies the good of love, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 1250, 3708; that “Eden” signifies wisdom therefrom, n. 99, 100; that “sword” signifies truth combating against falsity and dispersing it, thus truth protecting, above, n. 73, 131; that “flame” signifies truth from celestial good, Arcana Coelestia, n. 3222, 6832, 9570; that “the tree of life” signifies the good of love from the Lord and the heavenly joy therefrom, see above, n. 109, 110.)
sRef Ex@25 @20 S4′ sRef Ex@25 @21 S4′ sRef Ex@25 @18 S4′ sRef Ex@25 @19 S4′ sRef Ex@25 @22 S4′ [4] Because of this signification of “cherubim,” two cherubim of solid gold were placed upon the mercy-seat which was upon the ark, thus described in Moses:
Thou shalt make cherubim, of solid gold thou shalt make them, from the two ends of the mercy-seat; out of the mercy-seat thou shalt make the cherubim. And the cherubim shall spread out their wings upwards, covering the mercy-seat with their wings; towards the mercy-seat shall be the faces of the cherubim. And thou shalt put the mercy-seat upon the ark. And there I will meet with thee, and I will speak with thee between the two cherubim (Exod. 25:18-22; 37:7-9).
The “ark” and the “tent” represented the higher heavens; the “ark,” in which was the testimony or law, represented the inmost or third heaven; the “tabernacle,” which was without the veil, the middle or second heaven; the “mercy-seat” the hearing and reception of all things of worship which are from the good of love and charity; the “cherubim” guards; and the “gold,” of which they were made the good of love. From this it is also clear that the “two cherubim” represented guards that the higher heavens be not approached except through the good of love and charity. (That the “tabernacle” in general represented heaven where the Lord is, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 9457, 9481, 10545; the “ark” the inmost or third heaven, n. 3478, 9485; the “testimony or law in the ark,” the Lord in respect to the Word, n. 3382, 6752, 7463; the “habitation,” that was without the veil, the middle or second heaven, n. 3478, 9457, 9481, 9485, 9594, 9596, 9632; the “mercy-seat,” the hearing and reception of all things of worship that are from the good of love and charity from the Lord, n. 9506; and “gold” the good of love, n. 113, 1551, 1552, 5658, 6914, 6917, 9510, 9874, 9881.)
sRef 1Ki@6 @27 S5′ sRef 1Ki@6 @25 S5′ sRef 1Ki@6 @26 S5′ sRef 1Ki@6 @35 S5′ sRef Ex@26 @31 S5′ sRef 1Ki@6 @28 S5′ sRef 1Ki@6 @29 S5′ sRef 1Ki@6 @24 S5′ sRef Ex@26 @1 S5′ sRef 1Ki@6 @33 S5′ sRef 1Ki@6 @32 S5′ sRef 1Ki@6 @23 S5′ sRef 1Ki@6 @34 S5′ [5] Because “cherubim” signified those guards:
There were cherubim also upon the curtains of the tabernacle and upon the veil (Exod. 26:1, 31).
And for the same reason Solomon made in the oracle of the temple cherubim of olive wood, and set them in the midst of the interior house, and overlaid them with gold, and also carved all the walls of the house round about with carved figures of cherubim, and also the doors (1 Kings 6:23-29, 32-35).
The “temple” also signified heaven and the church, and its “oracle” the inmost of heaven and the church. The “olive wood,” of which the cherubim were made, signifies the good of love; likewise the “gold” with which they were overlaid. The “walls” on which the cherubim were engraved, signify the ultimates of heaven and of the church, and the “cherubim” thereon signify guards. The “doors,” on which also there were cherubim, signify entrance into heaven and the church. From this it is clear that “cherubim” signified guards that heaven be not approached except through the good of love and charity. And as “cherubim” signified such guards they also signify the Lord’s Divine Providence, for these guards are from the Lord, and are His Divine Providence. (That the “temple” and the “house of God” signify heaven and the church, see above, n. 220; the “oracle” therefore signifies the inmost of these. That “olive wood” signifies the good of love, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 886, 3728, 4582, 9780, 9954, 10261; likewise “gold,” see above, n. 242. That “doors” signify approach and admission, see also above, n. 248.)
sRef Ezek@41 @19 S6′ sRef Ezek@41 @20 S6′ sRef Ezek@41 @18 S6′ [6] The new temple is likewise described as ornamented with cherubim, of which in Ezekiel:
There were made cherubim and palm-trees, so that a palm-tree was between a cherub and a cherub; thus it was made for all the house round about, from the ground unto above the door were cherubim and palm-trees made; and the wall of the temple (Ezek. 41:18-20).
“Palm tree” signifies spiritual good which is the good of charity (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 8369).
sRef Ezek@28 @13 S7′ sRef Ezek@28 @12 S7′ sRef Ezek@28 @14 S7′ sRef Ezek@28 @15 S7′ [7] Since Divine truth from Divine good is what protects, therefore the king of Tyre is called a “cherub;” for “king” signifies Divine truth, and “Tyre” knowledges; and therefore the “king of Tyre” signifies intelligence, of whom it is thus written in Ezekiel:
Thou, King of Tyre, 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 set thee, on God’s mountain of holiness wast thou; thou hast walked in the midst of the stones of fire. Thou wast perfect in thy ways in* the day that thou wast created (Ezek. 28:12-15).
(That “king” signifies Divine truth, see above, n. 31; and “Tyre” knowledges, Arcana Coelestia, n. 1201. That “precious stones” signify the truths and goods of heaven and the church, see n. 9863, 9865, 9868, 9873, 9905, which are called “stones of fire” because “fire” signifies the good of love, see 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 “a cherub, the spreading out of one that protects.”
sRef Num@7 @89 S8′ [8] Since the higher heavens cannot be approached except through the good of love and charity, that is, cannot be approached through worship and through prayers, except such as proceed from that good, therefore the Lord spoke with Moses and Aaron when they entered the habitation between the two cherubim that were upon the ark (Exod. 25:22). This also is made evident in Moses:
When Moses went into the tent of meeting, he heard the Voice speaking unto him from above the mercy-seat that was upon the ark of the Testimony, from between the two cherubim (Num. 7:89).
Because it is the Divine proceeding from the Lord that provides and guards, therefore it is said of the Lord that:
He sitteth upon the cherubim (Isa. 37:16; Ps. 18:9-10; 80:1; 99:1; 1 Sam. 4:4; 2 Sam. 6:2).
[9] Since the arrangement of all things for judgment is treated of in this chapter, the cherubim also are here treated of, that is, the Lord’s guard and providence that the higher heavens be not approached except through the good of love and charity; for unless this had been done before the judgment, the veriest heavens, in which the true angels are, would have been endangered, because those heavens that were about to perish (see Rev. 21:1) were not in the good of love and charity, but only in some truths. For there were there from the Christian world those who were in the doctrine of faith alone, which some had confirmed by a number of passages from the Word, and thus obtained some conjunction with the ultimate heaven; but this conjunction was broken when the heaven called the former heaven (Rev. 21:1) was dissipated; and it was then ordered by the Lord that hereafter no one shall be conjoined with the heavens unless he be in the good of love to the Lord and in charity towards the neighbor. 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 through the worship and prayers of those who are in faith alone, and not at the same time in the good of charity, is much mistaken. The worship of such is no longer received, nor are their prayers heard, but attention is directed only to their life’s love. Those, therefore, in whom the love of self and the world rules, no matter in what external worship they may have been, are conjoined to the hells, and are also taken there after death, and not previously to any heaven that is to perish, as was the case hitherto.
* For “in the day” the Hebrew has “from the day,” as also found in Arcana Coelestia, n. 114.

sRef Rev@4 @7 S0′ 278. Verse 7. And the first animal was like a lion, signifies the appearance, in ultimates, of Divine truth proceeding from the Lord in respect to power and effect. This is evident from the signification of “lion,” as being Divine truth proceeding from the Lord in respect to power and effect (of which in what follows). It means appearance in ultimates, because the cherubim were seen as animals, and this first one like a lion. It is said in ultimates, because that appearance was before John when he was in the spirit, and he saw all things in ultimates, in which Divine celestial and Divine spiritual things are variously represented, now by gardens and paradises, now by palaces and temples, now by rivers and waters, now by living creatures of various kinds, such as lions, camels, horses, oxen, bullocks, sheep, lambs, doves, eagles, and many others. Like things were seen by the prophets through 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 exist in the world, which might be representations and correspondences of celestial and spiritual things, and thus might serve as a basis and foundation to the spiritual sense. For this reason also the cherubim (which signify the guard and providence of the Lord that the higher heavens be not approached except from the good of love and charity) were seen by John and also by Ezekiel, in respect to their faces, as animals.
Since it is the Lord who guards and provides, and this through Divine truth and Divine good, thus through His Divine wisdom and intelligence, four animals were seen, which were like a lion, a calf, a man, and an eagle; for thus by “lion” Divine truth in respect to power was represented, by “calf” Divine good in respect to protection, by “man” the Divine wisdom, and by “eagle” the Divine intelligence; which four things are included in the Lord’s Divine Providence in its guarding the higher heavens, that they be not approached except from the good of love and charity.
sRef Gen@49 @9 S2′ [2] That a “lion” signifies Divine truth proceeding from the Lord in respect to power is evident from the passages in the Word in which “lion” is mentioned; as from the following, in Moses:
Judah is a lion’s whelp; from the prey, my son, thou are gone up; he couched, he lay down as an old lion; who shall rouse him up? (Gen. 49:9).
“Judah” here signifies the Lord’s celestial kingdom, where all are in power from the Lord through Divine truth; this power is meant by a “lion’s whelp,” and by an “old lion;” “the prey from which he goeth up” signifies the dispersion of falsities and evils; “to couch” signifies to put oneself into power; “lying down” signifies to be in security from every falsity and evil; therefore it is said, “Who shall rouse him up?” (That “Judah” in the Word signifies the celestial kingdom of the Lord, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3654, 3881, 5603, 5782, 6363; that “prey,” in reference to that kingdom and to the Lord, signifies the dispersion of falsities and evils, and the rescue and deliverance from hell, n. 6368, 6442; that “couching” in reference to a lion, signifies to put oneself into power, n. 6369; and that “lying down” signifies a state of security and tranquillity, n. 3696.)
sRef Num@23 @23 S3′ sRef Num@23 @24 S3′ sRef Num@24 @9 S3′ [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 as a young lion doth he lift himself up; he shall not lie down until he eat of what is torn (Num. 23:23, 24).
In the same:
He coucheth, he lieth down as an old lion; who shall rouse him up? Blessed is he that blesseth thee, and cursed is he that curseth thee (Num. 24:9).
This is said of “Jacob and Israel,” who signify the Lord’s spiritual kingdom; their power is described by an “old lion” and a “young lion” rising, lifting himself up, and couching; the dispersion of falsities and evils is signified by “eating of what is torn,” and a state of security and tranquillity by “he lieth down, who shall rouse him up?” (That “Jacob” and “Israel” in the Word signify the Lord’s spiritual kingdom, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 4286, 4570, 5973, 6426, 8805, 9340; what the Lord’s celestial kingdom is, and what His spiritual kingdom is, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 20-28). That “to couch” is to put oneself into power; that “prey” and “spoil” mean the dispersion of falsities and evils; and that “lying down” means a state of security and tranquillity, when these things are said of a lion, see just above.
sRef Nahum@2 @11 S4′ [4] In Nahum:
Where is the abode of the lions, and the feeding place of the young lions? where walked the lion, the old lion, the lion’s whelp, and none maketh them afraid? (Nahum 2:11).
Here also “lions” signify those who are in power through Divine truth; “their abode” signifies where there are such in the church; their “feeding place” signifies the knowledges of truth and good; their “walking and none making them afraid” signifies their state of security from evils and falsities.
sRef Micah@5 @9 S5′ sRef Micah@5 @7 S5′ sRef Micah@5 @8 S5′ [5] In Micah:
The remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many peoples, as 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 shall tread down and tear in pieces so that none delivereth, thine hand shall be lifted up above thine adversaries, and all thine enemies shall be cut off (Micah 5:7-9).
The “remnant of Jacob” signifies the truths and goods of the church; “dew from Jehovah” signifies spiritual truth; “drops upon the herb” natural truth; “a lion among the beasts of the forest,” and “a young lion among the flocks of sheep,” and “treading down and tearing, and none delivering,” signify power over evils and falsities; because of this signification it is said, “thine hand shall be lifted up above thine adversaries, and all thine enemies shall be cut off;” for “adversaries” signify evils, and “enemies” falsities (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2851, 8289, 9314, 10481).
sRef Isa@21 @6 S6′ sRef Isa@21 @7 S6′ sRef Isa@21 @8 S6′ sRef Isa@21 @9 S6′ [6] In Isaiah:
The Lord said, Go set a watchman, who may look and announce. And he saw a chariot, a pair of horsemen, an ass chariot, a camel chariot; and he harkened a hearkening; a lion upon a watch-tower called out, O lord, I stand continually in the daytime, and I am set upon my watch all the nights: Babylon is fallen, is fallen (Isa. 21:6-9).
This treats of the coming of the Lord and a new church at that time. “A lion upon a watch-tower” signifies the Lord’s guard and providence; therefore it is said, “I stand continually in the daytime, and I am set upon my watch all the nights.” A “chariot” and a “pair of horsemen” signify the doctrine of truth from the Word; “harkening a harkening” signifies a life according to that doctrine. (That “chariot” signifies the doctrine of truth, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2761, 2762, 5321, 8029, 8215; that “horseman” signifies the Word in respect to the understanding, see n. 2761, 6401, 6534, 7024, 8146, 8148.)
sRef Isa@31 @4 S7′ [7] In the same:
Like as the lion and the young lion roareth over what he hath torn which* a multitude of shepherds meeteth, so shall Jehovah come down to fight upon Mount Zion and upon the hill thereof (Isa. 31:4).
Here Jehovah is compared to “a roaring lion,” because a “lion” signifies power to lead forth from hell or from evils, and to “roar” signifies defense against evils and falsities; therefore it is said, “so shall Jehovah Zebaoth come down to fight upon Mount Zion and upon the hill thereof,” “Mount Zion and the hill thereof” meaning the celestial church and the spiritual church; and “that which is torn over which the lion and the young lion roar” signifying deliverance from evils, which are from hell.
sRef Ps@104 @22 S8′ sRef Ps@104 @21 S8′ sRef Amos@3 @8 S8′ sRef Rev@10 @3 S8′ sRef Hos@11 @9 S8′ sRef Hos@11 @10 S8′ [8] To “roar” when attributed to a lion, has the same signification in Hosea:
I will not return to destroy Ephraim. They shall go after Jehovah as a lion roareth (Hos. 11:9, 10).
In Amos:
The lion hath roared, who does not fear? The Lord Jehovih hath spoken, who will not prophesy (Amos 3:8).
In Revelation:
The angel cried with a great voice, as a lion roared (Rev. 10:3).
In David:
The lions roaring after their prey and seeking their food from God. The sun ariseth, they gather themselves together and lie down in their abodes (Ps. 104:21-22).
These words in David describe the state of the angels of heaven when they are not in a state of intense love and of wisdom therefrom, and when they return into that state; the former state is described by “lions roaring after their prey, and seeking their food from God;” the latter state by “the sun ariseth, they gather themselves together and lie down in their abodes.” By the “lions” the angels of heaven are meant; their “roaring,” means desire; “prey” and “food” mean the good which is of love and the truth which is of wisdom; “the sun arising” means the Lord in respect to love and wisdom therefrom; “gathering themselves together” means returning into a celestial state; and “lying down in their abodes,” a state of tranquility and peace. (Of these two states of the angels in heaven see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 154-161.)
sRef Deut@33 @20 S9′ sRef Rev@5 @5 S9′ [9] Because Jehovah is compared to a lion from Divine truth in respect to power, therefore the Lord is called a “lion” in Revelation:
Behold the lion that is of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, hath overcome (Rev. 5:5).
And because all power is from the Lord through Divine truth, this also is signified by a “lion,” as in Moses:
Of Gad he said, Blessed is he who hath given the breadth to Gad; as a lion he dwelleth, he teareth the arm, yea, the crown of the head (Deut. 33:20).
“Gad” in the highest sense signifies omnipotence, and therefore in the representative sense the power that is of truth (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3934, 3935); therefore it is said, “Blessed is he who hath given breadth to Gad,” for “breadth” signifies truth (Arcana Coelestia, n. 1613, 3433, 3434, 4482, 9487, 10179; that all power is from Divine truth, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, in the chapter on The Power of the Angels in Heaven, n. 228-233).
sRef 2Sam@1 @23 S10′ [10] Because a “lion” signifies power, therefore in the lamentations 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. 50:23). “Saul” here as king, and “Jonathan” as the son of a king, mean truth protecting the church, since the doctrine of truth and good is here treated of, for that lamentation was written “to teach the sons of Judah the bow” (verse 18 there); and “bow” signifies that doctrine (see Arcana Coelestia, 2686, 2709, 6422).
sRef Isa@5 @29 S11′ sRef Isa@5 @28 S11′ sRef Jer@2 @15 S11′ [11] Because “the kings of Judah and Israel” represented the Lord in respect to Divine truth, and because a “throne” represented the judgment, which is effected according to Divine truth, and because “lions” represented power, guard, and protection against falsities and evils, therefore near the two stays of the throne built by Solomon there were two lions, and twelve lions on the six steps on the one side and on the other (1 Kings 10:18-20). From this it can be seen what “lions” in the Word signify when the Lord, heaven, and the church are treated of. “Lions” in the Word signify also the power of falsity from evil by which the church is destroyed and devastated. As in Jeremiah:
The young lions roar against her,** they give forth their voice, they reduce the land to wasteness (Jer. 2:15).
In Isaiah:
A nation whose arrows are sharp, and all his bows bent, the hoofs of his horses are accounted as rock, his roaring like that of a lion, he roareth like a young lion, and he growleth and seizeth the prey (Isa. 5:28-29).
Besides many other places (as in Isa. 11:6; 35:9; Jer. 4:7; 5:6; 12:8; 50:17; 51:38; Ezek. 19:3, 5-6; Hos. 13:7, 8; Joel 1:6-7; Ps. 17:12; 22:13; 57:4; 58:6; 91:13).
* For “which” the Hebrew has “when . . . meeteth him,” as found in Arcana Coelestia, n. 1664.
** For “her” the Hebrew has “him”; cf. Apocalypse Explained, n. 601.

sRef Rev@4 @7 S0′ 279. And the second animal like a calf, signifies the appearance in ultimates of Divine good in respect to protection. This is evident from the signification of a “calf,” or “bullock,” as being the good of the natural man, and specifically his good of innocence and charity; and because it is the good of the natural man it also is the good of the lowest heaven, for this heaven is spiritual natural (see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 29-31); and as this good is there, there is a guard or protection that the higher heavens be not approached except through the good of love and charity; this is why one cherub was like a calf. That this appearance was in ultimates, see just above (n. 278). A “calf” or “bullock” signifies the good of the natural man, because animals from the herd signified the affections of good and truth in the external or natural man; and those from the flock signified the affections of good and truth in the internal or spiritual man. Those from the flock were lambs, she-goats, sheep, rams, and he-goats; those from the herd were oxen, bullocks, and calves.
sRef Ezek@1 @7 S2′ [2] That “bullocks” and “calves” signify the good of the natural man is evident from the passages of the Word where they are mentioned. First from the description of the feet of the cherubim in Ezekiel:
Their foot was straight and the sole of their feet like the sole of a calf’s foot, and they sparkled like the appearance of burnished brass (Ezek. 1:7).
Their foot thus appeared “straight” because the cherubim represented the Divine guard of the Lord, and the feet and the soles of the feet represented the same in ultimates or in the spiritual natural heaven and the natural world; for “feet” in general signify the natural; a “straight foot” the natural in respect to good; “the sole of the foot” the ultimate of the natural; “burnished brass” also signifies good in the natural. From this it is clear that good in the natural is signified by a “calf,” and that in this is the ultimate good that guards and protects lest the heavens be approached except through the good of love and charity. (That “feet” signify the natural, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2162, 3147, 3761, 3986, 4280, 4938-4952, 5327, 5328; that that which is to the right signifies good from which is truth, n. 9604, 9736, 10061; therefore a “straight foot” signifies the natural in respect to good. That “palms,” “soles,” and “hoofs,” signify the ultimates in the natural, see n. 4938, 7729; and that “burnished brass” signifies natural good, see above, n. 70.)
sRef Hos@14 @2 S3′ [3] In Hosea:
Return ye to Jehovah; say unto Him, Take away all iniquity, and accept good, and we will pay back the bullocks of our lips (Hos. 14:2).
What it is to “pay back the bullocks of the lips” no one can know unless he knows what “bullocks” and what “lips” signify; they mean evidently confession and thanksgiving from a good heart; but it is thus expressed because “bullocks” signify external good, and “lips” doctrine; therefore “paying back the bullocks of the lips” signifies to confess and give thanks from the goods of doctrine. (That “lips” signify doctrine, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 1286, 1288.)
sRef Amos@6 @4 S4′ sRef Amos@6 @3 S4′ [4] In Amos:
Ye cause the habitation of violence to draw near; they lie upon beds of ivory, and eat the lambs out of the flock, and the calves out of the midst of the stall (Amos 5:3, 4).
Here those who have an abundance of the knowledges of good and truth and yet lead an evil life are treated of; “to eat the lambs out of the flock” signifies to imbibe the knowledges of internal good or of the spiritual man; and “to eat the calves out of the midst of the stall” signifies to imbibe the knowledges of external good or of the natural man; and “to cause the habitation of violence to draw near” is to live a life contrary to charity.
sRef Mal@4 @2 S5′ [5] In Malachi:
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 fatted calves (Mal. 4:2).
The “Sun of righteousness that 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; therefore “to go forth, and grow up as fatted calves,” signifies the increase of all good, “fatted” and “fat” also signifying good.
sRef Luke@15 @22 S6′ sRef Luke@15 @23 S6′ [6] In Luke:
The father said of the prodigal son who returned penitent in heart, Bring forth the first 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, that we may eat and be glad (Luke 15:22, 23).
He who is acquainted only with the sense of the letter believes that no deeper meaning is contained in this than appears in that sense, when yet every particular involves heavenly things; as that they should “put on him the first 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 might eat and be merry.” By “the prodigal son” those who are prodigal of spiritual riches, which are the knowledges of truth and good, are meant; “his returning to his father, and his confession that he was not worthy to be called his son,” signifies penitence of heart and humiliation; “the first robe with which he was clothed,” signifies general and primary truths; “the ring on the hand” signifies the conjunction of truth and good in the internal or spiritual man; “the shoes on the feet” signify the same in the external or natural man, and both signify regeneration; “the fatted calf” signifies the good of love and charity; and “to eat and be glad” signifies consociation and heavenly joy.
sRef Jer@34 @20 S7′ sRef Jer@34 @18 S7′ sRef Jer@34 @19 S7′ [7] In Jeremiah:
I will give the men that have transgressed My covenant, who have not established the words of the covenant which they made before Me, that of the calf, which they cut in twain that they might pass between the parts thereof, the princes of Judah, and the princes of Jerusalem, the royal ministers and the priests, and all the people of the land, which passed 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 (Jer. 34:18-20).
What is meant by “the covenant of the calf,” and by “passing between its parts,” no one can know without knowing what a “covenant” signifies, and a “calf,” and its being “cut in twain;” then what is meant by “the princes of Judah and Jerusalem,” by “the royal ministers,” “the priests,” and “the people of the land.” Some heavenly arcanum is evidently meant; and it can be understood when it is known that a “covenant” means conjunction; a “calf” good, a “calf cut in twain” good proceeding from the Lord on the one hand, and good received by man on the other, whence is conjunction; and that “the princes of Judah and of Jerusalem, the royal ministers, the priests, and the people of the land,” mean the goods and truths of the church; and that “to pass between the parts” means to conjoin. When these things are known, the internal sense of these words can be seen, namely, that there was no conjunction by the goods and truths of the church with that nation, but disjunction.
sRef Gen@15 @9 S8′ sRef Gen@15 @18 S8′ sRef Gen@15 @12 S8′ sRef Gen@15 @11 S8′ sRef Gen@15 @10 S8′ [8] Like things are involved in the “covenant of the calf” with Abram, of which in Genesis:
Jehovah said to Abram, Take to thee an heifer 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 him all these, and divided them in the midst, and laid each part over against the other; but the birds divided he not. And the birds of prey came down upon the carcasses; and Abram drove them away. And the sun was at its going down, and a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and lo, a terror of great darkness fell upon him. And in that day Jehovah made a covenant with Abram (Gen. 15:9-12, 18).
The “terror of great darkness” that fell upon Abram signified the state of the Jewish nation, which was in the greatest darkness in respect to the truths and goods of the church. This state of that nation is what is described in the prophet by “the covenant of the calf which they cut into two parts, between which they passed.” Since a “calf” signifies the good of the natural man and its truth, which is knowledge [scientificum]; and since the natural man and its knowledge [scientificum] is signified by “Egypt,” therefore in the Word Egypt is called a “she-calf,” and a “he-calf;” moreover, when they applied the knowledges [scientifica] of the church to magical and idolatrous purposes they turned the calf into an idol; this was why the sons of Israel made to themselves a he-calf in the wilderness, and worshiped it, and also why they had a calf in Samaria.
sRef Hos@8 @5 S9′ sRef Hos@8 @4 S9′ sRef Jer@46 @21 S9′ sRef Jer@46 @20 S9′ sRef Hos@8 @6 S9′ [9] That Egypt was called a he-calf and a she-calf can be seen in Jeremiah:
A very fair she-calf is Egypt; destruction cometh out of the north, her hirelings in the midst of her are like he-calves of the stall (Jer. 46:20-21).
Respecting the calf that the sons of Israel made to themselves in the wilderness, see Exodus 32; and respecting the “calf of Samaria” (1 Kings 12:28-32), about which is the following 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 they may be cut off. Thy calf, O Samaria, hath forsaken thee. For it was from Israel; the workman made it, and it is not God; the calf of Samaria shall be broken in pieces (Hos. 8:4-6).
This treats of the corrupt explanation of the Word, when the sense of its letter is turned to favor self-love, and the principles of religion derived therefrom. “They have made a king, but not by Me, and they have made princes, and I knew it not,” signifies doctrines from self-intelligence, which in themselves are falsities, but which they make to appear as truths; for “king” signifies truth, and in a contrary sense, falsity; “princes” signify primary truths, or falsities, which are called principles of religion. “To make idols of their silver and their gold” signifies to pervert the truths and goods of the church, and still to worship them as holy, although as they are from self-intelligence they are destitute of life; “silver” is the truth, and “gold” the good, which are from the Lord; “idols” signify worship from doctrine that is from self-intelligence; “the workman made it, and it is not God,” signifies that is from the selfhood [ex proprio], and not from the Divine; “to be broken in pieces” signifies to be dispersed; which makes clear what is signified by the “calf of Samaria.” Because “calves” signified the good of the natural man, calves were also sacrificed (see Exod. 29:11, 12 seq.; Lev. 4:3 seq.; 13 seq.; 8:15 seq.; 9:2; 16:3; 23:18; Num. 8:8 seq.; 15:24; 28:19, 20; Judges 6:25-29; 1 Sam 1:25; 16:2; 1 Kings 18:23-26, 33); for all the animals that were sacrificed signified the goods of the church of various kinds.

sRef Rev@4 @7 S0′ 280. And the third animal had a face like a man, signifies the appearance in ultimates of the Divine guard and providence in respect to wisdom. This is evident from the signification of “the face of a man,” as being the affection of truth, “face” signifying affection, and “man” the recipient of Divine truth; and because man’s rational is from this, “man” signifies wisdom; for man was created that he might be rational and wise; by this he is distinguished from the brute animals; for this reason “man” in the Word signifies wisdom. “Man” signifies both the affection of truth and wisdom, because the affection of truth and wisdom act as one; for he who is in the spiritual affection of truth, that is, who is affected by truth, or who loves truth because it is truth, is conjoined to the Lord, since the Lord is in His own truths, and is His truth with man; from this man has wisdom, and from this it is that man is a man. Some suppose that man is a man by reason of his face and body, and that by these he is distinguished from beasts, but they are in an error; man is a man by reason of his wisdom, consequently so far as anyone is wise so far is he a man. Those, therefore, who are wise, appear in heaven and in the light of heaven as men, with a brightness and beauty according to their wisdom; while those who are not wise-which is true of those who are in no spiritual affection, but merely in natural affection, in which man is when he loves truth not because it is truth but because he thence receives glory, honor, and gain-these in the light of heaven appear not as men but as monsters in various forms (see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 70, 72, 73-77, 80; and what wisdom is, and what non-wisdom is, n. 346-356).
sRef Isa@6 @11 S2′ sRef Isa@6 @12 S2′ [2] That “man” in the Word signifies the affection of truth and wisdom therefrom, is evident from the following passages. In Isaiah:
Lord, how long? He said, until cities be devastated that they may be without inhabitant, and the houses that there may be no man in them, and the ground be devastated to a waste. Jehovah shall remove man, and forsaken places shall be multiplied in the midst of the land (Isa. 6:11-12).
These things were not said of the devastation of the earth, that there should no longer be cities and houses therein, or that in these there should be no inhabitant or man, but they were said of the devastation of good and truth in the church; “cities” signifying the truths of doctrine; “inhabitant” the good of doctrine; “houses” the interiors of man which are of his mind; and “man” the spiritual affection of truth and wisdom therefrom. This is signified by “the houses shall be devastated, that there may be no man in them.” The “land” that shall be devastated to a waste signifies the church. From this it is clear what is signified by “removing man,” and by “multiplying the forsaken places in the midst of the land;” “a forsaken place” signifying where there is no good because there is no truth.
sRef Isa@13 @12 S3′ [3] In the same:
I will make a man [virum hominem] more rare than pure gold; and [the son of] man6 than the gold of Ophir (Isa. 13:12).
A [son of] “man” [virum hominem] signifies intelligence, and “man” [hominem] wisdom, and that these were about to be at an end is signified by their being “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, whose understanding is from the will of good. From this it is clear what is here signified by [son of] “man” [virum hominem], and what by “man” [hominem].
sRef Isa@24 @6 S4′ [4] In the same:
The inhabitants of the earth shall be burnt up, and few men shall be left (Isa. 24:6).
The “inhabitants of the earth” signify the goods of the church, and these are said “to be burnt up” when the loves of self and of the world begin to rule; that the spiritual affection of truth and wisdom therefrom will then be at an end is signified by “few men will be left.”
sRef Isa@33 @8 S5′ [5] In the same:
The highways have been laid waste; he that passeth through the way hath ceased; he hath made void the covenant, he hath rejected the cities, he regardeth not man (Isa. 33:8).
This treats of the devastation of the church; “the highways that are laid waste” and “he that passeth through the way who hath ceased” signify that the goods and truths which lead to heaven are no more; “he hath made void the covenant” signifies no conjunction then with the Lord; “he hath rejected the cities” signifies that they spurn doctrine; “he regardeth not man” signifies that he makes no account of wisdom.
sRef Jer@4 @23 S6′ sRef Jer@4 @25 S6′ [6] In Jeremiah:
I saw the earth, when lo, it was void and empty; and towards the heavens, and their light was not. I saw, when lo there was no man, and all the fowl of the heavens were fled away (Jer. 4:23, 25).
This evidently does not mean the earth, that it was void and empty, nor the heavens that there was no light thence nor that there was not a man on the earth, nor that all the fowl of heaven were fled; what is really meant can be seen only from the spiritual sense of the Word. In that sense “earth” signifies the church; that it was “void and empty” signifies that there is no good and truth in the church; the “heavens,” where there is no light, signify the interiors of man’s mind which are the receptacles of the light of heaven; (the “light” that is not there is Divine truth and wisdom therefrom); therefore it is said, “I saw and lo there was no man”; the “fowl of heaven which were fled away” signify the rational and the intellectual.
sRef Jer@31 @27 S7′ [7] In the same:
Behold the days come, that I will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of man and with the seed of beast (Jer. 31:27).
“The house of Israel and the house of Judah” signify the church in respect to truth and in respect to good; “the seed of man and the seed of beast” signify the spiritual affection of truth and the natural affection of truth; for where “man and beast” are mentioned in the Word the spiritual and the natural or the internal and the external, are signified (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 7424, 7523, 7872).
sRef Zeph@1 @3 S8′ [8] In Zephaniah:
I will take away man and beast; I will take away the fowl of the heavens and the fishes of the sea; I will cut off man from the surfaces of the earth (Zeph. 1:3).
“To take away man and beast” means to take away the spiritual affection of truth and the natural affection of truth; “to take away the fowl of the heavens and the fishes of the sea” means to take away spiritual truths and natural truths; and “to cut off man from the surfaces of the earth” means to cut off the affection of truth and wisdom.
sRef Ezek@34 @31 S9′ [9] In Ezekiel:
Ye My flock, the flock of My pasture, ye are man; I am your God (Ezek. 34:31).
The “flock of the pasture” signifies spiritual good and truth; the “pasture” is the reception of these from the Lord; it is therefore said, “ye are man, I am your God,” “man” standing for the spiritual affection of truth and wisdom.
sRef Ezek@36 @38 S10′ sRef Ezek@36 @10 S10′ sRef Ezek@36 @9 S10′ sRef Ezek@36 @12 S10′ sRef Ezek@36 @11 S10′ sRef Ezek@36 @13 S10′ sRef Ezek@36 @14 S10′ [10] In the same:
Behold, I am with you, and I will look unto you, and ye shall be tilled and sown; then I will multiply man upon you, the whole house of Israel; and the cities shall be inhabited, and the waste places shall be builded. I will cause man to walk upon you, My people Israel. Thus the Lord Jehovah hath said, Because ye say, Thou hast been a devourer of man and a bereaver of thy peoples, therefore thou shalt devour man no more, and thy sword shall not bereave any more; the desolate cities shall be full of the flock of man (Ezek. 36:9-14, 38).
The restoration of the church is here treated of; “Israel” signifies 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 that makes the church; therefore it is said, “I will multiply man upon you, the whole house of Israel, and I will cause man to walk upon you, My people Israel.” “The flock of man,” of which “the desolate cities shall be full,” signifies spiritual truths of which the doctrines of the church shall be full; “the sword which shall not bereave any more” signifies that falsity shalt no longer destroy truth.
sRef Ezek@19 @6 S11′ sRef Ezek@19 @2 S11′ sRef Ezek@19 @3 S11′ [11] In the same:
Thy mother is a lioness, she lay down among lions; one of her whelps rose up, it learned to tear the prey, it devoured men (Ezek. 19:2, 3, 8).
“Mother” means the church, here the church perverted; the falsity of evil destroying truth is signified by “the lioness lying down among lions;” “her whelp which learned to tear the prey and devoured men” signifies the primary falsity of their doctrine, which destroyed truths and consumed every affection of them. These things were said of the princes of Israel, by whom primary truths are signified, but here, in a contrary sense, primary falsities.
sRef Jer@49 @33 S12′ [12] In Jeremiah:
Hazor shall become an abode of dragons, a waste even forever; a man [vir] shall not dwell there, nor a son of man [hominis] sojourn in her (Jer. 49:33).
The church that is in falsities and in no truths is here treated of; “Hazor” signifies the knowledges of truth; the knowledges of falsity are signified by “an abode of dragons;” that there is there no truth and no doctrine of truth is signified by “a man [vir] shall not dwell there, nor the son of man [hominis] sojourn in her,” “man” meaning truth, and “the son of man” a doctrine of truth.
sRef Rev@21 @17 S13′ [13] In Revelation:
He measured the wall of the holy Jerusalem, a hundred and forty-four cubits, the measure of a man, which is that of an angel (Rev. 21:17).
That this signifies, that “the wall of the holy Jerusalem was a hundred and forty-four cubits, and that this was the measure of a man, which is that of an angel,” no one can understand unless he knows what is signified by “the holy Jerusalem,” by its “wall,” by the number “one hundred and forty-four,” likewise by “man,” and by “angel.” “The holy Jerusalem” signifies the church in respect to doctrine; “wall” signifies truth protecting; the number “one hundred and forty-four” signifies all truths from good in the complex; “man” signifies the reception of these from affection, and “angel” signifies the same; it is therefore said, “the measure of a man, which is that of an angel;” “measure” signifying quality. From this it is clear 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 “man” signifies the spiritual affection of truth and wisdom therefrom, “man” also signifies the church, because the church with man is a church from the spiritual affection of truth and wisdom therefrom. This makes clear what is meant by “Man” in the first chapters of Genesis, namely, the church that was the first of this earth and the most ancient; this is what is meant by “Adam,” or “Man.” The establishment of this church is described in the first chapter by the creation of heaven and earth; its intelligence and wisdom by paradise; and its fall by the eating of the tree of knowledge.
[15] But in the highest sense, by “man” is meant the Lord Himself, since from Him are heaven and the church, and the spiritual affection of truth and wisdom with each one of those who constitute heaven and the church; therefore in the highest sense the Lord alone is man; and men in both worlds, spiritual and natural, are men so far as they receive from the Lord truth and good, thus so far as they love truth and live according to it. And from this also it is that the whole angelic heaven appears as one man, and also each society there; and moreover, that the angels appear in a perfect human form. (See further on this in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 59-67, 68-72, 73-77, 87-102.)
aRef Ex@25 @18 S16′ sRef Ezek@1 @26 S16′ aRef Ex@25 @19 S16′ aRef Ex@25 @20 S16′ [16] It was on this account that the four cherubim, which signify the guard and providence of the Lord that the higher heavens be not approached except through the good of love, were seen as men, although they each had four faces; and 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 appearance of the four animals; they had the likeness of a man, but each one had four faces (Ezek. 1:5-6).
Likewise the two cherubim upon the mercy-seat were in face like men. That the Lord was seen above the four cherubim as a man is also stated in the same prophet:
Above the expanse which was over the head of the cherubim was as it were the appearance of a sapphire stone, the likeness of a throne, and upon the likeness of the throne a likeness as the appearance of a man upon it above (Ezek. 1:26).

sRef Rev@4 @7 S0′ 281. And the fourth animal was like a flying eagle, signifies the appearance in ultimates of the Divine guard and providence in respect to intelligence and as to circumspection on every side. This is evident from the signification of “eagle,” as being intelligence; here Divine intelligence which is that of the Lord’s guard and providence. “Eagle” means intelligence because intelligence is in the light of heaven, and the eagle flies high that he may be there and may look about on every side; this is why this face of the cherub appeared “like a flying eagle;” for “to fly” signifies presence and clear vision or every side, and in reference to the Divine it signifies omnipresence. “Eagle” signifies intelligence for this reason also, that the “birds of heaven” signify in a good sense things intellectual and rational, and the eagle especially, because it not only flies high but also has keen vision. (That “the birds of heaven” signify things intellectual and rational, in both senses, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 745, 776, 866, 988, 991, 3219, 5149, 7441.)
sRef Ezek@17 @8 S2′ sRef Ezek@17 @5 S2′ sRef Ezek@17 @7 S2′ sRef Ezek@17 @6 S2′ sRef Ezek@17 @4 S2′ sRef Ezek@17 @1 S2′ sRef Ezek@17 @2 S2′ sRef Ezek@17 @3 S2′ [2] That “eagle” signifies intelligence is evident from the following passages in the Word. In Ezekiel:
A great eagle, great in wings, long in pinions, full of feathers, which had divers colors [embroidery], came upon Lebanon, and took a twig of cedar; he plucked off the head of its shoots, and carried it into a land of traffic; and set it in the city of spice dealers. He took of the seed of the land, and placed it in a field of sowing; he took it to great waters, and placed it carefully; and it sprouted and became a luxuriant vine of low stature, so that its branches looked to it, and the roots thereof were under it; so it became a vine that produced shoots and sent out boughs. And there was another great eagle, great in wings and full of feathers; and behold, this vine did bend its roots toward it and sent forth its branches toward it to water it from the beds of its plantation; it was planted in a good field by many waters, to make the bough and to bear fruit, that it might be a vine of magnificence (Ezek. 17:1-8).
The establishment of a spiritual church by the Lord is here treated of, and in the internal sense the process of its establishment or of the regeneration of the man of that church from beginning to end is described. By the first eagle the process of regeneration of the natural or external man by means of knowledges [scientifica] and cognitions from the Word is described; and by the other eagle the process of regeneration of the spiritual or internal man by means of truths from good is described; therefore the first eagle signifies the intelligence of the natural man, and the second the intelligence of the spiritual man. Let it be also explained briefly what these particulars signify. The first eagle is said to have been “great in wings, long in pinions, full of feathers,” and this signifies an abundance of the knowledges and cognitions [scientiarum et cognitionum] of truth and good, from which comes the first intelligence, which is the intelligence of the natural man; it is therefore said that “it had divers colors” [embroidery], for by “divers colors” is signified what relates to knowledge and cognition [scientificum et cognitivum] (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 9658). “It came upon Lebanon, and took a twig of cedar,” signifies the reception of some knowledges of truth from the doctrine of the church which is from the Word; for “Lebanon” signifies that doctrine, and “the twig of cedar” knowledges. “He plucked off the head of its shoots, and carried it into a land of traffic,” signifies primary knowledges from that doctrine to which knowledges [scientiae] were applied; “the head of the shoots” signifying primary knowledges, and “the land of traffic” the natural man, to which things known belong. “He set it in the city of spice dealers” signifies among truths from good in the natural man; “spices” signifying truths which are agreeable because from good (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 4748, 5621, 9474, 9475, 10199, 10254). “He took of the seed of the land, and placed it in the field of sowing; he took it to great waters, and placed it carefully,” signifies multiplication; “the seed of the land” meaning the truth of the church; “the field of sowing,” the good from which it grows; “great waters,” the knowledges of truth and good; “to place carefully,” separation from falsities; “and it sprouted and became a luxuriant vine, so that its branches looked to it [the eagle] and the roots thereof were under it,” signifies the church coming to the birth through the arrangement of the knowledges of truth, and from their application to use. “So it became a vine that produced shoots and sent out boughs,” signifies the beginning of the spiritual church, and the continual increase of truths. (That “vine” is the spiritual church, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 1069, 6375, 9277.) Thus far the beginning of the church with man, which takes place 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 said that “the vine did bend its roots toward it, that is, the eagle, and send forth its branches toward it;” for “roots” signify knowledges [scientiae], and “branches” the cognitions of truth and good, which are all applied to the truths which are n the spiritual or internal man; without their spiritual application man does not become wise at all. The multiplication and fructification of truth from good, thus the increase of intelligence, is described by “the vine was planted in a good field, by many waters, to make the bough and to bear fruit, that it might be a vine of magnificence;” “a good field” is the church in respect to the good of charity; “many waters” are the knowledges of good and truth; “to form the bough” is to multiply truths; “to bear fruit” is to bring forth goods, which are uses; “a vine of magnificence” is the spiritual church, both internal and external. (But these things, since they are arcana of regeneration and of the establishment of the church with man, can be better understood from what is brought together in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, from the Arcana Coelestia, On Knowledges [scientiis] and Cognitions, n. 51; and On Regeneration, n. 183.)
sRef Isa@40 @31 S3′ [3] That “eagle” signifies intelligence can also be seen in Isaiah:
They that wait upon Jehovah shall renew the strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles (Isa. 40:31).
“To mount up with wings as eagles” is ascent into the light of heaven, thus into intelligence.
sRef Ps@103 @5 S4′ [4] In David:
Jehovah, who satisfieth thy mouth, so that thou shalt be renewed like an eagle (Ps. 103:5).
“To be renewed like an eagle” is to be renewed in respect to intelligence.
sRef Ex@19 @4 S5′ [5] In Moses:
Ye have seen how I bare you as on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto Myself (Exod. 19:4).
“To bear as on eagles’ wings, and to bring,” also means into intelligence, because into heaven and its light.
sRef Deut@32 @10 S6′ sRef Deut@32 @11 S6′ sRef Deut@32 @12 S6′ [6] In the same:
Jehovah found him in the land of the wilderness. He led him about, He instructed him, He preserved him as the pupil of His eye. As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young; it spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh him, beareth him on her pinions, so Jehovah alone led him (Deut. 32:10-12). This treats of the establishment of the Ancient Church, and the first reformation of those who were of that church; their first state is meant by “the land of the wilderness in which Jehovah found them;” “the land of the wilderness,” is where there is no good because there is no truth; their instruction in truths, guarding them from falsities, and the opening of the interiors of their mind, that they may come into the light of heaven, and thus into the understanding of truth and good, which is intelligence, is described by “the eagle,” its “nest on high,” “it fluttereth over the young, and beareth them on the pinions;” comparison is made with the eagle, because “eagle” signifies intelligence.
sRef 2Sam@1 @23 S7′ [7] In the second book of Samuel:
Saul and Jonathan, swifter than eagles, and stronger than lions (2 Sam. 1:23).
“Saul” as a king, and “Jonathan” as a king’s son, signify the truth of the church; and because intelligence is from truth, and also power, it is said that they were “swifter than eagles, and stronger than lions;” “swiftness” in the Word, in reference to intelligence, signifying the affection of truth. For David wrote his lamentation over Saul and Jonathan “to teach the sons of Judah the bow;” and “the sons of Judah” signify the truths of the church, and the “bow” means the doctrine of truth combating against falsities.
sRef Job@39 @27 S8′ sRef Job@39 @26 S8′ sRef Job@39 @30 S8′ sRef Job@39 @29 S8′ sRef Job@39 @28 S8′ [8] In Job:
By thy intelligence doth the hawk fly, and spread her wings toward the south? At thy command doth the eagle mount up and make high her nest? In the rock she dwelleth and lodgeth; thence she searcheth her food; her eyes behold afar off; and where the slain are there is she (Job 39:26-30.)
Here intelligence is treated of, that no one can procure it from himself or from what is his own [ex proprio]; therefore it is said, “By thy intelligence doth the hawk fly, and spread her wings towards the south?” referring to man’s leading himself into the light of intelligence (signified by the “south”), and here, that this is not possible. Intelligence itself, which is of the spiritual man, is described by “the eagle doth mount up, make high her nest, dwell and lodge in the rock, thence searching her food, and her eyes behold afar off.” That no one has such intelligence from himself is signified by “Doth the eagle do this at thy command?” But that nothing but falsities can come from self-intelligence is signified by “where the slain are there is she;” “the slain” in the Word signify those with whom truths have been extinguished by falsities (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 4503).
sRef Luke@17 @37 S9′ [9] From this it can be seen what is signified by the Lord’s words when the disciples asked Him where the Last Judgment would be, in Luke:
The disciples said, Where, Lord? He said unto them, Where the body is, there will the eagles be gathered together (Luke 17:37).
The “body” here means the spiritual world, where all men are together, both the evil and the good; and “eagles” signify 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 what is man’s own [ex proprio], but true intelligence is from the Lord through the Word.
sRef Jer@4 @13 S10′ [10] The falsities that are from self-intelligence are also described by “eagles” in the following passages in the Word. In Jeremiah:
Behold he ascendeth as the clouds, and his chariot as the storm, his horses are swifter than eagles. Woe unto us, for we are devastated (Jer. 4:13).
The desolation of truth in the church is here treated of, and the “cloud” that ascends signifies falsities; “the chariot which is as the storm” signifies the doctrine of falsity; their avidity for reasoning against truths and destroying them, and pleasure in it, is signified by “their horses are swifter than eagles,” for “swiftness” and “haste” in the Word signify being stirred by affection and lust (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 7695, 7866); and “horses” signify the understanding of truth, and in a contrary sense, the understanding of falsity or the reasoning from falsities against truth (Arcana Coelestia, n. 2760-2762, 3217, 5321, 6125, 6400, 6534, 7024, 8146, 8148, 8381); and because “horses” signify this, and “eagles” intelligence, here self-intelligence which is reasoning from falsities, therefore it is said, “their horses are swifter than eagles.”
sRef Lam@4 @19 S11′ sRef Hab@1 @9 S11′ sRef Hab@1 @8 S11′ [11] In Lamentations:
Our pursuers were swifter than the eagles of the heavens (Lam. 4:19).
And in Habakkuk:
His horses are nimbler than leopards, and are fiercer than the evening wolves, that his horsemen may spread themselves; whence his horsemen come from far, they fly as an eagle that hasteth to eat. He cometh all for violence (Hab. 1:8-9);
here too, “eagle” stands for the reasoning from falsities against truths, which is from self-intelligence.

sRef Rev@4 @7 S0′ 282. Inasmuch as this cherub was like an eagle, and the eagle appeared as flying, it shall he told also what “flying” signifies in the Word. “Flying” signifies circumspection and presence, because a bird when it flies looks all about from on high, and thus by its sight is present everywhere and round about. But when “flying” in the Word is attributed to Jehovah, it signifies omnipresence, because omnipresence is infinite circumspection and infinite presence. This then is why this cherub appeared “like an eagle flying;” for “cherubim” signify in general the Lord’s Providence that the higher heavens be not approached except from the good of love and of charity; and this cherub signifies Divine intelligence (as was shown just above).
sRef 2Sam@22 @11 S2′ sRef Ps@18 @10 S2′ [2] That “flying” in the Word, in reference to the Lord signifies omnipresence, and in reference to men circumspection and presence, can be seen from the following passages. In David:
God rode upon a cherub, He did fly, and was borne upon the wings of the wind (Ps. 18:10; 2 Sam. 22:11).
“He rode upon a cherub” signifies the Divine Providence; “He did fly” signifies omnipresence in the spiritual world; “and was borne upon the wings of the wind” signifies omnipresence in the natural world. These words from David no one can understand except from the spiritual sense.
sRef Isa@31 @5 S3′ [3] In Isaiah:
As birds flying, so will Jehovah of Hosts protect Jerusalem (Isa. 31:5).
Jehovah is said “to protect Jerusalem as birds flying,” for “to protect” signifies the Divine Providence in respect to safe guard; “Jerusalem” signifies the church, and “birds flying,” with which comparison is made, signify circumspection and presence, here, as attributed to the Lord, omnipresence.
sRef Rev@8 @13 S4′ sRef Rev@14 @6 S4′ [4] In Revelation:
I saw and I heard one angel flying, through midheaven, saying with a great voice, Woe, woe to the inhabitants of the earth (Rev. 8:13).
In the same:
I saw another angel flying through midheaven, having the eternal gospel to proclaim unto the inhabitants of the earth (Rev. 14:6).
The former angel signifies the damnation of all who are in evils; and the other angel signifies the salvation of all who are in good; “flying” signifies circumspection on every side where they are.
sRef Isa@60 @7 S5′ sRef Isa@60 @8 S5′ [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? (Isa. 60:7-8).
This treats of the Lord’s coming, and the illustration of the Gentiles at that time; and “the flocks of Arabia that shall be gathered together” signify the knowledges of truth and good; “the rams of Nebaioth that shall minister” signify the truths that guide the life from a spiritual affection; “to fly as a cloud and as doves to the windows” signifies examination and scrutiny of truth from the sense of the letter of the Word; therefore “to fly” signifies circumspection; for “cloud” signifies the sense of the letter of the Word, “doves” the spiritual affection of truth, and “windows” truth in light. That such is the meaning of these words can be seen from the signification of “the flocks of Arabia,” “the rams of Nebaioth,” “cloud,” “doves,” and “windows.”
sRef Ps@55 @5 S6′ sRef Ps@55 @7 S6′ sRef Ps@55 @6 S6′ [6] In David:
Fear and trembling were come upon me. And I said, Who will give me a wing like a dove’s? I will fly away where I may dwell. Lo, I will wander far away; I will lodge in the wilderness (Ps. 55:5-7).
This treats of temptation and of distress then; “fear and trembling” signify such distress; the inquiry into truth then, and circumspection whither to turn oneself, is signified by “Who will give me a wing like a dove’s? I will fly away where I may dwell.” “Wing of a dove” means the affection of spiritual truth; “to fly away where I may dwell” means by that affection to rescue the life from damnation; that as yet there is no hope of deliverance is signified by “Lo, I will wander far away, and will lodge in the wilderness.”
sRef Hos@9 @11 S7′ sRef Hos@9 @12 S7′ [7] In Hosea:
Ephraim, as a bird shall their glory fly away; yea if they have brought up sons, then I will make them bereaved of man (Hos. 9:11, 12).
“Ephraim” signifies the illustrated understanding of those who are of the church; “glory” signifies Divine truth; “to fly away as a bird” signifies the deprivation of it (comparison is made with a bird, because a “bird” signifies the rational and intellectual, as Ephraim does); “if they have brought up sons, then will I make them bereaved of man,” signifies that if nevertheless they have brought forth truths, still they are not at all made wise thereby; for “sons” are truths, and “to make them bereaved of man” is to deprive them of wisdom.
sRef Deut@4 @17 S8′ [8] In Moses:
Ye shall not make to you the form of any beast upon the earth, nor the form of any winged bird that flieth towards heaven (Deut. 4:16, 17). This signifies in the internal sense that man must not acquire for himself wisdom and intelligence from self, or from what is his own [ex proprio], for “beasts that walk upon the earth” signify the affections of good, from which is wisdom, and “birds” signify the affections of truth from which is intelligence. That they should not make to themselves the form of these signifies that the things signified are not to be acquired from man, that is, from what is his own [ex proprio]. It is said, “the winged bird that flieth towards heaven,” because “winged bird” signifies the understanding of spiritual truth, and “to fly towards heaven” signifies the circumspection that belongs to intelligence in things Divine.
sRef Isa@6 @2 S9′ [9] From this it can now be seen what is signified by this cherub’s appearing “like a flying eagle” as also what is signified in Isaiah by:
The seraphim, which* had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly (Isa. 6:2);
namely that the “wings with which be covered his face” signify the affection of spiritual truth; the “wings with which he covered his feet” the affection of natural truth therefrom; and the “wings with which he did fly” circumspection and presence, here omnipresence, because “seraphim” have a like signification as “cherubim,” namely, Divine Providence in respect to guarding.
[10] “To fly” in reference to man signifies circumspection and at the same time presence, because sight is present with the object that it sees; its appearing far away or at a distance is because of the intermediate objects that appear at the same time, and can be measured in respect to space. This can be fully confirmed by the things that exist in the spiritual world. In that world spaces themselves are appearances, arising from the diversity of affections and of thought therefrom; consequently, when any persons or things appear far away, and an angel or spirit desires from intense affection to be with such, or to examine the things that are at a distance, he is at once present there. The like is true of thought, which is man’s internal or spiritual sight. Things previously seen thought sees within itself irrespective of space, thus altogether as present. This is why “flying” is predicated of the understanding and of its intelligence, and why it signifies circumspection and presence.
* For “which” the Hebrew has “each of which” as found in AE 285.

sRef Rev@4 @8 S0′ 283. Verse 8. And the four animals, each by itself, had six wings round about, signifies the appearance of the spiritual Divine on all sides about the celestial Divine. This is evident from the signification of the four animals, which were the cherubim, as being the Lord’s Divine guard and providence that the higher heavens be not approached except from the good of love and of charity; and as this is the significance of the four animals as regards their bodies, they signify also the celestial Divine (of which presently). It is evident also from the signification of “six wings round about,” as meaning the spiritual Divine round about the celestial Divine (of which also presently). The “cherubim” in respect to their bodies signify the celestial Divine, and in respect to their wings the spiritual Divine; because all things that represent heavenly things signify in respect to their bodies what is essential, and in respect to what is about them what is formal. So man also, in respect to his body signifies good in essence, and in respect to the encompassing things 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 man himself, or the man in essence; while the understanding in which is truth, which is the form of good, is the man thence derived, thus man in form; this good also is round about the other.
[2] But let it be told first what the celestial Divine is, and what the spiritual Divine is. The heavens are divided into two kingdoms, one of which is called the celestial kingdom, and the other the spiritual kingdom. They differ in this, that those in the celestial kingdom are in the good of love to the Lord, and those in the spiritual kingdom are in the good of charity towards the neighbor. Therefore the celestial Divine is the good of love to the Lord, and the spiritual Divine is the good of charity towards the neighbor. Moreover, according to these goods 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 that succeeds this, and is called the middle or second heaven, consists of those who are in spiritual good, or in the good of charity towards the neighbor; and as celestial good is good in the highest place, and spiritual good is good in the second place, therefore the latter is round about the former; for that which is above is also within, and that which is below is also without, and what is without is round about. This is why in the Word higher things, and things in the midst, signify things interior; and lower things, and things round about, signify things exterior. Now as each good, the celestial and the spiritual, guards, and as the “animals,” that is, the cherubim, in respect to their bodies signify the celestial Divine, and in respect to their wings the spiritual Divine, it is clear that by “the four animals, each by itself, were seen to have six wings round about,” the appearance of the spiritual Divine on all sides round about the celestial Divine is signified. (But a fuller idea of these things can be had from what is said and shown in the work on Heaven and Hell; first, from the chapter where it is shown that The Divine of the Lord makes Heaven, n. 7-12; then from the chapter, The Divine of the Lord in Heaven is Love to Him, and Charity towards the Neighbor, n. 13-19; and lastly, in the chapter, Heaven is divided into two Kingdoms, a Celestial Kingdom and a Spiritual Kingdom, n. 20-28.)
[3] The cherubim were seen as animals because heavenly things are represented in ultimates in various ways, as can be seen from many passages in the Word; as:
That the Holy Spirit appeared as a dove over Jesus when He was baptized (Matt. 3:16-17).
And that the Divine of the Lord appeared as a lamb (Rev. 5:6, 8, 13).
And from this the Lord was also called a Lamb (Rev. 6:1, 16; 7:9-10, 14, 17; 12:11; 13:8; 14:1, 4; 17:14; 19:7, 9; 21:22-23, 27).
There were “four cherubim,” and “each had six wings,” because “four” signifies celestial good, and “six” spiritual good; for “four” signifies conjunction, and inmost conjunction with the Lord is through love to Him; but “six” signifies communication, and communication with the Lord is by means of charity towards the neighbor.
sRef Ps@68 @14 S4′ sRef Ps@68 @13 S4′ [4] That “wings” signify the spiritual Divine, which in its essence is truth from good, can be seen from the following passages. In David:
If ye have lain among the ranks, [ye shall have] the wings of a dove overlaid with silver, and her pinions with the yellow of gold; when Thou, Shaddai, dost spread out, kings shall be in it (Ps. 68:13-14).
What it means that “those who lie among the ranks shall have the wings of a dove overlaid with silver, and her pinions with the yellow of gold,” and that “kings shall be in it when Shaddai spreadeth out,” can be understood only from the internal sense; in that sense “to lie among the ranks” signifies to live according to the statutes; “the wings of a dove overlaid with silver” signify spiritual truths; her “pinions with the yellow of gold” signify spiritual good from which are those truths; “Shaddai” signifies a state of temptations; “kings in it” signify truths in that state and after it. “The wings of a dove overlaid with silver” signify spiritual truths, because “wing” signifies the spiritual, “dove” signifies truth from good, and “silver” the truth itself; “pinions overlaid with the yellow of gold” signify spiritual good from which are those truths, because “pinions” and “the yellow of gold” signify spiritual good from which are truths. “When Shaddai spreadeth out” signifies a state of temptations because “God Shaddai” signifies temptations and consolations after them; and as truths from good are implanted in man by temptations it is said, “kings shall be in it,” for “kings” signify truths from good (see above, n. 31).
sRef Ps@18 @10 S5′ [5] In the same:
God rode upon a cherub, He did fly, and was borne upon the wings of the wind (Ps. 18:10).
“God rode upon a cherub” signifies the Lord’s Divine Providence; “He did fly” signifies omnipresence in the spiritual world; “He was borne upon the wings of the wind” signifies omnipresence in the natural world; “wings of the wind” are things spiritual, from which are things natural.
sRef Ps@91 @4 S6′ sRef Ps@63 @7 S6′ sRef Ps@36 @7 S6′ sRef Ps@17 @8 S6′ [6] In the same:
Jehovah covereth thee under His pinion, and under His wings shalt thou trust; truth is a shield and a buckler (Ps. 91:4).
“To cover under the pinion” signifies to guard by Divine truth, which is the spiritual Divine; and “to trust under His wings” signifies under truth known [verum scientificum], which is the spiritual natural Divine; and as both signify truth, and “to cover” signifies guarding by means of it, it is said, “truth is a shield and a buckler.” This makes clear what is signified:
By being hidden under the shadow of God’s wings (Ps. 17:8);
By putting trust under the shadow of His wings (Ps. 36:7; 57:1);
Also by singing under the shadow of His wings (Ps. 63:7).
sRef Ezek@16 @8 S7′ [7] That “wing” in reference to the Lord signifies the spiritual Divine is further evident from the following passages. In Ezekiel:
When I passed by thee, and saw thee, that behold thy time was the time of loves, I spread My wing over thee, and I covered thy nakedness (Ezek. 16:8).
Here Jerusalem is treated of, and by it the church is meant, here its reformation; “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; “I covered thy nakedness” signifies putting evil out of sight thereby; for the evil that man has by heredity and afterwards from what is his own [ex proprio] is put out of sight, that is, so removed as not to appear, by spiritual truths, which are truths from good.
sRef Ps@104 @3 S8′ sRef Ps@104 @4 S8′ sRef Ps@104 @2 S8′ [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. 104:2, 3).
The “light with which Jehovah covereth Himself” signifies Divine truth in the heavens; it is called His “garment” because it proceeds from Him as a sun, and is thus outside of Him and about Him. This has a like meaning with the “light” and “the garments” of the Lord, when He was transfigured (Matt. 17:9; Mark 9:3; Luke 9:28-37). “He stretcheth out the heavens like a curtain” signifies filling heaven and them that are therein with Divine truth, and thereby with intelligence; “He layeth the beams of His chambers in the waters” means to fill those who are in the ultimate heaven and in the church with the knowledges of truth and good; “He maketh the clouds His chariot” signifies the doctrine of truth from the literal sense of the Word, “clouds” mean that sense, and “chariot” doctrine; “to walk upon the wings of the wind” signifies the spiritual sense of the Word contained in the literal sense.
sRef Mal@4 @2 S9′ [9] In Malachi:
Unto you that fear My name shall the Sun of righteousness arise, and healing in His wings (Mal. 4:2).
“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” is reformation thereby.
sRef Deut@32 @11 S10′ sRef Deut@32 @12 S10′ [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 doth lead him (Deut. 32:11, 12).
Here comparison is made with an “eagle,” because “eagle” signifies intelligence, and “wing” the spiritual Divine, which is Divine truth, from which is intelligence.
sRef Isa@40 @31 S11′ [11] In Isaiah:
They that wait upon Jehovah renew their strength, they mount up with a wing like eagles (Isa. 40:31).
“To mount up with a wing like eagles” is to ascend into the light of heaven, which is Divine truth or the spiritual Divine from which is intelligence.
sRef Ezek@17 @23 S12′ [12] In Ezekiel:
The mountain of 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 (Ezek. 17:23). “A magnificent cedar” signifies the spiritual church; “every bird of every wing” signifies things intellectual which are from spiritual truths.
From this it can be seen what “the wings of the cherubim,” both here and elsewhere in the Word, signify, namely, the spiritual Divine, which is Divine truth instructing, regenerating, and protecting.
sRef Ezek@1 @6 S13′ sRef Ezek@3 @13 S13′ sRef Ezek@10 @21 S13′ sRef Ezek@1 @24 S13′ sRef Ezek@10 @5 S13′ sRef Ezek@1 @23 S13′ [13] As also in Ezekiel:
Each cherub had four faces: and each had four wings, their wings were erect one toward the other, each had two wings covering their bodies. I heard the sound of the wings like the sound of great waters, as the voice of Shaddai; when they went, the voice of a tumult like 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 beside them; the voice of the wings of the cherubim was heard even unto the court without, as the voice of God Shaddai. The likeness of hands was under their wings (Ezek. 1:4, 6, 23-24; 3:12-13; 10:5, 21).
That “wings” here signify the spiritual Divine, which is the Lord’s Divine truth in His celestial kingdom, is evident from the particulars of the description here; that there were “four wings” signifies the spiritual Divine in that kingdom; that “their wings were erect one toward the other,” and “kissed each other” signifies consociation and conjunction from the Lord of all in that kingdom; that “the wings covered their bodies” signifies the spiritual Divine there encompassing the celestial Divine; that “the sound of their wings was heard as the sound of great waters,” and “as the voice of wheels,” and “as the voice of Shaddai,” and that “the voice of the wings was heard even unto the court without” signifies the quality of the spiritual Divine, that is, of Divine truths in the ultimate heaven; for “voice” is predicated of truth; “waters” signify truths and the perception of truths; “wheels” the truths of doctrinals, because a “chariot” signifies doctrine; and “God Shaddai” means truth rebuking in temptations, and afterwards consoling; the “court without” is the ultimate heaven; the “likeness of hands under the wings” signifies the power of Divine truth.
sRef Ex@25 @21 S14′ sRef Ex@25 @20 S14′ sRef Ex@25 @19 S14′ sRef Ex@25 @22 S14′ [14] From this also can be seen what the “wings” of the cherubim, that were over the mercy-seat which was upon the ark, signified, which are thus described in Moses:
Make one cherub from the one end, and the other cherub from the other end; out of the mercy-seat shall ye make the cherubim on the two ends thereof. And the cherubim shall spread out the wings upwards, covering over the mercy-seat with the wings, and their faces shall be a man to his brother; towards the mercy-seat shall be the faces of the cherubim. And thou shalt put the mercy-seat above the ark; and to the ark thou shalt commit the testimony that I shall give thee (Exod. 25:18-21).
Here, too, “cherubim” in like manner signify the Lord’s Providence in respect to guarding, that the highest heaven or the celestial kingdom be not approached except through the good of love from the Lord and to the Lord. The “testimony” or the “law,” in the ark, signifies the Lord Himself; the “ark” the inmost or the highest heaven; the “mercy-seat” the hearing and reception of all things of worship which are from the good of love, and then expiation; the “wings of the cherubim” signify the spiritual Divine in that heaven or in that kingdom; that “the wings were spread out upwards,” and that “they covered the mercy-seat,” and that “their faces were toward the mercy-seat” signify the reception itself and hearing. (But all this can be seen more fully explained in Arcana Coelestia, n. 9506-9546.) And as the “wings of the cherubim” and their direction signify Divine truth heard and received by the Lord, therefore it follows in Moses:
And there I will meet with thee, and I will speak with thee from above the mercy-seat, from between the two cherubim which are upon the ark of the testimony, all things which I will command unto the sons of Israel (Exod. 25:22, and Num. 7:89).
sRef Rev@9 @3 S15′ sRef Rev@9 @9 S15′ [15] As most expressions in the Word have a contrary sense also, so do “wings,” in which sense they signify falsities and reasonings from them; as in Revelation:
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 war (Rev. 9:2-3, 9).
“Locusts” signify falsities in extremes, and “horses” reasonings from them, and “war” signifies the combat of falsity against truth; it is therefore said, “the voice of the wings of the locusts was as the voice of chariots of many horses running to war.”
sRef Hos@4 @19 S16′ sRef Hos@4 @17 S16′ sRef Hos@4 @18 S16′ [16] In Hosea:
Ephraim is joined to idols. Their wine is gone; in whoring they have committed whoredom. The wind hath bound her up in its wings, and they shall be ashamed because of their sacrifices (Hos. 4:17-19).
“Ephraim” signifies the intellectual, such as it is with those within the church who are illustrated when they read the Word; “idols” signify the falsities of doctrine; therefore “Ephraim joined to idols” signifies a perverted intellectual seizing upon falsities; that “their wine is gone” signifies that the truth of the church is gone, “wine” meaning that truth; “in whoring they have committed whoredom” signifies that they have falsified truths, “whoredom” meaning the falsification of truth; “the wind hath bound up in its wings” signifies reasonings from fallacies, from which are falsities. (What fallacies in respect to things spiritual are, see The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 53.) “Wind in the wings” has a like signification in Zechariah 5:9.

sRef Rev@4 @8 S0′ 284. And they were full of eyes within, signifies Divine Providence and guard. This is evident from the signification of “eyes,” as being, in reference to the Lord, His Divine Providence (see above, n. 68, 152). It signifies also guard, because that also is what is signified by “cherubim.”

sRef Rev@4 @8 S0′ 285. And they had no rest day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, signifies that which is most holy proceeding from the Lord. This is evident from the signification of “had no rest day and night;” this, when it is said of the Lord’s Divine Providence and guard, which is signified by “the four cherubim” that appeared as four animals, is universally and perpetually, since the Lord’s Divine Providence and guard rest not and cease not to eternity. This is evident also from the signification of “Holy, holy, holy,” as being that which is most holy proceeding from the Lord, for “holy” thrice named signifies most holy, for this reason, that “three” in the Word signifies what is full, complete, and continuous (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2788, 4495, 7715).
sRef Isa@6 @2 S2′ sRef Isa@6 @1 S2′ sRef Isa@6 @3 S2′ [2] The like is signified by this 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, Holy, holy, holy, Jehovah of Hosts; the fullness of all the earth is His glory (Isa. 6:1-3).
The “seraphim” here have a like signification with the “cherubim;” and the throne high and lifted up” signifies the Divine proceeding from which is heaven; “the skirts that filled the temple” signify the Divine truth proceeding from the Lord in the ultimates of heaven and in the church; “the wings with which the seraphim covered their faces and their feet, and with which they did fly,” signify the spiritual Divine in firsts and in lasts and the extension thereof on every side, thus omnipresence; “Holy, holy, holy,” signifies what is most holy; that this is the Divine truth that fills all things is signified by “the fullness of all the earth is His glory. (That “glory” is the Divine truth, see above, n. 33; and that the Lord only is holy, and that “holy” is predicated of the Divine truth that proceeds from Him, see above, n. 204.)

sRef Rev@4 @8 S0′ 286. Lord God Almighty, who was, and who is, and who is to come, signifies the infinite and eternal. This is evident from the signification of “Almighty” as being that He is the infinite (of which presently), and from the signification of “who was, who is, and who is to come,” as being that He is the eternal (see above, n. 23). There are two things that can be predicated only of Jehovah, that is, the Lord, namely, infinity and eternity; infinity of His esse, which is the Divine good of His Divine love; eternity of His existere from that esse, which is the Divine truth of His Divine wisdom. These two are Divine in themselves. Out of these the universe was created; consequently all things in the universe are referable to good and to truth, and good everywhere is the esse of a thing, and truth is the existere therefrom; but these two in all things of the universe are finite. It is therefore 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, see 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 this it is clear that “Almighty” signifies the infinite, and that “Who was, who is, and who is to come,” signifies the eternal.

sRef Rev@4 @9 S0′ sRef Rev@4 @11 S0′ sRef Rev@4 @10 S0′ 287. Verses 9-11. And when the animals gave glory and honor and thanksgiving to Him that sitteth upon the throne, that liveth unto ages of ages, the four and twenty elders fell down before Him that sitteth upon the throne, and worshipped Him that liveth unto ages of ages, and cast off their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive the glory and the honor and the power, for Thou hast created all things, and by Thy will they are, and they were created. 9. “And when the animals gave glory and honor and thanksgiving,” signifies Divine truth and Divine good and glorification (n. 288); “to Him that sitteth upon the throne, that liveth unto ages of ages,” signifies from whom are all things of heaven and of the church and eternal life (n. 289). 10, 11. “The four and twenty elders fell down before Him that sitteth upon the throne,” signifies humiliation, and then acknowledgment by those who are in truth from good, that all things of heaven and the church are from the Lord (n. 290); “and worshiped Him that liveth unto ages of ages,” signifies humiliation and then acknowledgment that from the Lord is eternal life (n. 291); “and cast off their crowns before the throne,” signifies humiliation and then acknowledgment in heart that there is nothing of good from themselves but that everything is from the Lord (n. 292); “saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive the glory, and the honor, and the power,” signifies merit and righteousness belonging to the Lord’s Divine Human, that from it is all Divine truth and Divine good and salvation (n. 293); “for Thou hast created all things,” signifies that from Him are all existence and life, and heaven also for those who receive (n. 294); “and by Thy will they are, and they were created,” signifies that through Divine good they have being, and through Divine truth they have existence (n. 295).

sRef Rev@4 @9 S0′ sRef John@15 @8 S1′ sRef John@15 @7 S1′ 288. Verse 9. And when the animals gave glory and honor and thanksgiving, signifies Divine truth and Divine good and glorification. This is evident from the signification of “glory and honor,” as being, in reference to the Lord, Divine truth and Divine good; “glory” being Divine truth, and “honor” Divine good (of which presently); and from the signification of “thanksgiving,” as being glorification. Let it first be told what is here meant by glorification. Glorification, when it is from the Lord, is a perpetual influx with angels and men of Divine good with Divine truth; and glorification of the Lord among angels and men is reception and acknowledgment in heart that all good and all truth are from the Lord, and thence all intelligence, wisdom, and blessedness; this in the spiritual sense is what “giving thanks” signifies. Moreover, all glorification of the Lord by the angels of heaven and by the men of the church is not from themselves, but flows in from the Lord. Glorification that is from men and not from the Lord is not from the heart, but only from the activity of the memory, and thus from the mouth; and what goes forth from the memory and the mouth only, and not through them from the heart, is not heard in heaven, thus is not received by the Lord, but goes out into the world like any other sonorous words. This glorification is not an acknowledgment in heart that all good and all truth are from the Lord. It is said an acknowledgment in heart, which means from the life of the love; for “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 acknowledgment from the heart that all good and truth is from the Lord. This is meant by “being glorified,” in John:
If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatsoever ye will and it shall be done unto you. Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit, and that ye be My disciples (John 15:7-8).
[2] “The four animals,” which were cherubim, “gave glory and honor and thanksgiving,” because Divine truth and Divine good and glorification, which are signified by glory, honor, and thanksgiving, proceed and flow in from the Lord; for these cherubim signify the Lord in respect to providence and guard (see above, n. 277); and they were “in the midst of the throne, and around the throne” (as is manifest from verse 6), and the Lord was “upon the throne” (verse 2); from which it is clear that these 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 when these things had been heard, “the four and twenty elders fell down before Him that sitteth on the throne, and worshipped Him that liveth unto ages of ages, and cast their crowns before the throne.”
[3] In the Word, “glory and honor” is a frequent expression, and “glory” everywhere signifies truth, and “honor” good. The two are mentioned together because in the particulars of the Word there is a heavenly marriage, which is the conjunction of truth and good. There is this marriage in the particulars of the Word, because the Divine that proceeds from the Lord is Divine truth united to Divine good; and because these together make heaven and also make the church, therefore this marriage is in the particulars of the Word; so also in the particulars of the Word is the Divine from the Lord, and the Lord Himself; this is why the Word is most holy. (That there is such a marriage in the particulars of the Word, see above, n. 238; and Arcana Coelestia, n. 2516, 2712, 3004, 3005, 3009, 4138, 5138, 5194, 5502, 6343, 7022, 7945, 8339, 9263, 9314.)
sRef Ps@96 @5 S4′ sRef Ps@96 @6 S4′ [4] That “glory” signifies Divine truth from the Lord, see above (n. 33); that “honor” signifies Divine good follows from what has been said concerning the heavenly marriage in the particulars of the Word; as can also be seen from the following passages. In David:
Jehovah made the heavens; glory and honor are before Him; strength and splendor are in His sanctuary (Ps. 96:5-6).
By “the heavens” the Divine that proceeds from the Lord is meant, since the heavens are from His Divine; and as the Divine that proceeds and makes the heavens is Divine truth and Divine good, it is said, “glory and honor are before Him;” “sanctuary” means the church; Divine good and Divine truth therein are meant by “strength and splendor.” (That the Divine of the Lord makes the heavens, see in the work on 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] In the same:
O Jehovah God, Thou art very great; Thou hast put on glory and honor (Ps. 104:1).
“To put on glory and honor” signifies, in reference to Jehovah, His girding Himself with Divine truth and Divine good, for these proceed from Him, and thus gird Him, and make the heavens; therefore in the Word they are called “His vesture” and “His covering” (see above, n. 65, 271).
sRef Ps@111 @3 S6′ sRef Ps@111 @2 S6′ [6] In the same:
The works of Jehovah are great. Glory and honor are His work (Ps. 111:2-3).
“The works of Jehovah” mean all things that proceed from Him and are done by Him; and as these are referable to Divine truth and Divine good, it is said, “His work is glory and honor.”
sRef Ps@145 @4 S7′ sRef Ps@145 @12 S7′ sRef Ps@145 @5 S7′ [7] In the same:
Generation to generation shall praise Thy works, and shall declare Thy mighty acts. Upon the honor of the magnificence of Thy glory and the words of Thy wonders will I meditate. And I will make known to the sons of men His mighty acts, and the glory of the honor of His kingdom (Ps. 145:4-5, 12).
“The honor of the magnificence of glory” means Divine good united to Divine truth; and “the glory of the honor” means Divine truth united to Divine good. This is so said because the unition is reciprocal; for Divine good proceeds from the Lord united to Divine truth; but by the angels in heaven and by the men of the church Divine truth is received and is united to Divine good; it is therefore said, “the glory of the honor of His kingdom,” for “His kingdom” means heaven and the church.
sRef Ps@21 @6 S8′ sRef Ps@21 @5 S8′ [8] In the same:
Glory and honor wilt thou lay upon Him; for thou settest Him blessings forever (Ps. 21:5, 6).
These things were said of the Lord, and “glory and honor upon Him” means all Divine truth and Divine good.
sRef Ps@45 @4 S9′ sRef Ps@45 @3 S9′ [9] In the same:
Gird Thy sword upon the thigh, O mighty One in Thy glory and honor. And in Thy honor mount, ride upon the word of truth (Ps. 45:3, 4).
This also is said of the Lord; “to gird the sword upon the thigh” signifies Divine truth combating from Divine good (that this is signified by “sword upon the thigh,” see Arcana Coelestia, n. 10488); and because the Lord from Divine truth subjugated the hells, and brought the heavens into order, He is said to be “mighty in glory and honor,” and also “in honor mount and ride upon the word of truth;” this signifies to act from Divine good through Divine truth.
sRef Ps@8 @5 S10′ [10] In the same:
Thou hast made Him to be a little less than the angels, but thou hast crowned Him with glory and honor (Ps. 8:5). This also is said of the Lord; His state of humiliation is described by “thou hast made Him to be a little less than the angels,” and His state of glorification by “thou hast crowned Him with glory and honor.” “Glorifying” means uniting the Divine Itself to His Human, and also making His Human Divine.
sRef Isa@35 @2 S11′ sRef Isa@35 @1 S11′ [11] In Isaiah:
Rejoice, ye wilderness and dry place, and let the plain of the desert exult and blossom as the rose, in blossoming let it blossom and exalt; the glory of Lebanon has been given to it, the honor of Carmel and Sharon: they shall see the glory of Jehovah, and the honor of our God (Isa. 35:1, 2).
This treats of the enlightenment of the Gentiles; that ignorance of truth and good is signified by “the wilderness and the dry place;” their joy in consequence of instruction in truths and enlightenment is signified by “rejoicing, exulting, and blossoming;” “the glory of Lebanon given to them” signifies Divine truth; and “the honor of Carmel and Sharon” signifies Divine good which they receive; this is why it is also said “they shall see the glory of Jehovah, and the honor of our God.” sRef Rev@21 @25 S12′ sRef Rev@21 @24 S12′ [12] In Revelation:
The nations that have been saved shall walk by its light, and the kings of the earth shall bring their glory and honor to it. And the glory and honor of the nations shall be brought into it (Rev. 21:24, 26).
This is said of the New Jerusalem, by which a new church in the heavens and on earth is signified; “nations” there signify all who are in good; and the “kings of the earth” all who are in truths from good; it is said of both that “they shall bring their glory and honor into it,” which means worship from the good of love to the Lord and from the truths of faith which are from the good of charity towards the neighbor.

sRef Ps@68 @26 S0′ sRef Ps@68 @19 S0′ sRef Rev@4 @9 S0′ 289. To Him that sitteth upon the throne, that liveth unto ages of ages, signifies from whom are all things of heaven and of the church and eternal life. This is evident from the signification of “throne,” as being, in reference to the Lord, in general the whole heaven, in particular the spiritual heaven, and abstractly Divine truth proceeding; and as through this the heavens have existence, therefore “throne” here signifies all things of heaven and of the church (see above n. 253); that “He that sitteth upon the throne” is the Lord, see also above (n. 267, 268). This is also evident from the signification of “living unto ages of ages,” as being that eternal life is from Him (see above, n. 84); for “He that liveth” signifies that He alone is life, and therefore that everything of life with angels and men is from Him; and “unto ages of ages” signifies eternity. “Unto ages of ages” signifies eternity because in the world it signifies time throughout its whole extent; but in heaven, where there is not time like that in the world, it signifies eternity; for the sense of the letter of the Word is made up of such things as are in the world, but its spiritual sense is made up of such things as are in heaven; and this in order that the Divine may close into the natural things of the world as into its ultimates, and may rest in them, and subsist upon them; therefore it is said, “ages of ages,” and not eternity.

sRef Rev@4 @10 S0′ 290. Verse 10. The four and twenty elders fell down before Him that sitteth upon the throne, signifies humiliation, and then acknowledgment by those who are in truth from good, that all things of heaven and the church are from the Lord. This is evident from the signification of “falling down,” as being humiliation, and then acknowledgment in heart; also from the signification of “four and twenty elders” as being those who are in truths from good (see above, n. 270); also from the signification of “He that sat upon the throne,” as being the Lord from whom are all things of heaven and of the church (see just above, n. 289). This and the following verses of this chapter treat of the reception of Divine truth and Divine good by the angels of heaven, and by the men of the church; while the verse immediately preceding treats of the Lord, that from Him Divine good and Divine truth proceed; this is signified by “the animals gave glory and honor and thanksgiving to Him that sitteth upon the throne and liveth unto ages of ages” (see above, n. 288, 289); but “the elders fell down before Him that sitteth upon the throne, and worshiped Him that liveth unto ages of ages,” signifies reception and acknowledgment; for “to fall down” signifies humiliation, reception, and acknowledgment, and “the four and twenty elders” signify all who are in truth from good, both in the heavens and on earth.
[2] It is to be known that the reception of Divine truth and Divine good, and the acknowledgment in heart that all things of heaven and the church and eternal life are from the Lord, are only with those who are in truth from good; and for the reason that such only are in love and faith; and it is those who are in love and faith that are conjoined to the Lord in soul and heart; into the soul and heart the Lord flows, and not into those things that are merely of the memory and of the speech therefrom; for the memory is merely the entrance to man, and like a court by which entrance is made; it is like the ruminating stomach with birds and beasts, and to that the memory with man also corresponds. Those things are in the man that are in his will and in his understanding therefrom, or what is the same, that are in his faith therefrom. Whether it is said that man is in good and truth: or that he is in love and faith, it is the same, since all good is of love, and all truth is of faith.

sRef Rev@4 @10 S0′ 291. And worshiped Him that liveth unto ages of ages, signifies humiliation, and then acknowledgment that from the Lord is eternal life. This is evident from the signification of “falling down and worshiping,” as being humiliation and then acknowledgment in heart; also from the signification of “Him that liveth unto ages of ages,” as being that from the Lord is eternal life (see just above, n. 289). It is said humiliation, and then acknowledgment in heart, namely, that from the Lord are all good and all truth, and thence all intelligence, wisdom, and blessedness, since this acknowledgment is not given with anyone except in a state of humiliation; for when in humiliation, then man is removed from what is his own [ex suo proprio]; and what is man’s own [proprium] receives and acknowledges nothing of good and truth from the Lord, for what is man’s own [proprium] is nothing but evil, and evil rejects all good and all truth of heaven and the church. From this it can be seen why there must be humiliation, and why “falling down and worshiping” signifies humiliation, and then acknowledgment in heart.

sRef Rev@4 @10 S0′ 292. And cast off their crowns before the throne, signifies humiliation, and then acknowledgment in heart that there is nothing of good from themselves, but that everything is from the Lord. This is evident from the signification of “crown,” as being good and wisdom therefrom (see above, n. 272); also from the signification of “to cast off before the throne,” that is to lay down there, as being to acknowledge from humiliation that this is not from oneself but from the Lord alone; for “to cast off” is to renounce from oneself, and “to lay 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 men of the church in the truths that are from the Word. Truths from the Word with angels and men are in their memory; from it the Lord calls them out and conjoins them with good so far as the angel or man is in the spiritual affection of truth, and this affection he has when he lives according to the truths from the Word. Conjunction is effected in the interior or spiritual man, and from that in the exterior or natural man. This conjunction makes the church with man while he lives on the earth, and afterwards makes heaven with him; from which it is clear that without such conjunction no one can be saved; also that there is no conjunction of good and truth unless the man is living the life of love; to live the life of love is to do the Lord’s commandments, for to love is to do, since what 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.

sRef Rev@4 @11 S0′ 293. Verse 11. Saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive the glory, and the honor, and the power, signifies merit and righteousness belonging to the Lord’s Divine Human, that from it is all Divine truth and Divine good and salvation. This is evident from the signification of “Thou art worthy, O Lord,” as being merit and righteousness belonging to the Lord’s Divine Human (of which presently); also from the signification of “glory and honor,” as being in reference to the Lord’s Divine truth and Divine good which are from Him (see above, n. 288), also from the signification of “power,” as being salvation. “Power” here signifies salvation because all Divine power looks to salvation as an end; for by Divine power man is reformed, and afterwards introduced into heaven, and there withheld from evil and falsity and held in good and truth; and this the Lord only can effect. Those who claim for themselves the power to effect this are wholly ignorant of what salvation is, for they do not know what reformation is, nor what heaven with man is. To claim to oneself the Lord’s power is to claim power over the Lord Himself, which power is called “the power of darkness” (Luke 22:53).
sRef John@1 @12 S2′ sRef Luke@4 @36 S2′ sRef John@15 @5 S2′ sRef Mark@1 @22 S2′ sRef John@17 @2 S2′ [2] That the power predicated of the Lord has regard chiefly to salvation is evident from the following passages. In John:
Jesus said, Father, Thou hast given (to the Son) power over all flesh, that to all whom Thou hast given Him to them He should give eternal life (John 17:2).
In the same:
As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become sons of God, to them that believe in His name (John 1:12).
In the same:
I am the vine, ye are the branches; he that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same beareth much fruit; for apart from Me ye cannot do anything (John 15:5).
In Mark:
They were astonished at His doctrine; for He was teaching them as having authority (Mark 1:22).
In Luke:
With authority and power He commands unclean spirits and they go forth (Luke 4:36);
besides other passages. Moreover, the Lord has power over all things because He is God alone; but the salvation of the human race is the principal object of power, since for the sake of that the heavens and the worlds were created; and salvation is the reception of the proceeding Divine.
[3] “Thou art worthy, O Lord,” signifies the merit and righteousness pertaining to the Lord’s Divine Human, because “Thou art worthy” signifies that He had merit. The Lord’s merit is that when He was in the world He subjugated the hells, and brought into order all things in the heavens, and glorified His Human, and this from His own power. By this means He saved all of the human race who believe in Him, that is, who love to do His precepts (John 1:12, 13). Moreover, this merit is called in the Word “righteousness,” (justice) and the Lord in respect to His Divine Human is called from this:
Jehovah our Righteousness (Jer. 23:5-6; 33:15-16).
(Of this merit, or this righteousness of the Lord, see further in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 293, 294; and in the quotations there from Arcana Coelestia, n. 300-306.)

sRef Rev@4 @11 S0′ 294. For Thou hast created all things, signifies that from Him are all existence and life, and heaven also for those who receive. This is evident from the signification of “to create,” as being not only that all things came into existence from the Lord, but also that all life is from Him; and as the spiritual sense of the Word treats only of heaven and the church, therefore “to create” signifies primarily here 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, see in the work on Heaven and Hell (n. 7-12, and n. 137); and that all life is from the Lord (n. 9; and in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 278). But here “to create” does not signify natural existence and life, but spiritual existence and life; and this is what is everywhere signified in the Word by “creating;” and for the reason 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 so that from it there may be an angelic heaven; and as this is the end, “to create” signifies to reform, which is to give heaven to those who receive. In the spiritual sense of the Word ends are meant, but in the sense of the letter only the means that involve the ends are spoken of; in this way the spiritual lies hid in the letter of the Word.
sRef Isa@41 @20 S2′ sRef Isa@41 @19 S2′ [2] That “to create” signifies to reform and regenerate men, and thus to establish the church, can be seen from the passages in the Word where this 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 (Isa. 41:19, 20).
This treats of the establishment of the church among the Gentiles; “wilderness” signifies the absence of good, because of the ignorance of truth, for every good into which man is reformed is given only through truths; “the cedar of shittah” signifies genuine truth; “the myrtle and the oil tree” signify spiritual good and celestial good; whence it is clear what is signified by, “I will give in the wilderness the cedar of shittah, and the myrtle, and the oil tree,” when the Gentiles that are not in the good of heaven and of the church, because in ignorance of the truth, are treated of; “that they may see and know, and consider and understand together,” signifies the knowledges, understanding, perception, and affection, that are of the love of good and truth; from this signification it is clear that “the Holy One of Israel hath created it” signifies reformation, the that “to create” is to reform.
[3] In the same:
Thus said 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, everyone that is called by My name; into My glory I have created, I have formed, and I have made him. I am Jehovah your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King (Isa. 43:1, 6, 7, 15).
This also treats of the establishment of a church among the Gentiles; and with reference to 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 Gentiles that are outside of the church, but that receive the truths and goods of the church from the Lord; “from far” and “from the end of the earth” signify those who are outside of the church, “earth (or land)” meaning the church, “sons” those who receive truths, and “daughters” those who receive goods. These are said to be “created, formed, and made into glory,” “glory” meaning the Divine truth that they receive.
sRef Ps@51 @10 S4′ [4] In David:
Create for me a clean heart, O God, and renew a firm spirit in the midst of me (Ps. 51:10).
“To create a clean heart” signifies to reform in respect to the good of love; “to renew a firm spirit in the midst of me” signifies to reform in respect to the truth of faith; for “heart” signifies the good of love, and “spirit” a life according to the Divine truth, which is the faith of truth.
sRef Ps@89 @47 S5′ sRef Ps@89 @49 S5′ [5] In the same:
Wherefore hast Thou created in vain the sons of man? where are Thy former mercies? (Ps. 89:47, 49).
“To create the sons of man” signifies to reform through Divine truth; “the sons of man” are those who are in Divine truths, thus, abstractly, Divine truths.
sRef Ps@102 @15 S6′ sRef Ps@102 @18 S6′ sRef Ps@102 @16 S6′ [6] In the same:
The nations shall fear the name of Jehovah, and all the kings of the earth Thy glory, because Jehovah hath built up Zion. This shall be written for the generation to come; and a people that shall be created shall praise Jah (Ps. 102:15, 16, 18). This treats of reformation; “the nations that shall fear the name of Jehovah” mean those who are in good; and “the kings of the earth” those who are in truths from good; “to build up Zion” signifies to establish the church, “Zion” meaning the church “the people that shall be created and shall praise Jah” signifies all those who are reformed.
sRef Ps@104 @28 S7′ sRef Ps@104 @30 S7′ [7] In the same:
Thou givest to them, they gather; Thou openest Thine hand, they are satisfied with good. Thou sendest forth Thy spirit, they are created; and Thou renewest the faces of the earth (Ps. 104:28, 30).
It is plain here that “to create” means to reform; for “Jehovah giveth to them, they gather,” signifies that they receive the truths that are given by the Lord; “Thou openest Thine hand, they are filled with good,” signifies that they receive the good that flows in from the Lord; “Thou sendest forth Thy spirit, they are created,” signifies that in respect to the life they are reformed according to Divine truth; “and Thou renewest the faces of the earth” signifies the establishment of the church.
sRef Isa@40 @28 S8′ sRef Isa@40 @26 S8′ [8] In Isaiah:
Lift up your eyes on high, and see; who hath created these? He that bringeth out their host in number, that calleth them all by name: God from eternity; Jehovah, the Creator of the ends of the earth, wearieth not (Isa. 40:26, 28).
This also treats of reformation, which is signified by “creating;” “the host that Jehovah doth bring out” signifies all truths and goods; “to call by name” signifies reception according to each one’s quality; “to create the ends of the earth” signifies to establish the church, thus to reform those who are therein.
sRef Ezek@28 @15 S9′ sRef Ezek@28 @13 S9′ [9] In Ezekiel:
Thou hast been in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering; in the day that thou wast created they were prepared. Thou wast perfect in thy ways in* the day that thou wast created, until perversity was found in thee (Ezek. 28:13, 15).
This is said of the king of Tyre, by whom those who are in truths and through truths are in good are signified; of such it is said that they “have been in the garden of God, and that every precious stone was their covering;” “garden of God” signifies intelligence, and the “precious stones” here named signify the knowledges of truth and good; these are called a “covering” because they are in the natural man, and the natural man covers the spiritual; these are said to have “been prepared in the day that they were created,” that is, in the day that they were reformed. This makes clear what is signified by “thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day thou wast created.”
sRef Isa@4 @5 S10′ [10] In Isaiah:
Jehovah will create over every dwelling place of Mount Zion, and over her assemblies, a cloud by day, and the brightness of a flame of fire by night; for over all the glory shall be a covering (Isa. 4:5).
“Zion” signifies the church in respect to the Word; the internal or spiritual sense of the Word in respect to good is meant by its “dwelling place;” the external or literal sense in respect to truths is meant by “the cloud by day,” and in respect to good by “the brightness of the flame of fire by night.” Because this sense covers and hides the spiritual sense it is called “a covering over all the glory,” “glory” meaning the spiritual sense; these are said to be “created” because they are the truths of heaven and the church.
sRef Mal@2 @10 S11′ [11] In Malachi:
Hath not one God created us? wherefore do we act perfidiously? (Mal. 2:10).
Here “hath created us” signifies hath reformed that they might be a church; therefore it is said, “wherefore do we act perfidiously?”
sRef Isa@42 @5 S12′ [12] In Isaiah:
Thus said God Jehovah, He hath created the heavens, and spreadeth them out; He that stretcheth out the earth; He that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein (Isa. 42:5).
“Creating the heavens and spreading them out” and “stretching out the earth” signifies to reform; “the heavens” signify both the heavens and the internals of the church; for the internals of the church are the heavens with the men that are in them; “the earth” signifies the external of the church, which is said to be “spread out” and “stretched out” when truths from good are multiplied. It is plain that reformation by truths is signified, for it is said, “He that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein.”
sRef Isa@45 @12 S13′ sRef Isa@45 @18 S13′ [13] In the same:
Jehovah, creating the heavens, forming the earth and making it; He hath not created it a void. He formed it to be inhabited (Isa. 45:12, 18).
“The heavens,” “the earth,” and “to create” have a like signification here as in the passage adduced above; “He hath not created it a void” signifies that it is not without truth and good, in which those are that have been reformed; lack of these is a void; “He hath formed it to be inhabited” signifies that they should live according to good and truth and from them, for “to inhabit” signifies to live.
sRef Isa@65 @17 S14′ sRef Isa@65 @18 S14′ [14] In the same:
Behold, I create a new heaven and a new earth. Rejoice and exult for ever in that which I create; behold, I will create Jerusalem an exultation, and her people a joy (Isa. 65:17-18).
“To create a new heaven and a new earth” does not mean a visible heaven and a habitable earth, but a new church, internal and external; “heaven” meaning the internal of the church, and “earth” its external. (What the internal of the church is, and what the external, see in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 246.) It is therefore said, “Behold, I will create Jerusalem an exultation, and her people a joy;” “Jerusalem” is the church, “exultation” its delight from good, and “joy” its delight from truth.
sRef Gen@1 @2 S15′ sRef Gen@1 @3 S15′ sRef Gen@1 @1 S15′ sRef Gen@1 @27 S15′ [15] “The new heavens and the new earth” in the same prophet (Isa. 66:22), and in Revelation (21:1) have a like signification; also the following in the first chapter of Genesis:
In the beginning Jehovah created heaven and earth. And the earth was void and empty; and darkness was upon the faces of the deep. And the spirit of God moved upon the faces of the earth.** And God said, Let there be light; and there was light. And God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them (Gen. 1:1-3, 27).
This treats of the establishment of the first church on this earth; the reformation of the men of that church in respect to their internal and their external is meant in this chapter by the creation of the heaven and the earth. That previously there was no church, because men were without good and truth, is signified by “the earth was void and empty;” and that they were previously in dense ignorance and also in falsities, is signified by “darkness was upon the faces of the deep;” their first enlightenment is signified by “the spirit of God moved upon the faces of the waters,” and by “God said, Let there be light, and there was light;” “the spirit of God” signifies Divine truth proceeding from the Lord, and “to move upon the faces of the waters” signifies illustration; the like is signified by “light;” “and there was light” signifies the reception of Divine truth; “God created man into His own image” signifies so that man might be in the love of good and truth, and might correspond to heaven as a likeness of it, since the love of good and truth is “an image of God;” therefore also the angelic heaven is “an image of God;” consequently the angelic heaven in the Lord’s sight is as one man (see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 59-102).
“Male and female created He them” signifies that He reformed them in respect to truth and good, “male” means truth, and “female” good. This makes clear that this and the following chapter describe not the creation of heaven and earth, but the new creation or reformation of the men of the first church, and that like things are meant by “the new heaven and the new earth” and their “creation” in the passages cited just above.
sRef John@1 @14 S16′ sRef John@1 @3 S16′ sRef John@1 @10 S16′ sRef John@1 @4 S16′ sRef John@1 @9 S16′ sRef John@1 @5 S16′ sRef John@1 @2 S16′ sRef John@1 @1 S16′ [16] That “creation” in the Word signifies the reformation and establishment of the church, which is effected by means of the Divine truth that proceeds from the Lord, is plain from 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 hath been made. In Him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in the darkness, and the darkness apprehended it not. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man coming into the world. The world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory (John 1:1-5, 9-10, 14).
“The Word” means here the Lord in respect to Divine truth; that all things were created by Divine truth is meant by “All things were made by Him, and without Him was not anything made that hath been made;” also by “the world was made by Him.” Since “the Word” means the Lord in respect to Divine truth it is said, “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men; that it was the true light,” “light” signifying Divine truth, and “life” all intelligence and wisdom from Divine truth; for this constitutes man’s very life, and eternal life also is in accordance therewith. The Lord’s presence with everyone with His Divine truth, from which are life and light, is meant by “the light shineth in the darkness, and lighteth every man coming into the world;” but that those who are in the falsities of evil do not perceive it, thus do not receive it, is meant by “the darkness apprehended it not,” and by “the world knew Him not;” for “darkness” signifies the falsities of evil. It is very plain that it is the Lord in respect to the Divine Human that is here meant by “the Word,” for it is said, “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory,” “glory” also signifying the Divine truth. (That all things were created by Divine truth proceeding from the Lord, which is here meant by “the Word,” see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 137, 139; and in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 263.) This also makes clear that “to make” or “to create” here also signifies to make man new, or to reform him; for here, like as in the book of Genesis, “light” is immediately mentioned, which signifies Divine truth proceeding, by which all are reformed (see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 126-140; and in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 49).
* For “in the day” the Hebrew has “from the day,” as found in Arcana Coelestia, n. 114.
** For “earth” the Hebrew has “waters,” as found in Arcana Coelestia, n. 17, etc.

sRef Rev@4 @11 S0′ 295. And by Thy will they are, and they were created, signifies that through Divine good they have being, and through Divine truth they have existence. This is evident from the signification of “will,” as being, in reference to the Lord, the Divine love; also from the signification of “are” [sunt] or “being” [esse], as the good of love, here the Divine good of the Divine love received (of which presently), also from the signification of “they were created,” or “being created,” as being Divine truth also received, thus those reformed by it. “To be created” signifies to have existence, because only those who have been reformed are said to have existence; for in them is life, and they have intelligence and wisdom; while those who are not reformed have no life in them, but spiritual death, neither have they intelligence and wisdom, but insanity and folly, therefore they are not said to have existence. Everything indeed, that appears to any of the senses is said to have existence, but this cannot be said of man spiritually unless he is in good and truth; for man is created that he may be living, intelligent, and wise; consequently when he is dead, insane, and foolish, to that extent he does not exist as a man. There are two things that cause man to be a man, namely, good and truth, both from the Lord; good is the esse of his life, but truth is the existere of life therefrom; for all truth has existence from good, since it is the form and therefore the quality of good; and since good is the esse of life, and truth is the existere of life therefrom, and “to be created” signifies to have existence, it is said, “by Thy will they are, and they were created.” This, then, is the spiritual in these words.
[2] “Will” in reference to the Lord means Divine love; because the Divine Itself, from which are all things, is the Divine love. The Lord, therefore, appears before the angels as a Sun, fiery and flaming, and this for the reason that in the spiritual world love appears as fire, consequently in reference to the Lord, heaven, and the church, “fire” in the Word signifies love. From that sun in the heavens heat and light proceed; and heat there is Divine good proceeding, and light is Divine truth proceeding. (This is more fully shown in the work on Heaven and Hell, On the Sun of Heaven, n. 116-125; and On Heat and Light in Heaven, n. 126-140.) And since the Divine Itself from which are all things is the Divine love, so “will” in reference to the Lord is Divine love, for what love itself wills, that is the good of love; the truth which is said to be of faith is merely a means that good may have existence, and that truth may afterwards exist from good. Will and understanding with man are from this origin, the will is the receptacle of the good of love with man, and the understanding is the receptacle of the truth of faith with him. The understanding is the medium 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. From this it is clear that the will is the esse of man’s life, and the understanding is the existere of life therefrom. (But this is also more fully shown in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, where the Will and Understanding are treated of, n. 28-35.)
sRef Matt@7 @21 S3′ sRef John@15 @7 S3′ sRef Matt@18 @14 S3′ sRef Matt@6 @10 S3′ sRef John@9 @31 S3′ [3] Because man’s will is his love, and God’s will is the Divine love, it can be seen what is meant in the spiritual sense by “doing the will of God” and “the will of the Father,” namely, that it is to love God above all things, and the neighbor as oneself. And as to love is to will, so it is also to do; for what a man loves, that he wills, and what he wills he also does. Therefore “doing the will of God” or “of the Father” means doing His commandments, or living 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 anyone worship God and do His will, him He heareth (John 9:31).
In Matthew (that the one who does the will of the Father who is in the heavens shall enter into the kingdom of the heavens):
Not everyone that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of the heavens, but He that doeth the will of My Father that is in the heavens (Matt. 7:21).
In the same:
Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done, as in heaven so upon the earth (Matt. 6:10).
In the same:
It is not the will of the Father that one of these little ones should perish (Matt. 18:14).
“It is not His will that one of these little ones should perish” means evidently love. It is said “the will of the Father,” because “Father” means Divine good. In John:
If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you may ask whatsoever ye will, and it shall be done unto you (John 15:7).
Whatsoever they will and ask shall be done for those who abide in the Lord and in whom His words abide, because they then will nothing except what the Lord gives them to will, and that is good, and good is from Him.
sRef Isa@60 @10 S4′ [4] The Lord’s will in the Old Testament is called His “good pleasure,” and this likewise means the Divine love; and to do His good pleasure or His will signifies to love God and the neighbor, thus to live according to the commandments of the Lord, since this is to love God and the neighbor, and this comes down from the Lord’s love. For no one can love the Lord and the neighbor except from the Lord; for this is the veriest good for man, and all good is from the Lord. That “good pleasure” has this signification is clear from the following passages. In Isaiah:
In My wrath I smote thee, but in My good pleasure have I had mercy on thee (Isa. 60:10).
“To smite in anger” signifies temptation; “in good pleasure to have mercy” signifies deliverance from love; “to have mercy” is to do good to the needy from love.
sRef Ps@69 @13 S5′ [5] In David:
My prayer is unto thee, O Jehovah, in the time of good pleasure; O God, for the greatness of Thy mercy answer me, in the truth of Thy salvation (Ps. 69:13).
“The time of Jehovah’s good pleasure” signifies acceptance from love; “time,” when said of men, signifies the existing state, but in reference to Jehovah, perpetual existing, thus His love, because this is perpetual. Hearing and help from love through the proceeding Divine which is the Divine truth, is signified by “for the greatness of Thy mercy answer me, in the truth of Thy salvation.”
sRef Isa@49 @8 S6′ [6] In Isaiah:
Jehovah said, In the time of My good pleasure have I answered thee, and in the day of salvation have I helped thee (Isa. 49:8).
Here also “the time of good pleasure,” that is, of will, signifies the Divine love; and “to answer” signifies to bring aid, and to benefit.
sRef Isa@61 @2 S7′ [7] In the same:
To proclaim the year of Jehovah’s good pleasure, to comfort all that mourn (Isa. 61:2).
This is said of the coming of the Lord; and “the year of Jehovah’s good pleasure” signifies the time and state of the men of the church, when from love they are to be succored, therefore it is also said, “to comfort all that mourn.”
sRef Ps@5 @12 S8′ [8] In David:
Thou dost bless the righteous; Thou wilt compass him with Thy good pleasure as with a shield (Ps. 5:12).
Here “good pleasure” stands plainly for the Divine love, from which the Lord protects everyone; protection by the Lord from love is signified by “Thou wilt compass him as with a shield.”
sRef Ps@145 @16 S9′ [9] In the same:
Jehovah openeth the hand and satisfieth every living thing with His good pleasure (Ps. 145:16);
“to open the hand” signifies to gift with good; and “to satisfy every living thing with good pleasure” signifies from love to enrich with Divine truth all who receive life from Him.
sRef Deut@33 @16 S10′ sRef Deut@33 @23 S10′ [10] In Moses:
Of the precious things of the earth and the fullness thereof and the good pleasure of Him that dwelleth in the thorn-bush, let them come upon the head of Joseph, and upon the crown of the head of the Nazarite of his brethren. O Naphtali, satisfied with the good pleasure and the blessings of Jehovah (Deut. 33:16, 23).
“Joseph” in the highest sense signifies the Lord in respect to the spiritual Divine; in the internal sense the spiritual kingdom; and in the external, salvation, the fructification of good, and the multiplication of truth (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3969, 3971, 4669, 6417). This makes clear what is signified by Joseph’s having “of the precious things of the earth and the fullness thereof, and the good pleasure of Him that dwelleth in the thornbush;” “the precious things of the earth” are spiritual goods and truths therefrom belonging to the church; “the earth” is the church; the “good pleasure of Him that dwelleth in the thorn-bush” is the Lord’s Divine love of truth; the “thorn-bush” in which the Lord appeared to Moses signifies that Divine love; “the head of Joseph” signifies the wisdom of the internal man; and “the crown of the head of the Nazarite of his brethren” signifies the intelligence and knowledge [scientia] of the external man; “Naphtali” (named from wrestlings) signifies temptations and after them consolation and blessing from the Divine love, which is meant by “satisfied with the good pleasure and the blessing of Jehovah.”
sRef Isa@58 @7 S11′ sRef Isa@58 @5 S11′ [11] In Isaiah:
Wilt thou call this a fast, and the day of Jehovah’s good pleasure? Is it not to break thy bread to the hungry; and when thou seest the naked that thou cover him? (Isa. 58:5, 7).
That “Jehovah’s good pleasure,” in reference to men, signifies to live according to His commandments, which is to love God and the neighbor (as was said above) is evident; for it is said that “His good pleasure is to break the bread to the hungry, and to cover the naked;” “to break bread to the hungry” signifies from love to do good to the neighbor who desires good; and “to cover the naked” signifies to instruct in truths him who desires to be instructed.
sRef Ps@40 @8 S12′ aRef John@15 @14 S12′ sRef Ps@103 @21 S12′ sRef Ps@143 @10 S12′ [12] In David:
I delight in doing Thy good pleasure (that is, Thy will) O my God; and Thy law is in my bowels (Ps. 40: 8).
In the same:
Teach me to do Thy good pleasure; Thy good spirit shall lead me into the land of uprightness (Ps. 143:10).
In the same:
Bless ye Jehovah, all His hosts; ye ministers of His that do His good pleasure (Ps. 103:21).
To “do the good pleasure of Jehovah God” signifies to live according to His commandments; this is His good pleasure or His will, because from Divine love He wills that all should be saved, and by it they are saved. Moreover, in the Hebrew expression “good pleasure” also means will; for whatever is done according to the will is well pleasing, and the Divine love wills nothing else than that love from itself may be with angels and men, and His love is with them when they love to live according to His commandments. That this is to love the Lord He teaches in John 14:15, 21, 23, 24; 15:10, 14; 21:15-17).
sRef John@1 @13 S13′ sRef John@1 @12 S13′ [13] That “will” signifies love in a contrary sense, namely, the love of evil and the love of falsity, is evident in John:
As many as received Jesus, to them gave He the 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 from God (John 1:12, 13).
“To believe in the Lord’s name” signifies to live according to the commandments of His teaching; that “the Lord’s name” signifies all things by which He is worshiped, thus all things of love and faith, see above (n. 102, 135). “Not of bloods” signifies not in a life contrary to good and truth; “not of the will of the flesh” signifies not in a love of evil; “not of the will of man” [vir] signifies not in the love of falsity. (That “flesh,” in reference to man, means the voluntary that is man’s own [proprium voluntarium], thus evil, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 148, 149, 780, 999, 3813, 8409, 10283; and that man [vir] means the intellectual that is man’s own [proprium intellectuale], which is falsity, see n. 4823.)

sRef Rev@5 @1 S0′ 296. APOCALYPSE. CHAPTER 5

1. And I saw in the right hand of Him that sat upon the throne a book written within and on the back, sealed up 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 was able, in heaven nor upon the earth nor under the earth, to open the book, neither to look thereon.
4. And I wept much, that no one was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.
5. And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not; behold, the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath overcome to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.
6. And I saw, and behold, in the midst of the throne, and of the four animals, and in the midst of the elders, a Lamb standing as if 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 harps, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
9. And they were singing a new song, saying, Worthy art Thou to take the book, and to open the seals thereof; for Thou wast slain, and didst redeem us to God in Thy blood, out of every tribe and tongue, and people and nation;
10. And hast made us unto our God kings and priests; and we shall reign upon the earth.
11. And I saw, 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 the power, and riches, and wisdom, and honor, and glory, and blessing.
13. And every created thing that is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and those that are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Unto Him that sitteth upon the throne and unto the Lamb be the blessing and the honor and the glory and the might, unto the ages of the ages.
14. And the four animals said, Amen; and the four and twenty elders fell down and worshiped Him that liveth unto the ages of the ages.

EXPOSITION.
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 up with seven seals. 1. “And I saw in the right hand of Him that sat upon the throne,” signifies the Lord in respect to omnipotence and omniscience (n. 297, 298); “a book written within and on the back,” signifies the state of life of all in heaven and on the earth, in general and in particular (n. 299); “sealed up with seven seals,” signifies altogether hidden (n. 300).

sRef Rev@5 @1 S0′ sRef John@5 @22 S1′ sRef John@12 @48 S1′ sRef John@12 @47 S1′ sRef John@5 @27 S1′ 297. Verse 1. And I saw in the right hand of Him that sat upon the throne, signifies the Lord in respect to omnipotence and omniscience. This is evident from the signification of “right hand,” as being, in reference to the Lord, omnipotence and also omniscience (of which presently); also from the signification of “Him that sat upon the throne,” as being the Lord in respect to Divine good in heaven; for in general “throne” signifies heaven, in particular the spiritual heaven, and abstractly Divine truth proceeding, from which heaven is, and by which judgment is effected (see above, n. 253). By “Him that sat upon the throne,” and also by “the Lamb,” that took the book from Him that sat upon the throne, the Lord is meant, because by “Him that sat upon the throne” the Lord in respect to Divine good is meant, and by “the Lamb” the Lord in respect to Divine truth. 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 is here meant by “Him that sat upon the throne;” and Divine truth from the Lord is called “the Son of man,” but here “the Lamb.” And because Divine good judges no one, but Divine truth judges, therefore it is here said that “the Lamb took the book from Him that sat upon the throne.” That Divine good judges no one, but Divine truth judges, is meant by the Lord’s words in John:
The Father doth not judge anyone, but hath given all judgment unto the Son; because He is the Son of man (John 5:22, 27).
“Father” means the Lord in respect to Divine good; “the Son of man,” the Lord in respect to Divine truth. Divine good “doth not judge anyone,” because it explores no one; but Divine truth judges, for it explores everyone. Yet it should be known, that neither does the Lord Himself judge anyone from the Divine truth that proceeds from Him, for this is so united to Divine good that they are one; but the man-spirit judges himself; for it is the Divine truth received by himself that judges him; but because the appearance is that the Lord judges, therefore it is said in the Word that all are judged by the Lord. This the Lord also teaches in John:
Jesus said, If any man hear My words and yet believe not, I judge him not; for I have not come to judge the world but to save the world. He that rejecteth Me and receiveth not My words hath one that judgeth him; the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day (John 12:47-48).
[2] For in respect to judgment, the case is this: The Lord is present with all, and from Divine Love He wills to save all, and He turns and leads all towards Himself. Those who are in good and in truths therefrom follow, for they apply themselves, but those who are in evil and in falsities therefrom do not follow, but turn backwards from the Lord, and to turn themselves backwards from the Lord is to turn from heaven to hell; for every man-spirit is either his own good and the truth therefrom, or his own evil and the falsity therefrom. He who is a good and the truth therefrom permits himself to be led by the Lord; but he who is an evil and the falsity therefrom does not permit himself to be led; he resists with all his strength and endeavor, for his will is toward his own love; for this love is his breath and life; therefore his desire is toward those who are in a like love of evil. From this it can be seen that the Lord does not judge anyone, but that Divine truth received judges to heaven those who have received Divine truth in the heart, that is, in love; and it judges to hell those who have not received Divine truth in the heart, and who have denied it. Thence it is clear what is meant by the Lord’s saying that “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 is to judge man.”
sRef Matt@25 @31 S3′ sRef Isa@6 @1 S3′ sRef Ezek@1 @26 S3′ [3] These, however, are truths that do not fall into man’s self-intelligence, for they are among the arcana of the wisdom of angels. (But the matter is somewhat elucidated in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 545-551, under the heading, The Lord casts no one into Hell, but the Spirit casts Himself Thither.) That it is the Lord who is meant by “Him that sat upon the throne,” and not another whom some distinguish from the Lord and call “God the Father,” can be seen by anyone from this, that the Divine that the Lord called “Father” was no other than His own Divine; for this took on the Human; consequently it was the Father of the Human; and that this Divine is infinite, eternal, uncreate, omnipotent, God, Lord, and in no way differing from the Divine Itself that some distinguish from Him and call the Father, can be seen from the received faith called Athanasian, where it is also said:
That no one of them is greatest or least, and no one of them first or last, but they are altogether equal; and that as is one, 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 uncreates, but one; not three omnipotents, but one; not three Gods and Lords, but one.
These things have been said that it may be known that by “Him that sat upon the throne” and “the Lamb,” also in what follows by “God” and “the Lamb,” not two, distinct from each other, are meant; but that by the one, Divine good is meant, and by the other, Divine truth in heaven, both proceeding from the Lord. That the Lord is meant by “Him that sat upon the throne,” is clear also from the particulars of chapter 4 preceding, where the throne and One sitting thereon are treated of (which may be seen explained, n. 258-295); and still further 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 (Matt. 25:31; 19:28-29).
Also in Ezekiel:
Above the expanse that was over the head of the cherubim was as it were the appearance of a sapphire stone, the likeness of a throne; and upon the likeness of the throne a likeness as the appearance of a man sitting upon it (Ezek. 1:26; 10:1).
And in Isaiah:
I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and His train filling the temple (Isa. 6:1).
sRef Rev@22 @1 S4′ sRef Rev@22 @2 S4′ sRef Rev@3 @21 S4′ sRef Rev@5 @6 S4′ [4] Since by “throne” heaven is signified, and by “Him that sat upon the throne” the Lord in respect to His Divine in heaven, it is said above, in chapter 3:
He that overcometh, I will give to him to sit with Me on My throne (Rev. 3:21);
signifying that he shall be in heaven where the Lord is (see above, n. 253); and therefore in what follows in this chapter it is said:
I saw, and behold in the midst of the throne a Lamb standing (Rev. 5:6);
and in chapter 22:
He showed me a river of water of life, going forth out of the throne of God and of the Lamb (Rev. 22:1).
“The throne of God and of the Lamb” means heaven and the Lord there in respect to Divine good and as to Divine truth; “God” meaning the Lord in respect to Divine good; and “the Lamb,” the Lord in respect to Divine truth. A distinction is here made between the two, because there are those that receive the one more than the other. Those that receive Divine truth in good are saved; but those that receive Divine truth (which is the Word) not in good are not saved, since all Divine truth is in good and not elsewhere; consequently those that do not receive it in good reject it 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.

sRef Rev@5 @1 S0′ 298. “Right hand,” in reference to the Lord, signifies both omnipotence and omniscience, for the reason that in heaven the south is on the right and the north on the left; and the “south” signifies Divine truth in light, and the “north” Divine truth in shade; and as Divine good has all power through Divine truth, “right hand” in reference to the Lord signifies omnipotence, and as Divine good has all intelligence and wisdom through Divine truth, and to the right in heaven Divine truth is in light (as was said), so “right hand” in reference to the Lord also signifies omniscience. (That in heaven the south is on the right, and there Divine truth is in light, and those who are there are in intelligence and wisdom; and that the north is on the left, and Divine truth there is in shade, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, where The Four Quarters in Heaven are treated of, n. 141-153; that all power is from Divine good through Divine truth, see the same work, where The Power of the Angels of Heaven is treated of, n. 228-233; then that all intelligence and wisdom is also from Divine good through Divine truth, see the same work, where The Wisdom of the Angels of Heaven is treated of, n. 265-275; and the Wise and Simple in Heaven, n. 346-356.)
sRef Ps@89 @13 S2′ sRef Ps@89 @14 S2′ sRef Ps@89 @12 S2′ [2] That “right hand” in reference to the Lord signifies both omnipotence and omniscience, and in reference to men power and wisdom, can be seen from the following passages. In David:
The north and the right hand Thou hast created them; Tabor and Hermon shall rejoice in Thy name. Thou hast an arm with might; strong is Thy hand; Thy right hand shall be exalted. Justice and judgment are the support of Thy throne; mercy and truth shall stand together before Thy faces (Ps. 89:12-14).
Here the “right hand” plainly means the south, for it is said, “the north and the right hand Thou hast created,” and the “south” signifies Divine truth in light; thus in the highest sense, which treats of the Lord, it signifies omnipotence and omniscience, which Divine good has through Divine truth (as was said above). Because both omnipotence and omniscience are signified, it is said, “Tabor and Hermon,” “justice and judgment,” “mercy and truth.” By “Tabor and Hermon” those in Divine good and those in Divine truth are signified; by “justice and judgment,” and in a like manner by “mercy and truth,” Divine good and Divine truth are signified; the two together signify in the spiritual sense Divine good through Divine truth. Omnipotence and omniscience, which Divine good has through Divine truth, are signified by “Thou hast an arm with might,” and by “strong is Thy hand; Thy right hand shall be exalted.”
sRef Ps@137 @5 S3′ [3] In the same:
If I shall forget thee, O Jerusalem, let My right hand forget (Ps. 137:5).
“Jerusalem” signifies the church in respect to the doctrine of Divine truth; and the “right hand of Jehovah,” Divine truth in light, since (as was said above) those are at the right hand of the Lord in heaven who are in light and in wisdom from Divine truth; thence it is evident why it is said, “If I shall forget thee, O Jerusalem, let My right hand forget.”
sRef Ps@73 @22 S4′ sRef Ps@73 @24 S4′ sRef Ps@73 @23 S4′ [4] In the same:
Behold, I am brutish, I know not. But I am continually with Thee; Thou hast held my right hand. Thou leadest me in Thy counsel, and afterwards receivest me with glory (Ps. 73:22-24).
Since “right hand,” in reference to man, signifies wisdom from Divine truth, it is said, “I am brutish, I know not. Thou leadest me in Thy counsel, and afterwards receivest me with glory,” “to lead in counsel” meaning to lead by Divine truth, and “to receive with glory” meaning to make blessed with intelligence; “glory” in reference to the Lord signifying Divine truth and Divine wisdom, but in reference to man intelligence therefrom.
sRef Ps@121 @5 S5′ sRef Ps@121 @6 S5′ [5] In the same:
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. 121:5, 6).
“To be a shade on the right hand” signifies to be a defense against evil and falsity. “Shade” stands here for a shady place to preserve from hurt, and “right hand” for power and wisdom from Divine truth, which would be hurt by evil and falsity unless the Lord defended. Because this is what is signified it is said, “the sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night,” the “sun” here signifying the love of self and thence all evil, and the “moon” the falsity of evil. (That this is the signification of “sun” and “moon” see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 122, 123; and Arcana Coelestia, n. 2441, 7078, 8487, 9755, 10130, 10189, 10420, 10702.)
sRef Ps@80 @17 S6′ [6] In the same:
Let Thy hand, O Jehovah, be over the man of Thy right hand, over the son of man whom Thou hast made strong for Thyself (Ps. 80:17).
“Let Thy hand, O Jehovah,” means guard by omnipotence and omniscience; “the man of the right hand,” who is guarded, signifies one who is wise; and “the son of man,” one who is intelligent, each through Divine truth.
sRef Ps@45 @3 S7′ sRef Ps@45 @9 S7′ sRef Ps@45 @4 S7′ [7] In the same:
Gird the sword upon the thigh, O mighty One, with Thy splendor and in Thine honor; in Thine honor mount, ride on the Word of truth, of gentleness, and of righteousness; Thy right hand shall teach Thee wonderful things. Kings’ daughters are among Thy precious ones; on Thy right hand shall stand the queen in the best gold of Ophir (Ps. 45:3-4, 9).
These things are said of the Lord. “To gird the sword upon the thigh” signifies Divine truth combating from Divine good; therefore it is said, “O mighty One, with Thy splendor and in Thine honor,” “splendor” signifying Divine truth, and “honor” Divine good (see above, n. 131, 288). It is also said, “in Thine honor mount, ride on the Word of truth,” “in honor to mount” signifying to combat from Divine good, and “to ride upon the Word of truth” signifying to combat from Divine truth, thus from Divine good through Divine truth. The Lord’s omnipotence and omniscience are signified by “Thy right hand shall teach Thee wonderful things;” “kings’ daughters, who are among the precious ones” signify the affections of truth; and “the queen who is on 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” meaning truth in light, and “gold of Ophir” the good of love.
sRef Ps@110 @5 S8′ sRef Ps@110 @1 S8′ [8] In the same:
The saying of Jehovah to my Lord, Sit thou at My right hand until I shall make thine enemies a stool for thy feet. The Lord at thy right hand hath stricken through kings in the day of His anger (Ps. 110:1, 5; Matt. 22:44; Mark 12:36; Luke 20:42-43).
It is known that these things were said of the Lord; they are a description of the Lord’s combats, in the world against the hells, and their subjugation which was effected from Divine good through Divine truth; “right hand” here signifies Divine truth; it is therefore said “until I shall make thine enemies a stool for thy feet;” “enemies” signifying the hells; “making them a stool for thy feet” signifying to subjugate altogether; “the Lord at thy right hand hath stricken through kings in the day of His anger” has a like signification; “day of anger” being 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 heaven into order, see Last Judgment (n. 46); and in the Doctrine of the New Jerusalem (n. 293-294, 301, 303).
sRef Matt@26 @63 S9′ sRef Mark@16 @19 S9′ sRef Matt@26 @64 S9′ [9] In the gospels:
Jesus said, Henceforth shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power (Matt. 26:64; Mark 14:62; Luke 22:69);
and in Mark:
The Lord after He had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God (Mark 16:19).
“To sit at the right hand of power,” and “at the right hand of God” signifies the omnipotence and omniscience which the Lord has from Divine good through Divine truth.
sRef Isa@41 @10 S10′ sRef Isa@41 @13 S10′ [10] In Isaiah:
I have strengthened thee, yea, I have helped thee, [yea, I have upheld thee,] by the right hand of My righteousness. I, Jehovah God strengthening thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I help thee (Isa. 41:10, 13).
“I have strengthened thee, yea, I have helped thee” signifies to give power and intelligence by omnipotence and omniscience, which are from Divine good through Divine truth; it is therefore said, “I have upheld thee by the right hand of My righteousness,” “right hand” signifying Divine truth, and “righteousness” Divine good; the power and wisdom that man has by these is signified by “strengthening thy right hand.” Since both, namely, the omnipotence and omniscience which the Lord has from Divine good through Divine truth are here meant, He is called “Jehovah God;” for the Lord is called “Jehovah” from Divine good, and “God” from Divine truth (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 709, 732, 2586, 2769, 2807, 2822, 3921, 4287, 4402, 7010, 9167).
sRef Isa@45 @1 S11′ [11] In the same:
Jehovah 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 doors before Him, that the gates may not be shut (Isa. 45:1).
“Cyrus” in the representative sense is the Lord. The Lord’s omnipotence and omniscience from Divine good through Divine truth, by which in the world He subjugated all the hells, and thereafter keeps them subjugated forever, 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 doors before him that the gates may not be shut;” “the nations to be subdued before Him” signify the hells in respect to evils; and “the king whose loins He should loose,” signify the hells in respect to falsities; “the doors open before Him, that the gates may not be shut,” signifies that by omniscience all things are manifest to Him, and that by omnipotence He has power to save.
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] “The right hand” signifies the omniscience and omnipotence that the Lord has from Divine good through Divine truth also in the following passages. In David:
Jehovah is always before me; because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved (Ps. 16:8).
In the same:
O God, Thy right hand sustaineth me (Ps. 18:35).
In the same:
O God, Thy hand is full of righteousness (Ps. 48:10).
In Isaiah:
My hand hath founded the earth, and My right hand hath spanned the heavens (Isa. 48:13).
In the same:
God hath sworn by His right hand and by the arm of His strength (Isa. 62:8).
In Revelation:
The Son of man, having in His right hand the seven stars (Rev. 1:16).
In David:
The right hand of Jehovah doeth valiantly; the right hand of Jehovah has been exalted (Ps. 118:15-16).
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] As “right hand,” in reference to angels and men, means the wisdom and intelligence that they have from Divine good through Divine truth proceeding from the Lord.
So there appeared to Zechariah the angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense (Luke 1:11);
And an angel was seen in the tomb where the Lord had been, sitting on the right side (Mark 16:5-6);
And for the same reason the sheep are said to have been set on the right hand, and the goats on the left (Matt. 25:33-34 seq.);
“sheep” here being those who are in truths from good, or in the faith of truth from the good of charity; and “goats” being 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] Because of this signification of “right hand” when Aaron and his sons were inaugurated into the priesthood:
Blood was sprinkled upon their right ear and upon their right hand, and upon the great toe of the right foot (Exod. 29:20);
“blood” here signifying Divine truth from Divine good; “the right ear” the ability to perceive truth from good; “the right hand” and “the right foot” understanding and power of truth from good in the internal or spiritual man and in the external or natural man; and “great toe” fullness.
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] As most expressions in the Word have also a contrary sense, so has “right hand,” which in that sense signifies falsity from evil, and its reasoning and combat against truth from good. As in David:
Thou hast exalted the right hand of his adversaries (Ps. 89:42).
Whose mouth speaketh vanity and their right hand is a right hand of a lie (Ps. 144:8, 11).
In Isaiah:
That he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, Is there not a lie in my right hand? (Isa. 44:20).
In Revelation:
They who should receive the mark of the beast on the right hand or on the forehead (Rev. 13:16; 14:9).
The “right hand” in reference to evil, signifies falsity, and consequent reasoning and combat against truth, because with those who are in evil and with those who are in good the quarters are opposite; therefore to the right hand of those in evil truths are in dense darkness, but falsities, as it were, in the greatest light. (That in the spiritual world with those who are in evil and with those who are in good the quarters are opposite, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 151-152; and why, n. 122-123.)

sRef Rev@5 @1 S0′ 299. A book written within and on the back, signifies the state of life of all in heaven and on the earth, in general and in particular. This is evident from the signification of “book,” here the “book of life,” as being what the Lord inscribes or implants in the spirit of man, that is, in the heart and soul, or what is the same, in his love and faith (of which see above, n. 199); therefore “the book” here signifies the states of life of all in heaven and on the earth, and “written” signifies what is implanted by the Lord (that to “write” signifies to implant, see also above, n. 222). Also from the signification of “within and on the back,” as being what is in the heart and soul, or in the love and faith; for with man and spirit love is within, because it makes his life; but faith, unless it is in his love, is not within him, but behind or “at the back;” for faith that is faith makes altogether one with the love, since what a man loves is of his faith, but what he does not love is not of his faith. That which one thinks from memory and teaches from doctrine, appears, indeed, to be faith; but if this be loved only from a natural, not from a spiritual love, it is merely the sight of the thought of the external man, which sight counterfeits faith; but such faith, since it is destitute of life, until it is implanted in the internal man and its love, is not in man but behind him, or at his back. Faith implanted in the internal man and its love is believing and loving the truth because it is truth, and not loving it chiefly for the sake of a reputation for learning, and honor or gain therefrom. From this it can be seen what is signified by “written within and on the back.”
[2] What is treated of in this chapter is, that the Lord only, and no one but the Lord, knows the states of life of all in general and of each one in particular. This is representatively depicted by “a book written which no one was able to open and read, neither to look thereon, except the Lamb,” that is, the Lord. No one knows this but the Lord alone, because He is the only God, and because He formed the angelic heaven after His own image, and man after the image of heaven; for this reason He knows all things of heaven in general, and He who knows all things of heaven in general knows also every one in particular; for a man who is in truths from good, as well as an angel, is an image of heaven, since he is a form of heaven. From this it also follows that no one but he who knows the general state of all knows the state of anyone in particular, for the one is inseparably connected with the other. (But as these things cannot be described in a few words, see what is shown in the work on Heaven and Hell, where they are more distinctly and clearly described, in the following articles: The Divine of the Lord makes Heaven, n. 7-12; Every Angel is a Heaven in the Least Form, n. 51-55; The whole Heaven in the Complex has reference to one Man, n. 59-67; likewise each Society there, n. 68-72; Every Angel, therefore, is in a perfect Human Form, n. 73-77; From the Divine Human of the Lord it is that Heaven in the Whole and in Part has reference to Man, n. 78-86; There is a Correspondence of all Things of Heaven with all Things of Man, n. 87-102; On the Conjunction of Heaven with Mankind, n. 291-302.)
sRef Rev@6 @14 S3′ sRef Isa@34 @4 S3′ sRef Ps@40 @7 S3′ sRef Ezek@2 @10 S3′ sRef Ezek@2 @9 S3′ [3] It is to be observed that here and elsewhere in the Word a “book” is mentioned, meaning thereby a roll [volumen]; for in ancient times they wrote upon parchments, which were rolled up, and the parchment was called a “book” and the “roll of a book,” as can also be seen in the Word; thus in Ezekiel:
I looked, when behold, a hand was put forth unto me; and lo, the roll of a book was therein, written in front and behind (Ezek. 2:9-10).
And in David:
Then said I, Lo, I am come; in the roll of the book it is written of Me (Ps. 40:7).
For this reason it is said in Isaiah:
All the host of the heavens shall waste away, and the heavens shall be rolled up as a scroll (Isa. 34:4).
Likewise in Revelation:
Heaven was removed, as a book that is rolled up (Rev. 6:14).
From this it can be known how the book that John saw was “written within and on the back.”

sRef Rev@5 @1 S0′ 300. Sealed up with seven seals, signifies altogether hidden, namely, the state of life of all in heaven and on the earth. This is evident from the signification of “sealed with seals,” as being to be hidden, for what is contained in a book sealed up with seals no one knows until it is opened and read; also from the signification of “seven,” as being all persons and all things, also what is full and entire (see above, n. 257); thus also altogether, because this means fully and wholly.

sRef Rev@5 @2 S0′ sRef Rev@5 @3 S0′ 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 was able, in heaven nor upon the earth nor under the earth, to open the book, neither to look thereon. 2. “And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a great voice,” signifies the influx of the Lord into heaven (n. 302); “who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?” signifies is there anyone there who is such as to know and perceive the states of life of all (n. 303)? “And no one was able, in heaven nor upon the earth nor under the earth, to open the book, neither to look thereon,” signifies manifestation that no one knows and perceives of himself anything whatever of the state of life of all in general, and of each in particular (n. 304).

sRef Rev@5 @2 S0′ 302. Verse 2. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a great voice, signifies exploration by the influx of the Lord into heaven. This is evident from the signification of a “strong angel,” as being heaven (of which presently); also from the signification of “proclaiming with a great voice,” as being exploration by the influx of the Lord, namely, exploration whether anyone is able to know the states of life of all in heaven and on the earth in general and in particular, for this is what is here treated of. This is signified by “proclaiming,” and the influx of the Lord is signified by “a great voice;” for “voice,” in reference to the Lord, signifies every truth of the Word, of doctrine, and of faith from Him; and in reference to heaven and the church, it signifies every thought and affection thence; and since everything true and good that angels in heaven and men in whom the church is, think and are affected by, is from the influx of the Lord, this is what is here signified by “a great voice.” For it is well known, that no one from the love of good can be affected by good, and from the love of truth can think truth, of himself, but that this flows in from heaven, that is, through heaven from the Lord; and because this is so, “a great voice” signifies the influx of the Lord. (That “voice” in the Word signifies the truth of the Word, of doctrine, and of faith, also everything announced in the Word, see above, n. 261, and Arcana Coelestia, n. 3563, 6971, 8813, 9926; and that it signifies the interior affection of truth and good, and thought therefrom, n. 10454.) A “strong angel” signifies heaven because the whole angelic heaven before the Lord is as one man, or as one angel, likewise each society of heaven; therefore by “angel” in the Word an angel is not meant, but an entire angelic society, as by “Michael,” “Gabriel,” “Raphael.” Here, therefore, “a strong angel proclaiming with a great voice” signifies the influx of the Lord into the whole heaven. That it is into the whole heaven is clear from what follows, for it is said, “And no one was able, in heaven nor upon the earth, neither under the earth, to open the book and to look thereon.” (That “angels” in the Word mean entire societies of heaven, and in the highest sense the Lord in respect to Divine truth proceeding, see above, n. 90, 130, 200; and that The Whole Heaven before the Lord is as One Man, or as One Angel, and also every Society of Heaven, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 59-87.)

sRef Rev@5 @2 S0′ 303. Who is worthy to open the book and to loose the seals thereof? signifies, is there anyone there such as to know and to perceive the states of life of all? This is evident from the signification of “Who is worthy?” as being, is there anyone who has merit and righteousness, and who has omniscience, thus whether there is any such? That “worthy,” in reference to the Lord, signifies merit and righteousness, which belong to Him alone, see above (n. 293). And that omniscience is signified is clear from what follows, where it is said, “the Lamb took the book out of the right hand of Him that sat upon the throne, and opened it;” for “right hand” signifies omniscience and omnipotence (see above, n. 297); it is evident also from the signification of the “book,” as being the states of life of all in general and in particular (of which see just above, n. 299); and also from the signification of “to open the book and to loose the seals thereof,” as being to know and perceive; for when the “book” signifies the states of life of all, “to open and to loose the seals” signifies to know and perceive those states; for knowing and perceiving are predicated of the state of life, but opening and loosening seals relate to a book; thus the words in the internal sense conform 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 altogether hidden from others (as above, n. 300).

sRef Rev@5 @3 S0′ 304. Verse 3. And no one was able, in heaven nor upon the earth, nor under the earth, to open the book, neither to look thereon, signifies manifestation that no one knows and perceives of himself anything whatever of the state of life of all in general, and of each one in particular. This is evident from the signification of “And no one was able to open the book, neither to look thereon,” as being that no one of himself knows and perceives the states of the life of all in general and of each one in particular (of which see just above, n. 303); also from the signification of “in heaven nor upon the earth nor under the earth,” being that no one anywhere has such knowledge, not even in the slightest degree; for “in heaven, upon the earth, and under the earth,” means the three heavens; and by all who are there heaven in its entire complex is meant. And as 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 self-intelligence of the angels, for this is no intelligence, so the same words signify that no one has any knowledge or perception whatever from himself. That angels in heaven as well as men in the world have a selfhood [proprium], which regarded in itself is nothing but evil, see in the work on Heaven and Hell (n. 592), and as evil receives nothing of intelligence and wisdom, it follows that angels equally with men understand nothing at all of truth from themselves, but solely from the Lord. Angels are such for the reason that all angels are from the human race, and every man retains after death what is his own [suum proprium], and angels are withheld from the evils that pertain to what is their own [proprii eorum] and are kept in goods by the Lord. (That all angels are from the human race, and not one is created such from the beginning, see in the small work on The Last Judgment, n. 14-22; and that they are all withheld from evil, and kept in good by the Lord, see in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 166.)
[2] “In heaven,” “upon the earth,” and “under the earth,” signify the three heavens, because the angels that are in the third or highest heaven dwell upon mountains; and those that are in the second or middle, upon hills; and those that are in the first or lowest, in plains and valleys below these. For in the spiritual world, where the spirits and angels are, it is just as it is in the natural world where men are, that is, there are lands, hills, and mountains; and in appearance the resemblance is such that there is no difference at all; therefore men after death scarcely know otherwise than that they are still living on the earth, and when the privilege is granted them to look into our world, they see nothing dissimilar. Moreover, the angels who are in the lowest heaven call that heaven where the angels of the third heaven dwell, because it is high above them, and where they themselves dwell they call earth; moreover, the third or highest heaven, which is upon the mountains, does not appear, to those who are below or upon that earth, otherwise than as the highest region of the atmosphere covered with a thin bright cloud appears before us, thus as the sky appears to us. From this it can be seen what is here meant, specifically, by “in heaven,” “upon the earth,” and “under the earth.” (But more can be seen on this subject in the work on Heaven and Hell, where Appearances in Heaven are treated of, n. 170-176; and The Habitations and Dwelling Places of Angels, n. 183-189.)
[3] As men have not known that there is a like surface of the earth in both worlds, the natural and the spiritual, therefore they have not perceived otherwise when they have read the Word than that “heaven” and “earth” there mean the heaven visible before our eyes, and the earth inhabited by men; from this arose the belief in the destruction of heaven and earth, and the creation of a new heaven and a new earth at the day of the Last Judgment; when yet “heaven” and “earth” there mean the heaven and the earth where spirits and angels dwell, and in the spiritual sense the church with angels and with men (for there is a church with angels equally as with men, as may be seen in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 221-227). It is said, in the spiritual sense, for an angel is not an angel, nor is a man a man, from the human form, which both have, but because of heaven and the church with them. This is why “heaven” and “earth,” where angels and men dwell, signify the church; “heaven” the internal church and also the church with angels, and “earth” the external church and also the church with men. But since it can only with difficulty be believed that “earth” in the Word means the church, because it is not yet known that in every particular of the Word there is a spiritual sense, whence a material idea adheres and keeps the thought fixed in the nearest meaning of the expression, I wish to illustrate and confirm it by a number of quotations.
sRef Isa@24 @4 S4′ sRef Isa@24 @20 S4′ sRef Isa@24 @6 S4′ sRef Isa@24 @21 S4′ sRef Isa@24 @5 S4′ sRef Isa@24 @16 S4′ sRef Isa@24 @11 S4′ sRef Isa@24 @3 S4′ sRef Isa@24 @1 S4′ sRef Isa@24 @13 S4′ sRef Isa@24 @18 S4′ sRef Isa@24 @19 S4′ [4] In Isaiah:
Behold, Jehovah maketh the earth empty and maketh it void, and He shall disfigure 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; therefore a malediction shall devour the earth, and the inhabitants of the earth shall be burnt up, and a man shall be rare. A shout over the wine in the streets; the gladness of the earth shall be banished; it shall be in the midst of the earth as the shaking of an olive tree, as the gleanings when the vintage is ended. From the uttermost part of the earth we have heard songs, Glory to the righteous. The floodgates from on high are opened, and the foundations of the earth quake; 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 one drunken; and it shall be moved to and fro as a veil; but it shall be in that day that Jehovah will visit upon the host of the height in the height, and upon the kings of the earth who are upon the earth (Isa. 24:1, 3-6, 11, 13, 16, 18-21).
Here it is very clear that “earth” does not mean the earth, but the church. Let the particulars be run over and considered. One who is in a spiritual idea does not think, when “earth” is mentioned, of the earth itself, but of the people on it and their quality; still more is this true of those who are in heaven; who, since they are spiritual, perceive that the church is meant. Here the church destroyed is treated of; its destruction in respect to the good of love and the truth of faith, which constitute it, is described by “Jehovah maketh the earth empty and maketh it void,” “in emptying the earth shall be emptied, in spoiling it shall be spoiled,” “it shall mourn and be confounded,” “it shall be profaned,” and “a malediction shall devour it;” “the floodgates from on high are opened, and the foundations of it quake;” “it is broken,” “it is rent asunder,” “it is moved,” “it shall totter as one drunken.” These things can be said neither of the earth, nor of any nation, but only of the church.
sRef Isa@13 @10 S5′ sRef Isa@13 @13 S5′ sRef Isa@13 @9 S5′ sRef Isa@13 @12 S5′ [5] In the same:
Behold, the day of Jehovah cometh, to lay the earth waste; and He shall destroy the sinners out of it. For the stars of the heavens and the constellations thereof do not cause their light to shine, the sun hath been darkened in its rising, and the moon maketh not bright her light. I will make a man more rare than fine gold; wherefore I will cause the heavens to tremble and the earth shall quake out of its place (Isa. 13:9-10, 12-13).
It is clear from the particulars understood in the spiritual sense, that “earth” here means the church. The end of the church is here treated of, when truth and good, or faith and charity, are no more. For “the stars and constellations that do not cause their light to shine,” signify the knowledges of truth and good; the “sun that has been darkened in its rising,” signifies love; the “moon that maketh not bright her light,” signifies faith; a “man made more rare than fine gold,” signifies intelligence and wisdom: this makes clear what is signified by “Behold, the day of Jehovah cometh to lay the earth waste. I will cause the heavens to tremble and the earth shall quake out of its place;” “the day of Jehovah” is the last end of the church, when there is the judgment; the “earth” is the church. It can be seen that the earth itself does not quake out of its place, but that the church is removed when love and faith are not. “To quake out of its place” signifies to be removed from its former state.
sRef Isa@28 @2 S6′ sRef Isa@28 @22 S6′ [6] In the same:
Behold, the Lord, as a deluge of hail, a storm of slaughter, as a deluge of mighty waters. He shall cast down to the earth with the hand. A consummation and decision I have heard from the Lord Jehovih of hosts upon the whole earth (Isa. 28:2, 22).
This is said of the day of judgment upon those who are of the church. The day of judgment, when the church is at an end is meant by “a consummation and decision I have heard from the Lord Jehovih of Hosts upon the whole earth;” it is therefore said “as a deluge of hail, a storm of slaughter, as a deluge of mighty waters. He shall cast down to the earth with the hand;” by “hail” and “a deluge of it” falsities that destroy the truths of the church are signified; by “slaughter,” and “a storm of it,” evils that destroy the goods of the church are signified; by “mighty waters” falsities of evil are signified. (That a “deluge” or “flood” signifies immersion into evils and falsities, and the consequent destruction of the church) see Arcana Coelestia, n. 660, 705, 739, 756, 790, 5725, 6853; the like is meant by “casting down to the earth,” or a violent rain.
sRef Isa@34 @10 S7′ sRef Isa@34 @9 S7′ [7] In the same:
The land shall become burning pitch; from generation to generation it shall be desolate (Isa. 34:9-10).
“Burning pitch” signifies every evil springing from love of self, through which the church entirely perishes and is desolated; it is therefore said, “the land shall become burning pitch; from generation to generation it shall be desolate.” Who does not see that such things are not said of the land itself?
sRef Isa@33 @9 S8′ [8] In the same:
The land mourneth and languisheth; Lebanon blusheth, and hath withered away (Isa. 33:9).
Here also the “land” means the church, which is said “to mourn” and “to languish” when falsities begin to be accepted and acknowledged in place of truths; it is therefore said, “Lebanon blusheth and hath withered away;” “Lebanon” signifying the like as “cedar,” namely, the truth of the church.
sRef Jer@4 @24 S9′ sRef Jer@4 @7 S9′ sRef Jer@4 @23 S9′ sRef Jer@4 @28 S9′ [9] In Jeremiah:
The lion is gone up from his thicket, and the destroyer of the nations hath gone forth from his place to make thy land a waste; thy cities shall be destroyed. I saw the earth, when lo, it was void and empty; and towards the heavens, and lo, they had no light. I saw the mountains, and lo, they quaked and all the hills are overturned. Jehovah said, The whole earth shall be a waste. For this shall the land mourn, and the heavens above be black (Jer. 4:7, 23-24, 27-28).
Here also the vastation of the church is treated of, which takes place when there are no longer truth and good, but falsity and evil in place of them. This vastation is described by “the lion going up from 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, laying waste. The “mountains that quake,” and the “hills that are overturned,” signify love to the Lord and charity towards the neighbor. This is the signification of “mountains” and “hills,” because those who are in love to the Lord dwell upon mountains in heaven, and those who are in charity towards the neighbor, upon hills (see what has been said above, also in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 188, and in the notes there, letter, original edition). “The heavens where there was no light, and that were black” signify the interiors of the men of the church, which, when closed by evils and falsities, do not admit light from heaven, but darkness from hell instead. From this it can be seen what is signified by “the lion and the destroyer of the nations making the land a waste;” so likewise by “I saw the earth, and lo, it was void and empty;” also by “the whole earth shall be a waste; for this shall the land mourn,” namely, that the earth is not meant, but the church.
sRef Jer@12 @4 S10′ sRef Jer@12 @13 S10′ sRef Jer@12 @11 S10′ sRef Jer@12 @12 S10′ [10] In the same:
How long shall the land mourn, and the herb of every field [wither]? for the evil of them that dwell therein the beasts shall be carried off, and the fowl. The whole land is made waste because no man layeth it to heart. Wasters are come upon all the bare heights in the wilderness; for the sword of Jehovah devoureth from one end of the land even to the other end of the land. They have sown wheat and have reaped thorns (Jer. 12:4, 11-13).
That the “land” here signifies the church is evident, from its being said that “the land shall mourn, and the herb of every field [wither],” and that “the beasts and the birds shall be carried off for the evil of them that dwell therein, and because no man layeth it to heart.” “The herb of every field” signifies every truth and good of the church, and the “beasts and the fowl” signify the affections of good and truth; and since the church is signified by the “land,” and it is here treated of as being vastated, it is said “wasters are come upon all the bare heights in the wilderness; for the sword of Jehovah devoureth from one end of the land even to the other end of the land. They have sown wheat, and have reaped thorns.” “The bare heights in the wilderness upon which the wasters came” signify the things that are of charity, “wilderness” meaning where there is no good because no truth; “the sword of Jehovah” signifies falsity destroying truth; “from one end of the land to the other end of the land” signifies all things of the church; “to sow wheat and reap thorns” signifies to take from the Word the truths of good and to turn them into the falsities of evil, “wheat” meaning the truths of good, and “thorns” the falsities of evil.
sRef Isa@32 @14 S11′ sRef Isa@32 @13 S11′ [11] In Isaiah:
Upon the ground of my people shall come up the thorn and briar; the palace shall be deserted; the multitude of the city shall be forsaken (Isa. 32:13-14).
The “thorn and briar that shall come up upon the ground” signify falsity and evil; the “palace that shall be deserted” signifies where good dwells; and the “multitude of the city that shall be forsaken” signifies where there are truths; for “city” signifies the doctrine of truth.
sRef Isa@7 @25 S12′ sRef Isa@7 @24 S12′ [12] In the same:
All the land shall be a place of briars and brambles; but as to all the mountains that shall be hoed with the hoe, there shall not come thither the fear of the briar and bramble; but there shall be the sending-forth of the ox and the trampling of the sheep (Isa. 7:24-25).
“Briars and brambles” signify falsity and evil; which makes evident what is signified by “all the land shall be a place of briars and brambles.” “The mountains that shall be hoed with the hoe” signify those who from the love of good do goods, that with them there shall be no falsity and evil, but good, natural as well as spiritual, is signified by “there shall not come thither the fear of the briar and bramble, but there shall be the sending forth of the ox, and the trampling of sheep;” that is, thither shall oxen be sent, and there the sheep shall trample, “ox” signifying natural good, and “sheep” spiritual good.
sRef Ezek@19 @7 S13′ sRef Ezek@19 @3 S13′ sRef Ezek@19 @2 S13′ [13] In Ezekiel:
Thy mother is a lioness; she couched among lions; one of her whelps went up; he desolated the cities; the land and the fullness thereof was made waste by the voice of his roaring (Ezek. 19:2-3, 7).
“Mother” signifies the church; a “lioness” and “lions” signify the power of evil and falsity against good and truth; the “roaring of the lion” signifies the lust of destroying and desolating; the “cities that he desolated” signify doctrine with its truths, which makes evident what is signified by “the land and the fullness thereof was laid waste,” namely, the whole church.
sRef Ezek@12 @20 S14′ sRef Ezek@12 @19 S14′ [14] In the same:
They shall eat their bread with carefulness, and drink their waters with astonishment, that the land may be laid waste from the fullness thereof, because of the violence of all them that dwell therein; and the cities that are inhabited shall be desolated, and the land shall be a waste (Ezek. 12:19-20).
Here “the land and the cities that shall be desolated and shall be a waste” have the same signification as above, namely, “the land” signifies the church, and “cities” doctrine with its truths; it is therefore said, “because of the violence of all them that dwell therein.” Since this is what is meant, it is first said that “they shall eat their bread with carefulness, and drink their waters with astonishment,” “bread” and “water” in the Word signifying all the good of love and truth of faith (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 9323), and “eating” and “drinking” signifying instruction and appropriation (n. 3168, 3513, 3832, 9412).
sRef Ps@18 @7 S15′ sRef Ps@18 @6 S15′ [15] In David:
I called upon Jehovah, and cried unto my God. Then the earth tottered and quaked, and the foundations of the mountains trembled and tottered when He was wroth (Ps. 18:6-7).
Here the “earth” stands for the church, which is said to “totter and quake” when it is perverted by the falsification of truths; and then “the foundations of the mountains” are said “to tremble and totter,” for the goods of love, which are founded upon the truths of faith, vanish; “mountains” meaning the goods of love (as above), and their “foundations” the truths of faith; which also shows that the “earth” is the church.
sRef Ps@24 @1 S16′ sRef Ps@24 @2 S16′ [16] In the same:
The earth is Jehovah’s and the fullness thereof, the world and they that dwell therein; and He hath founded it upon the seas, He hath established it upon the rivers (Ps. 24:1, 2).
The “earth” and the “world” stand for the church, and “fullness” for all things thereof; the “seas upon which He hath founded it,” mean the knowledges of truth in general; the “rivers” doctrinals; because the church is founded on both of these, it is said that “He hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the rivers.” That this cannot be said of the earth and the world is clear to anyone.
sRef Ps@46 @2 S17′ sRef Ps@46 @3 S17′ sRef Ps@46 @6 S17′ sRef Ps@46 @8 S17′ [17] In the same:
We will not fear, when the earth shall be changed, and when the mountains shall be moved in the heart of the seas, when the waters thereof are in tumult and do foam. The nations are in tumult, the kingdoms are moved, when He giveth forth His voice the earth shall dissolve (Ps. 46:2-3, 6).
The “earth” evidently means the church, since it is said “to be changed” and “to dissolve,” also that “the mountains shall be moved in the heart of the seas, and the waters thereof shall be in tumult,” and “the nations are in tumult and the kingdoms are moved.” “Mountains” signify (as above) the goods of love, which are said “to be moved in the heart of the seas” when the essential knowledges of truth are perverted; “waters” signify the truths of the church, which are said “to foam” when they are falsified; “nations” signify the goods of the church, and in a contrary sense, its evils; and “kingdoms” the truths of the church, and in a contrary sense, its falsities; and also those who are in the one and the other.”
sRef Ps@60 @1 S18′ sRef Ps@60 @2 S18′ [18] In the same:
O God, Thou hast cast us off; Thou hast been angry; bring back rest to us. Thou hast made the earth to quake, Thou hast broken it up; heal the breaches thereof, for it is moved (Ps. 60:1-2).
It can be seen that these things are said of the church, and not of the earth, for it is said, “Thou hast made the earth to quake, Thou hast broken it up; heal the breaches thereof, for it is moved;” and as “the earth” signifies the church, and here the church vastated, it is said, “O God, Thou hast cast us off, Thou hast been angry; bring back rest to us.”
sRef Isa@40 @23 S19′ sRef Ps@75 @2 S19′ sRef Isa@40 @22 S19′ sRef Isa@40 @21 S19′ sRef Ps@75 @3 S19′ [19] In the same:
When I shall receive the set time, I shall judge with uprightness. The earth and all the inhabitants thereof shall be dissolved; I will make firm the pillars of it (Ps. 75:23).
Here, likewise, the “earth” stands for the church, which is said to “dissolve” when the truths by which there is good fail; truths, because they support the church, are called its “pillars,” which God will make firm; it is not the pillars of the earth evidently that are made firm. As the restoration of the church is here described, it is said, “When I shall receive the set time, I shall judge with uprightness.” The truths of the church, here called the “pillars of the earth,” are also called the “bases of the earth” (1 Sam. 2:8); 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 emptiness (Isa. 40:21-23).
The “princes who will be brought to nothing,” and the “judges of the earth, whom He will make as emptiness,” signify the things that are from self-intelligence and from one’s own judgment.
sRef Jer@25 @32 S20′ sRef Jer@25 @31 S20′ sRef Jer@25 @33 S20′ [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 tempest 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 (Jer. 25:31-33).
The “end of the earth” and the “sides of the earth” signify 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; from this it can be known what is signified by “a tumult shall come to the end of the earth,” and “a great tempest shall be stirred up from the sides of the earth,” also by “the slain of Jehovah in that day shall be from the end of the earth to the end thereof.” The “slain” signify those in whom the truths and goods of the church are extinguished (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 4503).
sRef Isa@41 @18 S21′ sRef Isa@41 @5 S21′ [21] In Isaiah:
The isles saw, they feared; the ends of the earth trembled, they drew near, and came. I will make the wilderness into a pool of waters, and the dry land into a spring of waters (Isa. 41:5, 18).
The establishment of the church among the Gentiles is thus described; they are signified by the “isles” and the “ends of the earth;” for “isles” and “the ends of the earth” in the Word signify those who are far removed from the truths and goods of the church because they do not have the Word, and consequently, are in ignorance. That a church is to be established with such is signified by “I will make the wilderness into a pool of waters, and the dry land into a spring of waters.” That is called a “wilderness” where there is not yet good because there is not yet truth, and for the same reason it is called “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 acquired by means of truths.
sRef Isa@18 @2 S22′ sRef Isa@18 @1 S22′ [22] In the same:
Woe to the land shadowed with wings, which is beyond the rivers of Cush. Go, ye messengers, to a nation trodden down, whose land the rivers have despoiled (Isa. 18:1-2).
No one knows what is meant by “a land shadowed with wings,” and “a land that the rivers have despoiled,” unless he knows that “land” means the church, and “rivers” falsities; “a land shadowed with wings” is a church that is in thick darkness in respect to Divine truths (that these are signified by “wings,” see above, n. 283); “beyond the rivers of Cush” signifies in respect to the knowledges themselves from the sense of the letter of the Word, which have been falsified; “a nation trodden down, to which the messengers should go, whose land the rivers have despoiled,” signifies those out of the church who are in falsities from ignorance; “rivers” meaning the truths of doctrine, and in a contrary sense falsities; that “the messengers should go to them” signifies that they should be invited to receive the church.
sRef Isa@9 @19 S23′ [23] In the same:
In the fury of Jehovah of Hosts the land is obscured (Isa. 9:19).
A “land obscured” signifies the things of the church in thick darkness, that is, in falsities; for the falsities of evil are said to be in thick darkness, but truths in light.
sRef Isa@6 @12 S24′ [24] In the same:
Jehovah shall remove man, and forsaken places shall be multiplied in the midst of the land (Isa. 6:12);
“man whom Jehovah shall remove,” signifying him who is wise, and abstractly, wisdom (as may be seen above, n. 280); “forsaken places multiplied in the midst of the land” signifying that there shall be no good at all, because no truth; “the midst of the land” meaning where truth is in the highest light; consequently when there is no light there, thick darkness pervades the whole; thus there is nowhere any truth at all.
sRef Isa@11 @4 S25′ [25] In the same:
Jehovah shall smite the earth with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His lips shall He put to death the wicked (Isa. 11:4).
“The rod of Jehovah’s mouth which shall smite the earth,” signifies truth in ultimates, which is the truth of the sense of the letter of the Word; “the breath of the lips which shall put to death the wicked,” signifies truth in the spiritual sense of the Word; these truths are said “to smite the earth,” and “to put to death the wicked,” when such are condemned by truths; for by truths everyone is judged and is condemned.
sRef Isa@14 @17 S26′ sRef Isa@14 @9 S26′ sRef Isa@14 @25 S26′ sRef Isa@14 @16 S26′ sRef Isa@14 @21 S26′ sRef Isa@14 @20 S26′ [26] In the same:
The earth is at rest, and is quiet. Hell hath stirred up the Rephaim because of thee, all the powerful of the earth. They that see thee shall say, Is this the man that maketh the earth to tremble, that maketh the kingdoms to quake; that hath made the world as a wilderness and threw down the cities thereof? Thou hast destroyed thy land, thou hast slain thy people. Prepare slaughter for his sons, that they rise not up and possess the land, and the faces of the world be filled with cities. I will break the Assyrian in My land, and upon My mountains I will tread him down (Isa. 14:7, 9, 16-17, 20-21, 25).
These things are said of the king of Babylon, by whom is signified the destruction of truth by the love of ruling over heaven and earth; which love the truths of the Word or of the church are made to serve as means; here their damnation is treated of. The “Rephaim whom hell stirred up,” mean those who are in the direful persuasion of what is false, who are therefore called the powerful of the earth; “to make the earth to tremble,” “to make the kingdoms quake,” “to make the world as a wilderness,” and “to throw down the cities thereof,” signifies to pervert all things of the church; “earth” and “world” mean the church, “kingdoms” the truths that constitute it; and “cities” all things of doctrine. From this it is clear what is signified by, “Thou hast destroyed thy land, thou hast slain thy people.” The “Assyrian who shall be broken in the land and trodden down upon the mountains,” signifies the reasonings from falsities against truths; “to be broken” means to be dispersed, and “to be trodden down” means to be wholly destroyed; “mountains upon which this is done,” signify where the good of love and charity reigns, for there, or with such, all reasoning from falsities is dispersed or destroyed.
sRef Isa@23 @10 S27′ sRef Isa@23 @1 S27′ sRef Isa@23 @17 S27′ sRef Isa@23 @13 S27′ [27] In the same:
Howl, ye ships of Tarshish; from the land of Chittim it shall manifestly come to them. Pass through thy land as a river, O daughter of Tarshish; the girdle is no more. Behold the land of the Chaldean; Assyria hath founded it into heaps. Jehovah will visit Tyre, that she may return to the hire of whoredom and commit whoredom with all the kingdoms of the earth upon the faces of the ground (Isa. 23:1, 10, 13, 17).
Neither ships of Tarshish, nor Tyre, nor the land of Chittim, nor the land of the Chaldeans, nor Assyria, are here meant, as can be seen from the particulars in this chapter; but “the ships of Tarshish” mean the knowledges of truth and good, “Tyre” the like; “the land of Chittim” what is idolatrous; “the land of the Chaldeans” the profanation and destruction of truth, and “Assyria” reasoning from falsities. From this it is clear that, “Howl, ye ships of Tarshish, for Tyre is desolated” signifies that there were no longer any knowledges of truth; “from the land of Chittim it shall manifestly come to them” signifies idolatry therefrom; “the girdle is no more” signifies that there is no longer any coherence of truth with good; “behold the land of the Chaldeans” signifies that thus there is profanation and destruction of truth; “Assyria hath founded it into heaps” signifies that reasonings from falsities have destroyed it; “to return to the hire of whoredom” and “to commit whoredom with all kingdoms upon the faces of the ground” signifies the falsification of all truths of the whole church.
sRef Isa@8 @8 S28′ [28] In the same:
The king of Assyria shall pass on through Judah, he shall overflow and pass through, he shall reach even to the neck; and the flappings of his wings* shall be the fullness of the breadth of thy land, O Immanuel (Isa. 8:8).
Here, too, “the king of Assyria” signifies the reasoning from falsities against truths; “he shall pass on through Judah, he shall overflow and pass through” signifies that this shall destroy the good of the church (to “overflow” is predicated of falsities, because they are signified by “waters”); “he shall reach even to the neck” signifies that thus there shall be no longer any communication of good and truth; and “the flappings of his wings shall be the fullness of the breadth of thy land, O Immanuel” signifies that falsities shall be opposed to all the truths of the Lord’s church; “the breadth of the land” signifies the truths of the church (see Heaven and Hell, n. 197), consequently, in a contrary sense, falsities; therefore the “flappings of his wings” signify reasonings from falsities against truths; “fullness” signifies all; thus “the fullness of the breadth of the land” signifies all the truths of the church.
sRef Isa@4 @2 S29′ [29] In the same:
In that day shall the bud of Jehovah be for adornment and glory, and the fruit of the earth for magnificence and splendor to those left of Israel (Isa. 4:2).
The “bud of Jehovah,” that shall be for adornment and glory, signifies the truth of the church; and the “fruit of the earth,” that shall be for magnificence and splendor, signifies the good of the church; “Israel” signifies the spiritual church. Evidently it is the truth and good of the church, and not the bud and the fruit of the earth, that shall be for adornment, glory, magnificence, and splendor. 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.
sRef Isa@26 @15 S30′ [30] In the same:
Thou hast added to the nation, O Jehovah; Thou hast been glorified; Thou hast removed all the ends of the earth (Isa. 26:15).
The “nation to which Jehovah has added” signifies those who are in the good of love, whom He has claimed to Himself; “the ends of the earth which He has removed” signify the falsities and evils that infest the church, from which He has purified them.
sRef Isa@33 @17 S31′ [31] In the same:
Thine eyes shall behold the king in his beauty, they shall behold a land of far distances (Isa. 33:17).
“To see the king in his beauty,” means to see genuine truth, which is from the Lord alone; “to behold a land of far distances” signifies to behold the extension of intelligence and wisdom.
sRef Isa@49 @8 S32′ sRef Isa@49 @13 S32′ [32] In the same:
I have given thee for a covenant to the people, to restore the earth. Sing aloud O heavens, and exult O earth, and break forth O mountains with a song (Isa. 49:8, 13).
This treats of the Lord and His coming; 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” being to reestablish the church; it is known that the Lord did not restore the earth to the Jewish people, but that He established a church among the Gentiles; the joy in consequence is described by, “Sing aloud O heavens, and exult O earth, and break forth O mountains with a song,” “the heavens” being the heavens where angels are who are in the interior truths of the church, “the earth” the church among men, and “the mountains” those who are in the good of love to the Lord.
sRef Jer@23 @10 S33′ [33] In Jeremiah:
The land is full of adulterers; for because of malediction the land mourneth; the pastures of the wilderness are dried up (Jer. 23:10).
“Adulterers” signify those who adulterate the goods of the church; therefore it is said, “the land is full of adulterers, and because of the malediction the land mourneth;” the “pastures of the wilderness that are dried up” signify no spiritual nourishment in such a church; that is called “wilderness” where there is no truth.
sRef Jer@50 @38 S34′ [34] In the same:
A drought is upon her waters, so that they shall become dry; for it is a land of graven images (Jer. 50:38).
“A drought upon the waters, so that they shall become dry” signifies that there are no more truths, “waters” being truths; “for it is a land of graven images” signifies the church destroyed by falsities which are from self-intelligence, which they call truths, “graven images” signifying those falsities.
sRef Ezek@7 @2 S35′ sRef Ezek@7 @23 S35′ [35] In Ezekiel:
The end hath come upon the four quarters of the earth; the earth is full of the judgment of bloods, and the city is full of violence (Ezek. 7:2, 23).
“The end hath come 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 being all truths and goods of the church, and in a contrary sense, all its falsities and evils, thus all things of the church; “the earth full of the judgment of bloods” signifies that it is filled with evils of every kind, “bloods” being the evils that offer violence to the goods of love and charity and wholly destroy them; “the city full of violence” signifies the doctrine of that church likewise offering violence.
sRef Ezek@32 @8 S36′ [36] In the same:
All the luminaries of light in heaven will I make black over thee, and will set darkness upon thy land (Ezek. 32:8).
“The luminaries of light in the heavens” mean the sun, moon, and stars; the “sun” signifying love, the “moon” faith therefrom, and the “stars” the knowledges of good and truth; from this it is clear what is signified by “I will make them black over thee,” namely, that these no longer exist; thence also it is clear what is signified by “I will set darkness upon thy land,” namely, that there will be falsities in the church,” “darkness” meaning falsities, and “land” the church.
sRef Ezek@36 @9 S37′ sRef Ezek@36 @6 S37′ [37] In the same:
Prophesy concerning the land of Israel, and say unto the mountains and to the hills and to the watercourses and to the valleys, Behold, I am for you, and I will turn unto you that ye may be tilled and sown (Ezek. 36:6, 9).
“The land of Israel” means the church; “mountains, hills, watercourses, and valleys” signify all things of the church from the first to the last things thereof, “mountains” are the goods of love to the Lord, “hills” the goods of charity towards the neighbor-these are the first things of the church; “watercourses and valleys” are truths and goods that are the last things of the church. That this is the meaning can be seen from what was said at the beginning of this article, namely, that those in heaven who are in the good of love to the Lord dwell upon mountains, those who are in charity towards the neighbor upon hills, and those who are in goods and truths in the lowest heaven in plains and valleys; “watercourses” are the truths of doctrine there; to implant these is signified by “I will turn unto you that ye may be tilled and sown.”
sRef Hos@2 @23 S38′ sRef Hos@2 @22 S38′ sRef Hos@2 @21 S38′ [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 these shall hear Jezreel,** and I will sow her unto me in the earth (Hos. 2:21-23).
Evidently these things are to be understood spiritually, and not naturally according to the sense of the letter, for it is said that “these shall hear Jezreel; and I will sow her unto me in the earth;” therefore the “heavens” mean the heavens where the Lord is; and the “earth” the church where also the Lord is; “corn, new wine, and oil” signify all the things of spiritual nourishment, which are the goods of love and charity and the truths of faith.
sRef Mal@3 @11 S39′ sRef Mal@3 @12 S39′ [39] In Malachi:
He shall not destroy for you the fruit of the ground, neither shall the vine in the field be barren to you; all nations shall proclaim you happy, and ye shall be a land of good pleasure (Mal. 3:11-12).
These things are said of those with whom is the church; and because “the fruit of the ground,” and “the vine in the field” signify the goods and truths of the church (“fruit” goods, and “the vine” its truths), therefore they are called “a land of good pleasure.”
sRef Ps@143 @10 S40′ sRef Ps@143 @11 S40′ [40] In David:
Let thy good spirit lead me into the land of uprightness; vivify me, O Jehovah, for Thy name’s sake (Ps. 143:10-11).
“The land of uprightness” stands for the church in which is the right and the true; and because “the spirit of Jehovah” signifies Divine truth, and everyone receives spiritual life through that, therefore it is said, “Let Thy good spirit lead me,” and “vivify me, O Jehovah.”
sRef Ezek@32 @27 S41′ sRef Ezek@32 @25 S41′ sRef Ps@27 @13 S41′ sRef Ezek@32 @23 S41′ sRef Ezek@32 @24 S41′ sRef Isa@38 @11 S41′ sRef Ezek@32 @26 S41′ [41] As the “earth” signifies the church, and where the church is there is heaven, therefore heaven is 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 (Isa. 38:11);
and in Ezekiel:
Who caused terror in the land of the living (Ezek. 32:23-27).
“The land of life,” in David:
Unless I had believed to see good in the land of life (Ps. 27:13).
sRef Deut@25 @15 S42′ [42] In Moses:
The stone shall be entire and just, the ephah shall be entire and just, that thy days may be prolonged upon the earth (Deut. 25:15).
“Days to be prolonged upon the earth” does not mean a lengthening of life in the world, but the state of life in the church, thus in heaven; for “to be prolonged” is predicated of good and its increase, and “day” signifies the state of life; and as “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, “stone” signifying truth, and “measure” good, and as not to deceive by weight and measure is to be just, therefore such shall have the life of the church and afterwards life in heaven, which is meant by “their days upon the earth shall be prolonged.”
sRef Ex@20 @12 S43′ [43] The like is signified by this precept in the Decalogue:
Honor thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be prolonged upon the earth (Exod. 20:12).
Those who honor father and mother have heaven and the happiness there, because in heaven no other father but the Lord is known, for all there have been generated anew from Him; and in heaven by “mother” the church is meant, and in general, the kingdom of the Lord. It is clear that those who worship the Lord and seek his kingdom will have life in heaven, also that many of those who honor father and mother in the world do not live there long.
sRef Matt@5 @5 S44′ [44] In Matthew:
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth (Matt. 5:5).
“Inheriting the earth” signifies not possession of the earth, but possession of heaven and blessedness there; the “meek” mean those who are in the good of charity.
sRef Isa@7 @15 S45′ sRef Isa@7 @14 S45′ sRef Isa@7 @22 S45′ sRef Isa@7 @16 S45′ [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 reject the evil and to choose the good; for before the Lad knoweth to reject the evil and to choose the good, the land which thou abhorrest shall be forsaken of its two kings. It shall come to pass in that day, by reason of the abundance of milk they yield, He shall eat butter; for butter and honey shall everyone eat that is left in the midst of the land (Isa. 7:14-16, 21-22).
It is known that these things were said respecting the Lord and His coming; “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; this means that He would appropriate the Divine to Himself even in respect to the Human; “to eat” signifying to appropriate. That “the land shall be forsaken before He knoweth to reject the evil and to choose the good” signifies that when He should be born there would not be anything of the church remaining in the whole world; and because those where the church was, rejected every Divine truth and perverted all things of the Word, and explained it in favor of self, it is said of the land, that is, the church, “which thou abhorrest from the presence of its two kings; “king” signifying 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 truth through which good comes, and as “butter” signifies the good therefrom, “by reason of the abundance of yielding milk, butter shall everyone eat that is left in the midst of the land” signifies that every truth shall be from good.
sRef Matt@24 @30 S46′ [46] In Matthew:
In the consummation of the age, all the tribes of the earth shall lament (Matt. 24:30).
“The consummation of the age” which is treated of in that chapter, is the last time of the church, when judgment takes place; “all the tribes of the earth” signify all truths and goods of the church, which are said “to lament” when they are no more.
sRef Luke@21 @25 S47′ sRef Luke@21 @35 S47′ sRef Luke@21 @26 S47′ [47] In Luke:
Then shall there be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, the sea and the waves roaring; men expiring for fear and for expectation of the things coming upon the whole earth; for the powers of the heavens shall be shaken. That day as a snare shall come upon all that dwell upon the face of the whole earth (Luke 21:25-26, 35).
Here also the last time of the church is treated of, when judgment takes place, and the “earth” and the “world” here mean the church. “The distress of nations upon the earth,” “the fear and expectation of the things coming upon the earth, and upon all who dwell upon the face of the whole earth” signifies upon those who are in the spiritual world, not upon those who are in the countries in the natural world. (That there are lands in the spiritual world also, see what is said at the beginning of this article; and that the Last Judgment was accomplished there, see Last Judgment.) It has been told before what “sun,” “moon,” and “stars” signify, in which are signs, namely, that “sun” signifies love, “moon” faith therefrom, and “stars” the knowledges of good and truth; the “sea and waves roaring” signify the reasonings and assaults of truth from the sense of the letter of the Word, wrongly and perversely applied. The “powers of the heavens that shall be shaken” signify the Word in the sense of the letter, since this sense is the foundation of the spiritual truths that are in the heavens. (See Heaven and Hell, in the article that treats of the conjunction of heaven with man by the Word, n. 303-310.)
sRef Isa@44 @24 S48′ sRef Isa@44 @23 S48′ [48] In Isaiah:
Sing aloud ye heavens; shout, ye lower parts of the earth; break forth with singing, ye mountains, O forest and every tree therein; for Jehovah hath redeemed Jacob. I am Jehovah, that maketh all things; that stretchest forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by Myself (Isa. 44:23-24).
“Sing aloud, ye heavens; shout, ye lower parts of the earth; break forth with singing, ye mountains, O forest and every tree therein” signifies all things of heaven and of the church, both internal and external, all of which have reference to good and to truth. Things internal are signified by “the heavens,” things external by “the lower parts of the earth;” “mountains” mean the good of love, the “forest” means natural truth, and the “trees” therein mean the knowledges of truth. Because such things are signified, it is said, “for Jehovah hath redeemed Jacob,” “Jacob” in the Word signifying the external church, and “Israel” the internal church; “to stretch forth the heavens,” and “to spread abroad the earth” signifies the church on all sides, which is spread forth and extended by the multiplication of truth and the fructification of good, with those who are of the church.
sRef Zech@12 @1 S49′ [49] In Zechariah:
Jehovah stretcheth out the heavens, and foundeth the earth, and formeth the spirit of man in the midst of him (Zech. 12:1).
Here, too, in like manner “heavens” and “earth” signify the church everywhere, thus in respect to its interiors and as to its exteriors; therefore it is also said, “He formeth the spirit of man in the midst of him.”
sRef Jer@10 @11 S50′ sRef Jer@10 @13 S50′ sRef Jer@10 @12 S50′ [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 maketh the earth by His power, prepareth the world by His wisdom, and stretcheth out the heavens by His intelligence. At the voice which He giveth forth there is a multitude of waters in the heavens, and He causeth the vapors to ascend from the end of the earth (Jer. 10:11-13; 51:15-16).
Because the “heavens” and the “earth” signify the church (as above), it is said, “Jehovah maketh the earth by His power, prepareth the world by His wisdom, and stretcheth out the heavens by His intelligence;” and therefore also it is said, “At the voice which He giveth forth there is a multitude of waters in the heavens, and He causeth the vapors to ascend from the end of the earth;” “the voice that Jehovah giveth forth” signifies Divine truth proceeding from Him; the “multitude of waters in the heavens” signifies truth in abundance, for “waters” signify truths; and “the vapors that He causeth to ascend from the end of the earth” signify the ultimate truths of the church, “vapors” are those truths; and “the end of the earth” is the ultimate of the church; and as “gods” signify the falsities of doctrine and of worship, which destroy the church, it is said, “The gods that have not made the heaven and the earth, let them perish from the earth and from under the heavens.”
sRef Ps@136 @5 S51′ sRef Ps@136 @6 S51′ [51] In David:
Jehovah, who by intelligence maketh the heavens, and spreadeth out the earth above the waters (Ps. 136:5-6).
Because “heaven” and “earth” signify the church, and the church is formed by truths, and the truths of the church constitute intelligence, it is said, “Jehovah maketh the heavens by intelligence, and spreadeth out the earth above the waters,” “waters” meaning the truths of the church.
sRef Isa@42 @5 S52′ [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 breath to the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein (Isa. 42:5).
“To create the heavens” and “to spread forth the earth and the products thereof” signifies to form the church and to reform those who are in it, “products” meaning all things of the church; therefore it is said, “that giveth breath to the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein.” That “to create” is to reform, see above (n. 294).
sRef Isa@45 @18 S53′ sRef Isa@45 @8 S53′ sRef Isa@45 @12 S53′ sRef Isa@45 @19 S53′ [53] In the same:
Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the [higher] clouds flow down with righteousness; let the earth open, and bring forth the fruit of salvation. I have made the earth, and created man upon it. Thus said Jehovah who created the heavens; God Himself who formeth the earth and maketh it and prepareth it: I have not spoken in secret, in a place of the land of darkness (Isa. 45:8, 12, 18-19).
“Heavens” and “earth” here plainly mean all things of the church, both its internals and externals; for it is said, “Drop down, ye heavens, and let the [higher] clouds flow down with righteousness; let the earth open, and bring forth the fruit of salvation.” “Heavens” signify the interiors of the church, because the interiors that are of man’s spiritual mind are the heavens with him. (That with the man with whom the church is there is a heaven, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 30-57.) “To create the heavens and to form the earth, and make and prepare it,” signifies to fully establish the church.
sRef Isa@65 @17 S54′ [54] In the same:
Behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former shall not be remembered (Isa. 65:17).
“To create new heavens and a new earth” signifies to establish a new church in respect to its interiors and exteriors, both in the heavens and on earth (as above).
sRef Isa@66 @22 S55′ sRef Isa@66 @8 S55′ [55] In the same:
Who hath heard a thing like this? shall the earth bring forth in one day? shall a nation be begotten at one time? For as the new heavens and the new earth which I am about to make shall stand before Me, so shall your seed and your name stand (Isa. 66:8, 22).
Because the “earth” signifies the church, it is said, “shall the earth bring forth in one day? shall a nation be begotten at one time?” “To bring forth,” and “birth,” and “to beget,” and “begetting,” in the Word, signify spiritual birth and begetting, which are of faith and love, thus reformation and regeneration. What the “new heavens” and the “new earth” signify has been told above.
sRef Jer@27 @5 S56′ [56] In Jeremiah:
I have made the earth, man and beast that are upon the faces of the earth, and I give it to him who is right in My eyes (Jer. 27:5).
“Man and beast that are upon the faces of the earth” signify the affections of truth and good in the spiritual and the natural man (see n. 280; and Arcana Coelestia, n. 7424, 7523, 7872); and since these affections with men constitute the church in them it is said, “I have made the earth, man and beast that are upon the faces of the earth, and I give it to him who is right in My eyes.” Everyone knows that God gives the earth not alone to those who are right in His eyes, but also to those who are not right, while the church He gives to those only who are right; “right” signifying truth and its affection.
sRef Matt@24 @35 S57′ sRef Isa@51 @6 S57′ [57] In Isaiah:
The heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and the dwellers therein shall die in like manner (Isa. 51:6).
The “heavens that shall vanish away,” and the “earth that shall wax old like a garment” signify the church; this step by step falls, and at length is desolated; but not so the visible heaven and the habitable earth; therefore it is said, “and the dwellers therein shall die in like manner,” “to die” signifying to die spiritually:
The heavens and earth shall pass away (Matt. 24:35; Mark 13:31; Luke 16:17);
has a like signification.
sRef Rev@7 @3 S58′ sRef Rev@7 @1 S58′ [58] In Revelation:
Four angels standing upon the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow upon the earth (Rev. 7:1).
“The four corners of the earth,” and “the four winds of the earth” signify all truths and goods of the church in the complex; for they have the like signification as the four quarters of heaven (that these have this signification, see Heaven and Hell, on the four quarters in heaven, n. 141-153). To “hold the four winds” signifies that truths and goods do not flow in because they are not received; therefore it is said that “the wind should not blow upon the earth.” “The earth” signifies the church elsewhere in Revelation (as 10:2, 5-6, 8; 12:16; 13:13; 16:2, 14; 20:8-9, 11; 21:1), as well as in many other places in the Word, too numerous to be cited.
sRef Deut@8 @7 S59′ sRef Deut@8 @8 S59′ sRef Deut@8 @10 S59′ sRef Deut@8 @1 S59′ sRef Deut@8 @9 S59′ [59] As the church was signified by the “earth” and especially by the “land of Canaan,” because the church was there, and as the church which was there was a representative church, so all things 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 to the land itself and its products; as in these words in Moses:
If thou wilt keep the commandments, Jehovah will lead thee into a good land, into a land of brooks of waters, of fountains, of depths coming forth out of valley and mountain; a land of wheat, of barley, of vine, of fig, of 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 out of the mountains is digged copper; and thou shalt eat, and shalt be satisfied in this good land (Deut. 8:6-10).
This is a description of all things of the church, both its interiors and its exteriors; but to explain what the particulars signify would be tedious and not to the present purpose.
sRef Lev@26 @4 S60′ sRef Lev@26 @3 S60′ sRef Lev@26 @6 S60′ [60] Because the “land” signifies the church it was among the blessings, that if they lived according to the commandments:
The land would yield its increase, evil beasts would cease out of the land, nor would the sword pass through the land (Lev. 26:3-4, 6).
That “the land would yield its increase” signifies that there would be good and truth in the church; that “evil beasts would cease” signifies that there would not be evil affections and lusts, which destroy the church; that “the sword would not pass through the land” signifies that falsity would not cast out truth.
sRef John@9 @11 S61′ sRef John@9 @7 S61′ sRef John@8 @8 S61′ sRef Lev@25 @2 S61′ sRef John@8 @9 S61′ sRef John@9 @15 S61′ sRef Lev@25 @6 S61′ sRef John@8 @6 S61′ sRef John@8 @4 S61′ sRef John@9 @6 S61′ sRef Lev@25 @1 S61′ sRef John@8 @7 S61′ sRef Lev@18 @28 S61′ sRef Lev@25 @4 S61′ sRef Lev@25 @3 S61′ sRef Lev@18 @26 S61′ sRef Lev@25 @8 S61′ sRef Lev@25 @7 S61′ sRef Lev@25 @5 S61′ [61] Again, as the “land” signifies the church, it was also decreed that:
The seventh year should be a sabbath of the land, and that there should be no labor upon it (Lev. 25:1-8).
It is therefore said also that:
The land was defiled on account of their evils, and would vomit them out because of their abominations (Lev. 18:25-28).
Because the “land” [or ground] signified the church:
The Lord spat on the earth, 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 9:6-7, 11, 15);
So the Lord, when the Scribes and Pharisees questioned Him respecting the woman taken in adultery, stooping down, wrote twice on the earth (John 8:6, 8);
which signified that the church was full of adulteries, that is, full of the adulteration of good and the falsification of truth; therefore 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 (John 8:7, 9).
sRef Isa@14 @7 S62′ [62] As most things in the Word have also a contrary sense, so has the “earth,” which in that sense signifies the church vastated; it is vastated when the good of love and the truth of faith are no more, but instead thereof evil and falsity; as these damn man, the “earth” in that sense signifies damnation, as in the following places: Isa. 14:12; 21:9; 25:12; 26:19, 21; 29:4; 47:1; 63:6; Lam. 2:2, 10; Ezek. 26:20; 32:24; Num. 16:29-33; 26:10; and elsewhere.
* Photolithograph has “breadth” for “wings,” Apocalypse Revealed n. 861; Arcana Coelestia n. 1613, 4482, 9487 have “wings.”
** “Jezreel” for “Israel;” see n. 375; Arcana Coelestia n. 3580, where we read “Jezreel.”

sRef Rev@5 @4 S0′ sRef Rev@5 @5 S0′ 305. Verses 4, 5. And I wept much, that no one was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. And one of the elders saith unto me, weep not; behold, the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath overcome to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. 4. “And I wept much, that no one was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon,” signifies grief of heart on account of the disorder and destruction of all things, if no one could know [scire], cognize [cognoscere], and explore all men, and all things pertaining to men (n. 306). 5. “And one of the elders” signifies a society of heaven superior in wisdom to the rest (n. 307); “saith unto me, Weep not,” signifies that there need be no grief on that account (n. 308); “behold, the Lion hath overcome,” signifies that the Lord from His own power subjugated the hells, and reduced all things in the heavens to order (n. 309); “from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David,” signifies by means of Divine good united to Divine truth in His Human (n. 310); “to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof,” signifies that He knows and recognizes all and each, and the most secret things of everyone (n. 311).

sRef Rev@5 @4 S0′ 306. Verse 4. And I wept much, that no one was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon, signifies grief of heart on account of the disorder and destruction of all things, if no one could know, recognize and explore all men, and all things pertaining to men. This is evident from the signification of “weeping,” as being to grieve; therefore “to weep much” means to grieve from the heart, or grief of heart; that this is on account of the disorder and destruction of all things will be seen presently. Also from the signification of “no one was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon,” as being that no one is such as to be able to know the states of life of all in general, and of each in particular (of which see above, n. 303, 304); or, what is the same, that no one is such as to be able to know, recognize, and explore all men, and all things pertaining to men. In regard to grief of heart (which is signified by “I wept much”), on account of the disorder and destruction of all things if no one is such as to be able to know, recognize, and explore all men, and all things pertaining to men, I will briefly explain. That the angelic heaven may exist and subsist all things therein must be in order; for unless heaven 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, and these are manifold and numberless. This arranging depends solely on the infinite wisdom of the One who knows all things, recognizes all things, and explores all things, and thence disposes and arranges all things. This One is the Lord alone; therefore it is said in the Word, that to Him belongeth judgment; and that He has power in the heavens and on the 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, since the world depends upon heaven and its influx into the spiritual and rational things of men; in a word, all things would perish. (But this may be better comprehended from what is set forth in the work on Heaven and Hell, also in the little work on The Last Judgment, and in fact, from everything there if read with attention.) It is said to know, to recognize, and to explore, because this is signified by “to open the book, to read, and to look thereon;” for the “book” signifies all things with man, spirit, and angel, or all the states of their life in respect to love and faith; therefore “to open the book” signifies to know these things; “to read the book” signifies to recognize them, and “to look upon the book” signifies to explore them.

sRef Rev@5 @5 S0′ 307. Verse 5. And one of the elders, signifies a society of heaven superior in wisdom to the rest. This is evident from the signification of “elders,” as being those who are in truths from good, and abstractly truths from good (of which above, n. 270), thus those who are superior to the rest in intelligence and wisdom; for all intelligence is from good through truths, or through truths from good, and from no other source. “One of the elders” signifies a society of heaven because “an angel” in the Word does not mean one angel, but a whole society (see above, n. 90, 302); in like manner also “one of the elders.” A society superior in wisdom to the rest is meant, because this elder declared that it is the Lord alone who acquired to Himself Divine wisdom in respect to the Human in order that He might know, recognize, and explore everyone, and the states of the life of all in general, and of each one in particular; which things are signified by his saying, “Weep not; behold, the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath overcome 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, belongs to the wisdom of the angels of heaven; and the angelic societies of the third or inmost heaven know this from perception, that is, by influx from the Lord. The others also know it, yet not by perception but by the illustration of the understanding. The angels of the third or inmost heaven have perception; angels of the second and of the last heaven have illustration of the understanding; the difference is this, that perception is full confirmation by influx from the Lord, but the illustration of the understanding is spiritual sight. This those have who are in charity towards the neighbor and in faith therefrom; but the former, namely, perception, those have who are in love to the Lord (see further what perception is, in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 135-140).

sRef Rev@5 @5 S0′ 308. Saith unto me, Weep not, signifies there need be no grief on that account. This is evident from the signification of “weeping,” as being grief of heart, as above (n. 306), where also the reason for this may be seen.

sRef John@5 @26 S0′ sRef John@14 @10 S0′ sRef Rev@5 @5 S0′ sRef John@14 @11 S0′ sRef John@5 @19 S0′ sRef John@5 @21 S0′ 309. Behold, the Lion hath overcome, signifies that the Lord from His own power subjugated the hells, and reduced all things there and in the heavens to order. This is evident from the signification of “overcoming,” when predicated of the Lord, namely, 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 (of which see in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 293, 294, 301, 309). This therefore is signified by “overcoming,” when predicated of the Lord; and as the Lord had done these things from His own power, He is called a “Lion;” for “lion” signifies power (see above, n. 278). That the Lord did these things from His own power is known from the Word; but as few are aware of this, I wish to say something respecting it. The Lord did this from the Divine that was in Him from conception; this Divine He had as a man has a soul from his father; and the soul of everyone works by means of the body, for the body is the soul’s obedience. The Divine that was in the Lord from conception was His own Divine, which in the Athanasian Creed is said to be equal to the Divine that 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 or least, nor first or last, but altogether equal.
It is also said that:
The Divine and Human of the Lord are not two, but one person, and that as the soul and body make one man, so the Divine and the Human are one Christ.

From this also those who have faith in Athanasius may know that the Lord did these things from His own power, because from His Divine. From this it can clearly be seen what is meant by what the Lord says in John:
The Father that abideth in Me, He doeth the works. Believe Me, that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me (John 14:10-11).
And elsewhere in the same:
Verily I say unto you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, except what He seeth the Father doing; for whatever things He doeth, these also the Son doeth in like manner. 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 gave He to the Son to have life in Himself (John 5:19, 21, 26).
As the Divine, which the Lord calls “the Father,” was His Divine, and not another Divine, it can be seen that whatever He did from the Father, as well as 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, since He did them from what was His.

sRef Rev@5 @5 S0′ sRef Isa@11 @10 S0′ 310. From the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, signifies by means of Divine good united to the Divine truth in His Human. This is evident from the signification of “the tribe of Judah,” as being all goods in the complex, for all the tribes of Israel signified all truths and goods of heaven and the church (of which above, n. 39); and “Judah” or his tribe signified the good of celestial love (of which see also above, n. 119; and Arcana Coelestia, n. 3654, 3881, 5583, 5603, 5782, 6363); therefore in the highest sense, in which the Lord is treated of, “the tribe of Judah” signifies Divine good. It is evident also from the signification of “the Root of David,” as being Divine truth; for by “David” in the Word the Lord in respect to Divine truth is meant (see above, n. 205). Therefore “of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David,” means the Lord in respect to Divine good united to Divine truth in His Human. In the Word in the sense of its letter two expressions are mostly used, one involving good but the other truth; but in its internal or spiritual sense these two are joined into one, and this on account of the marriage of good and truth in every particular of the Word (of which see above, n. 238 at end, 288); the reason is that good and truth in heaven are not two but one, for every truth there is of good. The Lord in respect to the Human is called “the Root of David,” for the reason that all Divine truth is from Him, even as all things exist and subsist from their root; for the same reason also He is called “the Root of Jesse,” in Isaiah:
It shall be in that day that the Root of Jesse, which standeth for a standard of the peoples, the nations shall seek; and His rest shall be glory (Isa. 11:10).
“Jesse” here stands for David, because he was David’s father.

sRef Rev@5 @5 S0′ 311. To open the book and to loose the seven seals thereof, signifies that He knows and recognizes all and each, and the most secret things of everyone. This is evident from what was shown above (n. 299, 303-304), where similar things are mentioned.

sRef Rev@5 @7 S0′ sRef Rev@5 @6 S0′ 312. Verses 6, 7. And I saw, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four animals, and in the midst of the elders a Lamb standing as if 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. 6. “And I saw, and behold in the midst of the throne and of the four animals, and in the midst of the elders,” signifies in the whole heaven, and especially in the inmost heavens (n. 313); “a Lamb standing,” signifies the Lord in respect to the Divine Human (n. 314); “as if slain,” signifies as yet acknowledged by few (n. 315); “having seven horns,” signifies who has omnipotence (n. 316); “and seven eyes,” signifies and who has omniscience (n. 317); “which are the seven spirits of God, sent forth into all the earth,” signifies that all wisdom and intelligence in heaven and in the church are therefrom (n. 318). 7. “And He came and took the book out of the right hand of Him that sat upon the throne,” signifies that these things are from His Divine Human (n. 319).

sRef Rev@5 @6 S0′ 313. Verse 6. And I saw, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four animals, and in the midst of the elders, signifies in the whole heaven, and especially in the inmost heavens. This is evident from the signification of “in the midst,” as being the inmost, and therefore the whole (of which presently); from the signification of “throne,” as being heaven in the whole complex (of which above, n. 253); from the signification of “the four animals” as being the Lord’s providence and guard that heaven be not approached except through the good of love (of which see above, n. 277); and as that guard is especially in the third or inmost heaven, since all who are there are in the good of love to the Lord from the Lord, that heaven is signified especially by “the four animals” (which will be more clearly seen from what follows in this chapter). It is also evident from the signification of “elders” as being those who are in truths from good (of which also see above n. 270); here, therefore, those who are in the middle or second heaven, since all who are there are in truths from good; for there are these two heavens, the third and second, distinguished from each other by this, that those in the third heaven are in love to the Lord, and those in the second in charity towards the neighbor; those in charity towards the neighbor are in truths from good. From this it can be seen what is especially signified by the “four animals” and the “elders.”
[2] But the “four animals” signify in general all Divine good in the whole heaven, which guards; and the “elders” signify in general all Divine truth proceeding from Divine good in the whole heaven; both guard because they are united; thus “the four animals and the elders,” together, signify Divine good united to Divine truth proceeding from the Lord, and therefore the entire angelic heaven, but especially the two inmost heavens. This is so for the reason that angels are not angels from what is their own [ex proprio], but from the Divine good and the Divine truth that they receive; for it is the Divine with them, that is, the Divine received by them, that causes them to be angels, and causes heaven, which is made up of them, to be called heaven (see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 2-12, 51-86).
[3] That “the midst” or “in the midst” signifies the inmost, and therefore the whole, can be seen from many passages in the Word; but first let something be said to explain whence it is that because “the midst” signifies the inmost it also signifies 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 are of the church on earth. By comparison with light: Light in the midst propagates itself round about or from the center to circumferences in every direction; and because from the inmost it is propagated and fills the spaces around, thence “in the midst” signifies also the whole. By comparison with the sun: The sun is in the midst because it is the center of its universe; because from it are the heat and light in its system, therefore the sun “in the midst” signifies its presence in every direction, or throughout 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. Moreover, in every society of the heavens that which is inmost is also the most perfect; those, therefore, who are round about in that society are in light and intelligence according to their degree of distance from the inmost (see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 43, 50, 189). By comparison with those who are in the church on 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 round about and are of the church, but this propagation of light and intelligence is effected in heaven (of which see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 308). From this it can be seen that “the midst” or “in the midst,” as it signifies the inmost, signifies also the whole. This makes clear what is meant by “I saw, and lo, in the midst of the throne, and of the four animals, and in the midst of the elders, a Lamb standing,” namely, the Lord in respect to His Divine Human, in the whole heaven, and especially in the inmost heavens.
sRef Isa@12 @6 S4′ [4] “The midst” also signifies the inmost, and therefore the whole, in many passages in 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 (Isa. 12:6).
“Inhabitant of Zion” signifies the like as “daughter of Zion,” namely, the celestial church, that is the church that 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.
sRef Ps@48 @9 S5′ sRef Ps@48 @10 S5′ [5] In David:
We have considered Thy mercy, O God, in the midst of Thy temple. As is Thy name, so is Thy praise unto the ends of the earth (Ps. 48:9-10).
“Temple” signifies the church that is in truths from good which is called a spiritual church; “in the midst of it” is in its inmost, and thence in the whole of it; therefore it is said, “as is Thy name, so is Thy praise unto the ends of the earth,” meaning even to the ultimates of the church, the “earth” is the church.
sRef Ps@74 @12 S6′ [6] In the same:
God is my King of old, working salvations in the midst of the earth (Ps. 74:12);
“working salvations in the midst of the earth” signifying in every direction.
sRef Ps@82 @1 S7′ [7] In the same:
God stood in the congregation of God, in the midst of the gods He will judge (Ps. 82:1).
“The congregation of God” signifies heaven; “in the midst of the gods” signifies with all angels there, thus in the whole heaven; for the angels are called gods from the Divine truth that they receive from the Lord, for “God” in the Word signifies the Lord in respect to Divine truth proceeding from Him, and constituting heaven (see above, n. 24, 130, 220, 222, 302).
sRef Ex@23 @20 S8′ sRef Ex@23 @21 S8′ [8] In Moses:
Behold, I send an angel before thee; beware of his face, since My name is in the midst of him (Exod. 23:20-21).
“Angel” here, in the highest sense, means the Lord; “My name in the midst of him,” means that all Divine good and Divine truth are in him (see above, n. 102, 135, 224).
sRef Luke@21 @21 S9′ [9] In Luke:
Jesus said of the last times, Then let them that are in Judea flee on the mountains; and let them that are in the midst of her depart out (Luke 21:21).
This treats of the consummation of the age, by which is meant the last time of the church, when judgment takes place. “Judea” does not mean Judea, but the church; and the “mountains” do not mean mountains, but the good of love to the Lord; and as these things are said respecting the end of the church, it is clear what is signified by “let them that are in Judea flee on the mountains; and let them that are in the midst of her depart out;” namely, that when judgment takes place all those of the church who are in the good of love to the Lord shall be safe.
sRef Isa@19 @24 S10′ sRef Isa@19 @25 S10′ [10] In Isaiah:
In that day shall Israel be third to 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 Mine inheritance (Isa. 19:24-25).
“Israel” means the spiritual of the church; “Assyria” the rational of the men thereof; and “Egypt” cognitions and knowledges [cognitiones et scientifica]. From this it can be seen what is signified by “Israel shall be the third to Egypt and Assyria, a blessing in the midst of the land,” namely, that everything there shall be spiritual, both the rational and the recognizing and knowing faculty [cognitivum et scientificum]; for when the inmost is spiritual, which is truth from good, then the rational also which is therefrom is spiritual, and likewise the knowing faculty, for both are formed from the inmost, which is truth from good, or the spiritual.
sRef Jer@23 @9 S11′ [11] In Jeremiah:
My heart in the midst of me is broken, all my bones are shattered (Jer. 23:9).
“The heart broken in the midst of me” signifies grief from inmosts to ultimates, that is, through the whole; therefore it is also said, “all my bones are shattered,” “bones” signifying the ultimates.
sRef Isa@24 @13 S12′ [12] In the following passages, also, “in the midst” signifies in the whole, or throughout the whole. In Isaiah:
It shall be in the midst of the earth, in the midst of the peoples, as the beating of an olive-tree, as the gleanings when the vintage is completed (Isa. 24:13).
These things were said of the church vastated in respect to good and to truth, and in which there is nothing but evil and falsity. “In the midst of the earth” means that throughout the whole of the church there is evil; and “in the midst of the peoples” means that throughout the whole of it there is falsity; therefore it is compared to “the beating of an olive-tree,” and to “the gleanings left when the vintage is completed;” “olive” signifying the good of the church, “vintage” the truth thereof, and “beating” and “gleanings” thereof signify vastation.
sRef Ps@64 @6 S13′ [13] In David:
They search out perversities, for the midst of men and the heart are deep (Ps. 64:6).

The “midst of man” means the intellectual where truth should be; and the “heart” the voluntary where good should be; here, both of these perverted, the latter into evil, and the former into falsity.
sRef Jer@9 @6 S14′ sRef Jer@9 @5 S14′ sRef Ps@62 @4 S14′ sRef Ps@36 @1 S14′ sRef Ps@5 @9 S14′ [14] In the same:
There is no certainty in the mouth of anyone; perdition is their midst (Ps. 5:9).
In the same:
They bless with their mouth, but in their midst they curse (Ps. 62:4).
In the same:
The saying of the transgression to the wicked in the midst of my heart is, there is no dread of God before his eyes (Ps. 36:1).
In Jeremiah:
They have taught their tongue to speak a lie: their* dwelling is in the midst of deceit; through deceit they refuse to know Me (Jer. 9:5-6).
Also in these and in many other passages, “in the midst” signifies in the whole, because in the inmost; for such as the inmost is, such is the whole; since from the inmost all the rest are brought forth and derived, as the body is from its soul; the inmost of everything is also what is called the soul. For example: The inmost of man is his will and understanding therefrom, and such as is the will and the understanding, thence, such is the whole man; so again, the inmost of man is his love and faith therefrom, and such as is his love and the faith, thence such is the whole man.
sRef Matt@6 @22 S15′ sRef Matt@6 @23 S15′ [15] That the whole man is such as his midst or inmost is, is also the meaning of 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 darkened (Matt. 6:22-23).
The “eye” signifies man’s understanding (see above, n. 37, 152), if this is good, that is, if it is made up of truths that are from good, the whole man is such, which is signified by “the whole body is light;” but on the other hand, if the understanding is made up of the falsities of evil, the whole man is such, as is signified by “the whole body is darkened.” The eye is called “good;” but in the Greek the eye is called “single,” and “single,” means that there is unity, and there is unity when truth is from good, or the understanding is from the will. Also, the “right eye” signifies the understanding of good, and the “left eye” the understanding of truth; if these make one, there is a “single eye,” thus a “good eye.”
* Photolithograph has eorum [their]; Apocalypse Explained n. 886 has tuum [thy].

sRef Rev@5 @6 S0′ 314. A Lamb standing, signifies the Lord in respect to the Divine Human. This is evident from the signification of “lamb,” as being, in reference to the Lord, Himself in respect to the Divine Human. The Lord in respect to the Divine Human is called a “lamb” because a “lamb” signifies the good of innocence, and the good of innocence is the good itself of heaven proceeding from the Lord; and so far as angels receive this good, so far they are angels. This good reigns with angels that are in the third or inmost heaven; for this reason those 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, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, in the chapter treating of The State of Innocence of the Angels of Heaven, n. n. 276-283, also n. 285, 288, 341, 382.) It is believed in the world that the Lord is called “a Lamb” for the reason that the continual burnt-offering, or what was offered every day, evening and morning, was from lambs, and especially on the Passover days, when a lamb was also eaten; and that the Lord suffered Himself to be sacrificed. Such a reason for His being so called may do for those in the world who do not think beyond the sense of the letter of the Word; but nothing of this kind is perceived in heaven when the term “lamb” is predicated of the Lord; but when “lamb” is mentioned, or is read in the Word, the angels, because they are all in the spiritual sense of the Word, perceive the good of innocence; and when the Lord is so called, they perceive His Divine Human, and at the same time the good of innocence that is from Him. I know that this will with difficulty be believed, but yet it is true.
sRef Isa@40 @10 S2′ sRef Isa@40 @11 S2′ [2] That “lamb” in the Word signifies the good of innocence, and in reference to the Lord Himself, “lamb” signifies His Divine Human, can be seen from the following passages. In Isaiah:
Behold, the Lord Jehovih cometh in strength. He shall feed His flock like a shepherd; He shall gather the lambs into His arm, and shall carry them in His bosom, and shall gently lead the sucklings (Isa. 40:10-11).
This treats of the Lord’s coming; the “flock that He shall feed as a shepherd,” signify those who are in the good of charity; and the “lambs that He shall gather into His arm,” signify those who are in love to Him. It is this love that, viewed in itself, is innocence; therefore all who are in it are in the heaven of innocence, which is the third heaven; and as this love is signified by lambs, it is also said, “He shall gently lead the sucklings.” “Sucklings” and “infants” in the Word mean those who are in innocence (see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 277, 280, 329-345).
sRef Isa@11 @6 S3′ sRef Isa@11 @8 S3′ sRef Isa@11 @7 S3′ [3] In the same:
The wolf shall sojourn 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 heifer 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 basilisk’s den (Isa. 11:6-8).
These things are said of the Lord’s coming and of His kingdom, also of those therein who are in the good of innocence, that they shall have nothing to fear from the hells and the evils therefrom, because they are protected by the Lord. The Lord’s kingdom is here described by innocences of various kinds, and by their opposites from which they shall be protected; a “lamb” means innocence of the inmost degree, its opposite is the “wolf;” a “kid” means innocence of the second degree, the opposite of which is the “leopard;” a “calf” means innocence of the last degree, the opposite of which is the “young lion.” (That “lamb,” “ram,” or “sheep,” and “calf,” signify three degrees of innocence, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 10132.) Innocence of the inmost degree is such as belongs to those who are in the third or inmost heaven, and its good is called celestial good; innocence of the second degree is such as belongs to those who are in the second or middle heaven, and its good is called spiritual good; and innocence of the last degree is such as belongs to those who are in the first or the last heaven, and its good is called spiritual-natural good. (That all who are in the heavens are in some good of innocence, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 4797.) Because the goods of innocence are described by the animals above named, it is said further “and a little boy shall lead them,” also, “the suckling shall play on the hole of the adder, and the weaned child shall put forth his hand on the basilisk’s den.” These degrees of innocence are signified also by “boy,” “suckling,” and “weaned child.” (That “boy” has this signification, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 430, 5236; that “suckling,” or infant of the first age, and “weaned child,” or infant of the second age, have these significations see n. 3183, 4563, 5608, 6740, 6745.)
sRef Luke@10 @3 S4′ sRef Isa@65 @25 S4′ [4] Because a “lamb” signifies innocence, or those who are innocent, and a “wolf” those who are against innocence, it is said in like manner in another place in the same prophet:
The wolf and the lamb shall feed together; they shall not do evil in the whole mountain of holiness (Isa. 65:25);
“the mountain of holiness” is heaven, especially the inmost heaven. Therefore the Lord said to the seventy whom He sent forth:
I send you forth as lambs in the midst of wolves (Luke 10:3).
sRef John@21 @17 S5′ sRef John@21 @16 S5′ sRef John@21 @15 S5′ [5] Because “lambs” signify those who are in the love to the Lord, which love is one with innocence, and because “sheep” signify those who are in love towards the neighbor, which love is charity, 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 21:15-17).
These things were said to Peter, because by “Peter” truth from good, or faith from charity was meant, and truth from good teaches; “to feed” meaning to teach.
sRef Ezek@27 @21 S6′ [6] In Ezekiel:
Arabia and all the princes of Kedar, these were the merchants of thy hand, in lambs, rams, and goats (Ezek. 27:21).
This is said of Tyre, by which those who are in the knowledges of truth and good are meant. “Arabia” and “the princes of Kedar,” who are “the merchants of her hand,” signify those who are in truths and goods from knowledges; “merchants” signify those who communicate and teach these; “lambs, rams, and goats,” signify three degrees of the good of innocence, the same as “lambs, rams, and calves.” (That these signify the three degrees of the good of innocence, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 10042, 10132.)
sRef Deut@32 @13 S7′ sRef Deut@32 @14 S7′ [7] In like manner in Moses:
He made him to ride on the high places of the earth, and fed him with the increase of the fields; he made him to suck honey out of the cliff, and oil out of the flint 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. 32:13-14).
These things are said of the establishment of the Ancient Church, which was the first church after the flood, and all these things describe its various kinds of good; but as scarcely anyone will understand them without explanation, I will briefly explain them. “To ride on the high places of the earth” signifies that the intelligence of those who were of that church was interior; “He fed him with the increase of the fields” signifies that they were instructed in all truth and good; “He made him to suck honey out of the cliff” signifies that they had natural good by means of truths; “oil out of the flint of the rock” signifies that they had spiritual good also by means of truths; “honey” and “oil” signifying those goods, and “cliff,” “rock,” and “hard rock,” signifying truths; “butter of the herd, and milk of the flock,” signify the internal and the external good of truth; “the fat of lambs, of the rams of Bashan, and of goats,” signifies the goods of innocence of the three degrees (as above); “the fat of the kidneys of wheat” and “the blood of the grape” signify genuine good and genuine truth therefrom.
sRef Isa@34 @6 S8′ [8] In Isaiah:
The sword of Jehovah shall be filled with blood; it shall be made fat with fatness, with the blood of lambs and of he-goats, and with the fat of the kidneys of rams (Isa. 34:6).
Here, too, “lambs, rams, and goats,” signify the three degrees of the good of innocence (of which above); but here their destruction by the falsities of evil is treated of; for “sword” signifies falsity destroying truth and good; the “blood” with which it shall be filled signifies destruction.
sRef John@1 @29 S9′ sRef Rev@12 @11 S9′ sRef Isa@16 @1 S9′ sRef John@1 @36 S9′ sRef Isa@53 @7 S9′ sRef John@1 @37 S9′ sRef Rev@7 @17 S9′ [9] Since a “lamb” signifies innocence, which, viewed in itself, is love to the Lord, a “lamb,” in the highest sense, signifies the Lord in respect to the Divine Human, for in respect to this, the Lord was innocence itself; as may be seen in the following passages. In Isaiah:
He endured persecution and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth; He is led as a lamb to the slaughter (Isa. 53:7).
Send ye the lamb of the ruler of the land from the cliff toward the wilderness unto the Mount of the daughter of Zion (Isa. 16:1).
In John:
John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world. And afterwards, seeing Jesus walking, he said, Behold the Lamb of God (John 1:29, 36).
And in Revelation:
The Lamb in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters (Rev. 7:17).
They overcame by the blood of the Lamb, and by the Word of the testimony (Rev. 12:11);
besides also elsewhere in Revelation (as 13:8; 14:1, 4; 17:14; 19:7, 9; 21:22-23; 22:1, 3).
sRef Ex@12 @20 S10′ sRef Num@29 @2 S10′ sRef Num@28 @27 S10′ sRef Ex@12 @21 S10′ sRef Ex@12 @19 S10′ sRef Lev@12 @8 S10′ sRef Num@29 @3 S10′ sRef Lev@12 @6 S10′ sRef Num@28 @24 S10′ sRef Ex@12 @18 S10′ sRef Num@28 @26 S10′ sRef Ex@12 @23 S10′ sRef Ex@12 @22 S10′ sRef Num@29 @4 S10′ sRef Ex@12 @10 S10′ sRef Ex@12 @11 S10′ sRef Ex@12 @7 S10′ sRef Ex@12 @6 S10′ sRef Ex@12 @5 S10′ sRef Ex@12 @8 S10′ sRef Ex@12 @9 S10′ sRef Ex@12 @16 S10′ sRef Ex@12 @4 S10′ sRef Ex@12 @1 S10′ sRef Ex@12 @17 S10′ sRef Num@29 @5 S10′ sRef Num@29 @6 S10′ sRef Num@29 @7 S10′ sRef Ex@12 @13 S10′ sRef Ex@12 @12 S10′ sRef Ex@12 @3 S10′ sRef Ex@12 @15 S10′ sRef Ex@12 @14 S10′ sRef Ex@12 @2 S10′ sRef Ex@29 @41 S10′ sRef Ex@29 @40 S10′ sRef Ex@29 @43 S10′ sRef Ex@29 @42 S10′ sRef Num@28 @14 S10′ sRef Num@28 @31 S10′ sRef Ex@29 @38 S10′ sRef Ex@29 @39 S10′ sRef Num@28 @15 S10′ sRef Num@28 @16 S10′ sRef Num@28 @9 S10′ sRef Num@28 @10 S10′ sRef Num@28 @30 S10′ sRef Ex@12 @28 S10′ sRef Ex@12 @26 S10′ sRef Ex@12 @25 S10′ sRef Num@28 @12 S10′ sRef Ex@12 @29 S10′ sRef Ex@12 @27 S10′ sRef Num@28 @11 S10′ sRef Num@28 @13 S10′ sRef Num@28 @29 S10′ sRef Num@28 @28 S10′ sRef Ex@12 @24 S10′ sRef Num@29 @1 S10′ [10] Since “burnt-offerings and sacrifices” signified all representative worship from the good of love and from the truths thence, “burnt-offerings” worship from the good of love, and “sacrifices” in a special sense worship from the truths thence, so:
Every day, evening and morning, there was a burnt-offering of lambs (Exod. 29:38-43; Num. 28:1-9);
Every sabbath, of two lambs, besides the continual burnt-offering of them (Num. 28:9-10);
In the beginnings of the months, of seven lambs (Num. 28:11-15);
Likewise on the day of the firstfruits (Num. 28:26 to end);
Likewise in the seventh month, when there was a holy convocation (Num. 29:1-7);
Likewise, namely of seven lambs on each day of the passover, besides two young bullocks, one ram, and one goat (Num. 28:16-24).
The burnt-offering was of “seven lambs” because “seven” signifies all and fullness, and it is predicated of what is holy, and because “burnt-offerings” in general signified worship of the Lord from the good of love, and the good of love to the Lord from the Lord is the good itself of innocence; and “lamb” in the highest sense signified the Lord in respect to the Divine Human. (That “burnt-offerings” signified all worship from the good of love to the Lord from the Lord, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 923, 6905, 8680, 8936, 10042.) On account of this representation there was also instituted:
The supper of the passover of lambs or kids (Exod. 12:1-29);
for “the feast of the passover” represented the glorification of the Lord’s Human (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 10655). Because “infants” signified innocence, it was also commanded that:
After 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. 12:6, 8);
“young pigeons” and “turtle doves” signifying the like as “lambs,” namely, innocence.

sRef Rev@5 @6 S0′ sRef Rev@1 @18 S1′ 315. As if slain, signifies as yet acknowledged by few. This is evident from the signification of “slain,” as being, in reference to the Lord, that He has not been acknowledged; here that few have acknowledged His Human to be Divine, for it is said “a Lamb standing as if slain,” a “lamb” signifying the Lord in respect to the Divine Human (as was shown just above, n. 314). The meaning here is similar to what was said of the Lord (chap. 1:18), “and I became dead,” which signifies that He was rejected (see above, n. 83). In the spiritual or internal sense, “slain” does not mean slain in respect to the body, but in respect to the soul; and man is slain in respect to the soul when he is no longer in any good of faith, for he then has no spiritual life, but death instead, which is called spiritual death. But this is not what the term “slain” signifies when applied to the Lord, since the Lord is life itself, and gives spiritual life to everyone; but it signifies either that He is rejected or that He is not acknowledged; for with those who do not acknowledge, and still more with those who deny, He is as nothing. The Lord Himself, to be sure, and also His Divine, is acknowledged in the church, but in respect to the Human as a mere man and not as God; thus it is that His Divine Human is not acknowledged; this, therefore, is what is meant by “a Lamb standing as if slain.” But that the Lord is God also as to the Human, can 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 plainly shown.
[2] Those who think solely from the sense of the letter of the Word, and not at the same time from the doctrine of genuine truth, know no otherwise than that “slain” in the Word means slain in respect to the body; but that it means slain in respect to the soul will be seen from the passages to be quoted presently. For it is acknowledged that the Word in its inmost is spiritual, although in the sense of the letter it is natural; and to be slain spiritually is to perish in respect 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 in place of this have death, which is damnation. And because this is acknowledged, it follows that “to be slain” means in the Word to perish by falsities and evils. But spiritually the Lord is said “to be slain” when the truth from Him is denied and the good from Him is rejected; with these the Lord is also not acknowledged, for he who denies and rejects what is from Him, denies and rejects Him also, for the Lord is with man in his truths and goods.
[3] But here His Divine Human is treated of; that this is not acknowledged as yet, is known. I will state the reasons: One is, that the popish body has transferred to its own primate all Divine power that the Lord has, also that in respect to His Human, and are unwilling to hear that it is Divine, since it is from His Human. The other reason is, that those who are not of that body have made faith alone the sole means of salvation, and not the life of charity; and those who do this are unable to perceive the Lord’s Human as differing from the human of another man; they therefore abide blindly in the doctrine of the Trinity from the creed of Athanasius, and cannot be illustrated.
sRef Isa@14 @19 S4′ sRef Isa@14 @21 S4′ sRef Isa@14 @20 S4′ [4] That “to be slain” in the Word signifies to be slain spiritually, can be seen from the following passages. In Isaiah:
Thou, like an abominable shoot, the raiment of those that are slain, thrust through with the sword: for thou hast destroyed thy land, thou hast slain thy people. Prepare slaughter for His sons (Isa. 14:19-21).
This is said of Babylon, which signifies the profanation of good and truth, and the consequent destruction of the church. It is compared to “the raiment of those that are slain, who are thrust through with the sword,” because “the raiment of those that are slain” signifies abominable falsity, defiling and destroying the things of the church; they are therefore said “to be thrust through with the sword,” because “sword” signifies falsity destroying truth. Therefore it is said, “thou hast destroyed thy land, thou hast slain thy people,” “land” means the church, and “people” those therein who are in truths; to “slay” these is to destroy by falsities. “Prepare slaughter for his sons” signifies that their falsities are to be destroyed, “his sons” meaning falsities.
sRef Jer@25 @33 S5′ [5] In Jeremiah:
The slain of Jehovah shall be at that day from the end of the earth unto the end of the earth (Jer. 25:33).
“The slain of Jehovah from the end of the earth unto the end of the earth” signify those with whom all the truths of the church have been destroyed by falsities; “the slain of Jehovah” signifying those with whom they have been destroyed, and “from the end of the earth unto the end of the earth” signifying all things of the church.
sRef Jer@18 @21 S6′ [6] In the same:
Therefore give their sons to the famine, and make them 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 (Jer. 18:21).
“To give the sons to the famine, and to make them flow down upon the hands of the sword,” signifies to extinguish the truths of the church through failure of the knowledges of truth and through falsities, “sons” are truths, “famine” is a failure of knowledges, and “sword” falsity destroying truth; “that men may become rare, slain with death,” signifies that there is no affection of truth or wisdom therefrom, “men” signifying the affection of truth and wisdom therefrom (see 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” meaning truths, “sword” falsity destroying, and “war” the assault of falsity.
sRef Ezek@9 @5 S7′ sRef Ezek@9 @6 S7′ [7] In Ezekiel:
Pass ye through Jerusalem, and smite; neither let your eye spare; slay ye to destruction the old man, the young man, and the virgin, and the infant; but come not near against any man upon whom is the sign (Ezek. 9:5-6).
This was said by “the man clothed in linen,” or by the angel, to other angels, and was heard by the prophet. It does not mean that they should pass through Jerusalem, and should smite and slay to destruction old men, young men, virgins, and infants; but “Jerusalem” means the church in respect to doctrine, and it is meant that the church is altogether vastated in respect to all the goods and truths that constitute it; “old man” means wisdom which is of good; “young man” intelligence which is of truth; “virgin” the affection of these; and “infant” every good and truth in its birth, in a special sense the good of innocence, by which all things of the church with man are begotten; “the man [vir] upon whom was the sign and to whom they should not come near,” signifies truth from good. sRef Ezek@23 @47 S8′ [8] In the same:
That they may stone them with a stone, may cleave them with swords, may slay their sons and their daughters, and burn up their houses with fire (Ezek 23:47).
This was said of Samaria and Jerusalem, which are here called Oholah and Oholibah; by which are signified the two churches, namely, the spiritual and the celestial, here those churches devastated by falsities and evils. “To stone with a stone, and to cleave with swords,” signifies the destruction of truth by falsities, for “stoning” signified punishment and death because of violence offered to Divine truth; “cleaving by swords” has a like signification. “To slay sons and daughters” signifies to destroy all truths and goods, “sons” meaning truths and “daughters” goods; and “to burn up the houses with fire” signifies to destroy all things that are of love and charity by the evils of the love of self and the world, “houses” mean man’s interiors, thus the things that are of his love, here that these are destroyed; “fire” meaning love in both senses.
sRef Lam@2 @21 S9′ [9] In Jeremiah:
They have lain on the earth, lad and 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 pitied (Lam. 2:21).
Here, too, the church devastated is treated of. “To lie on the earth and in the streets” signifies to be destroyed by evils and falsities; “lad and old man, virgins and young men have fallen by the sword,” signifies here, as above, all goods and truths with intelligence and wisdom; “thou hast slain in the day of Thine anger, Thou hast not pitied,” signifies their extinction, “the day of anger” signifying the last state of the church, when judgment takes place. Slaying, that is, extinguishing these things, is attributed to Jehovah; but it is man himself, the sense of the letter being such as to attribute to Jehovah what belongs to the man himself (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2447, 5798, 6071, 6991, 6997, 7533, 7632, 7643, 7679, 7710, 7877, 7926, 8227, 8282, 8483, 8632, 9010, 9128, 9306, 10431).
sRef Amos@2 @3 S10′ [10] In Amos:
I will cut off the judge out of the midst of Moab, and will slay all the princes thereof with him (Amos. 2:3).
“Moab” in the Word, means those who adulterate the goods of the church; the “judge who will be cut off,” and the “princes who will be slain,” signify the good which is adulterated, and the truths which are thereby falsified, “judge” meaning good, and “prince” truth.
sRef Zech@11 @3 S11′ sRef Zech@11 @4 S11′ sRef Zech@11 @7 S11′ sRef Zech@11 @5 S11′ [11] In Zechariah:
A voice of the howling of the shepherds, that their magnificence 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 (Zech. 11:3-5, 7).
“The sheep of the slaughter which their possessors slay,” signify those who are in good, and are led astray by the falsities of doctrine; those are called “sheep” who are in the good of charity; “shepherds” are those who teach truths, and by means of these lead to good.
sRef Ps@44 @23 S12′ sRef Ezek@28 @7 S12′ sRef Ps@44 @22 S12′ sRef Ezek@28 @8 S12′ [12] In David:
We are slain every day; we are reckoned as a flock for slaughter. Awake, O Lord, cast us not off always (Ps. 44:22-23).
“We are slain every day” signifies that of ourselves we are constantly falling into falsities, and are being led astray by them, especially in a time when falsities reign; this makes clear what a “flock for slaughter” signifies; that we may be elevated out of falsities by the Lord is signified by “Awake, O Lord, cast us not off always.”
[13] In Ezekiel:
They shall draw forth the swords upon the beauty of thy wisdom, and they shall profane thy radiance. They shall bring thee down into the pit, and thou shalt die the death of the slain (Ezek. 28:7-8).
This is said of the prince of Tyre, by whom is signified the intelligence that is from the knowledges of truth, here that intelligence extinguished by falsities. “To draw forth swords upon the beauty of thy wisdom” signifies its extinction by falsities; “to bring down into the pit” signifies immersion in falsities; and “to die the death of the slain” signifies destruction and damnation, the “slain” signifying those with whom all truth is extinguished (Arcana Coelestia, n. 4503, 9262), and “death” signifying damnation.
sRef Isa@27 @7 S14′ [14] In Isaiah:
Hath he smitten him according to the stroke of him that smiteth him? Hath he been slain according to the slaughter of his slain? (Isa. 27:7).
This treats of Jacob and Israel, by whom the church is signified, “Jacob” the external church, and “Israel” the internal. The temptations of those who are of 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 succumb in temptations and thus perish is signified by “Is he slain according to the slaughter of the slain?” “the slaughter of the slain” signifying perdition by falsities.
sRef Isa@30 @25 S15′ [15] “Slaughter” signifies perdition and damnation in other places in the same prophet:
In the day of the great slaughter the towers shall fall (Isa. 30:25).
“The day of the great slaughter” signifies the Last Judgment, when the wicked are condemned and perish, “towers” signifying the doctrines of falsity.
sRef Isa@14 @30 S16′ [16] In the same:
I will kill thy root with famine, and he shall slay thy remnant (Isa. 14:30).
This was said respecting Philistia, by which is signified truth without good, or faith without charity. “To kill the root with famine” signifies to perish utterly from having no good, “root” meaning everything from which a thing lives; therefore it is also said, “he shall slay thy remnant,” “remnant” signifying all the remains of the church.
sRef Jer@4 @31 S17′ [17] In Jeremiah:
I have heard the voice of the daughter of Zion; she sobbeth and spreadeth her hands, for my soul is wearied by the slayers (Jer. 4:31).
Thus is described the grief of a church that is falling from truths into falsities. “The daughter of Zion” is the church; “she sobbeth and spreadeth her hands” signifies grief; “for my soul is wearied by the slayers” signifies by falsities that extinguish spiritual life,” “slayers” meaning such falsities.
sRef Isa@26 @21 S18′ sRef Rev@18 @24 S18′ [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 (Isa. 26:21).
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 men in the church; “bloods” are the evils that have destroyed the goods of the church; and the “slain” the falsities that have destroyed its truths; whether it be said that the “slain” signify falsities or those who are in falsities, it is the same, for they are in the falsities and the falsities in them, and the falsities in them are what destroy. The like is signified by the “slain” elsewhere in Isaiah:
What will ye do in the day of visitation and of devastation? They shall fall beneath the slain (Isa. 10:3-4).
Likewise in Revelation:
In Babylon was found the blood of the prophets and of the saints, and of all that have been slain upon the earth (Rev. 18:24).
What is here signified will be seen in what comes after.
sRef Isa@13 @15 S19′ sRef Isa@10 @4 S19′ sRef Isa@13 @11 S19′ sRef Isa@10 @3 S19′ [19] In Isaiah:
I will visit evil upon the world. Everyone that is found shall be thrust through; and everyone gathered together shall fall by the sword (Isa. 13:11, 15).
This also is said of Babylon. That “everyone that is found shall be thrust through” signifies that they shall perish by evil; and that “everyone gathered together shall fall by the sword” signifies that they shall perish by falsity.
sRef Matt@24 @9 S20′ sRef John@16 @2 S20′ sRef John@16 @3 S20′ [20] In Matthew:
In the end of the age they shall deliver you up unto tribulation and shall slay you (Matt. 24:9).
In John:
They shall put you out of the synagogues; yea, the hour cometh that everyone who killeth you will think that he offereth sacred worship to God (John 16:2).
This was said to the disciples; and by “disciples,” in the spiritual representative sense, are meant all truths and goods of the church; whence it is clear what is meant in that sense by “they shall kill them,” namely, that the truths and goods of the church shall then be destroyed.
sRef Mark@13 @12 S21′ [21] In Mark:
In the consummation of the age, brother shall deliver up brother to death, the father the children; children shall rise up against parents, and shall cause them to be put to death (Mark 13:12).
The consummation of the age is the last time of the church, when falsities shall destroy truths and evils shall destroy goods. “Brother,” “father,” and “children,” do not mean here brother, father, and children, but falsity and truth, and good and evil. “Brother shall deliver up brother to death” signifies that falsity shall destroy good; especially that faith alone shall destroy charity, for faith in the Word is called the brother to charity; “the father shall deliver up the children to death” signifies that the good of the church shall perish by the falsities of evil, “father” meaning the good of the church, and “children” the falsities of evil; “children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death,” signifies that the falsities of evil shall assault the goods and truths of the church and destroy them.
sRef Luke@20 @13 S22′ sRef Luke@20 @14 S22′ sRef Luke@20 @12 S22′ sRef Luke@20 @10 S22′ sRef Luke@20 @11 S22′ sRef Luke@20 @15 S22′ sRef Luke@20 @16 S22′ [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. 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 out. 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 (Luke 20:10-16; Mark 12:2-9).
This is said respecting the church instituted among the Jews, and it describes the perversion and falsification by traditions and by applications to self of every truth they had from the Word. All the particulars here contain a spiritual sense; for whatever the Lord spoke, He spoke also spiritually, because from the Divine. The “vineyard which the man planted,” signifies the church that is in truths; the “servants whom he sent thrice,” mean the Word given them through Moses and the prophets; there is mention of three times, because “three” signifies what is full and complete; “their beating them, wounding them, and sending them away empty out of the vineyard,” signifies that they falsified and perverted the truths contained in the Word; “to send away empty out of the vineyard” signifies that they deprived the Word of its goods and truths. “The beloved son” means the Lord in respect to Divine truth, who is therefore called also the Word; “they cast him out of the vineyard and killed him” signifies killing not only the Lord, but also all Divine truth from Him (see also above, n. 83).
sRef Dan@9 @26 S23′ sRef Rev@1 @18 S23′ [23] In Daniel:
After sixty and two weeks the Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself (Dan. 9:26).
“The Messiah” also means the Lord in respect to Divine truth (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3008, 3009); “He shall be cut off” means not only Himself, but also all Divine truth with that people; “but not for Himself” signifies that with those who are in a new church Divine truth will live again, like as before in the first chapter of Revelation:
I am the Living One, and I became dead; and behold I am alive unto the ages of the ages (Rev. 1:18).
* Photolitograph has “rari;” see n. 386; AR n. 323, also AE, n. 280.

sRef Rev@5 @6 S0′ 316. Having seven horns, signifies who has omnipotence. This is evident from the signification of a “horn,” as being the power of truth against falsity, but in reference to the Lord, as being all power or omnipotence. The Lamb was seen to have horns seven in number, because “seven” signifies all and it is predicated of what is holy (see above, n. 257). A “horn” and “horns” signify power, because the power of horned animals, as of oxen, rams, goats, and others, is in their horns. That “horn” or “horns” signify the power of truth against falsity, and in the highest sense, which treats of the Lord, signify omnipotence, and in a contrary sense the power of falsity against truth, is evident from many passages in the Word; and as it is thus made clear what is signified in the Word by “horns,” so often mentioned in Daniel, and also in Revelation; and as they are still employed in the coronation of kings, I will quote the passages here.
sRef Ezek@29 @21 S2′ [2] In Ezekiel:
In that day I will make a horn to bud forth unto the house of Israel, and I will give thee the opening of the mouth in the midst of them; that they may know that I am Jehovah (Ezek. 29:21).
“To make a horn to bud forth unto the house of Israel” signifies truth in abundance; “the house of Israel” is the church; because this is signified by “horn,” and “its budding forth,” it is also said, “and I will give thee the opening of the mouth,” which means the preaching of truth.
sRef 1Sam@2 @1 S3′ sRef 1Sam@2 @10 S3′ [3] In the first book of Samuel:
My horn hath exalted itself in Jehovah; my mouth is enlarged against mine enemies, because I am glad in Thy salvation. He shall give strength unto His king,* and shall exalt the horn of His anointed (1 Sam. 2:1, 10).
This is a prophetical saying of Hannah. “My horn hath exalted itself in Jehovah” signifies that Divine truth filled her, and made her powerful against falsities; and because this is the meaning, it is said, “my mouth is enlarged against mine enemies;” “enlarging the mouth” is preaching truth with power, and “enemies” are the falsities that disperse Divine truth. “He shall give strength unto His king, and shall exalt the horn of His anointed,” signifies the Lord’s omnipotence from Divine good by Divine truth, for “strength” in the Word has reference to the power of good, and “horn” to the power of truth; and “the anointed of Jehovah” is the Lord in respect to the Divine Human, which has omnipotence (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3008-3009, 9954).
sRef Ps@148 @14 S4′ [4] In David:
Jehovah hath exalted the horn of His people, the praise for all His saints, for the sons of Israel, a people near unto Him (Ps. 148:14).
“He hath exalted the horn of His people” signifies that He hath filled with Divine truths; therefore it is said: praise for His saints, for the sons of Israel, a people near unto Him,” for those are called “saints” who are in Divine truths, since Divine truth is what is called holy (see above, n. 204). “Israel” is the church that is in truths, “sons of Israel” are truths, “a people” is also predicated of those who are in truths, and a people conjoined with the Lord by truths is said to be “near.”
sRef Ps@89 @8 S5′ sRef Ps@112 @5 S5′ sRef Ps@112 @9 S5′ sRef Ps@89 @17 S5′ [5] In the same:
Jehovah God of Hosts, Thou art the splendor of their strength; and by Thy good pleasure Thou shalt exalt our horn (Ps. 89:8, 17).
Here also “to exalt the horn” signifies to fill with Divine truth, and thereby to give power against falsities; therefore it is said, “Jehovah God of Hosts, Thou art the splendor of their strength,” “splendor” in the Word is predicated also of the church, and of the doctrine of truth therein.
[6] In the same:
The good man is gracious and lendeth. His righteousness standeth forever; his horn shall be exalted with glory (Ps. 112:5, 9).
That “horn” signifies Divine truth is clear from this, that it is said, “his righteousness standeth forever, and his horn shall be exalted with glory;” “righteousness” in the Word is predicated of good, and “horn” therefore of truth; for in every particular of the Word there is a marriage of good and truth; “splendor” also signifies Divine truth.
sRef Hab@3 @4 S7′ [7] In Habakkuk:
The brightness of Jehovah God shall be as the light; He hath horns coming out of His hand; and in them is the hiding of His strength (Hab. 3:4).
Because “horns” signify Divine truth with power, it is said, “the brightness of Jehovah God shall be as the light,” and “in the horns is the hiding of His strength;” “the brightness of Jehovah” and “light” signify Divine truth; and “the hiding of His strength in the horns” signifies the omnipotence of Divine good through Divine truth, for all power of good is through truth, and in Divine truth lies concealed the omnipotence that is of Divine good.
sRef Ps@89 @21 S8′ sRef Ps@89 @24 S8′ sRef Ps@89 @20 S8′ [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 make him mighty. My truth and My mercy shall be with him; and in My name shall his horn be exalted (Ps. 82:20-21, 24).
“David” means the Lord in respect to Divine truth (see above, n. 205); and “his horn shall be exalted” means His Divine power, which He has from Divine good through Divine truth; therefore, it is said, “My truth and My mercy shall be with him;” “mercy” in the Word, in the Word, in reference to Jehovah, or the Lord, signifies the Divine good of the Divine love. Because “David” means the Lord in respect to Divine truth proceeding from His Divine Human, He is called “David, my servant,” “servant” meaning, in the Word, not a servant in the usual sense, but whatever serves, and it is predicated of truth because truth serves good for use, here for power.
sRef Ps@132 @17 S9′ [9] In the same:
I will make a horn to bud forth unto David; I will set in order a lamp for Mine anointed (Ps. 132:17).
Here by “David,” and also by “anointed” the Lord in respect to Divine truth is meant, and “making His horn to bud forth” signifies the multiplication of Divine truth in the heavens and on earth by Him; therefore it is also said, “I will set in order a lamp for Mine anointed,” which has a like meaning. That the Lord in respect to Divine truth proceeding from His Divine good, is called a “lamp” see above (n. 62).
sRef Ps@18 @2 S10′ sRef 2Sam@22 @3 S10′ sRef Ps@18 @1 S10′ sRef 2Sam@22 @2 S10′ [10] In the same:
Jehovah my strength, my cliff, my fortress; my God, my rock, in which I confide, my shield and the horn of my salvation (Ps. 18:1-2; 2 Sam. 22:2-3).
“Strength” and “cliff” in reference, as here, to Jehovah or the Lord, signify omnipotence; “fortress” and “rock in which he confides” signify defense; “shield” and “horn of salvation” signify consequent salvation; “strength,” “fortress,” and “shield,” in the Word are predicated of Divine good; “cliff,” “rock,” and “horn” are predicated of Divine truth; therefore these signify omnipotence, defense, and salvation, which Divine good has through Divine truth.
sRef Luke@1 @69 S11′ sRef Luke@1 @68 S11′ sRef Luke@1 @71 S11′ [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 (Luke 1:68-69, 71).
This is a prophecy of Zechariah respecting the Lord and His coming. “A horn of salvation in the house of David” signifies omnipotence to save by Divine truth from Divine good, “horn” is that omnipotence; “the house of David” is the Lord’s church; “the enemies from which He should save” are the falsities of evil, for these are the enemies from which the Lord saves those who receive Him; it is known that there were no other enemies from which the Lord saved those who are here meant by his people.
sRef Micah@4 @13 S12′ [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 beat in pieces many peoples (Micah 4:13).
“Rise and thresh, O daughter of Zion” signifies the dispersion of evil with those who are of the church, “to thresh” is to disperse, and “daughter of Zion” is the church that is in the affection of good; “I will make thy horn iron” signifies Divine truth mighty and powerful; “I will make thy hoofs brass” has a like meaning, “hoofs” meaning truths in ultimates; “that thou mayest beat in pieces many peoples” signifies that thou mayest scatter falsities, for “peoples” are predicated of truths, and in a contrary sense, of falsities.
sRef Zech@1 @21 S13′ sRef Zech@1 @20 S13′ sRef Zech@1 @18 S13′ sRef Zech@1 @19 S13′ [13] In Zechariah:
I saw, and behold four horns, that have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem. He showed me four smiths, and He said, These horns that have scattered Judah, so that no man lifteth up his head; these have come to terrify them, to cast down the horns of the nations that lift up the horn against the land of Judah to scatter it (Zech. 1:18-21).
This describes the vastation of the church, and its subsequent restoration. “Judah,” “Israel,” and “Jerusalem,” signify the church and its doctrine; “the horns that scattered them” signify the falsities of evil that have vastated the church; “smiths” signify the like as iron, namely, truth in ultimates, which is mighty and powerful, thus the like as the “horn of iron;” therefore it is said of them, “these have come to cast down the horns of the nations that lift up the horn against the land of Judah,” “the horns of the nations” are the falsities of evil that have vastated the church, and that are to be dispersed that it may be restored.
sRef Lam@2 @3 S14′ sRef Lam@2 @2 S14′ [14] In Lamentations:
The Lord hath thrown in His fury the strongholds 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 glowing of His anger every horn of Israel (Lam. 2:2-3).
Here the total vastation of the church is treated of. The last time when it was laid waste is signified by the glowing of the Lord’s anger; and its total vastation is described by “He hath thrown down the strongholds of the daughter of Judah, He hath cast them down to the earth. He hath profaned the kingdom and the princes thereof;” “the daughter of Judah” is the church; “her strongholds” are truths from good; “the kingdom and princes” are its truths of doctrine; whence it is clear what is signified by “He hath cut off every horn of Israel,” namely, the cutting off of all the power of truth in the church to resist the falsities of evil.
sRef Dan@7 @20 S15′ sRef Dan@7 @3 S15′ sRef Dan@7 @24 S15′ sRef Dan@7 @23 S15′ sRef Dan@7 @7 S15′ sRef Dan@7 @21 S15′ sRef Dan@7 @8 S15′ [15] In Daniel:
Daniel saw in a dream four beasts coming up out of the sea; the fourth exceedingly strong, having teeth of iron; it devoured and broke in pieces; and it had ten horns: and I gave heed, and behold another little horn came up among them, and three of the former horns were plucked up by the roots before it; in this horn were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking great things. I saw that this horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; and that it spoke words against the Most High. As to the ten horns, they are ten kings, and it shall humble three kings (Dan. 7:3, 7-8, 21, 23, 25).
Here evidently “horns” means the falsities that destroy the truths of the church, or the power of falsities against truths; “the beast coming up out of the sea” signifies the love of self out of which spring all evils; here the love of ruling over heaven and earth, to which things holy serve as means; it is such a love that is meant by “Babylon” in Revelation. This beast was seen “coming up out of the sea,” because the “sea” signifies the natural man separated from the spiritual; for the natural man is then of such a character that he desires nothing so much as to have dominion over all, and to confirm that dominion by the sense of the letter of the Word. “The ten horns” signify falsities of every kind, for “ten” means all; therefore it is further said, that “the ten horns are ten kings,” for “kings” signify truths, and in a contrary sense, as here, falsities. “The little horn that came up among them, before which three of the former horns were plucked up by the roots,” signifies the complete 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 what does not appear before the sight of man’s spirit, or before his understanding, is regarded either as nothing, or as little. In the spiritual world such is the appearance of things that are apprehended by a few only. “The three horns that were plucked up by the roots before it,” signify the truths of the Word there that have been thus destroyed by falsifications; these truths are also signified by the “three kings” that were humbled by the horn, “three” not meaning three, but what is full, thus that truths were completely destroyed. As that “horn” signifies the perversion of the Word in respect to the sense of its letter, and as this sense appears before the eyes of men, as if it were to be understood thus and not otherwise, and therefore not to be gainsaid by anyone, it is said of this horn, “that in it there were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking great things,” “eyes” signify understanding, and “eyes like the eyes of a man” an understanding as if of truth, and “mouth” signifies thought and speech from that understanding. From this it can now be seen what is meant by all and by each of the particulars here mentioned; as by “the beast coming up out of the sea, that had ten horns and teeth of iron, and devoured and broke in pieces;” by “the little horn that came up among them, before which three of the horns were plucked up by the roots, in which were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking great things;” also by “it made war with the saints and prevailed against them,” and “it spoke words against the Most High;” and “the horns were so many kings.”
sRef Rev@17 @12 S16′ sRef Dan@8 @8 S16′ sRef Dan@8 @9 S16′ sRef Dan@8 @3 S16′ sRef Dan@8 @4 S16′ sRef Rev@13 @1 S16′ sRef Dan@8 @10 S16′ sRef Rev@12 @3 S16′ sRef Dan@8 @25 S16′ sRef Rev@17 @7 S16′ sRef Dan@8 @21 S16′ sRef Dan@8 @7 S16′ sRef Dan@8 @6 S16′ sRef Dan@8 @12 S16′ sRef Dan@8 @11 S16′ sRef Dan@8 @5 S16′ sRef Rev@17 @3 S16′ [16] In the same:
I saw in a vision one ram that had two horns, and the horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher had come up last. It pushed westward, northward, and southward. Then, behold, a he-goat of the goats came from the west over the faces of the whole earth; he had a conspicuous horn between his eyes. He ran upon the ram in the wrath of his strength, and he broke his two horns, and he cast him down to the ground and trampled upon him. But the great horn of the he-goat was broken; and in place of it there came up four toward the four winds of the heavens. Presently out of one of them came forth a little horn, which grew exceedingly towards the south, and towards the east, and towards beauty. And it grew even to the host of the heavens; and it cast down some of the host to the earth, and trampled upon them. Yea, even to the prince of the host it magnified itself, and the dwelling place of his sanctuary was cast down, because it cast down truth to the earth (Dan. 8:2-12, 21, 25).
This describes a second thing that lays waste the church, namely, faith alone. The “ram” signifies the good of charity and faith therefrom, and the “he-goat” faith separate from charity, or faith alone, or, what is the same, those who are in these; their “horns” signify truths from good and falsities from evil, combating; truths from good are meant by the horns of the ram, and falsities from evil by the horns of the he-goat. That the “ram had two high horns, one higher than the other, and the higher came up last” signifies the truth of faith from the good of charity; and this was seen according to the influx of good and truth with man and spirit; for all good is received behind, and all truth in front, as the cerebellum is formed to receive the good, which is of the will, and the cerebrum to receive the truth, which is of the understanding; “westward, northward, and southward, toward which the ram pushed” signify the goods and truths that those receive who are in charity and in faith therefrom, by which they disperse evils and falsities; “the he-goat of the goats that came over the faces of the whole earth” signifies faith separate from charity, springing from evil of life; “the he-goat of the goats” is that faith; the “west” evil of life; and “the earth” the church; “he had a conspicuous horn between the eyes” signifies that this is from self-intelligence; “he ran upon the ram in the wrath of his strength, and brake his two horns, and cast him down to the earth, and trampled upon him” signifies the entire destruction of charity and of faith therefrom, for when charity is destroyed faith also is destroyed, for the latter is from the former; “the great horn of the he-goat was broken, and in place of it there came up four toward the four winds of the heavens” signifies all falsities conjoined with evils there from, “horns” signifying the falsities of evil, “four” their conjunction, and “the four winds of the heavens” all, both falsities and evils; “out of one of them came forth a little horn” signifies justification by faith, for this is born of 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 beauty, and grew even to the host of the heavens, and cast down some of the host to the earth, and trampled upon them” signifies that it destroyed all the truths and goods of the church; “the south” meaning where truth is in the light, “the east” and “beauty” where good is in clearness through truth, “the host of the heavens” all truths and goods of heaven and the church; “to cast down the host to the earth, and to trample upon them” signifies to destroy utterly; that “even to the prince of the host it magnified itself,” and that “the dwelling place 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” is the Lord in respect to the Divine Human, because from that proceed all the truths and goods that constitute the church; “the dwelling place of the sanctuary” is the church where these are; this plainly means the truths destroyed by falsities, for it is said, “it cast down truth to the earth.” That this is the significance of the “ram,” and the “he-goat,” and “their horns,” is clearly manifest from appearances in the spiritual world; for when such as have confirmed themselves in the doctrine of faith alone and of justification by faith, dispute there with those who are in the doctrine of charity and of faith therefrom, there appear to others who stand afar off he-goats, or a he-goat with similar horns, and with like onset and fury against the rams or the ram, and he appears also to tread the stars under his feet. These things have been seen by me also, and at the same time by those standing by, who were thereby confirmed that such things are meant in Daniel; and also that like things are meant by “the sheep on the right hand, and the goats on the left” (Matt. 25:32 to the end), namely, by “sheep” those who are in the good of charity, and by “goats” those who are in faith alone. From these quotations from Daniel it can be seen in some measure what is signified in Revelation by:
The dragon that was seen having ten horns (Rev. 12:3);
The beast that was seen coming up out of the sea, which also had ten horns (Rev. 13:1).
The woman that was seen sitting upon a scarlet-colored beast, that had seven heads and ten horns; respecting which the angel said, The ten horns that thou sawest are ten kings (Rev. 17:3, 7, 12);
but these things will be explained hereafter.
sRef Jer@48 @25 S17′ [17] That the power of falsity against truth is signified by “horn” or “horns” is evident also from the following passages. In Jeremiah:
The horn of Moab is cut off, and his arm is broken (Jer. 48:25).
“Moab” signifies those who are in spurious goods, and in falsified truths therefrom, which in themselves are falsities. The destruction of these falsities is signified by “The horn of Moab is cut off,” and the destruction of these evils by “his arm is broken.”
sRef Lam@2 @17 S18′ [18] In Lamentations:
Jehovah hath caused the enemy to be glad over thee; He hath exalted the horn of thine adversaries (Lam. 2:17).
Evil is meant by “enemy,” and the falsities of evil by “adversaries;” “exalting the horn of the adversaries” is falsities prevailing over truths and destroying them.
sRef Ezek@34 @21 S19′ [19] In Ezekiel:
Ye thrust with side and with shoulder, and push all the sick sheep with your horns till ye have scattered them abroad (Ezek. 34:21).
“To thrust with side and with shoulder” is with all strength and endeavor; to “push the sick sheep with horns till ye have scattered them abroad” signifies to destroy by falsities the well-disposed, who are not yet in truths from good, and yet desire to be.
sRef Amos@3 @14 S20′ [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 earth (Amos 3:14).
“The altars of Bethel” signify worship from evil, and “the horns of the altar” signify the falsities of that evil; and that these are to be destroyed is signified by “the horns shall be cut off and fall to the earth.”
sRef Amos@6 @13 S21′ [21] In the same:
They who are glad over a thing of nought; who say, Have we not taken to us horns by our own strength? (Amos 6:13).
“To take horns by our own strength” signifies by the powers of self-intelligence to acquire falsities by which truths will be destroyed.
sRef Ps@75 @10 S22′ sRef Ps@75 @4 S22′ sRef Ps@75 @5 S22′ [22] In David:
I said unto the boastful, 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 will I cut off; the horns of the righteous shall be exalted (Ps. 75:4-5, 10).
“Lifting up the horn on high” signifies to defend vigorously falsity against truth; therefore it is also said, “speak not with a stiff neck.” “To cut off their horns” signifies to destroy their falsities; and “to exalt the horns of the righteous” signifies to make powerful and strong the truths of good.
sRef Deut@33 @17 S23′ [23] Because “making high and exalting the horns” signifies to fill with truths, and to make them powerful and strong against falsities, therefore those truths are also called “the horns of a unicorn,” because these are high. As in Moses:
The firstborn of his ox, honor is his, and his horns are the horns of a unicorn; with them he shall push the peoples together to the uttermost parts of the earth; and they are the ten thousands of Ephraim, and they are the thousands of Mannaseh (Deut. 33:17).
This is said of Joseph, who in the highest sense represents the Lord in respect to the Divine spiritual, or in respect to Divine truth in heaven; from this “Joseph” signifies also those who are in the Lord’s spiritual kingdom (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3969, 3971, 4669, 6417). “The firstborn of the ox, honor is his,” signifies the good of spiritual love; “his horns are the horns of a unicorn” signifies truths in their fullness, and in their power therefrom; “to push the peoples to the uttermost parts of the earth” signifies to instruct in truths all who are of the church, and to scatter falsities by means of truths; “the ten thousands of Ephraim and the thousands of Manasseh” signify the plenty and abundance of truth and of wisdom therefrom and the plenty and abundance of good and of love therefrom; “Ephraim,” in the Word, signifying the intellectual of the church, which is of truth, and “Manasseh” the voluntary of the church which is of good (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3969, 5354, 6222, 6234, 6238, 6267, 6296); and “ten thousands” and “thousands” signifying very many, thus plenty and abundance.
sRef Ps@22 @21 S24′ [24] In David:
Save me from the lion’s mouth; and from the horns of the unicorn hear me (Ps. 22:21);
“lion” signifying falsity vehemently destroying truth; and “horns of unicorns” truths that prevail against falsities.
sRef Ps@92 @10 S25′ [25] In the same:
My horn like the horn of a unicorn (Ps. 92:10);
“like the horn of a unicorn” signifying truth in its fullness and power.
sRef Rev@9 @13 S26′ [26] In Revelation:
And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God (Rev. 9:13).
The altar of incense, which was called also “the golden altar,” was a representative of the hearing and reception of all things of worship that are from love and charity from the Lord, thus a 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; this makes clear why a voice was heard from the four horns of the altar, for it is through truths that good acts and speaks. sRef Ex@30 @10 S27′ sRef Ex@27 @2 S27′ sRef Ex@30 @2 S27′ sRef Ex@30 @3 S27′ [27] Altars had horns for the reason that altars represented the worship of the Lord from the good of love, and all worship that is truly worship is offered from the good of love by truths. That the altar of incense had horns is seen in Moses:
Thou shalt make four horns upon the altar of incense; they shall be from it. And thou shalt overlay them with gold (Exod. 30:2-3, 10; 37:25-26);
and the altar of burnt-offering elsewhere in the same:
Thou shalt make horns upon the four corners of the altar of burnt-offering; its horns shall be from it (Exod. 27:2; 38:2).
That the horns were from the altar itself signified that the truths, which the horns represented, must proceed from the good of love, which the altar itself represented, for all truth is from good. That there were four horns, one at each corner, signified that they were for the four quarters in heaven, by which all things of truth from good are signified.
sRef 1Ki@1 @53 S28′ sRef 1Ki@2 @31 S28′ sRef 1Sam@16 @13 S28′ sRef 1Ki@1 @50 S28′ sRef Lev@4 @34 S28′ sRef Ex@30 @10 S28′ sRef 1Ki@1 @51 S28′ sRef Lev@4 @25 S28′ sRef 1Ki@2 @30 S28′ sRef Lev@4 @30 S28′ sRef 1Ki@2 @29 S28′ sRef 1Ki@2 @28 S28′ sRef 1Sam@16 @1 S28′ [28] Since all expiations and purifications are effected by truths from good, expiation was made upon the horns of the altars:
Upon the horns of the altar of incense (Exod. 30:10; Lev. 4:7);
And upon the horns of the altar of burnt-offering (Lev. 4:25, 30, 34; 8:15; 9:9; 16:18).
And as all Divine protection is by truths from good:
Those who committed evils and were in fear of death caught hold of the horns of the altar and were thus protected (1 Kings 1:50, 51, 53).
When those who purposely and willfully committed evil were not so protected (1 Kings 2:28-31).
Moreover, because “horns” signified truths from good, therefore when kings were anointed this was done by oil out of a horn:
That David was so anointed (1 Sam. 16:1, 13); and Solomon (1 Kings 1:39);
the “oil” signifying the good of love. From this signification of horns, which was known to the ancients, it was customary to make horns budding forth and fragrant; from this came the word “cornucopia.”
* Photolithograph has “Uncto,” “anointed;” see n. 684.

sRef Rev@5 @6 S0′ 317. And seven eyes, signifies and who has omniscience. This is evident from the signification of “seven eyes” as being, in reference to the Lord, omniscience; for as “eyes” in reference to man signify the understanding, so in reference to the Lord they signify omniscience. That “eyes” in reference to man signify the understanding, and in reference to the Lord providence, as also Divine wisdom and intelligence, which is omniscience, see above, (n. 152). “Seven eyes” are mentioned, because “seven” signifies all things, and is predicated of what is holy (as above).

sRef Rev@5 @6 S0′ 318. Which are the seven spirits of God, sent forth into all the earth, signifies that all wisdom and intelligence in heaven and in the church are therefrom. This is evident from the signification of “the seven spirits of God,” as being Divine truth proceeding from the Lord (of which above, n. 183); and as they signify Divine truth proceeding from the Lord, they also signify the Divine wisdom or omniscience. It is evident also from the signification of “sent forth into all the earth,” as being that this is the source of all wisdom and intelligence in heaven and in the church. “To be sent forth” signifies to be communicated, and “all the earth” signifies the church both in the heavens and on earth (see above, n. 304). Thence 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 “seven eyes” signify the omniscience that the Lord has from Divine good through Divine truth. From this are all wisdom and intelligence, because man cannot from himself understand truth and relish good, but only from the Lord; and all wisdom and intelligence are of truth from good. Unless wisdom and intelligence be formed from it, they are not wisdom and intelligence, but folly and insanity, which appear before the ignorant and the evil like wisdom and intelligence, because of their being able to speak and reason from the memory. For what is man’s own [proprium] is nothing but evil and falsity; his own voluntary [proprium ejus voluntarium] is evil, and his own intellectual therefrom [proprium ejus intellectuale] is falsity; whatever therefore is from man’s own [ex proprio] is contrary to wisdom and intelligence; and what is contrary to wisdom is folly, and what is contrary to intelligence is insanity. From this it can be seen that unless man is elevated by the Lord from his selfhood [a suo proprio], which is done when he receives Divine truth not only in the memory but also in the life, it is utterly impossible for him to be wise and intelligent. But this elevation by the Lord from the selfhood [a proprio] is not apparent to man, nor is it perceived by him while he is in the world, but it first becomes apparent when he comes into his spirit, and this takes place when his spirit has been separated from his material body; but even then it is perceived only by those who come into heaven. It is said wisdom and intelligence, because wisdom is of truth from good, for man then relishes good in truth; but intelligence is of truth through which good comes, for then man has not yet a relish for good in truth, but is affected by 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 through which good comes. (But of those who are in truths through which good comes, see in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 23; and of those who are in truths from good, n. 24; and of the celestial kingdom and the spiritual kingdom, in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 20-28.)

sRef Rev@5 @7 S0′ 319. Verse 7. And He came and took the book out of the right hand of Him that sat upon the throne, signifies that these things are from His Divine Human. This is evident from the signification of the “the Lamb,” who took the book out of the right hand of Him that sat upon the throne, as being the Lord in respect to the Divine Human (see above, n. 314); “the right hand of Him that sat upon the throne” meaning the Lord in respect to omnipotence and omniscience (see also above, n. 297, 298). From this it is that “He came and took the book out of the right hand of Him that sat upon the throne” signifies that these are from the Divine Human. Omnipotence and omniscience are meant also because this is what is here treated of, as can be seen from the preceding words, that “the Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes;” “the seven horns” signifying omnipotence, and “the seven eyes” omniscience (see just above, n. 316, 317), and “the Lamb” the Divine Human (n. 314). That omnipotence and omniscience belong to the Lord’s Divine Human, can be seen 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).

sRef Rev@5 @9 S0′ sRef Rev@5 @8 S0′ sRef Rev@5 @10 S0′ 320. Verses 8-10. And when He had taken the book, the four animals and the four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one harps, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sung a new song, saying, Worthy art Thou to take the book, and to open the seals thereof; for Thou wast slain, and didst redeem us to God in Thy blood, out of every tribe and tongue, and people and nation. And Thou didst make us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign upon the earth. 8. “And when He had taken the book,” signifies after the acknowledgment that the Lord’s Human is Divine, and has omnipotence and omniscience (n. 321); “the four animals and the four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb,” signifies the acknowledgment and consequent glorification of the Lord by the angels of the higher heavens (n. 322); “having everyone harps,” signifies confession from spiritual truths (n. 323); “and golden bowls full of incense,” signifies confession from spiritual goods (n. 324); “which are the prayers of the saints,” signifies from which is worship (n. 325). 9. “And they sung a new song” signifies acknowledgment and confession from joy of heart (n. 326); “saying, Worthy art Thou to open the book and to loose the seals thereof,” signifies that the Lord from the Divine Human has omnipotence and omniscience (n. 327) “for Thou wast slain, and didst redeem us to God in Thy blood,” signifies separation of all from the Divine, and conjunction with the Divine by the acknowledgment of the Lord, and by reception of Divine truth from Him (n. 328, 329); “out of every tribe and tongue,” signifies by all who are in truths in respect to doctrine and in respect to life (n. 330); “and people and nation,” signifies who are of the Lord’s spiritual church and of His celestial church (n. 331). 10. “And didst make us unto our God kings and priests,” signifies that from the Lord they are in the truths and goods of the church and of heaven (n. 332); “and we shall reign upon the earth,” signifies the power that belongs to the Lord alone through Divine truth united to Divine good, and power and wisdom therefrom that those have who are of the Lord’s spiritual and celestial kingdoms (n. 333).

sRef Rev@5 @8 S0′ 321. Verse 8. And when He had taken the book, signifies after the acknowledgment that the Lord’s Human is Divine, and has omnipotence and omniscience. This is evident from the series in the internal sense, since this is the subject treated of just before (see n. 316, 319); and in what now follows this is acknowledged, and on this account the Lord is celebrated and glorified; and as this celebration and glorification is a living acknowledgment that the Lord’s Human is Divine, and has omnipotence and omniscience, and this acknowledgment now follows, this is signified by “when He had taken the book.” The glorification of the Lord (in what now follows) takes place in this order: first, by the angels of the higher heavens; then by the angels of the lower heavens; and afterwards by those who are beneath the heavens. The glorification of the Lord by the angels of the higher heavens is contained in verses 8-10; the glorification of the Lord by angels of the lower heavens in verses 11, 12; and the glorification by those who are beneath the heavens in verse 13; but of this more specifically in what follows.

sRef Rev@5 @8 S0′ 322. The four animals and the four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, signifies the acknowledgment and consequent glorification of the Lord by the angels of the higher heavens. This is evident from the signification of “the four animals and the four and twenty elders,” as being, in general, the whole heaven, but especially the inmost heaven, consequently the angels of the higher heavens (of which see above, n. 313); here especially the angels of those heavens, because in what follows there is glorification by the angels of the lower heavens. Also from the signification of “fell down before the Lamb,” as being acknowledgment from a humble heart. That “to fall down” signifies humiliation, and in that state acknowledgment of heart, see above (n. 290). Acknowledgment of the Lord’s Divine Human is clearly meant, for that is signified by “the Lamb” (see above, n. 314). What the higher heavens are, and what the lower heavens are, shall be told 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 are 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 intermediate angels, together with the angels of the third or inmost heaven, constitute the higher heavens; while the remainder of those in the second or middle heaven, together with those who are in the first or outmost 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 that is in conjunction with the third or inmost; thus together they signify the higher heavens. Respecting the intermediate angels, called celestial-spiritual and spiritual-celestial, and the conjunction of the third heaven with the second by these, see Arcana Coelestia (n. 1577, 1824, 2184, 4047, 4286, 4585, 4592, 4594, 6435, 6526, 8787, 8802, 9671).

sRef Rev@5 @8 S0′ 323. Having every one harps, signifies confession from spiritual truths. This is evident from the signification of a “harp,” as being confession from spiritual truths. This is signified by “harps,” because the harp was a stringed instrument, and by such instruments spiritual things, or those that are of truth, are signified, while wind instruments signify celestial things, or those that are of good. Such things are signified by musical instruments because of their sounds, for sound corresponds to the affections; moreover in heaven affections are perceived by sounds; and because there are various affections, and various sounds are produced by musical instruments, therefore these instruments, by correspondence and consequent agreement, signify affections. 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, some instruments belong to the spiritual class, and some to the celestial class. That sounds correspond to the affections has been made evident to me by much experience, so also musical tones; also that angels are affected in accordance with sounds and their variations; but to recite all such experience would occupy too much space. I will mention only, what is a matter of general observation, that discrete sounds excite the affections of truth, that is, those are affected by them who are in the affections of truth; while continuous sounds excite the affections of good, that is, those are affected by them who are in the affections of good. Whether you say the affections of truth or things spiritual, it is the same, or whether you say the affections of good or things celestial, it is the same. (But these things can be better comprehended from what has been related from experience respecting sounds and their correspondence with affections, in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 241.)
From this it can now be seen why in the Word, and especially in David, so many kinds of musical instruments are mentioned, as psalteries, harps, flutes, cymbals, timbrels, horns, organs, and others, namely, that it is because of their correspondence with the affections, and at the same time with articulations that are expressions containing things, and flowing from them. sRef Isa@24 @7 S2′ sRef Isa@24 @8 S2′ sRef Isa@24 @9 S2′ [2] That harps especially signify the affections of truth because they excite such affections, consequently that they also signify confession made from spiritual truths with a cheerful heart, can be seen from the following passages. In Isaiah:
The new wine shall mourn, the vine shall languish, all the glad of heart shall sigh. The joy of timbrels shall cease, the noise of the merry shall leave off; the joy of the harp shall cease. They shall not drink wine with a song (Isa. 24:7-9).
This treats of the vastation of the spiritual church, that is, of the good and truth thereof. Spiritual good, which is about to cease, is signified by “the new wine shall mourn,” and “the joy of timbrels shall cease;” and that its truth is about to cease is signified by “the vine shall languish,” and “the joy of the harp shall cease;” for “new wine” signifies spiritual good, and its joy is signified by the “timbrel;” and the “vine” signifies spiritual truth, and its joy is signified by the “harp.” Since it is the affection of these that is about to cease, it is said, “all the glad of heart shall sigh,” and “the noise of the merry shall leave off;” “gladness” and “mirth” in the Word signifying 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 “song” signifies the testification of gladness from the affection of truth, and “wine” signifies truth.
sRef Ps@33 @3 S3′ sRef Ps@33 @4 S3′ sRef Ps@33 @2 S3′ [3] In David:
Confess unto Jehovah with the harp; sing psalms unto Him with the psaltery of ten strings. Sing unto Him a new song; play well with a loud noise. For the word of Jehovah is right; and His work is done in truth (Ps. 33:2-4).
As a “harp” signifies confession from spiritual truths, it is said, “confess unto Jehovah with the harp;” “a psaltery of ten strings” signifies the corresponding spiritual good; therefore it is said, “sing psalms unto Him upon a psaltery of ten strings;” and for the same reason also it is said, “for the word of Jehovah is right, and all His work is done in truth;” “the word of Jehovah is right” signifying the truth of good; “His work is done in truth” signifying the good of truth; the truth of good is the truth that proceeds from good, and the good of truth is the good which is produced by truth.
sRef Ps@43 @3 S4′ sRef Ps@43 @4 S4′ [4] In the same:
Send Thy light and Thy truth, let them lead me; let them bring me unto the mountain of holiness, and to Thy tabernacles, that I may confess unto Thee upon the harp, O God, my God (Ps. 43:3-4);
the “harp” evidently signifying confession from spiritual truths, for it is said “I will confess unto Thee with the harp, O God, my God;” and it is also said before, “send Thy light and Thy truth; let them lead me.”
sRef Ps@71 @22 S5′ [5] In the same:
I will confess unto Thee with the instrument of psaltery, even Thy truth, O my God; unto Thee will I sing with the harp, O Holy One of Israel (Ps. 71:22).
As the “psaltery” signifies spiritual good, that is, the good of truth, and the “harp” spiritual truth, that is, the truth of good, and confession is made from each, it is said, “I will confess unto Thee with the instrument of psaltery; unto Thee will I sing with the harp.”
sRef Ps@57 @9 S6′ sRef Ps@57 @7 S6′ sRef Ps@57 @8 S6′ [6] In the same:
I will sing, and I will sing psalms. Arouse me,* my glory, arouse me, psaltery and harp. I will confess unto Thee, O Lord, among the nations, I will sing psalms unto Thee among the peoples (Ps. 57:7-9; 108:1-3).
Confession and glorification from the good of truth or from spiritual good, and from truth of good or from spiritual truth, are expressed in these several things, the good of truth by “singing,” “being aroused by the psaltery,” and “confessing among the nations;” and the truth of good by “singing psalms,” “being aroused by the harp,” and “singing psalms among the peoples;” for “nations” in the Word mean those who are in good, and “peoples” those who are in truth; here those in spiritual truth. It is so said because where good is spoken of, in the Word, truth also is spoken of, and this because of the marriage of these in every particular of the Word (see above, n. 238 at end, 288).
sRef Ps@147 @7 S7′ [7] In the same:
Answer unto Jehovah by confession; sing psalms with the harp unto our God (Ps. 147:7).
Here also confession from spiritual good and from spiritual truth is expressed by “answer unto Jehovah by confession,” and “sing psalms with the harp unto our God;” from spiritual good by “answer unto Jehovah;” and from spiritual truth by “sing psalms with the harp unto God;” “Jehovah” being used where good is treated of, and “God” where truth is treated of (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 709, 732, 2586, 2769, 2807, 2822, 3921, 4287, 4402, 7010, 9167).
sRef Ezek@26 @14 S8′ sRef Ezek@26 @13 S8′ [8] In Ezekiel:
I will cause the noise of the songs to cease; and the voice of thy harps shall be no more heard; I will give thee to the parchedness of the cliff (Ezek. 26:13-14).
This is said of Tyre, which signifies the church in respect to the knowledges of good and truth. Its vastation is described by these words; the vastation in respect to the knowledges of good by “I will cause the noise of thy songs to cease;” and the vastation in respect to the knowledges of truth by “the voice of harps shall be no more heard;” desolation of all truth by “I will give thee to the parchedness of the cliff;” “cliff” signifying truth, and its “parchedness” desolation.
sRef Ps@98 @6 S9′ sRef Ps@98 @5 S9′ sRef Ps@98 @4 S9′ [9] In David:
Make a loud noise unto Jehovah, all the earth; break forth, shout for joy, and sing psalms. Sing psalms unto Jehovah with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm. With trumpets and the sound of a cornet, make a loud noise before the King, Jehovah (Ps. 98:4-6).
The various kinds of affections from which the Lord is confessed and glorified are here expressed by various kinds of sounds and instruments; the various kinds of sounds in “making a loud noise,” “breaking forth,” “shouting for joy,” and “singing psalms,” and the various kinds of instruments, by “harps,” “trumpets,” and “cornets;” but to explain the signification of the particulars is not in place here, but only what relates to the harp. “To sing unto Jehovah with the harp, with the harp and the voice of a psalm,” signifies confession from the affection of spiritual good and truth; for every affection, since it is from love, when it falls into sound, produces a sound in accord with itself; consequently from the sound that is in the speech, and in which, as it were, the expressions of speech flow, the affection of the other is heard, and thus becomes known to his companion; this is manifestly so in the spiritual world, where all sounds of speech make manifest the affections.
sRef Ps@92 @3 S10′ sRef Ps@81 @1 S10′ sRef Ps@81 @2 S10′ sRef Ps@81 @3 S10′ sRef Ps@150 @5 S10′ sRef Ps@150 @4 S10′ sRef Ps@150 @3 S10′ sRef Ps@92 @1 S10′ sRef Ps@92 @2 S10′ sRef Ps@149 @2 S10′ sRef Ps@149 @3 S10′ [10] So elsewhere in David, as the following:
Shout for joy unto God our strength; make a joyful noise to the God of Jacob. Lift up the psalm and strike the timbrel, the pleasant harp, with the psaltery. Blow the cornet at the new moon (Ps. 81:1-3).
It is good to confess unto Jehovah, and to sing psalms unto Thy name, O Most High; with an instrument of ten strings, and with the psaltery; and with resounding music on the harp (Ps. 92:1-3).
Let the sons of Zion exult in their King; let them praise His name in the dance; let them sing psalms unto Him with the timbrel and harp (Ps. 149:2-3).
Praise God with the sound of the cornet; praise Him with the psaltery and harp; praise Him with the timbrel and dance; praise Him with stringed instruments and organ. Praise Him with cymbals of soft sound; praise Him with cymbals of loud sound (Ps. 150:3-5).
sRef 2Sam@6 @5 S11′ [11] Because musical instruments and also dances signify varieties of joy and gladness that spring from the affections, as well as the affections themselves of the mind which their sounds excite, both singly and in combination, 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 sistra, and on cymbals (2 Sam. 6:5).
sRef 1Sam@16 @23 S12′ sRef 1Sam@16 @16 S12′ sRef 1Sam@16 @14 S12′ sRef 1Sam@16 @15 S12′ [12] Because the “harp” signifies confession from spiritual truths, and spiritual truths are those by which angels who are in the Lord’s spiritual kingdom are affected, and which disperse the falsities of evil, and with these the spirits themselves who are in them, so:
When the evil spirit was upon Saul, David took a harp and played with his hand; and so rest was given to Saul, and the evil spirit departed from him (1 Sam. 16:23).
This was done because kings represented the Lord in respect to the spiritual kingdom, and therefore signified spiritual truths (see above, n. 31); but Saul then represented the falsities that are opposed to these truths; and these were dispersed by the sound of the harp, because the “harp” signified the spiritual affection of truth. This then took place because with the sons of Israel all things were representative and thus significative; it is otherwise at this day. From the passages here quoted it can be seen what the “harp” signifies, also in other places (as Isa. 30:31, 32; Ps. 49:3, 4; 137:1, 2; 1 Sam. 10:5; Rev. 14:2; 18:22; Job 30:31).
sRef Isa@23 @16 S13′ sRef Isa@23 @15 S13′ [13] As most things in the Word have also a contrary meaning, so do musical instruments, in which sense they signify varieties of gladness and joy that spring from the affections of falsity and evil; thus the “harp” signifies the confession of falsity and the consequent 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 a harp, walk in the city, thou harlot delivered over to forgetfulness; play elegantly, multiply the song (Isa. 23:15-16).
“Tyre” signifies the church in respect to the knowledges of spiritual truth and good (as was said above), here the church in which these are falsified; “harlot” signifies the falsification of truth (see above, n. 141); and “to take a harp, walk in the city,” “play elegantly, and multiply the song,” signifies the exultation and boasting of falsity over the destruction of truth.
sRef Isa@5 @11 S14′ sRef Isa@5 @12 S14′ [14] In the same:
Woe to them that rise early in the morning that they may follow strong drink; to them that tarry until twilight till the wine inflame them. And the harp and the psaltery and the timbrel and the pipe and wine are at their feasts; but they do not look upon the work of Jehovah, and they see not the working of His hands (Isa. 5:11-12).
Here “harp,” “psaltery,” “timbrel,” “pipe,” and also “wine,” have the contrary meaning, in which they signify exultation and boastings from the falsities of evil. Such is evidently the meaning, for it is said, “Woe to them; they do not look upon the work of Jehovah, and they see not the working of His hands.”
* Photoliograph has “me,” so also AR, n. 276, but AE, n. 326 has “te,” “thee.”

sRef Rev@5 @8 S0′ 324. And golden bowls full of incense, signifies confession from spiritual goods. This is evident from the signification of “golden bowls,” which are also called “censers,” and “incense pans,” as being truths from good; for “bowls,” like all containing vessels, signify truths, and “gold,” of which they were made, signifies good, therefore “golden bowls” are truths from good. (That “vessels” signify truths, because truths serve good as recipient and containing vessels, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3068, 3079, 3316, 3318; also “the vessels of the altars,” “of burnt offering,” and “of incense,” n. 9723, 9724; and that “gold” signifies good, above, n. 242.) It is evident also from the signification of “incense,” as being those things of worship that are done from spiritual good, or from the good of charity, and are therefore gratefully perceived. Such things are signified by “incense,” because all things that are instituted in the Israelitish nation were representative of celestial and spiritual things; so also were the things relating to odor; things of pleasant odor represented pleasant perception, but those of unpleasant odor unpleasant perception. On this account incense was made of fragrant spices, myrrh, onycha, galbanum, and frankincense. Moreover, there is a correspondence between odor and perception, as can be seen from this, that in the spiritual world, where all things perceived by the senses correspond, the perceptive of good and truth is made sensible as fragrance from pleasant odors, and vice versa (respecting this see what is shown from experience, Arcana Coelestia, n. 1514, 1517-1519, 1631, 4626, 4628, 4630, 4631, 5711-5717). From this it is that also in the common language of men, to smell means to perceive; for such expressions, like many others, have come into human discourse from correspondence; for the spirit of man is actually in the spiritual world, although man is not conscious of it. Moreover, the faculty of perception that man has, is what produces in his body the sense of smell, and this too from correspondence. But this is an arcanum that can with difficulty be credited, because it has been hitherto unknown. It is to be noted that this sweet smell or fragrance is produced by the good of love and charity, but by means of truth, not by good itself without truth, still less by means of the truth that is called truth of faith without good; for good without truth has nothing perceptive, neither has truth without good.
[2] “Incense” signifies those things of worship that are done from spiritual good, because spiritual good has its origin and existence from celestial good, which good is the good of love to the Lord from the Lord, and is therefore the very good of heaven, for that good is immediately from the Lord, and the Lord is with angels in that good as in what is His. This is even so far true that whether you say that the Lord is in them and they in the Lord, or that the Lord is with them in that good and they are in the Lord when in that good, it is the same. Spiritual good, which has its origin and existence from celestial good, is the good of charity towards the neighbor; worship from this good is what is signified by “incense.” As all worship of the Lord comes from good, although through truths, and as 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 neighbor, therefore with the sons of Israel there were two altars, one for burnt offerings, the other for incense-offerings; the altar of burnt offering signifying worship from the good of celestial love, and the altar of incense worship from the good of spiritual love; thence it is clear what was represented by “incense.”
sRef Ex@30 @4 S3′ sRef Ex@30 @8 S3′ sRef Ex@30 @3 S3′ sRef Ex@30 @10 S3′ sRef Ex@30 @9 S3′ sRef Ex@30 @5 S3′ sRef Ex@30 @7 S3′ sRef Ex@30 @6 S3′ sRef Ex@30 @1 S3′ sRef Ex@30 @2 S3′ [3] That this is so can be seen from passages in the Word where the two are 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 over the ark of the Testimony, before the mercy-seat. And Aaron shall burn thereon incense of spices every morning, when dressing the lamps he shall burn it, and in making the lamps to ascend between the evenings he shall burn it, a perpetual incense before Jehovah in your generations. Ye shall make no strange incense to ascend thereon, nor burnt-sacrifice, nor meal-offering, nor drink-offering (Exod. 30:1-10).
That this “altar,” and the “burning incense” upon it, signified worship from spiritual good, is evident from its having been placed in the tent of meeting without the veil, where also were the lamps; and the tent signified the Lord’s spiritual kingdom; while that part of the tent that was within the veil signified the Lord’s celestial kingdom, as can be seen from what is shown in Arcana Coelestia (n. 9457, 9481, 9485) respecting the tent, in which was the table for the bread of faces, and in which was the altar of incense and the lampstand, also respecting the ark, in which was the Testimony, and upon which was the mercy-seat (n. 9457, 9481, 9485, 10545). It is there shown that the things that were in the tent without the veil, namely, the lamp stand, the altar of incense, and the table for the bread, signified such things as are of the spiritual kingdom, all of which have reference to spiritual good and its truth. The “table, upon which was the bread of faces,” signified the reception of celestial good in spiritual good (see n. 9527); the “lampstand” with the “lamps” signified the spiritual itself of that kingdom (n. 9548, 9551, 9556, 9561, 9572, 9783); the “altar of incense” signified worship from spiritual good; and because worship from spiritual good was signified by burning incense upon that altar, and the spiritual itself by the “lampstand,” it was commanded that Aaron should burn incense upon it every morning and evening, when he dressed the lamps. (But these things are more fully explained in Arcana Coelestia, n. 10176-10213, where these particulars are treated of.)
sRef Lev@16 @13 S4′ sRef Lev@16 @12 S4′ sRef Lev@16 @11 S4′ [4] And because spiritual good has its origin and existence from celestial good (as was said above), not only was that altar placed near the veil that was over 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, which signified the influx, communication, and conjunction of celestial good and spiritual good. Of this it is written in Moses:
When Aaron shall make an atonement for himself and for his house he 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 the incense of spices, and he shall bring it within the veil, 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. 16:11-13).
That “he should take fire from off the altar of burnt-offering,” and “should put incense upon the fire,” signified that spiritual good, which is the good of charity, has existence and proceeds from celestial good, which is the good of love to the Lord (that the “fire of the altar” signified that good, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 4489, 6314, 6832, 9714, and elsewhere). This is why the fire for burning incense was not taken from anywhere else than from the altar of burnt-offering. When Aaron made atonement for himself and his house he was to burn the incense within the veil because Aaron as chief priest represented the Lord in respect to the good of love, and by his functions he represented the things that proceed from that good, all of which relate to spiritual good; spiritual good, unless it is from celestial good, is not good; except for this Aaron’s function could not have been from the Divine, or could not have represented anything of the Divine; and this is why Aaron was threatened with death unless he did as he was commanded.
sRef Lev@10 @2 S5′ sRef Lev@10 @5 S5′ sRef Lev@10 @3 S5′ sRef Lev@10 @1 S5′ sRef Lev@10 @4 S5′ [5] For the same reason also 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, which is offering worship from a love other than love to the Lord; respecting which it is thus written in Moses:
Nadab and Abihu, sons of Aaron, took each of them his censer and put strange fire therein, and laid incense thereon. Therefore fire went out from before Jehovah and devoured them, and they died, afterwards they were carried without the camp (Lev. 10:1-5).
“They were carried without the camp” signified that their worship was not from heaven, because not from love to the Lord; for “the camp of the sons of Israel” represented heaven and the (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 4236, 10038).
sRef Num@16 @12 S6′ sRef Num@16 @4 S6′ sRef Num@16 @5 S6′ sRef Num@16 @18 S6′ sRef Num@16 @11 S6′ sRef Num@16 @21 S6′ sRef Num@16 @17 S6′ sRef Num@16 @15 S6′ sRef Num@16 @6 S6′ sRef Num@16 @8 S6′ sRef Num@16 @9 S6′ sRef Num@16 @14 S6′ sRef Num@16 @7 S6′ sRef Num@16 @10 S6′ sRef Num@16 @19 S6′ sRef Num@16 @13 S6′ sRef Num@16 @22 S6′ sRef Num@16 @20 S6′ sRef Num@16 @16 S6′ sRef Num@16 @32 S6′ sRef Num@16 @31 S6′ sRef Num@16 @29 S6′ sRef Num@16 @30 S6′ sRef Num@16 @37 S6′ sRef Num@16 @38 S6′ sRef Num@16 @35 S6′ sRef Num@16 @33 S6′ sRef Num@16 @34 S6′ sRef Num@16 @24 S6′ sRef Num@16 @25 S6′ sRef Num@16 @26 S6′ sRef Num@16 @3 S6′ sRef Num@16 @2 S6′ sRef Num@16 @23 S6′ sRef Num@16 @27 S6′ sRef Num@16 @28 S6′ sRef Num@16 @1 S6′ [6] Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, with their company, were swallowed up by the earth, although they took fire from the altar and burnt incense, because “their murmuring against Moses and Aaron” signified the profanation of the good of celestial love; for “Moses” and “Aaron” represented the Lord and “to murmur” (that is, to rebel) against the Lord and at the same time to perform holy offices, is profanation; but as they took the fire from the altar, that fire was cast out, and their censers were made into a covering for the altar; respecting which it is thus written in Moses:
Moses said to them that they should take fire and put it into their censers which was also done; but they were swallowed up (Num. 16:1 to the end).
But afterwards it was commanded:
That they should gather up the censers, and scatter the fire hitherwards; and of the censers, which were of brass, they should make broad plates, a covering to the altar, because they had been sanctified (Num. 16:37-38).
The censers had been sanctified by the “fire of the altar,” which signified Divine celestial love.
sRef Lev@24 @7 S7′ [7] Because spiritual good, which is the good of charity towards the neighbor, derives its essence and soul from celestial good, which is the good of love to the Lord, therefore also “frankincense,” which signifies spiritual good, was put upon the “bread of faces,” which signified celestial good; as can be seen from these words in Moses:
And frankincense shall be put upon the bread of faces which is upon the table in the tent of meeting, that the bread may be for a memorial (Lev. 24:7).
“That the bread may be for a memorial” signifies that the Lord may receive and give heed; for all worship of the Lord which is truly worship comes from celestial good through spiritual good; for spiritual good, which is charity towards the neighbor, is an effect of celestial good, for charity towards the neighbor is the performance of uses, and living a moral life from a heavenly origin (respecting which see Heaven and Hell, n. 390, 484, 529, 530-535; and The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 84-107), this, therefore, is spiritual good; while celestial good is looking to the Lord and acknowledging that every good and truth is from Him, and that from man, or from what is man’s own, there is nothing but evil.
sRef Num@16 @45 S8′ sRef Num@16 @44 S8′ sRef Num@16 @43 S8′ sRef Num@16 @46 S8′ sRef Num@16 @47 S8′ sRef Num@16 @48 S8′ sRef Num@16 @42 S8′ sRef Num@16 @41 S8′ [8] That the incense was to be burned from no other fire than the fire of the altar of burnt-offering, which signified celestial good, which is the good of love to the Lord, is also evident from other passages, as in Moses:
When the congregation murmured against Moses and Aaron, and were attacked by the plague, then Aaron took fire from the altar, and put it in a censer, and placed incense on it, and he ran into the midst of them; and the plague was stayed (Num. 16:41, 46-48).
and also in Revelation (8:3-5).
sRef Isa@60 @6 S9′ [9] That “incense” and “frankincense” signify spiritual good, and “burning incense” worship acceptable because of that good, and therefore hearing and reception by the Lord, can be seen from the following. In Isaiah:
A troop of camels shall cover thee, the dromedaries of Midian and of Ephah; all they from Sheba shall come; they shall bring gold and frankincense; and they shall proclaim the praises of Jehovah (Isa. 60:6).
Here the Lord’s coming is treated of; the “troop of camels” and the “dromedaries of Midian and Ephah” signify the knowledges of truth and good in abundance; “all they from Sheba shall come” signifies from the knowledges of genuine truth and good (that “Sheba” signified such knowledges, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 1171, 3240); “gold and frankincense,” which they shall bring, signify 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 said, “and they shall proclaim the praises of Jehovah;” “proclaiming the praises of Jehovah” signifying the proclamation of good tidings respecting the Lord, and worship of Him.
sRef Matt@2 @11 S10′ [10] In Matthew:
The wise men from the east opened their treasures, and offered gifts to the newborn Lord, gold, frankincense, and myrrh (Matt. 2:11).
“The wise men from the east” also signified those who are in the knowledges of truth and good; the worship of such from celestial good, spiritual good, and natural good is signified by “they offered gold, frankincense, and myrrh;” for “gold” signifies celestial good, “frankincense” spiritual good, and “myrrh” natural good. That these had such a signification was still known to many in the east, therefore they were also called “sons of the east,” by whom in the Word those who are in the knowledges of truth and good are meant (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3249, 3762), for the knowledge of correspondences had remained among them; therefore that they might testify their joy of heart they offered such things as signified every good from first to last; and this is what was predicted in Isaiah, that they “were to come from Sheba, and bring gold and frankincense, and proclaim the praises of Jehovah” (of which just above).
sRef Mal@1 @11 S11′ [11] In Malachi:
From the rising of the sun even unto its going down My name shall be great among the nations; and in every place incense shall be offered unto My name, and a clean meal offering (Mal. 1:11).
“From the rising of the sun even unto its going down 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 its going down” 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 meal offering” signifies the worship of the Lord from spiritual good, which is the good of charity towards the neighbor, and from celestial good, which is the good of love to the Lord; worship from spiritual good is signified by “incense offering,” and from celestial good by “meal offering.” (That a “meal offering” signifies that good, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 4581, 10079, 10137.)
sRef Ps@141 @1 S12′ sRef Isa@43 @23 S12′ sRef Ps@141 @2 S12′ [12] “Incense” and “meal-offering” have a like signification in David:
Give ear unto my voice when I call unto Thee. Let my prayers be accepted as incense before Thee; the lifting up of my hands as the evening meal-offering (Ps. 141:1, 2).
And in Isaiah:
Thou hast brought to Me the small cattle of thy burnt-offerings, and thou hast not honored Me with thy sacrifices. I have not made thee to serve by a meal-offering, nor wearied thee by frankincense (Isa. 43:23).
As all worship of the Lord comes from spiritual good that is from celestial good, therefore the two, “meal-offering” and “frankincense” are mentioned separately in the letter, yet in the internal or spiritual sense they are to be understood conjointly, but the one from the other.
sRef Jer@17 @26 S13′ [13] So in Jeremiah:
They shall come from the cities of Judah, and from the circuits of Jerusalem, bringing burnt-offering and sacrifice, and meal-offering and frankincense (Jer. 17:26).
Here “Judah” and “Jerusalem” do not mean 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 “meal-offering and frankincense.”
sRef Lev@2 @2 S14′ sRef Lev@2 @1 S14′ [14] Because “meal-offering” signified the good of celestial love, and “frankincense” the good of spiritual love, upon the meal-offering of fine flour were put oil and frankincense, as appears in Moses:
When a soul would offer the offering of a meal-offering unto Jehovah, fine flour shall be his offering, upon which he shall pour oil, and shall put upon it frankincense; and the priest shall take out of it his handful of the fine flour and of the oil thereof, with all the frankincense thereof, and he shall burn it for a memorial upon the altar (Lev. 2:1-2).
This meal-offering was instituted because “fine flour” signifies genuine truth (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 9995); and since this truth is from good, namely, from celestial good, and from consequent spiritual good, “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 meal-offerings that were prepared with oil that had a like signification.
sRef Ezek@16 @18 S15′ sRef Ezek@16 @17 S15′ [15] In Ezekiel:
Thou hast taken the garments of thy embroidery, and hast covered the images of the male, with which thou didst commit whoredom; and didst set My oil and My incense before them (Ezek. 16:18-19).
This is said of Jerusalem, which signifies the church in respect to doctrine, here doctrine altogether perverted. The “images of the male,” which “she covered with the garments of her embroidery, and with which she committed whoredom,” signify the falsities that they made, by perverse interpretations, to appear as truths, thus they signify falsified truths, “garments of embroidery” meaning the knowledges of truth from the Word, and “to commit whoredom” meaning to falsify; to set My oil and My incense before them” signifies to adulterate both the good of celestial love and the good of spiritual love; and these are adulterated when the Word is applied to the loves of self and of the world.
sRef Deut@33 @10 S16′ [16] In Moses:
They shall teach Jacob Thy judgments, and Israel Thy law; they shall put incense in Thy nostrils, and a burnt-offering upon Thine altar (Deut. 33:10).
This is the prophecy of Moses respecting Levi, by whom the priesthood is signified, and because the priesthood was representative of the Lord in respect to the good of love, both celestial and spiritual, therefore it is said, “they shall put incense in Thy nostrils, and a burnt-offering upon Thine altar;” “incense” signifying worship from spiritual good, and “burnt offering upon the altar” worship from celestial good; “in the nostrils” signifying to the perception.
sRef Ps@66 @15 S17′ sRef Ps@66 @13 S17′ [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-offerings of fatlings, rams with incense (Ps. 66:13, 15).
“To offer burnt-offerings of fatlings” signifies worship from the good of celestial love; “to offer rams with incense” signifies worship from the good of spiritual love; “incense” and “ram” signifying that good.
sRef Rev@8 @5 S18′ sRef Rev@8 @3 S18′ sRef Rev@8 @4 S18′ [18] In Revelation:
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 that was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, went up out of the angel’s hand before God. Afterwards the angel took the censer and filled it with the fire of the altar and cast it into the earth (Rev. 8:3-5).
What this means will be told in the explanation of these words in what follows; here it need merely be said that “incense” signifies worship from spiritual good, which is the good of charity toward the neighbor. Such worship is signified also by “the prayers of the saints;” it is therefore said “that there was given unto him much incense, that he might offer it with prayers of the saints;” and then that “the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, went up before God.” That the “prayers of the saints” signify worship from spiritual good will be seen in the next paragraph, so also what is meant by worship from spiritual good, or from the good of charity.
sRef Isa@65 @3 S19′ [19] In Isaiah:
A people that provoke Me to anger continually before My faces; that sacrifice in gardens, and burn incense upon bricks (Isa. 65:3).
Here “sacrificing” and “burning incense” have the contrary signification, namely, worship from the falsities of doctrine that are from self-intelligence; “gardens” signify intelligence, here self-intelligence, and “bricks” falsities therefrom; “to sacrifice” and “to burn incense” signify worship. (That the ancients held Divine worship in gardens and groves in accordance with the significations of the trees therein, but that this was forbidden among the Israelitish nation, lest they should frame to themselves a worship from the selfhood [ex proprio], see n. 2722, 4552.)
sRef Hos@4 @13 S20′ [20] In Hosea:
They sacrifice upon the tops of the mountains, and burn incense upon the hills, under the oak, and the poplar, and the terebinth, because the shadow thereof is good, therefore your daughters commit whoredom, and your daughters-in-law commit adultery Hos. 4:13).
This describes worship from the love of self and from the love of the world, and from the falsities of doctrine therefrom; worship from the love of self is meant by “sacrificing upon the tops of the mountains;” worship from the love of the world, by “burning incense upon the hills;” and worship from the falsities of doctrine, by “sacrificing and burning incense under the oak, the poplar, and the terebinth;” the “top of the mountains” signifying celestial love, here the love of self; “hills” spiritual love, here, the love of the world; for the love of self is the contrary of celestial love, and the love of the world is the contrary of spiritual love; “the oak, the poplar, and the terebinth,” signify the lowest goods of truth and truths of good of the natural man, here the evils of falsity and the falsities of its evil; “because the shadow thereof is good” signifies complacence; the falsifications of spiritual good therefrom are signified by “therefore your daughters commit whoredom,” and the adulteration of celestial good by “your daughters-in-law commit adultery.”
sRef Jer@11 @17 S21′ sRef Jer@11 @13 S21′ [21] In Jeremiah:
[According to] the number of thy cities were thy gods, O Judah; and according to the number [of the streets] of Jerusalem have ye set up altars, altars to burn incense unto Baal (Jer. 11:13, 17).
“Cities” here do not mean cities, nor “gods” gods, nor the “streets of Jerusalem” streets there; but “cities” signify the doctrinals of falsity; “gods” the falsities themselves; and the streets of Jerusalem the falsities of the doctrine of the church. “To set up altars, altars to burn incense unto Baal,” signifies worship from the love of self and from the love of the world (as above). This nation did set up altars and burn incense to Baal; but as all things of their worship were representative, the things that were done according to the statutes were representative of things celestial and spiritual; consequently the things that were done contrary to the statutes were representative of things infernal; therefore by “altars set up to the gods,” and by “incense offered to Baal,” these contrary things are signified.
sRef Jer@1 @16 S22′ [22] In the same:
I will speak with them judgments upon all their evil, in that they have forsaken Me and have burned incense to other gods, and have bowed themselves down to the works of their own hands (Jer. 1:16).
“To burn incense to other gods,” and “to bow themselves down to the works of their own hands,” signifies worship from the falsities that are from self-intelligence; “other gods” meaning falsities, and the “works of their own hands” what is from self-intelligence.
sRef Jer@44 @21 S23′ sRef Jer@44 @25 S23′ sRef Hos@11 @2 S23′ sRef Jer@18 @15 S23′ sRef Jer@11 @12 S23′ sRef Jer@44 @18 S23′ sRef Jer@44 @19 S23′ sRef Jer@44 @17 S23′ sRef Jer@7 @9 S23′ [23] The like is signified by:
Burning incense to gods (Jer. 11:12; 44:3, 5, 8, 15, 18);
Likewise burning incense to graven images (Hos. 11:2);
And burning incense to vanity (Jer. 18:15);
The like as above is signified by burning incense to Baal (Jer. 7:9; Hos. 2:13);
Likewise by burning incense to Melecheth, or the queen of the heavens (Jer. 44:17-19, 21, 25).
“Melecheth of the heavens” signifies falsities in the whole complex.
[24] Moreover, “burning incense” signifies those things of worship that are perceived as grateful, and “incense” signifies spiritual good, because all things that were instituted in the Israelitish nation were representative of things celestial and spiritual; for the church with them was not as the church at this day, which is internal, but it was external; and the externals represented and thus signified the internal things of the church, such as were disclosed by the Lord in the Word of the New Testament; for this reason their church was called a representative church. The externals of that church consisted of such things in the world of nature as corresponded to the affections of good and truth in the spiritual world; consequently when those who were of that church were in externals in respect to worship, those who were in the spiritual world, that is, in heaven, were in the internals, and conjoined themselves with those who were in externals; it was in this way that heaven at that time made one with the men on the earth.
[25] From this it can be seen why there was a table for the bread in the tent of meeting, and why there was a lampstand with lamps, and an altar for incense. For “bread” represented and thence signified the good of love proceeding from the Lord, or celestial good; the “lampstand with lamps” represented and thence signified spiritual good and truth; and “incense” represented and thence signified worship; and because all Divine worship that is perceived as grateful is from spiritual good, therefore that good was signified by “incense.” In order that this gratification might be represented the incense was made from fragrant spices, and this also from correspondence; for fragrant odors correspond to the pleasantnesses and delights that are in the thoughts and perceptions from the joy of spiritual love. For this reason incense corresponded to such things as are received as grateful by the Lord and perceived as grateful by angels. This gratification is solely from spiritual good, or from the good of charity towards the neighbor; for this good is celestial good, which is the good of love to the Lord in effect; for celestial good, which is the good of love to the Lord, is brought into effect solely through spiritual good, which is the good of charity toward the neighbor; consequently to be in this good and to exercise it is to love and worship the Lord. (What charity toward the neighbor is, and what it is to exercise it, see in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 84-107.)
sRef Ex@30 @35 S26′ sRef Ex@30 @38 S26′ sRef Ex@30 @37 S26′ sRef Ex@30 @36 S26′ sRef Ex@30 @34 S26′ [26] As the “oil” by which anointings were made signified celestial good or the good of love to the Lord, and “incense” signified spiritual good, or the good of charity towards the neighbor, and as the latter is from the former (as was said above), therefore in Exodus (chapter 30) the preparation of the anointing oil is first treated of, and immediately afterwards the preparation of the incense; the preparation of the anointing oil from verse 23 to 33, and the preparation of the incense from verse 34 to 38. And as the incense-offering is here treated of I will quote what is there commanded regarding the preparation of incense, namely:
Take unto thee fragrant spices, stacte, onycha, and galbanum; fragrant spices and pure frankincense, like quantity with like quantity shall it be. And thou shalt make it an incense, a perfume the work of the perfumer, salted, pure, holy; and thou shalt beat some of it very small, and put of it before the Testimony of the Tent of meeting, where I will meet thee; it shall be unto you the holy of holies. And the incense that thou makest ye shall not make in its quality for yourselves; it shall be unto thee holy to Jehovah. The man who shall make like unto it to smell thereof shall be cut off from his peoples (Exod. 30:34-38).
(But what these particulars signify, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 10289-10310, where they are explained consecutively.) Here it may be said merely that frankincense was the primary ingredient, and the other three were added for the sake of their odor; therefore it is said of the frankincense, that “a like quantity with a like quantity it shall be,” or as much of one as of the other; in like manner as with the anointing oil, in which the oil of the olive was the primary ingredient, and the other things in it were significative (Exod. 30:23-33). From this it is clear why frankincense has the same signification as incense when compounded, namely spiritual good.
sRef Lev@26 @31 S27′ sRef Hos@14 @6 S27′ sRef Ezek@20 @41 S27′ sRef Lev@26 @27 S27′ [27] As the fragrances pertaining to odor correspond to spiritual pleasantnesses, or to the pleasantnesses arising from spiritual good, so also what is received by the Lord as most grateful is called an:
Odor of rest (Exod. 29:18, 25, 41; Lev. 1:9, 13, 17; 2:2, 9, 12; 3:5; 4:31; 6:15, 21; 8:28; 23:8, 13, 18; Num. 15:3; 28:6, 8, 13; 29:2, 6, 8, 13, 36).
In Ezekiel:
By the odor of rest I will be pleased with you (Ezek. 20:41).
In Moses:
If ye will not walk in My precepts, but will go contrary to Me, I will not smell the odor of your rest (Lev. 26:27, 31).
And in Hosea:
His branches shall spread, and he shall be as the honor of the olive, and his odor as that of Lebanon (Hos. 14:6).
This is said of Israel; “the honor of the olive” signifies celestial good, and “the odor of Lebanon” spiritual good, from its gratefulness. (That “honor” is predicated of celestial good, see above, n. 288; that the “olive” also signifies that good, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 9277, 10261; that “odor” signifies what is perceived as grateful according to the quality of love and faith, n. 1514-1519, 3577, 4624-4634, 4748, 5621, 10292; that the “odor of rest” signifies the perceptive of peace, n. 925, 10054; what this is see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 284-290.)

sRef Rev@5 @8 S0′ 325. Which are the prayers of the saints, signifies from which is worship. This is evident from the signification of the “prayers of the saints,” as being worship from spiritual good; “prayers,” in the internal sense, mean all things of worship; and “saints” things spiritual; for those who are in the Lord’s spiritual kingdom are called in the Word “saints” [or “holy”], and those who are in His celestial kingdom are called “righteous” [or “just”] (see above, n. 204). But in the internal sense of the Word by “saints” are not meant saints [holy men], but things holy, for the term “saints” involves persons, and in the internal sense everything of person is put off, for things solely make that sense (see above, n. 270); and that the angels, because they are spiritual, think abstractly from persons (see also above, n. 99, 100). This is what distinguishes the internal sense of the Word from its external sense, which is the sense of the letter; and as “saints” thus mean things holy, and “holy” in the Word means the Divine truth proceeding from the Lord, and making His spiritual kingdom (as may be seen above, n. 204), so by “saints” things spiritual are meant, and by the “prayers of the saints” worship from spiritual good. That worship from that good is meant by the “prayers of the saints” is evident from this, that it is said “they had golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints;” and “incense” signifies all things of worship that are from spiritual good (as was shown in the preceding paragraph); from which it follows that the “prayers of the saints” has a like signification.
sRef Ps@141 @5 S2′ sRef Ps@141 @4 S2′ sRef Ps@141 @2 S2′ sRef Ps@141 @3 S2′ sRef Ps@141 @1 S2′ [2] As also in David:
Give ear unto my voice when I call unto Thee. Let my prayers be received as incense before Thee; the lifting up of my hands as the evening meal-offering. Guard the door of my lips; let not my heart decline to evil, to do evil deeds in wickedness with the men who work iniquity; for still my prayers are in their evils (Ps. 141:1-5).
Here also “prayers” are called “incense,” and “the lifting up of the hands” is called a “meal-offering;” and this because “prayers” and “incense” have a similar signification, also “lifting up of the hands” and “meal-offering.” “Incense” signifies spiritual good, which is the good of charity towards the neighbor; and “meal-offering” signifies celestial good, which is the good of love to the Lord; thus both signifying worship. And as prayers are not from the mouth, but from the heart by the mouth, and all worship that is from the heart is from the good of love and charity, for the heart signifies that, so it is also said, “Guard the door of my lips; let not my heart decline to evil, to do evil deeds in wickedness.” And because David is lamenting that evils still have power against him, he says, “for still my prayers are in their evils.”
sRef Rev@8 @3 S3′ sRef Rev@8 @4 S3′ [3] That “prayers” have a similar meaning as “incense” is evident also from other passages in Revelation:
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. And the smoke of the incense with the prayers of the saints went up before God (Rev. 8:3-4).
As “prayers” and “incense” have here similar significance, namely, worship from spiritual good, it is said, “there was given unto him much incense, that he might offer it with the prayers of the saints;” likewise that “the smoke of the incense went up with the prayers of the saints unto God.” What is meant by worship from spiritual good shall first be explained, and afterwards that prayers signify such worship. Worship does not consist in prayers and in external devotion, but in a life of charity; prayers are only its externals, for they proceed from the man through his mouth, consequently men’s prayers are such as they themselves are in respect to life. It matters not that a man bears himself humbly, that he kneels and sighs when he prays; for these are externals, and unless externals proceed from internals they are only gestures and sounds without life. In each thing that a man utters there is affection, and every man, spirit, and angel is his own affection, for their affection is their life; it is the affection itself that speaks, and not the man without it; therefore such as the affection is such is the praying. Spiritual affection is what is called charity towards the neighbor; to be in that affection is true worship; praying is what proceeds. From this it can be seen that the essential of worship is the life of charity, and that its instrumental is gesture and praying; or that the primary of worship is a life of charity, and its secondary is praying. From this it is clear that those who place all Divine worship in oral piety, and not in practical piety, err greatly.
[4] Practical piety is to act in every work and in every duty from sincerity and right, and from justice and equity, and this because it is commanded by the Lord in the Word; for thus man in his every work looks to heaven and to the Lord, and thus is conjoined with Him. But to act sincerely and rightly, justly and equitably, solely from fear of the law, of the loss of fame or of honor and gain, and to think nothing of the Divine law, of the commandments of the Word, and of the Lord, and yet to pray devoutly in the churches, is external piety; however holy this may appear, it is not piety, but it is either hypocrisy, or something put on derived from habit, or a kind of persuasion from a false belief that Divine worship consists merely in this; for such a man does not look to heaven and to the Lord with the heart, but only with the eyes; the heart looking to self and to the world, and the mouth speaking from the habit of the body only and its memory; by this man is conjoined to the world and not to heaven, and to self and not to the Lord. From this it can be seen what piety is, and what Divine worship is, and that practical piety is worship itself. On this see also what is said in the work on Heaven and Hell, (n. 222, 224, 358-360, 528-530); and in Doctrine of the New Jerusalem (n. 123-129), where also are these words:
Piety is to think and speak piously; to spend much time in prayer; to bear oneself humbly at such times; to frequent churches, and listen devoutly to discourses there; to observe the sacrament of the Supper frequently every year, and likewise the other services of worship according to the appointments of the church. But a life of charity is to will well and do well to the neighbor; to act in every work from justice and equity, from good and truth, and also in every duty; in a word, the life of charity consists in performing uses. Divine worship consists primarily in such a life, and secondarily in a life of piety; he, therefore, who separates the one from the other, that is, who lives a life of piety and not at the same time a life of charity, does not worship God. For a life of piety is valuable so far as a life of charity is joined with it; for the life of charity is the primary thing, and such as this is, such is the life of piety (n. 124, 128).
[5] That the Lord insinuates heaven into man’s practical piety, but not into oral or external piety separate therefrom, has been testified to me by much experience. For I have seen many who placed all worship in oral and outward piety, while in their actual life they gave no thought to the Lord’s commandments in the Word, believing that what is sincere and right, just and equitable, must be done not from regard to religion, thus from a spiritual motive, but merely from regard to civil law and also to moral law, that they might appear sincere and just for the sake of reputation, and this for the sake of honor and gain, believing that this would take them into heaven before others. According to their belief, therefore, they were raised up into heaven; but when the angels perceived that they worshiped God with the mouth only, and not with the heart, and that their external piety did not proceed from practical piety, which is of the life, they cast them down; afterwards these became associated with those who were in a life like their own, and were there deprived of their piety and sanctity, since these were interiorly defiled by evils of life. From this also it was made clear, that Divine worship consists primarily in a life of charity and secondarily in external piety.
sRef Matt@6 @8 S6′ sRef Matt@6 @7 S6′ [6] As Divine worship itself consists primarily in the life, and not in prayers, the Lord said, that in praying there should not be much speaking and repetition, in the following words:
In praying, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do; for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Do not make yourselves, therefore, like them (Matt. 6:7-8).
Now as Divine worship itself consists primarily in a life of charity, and secondarily in prayers, by “prayers,” in the spiritual sense of the Word, worship from spiritual good, that is, from the life of charity, is meant, for that which is primary is what is meant in the spiritual sense, while the sense of the letter consists of things secondary, which are effects, and which correspond.
sRef Luke@21 @36 S7′ [7] Prayers are mentioned, moreover, in many passages of the Word; but as prayers proceed from the heart, and a man’s heart is such as is his life of love and charity, so “prayers,” in the spiritual sense, mean that life and worship from it, as in the following. In Luke:
Be ye wakeful at every season, praying that ye may be accounted worthy to escape the things that are to come, and so stand before the Son of man (Luke 21:36; Mark 13:33).
“To be wakeful at every season” signifies to procure to oneself spiritual life (see above, n. 187); therefore praying is also mentioned, because “praying” is an effect of that life, or its external, which is of avail so far as it proceeds from the life, for these two are one like soul and body, and like internal and external.
sRef Mark@11 @24 S8′ sRef Mark@11 @25 S8′ [8] In Mark:
Jesus said, All things that ye ask for, praying, believe that ye are to receive, and then it shall be done for you. But when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have aught against any (Mark 11:24-25).
Here, also, in the spiritual sense, by “praying,” “asking for,” and “supplicating,” a life of love and charity is meant; for to those who are in a life of love and charity it is given from the Lord what they are to ask; therefore they ask nothing but what is good, and that is done for them; and as faith also is from the Lord, it is said, “believe that ye are to receive;” and as prayers proceed from a life of charity, and are according to it, in order that it may be done according to the prayers, it is said, “When ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have aught against any.”
sRef Matt@5 @23 S9′ sRef Matt@5 @24 S9′ [9] “When ye stand praying” signifies when in Divine worship, as is clear also from this, that the like as is here said of those who pray is said also of those who offer a gift upon the altar, in Matthew:
If thou offer a gift upon the altar, and rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee, leave the gift before the altar, and first be reconciled to thy brother, and then coming offer the gift (Matt. 5:23-24).
“Offering a gift upon the altar” signifies all Divine worship, for the reason that Divine worship with that nation consisted chiefly in offering burnt-offerings and sacrifices, by which therefore all things of worship were signified (see The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 214, 221). From this it can be seen that “praying,” or “supplicating,” and “offering a gift upon the altar,” have a like meaning, namely, worship from the good of love and charity.
sRef Matt@21 @13 S10′ [10] In the same:
Jesus said, It is written, My house shall be called a house of prayer, but ye have made it a den of robbers (Matt. 21:13; Mark 11:17; Luke 19:46).
The Lord’s “house” signifies the church, and “prayers” worship therein; and a “den of robbers” the profanation of the church and of worship; and from this contrary sense it is also evident that prayers signify worship from the good of love and charity.
sRef Ps@66 @17 S11′ sRef Ps@66 @19 S11′ sRef Ps@66 @18 S11′ [11] In David:
I cried unto God with my mouth. If I had regarded iniquity in my heart the Lord would not have heard; but God hath heard; He hath attended to the voice of my prayer (Ps. 66:17-19).
Since prayers are such as the man’s heart is, and thus are not prayers of any worship when the heart is evil, it is said, “If I had regarded iniquity in my heart the Lord would not have heard,” which signifies that He would not receive such worship. Man’s “heart” is his love, and man’s love is his very life, consequently a man’s prayers are such as his love is, that is, such as his life is; from which it follows that “prayers” signify the life of his love and charity, or that this life is meant by “prayers” in the spiritual sense.
[12] Many more passages might be cited; but as man does not know that his life and his prayers make one, and therefore does not perceive otherwise than that “prayers” where they are mentioned in the Word mean merely prayers, these passages will be omitted here. Moreover, when man is in a life of charity he is constantly praying, if not with the mouth yet with the heart; for that which is of the love is constantly in the thought, even when man is unconscious of it (according to what is said in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 55-57); from which also it is clear that “praying” in the spiritual sense is worship from love. But those who place piety in prayers and not in the life have no relish for this truth, in fact their thought is contrary to it; such do not even know what practical piety is.

sRef Rev@5 @9 S0′ 326. Verse 9. And they were singing a new song, signifies acknowledgment and confession from joy of heart. This is evident from the signification of a “song,” as meaning acknowledgment and confession from joy of heart, here acknowledgment and confession that the Lord in respect to the Divine Human has all power in the heavens and on earth. Confession respecting this is meant because this is what is here treated of. “To sing a song” signifies confession from joy of heart, because joy of heart, when it is in fullness, expresses itself in song, this it does because when the heart, and in consequence the thought also, is full of joy, it pours itself forth in singing, the joy of the heart itself through the sound of the singing, and the joy of the thought therefrom through the song. The kind of joy of the thought is expressed by the words of the song, which concur and agree with the matter that is in the thought from the heart; the kind of joy of the heart is expressed by the harmony, and the measure of this joy is expressed by the exaltation of the sound and the words in it. All these flow as if spontaneously from the joy itself, and for the reason that the whole heaven is formed according to the affections of good and truth, the highest heaven according to the affections of good, and the middle heaven according to the affections of truth; it is therefore formed also for joys, for every joy is from an affection, or from love; from this it is that in all angelic discourse there is a kind of harmony. (But these things can be more clearly known and concluded by what is said and shown in the work on Heaven and Hell, namely, that the thoughts and affections of angels go forth according to the form of heaven, n. 200-212, and 265-275; therefore that there is a kind of harmony in their speech, n. 242; also that the sound of the speech of angels corresponds to their affections; and the articulations of sound, which are the words, correspond to the ideas of thought, which are from the affection, n. 236, 241; also in Arcana Coelestia, 1648, 1649, 2595, 2596, 3350, 5182, 8115.) From this it is clear that harmony in song, and also the power of musical art to express the various kinds of affections and to adapt itself to its themes, are from the spiritual world, and not from the natural as is believed (see also concerning this in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 241).
[2] For this reason many kinds of musical instruments were used in sacred worship with the Jewish and Israelitish nation, some of which had relation to the affections of celestial good, and some to the affections of spiritual good, and to the joys therefrom, respecting what was to be proclaimed. Stringed instruments had relation to the affections of spiritual good, and wind instruments to the affections of celestial good; to these was added the singing of songs, which gave form to the agreements of things with the sounds of affections. Such were all the psalms of David, therefore they are called psalms, from playing [psallere], and also songs. This makes clear why the four animals and twenty-four elders are said to have had harps, and also to have sung this song.
sRef Isa@12 @1 S3′ sRef Isa@12 @2 S3′ sRef Isa@12 @3 S3′ sRef Isa@12 @6 S3′ sRef Isa@12 @4 S3′ sRef Isa@12 @5 S3′ [3] That “singing” and “singing a song” signify acknowledgment and confession from joy of heart is evident from the following passages. In Isaiah:
In that day thou shalt say, I will confess to Jehovah; O God of my salvation, I will trust, I will not dread; for Jah Jehovah is my strength and psalm, He is become my salvation. Then shall ye draw waters from the fountains of salvation. And in that day shall ye say, Confess ye to Jehovah, call upon His name, sing psalms unto Jehovah. Break forth and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion, for great in the midst of thee is the Holy One of Israel (Isa. 12:1-6).
This describes confession from joy of heart because of the Lord’s coming and His Divine power to save the human race. Confession is plainly meant, for it is first said, “I will confess to Jehovah,” and again afterwards, “Confess ye to Jehovah.” Confession that the Lord from His Divine power is about to save mankind is described by these words, “O God of my salvation, I will trust, I will not dread, for He is my strength, He is become my salvation. Then ye shall draw waters from the fountains of salvation in that day; great in the midst of thee is the Holy One of Israel;” “in that day” means when the Lord is to come; “the Holy One of Israel” is the Lord; consequent joy, which is the joy of confession, is described by “sing psalms unto Jehovah, break forth and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion;” “inhabitant” and “daughter of Zion” are the church where the Lord is worshiped; “Jah is my psalm” signifies here celebration and glorification of the Lord.
sRef Isa@42 @10 S4′ sRef Isa@42 @11 S4′ [4] In the same:
Sing unto Jehovah a new song, His praise, O end of the earth. Let the wilderness and the cities thereof lift up their voice; let the inhabitants of the cliff sing aloud, let them shout from the top of the mountains (Isa. 42:10-11).
This also treats of the Lord’s coming and the establishment of the church with those who were outside of the church, that is, with those where the Word was not, and the Lord was not before known. “To sing a new song” signifies confession from joy of heart; “sing praise, O end of the earth,” signifies confession of those who are remote from the church, “end of the earth” meaning where that which pertains to the church ceases to be, “earth” meaning the church; “the wilderness and the cities thereof that shall lift up the voice,” signify those with whom there is no good because there is no truth, and yet they desire it; “the inhabitants of the cliff” signify the good of faith pertaining to them; “the top of the mountains” signifies the good of love pertaining to them; “to sing” and “to shout” signify consequent confession from joy of mind and heart.
sRef Isa@51 @3 S5′ [5] In the same:
Jehovah will comfort Zion; He will comfort all her desolations, and He will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of Jehovah; joy and gladness will be found therein, confession and the voice of a psalm (Isa. 51:3; 52:8-9).
This also treats of the Lord’s coming and the establishment of the church, which at that time was laid waste or destroyed. “Zion” signifies the church where the Lord is to be worshiped; “her desolations” signify a lack of truth and good from an absence of knowledges; “to make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of Jehovah” signifies that they shall have truth and good in abundance; “wilderness” is predicated of the absence of good, and “desert” of the absence of truth; “Eden” signifies good in abundance, and the “garden of Jehovah” signifies truth in abundance. As “psalm” and “song” signify confession from joy of heart, it is said, “joy and gladness therein, confession and the voice of a psalm,” “voice of a psalm” meaning song.
sRef Lam@5 @15 S6′ sRef Lam@5 @14 S6′ [6] In Lamentations:
The elders have ceased from the gate, the young men from singing; the joy of our heart hath ceased (Lam. 5:14-15).
“The elders have ceased from the gate” signifies that those who are in truths from good, or in an abstract sense truths from good by which there is admission into the church, are no more; “the young men have ceased from singing” signifies that truths themselves are deprived of their spiritual affection, and thence of their joy; and because this is signified it is said, “the joy of our heart hath ceased.”
sRef Ezek@26 @13 S7′ [7] In Ezekiel:
I will cause the tumult of thy songs to cease, and the voice of harps shall be no more heard (Ezek. 26:13).
“The tumult of songs” signifies the joys of confessions; “the voice of harps” signifies gladness from spiritual truths and goods.
sRef Ps@28 @7 S8′ [8] In David:
Jehovah is my strength, and I am helped; my heart triumphs, and with my song will I confess to Him (Ps. 28:7).
Because “song” signifies confession from joy of heart, it is said “my heart triumphs, and with my song will I confess to Him.”
sRef Ps@33 @2 S9′ sRef Ps@33 @3 S9′ sRef Ps@33 @1 S9′ [9] In the same:
Sing aloud, ye righteous in Jehovah. Confess to Jehovah with the harp, sing psalms unto Him with the psaltery of ten strings. Sing unto Him a new song, play well with a loud noise (Ps. 33:1-3).
As joy of heart is both from celestial love and from spiritual love, it is said, “Sing aloud, ye righteous, in Jehovah, confess to Jehovah with the harp; sing psalms to Him with a psaltery of ten strings;” “sing aloud, ye righteous,” is predicated of those who are in celestial love; “Confess on the harp, and sing psalms with the psaltery,” of those who are in spiritual love. That those who are in celestial love are called “righteous” see above (n. 204), and that “harp” and “psaltery” are predicated of those who are in spiritual good (n. 323); and as “singing” means confession from the joy arising from these loves, it is said, “Confess to Jehovah,” “Sing unto Him a new song.” The exaltation of joy from its fullness is signified by “play well with a loud noise.”
sRef Ps@69 @30 S10′ sRef Ps@7 @17 S10′ sRef Ps@105 @1 S10′ sRef Ps@57 @7 S10′ sRef Ps@57 @8 S10′ sRef Ps@42 @4 S10′ sRef Ps@57 @9 S10′ sRef Ps@105 @2 S10′ [10] In the same:
I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify Him by confession (Ps. 69:30).
In the same:
When I shall have gone with them to the house of God, with the voice of jubilee and confession, the multitude keeping a festival (Ps. 42:4).
In the same:
Confess ye to Jehovah, call upon His name. Sing unto Him, sing psalms unto Him (Ps. 105:1-2; 149:1).
In the same:
I will confess to Jehovah according to His righteousness, and I will sing psalms unto the name of Jehovah most high (Ps. 7:17).
In the same:
My heart is prepared, O God; I will sing, and sing psalms. Awake thee, my glory; awake thee, psaltery and harp. I will confess unto Thee, O Lord, among the nations; I will sing psalms unto Thee among the peoples (Ps. 57:7-9).
Because “to sing a song” signifies confession from joy of heart, in these passages two expressions are used, “to confess and to sing,” “confession and song,” “voice of singing and voice of confession.”
sRef Ps@98 @1 S11′ sRef Ps@96 @12 S11′ sRef Ps@98 @6 S11′ sRef Isa@42 @10 S11′ sRef Ps@98 @7 S11′ sRef Isa@44 @23 S11′ sRef Ps@98 @4 S11′ sRef Ps@98 @5 S11′ sRef Isa@42 @11 S11′ sRef Ps@96 @2 S11′ sRef Ps@149 @2 S11′ sRef Ps@96 @1 S11′ sRef Ps@149 @3 S11′ sRef Ps@96 @11 S11′ sRef Ps@149 @1 S11′ sRef Ps@98 @8 S11′ [11] Where the Lord’s coming is treated of, the expression “a new song” is used, and it is said that earth, sea, field, forest, trees, Lebanon, wilderness, and many other things, should “rejoice” and “exult,” as in the following. In David:
O sing unto Jehovah a new song. Make a loud noise unto Jehovah, all the earth; break forth, shout for joy, and sing psalms with the harp and the voice of a psalm; with trumpets, and with the sound of a cornet, make a loud noise before the King, Jehovah. Let the sea and the fullness thereof thunder; the world and they that dwell therein. Let the rivers clap their hands; let the mountains be joyful together (Ps. 98:1, 4-8).
In the same:
O sing unto Jehovah a new song; sing unto Jehovah, all the earth. Sing unto Jehovah, bless His name; proclaim His salvation from day to day. The Heavens shall be glad, and the earth shall exult; the sea shall be moved, and all the fullness thereof; the field shall triumph, and all that is therein; then shall all the trees of the forest sing aloud (Ps. 96:1-2, 11-12).
In the same:
Sing unto Jehovah a new song, His praise in the assembly of the saints. Let Israel be glad in his makers, the sons of Zion in their King. Let them praise his name in the dance; let them sing psalms unto Him with timbrel and harp (Ps. 149:1-3).
In Isaiah:
Sing unto Jehovah a new song; His praise, O end of the earth. Let the wilderness and the cities thereof lift up the voice (Isa. 42:10-11).
In the same:
Sing, O ye heavens, for Jehovah hath done it; shout for joy, ye lower parts of the earth; break forth into singing, ye mountains, O forest and every tree therein; for Jehovah hath redeemed Jacob, and hath shown Himself glorious in Israel (Isa. 44:23; 49:13).
Here the Lord, His coming, and salvation through Him are treated of; and because these things were about to take place it is said, “a new song.” The joy on this account is described not only by “singing,” “singing psalms,” “breaking forth,” “being joyful,” “clapping the hands,” but also by various musical instruments of accordant sounds; also that the rivers, the sea, the field, the forests, the trees therein, Lebanon, the wilderness, the mountains, and many other things, should “rejoice together,” “exult,” “sing,” “shout for joy,” “clap the hands,” and “cry aloud,” together. Like things are predicated of these objects because they signify such things as are of the church, and therefore such things as are with the man of the church; “rivers” the things that are of intelligence; “sea” the things of knowledge [scientiae] that are in agreement with truths and goods; “field” the good of the church; “forests” the truths of the natural man; “trees” knowledges; “Lebanon” spiritual truth and good; “wilderness” a desire for truth that good may be gained, and “mountains” the goods of love. All these things are said “to sing,” “to break forth,” “to shout for joy,” “to cry aloud,” and “to clap the hands,” when they are from heaven, for then heavenly joy is in them, and through them in man; for man is not in heavenly joy unless the things in him, which are truths and goods, are from heaven; from these is joy of heart that is truly joy, and from these is the joy of the man with whom they are. From this it can be seen why the like is said of these things as of man, namely, because joy is in them, and with man through them. Such joy is in every spiritual and celestial good, and therefrom with those with whom these goods are; for heaven flows in with its joy, that is, the Lord through heaven, into the goods and thence into their truths that are from Him in man, and through these into the man, but not into the man who is destitute or devoid of them. These goods and the truths therefrom are what “exult,” “shout for joy,” “break forth,” “sing,” “sing psalms,” that is, are glad because of the influx from heaven, and from these the heart of man is glad also.
sRef Ps@68 @25 S12′ sRef Ps@68 @24 S12′ sRef Ps@150 @5 S12′ sRef Ps@150 @4 S12′ sRef Ps@68 @26 S12′ sRef Ps@47 @7 S12′ sRef Ps@150 @3 S12′ sRef Ps@47 @6 S12′ sRef Ps@47 @1 S12′ sRef Ps@47 @5 S12′ [12] As there are various affections of good and truth, and each expresses itself by an appropriate sound, so in the Word, especially in David, various kinds of instruments are mentioned, which signify corresponding affections. One who knows the internal sense of the Word, and also the sounds of the instruments there named, can know what affection is there signified and described. The angels know this from the mere mention of the instruments when a man is reading the Word, and also from the matter described there in its own words. Thus, for example, in David:
Clap your hands, all ye peoples; shout unto God with the voice of a song. God is gone up with a shout, Jehovah with the voice of a trumpet. Sing psalms unto God, sing psalms unto our King, for God is King of all the earth; sing ye psalms with understanding (Ps. 47:1, 5-7).
They have seen Thy goings, O God, the goings of my God. The singers went before, the minstrels after, in the midst of maidens playing with timbrels (Ps. 68:24, 25).
In the same:
Shout with joy unto God our strength; shout unto the God of Jacob. Lift up a psalm, and strike the timbrel, the pleasant harp with the psaltery. Sound with the trumpet in the new moon (Ps. 81:1-3).
In the same:
Praise God with the sound of the trumpet, with the psaltery and harp, with the timbrel and dance, with stringed instruments and the organ, with cymbals of soft sound, with cymbals of loud sound (Ps. 150:1, 3-5).
All the instruments here mentioned signify affections, each its own, and this from the correspondence of their sound; for the affections are what produce the varieties of sounds with men, consequently from the sounds also the affections are known, as was said above in this article.
[13] I will add to this an arcanum: the angels who constitute in heaven the Lord’s celestial kingdom, when man is reading the Word, draw from his affection alone the internal sense of it, which affection arises from the sound of the words in the original tongue; but the angels who are in the Lord’s spiritual kingdom draw the internal sense from the truths that the words contain; therefore the man who is in spiritual affection has from the celestial kingdom joy of heart, and from the spiritual kingdom confession from that joy. The sounds of the musical instruments that are here mentioned elevate the affection, and the truths give form to it. That this is so is well known to those skilled in the art of music. For this reason the Psalms of David are called “psalms,” from psallere [to play]; they are also called “songs” from singing; for they were played and sung with the accompanying sounds of various instruments. That they were called “psalms” by David is known, as most of them are so inscribed. Those that are called songs are the following, Ps. 18:1; 33:1, 3; 45:1; 46:1; 48:1; 65:1; 66:1; 67:1; 68:1; 75:1; 76:1; [83:1;] 87:1; 88:1; 92:1; 96:1; 98:1; 108:1; 120:1; 121:1; 122:1; 123:1; 124:1; 125:1; 126:1; 127:1; 128:1; 129:1; 130:1; 131:1; 132:1; 133:1; 134:1. Many other passages might be cited from the Word respecting singing and song, and it might be shown that they signify confessions from joy of heart, but they are omitted because of their number; those already referred to are sufficient.

sRef Rev@5 @9 S0′ 327. Saying, Worthy art Thou to open* the book and to loose the seals thereof, signifies that the Lord from the Divine Human has omnipotence and omniscience. This is evident from all that precedes; for the subject treated of up to this point is that the Lord from the Divine Human has omnipotence and omniscience, and that judgment, therefore, belongs to Him. That this is meant by “worthy art Thou to open the book and to loose the seals thereof” is clear from the series of the things explained from the beginning of this chapter to the present verse, which I will here present in their order, as follows: “I saw in the right hand of Him that sat upon the throne,” signifies the Lord in respect to omnipotence and omniscience (n. 297); “a book written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals,” signifies the states of the life of all in heaven and on earth altogether hidden (n. 299, 300); “I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a great voice, Who is worthy to open the book and to loose the seals thereof?” signifies exploration whether there is anyone such that he may know and perceive the state of the life of all (n. 302, 303); “no one was able, in heaven nor upon the earth nor under the earth, to open the book,” signifies that no one from himself can do this at all (n. 304); “behold the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath overcome to open the book and to loose the seven seals thereof,” signifies the Lord [as able to do this] because from His own power He subjugated the hells and reduced all things in the heavens to order, and this by Divine good united to Divine truth in His Human (n. 309, 310); “I saw a Lamb standing, having seven horns and seven eyes,” signifies the Lord in respect to the Divine Human, that from it He has omnipotence and omniscience (n. 314, 316, 317); “and He came and took the book out of the right hand of Him that sat upon the throne,” signifies that these things are from His Divine Human (n. 319). From this it is now clear that here “worthy art Thou to take the book and to loose the seals thereof,” signifies that the Lord from the Divine Human has omnipotence and omniscience.
* The photolithograph has “take.”

sRef Rev@5 @9 S0′ 328. For thou wast slain, and didst redeem us to God in Thy blood, signifies the separation of all from the Divine, and the conjunction with the Divine by the acknowledgment of the Lord, and by the reception of Divine truth from Him. This is evident from the signification of “being slain,” as being, in reference to the Lord, the separation of all from the Divine, for “to be slain” signifies in the Word to be spiritually slain, that is, to perish by evils and falsities (see above, n. 315); and because the Lord with such is not, for He is denied, therefore “being slain” signifies, in reference to the Lord, not acknowledged (as above, n. 315) and also denied; and when the Lord is denied He is as it were slain with such as deny, and by the denial they are separated from the Divine; for such as deny the Lord, that is, His Divine, separate themselves altogether from the Divine. For the Lord is the God of the universe, and He is one with the Father, and the Father is in Him and He in the Father, and no one cometh to the Father but by Him, as the Lord Himself teaches; consequently those in the church who do not acknowledge His Divine, and still more those who in heart deny it, are altogether separated from the Divine.
[2] Denying the Divine is here meant by slaying Him with themselves. In the internal sense of the Word the same is meant by “crucifying the Lord” (see above, n. 83, 195); for the Jews, with whom the church then was, denied that he was the Christ, and thereby separated themselves from the Divine and therefore they gave Him up to death, or crucified Him. Moreover, at this day those who deny His Divine do the same; it is therefore frequently said by preachers that those who lead an evil life and blaspheme the Lord crucify Him with themselves. This, therefore, is what is here signified by “Thou wast slain.” This is evident also from the signification of “thou didst redeem us to God in Thy blood,” as being that He conjoined us to the Divine by the acknowledgment of Him, and by the reception of Divine truth from Him; for “to redeem” signifies to liberate from hell, and thereby to appropriate men to Himself, and thus enjoin them to the Divine, as will be seen from the passages in the Word in which “to redeem” and “redemption” are mentioned, which will be quoted below. The “blood of the Lord” signifies Divine truth proceeding from Him; and because man by the reception of Divine truth from the Lord is liberated from hell and conjoined to Him, therefore “Thou didst redeem us to God in Thy blood” signifies conjunction with the Divine by the reception of the Divine truth from the Lord.
[3] That this sense lies hidden in these words no one can see who abides in the mere sense of the letter, for in that sense nothing else can be seen except that “Thou wast slain” means that He was crucified and “Thou didst redeem us in Thy blood” means that He has reconciled us to His Father by the passion of the cross. Because this meaning is the meaning of the letter, and because it has hitherto been unknown that in the particulars of the Word there is an internal sense which is spiritual, from that sense, namely, the sense of the letter, it has been made a doctrine of the church that the Divine Itself which they call the Father cast away from Him the whole human race, and that the Lord by the passion of the cross made reconciliation, and that thus those for whom He intercedes are saved. Who that has any illumination of understanding cannot see that this doctrinal is contrary to the Divine Itself? For the Divine Itself never casts away any man from Him for He loves all, and therefore desires the salvation of all. It is also contrary to the Divine Itself to be reconciled by the shedding of blood, and to be brought back to mercy by beholding the passion of the cross which His own Son sustained, and from this to have mercy, and not from Himself. Although this doctrine is so contrary to the Divine essence, yet to believe this is called essential faith or justifying faith.
[4] Again, who can think from enlightened reason that the sins of the whole world were transferred to the Lord, and that the sins of anyone who merely has that faith are thereby taken away? But although this is the doctrine of those who never think beyond the sense of the letter, yet the angels who are with men have no perception of these things according to that sense, but according to the spiritual sense, for they are spiritual and therefore think spiritually and not naturally. To angels, “redeeming man in His blood” means liberating man from hell, and thus claiming and conjoining man to Himself by the acknowledgment of Him, and by the reception of Divine truth from Him. Moreover, the church may know that this is so; for it may know that no one is conjoined to the Divine by blood, but by the reception of the Divine truth, and the application of it to the life.
[5] Liberation from hell by the Lord was accomplished by His assuming the Human, and through it subjugating the hells, and reducing to order all things in the heavens, which could have been done in no way except by the Human; for the Divine operates from firsts through ultimates, thus from Himself through the things that are from Himself in ultimates, which are in the Human. This is the operation of Divine power in heaven and in the world. (On this see some things above, n. 41; also in Heaven and Hell, n. 315; and in Arcana Coelestia, n. 5897, 6239, 6451, 6465, 8603, 9215, 9216, 9824, 9828, 9836, 10044, 10099, 10329, 10335, 10548.)
Liberation from hell by the Lord was also accomplished by His glorifying His Human, that is, making it Divine; for thus and not otherwise could He hold the hells in subjection forever; and as the subjugation of the hells and the glorification of His Human was accomplished by means of temptations admitted into his Human, His passion of the cross was His last temptation and complete victory. That “He bore the sins of all” signifies that He admitted into Himself all the hells when He was tempted, for from the hells all sins or evils ascend, and enter into man and are in him; therefore the Lord’s “bearing sins” signifies that He admitted the hells into Himself when tempted; and His “taking away sins” means that He subjugated the hells, in order that evils may no more rise up from them, with those who acknowledge the Lord and receive Him, that is, who receive in faith and life the Divine truth proceeding from Him, and who are thus conjoined to the Lord.
It was said that “Thou didst redeem us to God in Thy blood” signifies conjunction with the Divine by the acknowledgment of the Lord, and the reception of Divine truth from Him; and as the church is founded on this, I will state briefly how conjunction is thereby effected.
[6] The primary thing is to acknowledge the Lord, to acknowledge His Divine in the Human, and His omnipotence to save the human race; for by that acknowledgment man is conjoined to the Divine, since there is no Divine except in Him; for the Father is there; for the Father is in Him, and He in the Father, as the Lord Himself teaches; consequently they who look to another Divine near Him, or at His side, as those are wont to do who pray to the Father to have mercy for the sake of the Son, turn aside from the way and worship a Divine elsewhere than in Him. Moreover, they then give no thought to the Divine of the Lord, but only to the Human, when yet these cannot be separated; for the Divine and the Human are not two, but a single person, conjoined like soul and body, according to the doctrine received by the churches from the Athanasian Creed. Therefore to acknowledge the Divine in the Lord’s Human, or the Divine Human, is the primary thing of the church, by which there is conjunction; and because it is the primary it is also the first thing of the church. It is because this is the first thing of the church, that the Lord, when He was in the world, so often said to those whom He healed, “Believest thou that I can do this?” and when they answered that they believed, He said, “Be it done according to thy faith.” This He so often said that they might believe, in the first place, that from His Divine Human He had Divine omnipotence, for without that belief the church could not be begun, and without that belief they could not have been conjoined with the Divine, but must have been separated from it, and thus would not have been able to receive anything good from him.
[7] Afterwards the Lord taught how they were to be saved, namely, by receiving Divine truth from Him; and truth is received when it is applied to the life and implanted in it by doing it; therefore the Lord so often said that they should do His words. From this it can be seen that these two things, namely, believing in the Lord and doing His words, make one, and can by no means be separated; for he who does not do the Lord’s words does not believe in Him; so also he who thinks that he believes in Him and does not do His words does not believe in Him, for the Lord is in His words, that is, in His truths, and by them He gives faith to man. From these few things it can be known that conjunction with the Divine is effected through the acknowledgment of the Lord and the reception of Divine truth from Him. This, therefore, is what is signified by “the Lamb redeeming us to God in His blood.” That “the Lamb” signifies the Lord in respect to the Divine Human, see above (n. 314). (On this more may be seen in Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 293-297, and in the quotations from Arcana Coelestia, n. 300-306, as also at the end of that work, where the Lord is particularly treated of.)
That “blood” signifies the Divine truth proceeding from the Lord, and “salvation by His blood” signifies by the reception of Divine truth from Him, will be explained in the following article.
sRef Isa@63 @4 S8′ sRef Isa@63 @1 S8′ sRef Isa@63 @9 S8′ [8] That “to redeem” signifies to deliver and to make free, and, in reference to the Lord, to deliver and free from hell, and thus to set apart and conjoin to Himself, can be seen from the following passages. In Isaiah:
Who is this that cometh from Edom, walking in the multitude of his power? I that speak in righteousness, great to save. For the day of vengeance is in My heart, and the year of My redeemed hath come. In all their straitness He was in straitness and the angel of His faces saved them; because of His love and His pity He redeemed them; and He took them up and carried them all the days of eternity (Isa. 63:1, 4, 9).
This treats of the Lord and His temptation-combats, by which He subjugated the hells. “Edom from which He cometh” signifies His Human, so also does “the angel of His faces.” His Divine power from which He fought is signified by “walking in the multitude of His power;” the casting down into hell of those who rose up against Him and the elevation of the good into heaven is meant by “righteousness,” thus by these words, “I that speak in righteousness, great to save. For the day of vengeance is in my heart, and the year of my redeemed hath come.” His Divine love from which He did these things is described by “In all their straitness He was in straitness, and the angel of His faces saved them; because of His love and His pity He redeemed them; and He took them up and carried them all the days of eternity.” From this it is clear that “the redeemed” and “those whom He redeemed” signify those whom He rescued from the fury of those who are from hell, and whom he saved.
sRef Isa@43 @1 S9′ [9] In the same:
Thus hath said 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 (Isa. 43:1).
That “to redeem” signifies to free from hell, and to set apart and conjoin to Himself so that they may be His, is clear, for it is said, “I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine;” because this is effected through reformation and regeneration by the Lord, therefore it is said, “Jehovah thy Creator, O Jacob, and thy Former, O Israel.” He is called Creator because “to create” in the Word signifies to regenerate (see above, n. 294). “Jacob” and “Israel” signify those who are of the church, and are in truths from good.
sRef Isa@62 @11 S10′ sRef Isa@62 @12 S10′ [10] In the same:
Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh; behold, His reward is with Him, and the wages of His work are before Him. And they shall call them a people of holiness, the redeemed of Jehovah (Isa. 62:11-12).
This also treats of the Lord’s coming, and the establishment of a church by Him. “Daughter of Zion” signifies the church which is in love to the Lord; His coming is meant by “Behold, thy salvation cometh; behold, His reward is with Him, and the wages of His work are before Him;” those who are reformed and regenerated by Him are meant by “the redeemed of Jehovah.”
sRef Isa@35 @9 S11′ sRef Isa@35 @10 S11′ [11] These are called the “redeemed” because they have been freed from evils by regeneration, and are set apart by the Lord and are conjoined to Him. In the same:
No lion shall be there, and the ravenous of the wild beasts shall not be found therein; but the redeemed shall go; and the ransomed of Jehovah shall return, and come to Zion with singing, and the gladness of eternity shall be upon their head (Isa. 35:9-10).
This also treats of the Lord’s coming, and the salvation of those who suffer themselves to be regenerated by the Lord. That with such there shall not be falsity destroying truth nor evil destroying good, is signified by “No lion shall be there, and the ravenous of the wild beasts shall not be found therein;” that such are delivered from evils and freed from falsities is signified by “the redeemed shall go; so shall the ransomed of Jehovah return;” their eternal happiness is signified by “they shall come to Zion with singing, and the gladness of eternity shall be upon their head,” “Zion” meaning the church. What “singing” signifies see just above (n. 326). There are two, words in the original by which “to redeem” is expressed, one signifying deliverance from evils, the other liberation from falsities; these two words are used here; thus it is said, “the redeemed shall go,” and “the ransomed of Jehovah shall return.” (These two words are also used in Hosea 13:14; and in David, Ps. 69:18; 107:2.)
sRef Ps@49 @15 S12′ [12] “To redeem” signifies to deliver from evils and to free from falsities, and also to deliver and free from hell, because all evils and falsities with man arise out of hell; and since the Lord removes these by reformation and regeneration, reformation and regeneration also are signified by “to redeem” or “redemption,” as in the following passages.
sRef Ps@103 @4 S13′ sRef Ps@44 @26 S13′ sRef Hos@13 @14 S13′ sRef Jer@15 @21 S13′ sRef Ps@107 @2 S13′ sRef Jer@15 @20 S13′ sRef Ps@103 @1 S13′ sRef Ps@69 @18 S13′ [13] In David:
Rise up as a help to us, and ransom us for Thy mercy’s sake (Ps. 44:26);
to “ransom” here meaning to free and to reform. In the same:
God hath ransomed my soul from the hand of hell; and He will accept me (Ps. 49:15).
“To ransom from the hand of hell” means to free; “to accept me” means to set apart and to conjoin to Himself, or to make His own, as servants sold and redeemed. In Hosea:
Out of the hand of hell will I ransom them; I will redeem them from death (Hos. 13:14).
“To redeem” meaning to deliver and free from damnation. In David:
Bless Jehovah, O my soul, who hath redeemed thy life from the pit (Ps. 103:1, 4).
“To redeem from the pit” means to free from damnation; “the pit” meaning damnation. In the same:
Draw nigh unto my soul, redeem it, and because of my enemies ransom me (Ps. 69:18).
“To draw nigh to the soul” signifies to conjoin it to Himself; “to redeem it” signifies to deliver from evils; “because of my enemies ransom me” signifies to free from falsities, “enemies” meaning falsities. In the same:
Let the redeemed of Jehovah say, whom He hath redeemed out of the hand of the distressing enemy (Ps. 107:2).
“The redeemed of Jehovah” means those who are delivered from evil; “whom He hath redeemed out of the hand of the distressing enemy” means those whom He has freed from falsities. In Jeremiah:
I am with thee, to save thee and to rescue thee; and I will rescue thee out of the hand of the evil, and I will ransom thee out of the hand of the violent (Jer. 15:20-21).
“To ransom out of the hand of the violent” means to free from falsities that offer violence to the good of charity; the “violent” signifying such falsities, consequently those also who are in them.
sRef Ps@25 @21 S14′ sRef Ps@130 @7 S14′ sRef Ps@130 @8 S14′ sRef Ps@55 @17 S14′ sRef Ps@55 @18 S14′ sRef Ps@71 @23 S14′ sRef Ps@25 @22 S14′ sRef Isa@50 @2 S14′ sRef Ps@71 @22 S14′ [14] In David:
Let Israel hope in Jehovah, for with Jehovah there is mercy, and in Him is much ransom, and He shall ransom Israel out of all his iniquities (Ps. 130:7-8).
“Ransom” means liberation; “Israel” the church; and to reform those who are of the church and free them from falsities is signified by “He shall ransom Israel out of all his iniquities.” In the same:
Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I have waited for thee. Ransom Israel, O God, out of all his distresses (Ps. 25:21-22).
“To ransom Israel out of distresses” means here also to free those who are of the church from falsities, which straiten. In Isaiah:
Is My hand shortened, that there is no ransoming? or is there no power in Me to rescue? (Isa. 50:2).
That “ransoming” means liberation is evident, for it is said also, “Is My hand shortened, or is there no power in Me to rescue.” In David:
God shall hear my voice; He shall ransom my soul in peace (Ps. 55:17-18);
“to ransom” here means to free. In the same:
Unto Thee will I sing psalms with the harp, Thou Holy One of Israel. My lips shall praise; and my soul, which Thou hast ransomed (Ps. 71:22-23).
“To ransom the soul” means to free from falsities; for “soul” in the Word signifies the life of faith, and “heart” the life of love; therefore “to ransom the soul” signifies to free from falsities and to give the life of faith.
sRef Ps@31 @5 S15′ sRef Ps@72 @14 S15′ sRef Ps@26 @10 S15′ sRef Ps@26 @11 S15′ sRef Ps@72 @15 S15′ sRef Ps@119 @134 S15′ [15] In the same:
Ransom me from the oppression of man, that I may keep Thy precepts (Ps. 119:134).
“To ransom from the oppression of man” signifies to free from the falsities of evil, for “man” signifies the spiritual affection of truth and wisdom therefrom, and in the contrary sense, as here, the lust of falsity and insanity therefrom; the “oppression of man” signifies the destruction of truth by falsities. In the same:
Into Thine hand I will commend my spirit; Thou hast ransomed me, O Jehovah, God of truth (Ps. 31:5);
“to ransom” means to free from falsities and to reform by means of truths; and because this is signified by “ransom” it is said, “O Jehovah, God of truth.” In the same:
Crime is in the hands of sinners, and their right hand is full of a bribe. But as for me, I walk in mine integrity; ransom me, and be merciful unto me (Ps. 26:10-11);
“to ransom” meaning to free from falsities and to reform. In the same:
He shall redeem their soul from fraud and violence; and precious shall their blood be in His eyes. And he shall live, and to him shall He give of the gold of Sheba; and He shall pray for him continually; all the day shall He bless them (Ps. 72:14-15).
The “needy” are here treated of, by whom those are signified who desire truths from spiritual affection; of these it is said that “He shall redeem their soul from fraud and violence,” which signifies liberation from falsities and evils that destroy the goods of love and the truths of faith; the reception of Divine truth by them is signified by “precious shall their blood be in His eyes;” their reformation is described “he shall live, and to him shall He give of the gold of Sheba; and He shall pray for him continually; all the day shall He bless him;” “the gold of Sheba” is the good of charity; “to pray for him continually” signifies that they shall constantly be withheld from falsities and kept in truths; and “all the day shall He bless him” signifies that they shall constantly be in the good of charity and faith, for this is a Divine benediction; while to withhold from falsities and to keep in truths is “to pray for him continually.”
sRef Isa@52 @4 S16′ sRef Isa@52 @3 S16′ [16] In Isaiah:
Thus said Jehovah, For nought ye have been sold, and not by silver shall ye be redeemed. My people went down into Egypt to sojourn there, but Assyria oppressed them for nought (Isa. 52:3-4).
This treats of the desolation of truths by knowledges and by the reasonings of the natural man from them; for “My people went down into Egypt to sojourn there” signifies the instruction of the natural man in knowledges and cognitions of truth; “Egypt” signifies knowledges and also cognitions, but such as are from the sense of the letter of the Word; and “to sojourn” signifies to be instructed; “Assyria oppressed them for nought” signifies the falsification of knowledges by the reasonings of the natural man; “Assyria” signifying reasonings, and “to oppress for nought” falsifications, for falsities are nought because there is nothing of truth in them. Knowledges are thus falsified when the natural man separate from the spiritual forms conclusions; this is why it is said, “For nought ye have been sold, and not by silver shall ye be redeemed;” “for nought to be sold” signifies from self or from the selfhood to alienate oneself from falsities and renounce them; and “not by silver to be redeemed” signifies that one cannot be delivered by means of truth from the falsities of evil; “silver” signifying truth, and “to be redeemed” signifying to be delivered from the falsities of evil and to be reformed.
sRef Zech@10 @10 S17′ sRef Zech@10 @8 S17′ sRef Zech@10 @9 S17′ [17] In Zechariah:
I will bring them together, because I will ransom them; and then shall they be multiplied; I will sow them among the peoples; and I will bring them back out of the land, and will bring them together out of Assyria; and I will lead them to the land of Gilead and to Lebanon (Zech. 10:8-10).
This treats of the restoration of the church, and reformation by means of truth from good; and “I will bring them together, because I will ransom them” signifies the dispersion of falsities and reformation by means of truths; therefore it is said, “they shall be multiplied, and I will sow them among the peoples,” which signifies the multiplication and insemination of truth from good; “to bring them back out of the land of Egypt, and to bring them together out of Assyria” signifies (as above) to withdraw them from the falsifying of truth that they are in by their reasonings from knowledges; “to lead them to the land of Gilead and to Lebanon” signifies to the good of the church, which is the good of charity, and to the good and truth of faith; the former is “the land of Gilead” and the latter “Lebanon.”
sRef Ex@15 @13 S18′ sRef Deut@9 @28 S18′ sRef Deut@9 @29 S18′ sRef Deut@9 @26 S18′ sRef Deut@9 @27 S18′ sRef Ex@6 @6 S18′ sRef Micah@6 @4 S18′ [18] From this it can be seen what is signified in the spiritual sense by Jehovah’s “leading the people out of Egypt” and “ransoming them,” as in Moses:
I will rescue you from bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched-out arm, and with great judgments (Exod. 6:6).
I led you out of Egypt with a stretched-out arm, and I ransomed you out of the house of bondmen (Deut. 7:8; 9:26-29; 13:5; 15:15; 24:18).
Thou in Thy mercy hast led Thy people whom Thou hast redeemed; Thou hast guided them in the strength of Thy hand to the habitation of Thy holiness (Exod. 15:13).
And in Micah:
I made thee to go up out of the land of Egypt, and ransomed thee out of the house of bondage (Micah 6:4).
This means in the sense of the letter that they were led by the Divine power out of Egypt, where they had been made bondmen; but in the internal or spiritual sense no such thing is meant, but it means that those who are of the church, that is, those that are reformed by the Lord by means of truths and a life according to them, are delivered and freed from evils and from the falsities thence, for these are the things that make man a bondsman; this is the spiritual sense of these words, and in this sense are the angels when man is in the sense of the letter.
sRef Ex@8 @23 S19′ sRef Matt@16 @26 S19′ sRef Ps@111 @9 S19′ [19] Moreover, by “redemption” the angels understand deliverance from evils and liberation from falsities in the following passages. In Moses:
I will put a ransom between My people and Pharaoh’s people (Exod. 8:23).
In David:
He hath sent a ransom unto His people; He hath commanded His covenant for ever; holy and fearful is His name (Ps. 111:9).
In Matthew:
What is a man profited if he shall gain the whole world, but shall cause the loss of his soul? or what price shall a man give sufficient for the redemption of his soul? (Matt. 16:26; Mark 8:36-37);
“redemption” here meaning deliverance from damnation.
sRef Isa@49 @7 S20′ sRef Isa@60 @16 S20′ sRef Isa@47 @4 S20′ sRef Isa@49 @26 S20′ sRef Isa@41 @14 S20′ [20] From this it can be seen what the Lord’s redeeming mankind signifies, namely, that He delivered and freed them from hell and from the evils and falsities that continually rise up therefrom and bring man into condemnation, and that He continually delivers them and frees them. This deliverance and liberation was effected by His subjugating the hells; and the continual deliverance and liberation by His glorifying His Human, that is, making it Divine, for thereby He keeps the hells continually subjugated; this, therefore is what is signified by His redeeming man, and by His being called in the Word “Redeemer,” as in the following passages. In Isaiah:
Fear not, thou worm of Jacob, and ye mortals of Israel; I am He that helpeth thee, and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel (Isa. 41:14).
Thus said Jehovah, the Redeemer of Israel, His Holy One, because of Jehovah who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who hath chosen thee (Isa. 49:7).
Our Redeemer is Jehovah of Hosts, His name the Holy One of Israel (Isa. 47:4).
Thus said Jehovah your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel (Isa. 43:14).
That all flesh may know that I Jehovah am thy Savior and thy Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob (Isa. 49:26).
That thou mayest know that I Jehovah am thy Savior and thy Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob (Isa. 60:16).
By the “Holy One of Israel,” and the “Mighty One of Jacob,” who is here called “Redeemer,” is meant the Lord in respect to the Divine Human, and by “Jehovah” is meant His Divine Itself. The Lord in respect to His Divine Human is called “the Holy One of Israel,” and “the Mighty One of Jacob,” and the “Strong One of Jacob,” because “Israel” and “Jacob” signify the church, thus those who are regenerated and reformed, that is, redeemed by the Lord, for these alone are of the church, that is, constitute the church of the Lord.
sRef Luke@1 @33 S21′ sRef Luke@1 @35 S21′ sRef Luke@1 @32 S21′ sRef Luke@1 @31 S21′ sRef Luke@1 @30 S21′ [21] That the Lord’s Divine Human is what is called “the Holy One” is evident in Luke:
The angel said unto Mary, The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee; therefore the Holy Thing born of thee shall be called the Son of God (Luke 1:35).
And that the Lord in respect to the Divine Human is “the Strong One of Jacob,” and the “Mighty One of Jacob;” in the same:
The angel said unto Mary, Behold, thou shalt conceive in the womb, and bring forth a Son. He shall be great, and He shall reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there shall be no end (Luke 1:30-33).
“The house of Jacob” evidently means the Lord’s church, not the Jewish nation.
sRef Isa@48 @17 S22′ sRef Matt@20 @28 S22′ sRef Isa@63 @16 S22′ sRef Isa@54 @5 S22′ sRef Jer@50 @34 S22′ sRef Ps@19 @14 S22′ [22] Because the Lord’s Human was equally Divine with His Divine Itself that took on the Human, Jehovah is called “the Redeemer” in the following passages. In Isaiah:
Thus said Jehovah thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, I am Jehovah thy God (Isa. 48:17).
Jehovah of Hosts is His name; and thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel the God of the whole earth shall He be called (Isa. 54:5).
In David:
O Jehovah, my* Rock and my Redeemer (Ps. 19:14).
In Jeremiah:
Their Redeemer is strong; Jehovah of Hosts is His name (Jer. 50:34).
In Isaiah:
Thou, O Jehovah, art our Father, our Redeemer; from everlasting is Thy** name (Isa. 63:16).
From this it can now be seen how this saying of the Lord is to be understood:
The Son of man came to give His soul a redemption for many (Matt. 20:28; Mark 10:45);
namely, that they might be delivered and freed from hell; for the passion of the cross was the last combat and complete victory by which He subjugated the hells, and by which He glorified His Human (see The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 293-297, 300-306).

sRef Rev@5 @9 S0′ sRef Ex@12 @22 S1′ sRef Ex@12 @23 S1′ sRef Ex@12 @13 S1′ sRef Ex@12 @7 S1′ 329. Since it is said, “thou didst redeem us to God in thy blood,” and since this is understood within the church entirely according to the sense of the letter, and not according to any spiritual sense, I will also show that “blood” does not mean blood, or the Lord’s suffering on the cross, but Divine truth proceeding from the Lord, and the reception of it by man; thus that “thou didst redeem us in Thy blood” means that He has delivered and freed from hell those who acknowledge Him, and receive Divine truth from Him (as was said above, n. 328). In illustration of this matter I will cite the following. Because all things that were commanded in the Israelitish Church were representative of things celestial and spiritual, and not the least thing was not so, it was also commanded, when the paschal supper was first instituted:
That they shall take of the blood, and put it on the two side posts and on the lintel upon the houses wherein they shall eat [the paschal lamb]; and the blood shall be for you for a sign upon the houses where ye are; and when I see the blood I will pass over you, nor shall there be a plague upon you from the destroyer when I shall smite the land of Egypt. And further: Ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and shall touch the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the basin; and not a man of you shall go out of the entrance of his house until the morning. And Jehovah will pass through to smite Egypt; and when he shall see the blood upon the lintel and upon the two side posts, Jehovah will pass over the door, and will not suffer the smiter to come into your houses to strike you (Exod. 12:7, 13, 22-23).
He who does not know that there is a spiritual sense in the Word believes that “blood” here signifies the Lord’s blood upon the cross; but this is not at all the meaning in heaven; but to the angels there the paschal supper here described has a like meaning as the holy supper instituted by the Lord, in which, in place of the paschal lamb, there are the bread and the wine; and the Lord then said that the bread was His flesh and the wine was His blood; and everyone knows, or may know, that bread and wine are what nourish the body, bread as food and wine as drink, and that in the Word, which in its bosom is spiritual, these things also must be spiritually understood, “bread” standing for all spiritual food, and “wine” for all spiritual drink.
[2] Spiritual food is all the good that is communicated and given to man by the Lord, and spiritual drink is all the truth that is communicated and given to man by the Lord. These two, namely, good and truth, or love and faith, make man spiritual; it is said, or love and faith, because all good is of love, and all truth is of faith. From this it can be seen that “bread” means the Divine good of the Lord’s Divine love, and in reference to man, this good received by him; also that “wine” means the Divine truth that proceeds from the Divine good of the Lord’s Divine love, and in reference to man, this truth received by him. Since the Lord says that His flesh is bread, and His blood is wine, it can be seen that “the Lord’s flesh” means the Divine good of His Divine love, and “to eat” it means to receive it, and make it one’s own, and thus to be conjoined to the Lord; and that “the Lord’s blood” means the Divine truth that proceeds from the Divine good of His Divine love, and that “drinking” it means to receive that truth and make it one’s own, and thus be conjoined to the Lord.
[3] Again, spiritual nourishment is from the good and truth that proceed from the Lord, as all nourishment of the body is from food and drink; their correspondence also is from this, which is such that where anything of food, or that serves for food, is mentioned in the Word, good is meant, and where anything of drink, or that serves for drink, is mentioned, truth is meant. From this it can be seen that the “blood” from the Paschal Lamb, which the sons of Israel were commanded to put upon the two side posts and upon the lintel of their houses, means Divine truth proceeding from the Lord; this, when received in faith and life, protects man against the evils that rise up out of hell; for in His Divine truth the Lord is with man, for this is the Lord’s own with man, yea, it is Himself with man. Who that thinks from sound reason cannot see that the Lord is with a man not in His blood, but in His Divine, which is the good of love and the good of faith received by man. (But what the particulars here signify, namely, “the two side posts” and “the lintel,” “the destroyer” and “smiter,” and “Egypt,” and many other things in this chapter, can be seen in Arcana Coelestia, where they are explained.)
sRef Matt@26 @28 S4′ sRef Matt@26 @26 S4′ sRef Matt@26 @27 S4′ sRef Matt@26 @29 S4′ [4] From what has now been said, without further explanation, the significance of the Lord’s words when He instituted the Holy Supper is evident:
As they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed, broke, and gave to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is My body. And He took the cup, and having given thanks, He gave to them, saying, Drink of it, all of you; for this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many. I say unto you that I will not drink henceforth of this product of the vine until that day when I shall drink it with you in the kingdom of God (Matt. 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:15-20).
As “wine” means Divine truth nourishing the spiritual life, therefore the Lord says to them, “I say unto you that I will not drink henceforth of this product of the vine until that day when I shall drink it with you new in the kingdom of God,” which shows clearly that something spiritual is meant, for He says that “He is to drink with them,” and “in the kingdom of God,” or in heaven, and also that “He is to eat” with them of the Paschal Lamb there (Luke 22:16).
sRef John@6 @54 S5′ sRef John@6 @56 S5′ sRef John@6 @52 S5′ sRef John@6 @50 S5′ sRef John@6 @51 S5′ sRef John@6 @58 S5′ sRef John@6 @55 S5′ sRef John@6 @53 S5′ sRef John@6 @57 S5′ [5] What has now been said also makes clear what is signified by these words of the Lord:
The bread that I will give is My flesh. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink His blood, ye have not life in you. He that eateth My flesh and drinketh My blood hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is truly food, and My blood is truly drink. He that eateth My flesh and drinketh My blood abideth in Me, and I in him. This is the bread that cometh down out of heaven (John 6:51-58).
That the Lord’s “flesh” is Divine good, and His “blood” Divine truth, both of them from Him, can be seen from this, that these are what nourish the soul; it is therefore said, “My flesh is truly food, and My blood is truly drink.” And as a man is conjoined to the Lord by Divine good and truth, therefore it is further said, “He that eateth My flesh and drinketh My blood shall have eternal life, and he abideth in Me and I in him.” The Lord spoke in this way, namely, saying His “flesh” and His “blood,” and not His Divine good and His Divine truth, in order that the sense of the letter of the Word might be made up of such things as correspond to things spiritual, in which the angels are; thus and in no other way could there be, by means of the Word, a conjunction of the men of the church with the angels (see Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 252, 258-262; and Heaven and Hell, n. 303-310).
sRef Ex@24 @10 S6′ sRef Matt@26 @27 S6′ sRef Ex@24 @6 S6′ sRef Ex@24 @7 S6′ sRef Ex@24 @3 S6′ sRef Ex@24 @4 S6′ sRef Ex@24 @5 S6′ sRef Ex@24 @8 S6′ sRef Matt@26 @28 S6′ sRef Ex@24 @9 S6′ [6] Since “blood” signifies the Divine truth proceeding from the Lord, and conjunction with the Lord is effected by man’s reception of it, therefore blood is called “the blood of the covenant,” for “covenant” signifies conjunction. Blood is called “the blood of the covenant” by the Lord when He instituted the Holy Supper, for He said:
Drink of it, all of you; for this is My blood of the new covenant [or testament] (Matt. 26:27, 28; Mark 14:24; Luke 22:20).
It is also called “the blood of the covenant” in Moses, where is the following:
Moses came from Mount Sinai, and told the people all the words of Jehovah, and all the judgments. And Moses wrote all the words of Jehovah, and rose up early in the morning, and built an altar under the mount. And he sent young men of the sons of Israel, and they offered up burnt-offerings, and sacrificed bullocks as peace-offerings unto Jehovah. And Moses took half of the blood and put it in basins; and half of the blood he sprinkled on the altar. And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the ears of the people; and they said, All that Jehovah hath spoken will we do and hear. And he took the blood and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant that Jehovah hath concluded with you upon all these words. And they saw the God of Israel, and under His feet as it were a work of sapphire stone, and as the substance of the heavens for purity (Exod. 24:3-11).
That “blood” here signifies Divine truth proceeding from the Lord and received by man, and conjunction therefrom, is evident, for half of it was sprinkled on the altar and half on the people; for the “altar” signified all worship that is from the good of love, and the “people” those who offer worship and receive the good of love by means of truths; for all reception of Divine good is effected by truths made truths of life, and consequent conjunction is by means of the good in such truths. That there is conjunction by means of the good in such truths, that is, by means of truths made truths of life, and that “blood” was a representative thereof, is very clear from the words there, for this was done when Moses descended from Mount Sinai, from which the law was promulgated, and also the statutes and judgments that were to be observed; and it is said that “Moses wrote all these words of Jehovah, and read them in the ears of the people,” who said, “All that Jehovah hath spoken will we do and hear,” which words they said twice (see verses 3 and 7).
[7] Words or truths become truths of life by doing; and as Moses wrote these words, he called them, “The Book of the Covenant,” which signifies that there is conjunction by means of them. The law promulgated by Jehovah from Mount Sinai, and the statutes and judgments that were also commanded at that time, signified all Divine truth, or the Divine truth in its whole complex. This is why they are called “the Book of the Covenant,” and why the ark in which was that book is called “The Ark of the Covenant,” “covenant” signifying conjunction. Because Divine truth, by which there is conjunction, proceeds from the Lord, the Lord appeared to the people “under the feet as it were a work of sapphire stone;” that He so appeared “under the feet” signifying that Divine truth is such in ultimates. Divine truth in ultimates is Divine truth in the sense of the letter of the Word; “work of sapphire stone” signifies the translucence of this sense from Divine truth in the internal or spiritual sense; “the God of Israel” is the Lord. (That “sapphire stone” signifies translucence from internal truths, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 9407; and that “the God of Israel” is the Lord in respect to the Divine Human, see above, n. 328.) From this it is now clear that a “covenant” or conjunction is effected by means of Divine truth, and that the blood sprinkled on the altar and half of it on the people was a representative of it, since “blood” signifies Divine truth proceeding from the Lord and received by man, as was said above. (That “covenant” signifies conjunction, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 665, 666, 1023, 1038, 1864, 1996, 2003, 2021, 6804, 8767, 8778, 9396, 10632. That the law in a strict sense means the ten commandments of the Decalogue, and in a broad sense, the whole Word, thus all Divine truth, n. 2606, 3382, 6752, 7463, 9417. That from this “Mount Sinai” signifies heaven where the Lord is, from whom is Divine truth, or from whom is the law, both in the strict and the broad sense, n. 8399, 8753, 8793, 8805, 9420; and that the altar was the principal representative of the Lord, and of the worship from the good of love, n. 921, 2777, 2811, 4489, 4541, 8935, 8940, 9388-9389, 9714, 9963-9964, 10123, 10151, 10242, 10245, 10642.)
sRef Ex@29 @21 S8′ sRef Ex@30 @10 S8′ sRef Lev@1 @11 S8′ sRef Lev@1 @5 S8′ sRef Lev@1 @15 S8′ sRef Lev@4 @6 S8′ sRef Lev@4 @17 S8′ sRef Ex@29 @12 S8′ sRef Lev@16 @13 S8′ sRef Lev@4 @7 S8′ sRef Ex@29 @16 S8′ sRef Lev@16 @15 S8′ sRef Lev@16 @14 S8′ sRef Lev@16 @12 S8′ sRef Lev@4 @18 S8′ [8] Since “blood” signifies Divine truth proceeding from the Lord and received by man, from which is conjunction, therefore all things that were representative of things Divine proceeding from the Lord which are called celestial and spiritual were inaugurated by oil and by blood, and were then called holy. They were inaugurated by oil and blood that they might be representative, because “oil” signified the Divine good of the Divine love, and “blood” the Divine truth proceeding therefrom, for truth proceeds from good. That inaugurations and sanctifications were made by means of oil will be seen in what follows, where they are treated of in their paragraph. Here let some things in which blood was used be mentioned, as:
When Aaron and his sons were to be sanctified, blood was sprinkled upon the horns of the altar, and round about the altar, and upon Aaron and his sons, and upon their garments (Exod. 29:12, 16, 20-21; Lev. 8:24).
Blood was sprinkled seven times before the veil that was over the ark, and upon the horns of the altar of incense (Lev. 4:6-7, 17-18).
Before Aaron entered within the veil to the mercy-seat, he should sacrifice and burn incense, and should sprinkle the blood with the finger seven times upon the mercy-seat eastward (Lev. 16:12-15).
The blood of the burnt-offering and of the sacrifice should be sprinkled upon the altar, around the altar, and at the base of the altar (Lev. 1:5, 11, 15; 3:2, 8, 13; 4:25, 30, 34; 5:9; 8:15, 24; 17:6; Num. 18:17; Deut. 12:27).
The blood should be sprinkled upon the horns of the altar and thus expiation should be made for the altar (Exod 30:10; Lev. 16:18-19).
Blood from the burnt-offerings and sacrifices was sprinkled and poured out upon the altar, around the altar, or at its base, because the altar with the burnt-offerings and sacrifices upon it represented and thence signified all worship from the good of love and the truths therefrom; and as truths proceed from good, therefore the blood was sprinkled on and poured out around the altar, for “around” signifies proceeding.
[9] (But these things can be better seen from what has been shown respecting burnt offerings and sacrifices in the Arcana Coelestia, as follows: “burnt-offerings” and “sacrifices” signified all things of worship from the good of love, and the truths therefrom, n. 923, 6905, 8680, 8936, 10042. Therefore burnt-offerings and sacrifices were called bread, n. 2165, because “bread” signifies everything that nourishes the spiritual life, n. 2165, 3478, 4976, 5147, 5915, 6118, 8410, 8418, 9323, 10686. Burnt-offerings and sacrifices signified celestial Divine and spiritual Divine things, which are the internals of the church, from which are all things of worship, n. 2180, 2805, 2807, 2830, 3519; with a difference according to the differences of worship, n. 2805, 6905, 8936. Therefore there were many kinds of burnt-offerings and sacrifices, and in them various processes and consisting also of various animals, n. 2830, 9391, 9990. The various things they specially signified can be known from the particulars of the procedure unfolded by the internal sense, n. 10042. The rituals and procedures of the sacrifices contain arcana of heaven, n. 10057. In general they contain the arcana of the glorification of the Lord’s Human, and in a relative sense, the arcana of man’s regeneration and his purification from evils and falsities, n. 9990, 10022, 10042, 10053, 19057. What was signified by the “meal-offerings,” which were bread and cakes, which were also sacrificed, n. 10079; what by the “drink-offering,” which was wine, n. 4581, 10137.)
sRef Ezek@39 @17 S10′ sRef Ezek@39 @29 S10′ sRef Ezek@39 @20 S10′ sRef Ezek@39 @19 S10′ sRef Ezek@39 @21 S10′ sRef Ezek@39 @18 S10′ sRef Ezek@39 @22 S10′ [10] When these things are understood it can be known that “the blood of the sacrifice” in other places also in the Word signifies Divine truth, as in Ezekiel:
Say to the bird of every wing and to the beast of the field, Come together and come; gather yourselves from round about to My sacrifice that I do sacrifice for you, a great sacrifice upon the mountains of Israel; that ye may eat flesh and drink blood. Ye shall eat the flesh of the mighty and drink the blood of the princes of the earth. And ye shall eat fat to satiety, and drink blood to drunkenness, of My sacrifice which I sacrifice for you. And ye shall be satiated at My table with horse, with chariot, with every man of war. So will I give My glory among the nations (Ezek. 39:17-21).
This treats of the restoration of the church; and “Israel” and “Jacob” mean all who are of the church, respecting whom these things therefore are said; “a great sacrifice upon the mountains of Israel” signifies all things of their worship; “flesh” and “fat” signify the good of love, and “blood” the truth from that good; worship is from these; an abundance of both is described by their “eating flesh and fat to satiety,” and “drinking blood to drunkenness,” and this “of the sacrifice;” it is therefore further said, “Ye shall be satiated at My table with horse, chariot, and every man of war,” for “horse” signifies the understanding of truth, “chariot” doctrine, and the “man of war” truth fighting against falsity and destroying it. Who cannot see that “blood” here does not mean blood, as that they “should drink the blood of the princes of the earth,” and “drink blood even to drunkenness, of the sacrifice?” “The princes of the earth” signify the principal truths of the church; therefore their “blood” signifies spiritual nourishment from those truths. Because such things are signified, therefore it is also said, at the end of this chapter, respecting Israel, by whom the church is signified:
Then will I not hide My faces any more from them; for I will pour out My spirit upon Israel (Ezek. 39:29).
It is said, “Say to the bird of every wing and to the beast of the field,” because “bird of every wing” signifies spiritual truth in the whole complex, and “beast of the field” the affection of good. (That “birds” in the Word signify things spiritual, n. 745, 776, 866, 988, 991, 3219, 5149, 7441; likewise “wings,” n. 8764, 9514; that “beasts” signify affections, and “beasts of the field” the affections of good, n. 2180, 3218, 3519, 5198, 9090, 9280, 10609; and that both birds and beasts were for this reason used in sacrifices, n. 1823, 3519, 7523, 9280.)
sRef Hos@2 @18 S11′ sRef Hos@2 @19 S11′ sRef Hos@2 @20 S11′ [11] In confirmation that the “beast of the field” and “bird” signify such things, I will quote here one passage only from the Word:
In that day I will make a covenant for them with the beast of the field, and with the bird of the heavens, and with the creeping thing of the earth; and I will break the bow and the sword and war from the earth. And I will betroth thee unto Me for ever; and I will betroth thee unto Me in justice and in judgment, and in mercy and in compassions, and I will betroth thee unto Me in truth (Hos. 2:18-20).
“To make a covenant with the beast of the field and with the bird of the heavens” signifies with the affections of good and with spiritual truths, for with these the Lord is conjoined to man, since the Lord is in these with man; therefore it is called “a covenant” with them, “covenant” meaning conjunction. That “beasts” signify the affections of good, and “birds” things spiritual, will be fully shown in their paragraphs in what follows.
[12] Because “fat” in sacrifices signified Divine good, and “blood” Divine truth, both from the Lord, and because by both when received by man conjunction was effected, therefore the posterity of Jacob, that is, the Jews and Israelites, were forbidden to eat any fat or any blood (see Lev. 3:17; 7:23-27; 17:11-14; Deut. 12:17, 23-25; 15:23). This was because that nation was not in any good of love, nor in any truth of good, but in the falsities of evil; and “to eat fat and blood” signified with them the mingling of truth from good with the falsity from evil, which is profanation; from which also it can be seen that “blood” signifies Divine truth. (That “fat” or “fatness” in the Word signifies the good of love, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 353, 5943, 6409, 10033; and that the Jews and Israelites were solely in things external and not in things internal, and consequently not in spiritual truths and good, but in the falsities of evil; and that all things of their worship were external separated from what is internal, and that still by things external they could represent the internal things of worship, see in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 248.)
sRef Ex@23 @18 S13′ [13] Because “blood” in the sacrifices signified Divine truth, therefore also:
They were forbidden to sacrifice the blood of the sacrifice upon what was leavened (Exod. 23:18; 34:25);
for “leaven” signifies falsity, and “what was leavened” truth falsified (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2342, 7906, 8051, 9992).
[14] The Lord’s “flesh” signifies the Divine good of the Divine love, and His “blood” signifies the Divine truth proceeding from that good, because there are two things that proceed from the Lord’s Divine Human, namely, Divine good and Divine truth, the latter is His blood, and the former His flesh. That which proceeds is the celestial Divine and the spiritual Divine; and these constitute the heavens in general and in particular. (But this can be seen better from what has been shown in the work on Heaven and Hell, under the following heads. The Divine of the Lord makes Heaven, n. 7-12; the Divine of the Lord in Heaven is Love to Him and Charity towards the Neighbor, n. 13-19; The Whole Heaven, therefore, as a Whole and in Its Parts, answers to One Man, n. 59-77; This is from the Lord’s Divine Human, n 78-87. and further from what is said of The Sun in Heaven, and Light and Heat therefrom, and that Heat is the Divine Good, and Light Divine Truth, both proceeding from the Lord, n. 116-140.) From this it can in some measure be comprehended why the Divine proceeding is meant by the “flesh and blood,” that is, the Divine good by “flesh,” and the Divine truth by “blood.”
sRef Matt@16 @17 S15′ [15] With man also there are two things that constitute his spiritual life, namely the good of love and the truth of faith. With him the will is the receptacle of the good of love, and the understanding is the receptacle of the truth of faith. All things belonging to the mind, that is, belonging to the will and understanding, have a correspondence with all things belonging to the body, consequently the latter are moved at the nod of the former. In general, the correspondence of the will is with the flesh, and the correspondence of the understanding with the blood; consequently the voluntary that is man’s own [proprium voluntarium] is meant in the Word by “flesh,” and the intellectual that is his own [proprium intellectuale] by “blood,” as in Matthew:
Jesus said to Simon, blessed art thou, for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee (Matt. 16:17).
These things are mentioned that it may be known that in the Word things voluntary and intellectual, that is, spiritual things, are meant by “flesh and blood” when man is referred to, and things Divine when the Lord is referred to. But these things are for those whose minds can be elevated above natural ideas and can see causes.
sRef John@19 @35 S16′ sRef John@19 @34 S16′ [16] This also is what is signified by the “blood and water” that issued out of the Lord’s breast; which is described as follows in John:
One of the soldiers pierced His side, and straightway there came out blood and water. And he that saw beareth witness, and his witness is true; he knoweth that he saith true things, that ye also may believe (John 19:34-35).
These things were done to signify the Lord’s conjunction with the human race through Divine truth proceeding from the Divine good of His love; “breast” signifies Divine love; “blood and water” signify Divine truth proceeding, “blood” the Divine truth that is for the spiritual man, and “water” the Divine truth that is for the natural man; for all things that are related in the Word respecting the Lord’s passion are also significative (see above, n. 83, 195 at end). And because these things signify His love, and man’s salvation by means of Divine truth proceeding from Him, therefore the evangelist adds, “He that saw beareth witness, and his witness is true; he knoweth that he saith true things, that ye also may believe.”
sRef Zech@9 @9 S17′ sRef Zech@9 @10 S17′ sRef Zech@9 @11 S17′ [17] To what has already been mentioned I will add the following from the Word. In Zechariah:
Exult exceedingly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem; behold, thy King cometh. And He shall speak peace unto the Gentiles; and His dominion shall be from sea even to sea, and from the river even to the uttermost parts of the earth. As for thee also, by the blood of thy covenant I will send forth thy bound ones out of the pit wherein is no water (Zech. 9:9-11).
This is said of the Lord, and of the establishment of the church by Him among the nations; “the blood of the covenant” here meaning Divine truth, by means of which there is conjunction of the Lord with those who are to be of His church (as above); it is therefore further said, “I will send forth thy bound ones out of the pit wherein is no water,” for by these the nations that are in falsities from ignorance are signified; “the pit wherein is no water” signifying where there is no truth, and “sending them forth” signifying to free them from falsities. That “water” signifies the truth of the church, see above (n. 71); and that “the bound in the pit” signifies those who are in falsities from ignorance, and yet in a desire to know truths, see Arcana Coelestia (n. 4728, 4744, 5038, 6854, 7950).
sRef Ps@72 @16 S18′ sRef Ps@72 @14 S18′ sRef Ps@72 @15 S18′ sRef Ps@72 @13 S18′ [18] In David:
God shall save the souls of the needy; He shall redeem their soul from fraud and violence; and precious shall their blood be in His eyes. And he shall live, and to him shall He give of the gold of Sheba, and shall pray for him continually; all the day shall He bless him. Upon the top of the mountains his fruit shall be shaken (Ps. 72:13-16);
this treats of the “needy,” by whom those who desire truths from spiritual affection are signified; of these it is said, that “He shall redeem their soul from fraud and violence,” which signifies their liberation from evils and falsities, which destroy the goods of love and the truths of faith. The reception of Divine truth by them as being acceptable and grateful, is signified by “precious shall their blood be in His eyes,” “blood” here meaning Divine truth received. Their reformation is described by “he shall live, and to him shall He give of the gold of Sheba, and shall pray for him continually; all the day shall He bless him;” the “gold of Sheba” meaning the good of charity; “to pray for him continually” signifying that they shall be continually withheld from falsities and kept in truths, and “He shall bless him” signifying that they shall be continually in the good of charity and faith; it is therefore said further, “upon the top of the mountains his fruit shall be shaken;” the “top of the mountains” signifying heaven, from which they have the good of love from the Lord, which is “fruit.”
sRef Gen@49 @10 S19′ sRef Gen@49 @11 S19′ [19] In Moses:
The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; who shall bind to the vine his ass’s foal, and to the noble vine the son of his she-ass, whilst he shall wash his vesture in wine, and his covering in the blood of grapes (Gen. 49:10-11).
This prophecy treats of the Lord, of whom it is said, “he shall bind to the vine his ass’s foal, and to the noble vine the son of his she-ass,” and “he shall wash his vesture in wine, and his covering in the blood of grapes;” “vine” signifying the church, and “wine” and the “blood of grapes” Divine truth. (For what the other things signify, see the explanation of these words in Arcana Coelestia, n. 6371-6377.) The like is meant by the “blood of grapes” in Deuteronomy (32:14); where the ancient church reformed by Divine truth is treated of.
sRef Rev@12 @11 S20′ [20] From what has been shown in this and the preceding article it can be seen by those who acknowledge the spiritual sense of the Word that “Thou didst redeem us to God in Thy blood” means conjunction with the Divine by the acknowledgment of the Lord, and by the reception of Divine truth from Him; also that the like is meant by “blood” in the twelfth chapter of this prophetic book, where it is said:
That Michael and his angels overcame the dragon by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their*** testimony (Rev. 12:11).
It is said, “the blood of the Lamb” and “the word of testimony,” because “the blood of the Lamb” signifies the reception of Divine truth from the Lord, and “the word of testimony” the acknowledgment of His Divine Human.
sRef Ps@105 @29 S21′ sRef Isa@15 @6 S21′ sRef Isa@15 @9 S21′ sRef Ps@105 @28 S21′ sRef Rev@16 @3 S21′ sRef Rev@11 @6 S21′ sRef Rev@16 @4 S21′ [21] That “blood” signifies Divine truth is still further evident from its contrary sense, in which “blood” signifies violence offered to Divine truth by the falsities of evil, and its destruction by these; and as what is signified in the genuine sense is also manifested by these contrary meanings, I will cite some passages in which “blood” and “bloods” have that significance. It is to be known that most things in the Word have also a contrary sense, and that from that sense it can be known what is signified in the genuine sense. The following will serve for illustration. In Revelation:
The second angel poured out his bowl into the sea, and it became as the blood of one dead, and every living animal in the sea died. And the third angel poured out his bowl into the rivers and into the fountains of the waters, and they became blood (Rev. 16:3-4).
And elsewhere:
The two witnesses have power over the waters to turn them into blood (Rev. 11:6).
In Isaiah:
The waters of Nimrim shall be desolations; and the waters of Dimon are full of blood (Isa. 15:6, 9).
In David:
He sent darkness and made it dark. He turned their waters into blood, and made their fish to die (Ps. 105:28-29).
It is clear from these passages what “blood” signifies in the contrary sense; for blood in the genuine sense signifies Divine truth, and with those who receive it truth from good; so in the contrary sense it signifies violence offered to Divine truth, and with those who do that, it signifies falsity from evil. This contrary meaning is clear from its being said that the “waters” of “the sea,” of “rivers,” and of “fountains,” “were turned into blood;” for “waters” signify truths, therefore “blood” here signifies falsities that destroy truths. The “living animal in the sea,” and the “fish,” signify truths known [vera scientifica]; so their “dying” and “being slain” by blood signify such truths also destroyed. (That “waters” signify truths, see above, n. 71; and that “fish” signify truths known [vera scientifica] of the natural man, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 40, 991.)
sRef Rev@6 @12 S22′ sRef Joel@2 @30 S22′ sRef Joel@2 @31 S22′ [22] Again in Revelation:
I saw when He had opened the sixth seal, and behold there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth, and the whole moon became blood (Rev. 6:12).
In Joel:
I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth; blood, and fire, and columns of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great day of Jehovah come (Joel 2:30-31).
Here also it is known from the contrary meaning that “blood” signifies violence offered to the Divine truth; for “sun” in the Word signifies the celestial Divine, which is the Divine good, and “moon” signifies the spiritual Divine, which is the Divine truth; it is therefore said that “the moon shall be turned into blood.” (That this is the signification of “moon” see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 118, 119.)
sRef Isa@3 @4 S23′ sRef Isa@33 @15 S23′ sRef Ps@5 @6 S23′ sRef Isa@3 @3 S23′ sRef Isa@4 @4 S23′ sRef Isa@4 @3 S23′ [23] In Isaiah:
He that walketh in righteousness, and speaketh uprightness, that stoppeth his ear lest he hear bloods, and shutteth his eyes lest he see evil (Isa. 33:15);
“to stop the ear lest he hear bloods” meaning evidently not to hear falsities from evil. In David:
Thou wilt destroy those that speak falsehood; the man of blood and deceit Jehovah abhorreth (Ps. 5:6);
“the man of blood and deceit” meaning those who are in falsities from evil; it is therefore said, “Thou wilt destroy those that speak falsehood,” “falsehood” in the Word signifying falsities. In Isaiah:
And it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion and he that remaineth in Jerusalem shall be called holy to Him, everyone that is written unto life in Jerusalem. When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have washed away the bloods of Jerusalem out of the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment and by the spirit of cleansing [burning] (Isa. 4:3-4).
Because “Jerusalem” signifies the church in respect to doctrine, therefore it is said, “When He shall have washed away its blood out of the midst thereof,” “bloods” signifying the falsities of evil. The “spirit of judgment” signifies Divine truth, and because this purifies it is said, “by the spirit of cleansing” [burning].
sRef Ezek@16 @5 S24′ sRef Ezek@16 @36 S24′ sRef Ezek@16 @38 S24′ sRef Ezek@16 @22 S24′ sRef Ezek@16 @9 S24′ sRef Ezek@16 @6 S24′ [24] In Ezekiel:
In the day wherein thou wast born I passed by beside thee, and I saw thee trodden down in thy bloods, and I said unto thee, In thy bloods, live; yea, I said unto thee, In thy bloods live. I washed thee, and I washed away thy bloods from upon thee, and I anointed thee with oil (Ezek. 16:5-6, 9, 22, 36, 38).
This also treats of Jerusalem, which signifies the church in respect to the doctrine of truth, here first of the falsities of evil in which it was before it was reformed, and afterwards of its reformation; the falsities of evil are signified by its being seen “trodden down in bloods;” and its reformation by “he washed, and washed away the bloods, and anointed with oil;” “to wash” signifying to purify by truths; “to wash away bloods” signifying to remove the falsities of evil; and “to anoint with oil” signifying to endow with the good of love.
sRef Lam@4 @13 S25′ sRef Isa@9 @5 S25′ sRef Lam@4 @14 S25′ [25] In Lamentations:
For the sins of the prophets of Jerusalem, and the iniquities of her priests, that have shed the blood of the just in the midst of her. They have wandered blind in the streets, they have been polluted with blood, what they cannot pollute they touch with their garments (Lam. 4:13-14).
“Prophets of Jerusalem” signify those who are to teach the truths of doctrine, and “priests” those who are to lead by truths to good; here mentioned in a contrary sense, since it is said, “for their sins;” “to shed the blood of the just” signifies to falsify truths and adulterate goods; it is therefore said, “they have wandered blind in the streets, they have been polluted with blood, what they cannot pollute they touch with their garments;” “to wander blind in the streets” signifies not to see truths at all, “streets” meaning truths; “polluted with bloods” signifies to be wholly in falsities; “what they cannot pollute they touch with their garments” signifies that what they cannot pervert they nevertheless falsify, “garments” meaning the truths that invest interior things, which truths are the truths of the sense of the letter of the Word. In Isaiah:
All uproar shall be whirled about by the earthquake, and the garment is polluted with bloods (Isa. 9:5);
“earthquake” signifying the perversion of the church by the falsification of truth, and the “garment polluted with bloods” the falsification of the sense of the letter of the Word.
sRef Jer@2 @33 S26′ sRef Jer@2 @34 S26′ [26] In Jeremiah:
Thou hast taught evils thy ways; also in thy skirts is found the blood of the souls of the innocents; I found them not in digging through, but upon all these (Jer. 2:33-34).
Here “blood found in the skirts” signifies the like as above by “what they cannot pollute they touch with their garments,” “skirts” are the “garments.” “I found them not in digging through, but upon all these” signifies that they dared not destroy the truths themselves, but that they falsified the truths of the sense of the letter, “skirts” signifying those truths.
sRef Isa@1 @15 S27′ sRef Isa@59 @7 S27′ sRef Isa@59 @3 S27′ [27] In Isaiah:
Your hands are full of bloods (Isa. 1:15).
Your hands are polluted with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, and your tongue hath meditated perverseness. Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood; their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity (Isa. 59:3, 7).
“Hands polluted with blood, and fingers with iniquity” signifies that in all things belonging to them there is falsity and the evil of falsity; “hands” and “fingers” signify power, thus all things with them that have power. Because this is the meaning it is also said, “your lips have spoken lies, and your tongue hath meditated perverseness,” “lies” meaning falsities, and “perverseness” the evil of falsity; “their feet make haste to shed innocent blood” signifies their hastening to destroy the good of love and charity; this is signified by “shedding innocent blood.” The good of innocence is that from which is every good and truth of heaven and the church (see Heaven and Hell, n. 276-283). From this it can be seen what is signified in a general sense by “bloods,” in the plural, namely, violence offered both to the truths and the goods of the Word and of the church.
As “shedding innocent blood” signifies to destroy the good of love and of charity, every kind of precaution was taken that innocent blood should not be shed; and if it were shed:
That expiation shall be made for the land (Deut. 19:10, 13; 21:1-9);
for the “land” signifies the church.
sRef Rev@18 @24 S28′ sRef Isa@26 @21 S28′ [28] In Isaiah:
Jehovah goeth forth from His place to visit the iniquity of the earth; then shall the earth reveal her bloods, and shall no more cover her slain (Isa. 26:21).
The “bloods” that the earth shall reveal signify all the falsities and evils that have destroyed the truths and goods of the church, the “earth” being the church where these are; the “slain” signify those that have perished by falsities and evils. (That the “slain” signify those that have perished by falsities and evils, see above, n. 315.) In Revelation:
In Babylon was found the blood of prophets and of saints, and of all that have been slain upon the earth (Rev. 18:24);
“the blood of prophets and of saints” meaning truths and goods extinguished; and the “slain” those who have perished by falsities and evils (as just above). sRef Matt@23 @34 S29′ sRef Matt@23 @30 S29′ sRef Matt@23 @35 S29′ [29] The like is meant by:
The blood of the prophets which was shed upon the earth, from the blood of Abel the just even to the blood of Zachariah, the son of Barachiah, whom they slew between the temple and the altar (Matt. 23:30, 34-35; Luke 11:50-51).
In the spiritual sense, by “Abel” those who are in the good of charity are meant, and, abstractly from person, that good itself; and by “Cain” those who make faith alone the sole means of salvation, and the good of charity of no account, thus rejecting and slaying it; and by “Zachariah” those who are in the truths of doctrine are meant, and abstractly from person the truth itself of doctrine; therefore the “blood” of these two signifies the extinction of all good and truth; “whom they slew between the temple and the altar” signifies in the spiritual sense every kind of rejection of the Lord; for “temple” signifies the Lord in respect to Divine truth, and “altar” the Lord in respect to Divine good, and “between them” signifies both together.
(That “Abel” in a representative sense is the good of charity, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 342, 354, 1179, 3325; and that “Cain” is faith alone, separated from charity, n. 340, 347, 1179, 3325. That “prophet” signifies the doctrine of truth, n. 2534, 7269. That “temple” signifies the Lord in respect to Divine truth, and “altar” the Lord in respect to Divine good, and in a relative sense the Lord’s kingdom and church in respect to truth and good, n. 2777, 3720, 9714, 10642. That “between” the two signifies where there is a marriage of Divine truth and Divine good, n. 10001, 10025.)
sRef John@1 @13 S30′ sRef John@1 @12 S30′ [30] In the Word it is often said of those condemned to death, that “their bloods should be upon them,” which means, in the spiritual sense, that damnation should be upon them because of the falsities and evils by which they had destroyed the truths and goods of the church; for in general “bloods” signify all the falsities of doctrine, of life, and of worship, by means of which come the evils that destroy the church. These evils are in part enumerated in Ezekiel (18:10-13); these are also signified by “bloods” in John:
As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become sons of God, to them that believe on His name; who were born, not of bloods nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God (John 1:12, 13).
“The Lord’s name” means all truths and goods by which He is to be worshiped; “bloods” mean all the falsities and evils that destroy; “the will of the flesh” and “the will of man” signify all the evils of love and the falsities of faith, for “flesh” signifies the voluntary that is man’s own [proprium volutarium] from which is every evil, and “man” [vir] signifies the intellectual that is man’s own [proprium intellectuale], from which is every falsity, “will” meaning where these things are; “to be born of God” is to be regenerated by means of the truths of faith, and by means of a life according to them.
* The photolithograph has “our;” see n. 411.
** The photolithograph has “His;” see AR, n. 21.
*** The photolithograph has “His.”

sRef Rev@5 @9 S0′ 330. Out of every tribe and tongue, signifies by all who are in truths in respect to doctrine and in respect to life. This is evident from the signification of “tribe,” as being all truths and goods in the complex (of which see above, n. 39); for these are meant by the twelve tribes, and therefore each tribe signifies something of truth and good, therefore “out of every tribe” signifies out of all who are in any kind of truth and good. It is evident also from the signification of “tongue,” as being the doctrine of life and faith. That “tribes” signify all truths and goods in the complex will be shown more fully below in its own paragraph; likewise that “tongue” signifies the doctrine of life and faith, thus religion. (Here will be presented only what is shown in Arcana Coelestia respecting the signification of “tribes,” namely, that the twelve tribes of Israel represented and thence signified all truths and goods in the complex, n. 3858, 3926, 4060, 6335; that the twelve apostles of the Lord have a like signification, n. 2129, 3354, 3488, 6397; that there were twelve because “twelve” signifies all, n. 577, 2089, 2129, 2130, 3272, 3858, 3913. Because the twelve tribes represented and thus signified all the truths and goods in the complex they therefore represented heaven and the church, n. 6337, 6637, 7836, 7891, 7996. That the twelve tribes signify various things according to the order in which they are named, thus in different ways all things of heaven and the church, n. 3862, 3926, 3939, 4603 seq., 6337, 6640, 10335; therefore responses could be given and were given by the Urim and Thummim, where the names of the twelve tribes of Israel were engraven on precious stones, n. 3858, 6335, 6640, 9863, 9865, 9873, 9874, 9905.)

sRef Rev@5 @9 S0′ 331. And people and nation, signifies who are of the Lord’s spiritual church, and of His celestial church. This is evident from the signification of “people” and “nation” in the Word, “people” signifying those who are in spiritual good, thus those who are of the Lord’s spiritual church, and “nation” those who are in celestial good, thus those who are of the Lord’s celestial church. That there are two kingdoms into which the heavens are divided, namely, the celestial kingdom and the spiritual kingdom, and that those who are in the good of love to the Lord are in the celestial kingdom, and those who are in the good of charity towards the neighbor are in the spiritual kingdom, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, (n. 20-28). These two kingdoms, however, are not only in the heavens but also on the earth, and on the earth they are called the celestial church and the spiritual church. Few know what is signified in the Word specifically by a “people” or “peoples,” and what by a “nation” or “nations.” I will therefore present from the Word some passages where the two are named together, from which it will be clear that “people” and “nations” have distinct significations, for unless they had distinct significations they would not both be named together, as in the following passages.
sRef Isa@25 @8 S2′ sRef Isa@25 @3 S2′ sRef Isa@25 @7 S2′ [2] In Isaiah:
The strong people shall glorify Thee, the city of the formidable nations shall fear Thee. Jehovah will swallow up in this mountain the faces of the covering, that covereth over all peoples, and the veil that is veiled over all nations (Isa. 25:3, 7).
Here a distinction is made between “peoples” and “nations,” because “peoples” signify those who are of the Lord’s spiritual kingdom, and “nations” those who are of His celestial kingdom, thus those who are in spiritual good and those in celestial good. Spiritual good is the good of charity towards the neighbor, thus the good of faith, and celestial good is the good of love to the Lord, and thence the good of mutual love. The truth of this good is what is meant by “the city of formidable nations,” for “city” signifies the doctrine of truth, or the truths of doctrine; “to swallow up the covering over all peoples, and the veil veiled over all nations,” signifies to dispel the shade that has so covered the understanding that the truths are not seen or the goods perceived that pertain to heaven and the church.
sRef Isa@34 @1 S3′ [3] In the same:
Come near, ye nations, to hear; and hearken, ye peoples; let the earth hear, and the fullness thereof (Isa. 34:1).
Because “nations” signify those who are in the good of love, and “peoples” those who are in the good of charity and in the truths of faith therefrom, it is said of the nations that they should “come near,” and of the peoples that they should “hearken;” to “come near” signifies to be conjoined by love, and to “hearken” signifies to obey and to be instructed; it is therefore said, “let the earth hear, and the fullness thereof,” “earth” signifying the church in respect to good, and “the fullness thereof” truths.
sRef Isa@11 @11 S4′ sRef Isa@49 @22 S4′ sRef Isa@55 @5 S4′ sRef Isa@43 @9 S4′ sRef Isa@11 @10 S4′ sRef Isa@9 @2 S4′ sRef Isa@9 @3 S4′ sRef Isa@43 @8 S4′ sRef Isa@11 @12 S4′ sRef Isa@42 @6 S4′ sRef Isa@55 @4 S4′ [4] In the same:
I Jehovah have called thee in righteousness, and I will hold thine hand and I will give thee for a covenant to the people, for a light of the nations (Isa. 42:6).
In the same:
Bring forth the blind people that have eyes, and the deaf that have ears. Let all the nations be brought together, and let the peoples gather together (Isa. 43:8-9).
In the same:
I have given him for a witness to the peoples, a prince and lawgiver to the nations (Isa. 55:4).
In the same:
Thus said the Lord Jehovih, Behold, I will lift up Mine hand towards the nations, and lift up My standard towards the peoples (Isa. 49:22).
In the same:
The peoples that walk in darkness have seen a great light. Thou hast multiplied the nation, thou hast made great to it gladness (Isa. 9:2-3).
And in the same:
It shall be in that day that the root of Jesse, which standeth for an ensign of the peoples, the nations shall seek. And He shall lift up an ensign for the nations, and shall gather together the outcasts of Israel (Isa. 11:10, 12).
All these things are said of the Lord; and “peoples” and “nations” mean all who are of His church; for all who are of the Lord’s church are either of His celestial kingdom or of His spiritual kingdom; not any except those who are in these two kingdoms can possibly be of the church. Moreover, there are two things that constitute the church, good and truth, both from the Lord; “nations” mean those who are in good, and “peoples” those who are in truth; and, abstractly from persons, “nations” signify the goods of the church, and “peoples” its truths; “peoples” signify the truths of the church because spiritual good, or the good of charity towards the neighbor, in which those are who are meant by “peoples,” in its essence is truth. (See Arcana Coelestia, n. 8042, 10296; why it is so, n. 863, 875, 895, 927, 1023, 1043, 1044, 1555, 2256, 4328, 4493, 5113, 9596; thence what the distinction is between those who are of the celestial kingdom and those who are of the spiritual kingdom, n. 2088, 2669, 2708, 2715, 3235, 3240, 4788, 7068, 8521, 9277, 10295.)
sRef Isa@18 @7 S5′ sRef Isa@18 @2 S5′ [5] In the same:
In that time a present unto Jehovah of Hosts shall be brought; a people distracted and plundered: and a nation meted out and trodden down, whose land the rivers have spoiled, to the place of the name of Jehovah of Hosts, to Mount Zion (Isa. 18:2, 7).
This treats of the invitation of all to the church; therefore also “people” and “nation” are both mentioned. “Mount Zion” signifies the church, to which they are invited; “a people distracted and plundered” signifies those with whom truths have been taken away, changed, or perverted by those who are in the falsities of doctrine; “a nation meted out and trodden down, whose land the rivers have spoiled,” signifies those with whom goods have been treated in like manner, “rivers” meaning falsities and reasonings therefrom.
sRef Zech@8 @21 S6′ sRef Zech@8 @20 S6′ sRef Zech@8 @22 S6′ [6] In Zechariah:
Yet there shall come peoples, and the inhabitants of great cities, to entreat the faces of Jehovah, and many peoples and numerous nations shall come to seek Jehovah of Hosts in Jerusalem (Zech. 8:20-22).
Here, too, “peoples” and “nations” signify all who are of the Lord’s church; “peoples” those who are of His spiritual church, and “nations” those who are of His celestial church. “Jerusalem,” to which they shall come, is the church.
sRef Ps@57 @7 S7′ sRef Ps@106 @4 S7′ sRef Ps@47 @9 S7′ sRef Ps@47 @8 S7′ sRef Ps@18 @43 S7′ sRef Ps@57 @8 S7′ sRef Ps@67 @2 S7′ sRef Ps@67 @3 S7′ sRef Ps@67 @4 S7′ sRef Ps@106 @5 S7′ sRef Ps@47 @3 S7′ sRef Ps@57 @9 S7′ [7] In David:
Thou wilt set me for the head of the nations; a people I have not known shall serve me (Ps. 18:43).
In the same:
Jehovah will subdue the peoples under us, and the nations under our feet. God reigneth over the nations. The willing ones of the peoples are gathered together (Ps. 47:3, 8-9).
In the same:
That [Thy way] may be known on the earth, Thy salvation among all nations. The peoples shall confess Thee, O God: the nations shall be glad and shout for joy; for Thou shalt judge the peoples in uprightness, and shalt lead the nations into the land (Ps. 67:2-4).
Remember me, O Jehovah, in good pleasure towards Thy people; that I may be glad in the joy of Thy nations (Ps. 106:4-5).
I will confess Thee, O Lord, among the nations. I will sing psalms unto Thee among the peoples (Ps. 57:9; 108:3).
In these passages also “peoples” and “nations” are mentioned, by which are meant all who are in truths and goods. Moreover, the very words that are applied to peoples are words that are predicated of truths, and those applied to nations are those that are predicated of goods. That no other are meant by “nations” is evident also from the fact that these things were said by David, who was an enemy of the Canaanitish nations.
sRef Luke@2 @32 S8′ sRef Luke@2 @30 S8′ sRef Deut@32 @8 S8′ sRef Gen@25 @22 S8′ sRef Zeph@2 @9 S8′ sRef Deut@32 @7 S8′ sRef Gen@25 @23 S8′ sRef Luke@2 @31 S8′ [8] In Luke:
Mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples; a light for a revelation to the nations (Luke 2:30-32).
In Zephaniah:
The remnant of My people shall spoil them, and the remainder of My nation shall inherit them (Zeph. 2:9).
In Moses:
When her two sons were struggling in her womb, Rebekah went to inquire of Jehovah, and Jehovah said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two peoples shall be separated from thy bowels (Gen. 25:22-23).
Remember the days of the age, when the Most High gave to the nations an inheritance; when He separated the sons of man he set the bounds of the peoples according to the number of the sons of Israel (Deut. 32:7-8).
“The sons of man” have the same signification as “peoples,” namely, those who are in spiritual truths and goods; therefore it is said of them, “when He separated the sons of man He set the bounds of the peoples according to the number of the sons of Israel;” “the sons of Israel” signifying the spiritual church, and the “number” of them, or of the twelve tribes named from them, signifying all the truths and goods therein (see just above, n. 330); such therefore are called “peoples;” “to separate” them and “to set their bounds” signifies to alienate from falsities and to bestow truths; and “to give an inheritance to the nations” signifies heaven and conjunction with those who are in the good of love.
sRef Dan@7 @14 S9′ [9] In Daniel:
All peoples, nations, and tongues shall worship Him; His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom that which shall not perish (Dan. 7:14).
This is said of the Lord; and “peoples” and “nations” mean all who are in truths and goods; and “all tongues” mean all of whatever doctrine or religion; for the Lord’s church is universal, since it exists with all who are in the good of life, and who from their doctrine look to heaven, and thereby conjoin themselves to the Lord (of whom see Heaven and Hell, n. 318-328). Because “nations” signify those who are in the good of love, and “peoples” those who are in the good of charity and in the truths of faith therefrom, it is said, “His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom shall not pass away;” “dominion” in the Word is predicated of good, and “kingdom” of truth; for this reason the Lord is called “Lord” from Divine good, and “king” from Divine truth.
There are other passages besides these that might be quoted to prove that “peoples” signify those who are of the spiritual church, and “nations” those who are of the celestial church. So far those only have been presented in which “peoples” and “nations” are mentioned together; to these some shall be added in which “nations” alone are mentioned.
sRef Isa@60 @5 S10′ sRef Isa@26 @15 S10′ sRef Ps@22 @28 S10′ sRef Isa@26 @2 S10′ sRef Isa@62 @2 S10′ sRef Isa@60 @3 S10′ sRef Isa@60 @11 S10′ sRef Ps@22 @27 S10′ [10] In Isaiah:
Open the gates, that the righteous nation that keepeth faithfulness may enter in. Thou hast added to the nation, O Jehovah, Thou hast added to the nation; Thou hast been glorified: Thou hast removed all the ends of the earth (Isa. 26:2, 15).
In David:
All the ends of the earth shall turn unto Jehovah; and all the families of the nations shall worship before Thee. For the kingdom is Jehovah’s; and He it is that ruleth among the nations (Ps. 22:27-28).
In Isaiah:
The nations shall walk to Thy light, and kings to the brightness of Thy rising. Thy heart shall be enlarged, because the multitude of the sea shall turn unto Thee, the army of the nations shall come unto Thee (Isa. 60:3, 5).
All nations shall see Thy righteousness, and all kings Thy glory (Isa. 62:2).
In these passages “nations” and “peoples” are not mentioned together, but still in the last two “nations” and “kings” because “kings” signify the like as “peoples,” namely, those who are in truths (see above, n. 31); and it is because “nations” signify those who are in good, and “Kings” those who are in truths, that it is said of the nations that they “shall see Thy righteousness,” and of the kings that they shall “see Thy glory;” “righteousness” in the Word being predicated of good, and “glory” of truth. (That “righteousness” is predicated in the Word of Divine good, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2235, 9857; and “glory” of Divine truth, n. 4809, 5922, 8267, 8427, 9429.)
sRef Ps@33 @10 S11′ sRef Ps@44 @14 S11′ sRef Isa@10 @6 S11′ sRef Isa@10 @5 S11′ sRef Isa@13 @5 S11′ sRef Jer@6 @23 S11′ sRef Isa@33 @3 S11′ sRef Ezek@36 @15 S11′ sRef Isa@13 @4 S11′ sRef Jer@6 @22 S11′ sRef Isa@14 @6 S11′ [11] From the contrary sense it can yet be seen that “peoples” signify those who are in truths, and “nations” those who are in good; for in that sense “peoples” signify those who are in falsities, and “nations” those who are in evils, as in the following. In Isaiah:
O Assyrian, the rod of Mine anger, I will send him against a hypocritical nation, and against the people of My wrath will I command him (Isa. 10:5-6).
In the same:
The voice of a multitude in the mountains; the voice of a tumult of the kingdoms of the nations gathered together. They come from a land afar off, from the end of the heavens, even Jehovah with the vessels of His indignation to destroy the whole land (Isa. 13:4-5).
Jehovah that smiteth the peoples with a stroke not curable, that ruleth with anger the nations (Isa. 14:6).
In the same:
At the noise of the tumult let the peoples flee away; and before Thine exaltation let the nations be dispersed (Isa. 33:3).
In Jeremiah:
Behold, a people cometh from the land of the north, and a great nation shall be stirred up from the sides of the earth. They lay hold on the bow and spear; they are cruel, and have no mercy (Jer. 6:22-23).
In Ezekiel:
I will not cause thee to hear any more the calumny of the nations, and the reproach of the peoples thou shalt not bear any more (Ezek. 36:15).
In David:
Thou makest us a byword among the nations, a shaking of the head among the peoples (Ps. 44:14).
In the same:
Jehovah bringeth the counsel of the nations to nought; He overthroweth the thoughts of the peoples (Ps. 33:10).
In these passages “peoples” mean those who are against the truths of the spiritual church, thus in falsities; and “nations” those who are against the goods of the celestial church, thus in evils. This is also the signification of the peoples and nations that were driven out of the land of Canaan. To this let what was said above (n. 175) be added.

sRef Rev@5 @10 S0′ 332. Verse 10. 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 of heaven, as can be seen from what was shown above (n. 31), where there are like words.

sRef Matt@19 @28 S0′ sRef Rev@5 @10 S0′ 333. And we shall reign upon the earth, signifies the power that belongs to the Lord alone through Divine truth united to Divine good, and power and wisdom therefrom that those have who are of the Lord’s spiritual and celestial kingdoms. This is evident from the signification of “to reign,” as being to be in truths and goods, and thence to be from the Lord in the power to resist the evils and falsities which are from hell; and since truths and goods are from the Lord alone, and truths have all power from good, “to reign” signifies the power that belongs to the Lord alone through Divine truth united to Divine good, and the power therefrom that those have who are in the Lord’s spiritual and celestial kingdoms. He who has no right understanding of the Word in the spiritual sense will suppose that such are to be like kings and priests, and are to reign with the Lord; but in the spiritual sense “kings” mean truths, and “priests” goods, abstractly from persons, that is, the truths and goods that are in persons from the Lord; from which it follows that it is truths from good that are to reign, thus the Lord alone from whom these are. The angels, indeed, are in great power, but not one of them from himself; yea, if anyone in heaven believes that he has power from himself he is instantly deprived of it, and then becomes wholly powerless. It is said in the sense of the letter that these are to reign, because the sense of the letter is personal; when therefore it is said in that sense that they are to be “kings and priests,” it is also said that they are “to reign;” but in the spiritual sense everything of person is put off, and thus everything of dominion belonging to person, and dominion is left to the Lord alone.
[2] These are like those things that the Lord said to His disciples:
That they were to sit upon twelve thrones, and judge the twelve tribes of Israel (Matt. 19:28; Luke 22:30);
so also what the Lord said to Peter:
That he had the keys of the kingdom of the heavens (Matt. 16:19);
which does not mean that the disciples and Peter were to have that power, but the Lord alone, since in the spiritual sense the “twelve disciples” mean all the truths and goods of the church, which are from the Lord, and “Peter” means truth from good, which is from the Lord. (That “disciples” mean all truths and goods of the church, which are from the Lord, see above, n. 100, 122. That “Peter” signifies truth from good, which is from the Lord, see The last Judgment, n. 57; and above, n. 9, 206, 209. That all power belongs to truth from good, which is from the Lord, thus to the Lord alone, and that angels have power thence, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 228-233.) “We shall reign” also signifies that they have wisdom from the Lord, because “kings and priests” signify truths and goods, and all wisdom is from truths that are from good from the Lord. It is said that they shall reign upon the earth, because the “earth” means the Lord’s church in the heavens and on the earth (see above, n. 304). It is clear, moreover, that “earth” here does not mean the earth, just as it is not meant that they were to be kings and priests. “To reign” signifies to be in truths from good, and thus in power and wisdom from the Lord, because “kingdom” signifies heaven and the church in respect to truths, and “king” truth from good. (That “kingdom” in the Word signifies heaven and the church in respect to truths, see above, n. 48; and “king” truth from good, also above, n. 31. “To reign” has a like signification in chap. 20:4, 6; 22:5.)

sRef Rev@5 @12 S0′ sRef Rev@5 @11 S0′ 334. Verses 11-12. And I saw, 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; saying with a great voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive the power and riches and wisdom and honor and glory and blessing. 11. “And I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne, and the animals, and the elders,” signifies the acknowledgment and consequent glorification of the Lord by the angels of the lower heavens (n. 335); “and the number of them was myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands,” signifies the innumerable who are in truths, and the innumerable who are in goods (n. 336). 12. “Saying with a great voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain,” signifies the acknowledgment from the heart that every thing Divine is from the Lord’s Divine Human unacknowledged, and by many denied (n. 337); “to receive the power and riches and wisdom,” signifies that to Him belong omnipotence, omniscience, and Divine Providence (n. 338); “and honor and glory,” signifies that to Him belong Divine good and Divine truth (n. 339); “and blessing,” signifies the acknowledgment and glorification of the Lord on that account, and thanksgiving that from Him is every good and truth, and thence heaven and eternal happiness to those who receive (n. 340).

sRef Rev@5 @11 S0′ 335. Verse 11. And I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne, and the animals, and the elders, signifies the acknowledgment and consequent glorification of the Lord by the angels of the lower heavens. This is evident from what has been said above (n. 322), namely, that they acknowledged and glorified the Lord in this order; first the angels of the higher heavens, then the angels of the lower heavens, and lastly those who are below the heavens; for “the four animals” and “the four and twenty elders” who first glorified signify the angels of the higher heavens (see above, n. 322), but these now mentioned, who were “round about the throne” and “round about the animals and the elders,” mean the angels of the lower heavens; and by “every creature that is in heaven and in the earth, and under the earth and in the sea” (of which see just below, verse 13) those who are below the heavens are meant. That the angels of the lower heavens are here meant is clear also from this, that they are said to be “round about the throne, the animals, and the elders,” and “round about” means in the Word what is in the remote borders, thus what is distant; but where heaven is treated of, it means what is distant in degree of intelligence and wisdom, thus what is below. For the heavens are higher and lower, differing from each other according to the reception of Divine truth and good, thus according to degrees of intelligence and wisdom. (But respecting the degrees according to which the heavens, and consequently the angels who are in them, are distant from each other, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 33, 34, 38, 39, 208, 209, 211, 425.) What is below in accordance with these degrees is what is signified by “round about;” in like manner also, elsewhere in the Word, “round about,” “circuit,” “afar,” “distant,” “uttermost parts,” and the like, have a like signification.

sRef Rev@5 @11 S0′ 336. And the number of them was myriads of myriads and Thousands of thousands, signifies the innumerable who are in truths, and the innumerable who are in goods. This is evident from the signification of “number” as being quantity and quality, quantity in the natural sense, and quality in the spiritual sense, the number employed determining the quantity and quality. But still all numbers in the Word signify something pertaining to the thing, as “two,” “three,” “four,” “five,” “seven,” “ten,” and “twelve,” as has been shown where these are treated of; it is similar with “myriad” and “thousand,” which are here mentioned. The number “seven,” for example, signifies not seven, but all, what is full and whole (see above, n. 257). But what “myriads” and “thousands” signify shall now be said. “Myriads” signify things innumerable, “thousands” the like; but “myriads” are predicated of truths, and “thousands” of goods; this is why “myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands,” signify the innumerable who are in truths, and the innumerable who are in goods.
[2] Those in the lower heavens of whom these things are said, in like manner as those in the higher heavens who were treated of above, are from two kingdoms, namely the spiritual kingdom and the celestial kingdom; those who are of the spiritual kingdom are meant by those who are in truths, while those who are of the celestial kingdom are meant by those who are in goods; the innumerableness of the latter is signified by “thousands of thousands,” and the innumerableness of the former by “myriads of myriads;” but in an abstract sense, which is the true spiritual sense, innumerable truths and innumerable goods are signified. “Myriads” and “thousands” signify things innumerable, because “ten,” and consequently also “a hundred,” “a thousand,” and “ten thousand” signify many; for numbers that are multiples of a similar number have a like signification as the simple numbers of which they are multiples (see n. 5291, 5335, 5708, 7973). But when innumerable things that are infinitely many are to be expressed, they are called “myriads of myriads,” and “thousands of thousands.”
[3] Moreover when two numbers related by multiplication, one larger and the other smaller, and having a like signification, are mentioned together, as “ten and a hundred,” or “a hundred and a thousand,” then the smaller is predicated of goods, and the larger of truths; and for the reason that each good consists of many truths; for good is formed out of truths, and thence good is produced by truths; on which account the larger number is predicated of truths, and the smaller of goods; in like manner here “myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands.” That it is so may be illustrated by this, that a single delight of affection may be presented by many ideas of thought, and be expressed by various things in speech; the delight of affection is what is called good, and the ideas of thought and the various things in the speech that proceed from that delight or good are what are called truths. It is similar with one thing of the will in respect to many things of its understanding, and also with one thing of love in respect to many things that express it. From this it is that “many” and “multitude” in the Word are predicated of truths, and “great” and “greatness” of good, for what is great contains in itself many things. But these things are said for those who can be enlightened by examples, that they may know why it is that “thousands,” the same as “myriads,” signify things innumerable, but that “myriads” are predicated of truths, and “thousands” of goods.
sRef Deut@33 @17 S4′ [4] That these numbers have such significations can be seen from the following passages. In Moses:
In the firstborn of his bullock he hath honor, and his horns are the horns of a unicorn; with them he shall push the peoples together to the uttermost parts of the earth; and these are the myriads of Ephraim, and these are the thousands of Manasseh (Deut. 33:17).
These things are said of Joseph, who in a representative sense signifies the Lord in respect to the spiritual Divine and in respect to His spiritual kingdom (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3969, 3971, 4669, 6417); his two sons “Ephraim” and “Manasseh” signify the two constituents of that kingdom, namely, intellectual truth and voluntary good, “Ephraim” intellectual truth, and “Manasseh” voluntary good; it is therefore said “the myriads of Ephraim and the thousands of Manasseh.” (That “Ephraim” and “Manasseh” have this signification, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3969, 5351, 5353, 5354, 6222, 6234, 6238, 6267, 6296.) What is here signified by the “firstborn of the bullock,” and by the “horns of the unicorn,” see above (n. 316).
sRef Ps@68 @17 S5′ [5] In David:
The chariots of God are two myriads, thousands of angels of peace; the Lord is in them, Sinai in the sanctuary (Ps. 68:17).
“The chariots of God” signify the truths of doctrine, and “the angels of peace” the goods of doctrine; therefore “myriads” are predicated of the former, and “thousands” of the latter. (That “chariots” signify the truths of doctrine, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2762, 5321, 8215; and that “peace” signifies the inmost of good, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 284-290.) And because the Lord is called “Lord” from good, and “Sinai” signifies heaven where and from which is Divine truth, therefore it is said, “the Lord is in them, Sinai in the sanctuary,” “sanctuary” meaning heaven and the church where Divine truth is. (That the Lord is called “Lord” from Divine good, and “God” from Divine truth, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 4973, 9167, 9194; and that “Sinai” signifies heaven where the Lord is, from whom is Divine truth, that is, from whom is the law, in a strict sense and in a broad sense, n. 8399, 8753, 8793, 8805, 9420.)
sRef Ps@91 @6 S6′ sRef Ps@91 @5 S6′ sRef Ps@91 @7 S6′ [6] In the same:
Thou shalt not fear for the dread of the night; for the arrow that flieth by day; for the pestilence that creepeth in thick darkness; for the death that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and a myriad at thy right hand (Ps. 91:5-7).
This is said of falsities and evils that are not known to be falsities and evils, and of falsities and evils that are known to be such, and yet creep into the thought and into the will, and destroy men. Falsities that are known to be falsities are meant by “the arrow that flieth by day,” and evils that are known to be evils and yet gain entrance are meant by “the death that wasteth at noonday;” and falsities that are not known to be falsities are meant by “the dread of the night;” and evils that are not known to be evils by “the pestilence that creepeth in thick darkness;” the destruction of these evils is signified by “the thousand that shall fall at his side;” and the destruction of the falsities by “the myriad that shall fall at his right hand;” “the side at which they shall fall,” also signifying good, and “the right hand,” the truth of good. “Thousand” is predicated of evils, and “myriad” of falsities, because falsities are the contraries of truths, and evils of goods; and in the Word opposites are expressed by like words and similar numbers.
sRef Ps@144 @13 S7′ [7] In the same:
Our garners are full, yielding from food to food; our flocks are thousands, myriads in our streets (Ps. 144:13).
“Garners” and “food” signify the goods and truths of the church; for spiritual foods are the knowledges of truth and good, by which there is intelligence; like things, but interior, are signified by “flocks;” therefore the goods of the church are meant by “thousands,” and its truths by myriads;” and because truths are meant by “myriads,” it is said, “myriads in our streets,” for the “streets” of a city signify the truths of doctrine. (That “food” signifies both good and truth, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3114, 4459, 4792, 5147, 5293, 5340, 5342, 5410, 5426, 5576, 5582, 5588, 5655, 5915, 6277, 8418, 8562, 9003; consequently also “garners,” which are storehouses for food, have a like signification. That “flocks” signify interior goods and truths, which are called spiritual, see n. 1565, 2566, 3767, 3768, 3772, 3783, 3795, 5913, 6044, 6048, 8937, 10609.)
sRef Micah@6 @7 S8′ [8] In Micah:
Will Jehovah be pleased with thousands of rams, with myriads of rivers of oil? (Micah 6:7).
Because “rams” signify spiritual goods, and “rivers of oil” truths proceeding from good, “myriads” are predicated of the latter, and “thousands” of the former. (That “rams” signify spiritual goods, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2830, 4170.) And as “oil” signifies the good of love, “rivers” of it signify what proceeds from it, namely, truths.
sRef Dan@7 @9 S9′ sRef Dan@7 @10 S9′ [9] In Daniel:
I held till thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of Days did sit. A stream of fire issued and went forth from before Him; a thousand of thousands ministered unto Him, and a myriad of myriads stood before Him (Dan. 7:9-10).
This treats of the Lord’s coming, and the “thrones that were cast down” signify the falsities of the church which were destroyed; “the Ancient of Days” means the Lord from eternity; “the stream of fire issuing and going forth from before Him” signifies the Divine good of love and Divine truth therefrom; “a stream of fire issuing,” the Divine good of love and the same “going forth,” Divine truth proceeding; because both of these are signified it is said, “a thousand of thousands ministered unto Him, and a myriad of myriads stood before Him,” “thousand” referring to Divine good, and “myriad” to Divine truth; “ministering” also is predicated of good (see above, n. 155), and “standing,” as well as “going forth,” is predicated of truth.
sRef Num@10 @35 S10′ sRef Num@10 @36 S10′ [10] In Moses:
When the ark rested, Moses said, Return, O Jehovah, to the myriads of the thousands of Israel (Num. 10:36).
As the “ark” signified the celestial Divine proceeding from the Lord, because of the law or testimony that was in it, and as “Israel” signified the church in respect to the reception of Divine good and Divine truth, therefore it is said, “the myriads of the thousands of Israel,” which signify truths from good, which are in “Israel,” that is, in the church. But what “a chiliad” or “a thousand” [chilias seu mille] signifies when “ten thousand,” that is, a “myriad,” is not joined with it, will be seen hereafter in its own article; likewise what is signified by “number.”

sRef Rev@5 @12 S0′ 337. Verse 12. Saying with a great voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, signifies the acknowledgment from the heart that everything Divine is from the Lord’s Divine Human unacknowledged and by many denied. This is evident from the signification of “saying with a great voice,” as being the acknowledgment from the heart (of which presently); also from the signification of “worthy,” as being, in reference to the Lord, merit and justice (respecting which see above, n. 293, 303); here therefore it signifies that from His own power, thus from merit, He acquired for Himself everything Divine, and so from justice everything Divine is His. That this is meant by “He is worthy,” is evident from what immediately follows, namely, “to receive the power and riches and wisdom and honor and glory and blessing;” which in the complex signifies everything Divine. This is evident also from the signification of “the Lamb,” as being the Lord in respect to the Divine Human (of which also above, n. 314); also from the signification of “was slain,” as meaning unacknowledged and by many denied (of which also above, n. 315, 328). From this it is clear that “Saying with a great voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain,” signifies the acknowledgment from the heart that everything Divine is from the Lord’s Divine Human unacknowledged and by many denied. That everything Divine is in the Lord’s Human, and from it, in heaven and on earth, has been shown in many places, and will be seen confirmed at the end of this work. That “saying with a great voice” means the acknowledgment from the heart, here that it means what has now been stated, can be seen from what precedes and what follows, in series; moreover, “voice” signifies all the things that are afterward said, and “a great voice” signifies that these things are from the heart. There are two words that often occur in the Word, namely, “great” and “many,” and “great” is there predicated of good, and “many” of truths (for the reason see just above, n. 336); and as what proceeds from good proceeds from the heart, here “saying with a great voice” signifies the acknowledgment from the heart; moreover, “heart” from correspondence signifies the good of love (see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 95, 447; and above, n. 167).

sRef Isa@7 @19 S0′ sRef Rev@5 @12 S0′ 338. To receive the power and riches and wisdom, signifies that to Him belong omnipotence, omniscience, and Divine Providence. This is evident from the signification of “power,” as being, in reference to the Lord, omnipotence; from the signification of “riches,” as being, in reference to the Lord, omniscience; and from the signification of “wisdom,” as being, in reference to the Lord, Divine Providence. This is what is meant, because respecting the Lord nothing can be predicated except what is above all things; when, therefore, it is said that He has power it is meant that He has all power, which is omnipotence; and when it is said that He has riches it is meant that He has all spiritual riches, which signify intelligence and therefore omniscience (that “riches” in the Word signify the knowledges of truth and good and thus intelligence, may be seen above, n. 236); and when it is said that He has “wisdom,” it is meant that He has all wisdom, which is the Divine providence; for true wisdom is to see what is conducive to anyone’s life to eternity, and to determine oneself according to that, which is done when man not only knows these things and perceives them with his understanding, but also wills and does them; but Divine wisdom is to provide these things with man; thus it is Divine Providence. (What Divine Providence is further may be seen in The New Jerusalem and Its Heavenly Doctrine, n. 267-279.)

sRef Rev@5 @12 S0′ 339. And honor and glory, signifies that to Him belong Divine good and Divine truth. This is evident from the signification of “honor and glory,” as being, in reference to the Lord, Divine good and Divine truth (of which see above, n. 288).

sRef Rev@5 @12 S0′ 340. And blessing, signifies the acknowledgment and glorification of the Lord on that account, and thanksgiving that from Him is every good and truth, and thence heaven and eternal happiness to those who receive. This is evident from the signification of “blessing,” as being the Lord, when said of the acknowledgment, here the acknowledgment that to Him belong omnipotence, omniscience, providence, Divine good, and Divine truth, which are signified by “Worthy is He to receive the power, riches, wisdom, honor, and glory,” and as being also glorification on that account. Moreover, “blessing,” when said of the Lord, signifies thanksgiving that from Him is every good of love and truth of faith, and thence heaven and eternal happiness to those who receive. Because “blessing” here signifies acknowledgment and glorification on that account, and also thanksgiving, blessing is mentioned in the last place, or as a conclusion by these angels, who were glorifying the Lord. These things are signified by “blessing,” when said of the Lord, because nothing is a blessing except what is given by the Lord, for that alone is blessed because it is Divine and eternal, and contains in itself heaven and eternal happiness; all other things which have not in themselves what is Divine and eternal are not blessings, even though they may be so called (see The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 269, 270).
sRef Luke@1 @64 S2′ sRef Luke@1 @68 S2′ [2] That “blessing” when it is mentioned in the Word, has this signification, can be seen from the places there when understood in the internal sense. But in the first place, some passages shall be quoted in which “blessed” and “blessing” are said of Jehovah, that is the Lord; also where the expression “to bless God” is used, that it may be seen that these signify the acknowledgment, glorification, and thanksgiving that from Him is every good and truth, and thence heaven and eternal happiness to those who receive. In Luke:
The mouth of Zacharias was opened, and he spoke, blessing God. And he said, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for He hath visited and wrought redemption for His people (Luke 1:64, 67-68).
This Zacharias said when, filled with the Spirit, he prophesied of the Lord; and “blessing God,” and “blessed be the Lord God of Israel,” signify the glorification and thanksgiving that He frees and delivers from hell those who receive Him; consequently it is also said, “for He hath visited and wrought redemption for His people Israel;” “redemption” signifying liberation from hell, and “His people” those who are in truths from good, thus those who receive. That “redemption” signifies liberation and deliverance from hell, see above (n. 328); and that “people” signifies those who are in truths from good (n. 331).
sRef Luke@2 @28 S3′ sRef Luke@2 @30 S3′ sRef Luke@2 @31 S3′ [3] In the same:
Simeon took the infant Jesus in his arms, and blessed God: and said, Mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples (Luke 2:28-31).
Here “to bless God” evidently means to glorify and give thanks because the Lord was to come into the world, to save all who receive Him; consequently he calls the Lord “the salvation” which his eyes saw, which He prepares for all people. Those are called “His people” who are in truths from good, thus who by means of truths receive Him, as was said above.
sRef Ps@68 @24 S4′ sRef Ps@68 @25 S4′ sRef Ps@68 @26 S4′ [4] In David:
They have seen Thy goings, O God. The singers went before, the minstrels after, in the midst of the maidens playing on timbrels. Bless ye God in the assemblies, the Lord from the fountain of salvation* (Ps. 68:24-26).
“To bless God in the assemblies, the Lord from the fountain of salvation,” signifies to glorify the Lord from spiritual truths, which are truths from good. “Assemblies” in the Word have a similar signification as “people,” namely, those who are in spiritual truths, and abstractly, those truths themselves; and “fountain of salvation” signifies spiritual good, since salvation is by means of that good; spiritual good is the good of charity towards the neighbor, and spiritual truth is the truth of faith from that good. (That “assemblies” in the Word are predicated of spiritual truths, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 6355, 7843.) Because “to bless in the assemblies” signifies glorification from spiritual truths, and “to bless from the fountain of salvation” signifies glorification from spiritual good, therefore in the first case the name “God” is used, and in the latter “Lord;” for the name “God” is used in the Word where truths are treated of, and “Jehovah” and “Lord” where good is treated of. It is clear that glorification is what is meant by “to bless,” from its immediately following after these words, “the singers went before, the minstrels after, in the midst of the maidens playing on timbrels,” which signifies glorification from spiritual truths and goods, as may be seen above (n. 323, 326).
sRef Ps@96 @1 S5′ sRef Ps@96 @2 S5′ sRef Ps@96 @3 S5′ [5] In the same:
O sing unto Jehovah a new song; sing unto Jehovah, all the earth. Bless His name; proclaim His salvation from day to day. Tell ye His glory among the nations (Ps. 96:1-3).
“To bless Jehovah” here evidently is to glorify Him and give thanks unto Him; and because all glorification of Him is from spiritual truths and from spiritual good, it is said, “Bless His name, proclaim His salvation from day to day;” “name” having reference to truths, and “salvation” to good. “To sing a song” signifies to glorify from such truths and from such goods (see above, n. 323, 326).
sRef Deut@10 @8 S6′ [6] In Moses:
Jehovah chose the sons of Levi to minister unto Him, and to bless in the name of Jehovah (Deut. 10:8; 21:5).
Because the sons of Levi were appointed for Divine worship, and because all Divine worship is effected from spiritual good and the truths therefrom, it is said that “Jehovah chose them to minister unto Him, and to bless in His name;” “to minister” signifying worship from spiritual good, and “to bless” signifying worship from spiritual truths. That to “minister” has reference to worship from good, see above (n. 155).
sRef Ps@21 @6 S7′ sRef Ps@21 @5 S7′ sRef Ps@21 @1 S7′ sRef Ps@21 @3 S7′ [7] In David:
O Jehovah, Thou hast prevented the King with the blessings of goodness. Thou hast set a crown of fine gold on his head. Glory and honor dost Thou lay upon him. For Thou settest him blessings forever (Ps. 21:3, 5-6).
“The King” here does not mean David, but the Lord, who is called “King” from the spiritual Divine that proceeds from His Divine Human; and because “blessing” signifies the acknowledgment, glorification, and thanksgiving because every good and truth, and thence heaven and eternal happiness, are from Him, it is evident what is signified by “Thou hast prevented the King with the blessings of goodness,” and by “Thou settest him blessings for ever.” “Blessings of goodness” signify truths from good; “a crown of fine gold” signifies the good from which truths are; “honor and glory” signify Divine good and Divine truth. (That “David” in the Word means the Lord, see above, n. 205; likewise “king” in the Psalms, n. 31; that the “crown of kings” signifies Divine good, n. 272; likewise “gold,” n. 242; and that “honor and glory signify Divine good and Divine truth, n. 288.)
sRef Luke@19 @37 S8′ sRef Luke@19 @38 S8′ sRef Matt@23 @39 S8′ sRef Mark@14 @61 S8′ sRef Matt@21 @9 S8′ [8] From this it can be seen what “blessed” signifies when said of the Lord, as in the following passages:
The disciples cried with a great voice, Blessed is the King that cometh in the name of the Lord (Luke 19:37-38).
The throng cried, Hosanna to the Son of David; Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord (Matt. 21:9; Mark 11:9, 10; John 12:12-13).
Jesus said, Ye shall not see Me henceforth, until ye shall say, Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord (Matt. 23:39; Luke 13:35).
The High Priest asked Jesus, Art Thou then the Christ, the Son of the blessed (Mark 14:61).
“Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord” signifies to be glorified because all Divine truth and Divine good are from Him. The Lord’s “name” signifies everything by which He is worshiped; and as all this has reference to the good of love and the truth of faith, therefore these are signified by the Lord’s “name.” (That the Lord’s “name” signifies everything by which He is worshiped, see above, n. 102, 135, 148, 224; and that the Lord is called “Lord” from Divine good, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 4973, 9167, 9194.)
sRef Gen@14 @20 S9′ sRef Gen@14 @19 S9′ sRef Gen@14 @18 S9′ [9] In Moses:
Melchizedek blessed Abram, and said, Blessed be Abram to God Most High, the possessor of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, who hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand (Gen. 14:18-20).
Here it is said, “Blessed be God Most High, who hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand,” signifying that to Him belong glorification and thanksgiving on that account. Those therefore who receive Divine good and Divine truth from the Lord, are called:
Blessed (Ps. 37:22; 115:15; Matt. 25:34).
sRef Ps@24 @4 S10′ sRef Ps@24 @5 S10′ [10] That “blessing” has no other meaning, when said of man, than the reception of Divine truth and Divine good, because in them are heaven and eternal happiness, can be seen from the following passages. In David:
The clean in hands and the pure in heart shall receive a blessing from before Jehovah, and righteousness from the God of our salvation (Ps. 24:4-5).
“The clean in hands” signify those that are in truths from faith, and “the pure in heart” those that are in good from love; of such it is said that they “shall receive a blessing from before Jehovah, and righteousness from the God of salvation,” and “receiving a blessing” signifies the reception of Divine truth, and “receiving righteousness” the reception of Divine good. (That “righteousness” is predicated of good, see above, n. 204; and Arcana Coelestia, n. 2235, 9857.)
sRef Num@6 @27 S11′ sRef Num@6 @24 S11′ sRef Num@6 @23 S11′ sRef Num@6 @26 S11′ sRef Num@6 @25 S11′ [11] In Moses:
Thus shall ye bless the sons of Israel, Jehovah bless thee and keep thee; Jehovah make His faces to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee; Jehovah lift up His faces upon thee, and give thee peace. Thus shall they put My name upon the sons of Israel; and I will bless them (Num. 6:23-27).
From this, unfolded by means of the internal sense, it is evident what “blessing” as a whole involves-namely, that Jehovah, that is, the Lord, from Divine love flows in with Divine truth and with Divine good with those who receive; the Divine love, from which the Lord flows in, being meant by “the faces of Jehovah;” the Divine truth, with which the Lord flows in, by “Jehovah make His faces to shine upon thee;” and the Divine good, with which He flows in, by “Jehovah lift up His faces upon thee;” the protection from evils and falsities, which would otherwise take away the influx, by “keep thee” and “be gracious unto thee;” heaven and eternal happiness, which the Lord gives by means of His Divine truth and His Divine good, by “give thee communication and conjunction with those who receive, by “thus shall they put My name upon the sons of Israel,” “the name of Jehovah” signifying the Divine proceeding, which is called in general Divine truth and Divine good, and “the sons of Israel” signifying those who are of the church, thus who receive, of whom it is therefore said, “and I will bless them.” This is the internal or spiritual sense of these words, as can be seen from this, that “the faces of Jehovah” signify the Divine love; “to make them to shine” signifies the influx of Divine truth, and “to lift them up” signifies the influx of Divine good.
That these things may be better understood, the ground of these significations shall be told. The Lord appears to the angels in heaven as a sun; for it is His Divine love that so appears; this, therefore, is what is meant by the “face” of Jehovah; the light that proceeds therefrom is Divine truth; this, therefore, is what is meant by “making His faces to shine;” the heat that also proceeds therefrom is Divine good; this, therefore, is what is meant by “lifting up His faces,” for “to lift up” signifies to reveal Himself, which is effected from Divine good by means of Divine truth. (That the Lord appears to the angels in heaven as a sun, and that it is His Divine love that so appears, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 116-125; and that the light therefrom is Divine truth, and the heat therefrom Divine good, n. 126-140. That “peace” signifies the heavenly delight that inmostly affects with blissfulness every good, and that it therefore signifies heaven and eternal happiness, see in the same, n. 284-290; and that “the sons of Israel” signify those who are of the church, consequently the church, Arcana Coelestia, n. 6426, 8805, 9340.)
sRef Ezek@34 @27 S12′ sRef Ezek@34 @26 S12′ [12] In Ezekiel:
I will give them the circuits of My hill as a blessing, and I will send down the rain in its time; there shall be rains of blessing. Then the tree shall yield its fruit, the land shall yield its produce (Ezek. 34:26-27).
He who sees the Word merely in its natural sense believes no other than that “blessing” means such things as are mentioned in that sense, namely, that rain should be given to make fruitful the gardens and fields, and thus the tree should yield its fruit and the land its produce; but it is a spiritual blessing that is meant, for “rain” signifies everything Divine that flows into man from the Lord out of heaven. That truths will produce good, and that good will produce truths, is signified by “the tree shall yield its fruit, and the land its produce,” “land” and also the “garden,” in which there are trees, meaning the church; these and “the circuits of My hill which are to be given as a blessing,” signify the internal and external with the men of the church, “circuit” signifying what is outside or below, and “hill” what is within or above, especially where charity is, for that is within. (That “hill” signifies where there is charity, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 6435, 10438.)
sRef Ps@128 @1 S13′ sRef Ps@128 @2 S13′ sRef Ps@128 @4 S13′ sRef Ps@128 @5 S13′ sRef Ps@128 @3 S13′ sRef Ps@128 @6 S13′ [13] In David:
Blessed is everyone that feareth Jehovah, that walketh in His ways. Thou shalt eat the labor of thine hands; blessed art thou, and it is good with thee. Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house; thy sons like olive plants around thy tables. Behold, thus shall the man be blessed that feareth Jehovah. Jehovah shall bless thee out of Zion; that thou mayest see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life; peace upon Israel (Ps. 128:1-6).
Here also “to be blessed” does not mean to be blessed naturally, as that one is to eat the labor of his hands, that his wife is to be fruitful, that many sons are to be about his tables, and that this is to be in Zion and in Jerusalem, but it means to be blessed spiritually; for “those that fear Jehovah” mean those who love to do His commandments; it is therefore said, “Blessed is he that feareth Jehovah, that walketh in His ways,” “to walk in His ways” signifying to do His commandments; “the labor of his hands which he shall eat,” signifies the pursuit of the life according to those commandments; “the wife by the sides of the house” signifies the affection of spiritual truth in all things that he thinks and does; therefore it is added, “as a fruitful vine,” for “vine” signifies the spiritual church from the affection of truth; “sons around the tables” signify the truths of good therefrom, “tables” meaning instructions; therefore it is also said, “as olive-plants,” “plants” signifying truths, and “olives” goods; “Zion” signifies heaven whence these things are; and “Jerusalem” doctrine. From this it is clear what is signified by “Jehovah shall bless thee out of Zion, that thou mayest see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life;” “peace upon Israel” signifies all spiritual good in general and in particular, “Israel” meaning the church.
sRef Ps@133 @3 S14′ [14] In the same:
Like the dew of Hermon, that cometh down upon the mountains of Zion; for there hath Jehovah commanded the blessing, life even forever (Ps. 133:3).
This treats of the marriage of good and truth and their fructification and multiplication; both are meant by “the dew of Hermon, that cometh down upon the mountains of Zion,” “the mountains of Zion” signifying where the goods of celestial love are; therefore it is added, “there hath Jehovah commanded the blessing, life even forever.”
sRef Deut@7 @16 S15′ sRef Deut@7 @15 S15′ sRef Deut@7 @14 S15′ sRef Deut@7 @13 S15′ sRef Deut@7 @12 S15′ [15] In Moses:
If ye harken to these judgments, to keep and do them, Jehovah thy God will keep unto thee the covenant and mercy; and He will love thee and bless thee. And He will bless the fruit of thy belly, and the fruit of thy ground, thy corn, and thy new wine, and thine oil, the young of thy kine and of the rams of thy flock. Thou shalt be blessed above all peoples; there shall not be male or female barren among you or among your cattle. And Jehovah will take away from thee every disease, and all the evil sicknesses of Egypt which thou knowest He will not lay upon thee, but will put them upon all that hate thee. And thou shalt consume all the peoples that Jehovah thy God shall deliver to thee; thine eye shall not spare them (Deut. 7:12-16).
Things spiritual, thus spiritual blessings, are meant by all this; these things are what are involved in and signified by the sense of the letter, which is natural, and is for those who are in the natural world, and therefore in natural ideas; consequently from the spiritual sense of the Word what is meant in general and in particular by “being blessed” can be seen. The “fruit of the belly, and the fruit of the ground, the corn, the new wine, and oil, the young of the kine and of the rams of the flock,” mean the multiplications of truth and the fructifications of good, thus spiritual blessings. (What is signified specifically by each can be seen in various places in Arcana Coelestia, and in the explanation of this prophetic book.) “There shall not be male or female barren among you or among your cattle” signifies the multiplication of truth and the fructification of good in the internal and the external man; “and Jehovah will take away every disease, and all the evil sicknesses of Egypt,” signifies the removal of all evils and falsities, “the evil sicknesses of Egypt” meaning falsities arising from evils in the natural man. “Those that hate thee upon whom Jehovah will put these,” are those who are against the truths and goods of the church. The dispersion of the evils and falsities that are against the truths and goods of the church, is signified by “thou shalt consume all the peoples that Jehovah thy God shall deliver to thee;” and continual shunning of them is meant by “thine eye shall not spare them.” That through these things those who do the Lord’s commandments are blessed, is meant by “if ye hearken to these judgments, to keep and do them, Jehovah thy God will keep unto thee the covenant and mercy; He will love thee and bless thee;” “covenant and mercy” is conjunction from love by means of these commandments; conjunction by good is meant by “covenant,” and “He will love thee;” and conjunction by truth therefrom is meant by “mercy” and “He will bless thee.”
sRef Gen@49 @25 S16′ [16] In the same:
He shall bless thee with the blessings of heaven from above, with the blessings of the deep that coucheth below, with the blessings of the breasts and of the womb (Gen. 49:25).
These things are said of Joseph, who here signifies the Lord’s spiritual kingdom; and “the blessings of heaven from above” mean the multiplications of truth from good in the internal or spiritual man; “the blessings of the deep that coucheth below” mean the multiplications of truth from good in the external or natural man; and “the blessings of the breasts and of the womb” signify spiritual and celestial goods.
sRef Joel@2 @14 S17′ [17] In Joel:
Who knoweth? Let him return, and Jehovah God will repent, and He will leave behind Him a blessing, a meal-offering and a drink-offering to Jehovah our God (Joel 2:14).
Because “blessing” signifies spiritual blessing, which in general has reference to good and truth proceeding from the Lord and given to man, therefore it is said, “He will leave behind Him a blessing, a meal-offering and a drink-offering to our God,” “the meal-offering,” which was bread, signifying good, and “the drink-offering,” which was wine, signifying truth, both from the Lord, for it is said, “from our God.”
sRef Isa@19 @23 S18′ sRef Isa@19 @25 S18′ sRef Isa@19 @24 S18′ [18] In Isaiah:
In that day shall there be a highway out of Egypt into Assyria, that Assyria may come into Egypt and Egypt into Assyria, that the Egyptians may serve with Assyria. In that day shall Israel be a third to Egypt and to 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 Mine inheritance (Isa. 19:23-25).
“Israel, Assyria, and Egypt,” signify the three faculties belonging to the men of the church, namely, the spiritual, the rational, and the knowing; “Israel” the spiritual, “Assyria” the rational, and “Egypt” the knowing. Because all man’s rational is formed by means of knowledges [scientifica], and both the rational and knowing faculties are from the spiritual, which is from the Lord out of heaven (for from that source is all understanding of truth and all application of knowledges [scientiarum] to truths), it is said, “there shall be a highway out of Egypt into Assyria, that Assyria may come into Egypt and Egypt into Assyria, and that the Egyptians may serve with Assyria;” and again, “Israel shall be a third to Egypt and to Assyria, a blessing in the midst of the land.” The “midst” signifies the inmost from which is the rest, that is, from which is the whole (see above, n. 313); and the “land” is the church where these things are. And as it is the spiritual by which the rational and knowing faculties are applied to genuine truths, Israel is called the “inheritance,” that is, the heir of the house who possesses all things; and Assyria is called “the work of My hands,” because the rational is formed from the spiritual; and Egypt is called “a blessed people,” because in the knowing faculty, as in their ultimate, all things are together. From this also it is clear that “blessing” in the Word means spiritual blessing.
sRef Zech@8 @13 S19′ [19] In Zechariah:
As ye were a curse among the nations, O house of Judah and house of Israel, so will I save you that you may be a blessing (Zech. 8:13).
These things are said of the devastated church, and of the church to be established by the Lord; “the house of Judah” and “the house of Israel” signifying the church, here in both senses; the church devastated is called “a curse,” because therein are evil and falsity; but the church to be established is called “a blessing” because therein are good and truth.
sRef Ps@3 @8 S20′ [20] In David:
Salvation unto Jehovah, thy blessing upon thy people (Ps. 3:8).
“The blessing of Jehovah upon His people” signifies influx and the reception of good and truth; those are called “the people of Jehovah” who are in spiritual good (see above, n. 331).
sRef Gen@18 @18 S21′ sRef Gen@12 @3 S21′ sRef Gen@12 @2 S21′ [21] In Moses:
I will make thee into a great nation, and I will bless thee, that thou mayest become a blessing. And I will bless them that bless thee and curse them that curse thee; and in thee shall all the families of the earth be blessed (Gen. 12:2-3).
In the same:
In him there shall be a blessing for all nations of the earth (Gen. 18:18).
These things are said of Abraham, and “Abraham” means in the highest sense the Lord, and in a relative sense the Lord’s celestial kingdom and the celestial church. From this it is clear what is signified by “I will make thee into a great nation, and I will bless thee, that thou mayest become a blessing,” namely, that therein shall be Divine good and Divine truth; “great nation” being predicated of Divine good (see above, n. 331), and “blessing” of Divine truth; “I will bless them that bless thee [and curse them that curse thee]” signifies that those who receive will have Divine truth, and those who do not receive will have the falsity of evil; “in Thee shall all the families of the earth be blessed,” and “in Him there shall be a blessing for all the nations of the earth” signifies that from the reception of Divine truth and Divine good they will have heaven and eternal happiness; “the families of the earth” signify those who are in truths from good, “families” meaning truths, and “nations” goods; “blessing” signifying that from these they will have heaven and eternal happiness.
sRef Num@24 @9 S22′ sRef Gen@28 @14 S22′ [22] There is a like signification in the blessing of Israel and Jacob:
Blessed be everyone that blesseth thee, and cursed be everyone that curseth thee (Num. 24:9).
Thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and shall break forth towards the west, and towards the east, and towards the north, and towards the south; and in thee shall all the families of the earth be blessed, and in thy seed (Gen. 28:14).
“Israel” and “Jacob” also mean in the highest sense the Lord, and in a relative sense the Lord’s spiritual kingdom and the spiritual church; “Israel” that church internal, “Jacob” that church external. The “seed that shall be as the dust of the earth, and that shall break forth towards the west, the east, the north, and the south” signifies Divine truth proceeding from the Lord and received by those who are of that church; the consequent fructification of good is signified by “it shall break forth towards the west and the east,” and the consequent multiplication of truth is signified by “it shall break forth towards the north and the south.” (That these quarters have such significations, see Heaven and Hell, n. 141-153.)
sRef Matt@26 @27 S23′ sRef Matt@26 @26 S23′ [23] That the Lord blessed the bread, wine, and fishes that He gave to the disciples and to the people (Matt. 14:15, 19, 21, 22; 15:32, 36; 26:26, 27; Mark 6:41; 8:6, 7; 14:22, 23; Luke 9:16; 22:19; 24:30), signified communication of His Divine, and thus conjunction with them by means of the goods and truths, which are signified by the “bread and wine,” and also by “the fishes;” “bread and wine” signifying goods and truths in the spiritual man, and “fishes” goods and truths in the natural.
sRef Isa@65 @16 S24′ sRef Isa@65 @15 S24′ [24] In Isaiah:
He shall call His servants by another name; he that blesseth himself in the earth shall bless himself by the God of truth; and he that sweareth by the earth shall swear by the God of truth; because the former distresses shall be forgotten (Isa. 65:15-16).
“To bless oneself” signifies to instruct oneself in Divine truths, and to apply them to life, and “to swear” signifies to instruct oneself in Divine goods and to apply them to life. “To swear” has this signification, because an oath in the internal sense signifies confirmation in oneself and conviction that a thing is so, and this is effected from good by means of truths; from no other ground than good are truths with man confirmed and proved. Here a new church is treated of; and “to call by another name” signifies its quality in respect to truth and good.
sRef Jer@4 @2 S25′ [25] In Jeremiah:
Swear by the living Jehovah, in truth, in judgment, and in righteousness; the nations shall bless themselves in Him, and in Him shall thee glory (Jer. 4:2).
Here “to swear” and “to bless themselves” have a like signification as above, the “nations” that shall bless themselves in Jehovah signifying those who are in good.
sRef Isa@66 @3 S26′ [26] “To bless,” in the contrary sense, signifies to love what is evil and false: and to be imbued with it as in Isaiah:
He that slaughters an ox smiteth a man; he that offereth frankincense, blesseth vanity; they have chosen these things also in their ways (Isa. 66:3).
“To slaughter (or sacrifice) an ox,” and “to smite a man,” signify to worship God in externals, and yet to reject all truth. “To sacrifice an ox” signifies worship from those things that represented natural good, for an “ox” means natural good; “and to smite a man” signifies to reject and deny the truth, “man” in the Word meaning truth; “to offer frankincense” and “to bless vanity” signifies to worship God from such things as represented spiritual good, and yet to love evil and falsity and to be imbued with them, an “offering of frankincense” meaning the worship from spiritual good, and “vanity” the evil and falsity of evil.
* “Salvation.” In AE n. 439, 449, 483 it reads “Israel.”

sRef Rev@5 @13 S0′ 341. Verse 13. And every created thing that is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and those that are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Unto Him that sitteth upon the throne and unto the Lamb, be the blessing and the honor and the glory and the might unto the ages of the ages. 13. “And every created thing that is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and those that are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying” signifies the acknowledgment and consequent glorification of the Lord by the angels that are in the lowest parts of heaven (n. 342); “Unto Him that sitteth upon the throne and unto the Lamb” signifies the Lord in respect to Divine good and Divine truth (n. 343); “blessing” signifies acknowledgment, glorification, and thanksgiving that all good and truth, and thence heaven and eternal happiness, are for those who receive (n. 344); “and the honor and the glory,” signifies that to Him alone belongs every Divine good and Divine truth, and therefore, every good of love and truth of faith, from which is all the wisdom and intelligence that angels and men have (n. 345); “and the might unto the ages of the ages,” signifies that to Him belongs omnipotence to eternity (n. 346).

sRef Rev@5 @13 S0′ 342. Verse 13. And every created thing that is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and those that are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, signifies the acknowledgment and consequent glorification of the Lord by the angels that are in the lowest parts of heaven. This is evident from the signification of “every created thing” as being all who are reformed. That “to be created” signifies to be reformed and regenerated, see above (n. 294); therefore “created thing” signifies what is reformed and regenerated; but in reference to the angels, of whom these things are said, it signifies those who were reformed in the world, that is, created anew, for all such are in heaven. “Created thing” here has a like meaning as “creature” in Mark:
Jesus said to the disciples, Go into all the world, preach ye the gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15);
where “every creature” means all who receive the gospel and can be reformed by it; the rest are not meant by “creatures,” because they do not receive, but hear and reject.
sRef Rev@5 @13 S2′ [2] From this the nature of the Word in the sense of the letter can be seen, namely, why the term “creature” is used, and why it is said “every created thing that is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and those that are in the sea, and all that are in them.” He who does not know that the sense of the letter is made up of such things as appear before the eyes, and that these signify spiritual things, may easily be led to believe that “every created thing that is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and those that are in the sea, and all that are in them,” mean the birds that fly in the sky, the beasts that walk on the earth, and the fishes that are in the sea; and the more because in various other passages in the Word, like things are said of “the birds of heaven,” the “beasts of the earth,” and also of “whales” and “fishes” (as in Ezek. 39:17; Ps. 148:7; Job 12:7, 8; Rev. 19:17; and elsewhere). Still those whose minds can be somewhat elevated above the sense of the letter instantly perceive by interior sight that these things mean the angels and spirits who are in heaven and under heaven, and that it was these whom John heard when he was in the spirit; for it is said, “heard I saying, Unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb, be the blessing, and the honor, and the glory, and the might, unto the ages of the ages;” from which it can be seen that “every created thing” therein means the angels that are in the lowest parts of heaven; moreover, this follows from the fact that the preceding verses treat of the angels of the higher heavens and of the angels of the lower heavens, that they acknowledged and glorified the Lord (see above, n. 322, 335).
[3] It shall now be explained who are meant by those “in heaven,” who by those “on the earth and under the earth,” and who by those “in the sea.” All these mean those who are in the ultimates of heaven, those “in heaven” meaning the higher there, those “on the earth and under the earth” the lower there, and those “in the sea” the lowest there. There are three heavens, and each heaven is divided into three degrees; the same is true of the angels who are in them; consequently in each heaven there are higher, middle, and lower angels; these three degrees of the lowest heaven are meant by those “in heaven,” those “on the earth,” and those “in the sea.” (Respecting this division of the heavens and of each heaven, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 4938, 9992, 10005, 10017, 10068; and respecting the lowest degree, n. 3293, 3294, 3793, 4570, 5118, 5126, 5497, 5649, 9216; and in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 29-40.)
It should be known, that in the spiritual world, where spirits and angels are, all things have the same appearance as in the natural world where men are, namely, there are mountains, hills, lands, and seas (see above, n. 304). The angels who are in the third or inmost heaven dwell upon the mountains, those who are in the second or middle heaven dwell upon the hills, and those who are in the first or lowest heaven dwell upon the earth and under the earth, and in the seas. But the seas in which the lowest of that heaven dwell are not like the seas in which the evil dwell; their waters are different. The waters of the seas in which the well-disposed in the lowest heaven dwell are rare and pure; but the waters of the seas in which the evil dwell are gross and impure; thus they are entirely different seas.
[4] These seas I have several times been permitted to see, and also to converse with those who are in them; and it was found that those were there who had been in the world merely sensual, and yet well-disposed; and because they were sensual they were unable to understand what the spiritual is, but only what the natural is; nor could they apprehend the Word and the doctrine of the church from the Word except sensually. All these appear to be as if in a sea; but those who are in it do not seem to themselves to be in a sea, but as it were in an atmosphere like that in which they had lived while in the world; they appear to be in a sea only to those who are above them. At this day there is an immense number there, because so many at this day are sensual. This lowest part of heaven corresponds to the soles of the feet. This is the reason why seas are so often mentioned in the Word, and also fishes therein, “seas” there signifying the generals of truth which belong to the natural man, and “fishes” the sensual knowledges [scientifica sensualia], which are the lowest things of the natural man, consequently such persons, that is, those who are in these knowledges, are signified. (What sensual things and what sensual men are, and that they may be either good or evil, see in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 50.) From this it can be known what is meant by “every created thing that is in the heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and those that are in the sea, and all that are in them.”
sRef Ps@69 @34 S5′ sRef Ps@148 @7 S5′ sRef Ps@69 @35 S5′ [5] Like things are signified in the following passages by “seas,” and by the things that are in them, which are called “fishes” and “whales.” In David:
Let heaven and earth praise Jehovah, the seas, and every thing that creepeth therein. For God will save Zion, and will build the cities of Judah (Ps. 69:34-35).
It is said also “every thing that creepeth therein,” meaning those who are sensual. “Zion, which God will save,” and “the cities of Judah, which He will build,” mean the celestial church and its doctrine, “Zion” that church, and “cities” the doctrine. There is a like meaning in these words in David:
Praise Jehovah from the earth, ye whales and all deeps (Ps. 148:7); “whales” meaning the same. For this reason Egypt also is called a “whale” (Ezek. 29:3);
for “Egypt” signifies the knowing faculty in the natural man, and “whale” knowing in general.
sRef Ps@8 @7 S6′ sRef Job@12 @9 S6′ sRef Ps@8 @6 S6′ sRef Ps@8 @8 S6′ sRef Job@12 @7 S6′ sRef Job@12 @10 S6′ sRef Job@12 @8 S6′ [6] These things have a like signification also elsewhere in the same:
Thou madest him to rule over the works of Thy hands; Thou hast put all things under his feet; the flock and all herds, and also the beasts of the field, the bird of heaven, and the fishes of the sea (Ps. 8:6-8).
This treats of the Lord, and His Divine power over heaven and earth; and “the flocks and the herds, the beasts of the field, the bird of heaven, and the fishes of the sea,” mean the men, spirits, and angels, in respect to spiritual and natural things pertaining to them; and the “fishes of the sea” meaning those who are in the ultimates of heaven (as above). In Job:
Ask, I pray, the beasts, and they shall teach thee, or the birds of heaven, and they shall tell thee, or the shrub of the earth, and it shall teach thee; and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee. Who knoweth not from all these that the hand of Jehovah doeth this? (Job 12:7-10).
sRef Ezek@47 @1 S7′ sRef Ezek@47 @8 S7′ sRef Ezek@47 @10 S7′ sRef Ezek@47 @9 S7′ sRef Ezek@47 @11 S7′ [7] In Ezekiel:
The angel brought me back unto the entrance of the house; where behold, waters went out from under the threshold of the house towards the east. Then he said unto me, These waters go out toward the eastern border, and go down into the plain, and come towards the sea; they are sent forth into the sea that the waters may be healed; whence it cometh to pass that every living soul that creepeth, whithersoever the brooks come, shall live; whence it is that there are exceeding many fish, because these waters come thither, and they are healed, that everything may live whither the brook cometh. According to their kind shall the fish be, as the fish of the great sea, exceeding many. The miry places thereof and the marshes thereof are not healed; they are given to the salt (Ezek. 47:1, 8-11).
“The waters going out from under the threshold of the house towards the east” signify truths from a celestial origin, “waters” meaning truths, “the east” the good of heavenly love, and “house” heaven and the church; the “plain into which the waters go down,” and “the sea into which they come,” signify the ultimates of heaven and the church, consequently those who are in ultimates (of whom above), namely, those who are only in the knowledges of truth from the outmost sense of the Word, and apprehend those knowledges naturally and sensually. When such are in simple good, they receive the influx of the higher heavens, whence it is that they also receive in their knowledges what is spiritual, and thus some spiritual life. This is meant by “the waters are sent forth into the sea, that the waters may be healed; whence it cometh to pass that every living soul that creepeth, whithersoever the brooks come, shall live;” likewise by these words, “whence it cometh that there are exceeding many fish, because these waters come thither, and they are healed.” But those who are such, and are not good, are meant by these words, “The miry places thereof and the marshes thereof are not healed; they are given to salt;” “to be given to salt” signifying not to receive spiritual life, but to remain in a life merely natural, which, separate from spiritual life, is defiled by falsities and evils, which are “miry places” and “marshes.”
sRef Isa@50 @3 S8′ sRef Isa@50 @2 S8′ [8] Like things are signified by “sea,” and by “fishes of the sea,” in Isaiah:
Behold, at My rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers into a wilderness; their fish stinketh because there is no water, and dieth of thirst (Isa. 50:2).
“Rebuke” signifies the desolation of all truth; “sea” signifies where truth is in its outmost; “water” signifies truth from a spiritual origin; “to die for thirst” signifies desolation from lack of that truth; “fishes of the sea” signify those who are in the ultimates of truth, in whom there is no life from a spiritual origin.
sRef Ezek@38 @20 S9′ sRef Ezek@38 @19 S9′ sRef Zeph@1 @3 S9′ sRef Hos@4 @3 S9′ sRef Hos@4 @2 S9′ sRef Zeph@1 @2 S9′ [9] “Fishes of the sea” have a like signification in Ezekiel:
In My zeal, in the fire of My fury I will speak; that the fishes of the sea, and the fowl of the heavens, and the wild beast of the field, and every creeping thing that creepeth upon the ground may quake before Me (Ezek. 38:19-20).
In Hosea:
They commit robbery, and bloods touch bloods; therefore the land shall mourn, and everyone that dwelleth therein shall languish; as to the wild beast of the field, and as to the fowl of the heavens, and also the fishes of the sea shall be gathered together (Hos. 4:2-3).
And in Zephaniah:
In taking away I will take away all things from upon the faces of the ground; I will take away man and beast; I will take away the fowl of the heavens, and the fishes of the sea (Zeph. 1:2-3).
“Man and beast” when mentioned together signify the interior and exterior affections of good (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 7424, 7523, 7872); and “the fowl of the heavens and the fishes of the sea” signify the affections of truth and the thoughts spiritual and natural, but in the passages here cited, that these are about to perish.
[10] This significance of “sea” and “fishes” comes from the appearance in the spiritual world; all societies there appear surrounded by an atmosphere corresponding to their affections and thoughts; those in the third heaven appear in an atmosphere pure as the ethereal atmosphere; those in the second heaven appear in an atmosphere less pure, like the aerial; while the societies in the lowest part of heaven appear surrounded by an atmosphere, as it were watery; but those in the hells appear surrounded by gross and impure atmospheres, some of them as if in black waters, and others in other ways. It is the affections and the thoughts therefrom that produce these appearances around them; for spheres are exhaled from all, and these spheres are changed into such appearances. (Of these spheres, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2489, 4464, 5179, 7454, 8630.) It is also from the appearance in the spiritual world that those who are in spiritual affection and in thought therefrom are signified by “the birds of heaven,” and those who are in natural affection and in thought therefrom by “fishes;” for both birds and fishes appear there, birds over the lands, and fishes in the seas. The affections and consequent thoughts of those who are there are what so appear; this is known to all who are in that world; and both the birds and the fishes have been many times seen by me: this appearance is from correspondence. From this it can be seen why “seas” signify the generals of truth, and “whales” and “fishes” the affections and thoughts of those who are in the generals of truth. That “seas” signify the generals of truth has been shown above (n. 275).
sRef Ps@135 @6 S11′ [11] The quality of those in the spiritual world who dwell in that watery atmosphere which is meant by “seas,” I will illustrate by a single example. When such read these words in David:
Everything that Jehovah willeth He doeth, in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all deeps (Ps. 135:6);
they do not know otherwise than that “heaven” means the heaven that is visible before our eyes, and “earth” the habitable earth, and “seas” and “deeps” the seas and deeps, thus that Jehovah does in these whatsoever He wills; and they cannot be led to believe that “heaven” means the angelic heaven; “earth” those there who are below, and “seas” and “depths” those there who are in the lowest parts. Because these things are spiritual, and above the sense of the letter, they are not willing and are scarcely able to perceive them because they see all things naturally and sensually.
sRef Rev@21 @1 S12′ [12] For this reason, from these words in Revelation:
I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away (Rev. 21:1).
It has been understood heretofore that the visible heaven and the habitable earth were to perish, and that a new heaven and a new earth were to arise. That “heaven” here means the heaven where angels are, and “earth” means the church where men are, and that these are to become new, those who think merely naturally and sensually are not willing to admit, and therefore do not understand; for they do not suffer their mind to be elevated out of the natural light into spiritual light. With such this is difficult, so much so that they can hardly bear that the Word should have any meaning beyond what the letter in its own sense declares and the natural man apprehends. Such persons are not unlike those birds that see and sing in dark places, but in the light of day blink with their eyes and see but little. The good among such are like these birds, and also like flying fishes; but the evil of this class are like night owls and horned owls, which altogether shun the light of day, or like fishes that cannot be elevated into the air without loss of life. The reason is that with the good of this class the internal spiritual man receives some little spiritual influx from heaven, consequently some perception that a thing is so although they do not see it; while with the evil of this class the internal spiritual man is entirely closed up. For everyone has an internal and an external man, or a spiritual and a natural; the internal or spiritual man sees from the light of heaven, but the external or natural man sees from the light of the world.

sRef Rev@5 @13 S0′ 343. Unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb, signifies the Lord in respect to Divine good and to Divine truth. This is evident from what has been said and shown above (n. 297), namely, that “throne” signifies heaven; “Him that sitteth upon the throne” Divine good proceeding, and “the Lamb” Divine truth proceeding, both of these filling the heavens and constituting them. Because Divine good proceeding from the Lord as a sun is received by the angels in His celestial kingdom, and Divine truth by the angels in the spiritual kingdom, therefore two are mentioned, namely, “He that sitteth upon the throne” and “the Lamb;” but in the internal sense, the two mean the Divine Proceeding from the Lord’s Divine Human, which is Divine good united to Divine truth, while in the sense of the letter it is distinguished into two for the sake of reception. The Divine that constitutes heaven and gives to angels and men love, faith, wisdom, and intelligence, proceeds not immediately from the Lord’s Divine Itself, but through His Divine Human, and this Divine that proceeds is the Holy Spirit (see above, n. 183).
[2] In this way it is to be understood what the doctrine of the church teaches, that the Son proceeds from the Father, and the Holy Spirit through the Son, also that the Lord’s Divine and His Human are not two, but a single person or one Christ; for the Lord’s Divine is that which assumed the Human, and for that reason He called it His Father; thus He did not call Father another Divine which is at this day worshiped as His Father in place of His own Divine. And the Divine Proceeding is what is called the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Truth, and the Paraclete; since this is the holy of the Spirit, or the holy Divine which the Spirit speaks, and not another Divine, which is worshiped as the third person of the Divinity. That this is so all can understand who are in any light of heaven. And yet it is declared in many places from the doctrine of the Trinity that was given by Athanasius, that the three are one. Let anyone examine himself when he says with the mouth that God is one, whether he does not think of three, when yet there is but one God, and the three names of the Divine are names of the one God. Athanasius, because he did not understand this, believed the three names to be three Gods, though one in essence.
[3] And yet they cannot be said to be one in essence when something is attributed to one and not to another, for thus the essence is divided; consequently a personal name is given to each essence. But they are one essence when the three are names of one person, namely, the Divine Itself, called the Father; the Divine Human, called the Son; and the Divine Proceeding, called the Holy Spirit (see The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 280-310). These things have been said to show that “He that sitteth upon the throne,” and “the Lamb,” do not mean two but one, namely, the Lord in respect to the Divine Proceeding.

sRef Rev@5 @13 S0′ 344. Blessing, signifies the acknowledgment, glorification, and thanksgiving, that all good and truth, and thence heaven and eternal happiness, are for those who receive, as is evident from what has been said and shown above (n. 340).

sRef Rev@5 @13 S0′ 345. And the honor and the glory, signifies that to Him alone belongs every Divine good and Divine truth, and therefore every good of love and truth of faith that angels and men have. This is evident from the signification of “honor and glory,” as being, when said of the Lord, Divine good and Divine truth (see also above, n. 288). And as “honor and glory” signify, when said of the Lord, Divine good and Divine truth, so when said of man they signify every good of love and truth of faith, from which are all the wisdom and intelligence that angels and men have. These things were said by those who are in the lowest parts of heaven, who know this, although they do not see and perceive it. For all who are of the church know, because it is according to doctrine, that every good and truth is from God; and those who live a good life retain and believe this without investigating how it comes; for this reason these also are in heaven, although in its lowest part. But those who have become spiritual not only know but also see and perceive that this is so; consequently these are in the higher heavens. When such come into the spiritual world they see truths and perceive them in the light of heaven; nor do they admit the rule accepted by many in the world, that the understanding must be under some blind obedience to faith. With those who are in the lowest parts of heaven it is otherwise, because they do not see and perceive; these remain in that rule, but still they are instructed, and when instructed they know truths.

sRef Rev@5 @13 S0′ 346. And the might, unto the ages of the ages, signifies that to Him alone belongs omnipotence to eternity. This is evident from the signification of “might,” as being, in reference to the Lord, omnipotence; and as the Lord has omnipotence from Divine good by means of Divine truth, therefore it is said, “the honor and the glory and the might;” for “honor and glory” signify Divine good and Divine truth. (That Divine good has all power by means of Divine truth, see in the work an Heaven and Hell, n. 231-232, 539; and above, n. 209, 333.) “Might” is here mentioned last, and by the angels of the lowest heaven, because “might,” in reference to the Lord, is predicated of Divine power in its fullness, and it is in its fullness in ultimates. (That the Divine is in its fullness, thus in its power in ultimates, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 5897, 6451, 8603, 9828, 9836, 10099, 10548; and in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 315.)

sRef Rev@5 @14 S0′ 347. Verse 14. And the four animals said, Amen; and the four and twenty elders fell down and worshiped Him that liveth unto the ages of the ages. 14. “And the four animals said, Amen,” signifies confirmation from the Lord out of the inmost heaven (n. 348); “and the four and twenty elders fell down and worshiped Him that liveth unto the ages of the ages,” signifies humiliation and acknowledgment from the heart of all who are in truths from good, that the Lord alone lives, and that from Him alone is eternal life (n. 349).

sRef Rev@5 @14 S0′ 348. Verse 14. And the four animals said, Amen, signifies confirmation from the Lord out of the inmost heaven. This is evident from the signification of the “four animals” or cherubim, as being, in the highest sense, the Lord in respect to providence and because they guard that the Lord be not approached except through the good of love (of which see above, n. 152 at the end, 277); and in a relative sense, the inmost or third heaven (n. 313, 322); also from the signification of “Amen,” as being confirmation from the Divine, and truth (respecting which also see above, n. 34, 238). From this it is clear that “the four animals said, Amen,” signifies confirmation from the Lord out of the inmost heaven. The things that have thus far been said by the angels of the three heavens were confirmed by the Lord, because everything they said was from the Lord, not from themselves; for it was the acknowledgment of His Divine in the Human, a glorification on that account, and a thanksgiving that all good and truth and therefore all wisdom and intelligence are from Him; these things the angels could not say from themselves, but from the Lord by interior dictate or influx; for the angels, like men, cannot from themselves even name the Lord, consequently they cannot from themselves acknowledge and glorify Him; for this reason the things they said were confirmed from the Lord by “Amen,” which signifies the truth of faith, and faith itself. Moreover, it is according to Divine order for the Lord to confirm the truths that an angel or a man speaks as if from himself, though not from himself; these He confirms in their hearts by an assurance not ascending manifestly into their thought, yet by a full acquiescence of mind proceeding from internal affection, which is from peace and its delight. This is the confirmation that it meant in the genuine internal sense by this manifest announcement heard by John.

sRef Rev@5 @14 S0′ 349. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshiped Him that liveth unto the ages of the ages, signifies the humiliation and acknowledgment from the heart of all who are in truths from good, that the Lord alone lives, and that from Him alone is eternal life. This is evident from the signification of “four and twenty elders,” as being all who are in truths from good (of which above, n. 270); from the signification of falling down and worshiping, as being humiliation and acknowledgment from the heart that every good and truth that has life in itself is from the Lord (of which see above, n. 290, 291); and from the signification of “Him that liveth,” as being, when said of the Lord, that He alone lives, and that from Him is eternal life (of which also above, n. 82-84, 186, 289, 291).
[2] Since it is at this day believed in the world that the life that each one has was given and implanted, and is thus one’s own, and does not flow in continuously, I desire to say something respecting it. The opinion that life is in man in such a way as to be his own is merely an appearance that springs from the perpetual presence of the Lord, and from His Divine love, in that He wills to be conjoined to man, to be in him, and to impart to him His life, for such is the Divine love; and because this is perpetual and continuous man supposes that life is in him as his own; yet it is known that there is not a good or a truth in man, but that they come from above, thus that they flow in. It is the same with love and faith; for everything of man’s love is from good, and everything of his faith is from truth; for what a man loves is good to him, and what he believes is truth to him. This makes clear in the first place that no good and no truth, so neither love nor faith, is in man, but that they flow in from the Lord. Life itself is in good and truth, and nowhere else. The receptacle of the good of love with man is the will, and the receptacle of the truth of faith with him is the understanding; and to will good does not belong to man, nor to believe truth. These are the two faculties in which is the whole life of man; outside of these there is no life. This also makes clear that the life of these faculties, and accordingly the life of the whole man, is not in man but flows in. It is also by influx that evil and falsity, or the will and love of evil and the understanding and faith of falsity, are with man; but this influx is from hell. For man is kept in the freedom of choosing, that is, of receiving good and truth from the Lord or of receiving evil and falsity from hell, and man is kept in this for the sake of reformation, for he is kept between heaven and hell, and thence in spiritual equilibrium, which is freedom. Neither is this freedom itself in the man, but it is together with the life that flows in. (On Man’s Freedom and its origin, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 293, 537, 540, 541, 546, 589-596 597-603; and in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 141-147.)
[3] Those also who are in hell live by the influx of life from the Lord, for good and truth in like manner flow into them; but the good they turn into evil, and the truth into falsity; and this takes place because they have inverted their interior recipient forms by a life of evil, and all influx is varied according to the forms. It is the same as when man’s thought and will act upon members distorted from birth, or upon injured organs of sensation; and as when the light of heaven flows into objects that vary in their colors, and as when the heat of heaven flows into the same, which vary in their odors according to their interior receptive forms. But it should be known that the life itself is not changed and varied, but the life produces an appearance of the recipient form by which and from which the life is transmitted; much as by the same light different persons appear in a mirror each such as he is.
[4] Moreover, all the senses of man, namely, sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch, are none of them in man, but are excited and produced from influx; in man there are only the organic recipient forms, in these there is no sense until what is adapted thereto from without flows in. The like is true of the internal organs of sensation which belong to thought and affection and receive influx from the spiritual world, as of the external organs of sensation which receive influx from the natural world. That there is one only fountain of life, and that all life is therefrom and flows in continually, is well known in heaven, and is never called in question by any angel in the higher heavens, for these perceive the influx itself. That all lives are streams, as it were, from the only and perennial fountain of life, has been testified to me also from much experience, and seen in the spiritual world with those who believed that they lived from themselves, and were not willing to believe that they lived from the Lord. When influx into the thought was in some part withheld from these, they lay as if deprived of life, but as soon as the influx reached them, they as it were revived from death; and then the same confessed that the life in them is not theirs, but continually flows into them, and that men, spirits, and angels are only forms receptive of life.
[5] That this is so the wise there conclude from this: that nothing can exist and subsist from itself but only from what is prior to itself, so neither can what is prior exist and subsist from itself but only in successive order from a First; and thus life itself, regarded in itself, is only from Him who alone is Life in Himself. From this, moreover, they know, and from a spiritual idea they also perceive, that every thing, that it may be anything, must be in connection with a First, and that it is, according as it is in this connection.
From this it is clear how foolishly those think who derive the origin of life from nature, and believe that man learns to think by an influx of interior nature and its order, and not from God, who is the very Esse of life, and from whom is all the order of both worlds, the spiritual as well as the natural, in accordance with which life flows in, life eternal with those who can be disposed to receive life according to Divine order, but the opposite life, which is called spiritual death, with those who cannot be so disposed, thus who live contrary to Divine order. The Divine good that proceeds from the Lord is that from which order comes, and the Divine truths are the laws of order (as may be seen in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 279).
[6] Everyone should guard against the belief that the Divine life with anyone, even with the evil and in hell, is changed; for, as was said above, the life itself is not changed or varied, but the life produces an appearance of the recipient form, through which and from which the life is transmitted; much as everyone appears in a mirror such as he is through the light, the light remaining unchanged, and simply presenting the form to the sight; and just as the same life presents itself to be perceived according to the form of the bodily organ, thus after one manner in the eye, after another manner in the hearing, and otherwise in the smell, taste, and touch. The belief that life is varied and changed is from an appearance, which is a fallacy like the fallacy from the appearance that influx is physical, when yet influx is spiritual. (But on this subject see further in Heaven and Hell, n. 9; to which may be added what is cited from Arcana Coelestia, respecting the influx of life, in Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 277, 278; and on the Influx of Life with animals, in Arcana Coelestia, n. 5850, 6211; and in Heaven and Hell, n. 39, 108, 110, 435, 567; likewise in Last Judgment, n. 25.)
sRef John@5 @21 S7′ sRef John@5 @26 S7′ [7] These things have been said to make known that there is one only life, and that whatever things live, live from that life. It shall now be shown that the Lord is that Life itself, or that He alone lives, since this is what is signified by “Him that liveth unto the ages of the ages.” That there is one only Divine, and that is not to be divided into three persons according to the faith of Athanasius, can be seen from what has been several times said above, and especially from what will be said particularly on this subject at the end of this work. And as the Lord’s Divine, which is the one only Divine, took on a Human, and made that also Divine, therefore both of these are the Life from which all live. That this is so may be known from the words of the Lord Himself, in the following passages. In John:
As the Father raiseth the dead and maketh them live, so also the Son maketh whom He will to live. As the Father hath life in Himself, so hath He given to the Son to have life in Himself (John 5:21, 26).
“Father” here means the Lord’s Divine Itself, which took on the Human, for this Divine was in Him from conception, and because He was conceived from this, He called it, and no other, “Father.” The “Son” means the Lord’s Divine Human; that this, in like manner, is life itself, the Lord teaches in express words, saying, “as the Father maketh to live, the Son also maketh whom He will to live;” and “as the Father hath life in Himself, so hath He given to the Son to have life in Himself.” “To have life in Himself” is to be Life itself; the others are not life, but they have life from that Life.
sRef John@14 @6 S8′ [8] In the same:
I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one cometh unto the Father but through Me (John 14:6).
“I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life,” was said of the Lord’s Human; for He also says, “no one comes unto the Father but through Me,” His “Father” being the Divine in Him, which was His own Divine. This makes clear that the Lord also, in respect to His Human, is Life, consequently that His Human also in like manner is Divine.
sRef John@11 @25 S9′ sRef John@11 @26 S9′ [9] In the same:
Jesus said, I am the Resurrection and the Life; he that believeth in Me, though he die yet shall he live. Everyone that liveth and believeth in Me shall not die forever (John 11:25-26).
This, too, the Lord said of His Human; and as He is Life Itself, and all have life from Him, and those who believe in Him have life eternal, therefore He says that He is “the Resurrection and the Life,” and “he that believeth in Me shall not die forever;” “to believe in the Lord” signifies to be conjoined to Him in love and faith, and “not to die” signifies not to die spiritually, that is, not to be damned, for the life of the damned is called “death.”
sRef John@1 @1 S10′ sRef John@1 @4 S10′ sRef John@1 @14 S10′ sRef John@8 @12 S10′ [10] In the same:
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 became flesh, and dwelt in us (John 1:1, 4, 14).
It is known that “the Word” means the Lord; His Human is evidently the Word, for it is said, “the Word became flesh, and dwelt in us;” and that His Human was equally Divine with the Divine Itself that took on the Human is evident from this, that a distinction is made between them, and that each is called God, for it is said, “the Word was with God, and God was the Word,” and “in Him was life.” That all live from Him is meant by “the life was the light of men;” “the light of men” is the life of their thought and understanding; for the Divine Proceeding, which is specially meant by “the Word,” appears in heaven as the light which enables angels not only to see, but also to think and understand, and according to its reception to be wise (see Heaven and Hell, n. 126-140). This light proceeding from the Lord is life itself, which not only enlightens the understanding, as the sun of the world does the eye, but also vivifies it according to reception; and when this light is received in the life, it is called “the light of life” in the same:
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 (John 8:12).
sRef John@6 @33 S11′ sRef John@6 @47 S11′ sRef John@6 @51 S11′ sRef John@6 @48 S11′ sRef John@6 @34 S11′ [11] He is also called “the bread of life” in the same:
The bread of God is he that cometh down out of heaven, and giveth life unto the world. I am the Bread of life (John 6:33, 35, 47-48, 51).
“The Bread of God” and “the Bread of life” is that from which all have life. Since the life that is called intelligence and wisdom is from the Lord, it follows also that life in general is from Him; for the particular things of life, which make its perfection and which are insinuated into man according to reception, all belong to the general life. This life is perfected to the extent that the evils into which man is born are removed from it.
sRef John@3 @36 S12′ sRef John@15 @5 S12′ sRef John@15 @6 S12′ sRef John@6 @40 S12′ sRef John@6 @47 S12′ sRef John@3 @15 S12′ sRef John@10 @28 S12′ sRef John@3 @14 S12′ sRef John@3 @16 S12′ sRef John@6 @48 S12′ sRef John@10 @27 S12′ [12] That those who are conjoined to the Lord by means of love and faith receive eternal life, that is, the life of heaven, which is salvation, is evident from the following passages. In John:
I am the Vine, and ye are the branches; he that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same beareth much fruit; for without Me ye cannot do anything. If a man abide not in Me he is cast forth, and as a branch he withereth (John 15:5-6).
In the same:
Everyone who believeth in Me hath eternal life (John 3:14-16).
In the same:
He that believeth on the Son hath eternal life; but he that believeth not the Son shall not see life, but the anger of God abideth on him (John 3:36).
In the same:
Whoever believeth on the Son hath eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day (John 6:40, 47-48, 54).
In the same:
The sheep follow Me; and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall not perish forever (John 10:27-28).
And in the same:
Search the Scriptures, they bear witness of Me: but ye will not come unto Me, that ye may have life (John 5:39-40).
“To believe in God” and “to believe the things that are from God” are mentioned in the Word; and “to believe in God” is the faith that saves, but “to believe the things that are from God” is an historical faith, which without the former does not save, and therefore is not true faith; for “to believe in God” is to know, to will, and to do; but “to believe the things that are from God” is to know, and this is possible without willing and doing. Those who are truly Christians know, will, and do; but those who are not truly Christians only know; but the latter are called by the Lord “foolish,” and the former “prudent” (Matt. 7:24, 26).

Revelation 6

1. And I saw when the Lamb had opened the first of the seals, and I heard one of the four animals saying as with the voice of thunder, Come and see.
2. And I saw, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him had a bow; and there was given to him a crown; and he went forth conquering and that he might conquer.
3. And when he had opened the second seal I heard the second animal saying, Come and see.
4. And there went forth another horse that was red; and to him that sat upon him, to him it was given to take peace from the earth, that they should slay one another; and there was given unto him a great sword.
5. And when he had opened the third seal I heard the third animal saying, Come and see. And I saw, and behold a black horse; and he that sat upon him had a balance in his hand.
6. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four animals saying, A measure of wheat for a denarius, and three measures of barley for a denarius, and the oil and the wine hurt thou not.
7. And when he had opened the fourth seal I heard the voice of the fourth animal saying, Come and see.
8. And I saw, and behold a pale horse, and he that sat upon him his name was Death, and Hell followed with him. And there was given unto them the authority to kill over the fourth part of the earth, with sword and with famine and with death and by the beasts of the earth.
9. And when he had opened the fifth seal I saw under the altar the souls of those slain because of the Word of God and because of the testimony that they held.
10. And they cried out with a great voice saying, How long, O Lord, who art holy and true, dost Thou not judge and avenge our blood on those that dwell on the earth?
11. And there was given to each one of them white robes; and it was said unto them that they should rest yet a little time until their fellow-servants, and their brethren, who were to be killed as they also were, should be fulfilled.
12. And I saw when he had opened the sixth seal, and behold there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood.
13. And the stars of heaven fell upon the earth, as a fig-tree casteth her unripe figs when shaken by a great wind.
14. And the heaven withdrew as a book rolled up; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.
15. And the kings of the earth, and the great ones and the rich, and the commanders of thousands, and the mighty, and every servant, and every freeman, hid themselves in the caves, and in the rocks of the mountains.
16. And they said to the mountains and to the rocks, Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him that sitteth on the throne, and from the anger of the Lamb.
17. For the great day of His anger is come; and who is able to stand?

sRef Rev@6 @2 S0′ sRef Rev@6 @1 S0′ 350. EXPOSITION.
Verses 1, 2. And I saw when the Lamb had opened the first of the seals, and I heard one of the four animals saying as with the voice of thunder, Come and see. And I saw, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him had a bow; and there was given to him a crown; and he went forth conquering and that he might conquer. 1. “And I saw,” signifies manifestation of the states of those who are of the church where the Word is (n. 351); “when the Lamb had opened the first of the seals,” signifies the first manifestation of the Lord (n. 352); “and I heard one of the four animals saying as with a voice of thunder,” signifies out of the inmost heaven from the Lord (n. 353); “Come and see,” signifies attention and perception (n. 354). 2. “And I saw and behold a white horse,” signifies the understanding of truth from the Word (n. 355); “and he that sat upon him had a bow,” signifies the doctrine of charity and faith, by which there is combat against evils and falsities, and by which they are dispersed (n. 356, 357); “and there was given to him a crown,” signifies eternal life, which is the reward of victory (n. 358); “and he went forth conquering and that he might conquer,” signifies the removal of evils and of falsities thence at the end of life, and afterwards to eternity (n. 359).

sRef Rev@6 @1 S0′ 351. Verse 1. And I saw, signifies the manifestation of the states of those who are of the church where the Word is. This is evident from the things that John saw, which are described in this chapter and in what follows, as being the manifestations of the state of those who are in the church, where the Word is: for there is here treated “the opening of the seals of the book” that was in the Lord’s hand, and what was then seen, namely, “four horses, one white, another red, the third black, and the fourth pale,” and afterwards “the souls of those that were slain for the Word of God,” also “an earthquake,” and finally “seven angels who had seven trumpets.” All these things signify the manifestations of the state of those who are of the church, as can be seen from the particulars viewed in the internal sense. It is said, the church where the Word is, because the Lord’s church is in the whole world, but in a special sense where the Word is, and where the Lord is known through the Word. The state of those who are of this church is especially treated of in this prophetic book, here in general, but afterwards particularly. This church is especially treated of because the Lord, and thus the angels of heaven, are present with the men of this earth by means of the Word; for the Word is written by pure correspondences: from this it comes that the Lord and the angels of heaven are present also with those who are around or outside the church, who are called Gentiles [nations] (as can be seen from the things mentioned and shown in the work on Heaven and Hell, on the Conjunction of Heaven with the Man of the Church by Means of the Word n. 114, 303-310; and in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 244, 246, 255-266).
[2] For the church in the whole world is before the Lord as One Man, for it makes a one with the angelic heaven. (That it is before the Lord as One Man, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 59-102.) In this Man the church where the Word is and where the Lord is known thereby is like the heart and the lungs; with those who are in celestial love the church is like the heart, and with those who are in spiritual love like the lungs; consequently, as all the members, viscera, and organs of the body live from the heart and from the lungs, and from their influx and consequent presence, so all in the whole earth, who constitute the church universal, live from the church where the Word is; for the Lord flows in therefrom with love and with light, and vivifies and enlightens all who are in any spiritual affection for truth, wherever they are. The light of heaven, or the light in which are the angels of heaven who are from this earth, is from the Lord by means of the Word; from this as from a center light is diffused into the circumferences in every direction, thus to those who are there, who, as was said, are the Gentiles that are outside of our church. But this diffusion of light is effected in heaven by the Lord, and what is done in heaven flows also into the minds of men, for the minds of men make one with the minds of spirits and angels. It is for this reason that those are especially treated of in this prophetical book who are of the church where the Word is; then those also are treated of who are of the church where the Word is not, although not proximately, for the arrangement of those who are in the circumferences follows according to the order in which those are who are in the center.

sRef Rev@6 @1 S0′ 352. When the Lamb had opened the first of the seals, signifies the first manifestation from the Lord. This is evident from the signification of “to open a seal,” as being to reveal the things hidden which are written within; for when a seal is opened the things enclosed are read, here the hidden things that no one except the Lord alone could know, for they are the states of all in general and in particular. That no one except the Lord alone knows these states is evident from what has been explained above respecting this book and the opening of its seals (n. 199, 222, 299, 327). From this it is clear that “when the Lamb had opened the first of the seals,” signifies the first manifestation from the Lord.

sRef Rev@6 @1 S0′ 353. And I heard one of the four animals saying as with the voice of thunder, signifies out of the inmost heaven from the Lord. This is evident from the signification of “the four animals” or cherubim, as being in the highest sense, the Lord’s Divine Providence and guard that there be no approach except through the good of love (of which see above, n. 152, 277); and as being in a relative sense the inmost and third heaven (of which see above, n. 313, 322); also from the signification of “the voice of thunder,” as being the manifestation therefrom. That “lightnings,” “thunders,” and “voices,” in the Word, signify illustration, understanding and perception, see above (n. (273), thence also manifestation. That “thunders” signify the manifestation from the inmost heaven is from correspondence; for the voices that come down out of that heaven even into the hearing of man are heard no otherwise, for they fill the whole cerebrum and extend themselves therefrom towards the hearing, and are there perceived as a sound of thunder. It is otherwise with the voices that come down from the middle heaven; for as these flow in with illustration, they are heard only sonorously like words of speech.
[2] The reason for this is that the things that come down out of the inmost or third heaven enter the will of man, and the will expresses itself in sounds; but the things that come down out of the middle of second heaven enter into the intellect of man, and the intellect expresses itself in articulations of sound; for sounds take form in the understanding, and sounds so formed, which are called articulations of sound, present themselves in the thought through ideas, and in the hearing through words. Those things, therefore, that come down out of the inmost or third heaven correspond to thunder, and those out of the middle or second heaven to lightning; and consequently in the Word “lightnings” and “thunders” signify illustration, understanding, and perception. There is something like this in the case of sounds in the world, which grow with an increase as they come down from heights, as from high mountains into valleys, and also from the clouds towards the earth, from which are thunders; so also the voices out of the third or highest heaven, when they roll on towards the lower parts and at length reach the lowest, in which is human hearing, are heard as thunders, but only by those whose interiors are opened, as John’s were at this time.

sRef Rev@6 @1 S0′ 354. Come and see, signifies attention and perception. This is evident from the signification of “coming” when anything is presented to be seen, as being to give attention; for in a spiritual sense, “to come” means to draw near with the sight, thus to give attention; all attention also is a presence of the sight in the object. It is evident also from the signification of “to see,” as being perception, for “to see” in the Word signifies to understand (see above, n. 11, 260); here it signifies to perceive, because this was out of the inmost heaven, since what comes out of the inmost heaven is perceived, but what comes out of the middle heaven is understood, for the reason that the inmost heaven is in the good of love, but the middle heaven is in the truths therefrom, and all perception is from good, and all understanding is from truths. (On this see above, n. 307; what perception is, see in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 140.)

sRef Rev@6 @2 S0′ 355. Verse 2. And I saw, and behold a white horse, signifies the understanding of truth from the Word. This is evident from the signification of “horse,” as being the intellect; and from the signification of “white,” which is predicated of truth. (That the “horse” signifies the intellect can be seen from what is quoted and shown in the small work on The White Horse; and that “white” is predicated of truth, see above, n. 196.) It is said that “a white horse” was seen when the Lamb opened the first seal, “a red horse” when He opened the second, “a black horse” when He opened the third, and “a pale horse” when He opened the fourth; and as “horse” signifies the intellect, particularly in relation to the Word, it can be seen thence that the understanding of truth from the Word, and its quality with the men of the church, are here described by “horses.” It is the same whether you say that the understanding of truth is described, or those who are in it are described; for men, spirits, and angels are the subjects in which it resides. From this it can be known what is described in the internal or spiritual sense in this chapter and in those that follow next, namely, the Word in relation to the understanding. This is evident also from the ninth verse of this chapter, where, after these four horses had appeared, and the fifth seal had been opened, it is said, “I saw the souls of them that had been slain for the Word of God;” also from the nineteenth chapter of this book, where it is said that:
The name of Him that sat upon the white horse is called the Word of God (Rev. 19:13).
That “a horse” signifies the intellect, and “a white horse” the understanding of truth from the Word, can be seen shown in the small work cited above, on The White Horse; but as only a few passages were there quoted from the Word, in proof that “horse” signifies the intellect, I will here quote more, that there may be full confirmation; these now follow.
sRef Ezek@39 @21 S2′ sRef Ezek@39 @17 S2′ sRef Ezek@39 @20 S2′ [2] In Ezekiel:
Gather yourselves from the circuit to My sacrifice that I do sacrifice for you. Ye shall be satisfied at My table with horse and with chariot, with the mighty man, and with every man of war. So will I give My glory among the nations (Ezek. 39:17, 20-21).
This treats of the calling together of all to the Lord’s kingdom, and especially of the establishment of the church with the Gentiles; for it describes the spiritual captivity in which the Gentiles were, and their liberation from it. “The sacrifice to be sacrificed” signifies all the worship by which the Lord is worshiped; “to be satiated at My table” signifies with all spiritual food; and as this food is the understanding of truth from the Word and from doctrine from the Word, it is said, “with horse and with chariot,” “horse” signifying the understanding of truth from the Word, and “chariot” signifying the doctrine therefrom. It is also said, “with the mighty man, and with every man of war,” “mighty man” signifying the truth from good that destroys evil, and “man of war” the truth from good that destroys falsity. Unless such things were signified, how could it be said that they should be satiated “with horse and with chariot, with the mighty man, and with every man of war?”
sRef Rev@19 @17 S3′ sRef Rev@19 @18 S3′ [3] Likewise in Revelation:
Gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; that ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of commanders of thousands, and the flesh of the strong ones, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them (Rev. 19:17-18).
What precedes this treats of the Word and its spiritual sense; this now is an invitation to learn truths, and to perceive goods; and “the supper of the great God” signifies instruction in truths, and the consequent perception of good from the Lord; and “the flesh of kings,” “of commanders of thousands,” “of the strong ones,” “of horses,” and “of them that sit on them,” signifies truths of every kind which are from good; “flesh” signifying good, “kings” Divine truths in general, “commanders of thousands” the same in particular, “strong ones” natural truths, “horses” intellectual truths, and “those that sit on them” spiritual truths. It must be clear to everyone that this does not mean the flesh of kings, of commanders of thousands, of strong ones, of horses, and of them that sit on them.
sRef Hab@3 @8 S4′ sRef Hab@3 @15 S4′ [4] In Habakkuk:
Was Jehovah displeased with the rivers? was Thine anger against the rivers? was Thy fury against the sea? because Thou ridest upon Thy horses, Thy chariots are salvation, Thou hast trodden down the sea with Thy horses, the mire [or clay] of many waters (Hab. 3:8, 15).
Who does not see that “horses” here do not mean horses? For it is said of Jehovah that “He rideth upon His horses,” and that “He treadeth down the sea with His horses,” and that “His chariots are salvation?” But this is said because “His riding upon horses” signifies that Jehovah, that is, the Lord, is in the understanding of His Word in its spiritual sense; and since the doctrine of truth, which teaches the way of salvation, is from the Word, it is added, “Thy chariots are salvation,” “chariots” signifying doctrine; also “to tread down the sea with horses” signifies that Jehovah, that is, the Lord, is in the understanding of His Word in its natural sense; for “sea” here signifies that sense, and in general all things of the natural man and that are for the natural man; and because Divine truths there are in their ultimate, it is added, “the mire [or clay] of many waters,” “mire” [or “clay”] signifying the ultimate from which and in which are truths, and “waters” signifying truths.
sRef Zech@9 @10 S5′ [5] In Zechariah:
I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem; and the bow of war shall be cut off; but He shall speak peace to the nations (Zech. 9:10).
This treats of the Lord’s coming, and of the establishment of the church among the Gentiles. That there would then be nothing of the church remaining with the Jews is described by, “I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem, and the bow of war shall be cut off,” which signifies that there would no longer be any truth in doctrine nor any understanding of truth; and thence no combat and resistance against falsity; “Ephraim” signifies the church in relation to the understanding of truth, and “Jerusalem” the church in relation to the doctrine of truth, “the chariot” doctrine itself, and “the horse” the understanding itself, and “the bow of war” combat and resistance against falsity. The establishment of the church among the nations is signified by, “He shall speak peace to the nations,” “nations” signifying all who are in the good of love to the Lord (see above, n. 331), “peace” signifying that good, and thence all things of the church. (That “Ephraim” signifies the church in relation to the understanding of truth, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3969, 5354, 6222, 6234, 6237, 6267, 6296; and that “Jerusalem” signifies the church in relation to doctrine, see in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 6, and above, n. 223.)
sRef Zech@12 @4 S6′ [6] In the same:
In that day I will smite every horse with astonishment, and the horseman with madness; and I will open mine eye upon the house of Judah, but every horse of the peoples will I smite with blindness (Zech. 12:4).
This treats of the devastation of the former church, and the establishment of the new church. The devastation of the former church is described by “In that day I will smite every horse with astonishment, and the horseman with madness; and every horse of the peoples will I smite with blindness.” It is plain that “horse” here signifies the understanding of truth with the men of the church, and “horseman” the affection of spiritual truth, from which is understanding; else why should it be said that “the horse should be smitten with astonishment, and the horse of the peoples with blindness?” “Astonishment” is predicated of the understanding when it has no perception of good, and “blindness” when it has no perception of truth; “the house of Judah” signifies the church with those who are in the good of love to the Lord, and thence in the doctrine of truth from the Word (see above, n. 119, 211); therefore it is said, “upon it I will open mine eye,” which signifies to illustrate them that they may see truths.
sRef Zech@14 @20 S7′ [7] In the same:
In that day there shall be upon the bells of the horses, Holiness to Jehovah (Zech. 14:20).
This also treats of the Lord’s coming, and the invitation of all to the church; and “the bells of the horses” signify knowledges and cognitions [scientifica et cognitiones] and preachings therefrom which are from the understanding of truth; and as all understanding of truth is from the Lord, and thus the knowledges and preachings themselves, therefore it is said, “there shall be upon the bells of the horses, Holiness to Jehovah.” Because “bells” have this signification:
There were bells of gold upon the skirts of Aaron’s robe round about (Exod. 28:34-35).
sRef Gen@49 @17 S8′ sRef Gen@49 @18 S8′ [8] In Moses:
Dan shall be a serpent upon the way, an asp upon the path, biting the horse’s heels, and its rider shall fall backwards: I wait for Thy salvation, O Jehovah (Gen. 49:17-18).
This is a prophecy of Israel the father, respecting the tribe of Dan, which tribe signifies the ultimates of the church, thus those who are in the ultimates of truth and good, who are called sensual; for there are in the church those who are spiritual and those who are natural, and the natural are interior, middle, and outmost; the outmost are the sensual, who do not elevate their thoughts above the sense of the letter of the Word. These are meant by “Dan;” of what quality they are is described in this prophecy, namely, that “Dan is a serpent upon the way, an asp upon the path, biting the horse’s heels, and its rider shall fall backwards;” “serpent upon the way,” and “asp upon the path” signify the sensual in relation to truth and good; “the horse’s heels” signify the ultimates of the understanding of truth and good; and “the rider,” reasoning from these; and because the sensual viewed in itself does not see truths, since it does not comprehend things spiritual, and therefore slides easily into falsities unless continually withheld from them by the Lord, it is said, “and its rider shall fall backwards: I wait for Thy salvation, O Jehovah.” (That “Dan” signifies the ultimates of the church, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 1710, 6396, 10335; that “serpent” signifies the sensual, which is the ultimate of the understanding, n. 6398, 6949, 8624 end, 10313, and above, n. 70; that “way” signifies truths, n. 627, 2333, 10422, and above, n. 97; and that “the heel” signifies the ultimate natural, or the corporeal natural, n. 259, 4938, seq. What the sensual is, and what sensual men are in both senses, see in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 50.)
sRef Zech@6 @8 S9′ sRef Zech@6 @15 S9′ sRef Zech@6 @1 S9′ sRef Zech@6 @2 S9′ sRef Zech@6 @3 S9′ sRef Zech@6 @7 S9′ sRef Zech@6 @6 S9′ sRef Zech@6 @5 S9′ sRef Zech@6 @4 S9′ [9] In Zechariah:
I lifted up mine eyes, and saw, when behold, four chariots coming out from between two mountains; and the mountains were mountains of copper. To the first chariot were red horses; to the second chariot black horses; to the third chariot white horses; and to the fourth chariot grisled horses, stout. The angel said, These are the four winds of heaven, going forth from standing by the Lord of the whole earth. The black horses which are therein go forth to the land of the north; and the white went forth after them; and the grisled went forth into the land of the south; and the stout ones went forth and sought to go that they might wander through the earth. And he said, See these that go forth to the land of the north, they have caused my spirit to rest in the land of the north. And they that are afar shall come and shall build in the temple of Jehovah (Zech. 6:1-8, 15).
This prophecy is not understood by anyone unless he knows what “chariots” and “horses” signify, and what “red,” “black,” “white,” “grisled,” and “stout” signify; also what “the land of the north” and “the land of the south” signify. It treats of the church that was to be propagated among those who as yet were not in any light of truth, because they had not the Word; “the north” means the obscurity of the truth they possessed; “the south” the clearness of truth; “horses” mean their understanding; “red,” “black,” “white,” and “grisled” mean its quality in the beginning, and its quality afterwards; “red,” the quality of their understanding in the beginning in relation to good; “black,” the quality of their understanding in the beginning in relation to truth; “white,” the quality of their understanding afterwards in relation to truth; “grisled,” its quality finally in relation to truth and good; and “stout” means its quality in relation to its power to resist evils and falsities. From this it can now be seen what is signified by “the black horses went forth to the land of the north, and the white went forth after them,” and “they have caused my spirit to rest in the land of the north,” namely, that those who from good of life are in the affection of knowing the truths of the church receive and understand, nor are any others illustrated; that such are illustrated and receive is meant by “they have caused my spirit to rest in the land of the north;” “the grisled went forth into land of the south, and the stout to wander through the earth” signifies that those who from the good of life are in the affection of knowing the truths of the church come into the light, and that they resist evils and falsities, and constitute the church. These four kinds of horses, therefore, are called “the four winds of the heavens, going forth from standing by the Lord of the whole earth;” “winds” signifying all Divine truths, and “going forth from standing by the Lord of the whole earth” signifying that all truths proceed from Him. (That “winds” signify all Divine truths, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 9642, and Heaven and Hell, n. 141-153; and that “to go forth” signifies to proceed, Arcana Coelestia, n. 5337, 7124, 9303.) “They that are afar, that shall build in the temple of Jehovah” signify those who were previously far away from the truths and goods of the church, who shall draw near to the church. (That such are signified by “those that are afar,” see Arcana Coelestia, n. 4723, 8918; and that the “temple of Jehovah” signifies the church, n. 3720; moreover, that “the north” signifies the obscurity of truth, and “the south” [auster sive meridies] the clearness of truth, thus also those that are in obscurity and in clearness of truth, see Heaven and Hell, n. 148-151.) What is signified by “red” and by “black,” in both senses, will be seen in the explanations at verses 4 and 5 of this chapter, and what by “white,” see above (n. 196). “The mountains of copper, from between which the chariots and horses went forth,” signify the good of love in the natural man; this is said because the nations here treated of, before they were illustrated, were not in spiritual good but in natural good. (That “mountain” signifies the good of love, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 795, 4210, 6435, 8327, 8758, 10438; and “copper” natural good, see above, n. 70.)
sRef Job@39 @17 S10′ sRef Job@39 @18 S10′ [10] In Job:
God hath made her forget wisdom, neither hath he imparted to her intelligence. What time she lifteth up herself on high she laugheth at the horse and its rider (Job 39:17-18).
These things are said of a “bird,” which signifies intelligence from self [proprium], which in itself is no intelligence; for man from self [proprium] sees nothing but falsities and not truths, and intelligence is from truths, and not from falsities; therefore it is said of her, “God hath made her to forget wisdom, neither hath He imparted to her intelligence,” and “when she lifteth up herself on high she laugheth at the horse and its rider,” that is, at the understanding of truth, and at him who is intelligent.
sRef Ps@76 @6 S11′ sRef Ps@76 @5 S11′ [11] In David:
The stout of heart have become a spoil, they have slumbered their sleep. At Thy rebuke, O God of Jacob, both chariot and horse have fallen into a deep sleep (Ps. 76:5-6).
The “stout of heart” signify those who are in truths from good; “have become a spoil,” and “have slumbered their sleep,” signify their having fallen from evils into falsities; “the rebuke of the God of Jacob” signifies their state inverted by themselves; and “both chariot and horse have fallen into a deep sleep” signifies that their intellect was lulled to sleep, because it had become merely natural. That “to be awake” signifies to acquire for oneself spiritual life, and “to be asleep” to have natural life without spiritual, see above (n. 187).
sRef Ezek@27 @13 S12′ sRef Ezek@27 @14 S12′ [12] In Ezekiel:
Javan, Tubal, and Meshech, they gave to thy traffic the soul of man and vessels of brass. They of Bethogarma gave for thy wares horses, horsemen, and mules (Ezek. 27:13-14).
This treats of Tyre, which signifies the knowledges of truth and good pertaining to the external and the internal church. “Javan, Tubal, and Meshech,” signify those who are in external worship; and “they of Bethogarma,” those who are in internal worship; it is said therefore that these “gave for the wares of Tyre, horses, horsemen, and mules;” and “the others gave the soul of man and vessels of brass;” the “soul of man” signifies the truth of faith in respect to knowledge; “vessels of brass” signify the truths of natural good; and “horses, horsemen, and mules,” signify the understanding of truth and good, “horses” the understanding of truth, “horsemen” intelligence, and “mules” the rational. (That “mule” signifies the rational, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2781, 5741, 9212.) Everyone can see that “the tradings of Tyre,” which are enumerated in this chapter and elsewhere, do not mean tradings with these things, such as vessels of brass, horses, and mules, and many others; but that spiritual tradings are meant, which are effected by means of the knowledges of truth and good; for the Word is Divine, and treats of Divine things, and not of earthly things; therefore it contains spiritual things which pertain to heaven and the church, expressed in the ultimate sense, which is the sense of the letter, by natural things which correspond to them. (That “to trade” and “to be a merchant” signifies in the Word to acquire and to communicate the knowledges of truth and good, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2967, 4453; and that “to buy” and “to sell” signify something similar, n. 2967, 4397, 4453, 5371, 5374, 5406, 5410, 5426, 5886, 6143, 7999, 9039.)
sRef Isa@63 @13 S13′ sRef Isa@63 @14 S13′ [13] In Isaiah:
Who led them through the deeps, as a horse in the wilderness they stumbled not; as a beast goeth down into the valley the Spirit of Jehovah led him (Isa. 63:13-14).
This chapter treats of the Lord, and His combat with the hells, and His subjugation of them, but here of the salvation of those who are in love and faith towards Him. These are compared to “a horse in the wilderness,” and to “a beast in the valley,” because “horse” signifies the understanding of truth, and “beast” the affection of good; for all comparisons in the Word are from correspondences.
sRef Rev@19 @13 S14′ sRef Hos@10 @11 S14′ sRef Ps@68 @32 S14′ sRef Isa@19 @1 S14′ sRef Rev@19 @11 S14′ sRef Rev@19 @15 S14′ sRef Ps@45 @3 S14′ sRef Ps@18 @10 S14′ sRef Rev@19 @16 S14′ sRef Isa@58 @14 S14′ sRef Rev@19 @14 S14′ sRef Hab@3 @8 S14′ sRef Deut@32 @13 S14′ sRef Deut@32 @12 S14′ sRef Ps@68 @33 S14′ sRef Ps@45 @4 S14′ sRef Rev@19 @13 S14′ sRef Rev@19 @14 S14′ sRef Ps@68 @4 S14′ sRef Hab@3 @15 S14′ sRef Rev@19 @11 S14′ sRef Rev@19 @12 S14′ sRef Isa@19 @2 S14′ sRef Jer@6 @23 S14′ sRef Jer@6 @22 S14′ [14] In Revelation:
I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and He that sat upon him was called the Word of God. And the armies that are in heaven followed Him upon white horses (Rev. 19:11-16).
“A white horse” evidently signifies the understanding of the Word, likewise “the white horses” upon which those sat who followed; for “He that sat upon” the white horse was the Lord in relation to the Word; for it is said, “and He that sat upon him was called the Word of God;” and in verse 16, “He had upon His vesture and upon His thigh a name written, Lord of lords and King of kings.” The Lord is called the Word, because the Word means Divine truth proceeding from Him. (But these things in Revelation may be seen more fully explained in the small work on The White Horse, n. 1; also why the Lord is called “the Word,” n. 14.) As “chariots” and “horses” signify doctrine from the Word and the understanding of it, and as all doctrine of truth and the understanding of it are out of heaven from the Lord, therefore it is said of Him that “He rides upon the Word,” “upon the clouds,” “upon heaven,” “upon a cherub,” also that “He makes to ride,” as in the following passages. In David:
Gird thy sword upon the thigh, O mighty One, in Thy majesty, and in Thine honor mount, and ride upon the Word of truth and the meekness of righteousness (Ps. 45:3-4).
These things are said of the Lord. In the same:
Sing unto God, sing psalms to His name; extol Him that rideth upon the clouds (Ps. 68:4).
In Isaiah:
Behold, Jehovah rideth upon a cloud, and cometh into Egypt; and the idols of Egypt shall be moved before Him (Isa. 19:1).
In David:
Sing psalms unto the Lord, to Him who rideth upon the heaven of the heaven of old (Ps. 68:32-33).
God rode upon a cherub, He did fly, and was borne upon the wings of the wind (Ps. 18:10).
In Habakkuk:
O Jehovah, Thou dost ride upon Thine horses, Thy chariots are salvation. Thou hast trodden the sea with Thy horses (Hab. 3:8, 15).
In Isaiah:
Then shalt thou delight in Jehovah; and I will make thee ride in the high places of the earth (Isa. 58:14).
In Moses:
Jehovah alone did lead him, and made him ride upon the high places of the earth (Deut. 32:12-13).
And in Hosea:
I will make Ephraim to ride (Hos. 10:11).
In these passages, “to ride” signifies to give intelligence and wisdom, because “chariot” signifies the doctrine of truth, and “horses” the understanding of it.
sRef Isa@66 @20 S15′ sRef 2Ki@6 @17 S15′ sRef 2Ki@13 @14 S15′ sRef 2Ki@2 @12 S15′ sRef 2Ki@2 @11 S15′ [15] In Isaiah:
Then shall they bring all your* brethren out of all nations an offering unto Jehovah upon horses and upon the chariot, and upon covered wagons, upon mules, and upon swift beasts, to the mountain of My holiness, Jerusalem (Isa. 66:20).
This treats of the establishment of a new church by the Lord; it is not meant therefore that they will bring their brethren upon horses, upon the chariot, upon covered wagons, upon mules, and upon swift beasts, to Jerusalem; but it is meant that all who are in good are to be instructed in Divine truths, and having been made intelligent and wise thereby are to be introduced into the church; for “brethren” signify all who are in good; “horses” signify the understanding of truth; “chariot” the doctrine of truth; “covered wagons” the knowledges of truth; “mules” the internal rational, which is spiritual; and “swift beasts” the external rational, which is natural; and “Jerusalem” signifies the church, in which is the doctrine of Divine truth, which is called “the mountain of holiness” from the love of truth. From the signification of “chariots” and “horses” it can be seen why:
Elijah and Elisha were called the chariots of Israel and the horsemen thereof, and the mountain was seen by the lad of Elisha to be full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha (2 Kings 2:11, 12; 6:17; 13:14);
namely, that both Elijah and Elisha represented the Lord in relation to the Word, and “chariots” signify doctrine from the Word, and “horsemen” intelligence. (That Elijah and Elisha represented the Lord in relation to the Word, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 7643, 8029, 9372.)
sRef Ezek@26 @10 S16′ sRef Ezek@26 @7 S16′ sRef Ezek@26 @8 S16′ sRef Ezek@26 @11 S16′ [16] That “chariots” and “horses” signify doctrine and the understanding of it, can be seen, moreover, from their contrary sense, in which “chariots” and “horses” signify the doctrines of falsity, and false knowledges [scientifica] from a perverted intellect; for most things in the Word have a contrary sense, from which it can be seen what the same signify in the genuine sense. That “chariots” and “horses” in that sense have such a signification can be seen from the following passages. In Ezekiel:
Behold, I will bring against Tyre the king of Babylon from the north, with horse and with chariot, and with horsemen. He shall slay with the sword thy daughters in the field. By reason of the abundance of His horses their dust shall cover thee; by reason of the voice of the horseman and of the wheel and of the chariot, thy walls shall quake. With the hoofs of his horses shall he trample all thy streets; he shall slay the people with the sword (Ezek. 26:7-8, 10-11).
“Tyre” signifies the church in relation to the knowledges of truth; and “the king of Babylon” the destruction of truth by falsities and profanation; “the north from which he was to come” signifies the source of all falsity, in particular, hell, out of which falsity arises; “chariot,” “horses,” and “horsemen” signify the doctrine of falsity and reasonings therefrom; “the daughters whom they shall slay in the field with the sword” signify the affections of truth which falsities will destroy, for “daughters” are the affections of truth, “the field is the church where those affections are, “the sword” is the combat of falsity against truth, and “to slay” is to extinguish. This makes clear the signification of “by reason of the abundance of his horses their dust shall cover thee,” “dust” meaning the evil of falsity; the “walls that shall quake by reason of the voice of the horseman, of the wheel, and of the chariot,” signify protecting truths, which in general are, that there is a God, and that the Word is Divine, and that there is eternal life. These “walls,” or these truths, are said “to quake by reason of the voice of the horseman, of the wheel, and of the chariot,” when they come to be doubted through the falsities of doctrines and reasonings from them; “the hoofs of the horses with which he shall trample all the streets,” signify the outermost things of the natural man, which are called sensual impressions [sensualia], from which are all falsities; the “streets that shall be trampled by them” are the truths of the doctrine of the church, which are wholly destroyed; the “people who shall fall by the sword” signify all who are in truths, and in an abstract sense all truths.
sRef Jer@50 @37 S17′ sRef Jer@50 @36 S17′ sRef Jer@50 @38 S17′ [17] In Jeremiah:
O sword, against the liars, that they may become foolish; O sword, against the mighty, that they may be dismayed; O sword, against her horses and against her chariots; O sword, against her treasures, that they may be despoiled; let there be drought upon her waters that they may be dried up: because it is a land of graven images (Jer. 50:36-38).
“Sword” signifies the combat of truth against falsity, and of falsity against truth and consequent vastation; here it signifies vastation; “liars” and “mighty men” signify falsities and reasonings therefrom; the same is signified by “horses” and “chariots;” the “treasures that shall be despoiled” signify all things of doctrine; “the drought upon the waters, that they may be dried up,” signifies the deprivation of truth, “drought” meaning deprivation, and “waters” truths; and as all falsities are from self-intelligence, it is said, “because it is a land of graven images,” “land” here signifying heresy, and “graven images” what is from self-intelligence. (That such is the signification of “graven images,” “molten images,” and “idols,” see Arcana Coelestia, n. 8869, 8941, 10406, 10503.)
sRef Jer@4 @29 S18′ sRef Jer@4 @27 S18′ sRef Jer@4 @14 S18′ sRef Jer@4 @13 S18′ [18] In the same:
Behold, he shall come up as clouds, and his chariots as the storm; his horses are swifter than eagles. Woe unto us! for we are devastated. Wash thine heart from evil, that thou mayest be saved. How long shall thoughts of iniquity lodge in the midst of thee? The whole land shall be a waste. The whole city fleeth for the voice of the horseman and the shooters of the bow; they have entered the thick clouds, and have gone up into the rocks; the whole city is forsaken (Jer. 4:13-14, 27, 29).
This describes the vastation of the church by the falsities of evil; falsities are signified by “clouds;” and the lust of reasoning from falsities against truths by “the horses that are swifter than eagles;” and the doctrinals of falsity by “the chariots that are as the storm;” that consequently everything of the church and everything of its doctrine shall perish, is signified by “the whole land shall be a waste, and the whole city fleeth for the voice of the horseman and the shooters of the bow;” “land” means the church, and “city” its doctrine; “the voice of the horseman and the shooters of the bow” means reasoning from falsities and assault, and “to flee” means to perish. That then mere falsity and the faith of falsity would reign is signified by “they have entered the thick clouds, and have gone up into the rocks,” “clouds” meaning falsities, and “rocks” the faith of falsities. The devastation of the church and of its doctrine is evidently here described, for it is said, “Woe unto us! for we are devastated. How long shall the thoughts of iniquity lodge in the midst of thee? The whole land shall be a waste. The whole city is forsaken.”
[19] In the same:
Behold, a people cometh from the land of the north, and a great nation shall be stirred up from the sides of the earth. Their voice roareth like the sea; and they ride upon horses (Jer. 6:22-23; 50:41-42).
Here, too, the devastation of the church by the falsities of evil is described; “the land of the north,” and “the sides of the earth,” are the source of these, “the land of the north” the source of falsities, and “the sides of the earth” the source of evils; for “the north” signifies what is remote from truths, and “the sides of the earth” what is remote from goods; therefore “nation” is predicated of the latter, and “people” of the former, “nation” meaning those who are in evils, and “people” those who are in falsities (see above, n. 331). Their reasoning is signified by “their voice roareth like the sea, and they ride upon horses.”
sRef Ezek@38 @15 S20′ sRef Ezek@38 @16 S20′ [20] In Ezekiel:
Thou shalt come from thy place out of the sides of the north; thou and many peoples with thee, all of them riding upon horses. And thou shalt go up against My people Israel, as clouds to cover the land (Ezek. 38:15-16).
These things are said of Gog, by whom external worship without any internal is signified; “the sides of the north” signify here, as above, what is remote from goods and truths, thus the source of the falsities of evil; and because they reason therefrom and attack the truths of the church and extinguish them it is said, “all of them riding upon horses; and thou shalt go up against My people Israel, as clouds to cover the land;” “to ride upon horses” meaning reasonings, “to go up against the people of Israel,” and “to cover the land,” signifying to attack the truths of the church and to extinguish them; “clouds” are the falsities of evil.
sRef Dan@11 @40 S21′ [21] In Daniel:
At the time of the end, the king of the south shall come into collision with the king of the north. So the king of the north shall rush upon him like a whirlwind, with chariot, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the lands and shall overflow and pass through (Dan. 11:40).
This chapter treats of the combat of the king of the north with the king of the south; and “the king of the north” means falsity from evil, and “the king of the south” truth from good; so evidently the things mentioned in this chapter are not spoken of any future war between two kings, but of the combats of falsity from evil against truth from good. “The chariot and horsemen with which the king of the north shall rush upon him” are the assaults upon truth by the falsities of evil; the “many ships,” with which also they shall rush upon him, are the knowledges [scientifica] and doctrinals of falsity; the destruction of the church thereby is signified by “he shall come into the lands and shall overflow and pass through.” (That “ships” signify knowledges [scientifica] and doctrinals, in both senses, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 1977, 6385; and that “to overflow” signifies immersion in falsities and evils, n. 660, 705, 739, 756, 790, 5725, 6853.)
sRef Hag@2 @22 S22′ sRef Jer@51 @20 S22′ sRef Jer@51 @21 S22′ [22] In Jeremiah:
By thee will I scatter the nations, and by thee will I destroy kingdoms, and by thee will I scatter the horse and its rider, and by thee will I scatter the chariot and him that rideth in it (Jer. 51:20-21).
And in Haggai:
I will overturn the throne of kingdoms, and I will destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the nations; and I will overturn the chariot and those who ride in it; and the horses and their riders shall come down, a man by the sword of his brother (Hag. 2:22).
This is said of the destruction of falsity and evil, and not of the destruction of any nation or kingdom; for “nations” signify evils, and “kingdoms” (like “peoples”) falsities. For this is prophetical, not historical. This makes clear what “horse” and “rider,” and “chariot and him that rideth in it” signify, namely, that “horse and rider” signify a perverted intellect and reasoning therefrom and “the chariot and him that rideth in it” the doctrine of falsity or heresy, and those who are in it.
sRef Nahum@3 @3 S23′ sRef Nahum@3 @2 S23′ sRef Nahum@3 @4 S23′ sRef Nahum@3 @1 S23′ [23] In Nahum:
Woe to the city of bloods! the whole is filled with lying and rapine; the voice of the whip, and the voice of the rattling of the wheel, and the horse neighing and the chariot leaping, the horseman making to ascend, and the flame of the sword, and the flash of the spear, and a multitude of the slain, and a heap of carcasses, because of the multitude of the whoredoms of the harlot, selling nations by her whoredoms, and families by her sorceries (Nahum 3:1-4).
This treats of the violence offered to Divine truth, and its destruction by the falsities of evil; for this is signified by “the city of bloods,” respecting which what follows is said (see above, n. 329); therefore it is also said, “the whole is filled with lying and rapine,” “lie” meaning falsity, and “rapine” violence offered by falsity; and as “wars” signify spiritual combats, which are the combats of truth against falsity and of falsity against truth, all things pertaining to war, as “whip,” “horse,” “chariot,” “sword,” and “spear,” signify various things pertaining to spiritual warfare; but what each of these in particular signifies need not be explained here, only what “horse,” “horseman,” and “chariot” signify. “The voice of the rattling of the wheel” signifies reasonings from falsities and evils; “the horse neighing and the chariot leaping” signifies the lust of destroying truths, “horse” meaning the intellect perverted, and “chariot” the doctrine of falsity, which destroy; “to neigh” and “to leap” meaning to be moved to destroy by lust and delight, and “horseman making to ascend” meaning assault. It is therefore said, “a multitude of the slain, and a heap of carcasses;” those are called “slain” who perish from falsities, and “carcasses” who perish from evils; therefore it is also said, “because of the multitude of the whoredoms of the harlot, selling the nations by her whoredoms, and families by her sorceries;” “whoredoms” signify the falsifications of truth, “harlot” heresy, “to sell nations” signifies to become estranged from goods, and “to sell families by sorcery” to become estranged from truths, “nations” meaning goods, “families” truths therefrom, and “sorceries” the falsities of evil which estrange.
sRef Hab@1 @10 S24′ sRef Hab@1 @6 S24′ sRef Hab@1 @8 S24′ sRef Hab@1 @9 S24′ [24] In Habakkuk:
I rouse up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation, that marcheth into the breadths of the land; her horses are lighter than leopards, and more fierce than the wolves of the evening, so that her horsemen spread themselves; yea, her horsemen shall come from far; they shall fly as an eagle that hasteth to eat. She shall come wholly for violence; she shall mock at kings, and rulers shall be a derision unto her (Hab. 1:6, 8-10).
“The Chaldeans” mean those who profane truths and thus vastate the church, therefore they are called “a bitter and hasty nation, that marcheth into the breadths of the land,” “breadths of the land” meaning the truths of the church (see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 197). Their lust for and dexterity in perverting truths and destroying them by reasonings from falsities altogether remote from truths are signified by, “her horses are lighter than leopards, and more fierce than the wolves of the evening, so that her horsemen spread themselves; yea, her horsemen shall come from far; they shall fly as an eagle that hasteth to eat.” Lust is signified by “her horses are lighter than leopards,” and dexterity by “her horses are more fierce than the wolves of the evening,” and both by “they fly as an eagle.” Because the lust and dexterity are for destroying truths therefore it is said, “she shall come wholly for violence;” their scoffing at truths and goods is signified by “she shall mock at kings, and rulers shall be a derision unto her,” “kings” signifying truths, and “lords” and “rulers” goods.
sRef Ps@147 @10 S25′ sRef Ps@33 @16 S25′ sRef Ps@20 @8 S25′ sRef Ps@33 @17 S25′ sRef Ps@20 @7 S25′ [25] In David:
Some in the chariot, and some in horses; but we will glory in the name of our God (Ps. 20:7).
In the same:
A king is not saved by the multitude of an army; a horse is a lying thing for safety (Ps. 33:16-17).
In the same:
Jehovah delighteth not in the might of a horse; His pleasure is not in the thighs of a man (Ps. 147:10).
“To glory in the chariot and in horses,” and “Jehovah delighteth not in the might of a horse,” signify all things from self-intelligence, from which are nothing but falsities; and “the thighs of a man” signify those things that are from his own will, from which are nothing but evils.
sRef Amos@2 @15 S26′ sRef Amos@2 @16 S26′ [26] In Amos:
He that holdeth the bow shall not stand, nor shall the swift of foot escape, nor shall he that rideth upon the horse cause his soul to escape, but he that is stout of heart shall flee naked in that day (Amos 2:15-16).
This, too, describes self-intelligence and confidence arising from an ability to speak and reason from falsities. “He that holdeth the bow shall not stand,” and “the swift of foot shall not cause himself to escape,” signify that one who knows how to reason readily from the doctrine of falsity and from the knowledge [scientia] and memory of the natural man, shall not on that account be saved; the like is signified by “he that rideth upon the horse shall not cause his soul to escape;” “he that is stout of heart, who shall flee naked in that day,” signifies that he who trusts in his falsities shall be without any truth, “stout of heart” meaning one who trusts in his falsities, and “naked” one who is without any understanding of truth (see above, n. 240).
sRef Isa@30 @16 S27′ sRef Isa@30 @15 S27′ [27] In Isaiah:
The Lord Jehovih, the Holy One of Israel, saith, In quietness and in confidence shall be your might; but ye would not, and said, No, but upon a horse we will flee; therefore ye shall flee; and we will ride upon the swift; therefore shall they that pursue you be made swift (Isa. 30:15-16).
This treats of confidence in the Lord and of confidence in self; confidence in the Lord in these words, “the Lord Jehovih, the Holy One of Israel, said, In quietness and in confidence shall be your might;” and confidence in self in these words, “and ye said, No, but upon a horse we will flee,” and “we will ride upon the swift;” “to flee upon a horse,” and “to ride upon the swift,” signifying to covet and love those things that are of one’s own understanding, and thought and reasoning therefrom. That falsities will then break in and take possession is signified by, “therefore ye shall flee,” and “therefore shall they that pursue you be made swift,” “swiftness” and “haste” signifying what is done from lust, or from love.
sRef Zech@10 @5 S28′ sRef Zech@10 @3 S28′ sRef Zech@10 @4 S28′ [28] In Zechariah:
Jehovah shall set Judah as the horse of His majesty in war; out of him shall be the corner, out of him the nail, and out of him the bow of war. And they shall be as mighty men treading down the mire of the streets; and they shall fight because Jehovah is with them, and they shall make ashamed them that ride upon horses (Zech. 10:3-5).
“The house of Judah” signifies the Lord’s celestial kingdom, that is, the heaven and church that are in love to the Lord; of this it is said that it shall be “as the horse of majesty in war,” which signifies the understanding of Divine truth combating against evils and falsities, which it will destroy, “horse” signifying the understanding, “majesty” Divine truth, and “war” combat against falsities and evils and their destruction. “The corner,” “the nail,” and “the bow of war,” that are “out of Judah,” signify truths, “the corner” truth protecting, “the nail” truth strengthening, and the “bow of war” truth combating from doctrine; “they shall be as mighty men treading down the mire of the streets” signifies the power to disperse and destroy falsities, “mire of the streets” signifying falsities. “They shall make ashamed them that ride upon horses” signifies the annihilation of the reasonings, argumentations, and confirmations that are from man’s own understanding; that this shall be accomplished by the Lord and not by them is meant by, “they shall fight because Jehovah is with them.”
sRef Hos@14 @3 S29′ [29] In Hosea:
Asshur will not save us; we will not ride upon the horse; we will say no more to the work of our hands, Thou art our God (Hos. 14:3).
This also treats of intelligence from self [ex proprio], that it will not save. “Asshur” signifies the rational, here as being from self [ex proprio]; “to ride upon the horse” signifies reasoning of the understanding from self [ex proprio]; and “work of the hands” signifies the selfhood [proprium] itself.
sRef Ezek@23 @23 S30′ sRef Ezek@23 @12 S30′ sRef Ezek@23 @5 S30′ sRef Ezek@23 @6 S30′ [30] In Ezekiel:
Oholah committed whoredom, and she doted on her lovers, on the Assyrians her neighbors, clothed in blue, horsemen riding upon horses (Ezek. 23:5-6, 12, 23).
“Oholah,” which here is Samaria, signifies a church in which truths are falsified; “her whoredoms,” which are treated of in this chapter, signify falsifications; “the Assyrians” signify reasonings by which truths are falsified; and because “to ride upon horses” signifies to reason from falsities that are from self-intelligence, it is said, “she doted on the Assyrians, horsemen riding upon horses;” the “blue, in which they were clothed,” signifies falsity appearing as truth, which appearance comes chiefly from applying the sense of the letter of the Word to principles of falsity.
sRef Jer@8 @16 S31′ [31] In Jeremiah:
The snorting of his horses was heard from Dan; at the sound of the neighings of his stout ones the whole land quaked; and they came and devoured the land and its fullness; [the city] and those that dwell therein (Jer. 8:16).
What is meant by “Dan” has been told above in this article, namely, truth in its ultimate; this is the truth in the church that is contained in the sense of the letter of the Word. Those who abide in this alone, and do not read the Word from the doctrine of genuine truth, which should guide and illustrate, may be carried away into all kinds of errors; those who are carried away into errors or falsities are meant here by “Dan;” the consequent confirmation of falsities is meant by “the snorting of his horses;” and the falsifications of truth are meant by “the sound of the neighings of his stout ones;” these are called “stout” from their confidence, because it is from the sense of the letter of the Word, that falsity is truth. That the church in respect to its truths and goods is thereby vastated, is signified by “the whole land quaked;” and “they came and devoured the land and its fullness, and those that dwell therein,” “the land” meaning the church, “its fullness” truths, and “those that dwell therein” goods.
sRef Isa@5 @26 S32′ sRef Isa@5 @28 S32′ [32] In Isaiah:
He hath lifted up an ensign to the nations from far, and hath hissed to him from the end of the earth, and behold the swift one shall come in haste, whose arrows are sharp, and all his bows are bent; the hoofs of his horses are reckoned as rock, and his wheels as a storm (Isa. 5:26, 28).
This, too, treats of those who are in ultimates in regard to the understanding of truth and as to the perception of good. These ultimates are what are called sensual impressions [sensualia], which are the ultimates of the natural man (of which see in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 50); from these, when separated from the spiritual man, stream forth all the evils and falsities that are in the church and in its doctrine: evils from this source are signified by “the nations that shall come from far;” and falsities by “him that cometh from the end of the earth;” “far,” and “the end of the earth” signifying those things that are remote from the truths and goods of the church. “The arrows that are sharp,” and “the bows that are bent” signify the falsities of doctrine prepared to destroy truths, and “the hoofs of the horses that are reckoned as rock,” and “his wheels that are as a storm” signify the ultimates of truth, like those in the sense of the letter of the Word, and arguments and confirmations of falsity by means of these; “the hoofs of the horses” mean the ultimates of the understanding, here of the perverted understanding, because separated from the understanding of the spiritual man; and because these ultimates are from the sense of the letter of the Word, it is said, “are reckoned as rock;” while “wheels” mean argumentations and confirmations by means of these, and because these appear strong they are said to be “as a storm.”
sRef Judg@5 @9 S33′ sRef Judg@5 @20 S33′ sRef Judg@5 @22 S33′ sRef Judg@5 @10 S33′ [33] In the book of Judges:
My heart is toward the lawgivers of Israel. Ye that ride on white asses, and sit on middin, and that walk by the way, meditate. The stars from their courses fought with Sisera. Then were the hoofs of the horses bruised; the prancing of his stout ones struck together (Judg. 5:9-10, 20, 22).
These words are contained in the song of Deborah and Barak, which treats of the combat of truth against falsity and its victory; “the lawgivers of Israel” signify the truths of the church; “to ride on white asses” and “to sit on middin” signify the perception of good and the understanding of truth, “white asses” signifying the rational in respect to good, and “middin” the rational in respect to truth; and “to walk by the way and to meditate” signify a life of truth; “the stars from their courses fought with Sisera” signifies the knowledges of truth, and combat from them against falsities of evil; “the feet of the horses that were bruised,” and “the prancing of the horses that struck together” signify the falsities that are from the outmost natural, or the sensual [sensuali], and arguments therefrom that they were destroyed.
sRef Amos@6 @12 S34′ [34] In Amos:
Shall horses run upon the rock? shall one plough with oxen? for ye have turned judgment into gall, and the fruit of justice into wormwood (Amos 6:12).
“Shall horses run upon the rock?” signifies, is there any understanding of truth? “Shall anyone plough with oxen?” signifies, is there any perception of good? This is plainly the meaning, for it follows, “for ye have turned judgment into gall, and the fruit of justice into wormwood;” “to turn judgment into gall,” signifies to turn truth into falsity, and “to turn the fruit of justice into wormwood,” signifies to turn good into evil.
sRef Ps@66 @12 S35′ sRef Ps@66 @11 S35′ [35] In David:
Thou hast laid oppression upon our loins. Thou hast caused a man to ride over our head; We entered into the fire and the waters: but Thou hast brought us out into a broad place (Ps. 66:11-12).
This is a description of spiritual captivity and deliverance therefrom. There is spiritual captivity when the mind is so shut up as not to perceive good nor understand truth; there is deliverance from it when the mind is opened; “the oppression upon the loins” signifies that there is no perception of good of love, for “loins” and “thighs” signify the good of love; “to cause a man to ride over our head” signifies that there is no understanding of truth; “man” here signifying intelligence from self [ex proprio], which is no intelligence; and “head” the like. Because this is the signification therefore it is said, “we entered into the fire and the waters,” “into the fire” meaning into the evils that are from the love of self, and “into the waters” meaning into falsities; deliverance therefrom is meant by “but Thou hast brought us out into a broad place,” “broad place” signifying truth (as above).
sRef Isa@31 @1 S36′ sRef Isa@31 @3 S36′ [36] In Isaiah:
Woe to them that go down into Egypt for help, and stay on horses, and trust in the chariot, but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek Jehovah. For Egypt is man and not God, and its horses flesh and not spirit (Isa. 31:1, 3).
“Egypt” in the Word signifies the knowing [faculty] [scientificum] which is in the natural man, and thence also the natural man; and because the natural man, with the knowing [faculty] that is in it, has no understanding, but only thought from the memory, which is a kind of imagination from objects of sight and hearing; and because this is beneath the spiritual, in which nevertheless all the goods and truths of heaven and the church reside, therefore “Egypt” signifies in most passages a falsified knowing [faculty] [scientificum falsum]; for when the spiritual man does not flow in, knowledges in the natural man are turned into mere falsities, and its thoughts into confirmations of falsity and into reasonings from them against truths. From this it can be seen what is signified by “horses of Egypt and its chariots,” namely, that “the horses” signify false knowledges, and “chariots” doctrinals from which there are reasonings against truth. Such, therefore, seek truths from no other source than themselves, for each one’s own [proprium] has its seat in the natural man, and what is not his own has its seat in the spiritual; such persons therefore seize upon falsities instead of truths, and upon evils instead of goods, calling evils goods and falsities truths, and trusting in themselves, because they trust in what is their own. These things are signified by “Woe to them that go down into Egypt, and stay on horses, and trust in chariots because they are many, and in horsemen because they are very strong;” “horses” here mean false knowledges; and “chariots” doctrinals therefrom; and “horsemen” reasonings from them against truths; therefore it is also said, “Egypt is man and not God, and his horses flesh and not spirit” signifying that what is in them is merely natural and not spiritual, consequently that there is not in them anything of life; “man” signifying the natural man, and “flesh” what is its own; “God” and “spirit” signifying the Divine spiritual man, and life therefrom; and since they trust in themselves and not in the Lord, it is said, “they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek Jehovah.”
sRef Ex@14 @23 S37′ sRef Deut@17 @15 S37′ sRef Deut@17 @16 S37′ sRef Deut@17 @14 S37′ sRef Ex@14 @25 S37′ sRef Ex@14 @28 S37′ sRef Ex@14 @17 S37′ sRef Ex@14 @27 S37′ [37] From this it can now be seen what is signified by the horses, the chariots, and the armies of Pharaoh, in Moses:
I will be rendered glorious in Pharaoh and in his army and in his horsemen. And the Egyptians pursued the sons of Israel, and Pharaoh’s horses went after them, his chariots and his horsemen, into the midst of the sea. And Jehovah took off the wheel of their chariots, so that they drove them with difficulty. And when Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, the waters returned, and covered the chariots and the horsemen, together with the whole army of Pharaoh (Exod. 14:17-18, 23, 25, 27-28).
And in the same:
Moses and the children of Israel sang this song unto Jehovah. In singing I will sing unto Jehovah, for in exalting He hath exalted Himself; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea, and his chariots and his army (Exod. 15:1, 4, 19, 21).
What the horses and chariots of Pharaoh or Egypt signify has been shown above; his “army” signifies all falsities, in general and in particular; and “sea” signifies damnation and hell, where all are in their own [proprium], because they are in the natural man separated from the spiritual, and thence in all kinds of evils and falsities. The like is signified by “the horses of Egypt,” in these words in Moses:
If thou shalt say,** I will set over me a king, in setting thou shalt set*** over thee a king whom Jehovah thy God shall choose; only he shall not multiply to himself horses, nor shall he bring back the people into Egypt, that he may multiply horses (Deut. 17:14-16).
These things are said of the king, because the Lord in relation to Divine truth is represented by kings, and thence “kings” signify truths from good from the Lord (see above, n. 31). And as truths from good have their seat in the spiritual man, as was said above, and the knowledges [scientifica] that belong to the natural man serve the spiritual man as servants do their lord, it is said, “only he shall not multiply to himself horses, nor shall he bring back the people into Egypt, that he may multiply horses;” which signifies, only let no one from being a spiritual man become natural, and lead himself, and trust in what is his own [proprium] instead of in the Lord, that is, let not the truths of the spiritual man serve the natural, instead of the knowledges [scientifica] of the natural man serving the spiritual; for this latter is according to order, but the former contrary to order. “Horses” of Egypt have a like signification elsewhere in the Word (as Jer. 46:4, 9; Ezek. 17:15; 23:20).
* The photolithograph has “his;” see AE n. 175, 405, 433.
** The photolithograph has “they shall say.”
*** The photolithograph has “he shall set.”

sRef Rev@6 @2 S0′ 356. And he that sat on him had a bow, signifies the doctrine of charity and faith from that understanding, by which evils and falsities are combated and dispersed. This is evident from the signification of “he that sat on a white horse,” as meaning the Word (respecting which just above); also from the signification of “bow,” as meaning the doctrine of charity and faith, by which evils and falsities are combated and dispersed. That “bow” signifies this doctrine will be seen in what follows. Here first let something be said respecting doctrine:
1. Without doctrine no one can understand the Word.
2. Without doctrine from the Word no one can fight against evils and falsities, and disperse them.
3. Without doctrine from the Word no one within the church, where the Word is, can become spiritual.
4. Doctrine can be acquired from no other source than from the Word, and by none except those who are in illustration from the Lord.
5. All things of doctrine must be confirmed by the sense of the letter of the Word.
In respect to the first, namely, “Without doctrine no one can understand the Word,” it can be seen from this, that the sense of the letter consists of pure correspondences, which contain in themselves things spiritual, thus it consists of such things as are in the world and in its nature. From this it is that the sense of the letter is natural and not spiritual, accommodated, however, to the apprehension of the simple, who do not elevate their ideas above such things as they see before their eyes. From this it is, moreover, that it contains such things as do not appear to be spiritual, although the whole Word inwardly in itself is purely spiritual, because it is Divine. For this reason there are in the sense of the letter many things that cannot serve as doctrine for the church at this day, and many things that can be applied to various and diverse principles, and from this heresies arise; yet there are many things intermingled from which doctrine can be gathered and formed, especially the doctrine of life, which is the doctrine of charity and of faith therefrom. But he who reads the Word from doctrine sees there all things that confirm, as well as many things that lie concealed from the eyes of others; nor does he suffer himself to be drawn away into strange doctrines by those things in the Word that do not seem to agree, and that he does not understand; for all things of doctrine that he sees there are clear to him, and other things are obscure to him. Doctrine, therefore, which consists of genuine truths is as a lamp to those who read the Word; but on the other hand, to those who read the Word without doctrine it is like a lampstand without a light, placed in a dark place, by means of which nothing conducive to salvation can there be seen, known, inquired into, or found; moreover, one who so reads it is liable to be led away into any errors to which the mind is bent by some love, or is drawn by some principle. From this it can be seen that without doctrine no one can understand the Word.
[2] Second, “That without doctrine from the Word no one can fight against evils and falsities, and disperse them,” can be seen from this, that from doctrine truths can be seen in their own light and in their own order, but not from the Word without doctrine. This is clear from what has just been said. But if truths cannot be seen, neither can falsities and evils be seen, for the latter are the opposite of the former; and yet all combat against evils and falsities is from truths, that is, by means of truths from the Lord; consequently he who reads the Word without doctrine may easily be led to fight for falsity against truth and for evil against good, by confirming evils and falsities by a wrong interpretation and application of the sense of the letter of the Word; and as a consequence the man is not reformed; for man is reformed by the dispersion of evils and the falsities of evil, by means of truths applied to the life. This is what is here meant by “the white horse” that was seen, and by “he that sat on him having a bow;” for “a white horse” signifies the understanding of truth from the Word, and “a bow” signifies the doctrine of charity and of faith therefrom by which evils and falsities are combated and dispersed.
[3] Third, “That without doctrine from the Word no one within the church, where the Word is, can become spiritual,” can be seen from what has now been said, namely, that without doctrine the Word is not understood, and that without doctrine from the Word evils and falsities cannot be combated; for man becomes spiritual by means of a life according to Divine truths, which he does not know without doctrine, and by removing evils and falsities, which cannot be done without doctrine, as was said above. Without these two man is not reformed, thus does not become spiritual, but remains natural, and confirms his natural life by the sense of the letter of the Word, which is natural, by wrongly interpreting and applying it. It is said, within the church, where the Word is, since those who are out of the church do not have the Word, and therefore know nothing about the Lord; and no one becomes spiritual except from the Lord; and yet all who acknowledge a God and worship Him under the human form, and live in charity according to a religious principle that is in accord with the Word, are prepared by the Lord to receive spiritual life, and do receive it in the other life (on which see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 313-328; and above, n. 107, 195). Man becomes spiritual by regeneration, and regeneration is effected by “water and the spirit,” that is, by means of truths and a life according to them (see in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 173-186; that baptism in the Christian world is for a sign and memorial of regeneration, n. 202-209, in the same work).
[4] Fourth, “That doctrine can be acquired from no other source than from the Word, and by none except those who are in illustration from the Lord,” can be seen from this, that the Word is Divine truth itself, and is such that the Lord is in it; for the Lord is in His Divine truth that proceeds from Him; those, therefore, who frame doctrine from any other source than from the Word, do not frame it from Divine truth nor from the Lord. Moreover, in the particulars of the Word there is a spiritual sense, and the angels of heaven are in that sense; consequently there is a conjunction of heaven with the church by means of the Word; those, therefore, who frame doctrine from any other source than the Word do not frame it in conjunction with heaven, from which nevertheless is all illustration. (That the conjunction of heaven with man is by means of the Word, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 303-310.) From this it is evident that doctrine is to be acquired from no other source than the Word, and by none except those who are in illustration from the Lord. They are in illustration from the Lord who love truths because they are truths; and because such as these do them, they are in the Lord and the Lord is in them.
[5] Fifth, “That all things of doctrine must be confirmed by the sense of the letter of the Word,” can be seen from this, that Divine truth in the sense of the letter is in its fullness; for that is the ultimate sense, and the spiritual sense is in it; when, therefore, doctrine has been confirmed by that sense the doctrine of the church is also the doctrine of heaven, and there is conjunction by correspondence. Let this be illustrated by this only: when man thinks any truth and confirms it by the sense of the letter, it is perceived in heaven, but not if he does not confirm it; for the sense of the letter is the basis into which spiritual ideas, which are the angels’ ideas, close, much the same as words are the basis into which the meaning of the thought falls and is communicated to another. That this is so might be confirmed by much experience from the spiritual world; but this is not the place to present it.

sRef Rev@6 @2 S0′ sRef Zech@9 @12 S1′ sRef Zech@9 @14 S1′ sRef Zech@9 @10 S1′ sRef Zech@9 @13 S1′ 357. That “a bow” signifies doctrine combating, or doctrine by which one fights against evils and falsities, and that “arrows,” “javelins,” and “darts,” signify the truths of doctrine which fight, can be seen from the following passages. In Zechariah:
I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem, and the bow of war shall be cut off, and he shall speak peace to the nations. Return to the stronghold, ye bound ones of hope; and I will bend Judah for Me, and with a bow I will fill Ephraim, and I will stir up thy sons, O Zion, for Jehovah shall be seen over them, and His arrow shall go forth as lightning; and the Lord Jehovih shall blow with a trumpet, and He shall go in the storms of the south (Zech. 9:10, 12-14).
This treats of the vastation of the Jewish Church and the establishment of a church among the Gentiles. The vastation of the Jewish Church is described by “I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem, and the bow of war shall be cut off,” which signifies that there would be no longer any truth in the doctrine nor any understanding of truth, and thus no combat or resistance against falsity, “chariot” signifying the doctrine of truth, “horse” the understanding of truth, “the bow of war” combat from doctrine against falsity; it is said “the bow of war” because doctrine combating is meant. “Ephraim” signifies the church in relation to the understanding of truth, and “Jerusalem” in relation to doctrine. The establishment of the church among the Gentiles is described by these words, “but he shall speak peace to the nations; return to the stronghold, ye bound ones of hope; and I will bend Judah for me, and with the bow I will fill Ephraim, and I will stir up thy sons, O Zion,” which signifies that the church is to be established among those who are in the good of love to the Lord, and in truths therefrom, “peace” signifying that good, “Judah” those who are in that good, and “Ephraim” those who are in the understanding of truth from it; it is therefore said of Ephraim, “with the bow He will fill him,” that is, with the doctrine of truth. Their illustration in truths is described by these words, “His arrow shall go forth as lightning; and the Lord Jehovih shall blow with the trumpet, and He shall go in the storms of the south;” the “arrow that shall go forth as lightning” signifies truth illustrated, thus truth from the good of love; “He shall blow with the trumpet” signifies the clear perception of good; and “the storms of the south” signify the clear understanding of truth, “the south” meaning the light of truth. This treats of the Lord, thus that these things are from the Lord.
sRef Gen@49 @24 S2′ sRef Gen@49 @23 S2′ sRef Gen@49 @22 S2′ [2] In Moses:
The son of a fruitful one is Joseph, the son of a fruitful one by the fountain; the daughters (she walketh upon the wall), they shall embitter him, and shall shoot; and the archers shall hate him; and he shall sit in the firmness of his bow, and the arms of his hands shall be strengthened by the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob; thence is he the shepherd, the stone of Israel (Gen. 49:22-24).
“Joseph,” in the highest sense, signifies the Lord in relation to the spiritual kingdom. There are two kingdoms of heaven: one called the celestial kingdom, and the other the spiritual kingdom; the celestial kingdom is described in the prophecy respecting Judah, and the spiritual kingdom in this respecting Joseph. Those who are in the Lord’s celestial kingdom are in the good of love to Him, which is called celestial good; and those who are in the Lord’s spiritual kingdom are in the good of love to the neighbor, and thence in truths; and it is because all truths proceed from the Lord through the spiritual kingdom that Joseph is called “the son of a fruitful one, the son of a fruitful one by the fountain,” “a fruitful one” signifies spiritual good, which is the good of charity, “son” signifies truth from that good, and “a fountain” signifies the Word; combat against evils and falsities is described by “the daughters shall embitter him, and shoot, and the archers shall hate him,” “daughters” signifying those who are in evils and who wish by falsities to destroy goods; those who assault by evils are signified by “they shall shoot,” and those who assault by the falsities of evil by “the archers” who shall hate him. The Lord’s victory over them is described by these words, “and he shall sit in the firmness of his bow, and the arms of his hands shall be strengthened by the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob; thence is he the shepherd, the stone of Israel;” “to sit in the firmness of the bow” signifies to be in the doctrine of genuine truth, and “the arms of his hands shall be strengthened by the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob” signifies the power they have from the Lord, “the arms of the hands” meaning power, and “the Mighty One of Jacob” the Lord, who is also called “the shepherd, the stone of Israel,” from the doctrine of charity and thence of faith which is from Him. (That “Joseph” in the highest sense signifies the Lord in relation to the Divine spiritual, and in the internal sense His spiritual kingdom, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3969, 3971, 4669, 6417; and what else he signifies, n. 4286, 4592, 4963, 5086, 5087, 5106, 5249, 5307, 5869, 5877, 6224, 6526.)
sRef 2Sam@1 @18 S3′ sRef 2Sam@1 @22 S3′ sRef 2Sam@1 @17 S3′ [3] In the second book of Samuel:
David lamented over Saul and over Jonathan his son, and wrote, To teach the sons of Judah the bow (2 Sam. 1:17-18).
That lamentation treats of the combat of truth from good against the falsity from evil; for “Saul” as a king here signifies truth from good, for such truth is meant by “king” in the Word (see above, n. 31); and “Jonathan,” as the son of a king, signifies the truth of doctrine; therefore he wrote the lamentation, “To teach the sons of Judah the bow,” which signifies to teach them the doctrine of truth that is from good. The combat of that truth against falsities and evils is described in that lamentation by these words:
Without the blood of the slain, without the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan returned not back, and the sword of Saul returned not empty (2 Sam 1:22).
“The blood of the slain” signifies the falsities conquered and dispersed; “the fat of the mighty” signifies evils conquered and dispersed. That these are conquered and dispersed by the doctrine of truth that is from good is signified by “the bow of Jonathan returned not back, and the sword of Saul returned not empty,” “the bow of Jonathan” meaning doctrine, and “the sword of Saul” truth from good.
sRef Ps@18 @34 S4′ [4] In David:
God teacheth my hands war and placeth a bow of brass in mine arms (Ps. 18:34).
“War” here signifies war in a spiritual sense, which is war against evils and falsities; this is the war that God teaches; and “the bow of brass” signifies the doctrine of charity; God places this in the arms, that is, makes it to prevail.
sRef Isa@41 @2 S5′ [5] In Isaiah:
Who hath stirred up one from the sunrise, whom He hath called in righteousness to follow Him, hath given the nations before him, and made him to have dominion over kings, hath given them as the dust to his sword, and as stubble driven by his bow? (Isa. 41:2).
This is said of the Lord and of His dominion over evils and falsities; the “nations that He gave before him,” signify evils; and the “kings over whom He made him to have dominion,” signify falsities; that He disperses evils and falsities as if they were nothing, by His Divine truth and by the doctrine therefrom, is signified by “He gave them as dust to his sword, and as stubble driven by his bow,” “his sword” meaning the Divine truth, and “his bow,” doctrine. That evils and falsities are dispersed as if they were nothing, is signified by “as dust,” and “as driven stubble.” It is said that evils and falsities are thus dispersed, but it is meant that those who are in evils and in falsities therefrom are thus dispersed in the other life.
sRef Zech@10 @3 S6′ sRef Zech@10 @4 S6′ [6] In Zechariah:
Jehovah [of Hosts] shall visit His flock, the house of Judah, and shall set them as the horse of His majesty in war. Out of him shall be the corner, out of him the nail, out of him the bow of war (Zech. 10:3-4).
This may be seen explained in the preceding article which treats of the signification of “the horse;” “the bow of war” signifying truth combating from doctrine.
sRef Hab@3 @9 S7′ sRef Hab@3 @8 S7′ [7] In Habakkuk:
Was Jehovah displeased with the rivers? was Thine anger against the rivers? was Thy fury against the sea, that Thou dost ride upon Thine horses, Thy chariots are salvation? With bareness shall Thy bow be made bare (Hab. 3:8, 9).
This, too, was explained in the preceding article; “Thy bow shall be made bare” signifying that the doctrine of truth shall be laid open.
sRef Isa@21 @16 S8′ sRef Isa@21 @15 S8′ sRef Isa@21 @17 S8′ [8] In Isaiah:
Before the swords shall they flee away, before the drawn sword, and before the bended bow; and for the grievousness of the war all the glory of Kedar shall be consumed, and the remnant of the number of the bow of the mighty of the sons of Kedar shall be few (Isa. 21:15-17).
This treats in the spiritual sense of the knowledges of good as about to perish, and that few will remain; “Kedar,” that is, Arabia, signifies those who are in the knowledges of good, and in an abstract sense such knowledges themselves. That the knowledges of truth are to perish through falsities and the doctrine of falsity, is signified by, “Before the swords shall they flee away, before the drawn sword, and before the bended bow,” “sword” meaning falsity combating and destroying, and “bow,” the doctrine of falsity. That the knowledges of good are to perish is signified by these words, “for the grievousness of the war all the glory of Kedar shall be consumed,” “the grievousness of war” meaning assault, and “all the glory of Kedar shall be consumed” meaning vastation. And that few knowledges are to remain is described by “the remnant of the number of the bow of the mighty of the sons of Kedar shall be few,” “the bow of the mighty” meaning the doctrine of truth from the knowledges that prevail against falsities.
sRef Isa@49 @2 S9′ [9] In the same:
He hath made my mouth like a sharp sword; He hath made me a polished arrow; in His quiver hath He hid me (Isa. 49:2).
This also treats of the Lord; and “sharp sword” signifies the truth dispersing falsity; “the polished arrow” truth dispersing evil; and “quiver” the Word: this makes clear what is signified by “He hath made my mouth like a sharp sword,” and “He hath made me a polished arrow, and in His quiver hath He hid me,” namely, that in the Lord and from Him is the Divine truth, by means of which falsities and evils are dispersed, and that in Him and from Him is the Word, where and whence these truths are.
sRef Jer@6 @23 S10′ sRef Ps@127 @3 S10′ sRef Ps@127 @4 S10′ sRef Ps@127 @5 S10′ sRef Jer@6 @22 S10′ [10] In David:
Lo, sons are an heritage of Jehovah; the fruit of the belly is His reward. As arrows in the hands of a mighty one, so are the sons of youth. Happy is the man that hath filled his quiver with them; they shall not be ashamed when they speak with the enemies in the gate (Ps. 127:3-5).
“Sons that are an heritage of Jehovah,” signify truths by which there is intelligence; the “fruit of the belly that is His reward,” signifies the goods, by which there is happiness; “the sons of youth that are as arrows in the hand of a mighty one,” signify the truths of the good of innocence; because nothing evil or false can resist these truths, it is said that they are “as arrows in the hand of a mighty one.” The good of innocence is the good of love to the Lord; because these truths have such power it is said, “Happy is the man that hath filled his quiver with them,” “quiver” here having a like signification as “bow,” namely, the doctrine from the Word; “they shall not be ashamed when they speak with the enemies in the gate” signifies that there shall be no fear because of evils from the hells, “enemies” meaning evils, and “gate” hell (see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 428-429, 583-585).
sRef Ps@78 @9 S11′ sRef Ps@78 @10 S11′ [11] In the same:
The sons of Ephraim, who were armed, shooters of the bow, turned about in the day of battle. They kept not the covenant of God (Ps. 78:9-10).
“Ephraim” here, as above, signifies the understanding of truth, and his “sons” the truths themselves; therefore they are also called “shooters of the bow,” that is, fighters against evils and falsities. That they did not resist these because they were not conjoined to the Lord, is here signified by “they turned about in the day of battle, because they did not keep the covenant of God,” “covenant” meaning conjunction, and “not keeping it” meaning not to live according to the truths and goods that conjoin.
sRef Ps@11 @2 S12′ [12] From the passages cited it can be seen that a “bow” signifies the doctrine of truth combating against falsities and evils and dispersing them. That this is the signification of “bow” can be seen further from its contrary sense, in which “bow” signifies the doctrine of falsity fighting against truths and goods and destroying them; and “darts” and “arrows” its falsities themselves. In this sense “bow” is mentioned in the following passages. In David:
Lo, the wicked bend the bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may shoot in darkness at the upright in heart (Ps. 11:2).
“The wicked bend the bow” signifies that they frame doctrine; “they make ready the arrow upon the string” signifies that they apply into it falsities that appear as truths; “to shoot in darkness at the upright in heart” signifies to deceive those who are in truths from good; “bow” here meaning the doctrine of falsity, “arrow” the falsity itself; “to shoot” meaning to deceive, and “darkness” appearances; for such as these reason from appearances in the world and from fallacies, also by the application of the sense of the letter of the Word.
sRef Ps@37 @14 S13′ sRef Ps@37 @15 S13′ [13] In the same:
The wicked unsheathe the sword, and bend their bow, to cast down the miserable and needy. Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken (Ps. 37:14-15).
“Sword” signifies falsity fighting against truth, and “bow” signifies the doctrine of falsity; “to cast down the miserable and the needy” signifies to pervert those who are in ignorance of truth and good; “their sword shall enter into their own heart” signifies that they shall perish by their own falsity; and “their bows shall be broken” signifies that their doctrine of falsity shall be dispersed, which also takes place after their departure from the world; then falsities destroy them, and so far as they have applied truths to falsities their doctrine is dispersed.
sRef Ps@64 @3 S14′ sRef Ps@64 @4 S14′ [14] In the same:
Who sharpen their tongue like a sword, and aim their arrow with a bitter word, that they may shoot in secret places at the perfect* (Ps. 64:3-4).
Because “sword” signifies falsity fighting against truth, it is said, “who sharpen their tongue like a sword;” and because “arrow” signifies the falsity of doctrine, it is said, “they aim their arrow with a bitter word” “to shoot in secret places at the perfect” signifies the like as “to shoot in darkness at the upright in heart,” just before, namely, to deceive those who are in truths from good.
sRef Jer@9 @2 S15′ sRef Jer@9 @3 S15′ [15] In Jeremiah:
They are all adulterers, an assembly of treacherous ones, who bend their tongue; their bow is a lie, neither in the truth have they prevailed in the land; for they go forth from evil to evil, neither have they known Me (Jer. 9:2-3).
“Adulterers, an assembly of treacherous ones,” mean those who falsify the knowledges of truth and good, “adulterers” meaning those who falsify the knowledges of truth, and “treacherous ones” those who falsify the knowledges of good; of these it is said that “they bend the tongue,” and that “their bow is a lie,” “bow” meaning the doctrine from which principles of falsity are derived, and “lie” meaning the falsity; it is therefore also said, “neither in the truth have they prevailed in the land,” that is, in the church where genuine truths are; that those who are in a life of evil and do not acknowledge the Lord are such is signified by, “for they go forth from evil to evil, neither have they known Me.”
sRef Jer@50 @9 S16′ sRef Jer@50 @14 S16′ sRef Jer@50 @42 S16′ sRef Jer@50 @29 S16′ [16] In Jeremiah:
Behold, I cause to come up against Babylon an assembly of great nations from the land of the north; his arrows as of a mighty one, none shall return vain. Set yourselves in array against Babylon round about, all ye that bend the bow, shoot against her, spare not the arrows; make the shooters heard against Babylon, all that bend the bow encamp against her round about; let there be no escape for her (Jer. 50:9, 14, 29, 42; 51:3).
This describes the total devastation of truth with those who are meant by Babylon, who are those that arrogate to themselves Divine power, and who acknowledge the Lord, indeed, but take away from Him all power to save, and who thus profane Divine truths; and as the Lord as far as possible provides that genuine truths be not profaned, these truths are wholly taken away from them, and they are imbued instead with mere falsities. “An assembly of great nations from the land of the north” signifies direful evils rising up out of hell,” “great nations” meaning direful evils and “land of the north” the hell where there is nothing but falsity; “his arrows as of a mighty one, none shall return vain” signifies that thence they shall be imbued with mere falsities thence; “set themselves in array against Babylon round about, all ye that bend the bow, shoot against her, spare not the arrows” signifies devastation in relation to all doctrinals; the total devastation of truth with such is signified by “all that bend the bow encamp against her round about; let there be no escape for her.”
sRef Isa@13 @19 S17′ sRef Isa@13 @18 S17′ sRef Isa@13 @17 S17′ [17] In Isaiah:
I stir up against them the Medes, who will not esteem silver, and in gold they will not delight; whose bows will dash in pieces the young men, and they will have no compassion on the fruit of the womb; so shall Babylon be, as the overturning of God, Sodom and Gomorrah (Isa. 13:17-19).
This also is said of Babylon, and the devastation of all things of the church with those who are meant by Babylon (of which just above). “The Medes” signify those who make nothing of the truths and goods of heaven and the church; therefore it is said of them, “who will not esteem silver, and in gold they will not delight,” “silver” signifying truth, and “gold” good, both of the church; “their bows will dash in pieces the young men, and they will have no compassion on the fruit of the womb” signifies the doctrinals that destroy all truth and all good thence, “young men” signifying truths, and “the fruit of the womb” goods; and because all evil with such is from the love of self, and all falsity is from that evil, and because that evil and that falsity thence are condemned to hell, therefore it is said, “so shall Babylon be, as the overturning of God, Sodom and Gomorrah,” “the overturning of God” signifying damnation to hell, and “Sodom and Gomorrah” signifying the evils from the love of self and the falsities therefrom. (That this is the signification of “Sodom and Gomorrah,” see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2220, 2246, 2322.)
sRef Isa@7 @24 S18′ sRef Isa@7 @23 S18′ [18] In the same:
In that day every place in which there were a thousand vines for a thousand of silver shall be a place of briers and brambles. With arrow and with bow shall one come thither, because the whole land shall be a place of briers and brambles (Isa. 7:23-24).
The church vastated in relation to every truth and good is thus described; what the church had been before, namely, that genuine truth, which are truths from good, had been there in abundance is described by “in which there were a thousand vines for a thousand of silver,” “a thousand vines” meaning truths from good in abundance, “a thousand of silver” meaning that these are most highly esteemed because they are genuine, “silver” meaning truth, and a “thousand” many, thus in abundance. But what the church became when vastated in respect to every truth and good is described by these words, “With arrow and with bow shall one come thither, because the whole land shall be a place of briers and brambles,” “arrow” meaning falsity destroying truth, and “bow” the doctrine of falsity, “a place of briers” signifying falsity from evil, and “a place of brambles” evil from falsity; “land” means the church.
[19] In Jeremiah:
Behold, a people cometh from the land of the north, and a great nation shall be stirred up from the sides of the earth. They lay hold on bow and spear; they are cruel, and have no compassion; their voice resoundeth like the sea; and they ride upon horses arrayed as a man for war, against thee, O daughter of Zion (Jer. 6:22-23).
This, too, describes the devastation of the church by the falsities of evil; what “a people from the land of the north” signifies, and “a great nation from the sides of the earth,” also what “their voice resoundeth like the sea,” and “they ride upon horses” signify, was explained in the preceding article; “they lay hold on bow and spear” signifies [that they fight from false doctrine, “bow” signifying] the falsity of doctrine destroying truth, and “spear” the falsity of evil destroying good; “daughter of Zion” meaning the church.
sRef Jer@4 @27 S20′ sRef Jer@4 @29 S20′ [20] In the same:
The whole land is a waste; for the voice of the horseman and of the shooters of the bow the whole city fleeth; they have entered into the clouds, they have ascended into the rocks, the whole city is forsaken, no man dwelling therein (Jer. 4:27, 29).
This, too, can be seen explained in the preceding article. “The voice of the horseman and of the shooters of the bow” signifies the reasonings from falsities, and assaults upon truth; “the shooters of the bow,” that is, those who hold the bow, are those who assault truths from the falsities of doctrine; therefore it is said “the whole city fleeth,” and “the whole city is forsaken,” “city” signifying the doctrine of the church.
sRef Isa@5 @26 S21′ sRef Isa@5 @28 S21′ [21] In Isaiah:
Jehovah hath lifted up an ensign to the nations from far, and behold the swift one shall come in haste, his arrows are sharp, and all his bows bent; the hoofs of his horses are reckoned as rock, and his wheels as a storm (Isa. 5:26, 28).
“His arrows are sharp,” and “his bows bent,” signify the falsities of doctrine prepared to destroy truths. What is signified by “the nations from far” and by “the hoofs of the horses that are reckoned as rock,” and by “the wheels that are like a storm,” may be seen in the article just above (n. 355), where they are explained.
sRef Amos@2 @15 S22′ sRef Amos@2 @16 S22′ sRef Amos@2 @14 S22′ [22] In Amos:
He that holdeth the bow shall not stand, nor shall the swift of foot deliver himself, nor shall he that rideth upon the horse cause his soul to escape, but he that is stout in his heart among the mighty shall flee naked in that day (Amos 2:15-16).
This describes self-intelligence, and thus confidence from an ability to reason from falsities against truths; “he that holdeth the bow shall not stand, nor shall the swift of foot cause himself to escape,” signifies that one who knows how to reason readily and skillfully from doctrine and from the memory that belongs to the natural man, cannot provide for his salvation, nor stand in the day of judgment; the like is signified by “he that rideth upon the horse shall not cause his soul to escape;” “he that is stout in his heart shall flee [naked] in that day” signifies that he who trusts in himself because of an ability to reason from falsities shall then be deprived of all truth; “the stout in heart” meaning him who trusts in himself on that account, and “naked” signifying deprived of all truth.
sRef Ps@7 @13 S23′ sRef Ps@7 @12 S23′ sRef Ps@7 @11 S23′ [23] In David:
God is a righteous judge, a God that is indignant all the day; if he turn not back He will whet His sword, He will bend His bow and make it ready, and hath prepared for him the instruments of death, He maketh His arrows burning (Ps. 7:11-13).
It is here attributed to God that He is indignant with the wicked, that He whets His sword, that He bends and makes ready His bow, prepares instruments of death, and makes His arrows burning; but in the spiritual sense it is meant that man does this in respect to himself. These things are attributed to God in the sense of the letter, because that sense is natural, and is for the natural man who believes that for these reasons God is to be feared; and with him fear works as love works afterwards, when he becomes spiritual. This makes clear what these words signify, namely, that it is the evil man who is indignant with God, that he whets the sword against himself, and bends the bow and makes it ready, he prepares the instruments of death, and makes his arrows burning. “He whetteth the sword” signifies that he acquires for himself falsity, by which he combats against truths; “he bendeth the bow and maketh it ready” signifies that from falsities he frames for himself doctrine opposed to truths; and “he prepares the instruments of death, and maketh his arrows burning” signifies that from infernal love he frames for himself principles of falsity by which he destroys good and its truth.
sRef Lam@2 @4 S24′ [24] In Lamentations:
The Lord hath bent His bow like an enemy; He hath stood with His right hand as an adversary; He hath slain all things desirable to the eyes (Lam. 2:4).
Here, too, like things are attributed to the Lord, for a like reason as above; “He bends His bow like an enemy, and stands with His right hand as an adversary” signifies that the evil man does this in respect to himself, namely, he defends evil against good, and falsity against the truths of good from doctrine that he has framed for himself out of self-intelligence and confirmed by the sense of the letter of the Word; for in Lamentations the vastation of all good and all truth with the Jewish nation, from their applying the sense of the letter of the Word in favor of their own loves is treated of; “bow” here meaning the doctrine of falsity therefrom, “enemy” evil, and “adversary” falsity. That in consequence all the understanding of truth and good would perish is signified by “the Lord hath slain all things desirable to the eyes,” “things desirable to the eyes” meaning all things that are of intelligence and wisdom.
sRef Deut@32 @22 S25′ sRef Deut@32 @23 S25′ [25] In Moses:
A fire hath been kindled in Mine anger, and it shall devour the earth and its produce, and shall set in flames the foundations of the mountains. I will empty out evils upon them; I will consume Mine arrows upon them (Deut. 32:22-23).
This is in the song of Moses, which treats of the Israelitish and Jewish nation, and describes what they were in their hearts, namely, that there was nothing of the church with them because there was with them mere falsity from evil; “the earth and its produce, that is to be devoured” signifies the church, and all the truth and good therefrom, “the earth” signifying the church, and “produce” all the truth and good thereof. “The foundations of the mountains, that are to be set in flames” signify truths upon which the goods of love are based, especially the truths of the sense of the letter of the Word, since these are the foundations; the “evils that are to be emptied out upon them,” and the “arrows that are to be consumed upon them” signify that they shall be imbued with all evils and falsities. (What that nation was from the beginning, and also what it is at this day, may be seen in the Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 248.)
sRef 1Sam@2 @4 S26′ [26] In the first book of Samuel:
The bows of the mighty are broken, but they who had stumbled have girded valor about them (1 Sam. 2:4).
This is the prophecy of Hannah, the mother of Samuel, which treats of the taking away of truth with those who are of the church, because they are in no spiritual affection of truth; also of the reception and illumination of those who are outside of the church, because they are in the spiritual affection of truth. That the doctrines of falsities that are held by those who are of the church are of no account is signified by “the bows of the mighty are broken;” and the reception and illustration of those who are outside of the church are signified by “they who had stumbled have girded valor about them;” those are said to “stumble,” who are pressed by the falsities of ignorance, and “valor” is predicated of power and abundance of truth from good.
sRef Jer@49 @35 S27′ [27] In Jeremiah:
Behold, I break the bow of Elam, the beginning of his might (Jer. 49:35).
“Elam” means the knowledge [scientia] belonging to the natural man, and consequent confidence; his “bow” signifies the knowledge [scientia] from which as from doctrine he fights; and “the beginning of his might” signifies confidence; for knowledge [scientia] is of no avail if it does not serve the rational and the spiritual man. That “Elam” means knowledge belonging to the natural man can be seen from these passages in the Word in which “Elam” is mentioned (as Gen. 10:22; Isa. 21:2; Jer. 25:24-26; 49:34-39; Ezek. 32:24, 25).
sRef Ps@76 @3 S28′ sRef Ps@76 @2 S28′ sRef Ps@46 @9 S28′ [28] In David:
Jehovah maketh wars to cease even to the end of the earth; He breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear asunder; He burneth up the chariots with fire (Ps. 46:9).
Because “wars” signify spiritual combats, which are here those of falsity against the truth and against the good of the church, it is clear what is signified by “Jehovah will make wars to cease even to the end of the earth,” namely, that from firsts to the ultimates of the truth of the church all combat and disagreement shall cease, “the end of the earth” signifying the ultimates of the church. That there shall be no combat of doctrine against doctrine is signified by “He shall break the bow;” that there shall be no combat from any falsity of evil is signified by “He shall cut the spear asunder;” and that everything of the doctrine of falsity shall be destroyed by “He shall burn up the chariots with fire.”
[29] In the same:
In Salem is the tabernacle of Jehovah, and His abode in Zion. There brake He the strings of the bow, the shield, and the sword, and war (Ps. 76:2-3).
This treats likewise of the cessation of all combat and all disagreement in the Lord’s kingdom; “Salem” where Jehovah’s tabernacle is, and “Zion” where His abode is, signify His spiritual kingdom and His celestial kingdom; “Salem” the spiritual kingdom where genuine truth is, and “Zion” the celestial kingdom where genuine good is and “He shall break the strings of the bow, the shield, the sword, and war” signifies the dissipation of all the combat of the falsities of doctrine against good and truth; “the strings of a bow” meaning the principal things of doctrine.
[30] In Hosea:
In that day will I make a covenant for them with the wild beast of the field and with the fowl of the heavens, and with the creeping thing of the earth; and I will break the bow and the sword and war from the earth, and I will make them to lie down securely (Hos. 2:18).
This treats of the Lord’s coming and His conjunction at that time with all who are in truths from good; “the covenant with the wild beast of the field, with the fowl of the heavens, and with the creeping things of the earth” signifies the conjunction with their affection of good, with the affection of truth, and with the affection of the knowledges of the truth and good of the church that they have; for “the wild beast of the field” signifies the affection of good, “the fowl of the heavens” the affection of truth, and “the creeping thing of the earth” the affection of the knowledges of truth and good. Everyone sees that no wild beast, or fowl, or creeping thing of the earth is here meant; for with these how could there be any covenant? “I will break the bow and the sword and war from the earth” signifies that because of conjunction with the Lord no combat of falsity against truth shall exist, “bow” here meaning doctrine, “sword” falsity, and “war” combat.
sRef Ezek@39 @8 S31′ sRef Ezek@39 @9 S31′ [31] In Ezekiel:
This is the day whereof I have spoken; then the inhabitants of the cities of Israel shall go forth, and they shall set on fire and burn the arms, both the shield and the buckler, with the bow and the arrows, and the hand staff and the spear, and they shall kindle a fire with them seven years (Ezek. 39:8-9).
This treats of “Gog,” which means those who are in external worship and in no internal worship; because such are in opposition to the spiritual affection of truth, which is to love truths because they are truths, they are in falsities in respect to doctrine, and in evils in respect to life; for no one can be reformed, that is, be withdrawn from falsities and evils except by means of truths; for this reason it is said that “the inhabitants of the cities of Israel shall go forth, and shall burn the arms, and the shield and the buckler, with the bow and the arrows, and the hand staff and the spear;” “the inhabitants of the cities of Israel” mean those who are in the affection of truth from good, that is, in the spiritual affection of truth, and thence in the doctrine of genuine truth; “to burn up the arms” signifies to extirpate falsities of every kind; the “shield” falsity destroying good; “the buckler” falsity destroying truth; “the bow with the arrows” doctrine with its falsities the “hand staff” and the “spear” signify one’s own power and confidence, such as pertain to those who place the all of the church, and thence of salvation, in external worship; “they shall kindle a fire with them seven years” signifies that these falsities and evils shall be completely destroyed, “seven years” signifying all things, fullness, and completely (see above, n. 257, 300).
* “Perfect” (“integrum”) as below, the photolithograph has “wicked” (“inpium”).

sRef Rev@6 @2 S0′ 358. And a crown was given [unto Him], signifies eternal life which is the reward of victory. This is evident from the signification of “crown,” as being, when spiritual combat is treated of, as here, eternal life which is the reward of victory. That spiritual combat is here treated of is evident from what precedes and follows; in what precedes it is said that “He that sat upon the white horse had a bow,” and “a bow” signifies the doctrine of charity and faith, from which one fights against evils and falsities and disperses them. It is also evident from what follows, in which it is said, “and He went forth conquering and that He might conquer,” by which is signified victory over evils and falsities; therefore “crown” here signifies eternal life, which is the reward of victory.
sRef Rev@2 @10 S2′ [2] “Crown” has a similar signification where temptations are treated of, because temptations are spiritual combats, as in the second chapter of this book, where these words occur:
Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have affliction ten days; be thou faithful even till death, and I will give thee the crown of life (Rev. 2:10).
Here “crown” signifies wisdom and eternal happiness, as may be seen above (n. 126). Wisdom and eternal happiness taken together are eternal life, for the very life of heaven is in wisdom and eternal happiness. The “crown” of the martyrs has a like signification because they were in affliction, and were “faithful even till death,” and were also in temptations and conquered; moreover, after death crowns were given them; but lest they should on that account appropriate honor to themselves, and thus acquire haughtiness, they cast them off from their heads.
sRef 2Sam@1 @5 S3′ sRef 2Sam@1 @6 S3′ sRef 2Sam@1 @8 S3′ sRef 2Sam@1 @7 S3′ sRef 2Sam@1 @9 S3′ sRef 2Sam@1 @10 S3′ [3] Because in the Word “wars” signify wars in a spiritual sense which are combats against evils and falsities, and “kings” signify truths from good which fight against evils and falsities, in ancient times, when men had a knowledge of correspondences and representations, kings in their battles wore a crown upon the head, and a bracelet upon the arm, as can be seen in the second book of Samuel:
The young man, the son of an Amalekite, who told David that Saul and Jonathan were dead, said, I came upon Mount Gilboa, when behold, Saul leaned upon his spear; and the chariots and leaders followed hard after him. And he said to me, Come and put me to death. And I stood against him, and put him to death, and I took the crown that was upon his head and the bracelet that was on his arm, and I bring them to thee (2 Sam. 1:6, 8-10).
A crown in battle has then a sign of combat, and a bracelet upon the arm was a sign of power, each against evils and falsities. These combats are also signified by battles everywhere in the Word, even in the historical parts. (That “bracelet upon the arm” signifies the power of truth from good, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3105. What further “crowns of kings” and “crowns” in general signify, see above, n. 272.)

sRef Rev@6 @2 S0′ 359. And he went forth conquering and that He might conquer, signifies the removal of evils and of falsities thence to the end of life, and afterwards to eternity. This is evident from the signification of “to conquer” in the Word as being to conquer spiritually, which is to subjugate evils and falsities; but as these are not conquered otherwise than that they are taken away by the Lord, “to conquer” signifies the removal of evils and falsities. (That evils and falsities are removed, and not wiped out, or that man is withheld from them, and kept in good and truth by the Lord, see in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 166; and Arcana Coelestia, n. 865, 868, 887, 894, 929, 1581, 2116, 2406, 4564, 8206, 8393, 8988, 9014, 9333-9338, 9446-9448, 9451, 10057, 10060.) It is said “he went forth conquering and that He might conquer,” and “He went forth conquering” signifies the removal of evils and of falsities thence to the end of life; “and that He might conquer” signifies their removal afterwards to eternity; for he who fights against evils and falsities and conquers them, in the world even to the end of life, conquers them to eternity; for such as man is at the end of his life in consequence of his past life, such he remains to eternity. “To conquer” signifies to conquer spiritually, because the Word is in its bosom spiritual, that is, in its bosom it treats of spiritual things, and not of earthly things; the earthly things that are in the sense of its letter merely serve its spiritual sense as a basis, into which spiritual things close and in which they are. “To conquer [or to overcome]” has a like signification in the following passages.
sRef Rev@2 @11 S2′ sRef Rev@3 @21 S2′ sRef Rev@3 @12 S2′ sRef Rev@2 @26 S2′ sRef Rev@21 @7 S2′ sRef Rev@12 @11 S2′ sRef John@16 @33 S2′ [2] In Revelation:
To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life which is in the midst of the paradise of God (Rev. 2:7).
He that overcometh shall not be hurt by the second death (Rev. 2:11).
He that overcometh and keepeth My works unto the end, I will give him power over the nations (Rev. 2:26).
He that overcometh I will make him a pillar in the temple of God (Rev. 3:12).
He that overcometh I will give to him to sit with Me in My throne (Rev. 3:21).
They overcame the dragon through the blood of the Lamb, and through the word of the testimony (Rev. 12:11).
He that overcometh shall possess all things, and I will be to him God, and he shall be to Me a son (Rev. 21:7).
And in John:
Jesus [said] to the disciples, These things I have spoken unto you that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation; but confide, I have overcome the world (John 16:33).
The Lord’s “overcoming the world” means that He subjugated all the hells; for “the world” here signifies all evils and falsities, which are from hell (as also in John 8:23; 12:31; 14:17, 19, 30; 15:18, 19; 16:8, 11; 17:9, 14, 16).
sRef Isa@63 @3 S3′ sRef Isa@63 @6 S3′ sRef Isa@63 @1 S3′ [3] “To conquer” has a like signification when predicated of the Lord in Isaiah:
Who is this that cometh from Edom, His garments sprinkled from Bozrah? I have trodden the wine-press alone, and of the people not a man was with Me; therefore have I trodden them in Mine anger, and trampled them in My wrath; wherefore their victory is sprinkled upon My garments, and I have stained all My raiment. But I have made their victory to descend to the earth (Isa. 63:1, 3, 6).
This treats of the Lord, and His combats against the hells and their subjugation. He Himself in respect to His Divine Human is here meant by Edom, His garments sprinkled from Bozrah,” “His garments” signifying the Word in the letter, for “garments” signify truths investing, and in reference to the Lord they signify Divine truths, consequently the Word, since in it are all Divine truths (see above, n. 195). The Word in the sense of the letter is also meant here by “garments,” because it contains investing truths, for the sense of the letter serves as a garment to the spiritual sense. And as the Word, in respect to that sense, was torn asunder by the Jewish people, and Divine truth was thereby adulterated, it is said, “His garments sprinkled from Bozrah, their victory is sprinkled upon My garments, and I have stained all My raiment,” “garments from Bozrah” signify the ultimate of the Word which is the sense of the letter, “their victory upon My garments” signifies the wrong interpretation and application of the truth by those who wrest the sense of the letter to favor their own loves, and the principles thence assumed, as was done by the Jews, and is done also at this day by many; this is meant by “their victory upon My garments.”
That the Lord fought alone is signified by “I have trodden the wine-press alone, and of the people not a man was with Me,” “wine-press” signifying combat from Divine truths against falsities, because in wine-presses the wine is pressed out from grapes, and “wine” signifies Divine truth; therefore “to tread it alone, and of the people not a man was with Me,” signifies alone, with no aid from anyone. That the Lord subjugated the hells is signified by, “I have trodden them in Mine anger, and trampled them in My wrath;” it is said, “I have trodden” and “I have trampled,” because of the reference to the wine-press, and because destruction is signified; it is said, “anger” and “wrath” because the hells are destroyed; and in the sense of the letter this is attributed to the Lord, when nevertheless nothing of anger or wrath pertains to Him, but only to those who are against Him; it is according to appearance that it is so said here and in very many places elsewhere. That such were subjugated and condemned to hell is signified by, “I have made their victory to descend to the earth,” “to the earth” meaning into damnation, thus into hell. (That “earth” also signifies damnation, see above, n. 304.)

sRef Rev@6 @3 S0′ sRef Rev@6 @4 S0′ 360. Verses 3,4. And when He had opened the second seal, I heard the second animal saying, Come and see. And there went forth another horse that was red; and to him that sat upon him, to him it was given to take peace from the earth, that they should slay one another; and there was given unto him a great sword. 3. “And when He had opened the second seal,” signifies a manifestation of the succeeding state of those who are of the church, where the Word is (n. 361); “I heard the second animal saying,” signifies out of the inmost heaven from the Lord (n. 362); “Come and see,” signifies attention and perception (n. 363). 4. “And there went forth another horse that was red,” signifies the understanding of the Word destroyed in respect to good (n. 364); “and to him that sat upon him, to him it was given to take peace from the earth,” signifies the Word consequently not understood, whence there are dissensions in the church (n. 365); “that they should slay one another,” signifies the falsification and extinction of truths (n. 366); “and there was given unto him a great sword,” signifies by means of falsities (n. 367).

sRef Rev@6 @3 S0′ 361. Verse 3. And when he had opened the second seal, signifies the manifestation of the succeeding state of those who are of the church, where the Word is. This is evident from what was said above (n. 351, 352), namely, that “to open the seal” signifies the manifestation of the state of those who are of the church, and as there were seven seals, and seven openings of the seals, the successive states of those of the church are signified. But these successive states of the church, which are here described, are not apparent to anyone in the world, for they are successive states in respect to an understanding of truth from the Word; these no one sees but the Lord alone. And since all who are in the heavens are there arranged according to the affections of good and of truth, and thence in respect to the perception and understanding of the Word, and since this prophetical book describes the Last Judgment upon those who were in the former heaven, and the arrangement of those who are in the new heaven, therefore these states are here treated of, for thereon depend the things that follow.

sRef Rev@6 @3 S0′ 362. I heard the second animal saying, signifies out of the inmost heaven from the Lord. This is evident from what was said above (n. 353); for by the animals are meant cherubim, and “cherubim,” in the highest sense, signify the Lord in relation to providence and guard that He be not approached except through the good of love; and in a relative sense, the inmost heaven (see above, n. 152, 277, 313, 322). “Cherubim” signify also the inmost heaven because this heaven is in the good of love to the Lord, and the Lord cannot be approached except through the heavens, and into the inmost or third heaven there is nothing admitted that does not savor of the good of that heaven. There were four animals or cherubim, because “four” signifies conjunction into one, and such is the conjunction with those who are there; for the Lord thus conjoins them by means of love to Him from Him. For this reason four were seen. From this also it is clear that the second animal here has a similar significance as the first, and similar as the third and fourth in what follows. (That “four” signifies conjunction, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 1686, 8877, 9601, 9674.)

sRef Rev@6 @4 S0′ sRef Rev@6 @3 S0′ 363. Come and see, signifies attention and perception; as is evident from what was said above (n. 354), where the like words occur.

sRef Rev@6 @4 S0′ 364. Verse 4. And there went forth another horse that was red, signifies the understanding of the Word destroyed in respect to good. This is evident from the signification of “horse,” as being the intellect (of which above, n. 355). Here because the states of those who are of the church where the Word is are treated of, “horse” signifies the intellect of the men of the church in relation to the Word. It is also evident from the signification of “red” [ruber] or “reddish” [rufus], as being of what nature a thing is in relation to good, so here, of what quality the understanding of the Word is in relation to good. That “reddish” [rufus] here signifies this understanding destroyed in respect to good, can be seen from what immediately follows in this verse, for it is said, “to him that sat thereon it was given to take peace from the earth, that they should slay one another, and to him was given a great sword,” which signifies a consequent extinction of all truth. Since the horses that John saw were distinguished by colors, for the first appeared “white,” the second “red,” the third “black,” and the fourth “pale,” and colors signify the quality of a thing, let something first be said here about colors.
In the heavens colors of every kind appear, and they draw their origin from the light there; and as that light immensely excels in brightness and splendor the light of the world, so also do the colors there; and as the light there is from the sun of heaven, which is the Lord, and is the Divine Proceeding, and as consequently that light is spiritual, so all colors signify things spiritual. And as the Divine Proceeding is Divine good united to Divine truth, and as Divine good in heaven is presented to view by a flamy light, and Divine truth by a bright white light, so there are two colors that are the fundamentals of all colors there, namely, the red color and the white color; the red color has its origin from the flamy light that goes forth from Divine good, and the white color from the bright white light that goes forth from Divine truth; consequently so far as colors are derived from red they signify good, and so far as they are derived from white they signify truth. (But these things can be seen better from what is told about colors, from experience, in the Arcana Coelestia, namely, that most beautiful colors are seen in the heavens, n. 1053, 1624; colors in the heavens are from the light there, and are modifications and variations of light, n. 1042, 1043, 1053, 1624, 3993, 4530, 4742, 4922; thus they are the appearances of truth and good, and signify such things as are of intelligence and wisdom, n. 4530, 4677, 4922, 9466; consequently the precious stones that were of various colors in the breastplate of the ephod, or in the Urim and Thummim, signified all things of truth from good in heaven and in the church, and therefore the breastplate in general signified Divine truth shining forth from the Divine good, n. 9823, 9865, 9868, 9905; and responses were thence given by variegations and resplendences of light, and at the same time by tacit perception, or by a living voice out of heaven, n. 3862, [9905]; colors so far as they are derived from red signify good, and so far as they are from bright white signify truth, n. 9467. Of the Light of Heaven, whence and what it is, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 126-140, 275.)
[2] It is to be known, moreover, that “red” color not only signifies what the quality of a thing is in relation to good, but also what the quality of a thing is in relation to evil; for that color not only exists from the flamy light that is from the sun of heaven, as was said above, but it also exists from something flamy in hell, which is from the fire there, which fire is like a coal fire. Therefore the red in heaven is a wholly different red from the red in hell; the red in heaven is shining and living, while the red in hell is horribly obscure and dead; moreover, the red of heaven gives life, while the red of hell brings death; the reason is that the fire from which red is derived is in its origin love; heavenly fire is from heavenly love, and infernal fire from infernal love; consequently “fire” in the Word signifies love in both senses (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 4906, 5071, 5215, 6314, 6832, 7575, 10747; and in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 134, 566-575); therefore the “red” existing thence signifies the quality of the love in both senses. Moreover, this red, that is, the “red” of this horse is, in the original Greek, from a word that means fire. All this, together with the description of this horse in this verse, makes clear why it is that a “red horse” signifies the understanding of the Word destroyed in respect to good.
That “horse” signifies something connected with the subject can be clearly seen from this, that horses were seen when “the seals were opened,” and it was said that “they went forth,” for horses could not go forth out of a book, but those things could be manifested which are signified by “horses.” That “horse” signifies the intellect, and “color” its quality, has been made familiar to me from experience; for spirits who were meditating from the understanding upon some subject have several times been seen by me to be riding upon horses, and when I asked them whether they were riding, they said that they were not, but that they stood meditating upon some subject; which made clear that riding upon a horse is an appearance representing the operation of their understanding.
[3] There is also a place called the assembly of the intelligent and wise, to which very many resort for meditation, and when anyone is coming to it horses of various colors and variously caparisoned, and also chariots, with some riding and others sitting in the chariots, appear to him; and then also when they are asked whether they are riding upon horses, or are carried in chariots, they say that they are not, but that they are going along meditating; from this also it was clear what is signified by “horses” and by “chariots.” (But about this see more in the small work on The White Horse.) From this it can now be seen why John saw horses when the seals of the book were opened, and also what they signify. These horses were seen, because all the spiritual things of the Word are presented in the sense of its letter by means of such things as correspond, that is, as represent and thence signify; and this in order that the Divine may be there in ultimates and consequently in fullness, as has been several times said above. sRef Gen@49 @12 S4′ sRef Gen@49 @11 S4′ [4] That “reddish” [rufus] or “red” [ruber] signifies the quality of a thing in relation to good, can be seen also from the following passages in the Word. In Moses:
Who washeth his vesture in wine, and his covering in the blood of the grapes. His eyes are redder than wine, and his teeth whiter than milk (Gen. 49:11-12).
These words are in the prophecy of Israel the father respecting Judah, and “Judah” here means the Lord in relation to the good of love, and in a relative sense the Lord’s celestial kingdom. What the particulars here signify in the spiritual sense may be seen in the Arcana Coelestia, where they are explained. Divine wisdom which is from Divine good is signified by “his eyes are redder than wine;” and Divine intelligence which is from Divine truth by “his teeth are whiter than milk.”
sRef Lam@4 @7 S5′ [5] In Lamentations:
The Nazarites were whiter than snow, they were brighter than milk, their bones were more ruddy than pearls (Lam. 4:7).
The Nazarites represented the Lord in respect to the Divine Human (see above, n. 66, 196, at the end), therefore they signified also, in a relative sense, the good of celestial love, because this good immediately proceeds from the Lord’s Divine Human. The representative of this in the church is thus described, the truth of that good is signified by “they were whiter than snow, and brighter than milk,” and the good of truth by “their bones were more ruddy than pearls;” for “bones” signify truths in their ultimate, thus truths in the whole complex, for in ultimates all things are together and in fullness; that these truths are from good, and also are goods, is signified by their being “ruddy.”
sRef Zech@6 @3 S6′ sRef Num@19 @6 S6′ sRef Zech@6 @2 S6′ sRef Num@19 @7 S6′ sRef Num@19 @10 S6′ sRef Ex@26 @14 S6′ sRef Num@19 @8 S6′ sRef Num@19 @9 S6′ sRef Num@19 @5 S6′ sRef Zech@1 @8 S6′ sRef Num@19 @1 S6′ sRef Zech@6 @1 S6′ sRef Num@19 @4 S6′ sRef Num@19 @2 S6′ sRef Num@19 @3 S6′ [6] In Zechariah:
I saw four chariots coming out from between mountains of copper. In the first chariot were red horses; in the second chariot black horses; in the third chariot white horses; and in the fourth chariot grisled horses, stout (Zech. 6:1-3).
That here, too, “red horses” signify the quality of the understanding in the beginning in relation to good, “black horses” the quality of the understanding in the beginning in relation to truth, “white horses” the quality of the understanding afterwards in relation to truth, “grisled horses” what is the quality of the understanding afterwards in relation to truth and good, and “stout” what it is consequently in respect to the power to resist falsities and evils, may be seen above (n. 355b), where the signification of “horse” is treated of. Nearly the like is meant in the same prophet by:
The red horse, upon which a man rode, standing among the myrtle-trees (Zech. 1:8).
Because “red” [ruber] or “reddish” [rufus] signifies the quality of a thing in relation to good:
Red rams’ skins were used for a covering over the tent (Exod. 25:5; 26:14; 35:7).
And therefore also:
The water of separation, used in cleansing, was made from a red heifer burned (Num. 19:1-10);
“red heifer” signifying the good of the natural man, and the “water of separation” made from it when burned signifying the truth of the natural man; and this was commanded because all cleansing is effected by means of truths; moreover, the particulars of the process of slaying the heifer, and of preparing the water for cleansing by it, involve spiritual things.
sRef Nahum@2 @4 S7′ sRef Nahum@2 @3 S7′ sRef Isa@1 @18 S7′ [7] Because “red” signifies the quality of a thing in relation to good, those names also and the things that derive their names from this same word in the original tongue signify the good from which they are. The word red in the original is adam, from which is the name Adam, and also the name Edom; from this also man is called adam, the ground adama, and the ruby odam; thus these names and things are from red. “Adam” signifies the Most Ancient Church, a church that was in the good of love; “Man” has a like signification, also “ground” in the spiritual sense when celestial good is treated of. That “Edom” was named from red, see Gen. 25:30; and for this reason it signifies the truth of the good of the natural man. That the ruby is also named from red may be seen in Exod. 28:17; 39:10; Ezek. 28:13; for this reason “ruby” signifies the truth of celestial good. (That “Adam” signifies the Most Ancient Church, which was a celestial church, or a church in the good of love to the Lord, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 478, 479; that “Man” signifies the church in respect to good, n. 4287, 7424, 7523; that “ground” also has a like signification, n. 566, 10570; that “Edom,” because he was named from red, signifies the truth of good of the natural man, n. 3300, 3322; and that “ruby” signifies the truth of celestial good, n. 9865.) As “red” signifies the quality of a thing in relation to good, so in a contrary sense it signifies the quality of a thing in relation to evil, which is the opposite to good, consequently good destroyed. In this sense “red” is mentioned in the following passages. In Isaiah:
Although your sins have been as scarlet, they shall become white like snow; although they have been red as purple, they shall be as wool (Isa. 1:18).
And in Nahum:
The shield of his mighty ones is made red, the men of valor are in crimson; in a fire of torches are his chariots. The chariots raged in the streets, they ran to and fro in the broad ways; the appearance of them* is like torches (Nahum 2:3-4).
In this sense also the dragon is called red (Rev. 12:3, of which in what follows).
* The photolithograph has “his.”

sRef Rev@6 @4 S0′ 365. And to him that sat upon him, to him it was given to take peace from the earth, signifies the Word consequently not understood, whence there are dissensions in the church. This is evident from the signification of “him that sat upon the red horse,” as being the Word not understood in respect to good; for “he that sat upon the horse,” signifies the Word, as was shown above (n. 355, 356), “horse” signifying the understanding of it (n. 355), and the “red horse” the understanding destroyed in respect to good (n. 364); therefore “he that sat upon the red horse” signifies the Word consequently not understood. It is evident also from the signification of “to take peace,” as being that there are thence dissensions (of which presently); also from the signification of “earth,” as being the church. (That “the earth” signifies the church, see above, n. 29, 304.)
[2] Before it is explained what “peace” signifies, let something be said about dissensions arising in the church when the understanding of the Word is destroyed. By good, the good of love to the Lord and the good of love towards the neighbor are meant, since all good is of love. When these goods do not exist with the man of the church, the Word is not understood; for the conjunction of the Lord and the conjunction of heaven with the man of the church is by means of good; therefore if there is no good with him no illustration can be given; for all illustration when the Word is being read is out of heaven from the Lord; and when there is no illustration the truths that are in the Word are in obscurity, thence dissensions spring up. That the Word is not understood if man is not in good can also be seen from this, that in the particulars of the Word there is a heavenly marriage, that is, a conjunction of good and truth; therefore if good is not present with man when he is reading the Word, truth does not appear, for truth is seen from good, and good by means of truth. (That in the particulars of the Word there is a conjunction of good and truth, see above, n. 238 at the end, 288.)
[3] The state of the case is this: so far as man is in good the Lord flows in and gives the affection of truth, and thus understanding; for the interior human mind is formed entirely in the image of heaven, and the whole heaven is formed according to the affections of good and of truth from good; therefore unless there is good with man, that mind cannot be opened, still less can it be formed for heaven; it is formed by the conjunction of good and truth. From this it can also be seen that unless man is in good, truths have no ground in which to be received, nor any heat by which to grow; for truths with the man who is in good are like seeds in the ground in the time of spring; while truths with the man who is not in good are like seeds in ground bound by frost in the time of winter, when there is no grass, nor flower, nor tree, still less fruit.
[4] In the Word are all truths of heaven and the church, yea, all the secrets of wisdom that the angels of heaven possess; but no one sees these unless he is in the good of love to the Lord and in the good of love towards the neighbor; those who are not, see truths here and there, but do not understand them; they have a perception and idea of them wholly different from that which pertains to these same truths in themselves; although, therefore, they see or know truths, still truths are not truths with them, but falsities; for truths are not truths from their sound or utterance, but from an idea and perception of them. When truths are implanted in good it is different; then truths appear in their own form, for truth is the form of good. From this it may be concluded what the nature of the understanding of the Word is with those who make faith alone the sole means of salvation, and cast behind the back the good of life, or the good of charity. It has been found that those who have confirmed themselves in this, both in doctrine and life, have not even a single right idea of truth; this, moreover, is why they do not know what good is, what charity and love are, what the neighbor is, what heaven and hell are, that they are to live after death as men, nor, indeed, what regeneration is, what baptism is, and many other things; yea, they are in such blindness respecting God Himself that they worship three in thought, and not one except merely with the mouth, not knowing that the Father of the Lord is the Divine in Him, and that the Holy Spirit is the Divine from Him. These things are said to make known that there is no understanding of the Word where there is no good. It is here said that to him that sat upon a red horse, it was given “to take peace from the earth,” because “peace” signifies a peaceful state of the mind [mens] and tranquillity of the disposition [animus] from the conjunction of good and truth; therefore “to take away peace” signifies an unpeaceful and untranquil state from the disjunction of good and truth, which is the cause of internal dissensions; for when good is separated from truth evil takes its place; and evil loves not truth but falsity; because every falsity belongs to evil, as every truth to good; when, therefore, such a person sees a truth in the Word or hears it from another, the evil of his love, and thus of his will, strives against the truth, and then he either rejects or perverts it, or by ideas from the evil so obscures it that at length he sees nothing of truth in the truth, however much it may sound like truth when he utters it. This is the origin of all dissensions, controversies, and heresies in the church. From this it can be seen what is here signified by “to take peace from the earth.”
[5] But what peace is in its first origin is amply shown in the work on Heaven and Hell, where the State of Peace in Heaven is treated of (n. 284-290), namely that in its first origin it is from the Lord; it is in Him from the union of the Divine Itself and the Divine Human, and it is from Him by His conjunction with heaven and the church, and in particular from the conjunction of good and truth in each individual. From this it is that “peace,” in the highest sense, signifies the Lord; in a relative sense, heaven and the church in general, and also heaven and the church in particular in each individual.
sRef John@14 @27 S6′ [6] That these things are signified by “peace” in the Word, can be seen from many passages therein, of which I will present the following by way of confirmation. In John:
Jesus said, Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you, not as the world giveth give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid (John 14:27).
This treats of the Lord’s union with the Father, that is, the union of His Divine Human with the Divine Itself which was in Him from conception, and thence of the Lord’s conjunction with those who are in truths from goods; therefore “peace” means tranquility of mind from that conjunction; and as such are protected by that conjunction from the evils and falsities that are from hell, for the Lord protects those who are conjoined with Him, therefore He says, “Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” This Divine peace is in man, and as heaven is with it, “peace” here also means heaven and in the highest sense, the Lord. But the peace of the world is from successes in the world, thus from conjunction with the world, and as this is only external and the Lord, and consequently heaven are not in it, it perishes with the life of a man in the world and is turned into what is not peace; therefore the Lord says, “My peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth give I unto you.”
sRef John@16 @33 S7′ [7] In the same:
Jesus said, These things I have spoken unto you that in Me ye may have peace. In the world ye have affliction; but have confidence I have overcome the world (John 16:33).
Here, too, “peace” means internal delight from conjunction with the Lord, whence come heaven and eternal joy. “Peace” is here opposed to “affliction,” because “affliction” signifies infestation by evils and falsities, which those have who are in Divine peace so long as they live in the world; for the flesh, which they then bear about them, lusts after the things of the world, from which comes affliction; therefore the Lord says, “that in Me ye may have peace; in the world ye have affliction;” and as the Lord in respect to His Human acquired to Himself power over the hells, thus over the evils and the falsities that with everyone rise up from the hells into the flesh and infest, He says, “have confidence, I have overcome the world.”
sRef Matt@10 @12 S8′ sRef Matt@10 @13 S8′ sRef Matt@10 @14 S8′ sRef Luke@10 @5 S8′ sRef Luke@10 @6 S8′ [8] In Luke:
Jesus said to the seventy whom He sent forth, Into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house. And if a son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it; but if not, it shall return to you again (Luke 10:5-6).
And in Matthew:
Entering into a house salute it. And if the house be worthy let your peace come upon it; but if it be not worthy let your peace return to you. And whosoever shall not receive you nor hear your words, as ye go forth out of that house or city shake off the dust of your feet (Matt. 10:12-14).
That they were to say, “Peace be to the house” signifies that they were to learn whether those who were in it would receive the Lord; they were proclaiming the good tidings respecting the Lord, and thence respecting heaven, celestial joy, and eternal life, for all these are signified by “peace;” and those who received are meant by the “sons of peace,” upon whom peace would rest, but if they did not acknowledge the Lord, and consequently did not receive the things pertaining to the Lord, or to peace, that peace would be taken away from them is what is signified by “if the house or city be not worthy let your peace return to you;” that in such case they might suffer no harm from the evils and falsities that were in that house or that city, it was commanded that “going forth, they should shake off the dust of their feet,” which signifies that what is cursed therefrom might not cling to them, for “dust of the feet” signifies what is cursed; for what is ultimate in man, which is the sensual-natural, corresponds to the soles of the feet; and because evil clings to this, so in the case of those who were in the representatives of the church, as most were at that time, they shook off the dust of the feet when the truths of doctrine were not received. For in the spiritual world, when any good person comes to those who are evil, evil flows in from evil and causes some disturbance, but it disturbs only the ultimates that correspond to the soles of the feet; therefore when they turn and go away it appears as if they shook the dust off their feet behind them, which is a sign that they are delivered, and that evil clings to those that are in evil. (That “the soles of the feet” correspond to the lowest natural things, and therefore signify these in the Word, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2162, 3147, 3761, 3986, 4280, 4938-4952; and that “dust, which should be shaken off” signifies what is damned, n. 249, 7418, 7522.)
sRef Luke@19 @41 S9′ sRef Luke@19 @42 S9′ [9] In Luke:
Jesus wept over the city, saying, If thou hadst known, and indeed in this day, the things that belong to thy peace! but now it is hid from thine eyes (Luke 19:41-42).
Those who think of these words and those that follow immediately there, from the sense of the letter only, because they see no other sense, believe that these words were spoken by the Lord respecting the destruction of Jerusalem; but all things that the Lord spoke since they were from the Divine, did not relate to worldly and temporal things, but to heavenly and eternal things; therefore “Jerusalem, over which the Lord wept” signifies here as elsewhere the church, which was then entirely vastated, so that there was no longer any truth and consequently no good, and thus that they were about to perish forever; therefore He says, “if thou hadst known, and indeed in this day, the things that belong to thy peace,” that is, that belong to eternal life and happiness, which are from the Lord alone; for “peace,” as was said, means heaven and heavenly joy through conjunction with the Lord.
sRef Luke@1 @78 S10′ sRef Luke@1 @79 S10′ [10] In the same:
Zacharias prophesying said, The dayspring from on high appeareth to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace (Luke 1:67, 78-79).
This was said of the Lord about to come into the world, and of the illustration at that time of those who were out of the church and in ignorance of Divine truth, from not having the Word. The Lord is meant by “the dayspring from on high which appeareth;” and those who are out of the church are meant by “them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death;” and their illustration in Divine truths through the reception of the Lord and conjunction with Him, whence are heaven and eternal happiness is meant by “the way of peace;” “guiding our feet into it” signifies instruction.
sRef Luke@24 @37 S11′ sRef Luke@19 @37 S11′ sRef Luke@24 @36 S11′ sRef Luke@19 @38 S11′ sRef Luke@19 @38 S11′ [11] In the same:
The disciples praised God, saying, Blessed is the King that cometh in the name of the Lord; peace in heaven and glory in the highest (Luke 19:37-38).
These things were said by the disciples when the Lord went to Jerusalem, that
He might there, by the passion of the cross, which was His last temptation, wholly unite His Human to His Divine, and might also entirely subjugate the hells; and as all Divine good and truth would then proceed from Him, they say, “Blessed is the King that cometh in the name of the Lord,” which signified acknowledgment, glorification, and thanksgiving that these things were from Him (see above, n. 340); “peace in heaven and glory in the highest” signifies that the things meant by “peace” are from the union of the Divine Itself and the Divine Human, and that thence angels and men have them by conjunction with the Lord; for when the hells had been subjugated by the Lord, peace was established in heaven, and then those who were there had Divine truth from the Lord, which is “glory in the highest.” (That “glory” signifies Divine truth proceeding from the Lord, see above, n. 33, 288, 345.)
As “peace” in the internal sense of the Word signifies the Lord and thence heaven and eternal life, and in particular, the delight of heaven arising from conjunction with the Lord, so the Lord after the resurrection, when He appeared to the disciples, said to them:
Peace be unto you (Luke 24:36, 37; John 20:19, 21, 26).
sRef Ps@29 @11 S12′ sRef Num@6 @24 S12′ sRef Num@6 @26 S12′ sRef Num@6 @25 S12′ [12] Again in Moses:
Jehovah bless thee and keep thee; Jehovah make His faces to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee; and Jehovah lift up His faces upon thee, and give thee peace (Num. 6:24-26).
Divine truth, from which is all intelligence and wisdom, with which the Lord flows in, is meant by “Jehovah makes His faces to shine upon thee;” and protection thereby from falsities is meant by “be gracious unto thee;” and the Divine good, from which is all love and charity, with which the Lord flows in, is meant by “Jehovah lift up His faces upon thee;” and protection thereby from evils, and thence heaven and eternal happiness, are meant by “give thee peace;” for when evils and falsities are removed and no longer infest, the Lord flows in with peace, in which and from which is heaven and the delight that fills with bliss the interiors of the mind, thus heavenly joy. (This benediction may also be seen explained above, n. 340.) “Peace” has a like signification in David:
Jehovah will bless His people with peace (Ps. 29:11).
sRef Ps@4 @7 S13′ sRef Ps@4 @8 S13′ sRef Ps@4 @6 S13′ [13] And in the same:
Who will show us good? Jehovah, lift Thou up the light of Thy faces upon us. Thou givest joy in my heart more than at the time when their corn and new wine are increased. In peace I at the same time lie down and sleep; for Thou alone, O Jehovah, dost make me to dwell securely (Ps. 4:6-8);
This describes the peace that those have who are in conjunction with the Lord through the reception of Divine good and Divine truth from Him, and that it is peace in which and from which is heavenly joy. Divine good is meant by “Who will show us good?” and Divine truth by “lift Thou up the light of Thy faces upon us,” “the light of the Lord’s faces” is the Divine light that proceeds from Him as a sun in the angelic heaven, which light is in its essence Divine truth (as may be seen in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 126-140). Heavenly joy therefrom is meant by “Thou givest joy in the heart;” multiplication of good and truth is meant by “their corn and new wine are increased,” “corn” signifying good, and “new wine” truth. Because peace is in these and from these, it is said, “In peace I at the same time lie down and sleep; for Thou alone, O Jehovah, dost make me to dwell securely,” “peace” signifying the internal delight of heaven, “security” the external delight, and “to lie down and sleep” and “to dwell” signifying to live.
sRef Lev@26 @6 S14′ sRef Lev@26 @3 S14′ [14] In Moses:
If ye walk in My statutes, and keep My commandments and do them, I will give peace in the land, so that ye may lie down securely, and none shall make afraid; and I will cause the evil wild beast to cease out of the land, and the sword shall not pass through the land (Lev. 26:3, 6).
This describes the source of peace, that is, of heaven and heavenly joy. Peace viewed in itself is not heaven and heavenly joy, but these are in peace and from peace; for peace is like the dawn or like spring-time in the world, which dispose human minds to receive in the heart delights and pleasures from the objects that appear before the eyes, for that is what makes them delightful and pleasant; and because all things of heaven and of heavenly joy are in like manner from Divine peace, these also are meant by “peace.” Since man has heaven from living according to the commandments, for thence he has conjunction with the Lord, therefore it is said, “If ye walk in My statutes, and keep My commandments, and do them, I will give peace in the land;” that then they would not be infested by evils and falsities is meant by “they would lie down securely, and none make afraid,” and by “Jehovah will cause the evil wild beast to cease out of the land, and the sword shall not pass through it,” “the evil wild beast” signifying evil lusts, and “the sword” falsities therefrom; both these destroy good and truth from which is peace; and “land” signifies the church. (That “the evil wild beast” signifies evil lusts, and the destruction of good by them, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 4729, 7102, 9335; that “the sword” signifies falsities, and the destruction of truth by them, see above, n. 131; and that “land” signifies the church, see also above, n. 29, 304.) One who does not rise above the sense of the letter of the Word sees in this nothing more than that he who lives according to the statutes and commandments shall live in peace, that is, shall have no adversaries or enemies, and that thus he shall lie down securely; also that no evil wild beasts shall harm him, and that he shall not perish by the sword; but this is not the spiritual of the Word, yet the Word in every particular is spiritual, and this lies concealed in the sense of its letter, which is natural; its spiritual is what has here been explained.
sRef Ps@37 @37 S15′ sRef Ps@37 @11 S15′ [15] In David:
The miserable shall possess the land, and shall be delighted with the multitude of peace. Mark the perfect man, and see the upright, for to that man the latter end is peace (Ps. 37:11, 37).
“The miserable” mean here those who are in temptations in the world; “the multitude of peace with which they shall be delighted” signifies the delights that follow temptations; for after temptations delights are given by the Lord from the conjunction of good and truth that follows temptation, and the consequent conjunction with the Lord. That man has the delight of peace from the conjunction of good and truth is meant by “Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright, for to that man the latter end is peace.” The perfection which is to be marked is predicated in the Word of good, and the uprightness which is to be seen is predicated of truth; the “latter end” means the termination when there is peace.
sRef Ps@72 @7 S16′ sRef Ps@72 @3 S16′ [16] In the same:
The mountains shall bear peace to the people, and the hills in righteousness. In His days shall the righteous flourish, and much peace until the moon be no more (Ps. 72:3, 7).
This treats of the Lord’s coming and His kingdom; the “mountains which shall bear peace to the people,” signify love to the Lord; and the “hills in righteousness” signify charity towards the neighbor. (That this is the signification of “mountains” in the Word, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 795, 6435, 10438, for the reason that those who are in love to the Lord dwell in heaven upon mountains, and those who are in charity towards the neighbor upon hills there, n. 10438; and in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 188.)
This makes clear that “peace” means heavenly joy which is from the conjunction with the Lord by love; “in His days shall the righteous flourish” signifies one who is in the good of love; therefore it is said, “and much peace;” for as was said above, peace is from no other source than from the Lord, and His conjunction with those who are in the good of love. It is said, “until the moon be no more,” which signifies that truth must not be separated from good, but the two must be so conjoined as to be a one, that is, so that truth also is good; for all truth is of good because it is from good, and therefore in its essence is good; truth is such with those who are in the good of love to the Lord from the Lord, who are here meant by the “righteous.” (That the “sun” signifies the good of love, and the “moon” truth therefrom, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 1521-1531, 2495, 4060, 4696, 7083.)
sRef Isa@9 @7 S17′ sRef Isa@9 @6 S17′ [17] In Isaiah:
Unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given; upon whose shoulder is the government; he shall call His name Wonderful, Counselor, God, Hero, Father of Eternity, Prince of Peace. To the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end (Isa. 9:6-7).
These things are said of the Lord’s coming, of whom it is said, “Unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given,” because “child” in the Word signifies good, here Divine good, and “son” truth, here Divine truth. This is said on account of the marriage of good and truth that is in every particular of the Word; and as Divine good and Divine truth are from the Lord, He is called “Prince of Peace,” and it is said, “to the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end;” “government” is predicated of Divine truth, and “peace” of Divine good conjoined to Divine truth, therefore He is called the “Prince of Peace.” (That “Prince” is predicated of truths, and that it signifies the chief truth, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 1482, 2089, 5044, and above, n. 29; and that “peace” is predicated of the conjunction of good and truth, see above in this article.)
[18] But as “peace” is mentioned in many passages of the Word, and the explanation must be adapted to the thing treated of, or to the subject of which it is predicated, and consequently its signification appears various, I will tell briefly what “peace” signifies, that the mind may not be borne hither and thither. Peace is bliss of heart and soul arising from the Lord’s conjunction with heaven and with the church, and this from the conjunction of good and truth with those who are therein; consequently there is no longer combat of evil and falsity against good and truth, or no dissension or war in a spiritual sense; from this is peace, in which all the fructification of good and the multiplication of truth takes place, and thence comes all wisdom and intelligence. And as this peace is from the Lord alone, and from Him with the angels in heaven, and with men in the church, so “peace” in the highest sense means the Lord, and in a relative sense, heaven and the church, and thus good conjoined to truth with those who are there.
[19] From this an idea can be had of the signification of “peace” in the following passages. In David:
Depart from evil and do good; seek peace, and pursue it (Ps. 34:14).
“Peace” stands for all things that belong to heaven and the church, from which is the happiness of eternal life; and as only those who are in good have that peace, it is said, “depart from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.”
sRef Ps@119 @165 S20′ sRef Ps@119 @166 S20′ [20] In the same:
Much peace have they that love thy law; and with them there is no stumbling. I have waited for Thy salvation, O Jehovah, and have done Thy commandments (Ps. 119:165-166).
“Peace” stands for heavenly blessedness, happiness, and delight, and as these are granted only with those that love to do the Lord’s commandments it is said, “Much peace have they who love Thy law.” “I have waited for Thy salvation, O Jehovah, and have done Thy commandments,” “salvation” meaning eternal life; that such are not infested by evils and falsities is signified by “with them there is no stumbling.”
sRef Isa@26 @12 S21′ [21] In Isaiah:
O Jehovah, ordain peace for us, for Thou hast wrought all our works for us (Isa. 26:12).
As peace is from Jehovah alone, that is from the Lord and in doing good from him, it is said, “O Jehovah, ordain peace for us, for Thou hast wrought all our works for us.”
sRef Isa@33 @8 S22′ sRef Isa@33 @7 S22′ [22] In the same:
The angels of peace weep bitterly; the highways are wasted, the one passing through the path hath ceased (Isa. 33:7-8).
As peace is from the Lord, and is in heaven from Him, therefore the angels are here called “angels of peace;” and as those on the earth who are in evils and in falsities therefrom have no peace, therefore it is said that they “weep bitterly,” because “the highways are wasted, the one passing through the path hath ceased;” “highways” and “a path” signifying the goods of life and the truths of faith; therefore “the highways are wasted” signifies that there are no longer goods of life, and “the one passing through the path hath ceased” signifies that there are no longer truths of faith.
sRef Isa@48 @18 S23′ sRef Isa@48 @22 S23′ [23] In the same:
O that thou hadst attended to My commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea. There is no peace, saith Jehovah, unto the wicked (Isa. 48:18, 22).
Because those who live according to the Lord’s commandments have peace, and not those who do not so live, therefore it is said, “O that thou hadst attended to My commandments! then had thy peace been as a river; there is no peace unto the wicked,” “peace as a river” signifying in abundance; “righteousness as the waves of the sea” signifying the fructification of good by truths; “righteousness” in the Word is predicated of good, and “sea” of truths.
sRef Isa@54 @13 S24′ sRef Isa@54 @10 S24′ [24] In the same:
The mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but My mercy shall not depart from with thee, the covenant of My peace shall not be removed. All thy sons shall be taught of Jehovah; and much shall be the peace of thy sons (Isa. 54:10, 13).
This treats of a new heaven and a new church. The former heaven and the former church that were to perish are meant by “the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed;” that those who are in the new heaven and the new church will be in good from the Lord and possess heavenly joy to eternity through conjunction with the Lord is signified by, “My mercy shall not depart from with thee, and the covenant of My peace shall not be removed,” “mercy” signifying good from the Lord, and “the covenant of peace,” heavenly joy from conjunction with the Lord, “covenant” meaning conjunction; “the sons who shall be taught of Jehovah, and who shall have much peace” mean those in the new heaven and in the new church who will be in truths from good from the Lord, that they will have eternal blissfulness and happiness; “sons” in the Word signify those who are in truths from good; and that they are “taught of Jehovah” signifies that they are in truths from good from the Lord; and “much peace” signifies eternal blissfulness and happiness.
sRef Ezek@37 @26 S25′ sRef Ezek@37 @25 S25′ [25] In Ezekiel:
David shall be their prince forever; and I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be a covenant of eternity with them: and I will give them, and multiply them, and will set My sanctuary in the midst of them forever (Ezek. 37:25-26).
This treats of the Lord and of the creation of a new heaven and a new church from him. “David who shall be their prince forever” means the Lord; “to make a covenant of peace with them” signifies heavenly joy and eternal life to those who are conjoined to the Lord; “a covenant of peace” here, as above, meaning heavenly joy and eternal life from conjunction with the Lord; the fructification of good and the multiplication of truth therefrom are signified by “I will give them, and multiply them,” and as heaven and the church are therefrom, it is added “and will set My sanctuary in the midst of them forever,” “sanctuary” meaning heaven and the church.
sRef Mal@2 @5 S26′ sRef Mal@2 @4 S26′ sRef Mal@2 @6 S26′ [26] In Malachi:
That My covenant may be with Levi; My covenant with him was of life and peace. The law of truth was in his mouth, and perversity was not found in his lips; he walked with Me in peace and uprightness (Mal. 2:4-6).
“Levi” signifies all who are in the good of charity towards the neighbor, and in the highest sense, the Lord Himself, because that good is from Him; here the Lord Himself is meant. “The covenant of life and peace” signifies the union of His Divine with His Divine Human, from which union is all life and peace. That Divine truth is from Him is signified by “the law of truth was in his mouth, and perversity was not found in his lips;” the unition itself which was effected in the world is meant by “he walked with Me in peace and uprightness.” (That “Levi” in the Word signifies spiritual love or charity, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 4497, 4502, 4503; and that by him in the highest sense the Lord is meant, n. 3875, 3877.)
sRef Ezek@34 @27 S27′ sRef Ezek@34 @25 S27′ [27] In Ezekiel:
And I will make with them a covenant of peace, and will cause the evil wild beast to cease out of the land, that they may dwell securely in the wilderness, and sleep in the woods. Then the tree of the field shall give its fruit, and the land shall give its produce, when I shall have broken the bonds of their yoke, and delivered them out of the hand of those who make them to serve (Ezek. 34:25, 27).
This, too, treats of the Lord’s coming and the establishment of a new church by Him. The conjunction of those who are of the church with the Lord is signified by the “covenant of peace,” which He will then make with them; the consequent protection and security from evils and falsities is signified by, “I will cause the evil wild beast to cease out of the land, that they may dwell securely in the wilderness, and sleep in the woods,” “the evil wild beast” signifying evils of every kind, “the wilderness where they shall dwell securely” signifying that the lusts of evil shall not infest, “the woods in which they shall sleep” signifying falsities therefrom which shall not infest. The fructification of good by truths and the multiplication of truth from good are signified by “then the tree shall give its fruit, and the land shall give its produce,” “tree of the field” signifying the knowledges of truth, “fruit” signifying good therefrom, “land” signifying the church in relation to good, thus also the good of the church, and “its produce” signifying the consequent multiplication of truth. That these things shall come to pass with them when the Lord has removed the evils and falsities pertaining to them is signified by “when I shall have broken the bonds of their yoke, and delivered them out of the hand of those who make them to serve;” “the bonds of the yoke” meaning the delights of evil from the love of self and the world, which keep them bound, and “those who make them to serve” meaning falsities, since these make them to serve those evils.
sRef Zech@8 @12 S28′ sRef Zech@8 @16 S28′ sRef Zech@8 @19 S28′ [28] In Zechariah:
A seed of peace shall they be; the vine shall give its fruit, and the land shall give its produce, and the heavens shall give their dew. Speak ye the truth a man with his companion; judge the truth and the judgment of peace in your gates; love ye truth and peace (Zech. 8:12, 16, 19).
Those are called “a seed of peace” with whom there is the conjunction of good and truth; and because such are meant by the “seed of peace” therefore it is said, “the vine shall give its fruit, and the land its produce,” “the vine shall give its fruit” signifies that truth shall bring forth good, and “the land shall give its produce” signifies that good shall bring forth truths; for “vine” signifies the church in relation to truths, that is, the truths of the church, and “land” signifies the church in relation to good, or the good of the church, and “produce” signifies the production of truth; “the heavens which shall give their dew” signify the fructification of good and the multiplication of truth. The conjunction of truth and good is further described by “Speak ye the truth a man with his companion; judge the truth and the judgment of peace in your gates; and love ye truth and peace,” “truth” signifying what is true, “the judgment of peace” and “peace” signifying the conjunction of truth with good.
sRef Ps@85 @10 S29′ sRef Ps@85 @8 S29′ [29] In David:
Jehovah will speak peace unto His people and to His saints, that they may not turn again to folly. Mercy and truth* meet together; righteousness and peace do kiss each other (Ps. 85:8, 10).
“Jehovah will speak peace unto His people and to His saints” signifies that He will teach and give conjunction with Himself by the conjunction of good and truth with them, “peace” signifying both these conjunctions, “people” those who are in truths from good, and “saints” those who are in good by means of truths; that such thereafter will have no evil from falsity or falsity from evil is signified by “that they may not turn again to folly.” Both these conjunctions are further described by “mercy and truth meet together, righteousness and peace do kiss each other,” “mercy” here signifying removal from falsities, and the consequent possession of truths, [which makes clear the signification of “mercy and righteousness meet together,”] and “righteousness” signifying the removal from evils and the consequent possession of goods, which makes clear the signification of “righteousness and peace do kiss each other.”
sRef Isa@52 @7 S30′ [30] In Isaiah:
How joyous upon the mountains are the feet of him that proclaimeth good tidings, that maketh peace to be heard; that proclaimeth good tidings of good, that maketh salvation to be heard; that saith unto Zion, Thy King** reigneth (Isa. 52:7).
This is said of the Lord, and “peace” here signifies the Lord Himself, and thus heaven to those who are conjoined to Him; “to proclaim good tidings” signifies to preach these things; and as this conjunction is effected by love it is said, “proclaim good tidings upon the mountains” and “say unto Zion;” “mountains” signifying here, as above, the good of love to the Lord, and “Zion” signifying the church that is in that good, and the Lord is meant by “thy King who reigneth.” Because the conjunction of truth and good from conjunction with the Lord is signified by “peace” therefore it is said, “maketh peace to be heard, proclaimeth good tidings of good, maketh salvation to be heard;” “proclaiming good tidings of good” signifying conjunction with the Lord by good, and “making salvation to be heard” signifying conjunction with Him by truths and by a life according to them, for thereby is salvation.
sRef Isa@53 @5 S31′ [31] In the same:
But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and by His wound healing was given to us (Isa. 53:5).
This is said of the Lord, of whom this chapter evidently treats, and these words describe the temptations that He underwent in the world that He might subjugate the hells, and reduce all things there and in the heavens into order. These grievous temptations are meant by “He was pierced for our transgressions, and bruised for our iniquities,” and “the chastisement of our peace was upon Him;” “by His wound healing was given to us” signifies salvation by that means. Therefore “peace” here signifies heaven and eternal life to those who are conjoined with Him; for the human race could by no means be saved if the Lord had not reduced all things in the hells and in the heavens into order, and at the same time glorified His Human, and these were accomplished by temptations admitted into His Human.
sRef Jer@33 @9 S32′ sRef Jer@33 @6 S32′ [32] In Jeremiah:
Behold I will cause to go up unto them cure and healing; and I will heal them, and will reveal unto them an abundance*** of peace and truth. All the nations of the earth, which shall hear all the good that I am about to do unto them; that they may dread and may tremble for all the good and for all the peace that I am about to do unto them (Jer. 33:6, 9).
This also is said of the Lord, that He will deliver from evils and falsities those who are in conjunction with Him. Deliverance from evils and falsities is signified by “I will cause to go up unto them cure and healing, and I will heal them;” for to be healed spiritually is to be delivered from evils and falsities, and as this is done by the Lord by means of truths it is said, “and I will reveal unto them the abundance of peace and truth;” “the nations of the earth” signify those who are in evils and falsities, of whom it is said that “they shall dread and shall tremble for all the good and for all the peace that I am about to do unto them.”
sRef Ps@55 @18 S33′ [33] In David:
He will redeem my soul in peace, that they come not near to me (Ps. 55:18);
“to redeem my soul in peace” signifies salvation through conjunction with the Lord, and “that they come not near to me” signifies the consequent removal of evils and falsities.
sRef Hag@2 @9 S34′ [34] In Haggai:
The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, for in this place will I give peace (Hag. 2:9).
“The house of God” signifies the church; “the former house” the church that was before the Lord’s coming; and “the latter house” the church that was after His coming; “glory” signifies the Divine truth that was in the one and the other; and “the peace that He will give in this place,” that is, in the church, means all these things that are signified by “peace” (of which above, which see).
sRef Ps@122 @6 S35′ sRef Ps@122 @8 S35′ sRef Ps@122 @9 S35′ sRef Ps@122 @7 S35′ [35] In David:
Ask for the peace of Jerusalem; let them be tranquil that love thee; peace be within thy ramparts, tranquility within thy palaces;**** for the sake of my brethren and companions I will now speak, Peace be within thee; for the sake of the house of Jehovah our God I will seek good for thee (Ps. 122:6-9).
“Jerusalem” does not mean Jerusalem, but the church in relation to doctrine and worship; “peace” means everything of doctrine and worship, for when these are from a heavenly origin, that is, out of heaven from the Lord, then they are from peace and in peace, from which is evident what is meant by “ask for the peace of Jerusalem;” and as those who are in that peace are said to be “tranquil,” it is also said, “let them be tranquil that love thee,” that is, that love the doctrine and worship of the church; “peace be within thy rampart, and tranquillity within thy palaces” signifies in the exterior and in the interior man; for the exterior man with the things that are in it, which are natural knowledges and delights, is like a rampart or fortification to the interior man, since it is without or before it and protects it; and the interior man with the things that are in it, which are spiritual truths and goods, is like a palace or house, since it is within the exterior; therefore the exterior things of a man are signified by “a rampart,” and his interior things by “palaces;” and the like is true also elsewhere in the Word; “for the sake of my brethren and companions” signifies for the sake of those who are in goods and in truths therefrom, and in a sense abstracted from persons it signifies goods and truths. (That these are meant by “brethren” and “companions” in the Word, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 10490, and above, n. 47.) “The house of Jehovah our God” signifies the church in which these things are.
sRef Ps@147 @12 S36′ sRef Ps@147 @14 S36′ [36] In the same:
Celebrate Jehovah, O Jerusalem, praise Thy name,***** O Zion who setteth thy border peace, and satisfieth thee with the fat of wheat (Ps. 147:12, 14).
“Jerusalem” and “Zion” mean the church, “Jerusalem” the church in relation to the truths of doctrine, and “Zion” the church in relation to the good of love; “the name of Jehovah, which Zion will celebrate,” signifies everything of worship from the good of love; “who setteth thy border peace,” signifies all things of heaven and the church, for “border” signifies all things of these, since in the “border,” that is, the outmost, are all things in the complex (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 634, 5897, 6239, 6451, 6465, 8603, 9215, 9216, 9824, 9828, 9836, 9905, 10044, 10099, 10329, 10335, 10548). “He satisfieth thee with the fat of wheat” signifies with all the good of love and wisdom (for “fat” signifies the good of love, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 5943, 6409, 10033, and “wheat” signifies all things that are from the good of love, in particular the truths of heaven and wisdom therefrom, n. 3941, 7605).
sRef Ps@128 @6 S37′ sRef Ps@128 @5 S37′ [37] In the same:
Jehovah shall bless thee out of Zion; that thou mayest see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life; that thou mayest see the sons of thy sons, peace upon Israel (Ps. 128:5-6).
“Zion” and “Jerusalem,” here as above, signify the church in relation to the goods of love and in relation to the truths of doctrine; the words “Jehovah bless thee out of Zion” mean blessing that is from the good of love, for “Zion” signifies the church in relation to the good of love; and as from that good every good and truth of doctrine proceeds and exists, it is said “that thou mayest see the good of Jerusalem, and the sons of thy sons;” “sons of sons” signifying the truths of doctrine and their multiplication to eternity. As all things are from the Lord and through the peace which is from Him, the concluding words are, “that thou mayest see peace upon Israel,” “Israel” meaning those with whom is the church.
sRef Ps@76 @3 S38′ sRef Ps@110 @4 S38′ sRef Jer@13 @19 S38′ sRef Gen@14 @18 S38′ sRef Ps@76 @2 S38′ [38] In the same:
In Salem is the tabernacle of God, and His abode in Zion. There broke He the fiery shafts of the bow, the shield, and the sword, and war (Ps. 76:2-3).
Jerusalem is here called Salem, because “Salem” signifies peace, from which also Jerusalem was named. It was so named because “peace” signifies all those things that have been briefly mentioned above, and which may be referred to. “The tabernacle of God that is in it” signifies the church which is from these things; “His abode in Zion,” signifies the good of love, because in that the Lord dwells, and from it gives truths and makes them bear fruit and multiply; and because “peace” also signifies that there are no longer combats of evil and falsity against good and truth, that is, no dissension or war in a spiritual sense, it is said, “There broke He the fiery shafts of the bow, the shield, and the sword, and war,” which signifies the dissipation of all combat of the falsities of doctrine against good and truth, and in general the dissipation of all dissension. Moreover, from “peace”:
Jerusalem was called Shalomim (Jer. 13:19).
And on that account Melchizedek, who was the priest of God Most High, was king of Salem [peace] (Gen. 14:18);
and by him the Lord was represented; as is evident in David, where it is written:
Thou art a priest forever after the manner of Melchizedek (Ps. 110:4).
sRef Isa@66 @10 S39′ sRef Isa@66 @12 S39′ sRef Isa@66 @11 S39′ [39] In Isaiah:
Be ye glad with Jerusalem, and exult in her, all ye that love her; that ye may suck and be satisfied from the breast of her consolations, that ye may press out and be delighted from the splendor of her glory. Behold, I extend over her peace like a river, and the glory of the nations like an overflowing brook, that ye may suck; ye shall be taken up to her side, and be caressed upon her knees (Isa. 66:10-12).
“Jerusalem,” here as above, means the church in relation to doctrine, or, what is the same, the doctrine of the church; of this it is said, “Be ye glad with Jerusalem, and exult in her, all ye that love her;” and of the doctrine it is said further “that ye may suck and be satisfied from the breast of her consolations, and may press out and be delighted from the splendor of her glory,” “breast of consolations” signifying Divine good, and “splendor of glory,” Divine truth from which is doctrine. That there will be all these in abundance from conjunction with the Lord is signified by, “Behold, I stretch out over her peace like a river, and the glory of the nations like an overflowing brook, that ye may suck;” “peace” signifying conjunction with the Lord, “the glory of the nations” the conjunction of good and truth therefrom, “to suck” influx from the Lord, and “like a river” and “an overflowing brook” abundance. That from this are spiritual love and celestial love, by which conjunction with the Lord is effected, is signified by “ye shall be taken up to her side, and be caressed upon her knees,” “the side” signifying spiritual love, and “knees” celestial love, and “to be taken up and caressed” signifying eternal happiness from conjunction. (That the “breast” signifies spiritual love, and also “the side” or “bosom,” see above, n. 65; that “knees” signify conjugial love, and thence celestial love, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3021, 4280, 5050-5062.) That “glory” signifies Divine truth, and intelligence and wisdom therefrom, may be seen above (n. 33, 288, 345); and that “nations” signify those who are in the good of love, and in a sense abstracted from persons, the goods of love, may also be seen above (n. 175, 331); therefore “the glory of the nations” signifies genuine truth which is from the good of love, thus the conjunction of these.
sRef Isa@32 @18 S40′ sRef Isa@32 @17 S40′ [40] In the same:
The work of Jehovah****** is peace; and the labor of righteousness, quietness and security even forever; that My people may dwell in a habitation of peace, and in tabernacles of securities, and in tranquil resting places (Isa. 32:17-18).
“Peace” is called “the work of Jehovah,” because it is solely from the Lord; and everything that comes forth out of peace from the Lord with those who are in conjunction with the Lord is called “the work of Jehovah;” therefore it is said, “the work of Jehovah is peace.” The “labor of righteousness” signifies good conjoined to truth, in which is peace; for “labor” in the Word is predicated of truth, “righteousness” of good, and “quietness” of the peace therein; “security forever” signifies that thus there will be no infestation or fear from evils and falsities. This makes clear the signification of “that My people may dwell in a habitation of peace, and in tabernacles of securities, and in tranquil resting places,” namely, that they may be in heaven where the Lord is, and in the good of love and of worship therefrom, without infestation from the hells, and thus in the delights of good and the pleasantnesses of truth; “habitation of peace” meaning heaven where the Lord is; “tabernacles of securities” the goods therefrom of love and of worship without infestation by evils and falsities from hell; and “tranquil resting places” the delights of good, and the pleasantnesses of truth. (That “tents” signify the goods of love and of worship, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 414, 1102, 2145, 2152, 3312, 4391, 10545.)
sRef Isa@60 @18 S41′ sRef Isa@60 @17 S41′ [41] In the same:
For brass I will bring gold, and for iron I will bring silver, and for stones iron; I will also make thy government peace, and thine exactors righteousness. Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, devastation and breaking within thy borders (Isa. 60:17-18).
This chapter treats of the Lord’s coming and a new heaven and new church at that time; and these words mean that there are to be those who are spiritual, and not natural as before, that is, those who are conjoined with the Lord by the good of love; and that there shall no longer be a separation between the internal or spiritual man and the external or natural. That there are to be those who are spiritual, and not natural as before, is signified by “for brass I will bring gold, for iron silver, and for stones iron;” “brass,” “iron,” and “stones” signifying things natural, and “gold,” “silver,” and “iron” in place thereof, signifying things spiritual; “gold” spiritual good, “silver” the truth of that good, and “iron” spiritual-natural truth. That the Lord is to rule by the good of love is signified by, “I will make thy government peace, and thine exactors righteousness;” “government” signifying kingdom, “peace” the Lord, and “righteousness” good from Him. That there is no longer to be a separation between the spiritual and the natural man is signified by “violence shall no more be heard in thy land, devastation and breaking within thy borders,” “violence” signifying separation, “land” the internal spiritual man, because there the church is, which in general is signified by “land;” “devastation and breaking shall be no more” signifies that there shall no longer be evils and falsities, and “within thy borders” signifies in the natural man, for in the things in the natural man spiritual things are terminated; “devastation and breaking” signify evils and falsities, because evils devastate the natural man, and falsities break it up.
[42] As those have peace who are in the conjunction of good and truth from the Lord, and as evil destroys good, and falsity destroys truth, so do these destroy peace. From this it follows that those who are in evils and falsities have no peace. It appears as if they had peace when they have success in the world, and they even seem to themselves at such times to be in a contented state of mind; but that apparent peace is only in their extremes, while inwardly there is no peace, for they think of honor and gain without limit, and cherish in their minds cunning, deceit, enmities, hatreds, revenge, and many like things, which unknown to themselves, rend and devour the interiors of their minds, and thence also the interiors of their bodies. That this is so with them is clearly seen after death, when they come into their interiors; these delights of their minds are then turned into their contraries (as is evident from what has been shown in Heaven and Hell, n. 485-490).
sRef Ezek@13 @16 S43′ sRef Isa@59 @7 S43′ sRef Jer@25 @37 S43′ sRef Jer@25 @36 S43′ sRef Isa@57 @20 S43′ sRef Lam@3 @17 S43′ sRef Ps@120 @6 S43′ sRef Ps@120 @7 S43′ sRef Isa@59 @8 S43′ sRef Jer@8 @10 S43′ sRef Isa@57 @21 S43′ sRef Ps@38 @3 S43′ sRef Ezek@13 @10 S43′ sRef Lam@3 @15 S43′ sRef Jer@8 @11 S43′ [43] That those have peace who are in good and in truths therefrom, and that those who are in evil and in falsities therefrom have no peace, can be seen from the following passages. In Isaiah:
The wicked are like the sea driven along, when it cannot be quiet, but its waters drive along the filth and mud [;there is no peace, saith My God, to the wicked] (Isa. 57:20-21).
In the same:
Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood; their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; devastation and breaking are in their paths. The way of peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their courses; they have made crooked their paths for themselves; whosoever treadeth therein doth not know peace (Isa. 59:7-8).
In David:
Too much hath My soul dwelt with the hater of peace. I am for peace; but when I speak, they are for war (Ps. 120:6-7).
In Ezekiel:
The prophets seduce My people, saying Peace, when there is no peace; and when one buildeth a wall, lo, they daub it with untempered mortar. The prophets of Israel see a vision of peace, when there is no peace (Ezek. 13:10, 16).
In Jeremiah:
All, from the least unto the greatest, pursue gain; from the prophet even unto the priest everyone doeth a lie. And they heal the breach of the daughter of My people by a word of no weight, saying, Peace, peace, when there is no peace (Jer. 8:10-11).
A voice of the cry of the shepherds, and a wailing of the powerful of the flock, for Jehovah devastateth their******* pasture, therefore the folds of peace are laid waste because of the glowing of Jehovah’s anger (Jer. 25:36-37).
In David:
There is no soundness in my flesh because of Thine indignation; there is no peace in my bones because of my sin (Ps. 38:3).
In Lamentations:
He hath filled me with bitterness, he hath made me drunken with wormwood; and my soul is removed from peace; I forgot good (Lam. 3:15, 17);
besides other passages.
aRef Ex@29 @25 S44′ aRef Ex@29 @18 S44′ aRef Ex@29 @41 S44′ [44] Since peace in its first origin is from the union in the Lord of the Divine Itself and the Divine Human, and is therefore from the Lord in His conjunction with heaven and with the church, and in the conjunction of good and truth with everyone therein, so the sabbath, which was the most holy representative of the church, was so called from rest or peace; and so also the sacrifices which were called “peace-offerings” were commanded (respecting which see Exod. 24:5; 32:6; Lev. 3:3; 4:20, 26, 31, 35; 6:12; 7:11; 14:20, 21, 33; 17:5; 19:5; Num. 6:17; Ezek. 45:15; Amos 5:22, and elsewhere); and therefore Jehovah is said:
To have smelled an odor of rest from the burnt-offering (Exod. 29:18, 25, 41; Lev. 1:9, 13, 17; 2:2, 9; 6:15, 21; 23:12, 13, 18; Num. 15:3, 7, 13; 28:6, 8, 13; 29:2, 6, 8, 13, 36);
“odor of rest” signifying the perception of peace.
* The photolithograph has “justice.”
** “King” in the photolithograph; see AE n. 405, 612; AC n. 3780; AR n. 306, 478.
*** The photolithograph has “healing.”
**** The photolithograph has “gates.”
***** See AE n. 374:12 [printed text has 365; however, that does not make any sense and 374:12 is more likely], and AC n. 2851, in which “God” occurs instead of “name.” The Hebrew is “God.”
****** The photolithograph reads “Jehovah,” as also in AR n. 306. But “justice” occurs in AC n. 3780; HH n. 287.
******* The photolithograph has “his.” See AC n. 2240; AR n. 885.

sRef Rev@6 @4 S0′ 366. That they should slay one another, signifies the falsification or extinction of truths. This is evident from the signification of “slaying,” as meaning the extinction of truths; for “to slay” in the Word signifies to slay spiritually, that is, to slay the spiritual part of a man or his soul, which is to extinguish truths. It also means to falsify, because when truths are falsified they are also extinguished; for falsification produces a different understanding of truths, and truth is true to everyone according to his understanding of it; for the love and principle that rule in man draw and apply all things to themselves, even truths themselves; consequently when the love is evil, or the principle is false, then truths are infected with the evil of the love or the falsity of the principle, and thus are extinguished. This, therefore, is what is here signified by “they should slay one another.” That this takes place when there is no good with man, and especially when there is no good in the doctrine of his church, is evident from the preceding words, where it is said, “When he had opened the second seal there went forth a red horse; and to him that sat upon him it was given to take peace from the earth;” which signifies a second state of the church when the understanding of the Word is destroyed in respect to good, which is the source of dissensions in the church (of which see above, n. 361, 364, 365).
[2] That the understanding of the Word, or what is the same, the understanding of the truth, is destroyed when there is no good with man, that is, when there is no love to the Lord and charity towards the neighbor, may be seen above (n. 365); for good with man, or what is the same, love with him, is the fire of his life, and truth with him, or the faith of truth, is the light therefrom; consequently such as the good is, or such as the love is in man, such is truth, or such the faith of truth in him. From this it can be seen that when evil or an evil love is with man there can be no truth or faith of truth with him; for the light that goes forth from such fire is the light that those have who are in hell, which is a fatuous light like the light from burning coals, which light, when light from heaven flows in, is turned into mere thick darkness. Such also is the light that with the evil, when they reason against the things of the church, is called natural light [lumen].
sRef Luke@21 @16 S3′ sRef Matt@10 @21 S3′ [3] That they would falsify and thereby extinguish truths is meant also by the Lord’s words in Matthew:
Jesus said to the disciples, The brother shall deliver up the brother, the father the son; children shall rise up against parents, and cause them to be put to death (Matt. 10:21).
And in Luke:
Ye shall be delivered up by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolk, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death (Luke 21:16).
“Parents,” “brethren,” “children,” [“kinsfolk,”] and “friends,” do not mean here parents, brethren, children, kinsfolk, friends, nor do “disciples” mean disciples, but the goods and truths of the church, also evils and falsities; it is also meant that evils would extinguish goods and falsities truths. (That such is the signification of these words, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 10490.)

sRef Rev@6 @4 S0′ 367. And to him was given a great sword, signifies by means of falsities. This is evident from the signification of “sword” [machaera seu gladius], as being truth fighting against falsity; and in a contrary sense, falsity fighting against truth and the destruction of truth (see above, n. 131); here it means falsity fighting against truth and destroying it; for it is said just before “that they should slay one another,” which signifies the falsification and extinction of truths. In the Word “sword,” “short sword,” and “long sword,” are mentioned; and “sword” signifies spiritual combat in general; “short sword” the combat of truth from good or of falsity from evil; and “long sword” the combat of truth from doctrine against falsity, or of falsity from doctrine against truth; for a “short sword” is for the arm, and the “long sword” is said to go forth out of the mouth (as in Rev. 1:16; 2:12, 16; 19:15, 21).

sRef Rev@6 @5 S0′ sRef Rev@6 @6 S0′ 368. Verses 5-6. And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third animal saying, Come and see. And I saw, and behold, a black horse; and he that sat upon him had a balance in his hand. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four animals saying, A measure of wheat for a denarius, and three measures of barley for a denarius; and the oil and the wine hurt thou not. 5. “And when he had opened the third seal,” signifies prediction respecting the state that next follows with those who are of the church where the Word is (n. 369); “I heard the third animal saying,” signifies out of the inmost heaven from the Lord (n. 370); “Come and see,” signifies attention and perception (n. 371); “and behold, a black horse,” signifies the understanding of the Word destroyed in respect to truth (n. 372); “and he that sat upon him had a balance in his hand,” signifies the estimation of truth from the Word in that state of the church (n. 373). 6. “A measure of wheat for a denarius, and three measures of barley for a denarius,” signifies that the genuine good of the church, as well as the genuine truth of the church, is of no account to them (n. 374; “and the oil and the wine hurt thou not” signifies that it is provided that the internal or spiritual sense of the Word should suffer no harm either in respect to good or in respect to truth (n. 375, 376).

sRef Rev@6 @5 S0′ 369. Verse 5. And when he had opened the third seal, signifies prediction respecting the state that next follows with those who are of the church where the Word is. This is evident from what has been said above (n. 351, 352, 361); for this and the following chapter treat of the state of the Christian Church, or the church where the Word is, from its beginning to its end, or from the time of the Lord down to the Last Judgment. For the new church that is called the Christian Church, and that was begun by the Lord when He was in the world, and afterwards propagated, has successively decreased down to this time, which is its last time, in which is the judgment. Predictions respecting these successive states of the church are here brought forth, as from a book, by various representatives; but it is to be known that such predictions were not seen and read in a book when its seals were opened, but were made manifest through the heavens from the Lord before the angels of the inmost heaven; and were represented in the ultimates of heaven by such things as are related in this chapter, namely, by horses of various colors, and afterwards by earthquakes, by the darkenings of the sun and moon, and by the falling of the stars to the earth.
[2] These, however, were appearances before the angels of the ultimate heaven, signifying such things as were heard and perceived in the inmost heaven where there were not such appearances; for whatever is heard, thought, and perceived in the inmost heaven from the Lord, when it descends through the middle heaven to the ultimate, is turned into such appearances. In this way are the arcana of Divine wisdom made known before the angels of the ultimate heaven. Those there who are intelligent perceive these arcana by the correspondences; but the lowest of them do not perceive, but only know that there are arcana therein, nor do they inquire further; John was with these when “in the spirit” or in vision. This has been said to make known how the Word was written, namely, from such things as were seen and heard in the ultimates of heaven, thus by pure correspondences and representatives, in each one of which lie concealed innumerable and ineffable arcana of Divine wisdom.

sRef Rev@6 @5 S0′ 370. I heard the third animal, saying, signifies out of the inmost heaven from the Lord. This is evident from what has been said above (n. 353, 362), where there are like words. The four animals or four cherubim spoke one after another because the things they said correspond by opposites; for the first cherub “was like a lion,” the second “like a calf,” the third “had a face like a man,” and the fourth “was like a flying eagle;” and a “lion” signifies power (see above, n. 278); a “calf” signifies good (n. 279); a “man” wisdom (n. 280); and an “eagle” intelligence (n. 281); consequently when the first animal, which was like a lion, spoke, the first state of those who are of the church is described, that in that state there then was combat from Divine truth (see above, n. 355-359), for “a lion” signifies the power that belongs to Divine truth.
When the second animal, which was like a calf, spoke, the second state of those who are of the church is described, namely, that good was destroyed (see n. 361-367), for a “calf” signifies the good of the church. When the third animal spoke, which had a face like a man, the third state of those who are of the church is described, which was that there was no longer any truth because there was no good, consequently that there was no longer any wisdom, for all wisdom is of truth from good, and wisdom is signified by “man.” And when the fourth animal, which was like a flying eagle, spoke, the fourth state of those who are of the church is described, namely, that they were in evils and in falsities therefrom, thus in no intelligence, for intelligence is signified by “an eagle.” From this it is clear that the four animals spoke in order according to correspondences, but from opposites.

sRef Rev@6 @5 S0′ sRef John@17 @10 S0′ 371. Come and see, signifies attention and perception, as is evident from what was explained above where there are like words (n. 354).

sRef Rev@6 @5 S0′ 372. And behold, a black horse, signifies the understanding of the Word destroyed in respect to truth. This is evident from the signification of “horse,” as being the understanding (see above, n. 355); also from the signification of “black,” as being what is not true; thus “a black horse” signifies the understanding destroyed in respect to truth. “Black” signifies what is not true, because “white” signifies what is true. That “white” is predicated of truth and signifies it, may be seen above (n. 196). “White” is predicated of truth and signifies it, because white has its origin in the brightness of light, and “light” signifies truth; and “black” is predicated of what is not true and signifies it, because black has its origin in darkness, that is, from the privation of light; and because darkness exists from the privation of light it signifies the ignorance of truth. That “a black horse” here signifies the understanding of the Word destroyed in respect to truth, is evident from the signification of “the red horse” (treated of above), as being the understanding destroyed in respect to good. Moreover, in the church, in process of time, good first perishes and afterwards truth, and at length evil succeeds in place of good, and falsity in place of truth. This last state of the church is meant by “the pale horse” (of which presently).
sRef Micah@3 @6 S2′ [2] That “black” signifies what is not true is evident also from other passages in the Word, where it is mentioned. As in Micah:
It shall be night unto you for vision; and darkness shall arise to you for divination; and the sun shall go down over the prophets, and the day shall grow black over them (Micah 3:6).
The “prophets” here treated of signify those who are in the truths of doctrine, and in a sense abstracted from persons, the truths of doctrine; that those meant by “prophets” would see evils and would divine falsities is signified by “it shall be night unto you for vision, and darkness shall arise to you for divination;” that they would know neither good nor truth is signified by “the sun shall go down over the prophets, and the day shall grow black over them;” “sun” signifying the good of love, and day” the truth of faith, and “to grow black” signifying not seen or known.
sRef Ezek@32 @7 S3′ sRef Joel@2 @10 S3′ sRef Rev@6 @12 S3′ [3] In Ezekiel:
But when I shall have extinguished thee, I will cover the heavens, and make the stars thereof dark; I will cover the sun with a cloud, and the moon shall not make her light to shine (Ezek. 32:7).
This is said of Pharaoh king of Egypt, by whom is signified the knowing faculty applied to falsities, which is done when the natural man from things known enters into things spiritual instead of the reverse; because this is contrary to order, falsities are seized upon and confirmed as truths; that then nothing flows in from heaven is signified by “I will cover the heavens;” and that there are then no knowledges of truth is signified by “I will make the stars thereof dark,” “stars” meaning knowledges of truth; that there is consequently no good of love nor truth of faith is signified by “I will cover the sun with a cloud, and the moon shall not make her light to shine,” “sun” signifying the good of love, and “moon” the truth of faith. (That this is the signification of “sun” and “moon,” see Heaven and Hell, n. 116-125.)
“Sun,” “moon,” and “stars,” have a like signification in Joel:
The earth was moved before him; the heavens trembled; the sun and moon were blackened, and the stars withdrew their shining (Joel 2:10; 3:15).
Likewise in Revelation:
The sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood (Rev. 6:12).
What these things signify in particular will be seen in what follows.
sRef Ezek@31 @15 S4′ [4] In Ezekiel:
In the day when he shall go down into hell, and I will cover the abyss over him, and I will withhold the rivers thereof, that the great waters may be held back, and I will make Lebanon black for him, and all the trees of the field shall faint for him (Ezek. 31:15).
This is said of “Assyria,” which is here compared to a cedar. “Assyria” here signifies reasoning about the truths of the church from self-intelligence, and “cedar” the truth of the spiritual church; that by such reasoning all knowledges of truth, and with them all truths that savor of good and have their essence from good, would be destroyed is signified by all these words; the “abyss which is covered over him,” and the “rivers that were withheld,” mean the knowledges of truth and intelligence therefrom, the “abyss” or “sea” signifying the knowing and the cognizing faculties in general that are in the natural man, and “rivers” signifying the things that pertain to intelligence; the “great waters that shall be held back,” signify the truths which savor of good and derive their essence from good, “waters” mean truths, and “great” in the Word is predicated of good.
That “Lebanon was made black over him, and the trees fainted for him,” signifies that there will be no longer any truths of the church, and with its knowledges there will be no perception of truth; for “Lebanon,” in like manner as “cedar,” signifies the church in respect to truths, thus also the truths of the church; and “trees of the field” signify the church in respect to the knowledges of truth, thus also the knowledges of truth of the church, “trees” meaning the knowledges themselves, and “field” the church; from this it is clear that “to make Lebanon black” signifies that there are no longer any truths of the church.
sRef Lam@4 @7 S5′ sRef Lam@4 @8 S5′ [5] In Lamentations:
The Nazarites were whiter than snow, they were brighter than milk. Their form is more dark than blackness; they are not known in the streets (Lam. 4:7-8).
No one can know what this signifies unless he knows what the Nazarites represented. “The Nazarites” represented the Lord in respect to the celestial Divine; and as all the statutes of the church at that time represented such things as belong to heaven and the church, thus to the Lord, for all things of heaven and the church are from the Lord, and as the Nazariteship was the chief representative of the Lord, these words signify that every representative of the Lord had perished. A genuine representative of the Lord is described by “the Nazarites were whiter than snow, and brighter than milk,” which signifies a representative of Divine truth and Divine good in its perfection; for “white” is predicated of truth, in like manner “snow,” and “brightness” of the good of truth, in like manner “milk.” That every representative of Divine truth had perished is described by “their form is darker than blackness, they are not known in the streets,” “form” signifying the quality of truth, “blackness” signifying its no longer appearing, “streets” signifying the truths of doctrine, and “not to be known in them” signifying not to be recognized by genuine truths. What is further signified by “Nazarites” will be told elsewhere.
sRef Jer@4 @27 S6′ sRef Jer@4 @28 S6′ [6] In Jeremiah:
The whole land shall be a waste; but I will not make a consummation. For this shall the land mourn, and the heavens above shall be blackened (Jer. 4:27-28).
“The whole land shall be a waste” signifies that good and truth in the church shall perish, “land” meaning the church; “yet I will not make a consummation” signifies that something of good and truth will still remain; “for this shall the land mourn” signifies the consequent feebleness of the church; “the heavens above shall be blackened” signifies that there will be no influx of good and truth from the Lord through heaven; for the heavens are said to be “blackened” when no affection or perception of truth flows in from the Lord through heaven. Since in the churches before the Lord’s coming, which were representative churches, mourning represented spiritual grief of mind on account of the absence of truth and good, for they mourned when oppressed by an enemy, on the death of a father or mother, and for like things, and oppression by an enemy signified oppression by evils from hell, and father and mother signified the church in respect to good and in respect to truth, because with them these things were represented by mourning, they at such times went in black.
sRef Jer@14 @2 S7′ sRef Jer@8 @21 S7′ sRef Ps@35 @14 S7′ sRef Ps@42 @9 S7′ sRef Ps@38 @6 S7′ sRef Jer@14 @3 S7′ sRef Mal@3 @14 S7′ [7] As in David:
I say unto God my rock, why hast Thou forgotten me? Why shall I go in black because of the oppression of the enemy (Ps. 42:9; 43:2)?
In the same:
I bowed myself in black as bewailing a mother (Ps. 35:14).
In the same:
I was bent, I was bowed down exceedingly; I have gone in black all the day (Ps. 38:6).
In Malachi:
Ye have said, What profit is it that we walk in black before Jehovah? (Mal. 3:14).
In Jeremiah:
For the breach of the daughter of my people I am broken down; I am made black (Jer. 8:21);
“daughter of the people” signifying the church. In Jeremiah:
Judah hath mourned, and her gates have been made to languish, they are made black even to the earth; and the cry of Jerusalem hath gone up; for their nobles sent their little ones for water, they came to the pits and found no waters, their vessels return empty (Jer. 14:2-3).
That “to be made black” signifies spiritual grief of mind because of the absence of truth in the church is evident from the particulars here in the internal sense; for “Judah” signifies the church in respect to the affection of good; and “Jerusalem” the church in respect to the doctrine of truth; “gates” signify admission to the church. That there were no longer any truths is described by “the nobles sent their little ones for water, they came to the pits and found no waters, their vessels return empty,” “waters” signifying truths, and “pits” the things that contain, which are the doctrinals from the Word and the Word itself, and in these truths are no longer seen. From this it can be seen that “black” [nigrum] and “black” [atrum] in the Word signify the absence of truth; and “darkness,” “clouds,” “obscurity,” and many things from which blackness arises have a like signification. As in Joel:
A day of darkness and of thick darkness, a day of cloud and of obscurity (Joel 2:2);
and in other passages.

sRef Rev@6 @5 S0′ sRef Rev@6 @6 S0′ 373. And he that sat upon him had a balance in his hand, signifies the estimation of truth from the Word in that state of the church. This is evident from the signification of “he that sat upon the horse,” as being the Word (see above, n. 355, 356, 365); also from the signification of “balance in his hand,” as being the estimation of truth from the Word; for all measures and weights mentioned in the Word, signify the estimation of the thing treated of in respect to good and in respect to truth, the numbers adjoined determining the estimation in respect to the quality and quantity thereof; as here “a measure of wheat for a denarius, and three measures of barley for a denarius” (of which presently).
There were many measures in the representative church, as the omer, the homer, the ephah, the bath, the hin (about which see Arcana Coelestia, n. 10262); and besides there were balances and scales, by which weighings and balancings were made, and these in a particular sense signified the estimations of anything in respect to truth. For this reason also the weights of the scales were stones, or made of stones, “stones” in the Word signifying truths. That the weights were stones, or made of stone, appears from Lev. 19:36; Deut. 25:13; 2 Sam. 14:26; Isa. 34:11; Zech. 4:10. (That “stones” in the Word signify truths, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 643, 3720, 6426, 8609, 10376.) Here, therefore, “a balance in the hand of him that sat upon the black horse” signifies the estimation of truth from the Word.
sRef Rev@19 @13 S2′ [2] It has been shown above that “he that sat upon the horses”-the white, the red, the black, and the pale horse-signifies the Word, and the “horses,” according to their colors, signify the understanding of the Word, “the red horse” the understanding of the Word destroyed in respect to good, and “the black horse” the understanding of the Word destroyed in respect to truth. But as it is difficult to comprehend that “he that sat upon the horses” signifies the Word, in consequence of the red and the black horses signifying the understanding of the Word destroyed in respect to good, and in respect to truth, it shall be explained how it is. The Word in itself is Divine truth, but the understanding of it is according to the state of the man who reads it. A man who is not in good perceives nothing of the good in it, and a man who is not in truths sees nothing of the truth in it; the cause of this, therefore, is not in the Word, but in him who reads it. This makes clear that “he that sat upon the horses” signifies the Word, although the horses themselves signify the understanding of the Word destroyed in respect to good and in respect to truth. That “he that sat upon the white horse” signifies the Word is plainly evident in Revelation, where it is said:
The name of the one sitting upon that horse is called the Word of God (Rev. 19:13).
sRef Dan@5 @26 S3′ sRef Dan@5 @24 S3′ sRef Dan@5 @28 S3′ sRef Dan@5 @25 S3′ sRef Dan@5 @27 S3′ [3] That “a balance” or “scales” signify estimation, and also a just arrangement, which is effected by truths, is evident in Daniel:
A writing appeared upon the wall before Belshazzar the king of Babylon when he was drinking out of the vessels of gold and silver belonging to the temple of Jerusalem. Mene, Mene, Tekel, Perezin, that is, numbered, numbered, weighed, divided. This is the interpretation of these words: Mene, God hath numbered thy kingdom and brought it to an end. Tekel, Thou art weighed in the balance and art found wanting. Peres, Thy kingdom is divided and given to the Mede and the Persian (Dan. 5:25-28).
This history describes in the internal sense the profanation of good and truth, which is signified by “Babylon,” for Belshazzar was king in Babylon, and a “king” in the Word signifies the same as the nation or kingdom itself over which he reigns. The profanation of the good and truth of the church is signified by “his drinking out of the vessels of gold and silver belonging to the temple at Jerusalem, and at the same time praising the gods of gold, silver, brass, iron, wood, and stone” (verses 3 and 4). “The gold and silver vessels belonging to the temple at Jerusalem,” signify the good and truth of heaven and the church, “gold” meaning good, and “silver” truth; and “praising the gods of gold, silver, brass, iron, wood, and stone,” signifies idolatrous worship of every kind, thus external worship without any internal, such as is with those who are meant by Babylon. That there is no church at all with such, because there is nothing of the good and nothing of the truth of the church in them, is signified by the writing from heaven; for “numbered, numbered,” signifies exploration in respect to good and in respect to truth; “weighed in the balance,” signifies estimation in accordance with their quality, and judgment; “divided,” signifies dispersion and expulsion from the good and truth of the church and separation therefrom; and “kingdom” signifies the church; from which it is clear that “weighed in the scale or balance,” signifies estimation in accordance with their quality. (That “to divide” signifies to disperse, to expel, and to separate from good and truth, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 4424, 6360, 6361, 9093.) “Kingdom” means the church, because the Lord’s kingdom is where the church is, therefore those who are of the church are called “sons of the kingdom” (Matt. 8:12; 13:38).
sRef Isa@40 @12 S4′ [4] In Isaiah:
Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, and meted out the heavens with a span, and embraced the dust of the earth in a measure [of three fingers]; and weighed the mountains in a balance, and the hills in scales? (Isa. 40:12).
These measures describe the just arrangement and estimation of all things in heaven and in the church according to the quality of good and truth. The measures here are, “the hollow of the hand,” “the span of the hand,” “the measure [of three fingers],” “the balance” and “the scales:” “waters” signify truths; “the heavens” interior or spiritual truths and goods; “the dust of the earth” exterior or natural truths and goods, both of heaven and of the church; “mountains” the goods of love; “hills” the goods of charity; and “to weigh” means to estimate and arrange in accordance with their quality. That such is the signification of these words, no one can see except from a knowledge of correspondences.
sRef Lev@19 @36 S5′ sRef Lev@19 @35 S5′ [5] As a just estimation and exploration of good and truth are signified in the Word by “measures,” it was commanded that the measures should be just, with no fraud about them. In Moses:
Ye shall not do perversity in judgment, in measure, in weight, or in dimension. Just balances, just stones, a just ephah, and a just hin shall ye have (Lev. 19:35-36).
So justice, where it means the estimation and exploration of men in accordance with the quality of good and truth in them, is everywhere in the Word expressed by scales and balances of various kinds, and by “ephahs,” “omers,” “homers,” “seas,” “hins” (as in Job 6:2; 31:6); and injustice is expressed by “scales and balances of fraud and deceit” (as in Hosea 12:7; Amos 8:5; Micah 6:11).

sRef Rev@6 @6 S0′ 374. Verse 6. A measure of wheat for a denarius, and three measures of barley for a denarius, signifies that the genuine good of the church, as also the genuine truth of the church, is of no account to them. This is evident from the signification of “measure” [choenix] (which was the Greek measure for wheat and barley), as being the quality of estimation, for “measures” in the Word (as was said in the article above), signify the quality of a thing in respect to good and in respect to truth. It is evident also from the signification of “wheat,” as being the good of the church in general (of which presently); also from the signification of “barley,” as being the truth of that good (of which presently); and from the signification of “a denarius,” the standard of estimation, as being as of no account. Because this was the smallest coin, it signifies the least worth, but here as of no account. The reason for this is that “the red horse” (mentioned above), signifies the understanding of the Word destroyed in respect to good, and “the black horse” the understanding of the Word destroyed in respect to truth (see above, n. 364, 372); and when the understanding of the Word in respect to good and in respect to truth has been destroyed, then the genuine good and the genuine truth of the church are estimated as of no account. The “denarius” is here taken as the standard of estimation, because some piece of money must be taken that some price may be expressed in the sense of the letter, since it is said that “a balance was in the hand of him that sat upon the horse,” and that “the wheat and the barley were measured;” consequently the smallest coin of all was taken as the standard of the estimation of the price; and as there was no longer any understanding of the Word in respect to good and in respect to truth, a “denarius” in the spiritual sense here signifies as of no account.
[2] It is said, “a measure of wheat and three measures of barley,” because “one” is predicated of good, and “three” of truths; and “one,” when predicated of good, signifies what is perfect, thus also what is genuine; and “three,” when predicated of truths, signifies what is full, thus also what is genuine; consequently “a measure of wheat and three measures of barley” signify the genuine good and the genuine truth of the church. “Wheat” signifies good, and “barley” its truth, because all things belonging to the field signify the things that belong to the church; and things belonging to the field, as crops of various kinds, serve for food; and things for food and for the nourishment of the body signify in the spiritual sense such things as nourish the soul or mind, all of which have relation to the good of love and the truth of faith; thus especially wheat and barley, because bread is made from them. (That foods of every kind signify spiritual food, thus the things of knowledge, intelligence, and wisdom, consequently the good and truth from which these are, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3114, 4459, 5147, 5293, 5340, 5342, 5410, 5426, 5576, 5582, 5588, 5655, 5915, 8408, 8562, 9003. Of “bread” in general, see the work on The New Jerusalem, n. 218; that “field” signifies the church, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2971, 3766, 9139.)
That “wheat” and “barley” have such a signification is from correspondence, as is evident from the things that appear in the spiritual world, where all appearances are correspondences. There plains, fields, crops of various kinds, and also bread appear; from this is the knowledge that they are correspondences, and consequently that they have significations according to correspondences.
sRef Jer@31 @11 S3′ sRef Jer@31 @10 S3′ sRef Jer@31 @12 S3′ [3] That “wheat” and “barley” signify the good and truth of the church, “wheat” its good, and “barley” its truth, can be seen also from the passages in the Word where they are mentioned, as from the following. In Jeremiah:
Jehovah, who hath dispersed Israel, will bring him together and will keep him as a shepherd doth his drove; for Jehovah hath ransomed Jacob, and hath redeemed him out of the hand of him that was stronger than he. Therefore shall they come and sing aloud in the height of Zion, and shall flow together unto the good of Jehovah, to the wheat, to the new wine, and to the oil, and to the sons of the flock, and of the herd; and their soul shall become as a watered garden (Jer. 31:10-12).
This treats of the establishment of a new church; “Israel” and “Jacob” signify that church, “Israel” the internal spiritual church, and “Jacob” the external; for every church is internal and external. Its establishment is described by “Jehovah will bring him together and will keep him as a shepherd doth his drove, for He hath ransomed Jacob, and hath redeemed him out of the hand of him that was stronger than he;” “to redeem” signifies to reform (see above, n. 328); “out of the hand of him that was stronger than he” signifies out of evil and falsity, which before had possession; the internal joy or joy of heart arising from celestial good and truths therefrom that such have, is signified by “therefore shall they come and sing aloud in the height of Zion, and shall flow together unto the good of Jehovah, to the wheat, to the new wine, and to the oil, and to the sons of the flock and of the herd,” “to sing in the height of Zion” signifying internal celestial joy, or such as is in the Lord’s celestial kingdom, “to sing aloud” meaning that joy (see above, n. 326), “height” what is internal, and “Zion” the celestial kingdom; “wheat” signifies the good of the natural man, “new wine” its truth; “oil” the good of the spiritual man, “the sons of the flock” spiritual truths, and “the sons of the herd” natural truths; because these are what are signified they are called “the good of Jehovah.” That such have intelligence and wisdom from this source is signified by “their soul shall become as a watered garden,” for “garden” in the Word signifies intelligence, and “watered” continual growth. “Wheat,” “new wine,” “oil,” “the sons of a flock and of the herd,” are plainly not here meant, for it is said, “Jehovah hath ransomed Jacob, and their soul shall become as a watered garden.”
sRef Joel@1 @11 S4′ sRef Joel@1 @12 S4′ sRef Joel@1 @10 S4′ [4] In Joel:
The field was devastated, the ground mourned; for the corn was devastated, the new wine was dried up, the oil languished. The husbandmen were ashamed, the vine-dressers howled for the wheat and for the barley, because the harvest of the field hath perished (Joel 1:10, 11).
This is not said of a field and its barrenness, but of the church and its vastation; therefore “field,” “ground,” “corn,” “new wine,” and “oil” do not mean these things themselves, but “field” and “ground” mean the church, “field” the church in relation to the reception and bringing forth of truth and good, and “ground” the church in respect to the nation that is in it; “corn” means good of every kind in the external man; “new wine” the truth also therein; “oil” the good in the internal man; “the husbandmen that were ashamed,” and “the vine-dressers that howled for the wheat and for the barley” signify those who are of the church, “wheat” and “barley” signifying the good and truth of the church; and “the harvest of the field that thus perished” signifying all worship from good and truth.
sRef Jer@12 @13 S5′ sRef Jer@12 @12 S5′ [5] In Jeremiah:
Upon all the heights in the wilderness the devastators have come; because the sword of Jehovah devoureth from the end of the land even to the end of the land; no flesh hath peace. They have sown wheat and have reaped thorns (Jer. 12:12-13).
This, too is said of the church and its vastation; “the heights in the wilderness upon which the devastators have come” signify that every good of charity has perished through evils and falsities, “heights” in the Word signifying where there is the good of charity, and in an abstract sense that good itself, “wilderness” signifies where there is no good because no truth, and “devastators” signify the evils and falsities through which good and truth perish; “the sword of Jehovah devoureth from the end of the land even to the end of the land” signifies falsity destroying all things of the church, “the sword devouring” meaning falsity destroying, and “from the end of the land even to the end of the land” signifying all things of the church; “no flesh hath peace” signifies that there is no longer internal rest, because of the dominion of evil and falsity; “they have sown wheat and have reaped thorns” signifies that instead of the goods of truth there are the evils of falsity, “wheat” meaning the goods of truth, and “thorns” the evils of falsity.
sRef Jer@41 @1 S6′ sRef Jer@41 @8 S6′ sRef Jer@41 @2 S6′ sRef Jer@41 @7 S6′ sRef Jer@41 @4 S6′ sRef Jer@41 @5 S6′ sRef Jer@41 @3 S6′ sRef Jer@41 @6 S6′ [6] In the same:
Ishmael, who was of the seed of the kingdom, slew Gedaliah, whom the king of Babylon had appointed over the land, and all the Jews who were with him, and the Chaldeans, also the men from Shechem, from Shiloh, and from Samaria; but ten men were found among them who said unto Ishmael, Put us not to death, for we have things hid in the field, wheat and barley, and oil and honey. So he forbare, and put them not to death (Jer. 41:1-8).
These historical statements describe, in the internal sense, the damnation of those who profane holy things; for “Gedaliah, whom the king of Babylon appointed over the land,” and “the Jews who were with him,” and “the Chaldeans,” and “the men from Shechem, from Shiloh, and from Samaria,” mean those who profane, and in the abstract sense, profanations of every kind, “the king of Babylon” signifying the profanation of good and truth. Their damnation is signified by their being put to death, for “to be put to death” signifies to be slain spiritually (see n. 315); but “the ten men who said to Ishmael, put us not to death for we have things hid in the field, wheat and barley, and oil and honey,” mean those who have not profaned the holy things of the church, because inwardly they have good and truth; for those who profane have nothing of good and truth inwardly, but only outwardly when they speak and preach, while those who do not profane have good and truth inwardly; this is meant by their saying that “they have things hid in the field, wheat, barley, oil, and honey,” “wheat and barley” signifying the goods and truths of the external man, “oil” the good of the internal man, and “honey” the delight thereof; “ten men” signify all who are such, “ten” signifying all persons and all things; that “he forbare and put them not to death” signifies that they were not profane, thus not damned; “Ishmael” represents those who are in the genuine truths of the church, which is also signified by “the seed of the kingdom,” of which he was. Such are the things involved in this history, the histories in the Word equally with the prophecies having an internal sense.
sRef Deut@8 @8 S7′ sRef Deut@8 @7 S7′ [7] In Moses:
Jehovah thy God bringeth thee into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths going forth in valley and mountain; a land of wheat and barley, and of vine, and fig-tree, and pomegranate; a land of oil olive and honey (Deut. 8:7-8).
In the sense of the letter this is a description of the land of Canaan, but in the spiritual sense the Lord’s church is described, since this is meant in that sense by “the land of Canaan;” and all kinds of good and truth pertaining to the church are enumerated. The land is called “a land of brooks of water,” because “brooks of water” signify the doctrinals of truth; “fountains and depths going forth in valley and mountain” signify interior and exterior truths from the Word, “fountains,” interior truths therefrom, and “depths” exterior truths. The latter are said to go forth “out of the valley,” because “a valley” signifies what is lower and exterior, where such truths are; and the former are said “to go forth out of the mountain,” because a “mountain” signifies what is higher and interior, where truths of that kind are; “a land of wheat and barley, and of vine and fig-tree, and pomegranate,” signifies the church in respect to good and truth of every kind, “wheat and barley” signifying good and truth from a celestial origin, “vine and fig-tree” good and truth from a spiritual origin, and “pomegranate” knowledges of good and truth; and “a land of oil olive and honey” signifies the church in respect to the good of love and its enjoyment. One who does not know the spiritual sense of the Word believes no otherwise than that this merely describes the land of Canaan; but in that case the Word would be merely natural, and not spiritual, and yet the Word everywhere is in its bosom spiritual, and it is spiritual when by these words are understood the spiritual things they signify, namely, goods and truths of every kind. (But what “brooks,” “fountains,” “depths,” “valley,” “mountain,” “vine,” “fig-tree,” “pomegranate,” “olive,” “oil” and “honey” signify is shown in Arcana Coelestia, all of which would be too extended to cite here; but many of these things have been shown and will be shown in this explanation of Revelation, and these may be consulted in their places.)
sRef Job@31 @40 S8′ sRef Job@31 @39 S8′ [8] In Job:
If I have eaten the strength (of the earth) without silver, and have made the soul of its [masters] to expire, let the thorn come forth instead of wheat, and the wild vine instead of barley (Job 31:39-40).
“To eat the strength of the earth without silver” signifies to appropriate to oneself the good of the church without the truth, “earth” meaning the church, and “silver” truth; and “to make the soul of its [masters] to expire” signifies thus to empty out the spiritual life; “let the thorn come forth instead of wheat, and the wild vine instead of barley” signifies that evil will be held for good, and falsity for truth, “wheat” meaning good, “thorn” evil, “barley” truth, and “wild vine” falsity; for good can be acquired only by means of truths.
sRef Isa@28 @24 S9′ sRef Isa@28 @25 S9′ sRef Isa@28 @26 S9′ sRef Isa@28 @22 S9′ [9] In Isaiah:
I have heard a consummation and decision from the Lord Jehovih of Hosts upon the whole earth. Will the ploughman plough all day for sowing? will he open and harrow his ground? when he hath made plain the faces thereof doth he not scatter the fennel? and doth he not put in the measured wheat and the appointed barley and the appointed spelt? Thus doth he chasten him for judgment, his God doth instruct him (Isa. 28:22, 24-26).
This in the spiritual sense describes the total destruction of the church with the Jewish and Israelitish nation, and teaches that it is of no avail to learn and know the Word except for the purpose of applying its good and truth to the use of life; from this source and no other is intelligence from the Lord. That the church with that nation was wholly destroyed is meant by “I have heard a consummation and decision from the Lord Jehovih of Hosts upon the whole earth,” “consummation and decision” meaning the complete destruction, and “the whole earth,” the whole church, that is, every thing of it; that it is of no avail to learn and know the Word is signified by “will the ploughman plough all day for sowing? Will he open and harrow his ground?” “to plough for sowing” meaning to learn, and “to harrow the ground” meaning to deposit in the memory. That the good and truth of the Word should be applied to the use of life is signified by “when he hath made plain the faces thereof, doth he not scatter the fennel, and put in the measured wheat and the appointed barley and the appointed spelt?” “When he hath made plain the faces of the ground he scattereth the fennel” signifies when there is preparation by the Word; “the measured wheat and the appointed barley and the appointed spelt” signify the application of good and truth to the use of life, “wheat” meaning good, “barley” truth, and “spelt” knowledges; and that from this source and no other is intelligence from the Lord is signified by “thus doth he chasten for judgment, his God doth instruct him,” “judgment” signifying intelligence, and “his God doth instruct him” signifying that it is from the Lord.
sRef Deut@32 @14 S10′ sRef Deut@32 @13 S10′ [10] In Moses:
Jehovah made him ride upon the high places of the earth, and fed him with the increase of the fields; He made him to suck honey out of the cliff, and oil out of the flint of the rock; butter of the herd and milk of the flock, with the fat of lambs, and of rams, the sons of Bashan, and of he-goats, with the fat of the kidneys of wheat; and thou drinkest the blood of grapes, unmixed wine (Deut. 32:13-14).
This is said of the Ancient Church established by the Lord after the flood, which was in intelligence and wisdom, because it was in the good of charity and in the faith therefrom. This intelligence and wisdom from the Lord is signified by “Jehovah made him to ride upon the high places of the earth, and fed him with the increase of the fields;” the celestial and spiritual goods that they received through truths are described by “He made him to suck honey out of the cliff, and oil out of the flint of the rock; butter of the herd and milk of the flock, with the fat of lambs, and of rams, the sons of Bashan, and of he-goats, with the fat of the kidneys of wheat; and thou drinkest the blood of grapes, unmixed wine,” “wheat” signifying here in a general sense all good, and “blood of grapes” and “unmixed wine” all truth therefrom.
sRef Ps@81 @16 S11′ sRef Ps@81 @13 S11′ [11] In David:
O that My people would hearken unto Me, and Israel would walk in My ways! I would feed* them with the fat of wheat; and with honey out of the rock I would satisfy them (Ps. 81:13, 16).
“Fat of wheat,” and “honey out of the rock with which they would be fed and satisfied” signify good of every kind from celestial good and enjoyment thereof from the Lord; for “fat” signifies celestial good, “wheat” good of every kind, “honey” the enjoyment of good, and “rock” the Lord. That those who live according to the Lord’s commandments will possess these things is meant by “O that My people would hearken unto me, and Israel would walk in My ways!” “Ways” in the Word signifying truths and also commandments, and “to walk” signifying to live.
[12] In the same:
Celebrate Jehovah, O Jerusalem; praise thy God, O Zion. For He strengtheneth the bars of thy gates, He blesseth thy sons in the midst of thee. He maketh thy border peace, and satisfieth thee with the fat of wheat (Ps. 147:12-14).
“Jerusalem” and “Zion” mean the church; “Jerusalem” the church in respect to the truths of doctrine, and “Zion” the church in respect to the goods of love; “He maketh thy border peace” signifies all things of heaven and the church, for “border” signifies all these things; “He satisfieth thee with the fat of wheat” signifies with every good of love and with wisdom, “fat” signifying the good of love, and “wheat” all things from it, which are goods because they are from good; these things being signified, it is said, “the fat of wheat.”
sRef Hos@3 @1 S13′ sRef Hos@3 @2 S13′ [13] In Hosea:
Jehovah said to the prophet, Go yet, love a woman beloved of her companion, and an adulteress, even as the love of Jehovah to the sons of Israel, who regard other gods, and love flagons of grapes. And I bought her to me for fifteen pieces of silver, and for a homer of barley, and a half homer of barley (Hosea 3:1-2).
This represented what the Jewish and Israelitish church was in respect to doctrine and worship, namely that by vain traditions it had falsified all things of the Word, though worshiping it as holy; “a woman beloved of her companion, and an adulteress whom the prophet should love” signifies such a church, “a woman” signifying the church, and “beloved of her companion and an adulteress” the falsification of truth and the adulteration of good; “even as the love of Jehovah to the sons of Israel, who regard other gods” signifies the falsities of doctrine and the evils of worship; these are signified by “regarding other gods;” “loving flagons of grapes” signifies the Word in the sense of the letter alone, for “wine” signifies the truths of doctrine from the Word, “grapes” its goods from which are truths, and “a flagon” signifies that which contains, thus the ultimate sense of the Word, which is the sense of the letter, and which they apply to their falsities and evils. “He bought her to him for fifteen pieces of silver” signifies for a small price, “fifteen” meaning very little; “a homer of barley” and “half a homer of barley” signifying so little of good and truths as to be scarcely any.
sRef Matt@3 @11 S14′ sRef Matt@3 @12 S14′ [14] In Matthew:
John said of Jesus, He shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire; whose fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly purge His floor; and will gather the wheat into the garner; but the chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire (Matt. 3:11-12).
“To baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire” signifies to reform the church and to regenerate the man of the church by means of Divine truth and Divine good; “to baptize” signifying to reform and to regenerate, “the Holy Spirit” Divine truth proceeding from the Lord, and “fire” the Divine good of His Divine love. “The wheat that He will gather into the garner” signifies good of every kind that is of heavenly origin, which He is to preserve to eternity, thus those who are in good; and “the chaff that He will burn with unquenchable fire” signifies falsity of every kind that is of infernal origin, which He is to destroy, thus those who are in falsity; and because “wheat,” “garner,” and “chaff” are mentioned, “fan” and “floor” are also mentioned, “fan” signifying separation, and “floor” signifying where separation is effected.
sRef Matt@13 @38 S15′ sRef Matt@13 @28 S15′ sRef Matt@13 @39 S15′ sRef Matt@13 @29 S15′ sRef Matt@13 @30 S15′ sRef Matt@13 @24 S15′ sRef Matt@13 @25 S15′ sRef Matt@13 @26 S15′ sRef Matt@13 @27 S15′ [15] In the same:
Jesus said, The kingdom of the heavens is like unto a man that sowed good seed in his field; but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares, and went away. But when the blade sprang up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. And the servants of the householder coming said unto him, Lord, didst thou not sow good seed in thy field? whence then hath it tares? Then he said unto them, A man, an enemy hath done this. But the servants said, wilt thou then that we going out gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest haply while ye gather up the tares, ye root up at the same time the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest; and in the season of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye first the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn (Matt. 13:24-30).
What these words involve is very clear from the spiritual sense, for the particulars here are correspondences. For when the Lord was in the world, He spoke by pure correspondences, because He spoke from the Divine. Here the Last Judgment is treated of when there must be a separation of the good from the evil, and the good are to come into heaven, and the evil into hell. “The good seed in the field that the man sowed” signifies the truths of the church that are from good, “field” signifying the church where these are, and “sowing” signifying influx and reception, thus also instruction; “the man who sowed” means the Lord through the Word, in which are all the truths of the church; “while men slept his enemy came and sowed tares, and went away,” signifies that with natural men the falsities of evil flow in from hell, and are received; for “to sleep” signifies to live a natural life separated from the spiritual life (see above 187), and “enemy” signifies hell, and “tares” signify the evils of falsity. What the remainder to the end signifies, can be seen from what is presented in the small work on The Last Judgment (n. 70); for it involves arcana that are there explained; here it need only be said that “wheat” signifies the good of truth, and therefore those who are in good through truths; and that “tares” signify the evil of falsity, and therefore those who are in evil through falsities. That these things are said of the Last Judgment is evident from what follows in the same chapter, where it is said:
He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; the field is the world; the seed are the sons of the kingdom; the tares are the sons of the evil one; the enemy is the devil; the harvest is the consummation of the age (Matt. 13:37-39).
“The consummation of the age” is the last time of the church when judgment takes place. From these passages quoted from the Word it can be seen that “wheat” signifies the good of the church in general, and “barley” its truth.
* In AC n. 6377 we read “He would feed.”

sRef Rev@6 @6 S0′ 375. And the oil and the wine hurt thou not, signifies that it is provided that the internal or spiritual sense of the Word should suffer no harm either in respect to good or in respect to truth. This is evident from the signification of “oil,” as being the good of love (of which presently); from the signification of “wine,” as being the truth of that good, for every good has its truth, that is, every truth is of good, therefore such as the good is such is the truth; also from the signification of “to hurt,” as being to do injury to these. That the internal or spiritual sense of the Word in respect to good and in respect to truth is what is here signified in particular by “oil and wine” is evident from this, that “wheat and barley” signify good and truth, equally with “oil and wine,” but “wheat and barley” signify the good and truth of the church in general, thus good and truth in the sense of the letter of the Word; for the goods and truths that are in that sense of the Word are goods and truths in general, the sense of the letter enclosing the spiritual sense, and thus spiritual goods and truths; therefore “wheat and barley” signify the goods and truths of the church in general, which are of the sense of the letter of the Word; while “oil and wine” signify the goods and truths of the internal or spiritual sense of the Word. The latter are interior goods and truths, but the former exterior.
sRef Lam@4 @20 S2′ sRef Lam@4 @19 S2′ [2] That there are interior and exterior goods and truths, the former in the spiritual or internal man, the latter in the natural or external, can be seen from what is said and shown in the work on Heaven and Hell, namely, that there are three heavens, and that the inmost or third heaven is in inmost goods and truths, or in those of the third degree; and the middle or second heaven in lower goods and truths, or in those of the second degree; and the ultimate or first heaven is in ultimate goods and truths, that is, in those of the first degree. Ultimate goods and truths or those of the first degree are such as are contained in the sense of the letter of the Word; consequently those who remain in that sense and from it frame doctrine for themselves and live according to such doctrine, are in ultimate goods and truths. These do not see interior things, because they are not purely spiritual, like the angels of the higher heavens, but spiritual-natural; yet they are in heaven, although in the ultimate heaven, since the goods and truths that they have derived from the sense of the letter of the Word, and which are with them, contain in them interior goods and truths belonging to the spiritual sense of the Word, for the two correspond and by correspondence make a one.
[3] For example: He that believes from the sense of the letter of the Word that God is angry, that He condemns and casts into hell those who live ill, although this is in itself not true, since God is never angry, and never condemns man or casts him into hell, yet with those who live well and who so believe because the Word in the letter says so, this is accepted by the Lord as truth, because the truth lies concealed internally within it, and although they themselves do not see it, it is manifest to the interior angels. Take as another example, one who believes that he will enjoy a long life if he loves father and mother, according to the commandment of the Decalogue, if he loves them for this reason, and lives well, he is accepted just the same as if he had believed the truth itself, for he does not know that “father and mother” mean in the highest sense the Lord and His kingdom, “father” the Lord, and “mother” His kingdom, and that “prolongation of days” or “length of life” signifies happiness to eternity. It is the same in a thousand other instances. This has been said that it may be known what is meant by the exterior goods and truths and by the interior goods and truths of the Word, since “wheat and barley” signify exterior goods and truths, that is, those that are of the sense of the letter of the Word; while “oil and wine” signify interior goods and truths, that is, those that are of the spiritual sense of the Word.
[4] “Wheat and barley” signify exterior goods and truths, or the goods and truths of the sense of the letter of the Word, because they are the harvest of the field and do not serve for food until made into bread, and “bread” in the Word signifies interior goods; consequently “wheat and barley” signify such things as these goods are made out of, that is, the goods and truths of the sense of the letter of the Word. But that “oil and wine” signify interior goods, which are the goods of the internal or spiritual sense of the Word, can be seen from their signification in the Word, as will be evident from what follows. It is said that these “must not be hurt,” because they are not to be profaned; for they would be profaned if they were known and were believed and were afterwards denied, or also if the life were contrary to them; and to profane interior goods and truths is to conjoin oneself with heaven and with hell at the same time, which is a total destruction of spiritual life. For not only do such goods and truths as are believed remain, but also the evils and falsities that succeed in their place by denial or by a life contrary to them; thence there is a conjunction of the good and truth that are of heaven with the evils and falsities that are of hell, and the two cannot be separated, but must be torn asunder, and when torn asunder everything of spiritual life is destroyed. In consequence of this, profaners, after death, are not spirits in a human form as others are, but they are mere phantoms, and seem to themselves to fly hither and thither without any thought; and at length they are separated from others and cast down into the lowest hell of all; and as they do not appear in a human form like the other spirits, they are no longer called he or she, but it, that is, not man. (But more may be seen on the profanation of good and truth in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 169, 172.)
[5] Because such a lot awaits those who profane the interior goods and truths of heaven and the church, therefore the internal or spiritual sense of the Word, in which these are contained, was not opened to the Jews, since if it had been opened they would have profaned it; neither was it opened to Christians, since they also if it had been opened would have profaned it; and for this reason it has been hidden from both Jews and Christians that there is any internal or spiritual sense within the sense of the letter of the Word, which is the natural sense; and that they might remain ignorant of it, it was provided that the knowledge of correspondences, which was the chief knowledge of the ancients, should be lost so entirely that it should be unknown what correspondence is, and therefore what the spiritual sense of the Word is. For the Word is written by pure correspondences, therefore without a knowledge of correspondences it could not be known what the internal sense is. This was provided by the Lord lest the genuine goods and truths themselves, in which the higher heavens are, should be profaned.
sRef John@19 @23 S6′ sRef John@19 @24 S6′ [6] But the internal or spiritual sense of the Word is at this day opened, because the Last Judgment has been accomplished, and therefore all things in the heavens and in the hells have been reduced to order, and thus the Lord can provide that no profanations take place. That the internal or spiritual sense of the Word would be opened when the Last Judgment had been accomplished was foretold by the Lord in Revelation (respecting which see in the small work on The White Horse). That the internal or spiritual sense of the Word would then suffer no harm is also signified by the soldiers having divided the Lord’s garments and not the tunic, which was without seam, woven from the top throughout (John 19:23, 24). For the Lord’s “garments” signify the Word; the “garments that were divided” the Word in the letter; the “tunic” the Word in the internal sense; and the “soldiers” those who should fight in behalf of the truths and goods of the church. (That such are signified by the “soldiers,” see above, n. 64 at the end; and that “garments” in the Word signify truths, “clothing” good, and the Lord’s “garments” Divine truth, thus the Word, see also above, n. 64, 195.)
[7] That “oil” signifies the good of love, can be seen especially from the anointings among the sons of Israel, or in their church, which were effected by oil; for by oil all things of the church were inaugurated, and when they had been inaugurated they were called holy, as the altar and its vessels, the tent of meeting and all things therein, likewise those who officiated in the priesthood and their garments, and also the prophets and afterwards the kings. Anyone can see that it is not oil itself that makes holy, but it is that which is signified by “oil,” which is the good of love to the Lord from the Lord; this is signified by “oil;” consequently when persons or things were anointed, from that moment they became representative, for the oil induced a representation of the Lord and of the good of love from Him. For the good of love to the Lord from the Lord is the holy itself of heaven and the church, since through it everything Divine flows in; consequently the things of heaven and the church, which are called things spiritual, are so far holy as they are grounded in this holy.
[8] The reason of the representation of holiness by oil is this: the Lord alone in respect to the Divine Human is the Anointed of Jehovah, for the Divine good itself of the Divine love was in Him from conception, and from that His Human when He was in the world was Divine truth itself, and this He then also made Divine good of the Divine love by uniting it with the Divine Itself in Himself. And as all things that belonged to the church represented things Divine from the Lord, and in the highest sense the Lord Himself (since the church instituted with the sons of Israel was a representative church), so “oil,” which signified the Divine good of the Divine love was employed to induce representations; and afterwards the things or persons that were anointed were regarded as holy, not that there was from this any holiness in them, but the holiness was thereby represented in heaven when they were worshiping. This has been said that it may be known that “oil” signifies the good of love.
[9] But that this may be made clearer, I will explain the particulars in order, namely:
1. In ancient times they anointed with oil the stones set up for statues;
2. Also arms of war, as bucklers and shields;
3. Afterwards, the altar and all its vessels, and the tent of meeting and all things therein;
4. And besides, those who officiated in the priesthood, and their garments;
5. Also the prophets;
6. And finally, the kings, who were therefore called “the anointed.”
7. It was also a custom commonly received to anoint themselves and others with oil, to testify gladness of mind and good will.
8. From this it is evident that “oil” in the Word signifies good; the “oil of holiness,” which was prepared for anointing those things that were to be used in worship in the church, signifying the Divine good of the Divine love; and “oil” in general, good and its enjoyment.
sRef Gen@28 @19 S10′ sRef Gen@28 @18 S10′ sRef Gen@28 @22 S10′ sRef Gen@28 @21 S10′ [10] (1) As to the first point, “that they anointed stones set up for statues,” is evident from the book of Genesis:
Jacob rose up in the morning, and took the stone that he had put under his head, and set it up for a statue, and poured oil on the top of it. And he called the name of that place Bethel. And he said, If I shall come again to my father’s house in peace, this stone which I have set up for a statue shall be God’s house (Gen. 28:18-22).
Stones were thus anointed because “stones” signified truths, and truths without good have no spiritual life, that is, no life from the Divine; but when the stones were anointed with oil, they represented truths from good, and in the highest sense, Divine truth proceeding from the Divine good of the Lord, who is thence called “the Stone of Israel.” The stones themselves set up were called “statues,” and were accounted holy, and from this arose the use of statues among the ancients, and afterwards in their temples. As this stone then set up by Jacob was representatively sanctified, therefore Jacob called the name of the place Bethel, and said that this stone should be “God’s house,” Bethel meaning “God’s house,” and “God’s house,” signifies the church in respect to good, and in the highest sense the Lord in respect to His Divine Human (John 2:19-22). (The remainder may be seen explained in the Arcana Coelestia; and further, that statues were set up by the ancients for a sign, for a witness, and for worship, n. 3727; that at first they were holy boundaries, n. 3727; that afterwards they were used in worship, n. 4580; what they signified, n. 4580, 10643. That “stones” signify truths, and “the Stone of Israel” the Lord in respect to Divine truth, n. 643, 1298, 3720, 6426, 8609, 9388, 9389, 10376. That the pouring of oil upon the head of a statue or anointing it, was done to induce the representative of truth from good, and that it might thus be used for worship, n. 3728, 4090.)
sRef 2Sam@1 @21 S11′ sRef Isa@21 @5 S11′ [11] (2) “That they anointed the arms of war, as bucklers and shields,” is evident from Isaiah:
Rise up, ye princes, anoint the shield (Isa. 21:5).
Also in the second book of Samuel:
The shield of the heroes was polluted; the shield of Saul was not anointed with oil (2 Sam. 1:21).
Arms of war were anointed because they signified truths fighting against falsities, and truths from good are what prevail against falsities, but not truths without good; therefore the arms of war represented the truths by which the Lord Himself with man fights against the falsities from evil which are from hell. (That “the arms of war” signify truths fighting against falsities, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 1788, 2686, and above, n. 131, 367; and that “wars” in general signify spiritual combats, n. 1664, 2686, 8273, 8295; and “enemies” evils and falsities, and in general the hells, n. 2851, 8289, 9314.)
sRef Ex@30 @26 S12′ sRef Ex@30 @25 S12′ sRef Ex@30 @28 S12′ sRef Ex@30 @27 S12′ sRef Ex@30 @29 S12′ sRef Ex@29 @36 S12′ [12] (3) “That they anointed the altar and all its vessels, and the tent of meeting, and all things therein,” is evident from Moses:
Jehovah said to Moses, Thou shalt anoint the altar, and sanctify it (Exod. 29:36).
In the same:
Thou shalt make the oil of anointing of holiness, wherewith thou shalt anoint the tent of meeting, and the ark of the Testimony, and the table, and all the vessels thereof, and the lampstand and all the vessels thereof, and the altar of incense, and the altar of burnt-offering, and all the vessels thereof, and the lavers, and the base. Thus shalt thou sanctify them, that they may be holy of holies; whosoever shall touch them shall sanctify himself (Exod. 30:25-29; 40:9-11; Lev. 8:10-12; Num. 7:1).
The altars and the tent of meeting, with all things therein, were anointed that they might represent the Divine and holy things of heaven and the church, consequently the holy things of worship; and these they could not have represented unless they had been inaugurated by something significative of the good of love, for it is through the good of love that the Divine enters, and through it is present; the same is true in worship, without the good of love the Divine neither enters nor is present. (That the altar was the chief representative of the Lord, and thence of worship from the good of love, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2777, 2811, 4489, 4541, 8935, 8940, 9388, 9389, 9714; and that the tent with the ark was the chief representative of heaven where the Lord is, n. 9457, 9481, 9485, 9594, 9596, 9632, 9784.)
sRef Lev@8 @12 S13′ sRef Ps@104 @15 S13′ sRef Ex@30 @30 S13′ sRef Ex@40 @15 S13′ sRef Lev@8 @6 S13′ sRef Ex@40 @14 S13′ sRef Ex@40 @13 S13′ sRef Ex@29 @7 S13′ sRef Lev@8 @30 S13′ [13] (4) “That they anointed those who officiated in the priesthood, and their garments,” is evident from Moses:
Take the oil of anointing, and pour it upon the head (of Aaron), and thou shalt anoint him (Exod. 29:7; 30:30).
Put upon Aaron the garment of holiness, and thou shalt anoint him and sanctify him, that he may minister unto Me in the priesthood; and his sons thou shalt anoint as thou didst anoint their father, and it shall be that their anointing shall be to them a priesthood of an age throughout their generations (Exod. 40:13-15).
In the same:
Moses poured of the oil upon Aaron’s head, and anointed him to sanctify him. And afterwards he took of the oil of anointing, and of the blood that was upon the altar, and sprinkled it upon Aaron, upon his garments, upon his sons, and upon his sons’ garments with him, and sanctified Aaron, his garments and his sons, and his sons’ garments with him (Lev. 8:12, 30).
Aaron and his sons were anointed, and their very garments, that they might represent the Lord in respect to the Divine good, and as to Divine truth therefrom; Aaron, the Lord in respect to Divine good, and his sons the Lord in respect to Divine truth therefrom; and, in general, that the priesthood might represent the Lord in respect to His work of salvation. Their garments were anointed (Exod. 29:29) because “garments” represented spiritual things investing. (That Aaron represented the Lord in respect to Divine good, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 9806; that his sons represented the Lord in respect to Divine truth proceeding from Divine good, n. 9807; that the priesthood in general represented the Lord in respect to His work of salvation, n. 9809; that the garments of Aaron and his sons represented things spiritual, n. 9814, 9942, 9952.)
sRef Lev@7 @35 S14′ sRef Num@18 @17 S14′ sRef Num@18 @9 S14′ sRef Lev@7 @34 S14′ sRef Num@18 @18 S14′ sRef Num@18 @8 S14′ sRef Num@18 @19 S14′ sRef Num@18 @11 S14′ sRef Num@18 @15 S14′ sRef Num@18 @10 S14′ sRef Num@18 @13 S14′ sRef Num@18 @14 S14′ sRef Num@18 @12 S14′ sRef Num@18 @16 S14′ sRef Num@18 @20 S14′ [14] Because inauguration to representation was effected by anointing, and Aaron and his sons represented the Lord and what is from Him, therefore to Aaron and his sons the holy things of the sons of Israel were given, which were gifts given to Jehovah, and were called “heave-offerings;” and it is said that they were “the anointing” or “for the anointing,” that is, were a representation or for a representation of the Lord, and of the Divine things that are from Him, as is evident from these passages in Moses:
The wave-breast and the heave-shoulder have I taken from among the sons of Israel. This is the anointing of Aaron and the anointing of his sons, out of the offerings by fire to Jehovah, which He commanded* to give them in the day that He had anointed them from among the sons of Israel (Lev. 7:34-36).
And elsewhere in the same:
Jehovah spoke unto Aaron, Behold, I have given thee the charge of Mine heave-offerings as to all the hallowed things of the sons of Israel; unto thee have I given them by reason of the anointing, and to thy sons, for the statute of an age. Every gift of theirs, even to every meal-offering of theirs, even to every sacrifice of sin and guilt of theirs, every wave-offering of the sons of Israel. All the fat of the pure oil, and all the fat of the new wine, and of the corn, the firstfruits of them, which they shall give unto Jehovah, to thee have I given them. Likewise everything devoted in Israel, every opening of the womb, thus every heave-offering of things holy. Thou shalt have no inheritance in their land, neither shalt thou have any part in the midst of them; I am thy part and thine inheritance in the midst of the sons of Israel (Num. 18:8-20).
From this it is evident that the anointing is a representation, since by anointing they were inaugurated to represent, also that it was signified by it that all inauguration into the holiness of heaven and the church is by means of the good of love which is from the Lord, and that the good of love is the Lord with them; because this is so, it is said that Jehovah is “his part and his inheritance.”
sRef Isa@61 @1 S15′ sRef 1Ki@19 @16 S15′ sRef 1Ki@19 @15 S15′ [15] (5) “That they anointed the prophets also,” is evident from the first book of Kings:
Jehovah said unto Elijah, Anoint Hazael to be king over Syria; and Jehu anoint to be king over Israel; and Elisha anoint to be prophet instead of thee (1 Kings 19:15-16).
And in Isaiah:
The spirit of the Lord Jehovih is upon me; therefore hath Jehovah anointed me to preach good tidings unto the poor (Isa. 61:1).
The prophets were anointed because the prophets represented the Lord in respect to the doctrine of Divine truth, consequently in respect to the Word; for the Word is the doctrine of Divine truth. (That the prophets represented and thence signified doctrine from the Word, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2534, 7269; in particular, Elijah and Elisha, n. 2762, 5247 at the end, 9372.) That it is the Lord in respect to the Divine Human who is here represented, thus that it was He by whom Jehovah anointed, the Lord Himself teaches in Luke (4:18-21).
[16] (6) That they afterwards anointed kings, and that these were called “the anointed of Jehovah,” is evident from many usages in the Word (as 1 Sam. 10:1; 15:1; 16:3, 6, 12; 24:6, 10; 26:9, 11, 16, 23; 2 Sam. 1:16; 2:4, 7; 5:3; 19:22; 1 Kings 1:34, 35; 19:15, 16; 2 Kings 9:3; 11:12; 23:30; Lam. 4:20; Hab. 3:13; Ps. 2:2, 6; 20:6; 28:8; 45:7; 84:9; 89:20, 38, 51; 132:17; and elsewhere). Kings were anointed that they might represent the Lord in relation to judgment from Divine truth; therefore in the Word “kings” signify Divine truths (see above, n. 31). Kings were called “the anointed of Jehovah,” and it was therefore sacrilege to do harm to them, because “anointed of Jehovah” means the Lord in respect to the Divine Human, although, in the sense of the letter the term is applied to the king anointed with oil; for the Lord, when He was in the world, in respect to His Human was the Divine truth itself, and in respect to the very esse of His life, which with man is called the soul from the father, was the Divine good itself of the Divine love; for He was conceived of Jehovah, Jehovah in the Word meaning the Divine good of the Divine love, which is the esse of the life of all; consequently the Lord alone was the Anointed of Jehovah in very essence and in very deed, since there was in Him the Divine good of the Divine love, and the Divine truth proceeding from that good itself in His Human while He was in the world (see above, n. 63, 200, 228, 328; and in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 293-295, 303-305). Moreover, earthly kings were not “the anointed of Jehovah,” but were so called because they represented the Lord, who alone was “the Anointed of Jehovah,” therefore because they were anointed it was sacrilege to harm the kings of the earth. But the anointing of the kings of the earth was an anointing with oil, while the anointing of the Lord in respect to the Divine Human was accomplished by the Divine good itself of the Divine love; and this is what the “oil” signified and the “anointing” represented. For this reason the Lord was called the Messiah and Christ, Messiah in the Hebrew signifying anointed, and Christ the like in Greek (John 1:41; 4:25).
sRef Luke@4 @19 S17′ sRef Luke@4 @20 S17′ sRef Luke@4 @18 S17′ sRef Isa@61 @1 S17′ sRef Rev@17 @12 S17′ sRef Luke@4 @17 S17′ sRef Dan@9 @25 S17′ sRef Luke@4 @21 S17′ [17] From this it can be seen, that when “the anointed of Jehovah” is mentioned in the Word, in a representative sense the Lord is meant. As in Isaiah:
The spirit of the Lord Jehovih is upon Me; therefore hath Jehovah anointed Me to preach good tidings unto the poor; He hath sent Me to bind up the broken in heart, to proclaim liberty to the captives (Isa. 61:1).
That the Lord in respect to the Divine Human is He whom Jehovah anointed, is evident in Luke, where the Lord openly declares it in these words:
There was delivered to Jesus the book of the prophet Isaiah. And He unrolled the book, and found the place where it was written, The spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He hath anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He hath sent Me to heal the broken in heart, to proclaim release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to proclaim the accepted year of the Lord. After that, rolling up the book, He gave it to the minister, and sat down. But the eyes of all in the synagogue were fastened on Him. He began to say unto them, Today hath this scripture been fulfilled in your ears (Luke 4:17-21).
In Daniel:
Know therefore, and perceive, that from the going forth of the Word even to the restoration and building of Jerusalem, even to Messiah the Prince, shall be seven weeks (Dan. 9:25).
“To build Jerusalem” means to establish the church, “Jerusalem” meaning the church; “Messiah the Prince,” that is, the Anointed, means the Lord in respect to the Divine Human.
sRef Dan@9 @24 S18′ [18] In the same:
Seventy weeks are determined to seal up vision and prophet, and to anoint the holy of holies (Dan. 9:24).
“To seal up vision and prophet” means to conclude and fulfill the things said in the Word respecting the Lord; “anointing the holy of holies” meaning the Lord’s Divine Human, in which was the Divine good of the Divine love, or Jehovah.
sRef Ps@2 @2 S19′ sRef Ps@2 @6 S19′ [19] “The anointed of Jehovah” means the Lord also in the following passages. In David:
The kings of the earth set themselves and the rulers took counsel together against Jehovah and against His anointed. I have anointed My king upon Zion, the mountain of My holiness (Ps. 2:2, 6).
“The kings of the earth” are falsities, and the “rulers” are evils from the hells, against which the Lord fought when He was in the world, and which He conquered and subdued; “the anointed of Jehovah” is the Lord in respect to the Divine Human from which He fought; “Zion, the mountain of holiness upon which he is said to have been anointed as a king,” is the celestial kingdom, which is in the good of love; this kingdom is the inmost of heaven and the inmost of the church.
sRef Ps@132 @17 S20′ sRef Ps@89 @26 S20′ sRef Ps@132 @8 S20′ sRef Ps@132 @7 S20′ sRef Ps@89 @20 S20′ sRef Ps@89 @27 S20′ sRef Ps@89 @25 S20′ sRef Ps@132 @6 S20′ sRef Ps@132 @18 S20′ sRef Ps@89 @28 S20′ sRef Ps@89 @19 S20′ sRef Ps@89 @29 S20′ sRef Ps@132 @9 S20′ [20] In the same:
I found David My servant; with the oil of holiness have I anointed him (Ps. 89:20).
“David” here as also elsewhere means the Lord (see above, n. 205); “the oil of holiness with which Jehovah anointed him” means the Divine good of the Divine love; that it is the Lord who is here meant by David is clear from what there precedes and what follows, for it is said:
Thou spoke in vision of thy Holy One, I will set his hand in the sea, and his right hand in the rivers. He shall call Me, My Father. Also I will make him the firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth. His seed will I establish forever, and his throne as the days of the heavens (Ps. 89:19, 25-27, 29; besides other passages).
Likewise elsewhere in the same:
In Zion will I make the horn of David to bud; I will set in order a lamp for Mine anointed. His enemies will I clothe with shame, but upon himself shall his diadem flourish (Ps. 132:17-18).
That here, too, the Lord is meant by “David” is evident from the preceding verses, where it is said:
We have heard of Him in Ephrathah; we have found Him in the fields of the forest. We will go into His tabernacles; we will bow ourselves down at His footstool. Thy priests shall be clothed with righteousness, and Thy saints shall shout for joy; for Thy servant David’s sake turn not back the faces of Thine anointed (Ps. 132:6-10).
From this it can be seen that the Lord in respect to His Divine Human is here meant by David, “the anointed of Jehovah.”
[21] In Jeremiah:
They chased us upon the mountains, they laid wait for us in the wilderness. The breath of our nostrils, the anointed of Jehovah, was captured in their pits; of whom we had said, Under his shadow we shall live among the nations (Lam. 4:19-20).
Here, also, “the anointed of Jehovah” means the Lord, for this treats of assault upon Divine truth by falsities and evils, which is the signification of “they chased us upon the mountains, and laid wait in the wilderness;” “the breath of the nostrils” means heavenly life itself which is from the Lord (Arcana Coelestia, n. 9818).
sRef 1Sam@26 @9 S22′ sRef 2Sam@19 @21 S22′ sRef 2Sam@1 @16 S22′ sRef 1Sam@24 @10 S22′ sRef 1Sam@24 @6 S22′ [22] From this it can now be known why it was so sacrilegious to do harm to the anointed of Jehovah, as appears from the Word. Thus, in the first book of Samuel:
David said, Jehovah forbid that I should do this word unto my lord, the anointed of Jehovah, and put forth my hand against him, for he is the anointed of Jehovah (1 Sam. 24:6, 10).
So again:
David said to Abishai, Destroy him not; for who shall put forth his hand against the anointed of Jehovah and be guiltless? (1 Sam. 26:9).
In the second book of Samuel:
David said unto him who said that he had slain Saul, Thy blood be upon thy head; for thou hast said, I have put to death the anointed of Jehovah (2 Sam. 1:16).
And again:
Abishai said, Shall not Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the anointed of Jehovah? (2 Sam. 19:21).
That Shimei was therefore slain by command of Solomon (1 Kings 2:36, to the end).
sRef Isa@61 @3 S23′ sRef Ps@45 @7 S23′ sRef Matt@6 @18 S23′ sRef Amos@6 @6 S23′ sRef Matt@6 @17 S23′ sRef Luke@7 @46 S23′ sRef Micah@6 @15 S23′ sRef Deut@28 @40 S23′ sRef Ps@92 @10 S23′ [23] (7) “That it was a commonly received custom to anoint themselves and others with oil, to testify gladness of mind and good will,” is evident from the following passages. In Amos:
Who drink out of bowls of wine, and anoint themselves with the first fruits of oils, but they are not grieved for the breach of Joseph (Amos 6:6).
In Micah:
Thou shalt tread the olive, but thou shalt not anoint thee with oil (Micah 6:15);
meaning, thou shalt not be glad. In Moses:
Thou shalt have olive-trees in all thy border, but thou shalt not anoint thee with the oil (Deut. 28:40).
These words have a like signification. In Isaiah:
To give them a tiara instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning (Isa. 61:3).
In David:
Thy God hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows (Ps. 45:7).
In the same:
My horn shalt Thou exalt like that of a unicorn; I shall grow old in fresh oil (Ps. 92:10).
In the same:
Wine gladdeneth the heart of man, to make the face bright with oil (Ps. 104:15).
In Luke:
Jesus said to Simon, I entered into thine house, and My head with oil thou didst not anoint; but this woman hath anointed My feet with ointment (Luke 7:44, 46).
In Matthew:
But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thy head, and wash thy face, that thou appear not unto men to fast (Matt. 6:17-18).
sRef Dan@10 @3 S24′ sRef Dan@10 @2 S24′ sRef Ex@30 @32 S24′ sRef Ex@30 @38 S24′ sRef Ex@30 @33 S24′ [24] “To fast” signifies to mourn, because they fasted when they mourned, and as they then refrained from expressions of gladness, they also then abstained from anointing themselves with oil, as in Daniel:
I Daniel was mourning three weeks; I ate not the bread of desires, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither was I anointed with anointing, until three weeks of days were fulfilled (Dan. 10:2-3).
From this it is clear that it was a custom to anoint themselves and others with oil; not with the “oil of holiness” with which priests, kings, the altar, and the tabernacle were anointed, but with common oil, because this oil signified the gladness and satisfaction that are from the love of good, while “the oil of holiness” signified the Divine good; of this it is said:
Upon the flesh of man shall it not be poured, and in quality thereof ye shall not make any like it; it shall be holy unto you. Whosoever shall prepare any like it, or whosoever shall put any of it upon a stranger, shall be cut off from his people (Exod. 30:32-33, 38).
[25] (8) From this it is evident that “oil” in the Word signifies good; the “oil of holiness,” which was prepared for anointing the things that were used in worship in the church signifying the Divine good of the Divine love, and “oil” in general, good and its enjoyment, as can be seen from other passages in the Word where “oil” is mentioned, as from the following.
sRef Ps@133 @2 S26′ sRef Ps@133 @1 S26′ sRef Ps@133 @3 S26′ [26] In David:
Behold how good and how lovely it is for brethren to dwell together! It is like the good oil upon Aaron’s head, that cometh down upon the beard, Aaron’s beard; that cometh down upon the hem of his garments; like the dew of Hermon that cometh down upon the mountains of Zion; there Jehovah hath commanded the blessing of life even to eternity (Ps. 133:1-3).
What these words signify no one can know unless he knows what is signified by “brethren,” by “the oil upon Aaron’s head,” by “his beard,” and “the hem of his garments,” and by “the dew of Hermon,” and “the mountains of Zion.” “Brethren” here signify good and truth, for these are called “brethren” in the Word; therefore “Behold how good and how lovely it is for brethren to dwell together” signifies that in the conjunction of good and truth is every heavenly good and delight, for every heavenly good and delight is from the conjunction of good and truth. “The oil upon the head that cometh down upon the beard, Aaron’s beard, that cometh down upon the hem of his garments,” signifies that from that conjunction is the good and delight of heaven, from inmosts to ultimates, “head” signifying the inmost, “beard” the ultimate; “to come down upon the hem of his garments” signifies the influx and conjunction of celestial good and spiritual good. (That in the Word good and truth are called “brethren,” see Arcana Coelestia, n. 367, 3160, 9806; that “head” signifies the inmost, n. 4938, 4939, 9656, 9913, 9914; “beard” the ultimate, n. 9960; “the hem of the garments” the influx and conjunction of celestial and spiritual good, thus of good and truth, n. 9913, 9914; and this is said of Aaron, because he represented the Lord in respect to Divine good, since every good and every conjunction of good and truth is from Him, n. 9806, 9946, 10017.) “The dew of Hermon” signifies Divine truth, and “the mountains of Zion” signify Divine good; therefore “like the dew of Hermon that cometh down upon the mountains of Zion” signifies the conjunction of truth and good, which is here treated of; and as angels and men have all their spiritual life from that conjunction, it is added, “there Jehovah hath commanded the blessing of life to eternity.” (That “dew” signifies the Divine truth, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3579, 8455; that “mountains” signify Divine good, and why, n. 795, 4210, 6435, 8327, 8758, 10438, 10608; and that “Zion” signifies the church where the good of love is, n. 2362, 9055 at the end.) From this it is clear what is the nature of the Word in its spiritual sense, notwithstanding its sound in the letter.
sRef Ezek@16 @8 S27′ sRef Ezek@16 @9 S27′ sRef Ezek@16 @10 S27′ sRef Ezek@16 @13 S27′ [27] In Ezekiel:
I entered into a covenant with thee, that thou mightest be Mine; and I washed thee with waters, yea, I washed away thy bloods from upon thee, and I anointed thee with oil; and I clothed thee also with broidered work, and shod thee with badgers’ skins. Thou didst eat fine flour, honey, and oil, whence thou didst become exceeding beautiful, and didst prosper even to a kingdom (Ezek. 16:8-10, 13).
These things are said of “Jerusalem,” which signifies the church, therefore these particulars signify the spiritual things pertaining to the church. These things evidently were not said of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, namely, that Jehovah “washed them with waters,” “washed away their bloods” “clothed them with broidered work, and shod them with badgers skins;” but “to wash with waters” signifies to reform and purify by means of truths; “to wash away bloods” signifies to remove the falsities of evil; “to anoint with oil” signifies to gift with the good of love; “to clothe with broidered work,” and “to shoe with badgers’ skins,” signify to instruct in the knowledges of truth and good from the sense of the letter or the ultimate sense of the Word; “to eat fine flour, honey, and oil,” signifies to make truth and good one’s own; “to become beautiful thereby” signifies to become intelligent; “and to prosper even to a kingdom” signifies thus to become a church, “kingdom” meaning the church.
sRef Jer@31 @11 S28′ sRef Jer@31 @12 S28′ [28] In Jeremiah:
Jehovah hath ransomed Jacob. Therefore they shall come and sing aloud in the height of Zion, and shall flow together unto the goodness of Jehovah; to the corn, and to the new wine, and to the fresh oil, and to the sons of the flock and of the herd; and their soul shall become as a watered garden (Jer. 31:11-12);
“new wine and fresh oil” signifying truth and good. (What the remainder signifies see just above, n. 374.)
sRef Joel@2 @24 S29′ sRef Joel@2 @23 S29′ [29] In Joel:
Exult, ye sons of Zion, and be glad in Jehovah your God; for He hath given you the former rain in righteousness, so that the threshing-floors are full of pure grain, the presses overflow with new wine and fresh oil (Joel 2:23-24).
Here, too, “new wine and oil” signify the truth and good of the church, for “sons of Zion,” to whom these things are said, signify those who are of the church; “the former rain in righteousness” signifies Divine truth flowing into good, from which is there conjunction, fructification, and multiplication; and “floors full of pure grain” signify consequent fullness.
sRef Joel@1 @10 S30′ [30] In the same:
The field was devastated, the ground mourned; for the corn was devastated, the new wine was dried up, the fresh oil languisheth (Joel 1:10).
This signifies the devastation of all things of the church which have reference in general to the good of love and the truth of faith; “field,” and also “ground,” mean the church, “field” the church from the reception of truth, and “ground” the church from the perception of good; “corn” means everything of the church, “new wine” truth, and “fresh oil” good.
sRef Isa@5 @2 S31′ sRef Isa@5 @1 S31′ [31] In Isaiah:
I will sing to my beloved a song of my friend. My beloved had a vineyard in a horn of the son of oil, which he fenced, and gathered out the stones, and planted it with a noble vine; and he waited for it that it should bring forth grapes, but it brought forth wild grapes (Isa. 5:1-2).
“The vineyard that the beloved had in a horn of the son of oil” signifies the spiritual church which has truths from the good of love, thus most excellent; for “vineyard” signifies the spiritual church, or the church that is in truths from good; its inauguration is meant by “the horn of oil,” for inaugurations were performed by oil out of a horn; and “the son of oil,” means truth from good; “beloved” means the Lord, because He it is who establishes churches, therefore it is said of Him, “which he fenced and gathered out the stones, and planted with a noble vine,” “a noble vine” meaning spiritual truth from the celestial, or truth from the good of love; the “grapes that he waited for that it should bring forth” signify the goods of charity, which are the goods of life; and the “wild grapes that it brought forth” signify the evils that are contrary to the goods of charity, that is, the evils of life.
sRef Hos@2 @23 S32′ sRef Hos@2 @21 S32′ sRef Hos@2 @22 S32′ [32] In Hosea:
In that day, I will listen to the heavens, and they shall listen to the earth; and the earth shall listen to the corn and the new wine and the fresh oil; and these shall listen to Jezreel. And I will sow her unto Me in the earth (Hos. 2:21-23).
This is said of a new church to be established by the Lord; and “to listen to” means to obey and to receive; obedience and reception following and succeeding in order are thus described. That the heavens will receive from the Lord is meant by “I will listen to the heavens;” that the church will receive from the heavens, thus from the Lord through the heavens, is meant by “the heavens shall listen to the earth;” that good and truth will receive from the church is meant by “the earth shall listen to the corn and the new wine and the fresh oil;” “new wine” meaning truth, and “oil” good; and that those who are of the church with whom there are good and truth will receive therefrom is meant by “these shall listen to Jezreel.” Evidently the earth, its corn, new wine, and oil is not meant, but the church with its goods and truths, for it is said, “I will sow Jezreel unto me in the earth.”
sRef Isa@41 @19 S33′ [33] In Isaiah:
I will give in the wilderness the cedar of shittah, and the myrtle and the oil tree; I will set in the desert the fir, the pine and the box tree (Isa. 41:19).
This is said of the establishment of the church among the Gentiles by the Lord; and “the wilderness” and “the desert” signify where there was before no good because no truth; “the cedar of shittah,” “myrtle,” and “oil tree” signify spiritual and celestial good; and “the fir,” “the pine,” and “the box tree” signify good and truth therefrom in the natural; for every tree in the Word signifies something pertaining to the good and truth of the church; and “the cedar of shittah,” “the myrtle,” and “the oil tree” signify such things of the church as are in the spiritual or internal man; while “the fir,” “the pine,” and “the box tree” signify such things of the church as are in the natural or external man.
sRef Ps@23 @1 S34′ sRef Ps@23 @5 S34′ sRef Ps@23 @2 S34′ [34] In David:
[Jehovah is] my shepherd; I shall not want. He will make me to lie down in pastures of the tender herb; He will lead me to the waters of rest. Thou wilt arrange a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; my head wilt thou make fat with oil; my cup will overflow (Ps. 23:1-2, 5).
This means, in the internal sense, that he who trusts in the Lord is led into all the goods and truths of heaven, and overflows with the enjoyments thereof; “my shepherd” means the Lord; “the pastures of the tender herb” signify the knowledges of truth and good; “the waters of rest” signify the truths of heaven therefrom; “table” signifies spiritual nourishment; “to make fat the head with oil” signifies wisdom which is from good; “my cup will overflow” signifies intelligence which is from truths, “cup” signifying the like as “wine.” “The pastures of the tender herb” and “the waters of rest,” seem to be mentioned as if they were comparisons, because the Lord is called a shepherd, and the flock of the shepherd is led into pastures of herbs and to limpid waters; but still these are correspondences.
sRef Ezek@27 @17 S35′ [35] In Ezekiel:
Judah and the land of Israel were thy traders in the wheats of Minnith and Pannag, and in honey, and oil, and balsam (Ezek. 27:17).
This is said of Tyre, which signifies the church in relation to the knowledges of truth and good; thus “Tyre” signifies the knowledges of truth and good of the church; and “Judah” and “the land of Israel,” who “were traders” signify the church, “Judah” the church in relation to good, and “the land of Israel” the church in relation to truths from good; and “to trade” signifies to acquire to oneself and to communicate to others. “Wheats of Minnith and Pannag” signify goods and truths in general; and “honey, oil, and balsam,” goods and truths in particular, “honey” and “oil” goods; and “balsam” truths which are grateful from good, for all truths that are from good are perceived in heaven as fragrant, and consequently as grateful; and this is the reason that the oil of anointing was prepared from various fragrant things (respecting which see Exod. 35:22-33); and also the oil for the lamps (respecting which see Exod. 27:20-21).
sRef Deut@32 @13 S36′ [36] In Moses:
Jehovah fed him with the increase of the fields, He made him to suck honey out of the cliff, and oil out of the flint of the rock (Deut. 32:13).
This treats of the Ancient Church; “to suck oil out of the flint of the rock” means to be imbued with good through the truths of faith; “honey” means natural good and delight; “oil” spiritual good and delight; and “cliff” and “flint of the rock” mean the truth of faith from the Lord. If spiritual things were not meant by these words, what meaning could there be in “sucking honey out of the cliff, and oil out of the flint of the rock”?
sRef Hab@3 @17 S37′ [37] In Habakkuk:
The fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall there be produce in the vines; the labor of the olive shall dissemble, and the fields shall yield no food (Hab. 3:17).
Here fig tree, vine, olive, and fields, are not meant, but heavenly things, to which they correspond. “The fig tree” corresponds to and thence signifies natural good; “the vine” corresponds to spiritual good, which in its essence is truth; the “olive,” as the fruit from which oil is derived, corresponds to the good of love in act; and “fields” correspond to all things of the church; “produce” and “foods” thence signify all things pertaining to spiritual nourishment; from which it is clear what these things signify in their order.
sRef Hos@12 @1 S38′ [38] In Hosea:
Ephraim feedeth on wind; they make a covenant with Assyria and oil is carried down into Egypt (Hos. 12:1).
This has no meaning unless it is known what is meant by “Ephraim,” by “Assyria,” and “Egypt.” Man’s own intellect [intellectuale proprium], which by reasonings from knowledges perverts and adulterates the goods of the church, is here described. “Ephraim” means the intellect, “Assyria” reasoning, and “Egypt” the knowing faculty; therefore “to carry down oil into Egypt” means to pervert the goods of the church by reasonings from knowledges.
sRef Zech@4 @2 S39′ sRef Zech@4 @11 S39′ sRef Zech@4 @14 S39′ sRef Zech@4 @3 S39′ [39] In Zechariah:
I saw a lamp stand of gold; two olive-trees by it, one at the right side of the bowl, and the other at the left side thereof. These are the two sons of oil that stand by the Lord of the whole earth (Zech. 4:2-3, 14).
“Two olive-trees” and “two sons of oil” mean the good of love to the Lord and the good of charity towards the neighbor; the latter at his left hand, the former at his right.
sRef Rev@11 @3 S40′ sRef Rev@11 @4 S40′ [40] Likewise in Revelation:
The two witnesses shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and sixty** days.
These are the two olive-trees, and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth (Rev. 11:3-4);
the “two olive-trees” and “two lampstands” mean these same goods, which are called “the two witnesses” because they are from the Lord; but more respecting these when they are explained.
sRef Matt@25 @4 S41′ sRef Matt@25 @3 S41′ sRef Matt@25 @7 S41′ sRef Matt@25 @2 S41′ sRef Matt@25 @11 S41′ sRef Matt@25 @5 S41′ sRef Matt@25 @8 S41′ sRef Matt@25 @6 S41′ sRef Matt@25 @1 S41′ sRef Matt@25 @10 S41′ sRef Matt@25 @9 S41′ [41] Because “oil” signified the good of love to the Lord, and the good of charity towards the neighbor:
The Lord likened the kingdom of the heavens to ten virgins, of whom five had oil in the lamps, and five had not; therefore the latter were called foolish, and the former prudent (Matt. 25:1-11).
“The ten virgins” signify all who are of the church; and “five” signify some or a part of them, for such is the signification of the numbers “ten” and “five” in the Word; and “virgin” or “daughter” signifies the church; “oil” signifies the good of love to the Lord and the good of charity towards the neighbor; and “lamps” signify the truths that are called the truths of faith. From this the meaning of these words in the spiritual sense can be seen, namely, that the virgins that had no oil in their lamps, and consequently were not admitted into heaven, are those who know truths from the Word, or from the doctrine of the church, and yet are not in the good of love and charity, that is, do not live according to these truths; while the virgins who had oil in their lamps, and were received into heaven, are those who are in the good of love and charity, and thence in truths from the Word or from the doctrine of the church; which makes clear why the latter virgins are called “prudent,” and the former “foolish.”
sRef Luke@10 @35 S42′ sRef Luke@10 @34 S42′ sRef Luke@10 @33 S42′ [42] Because “oil” signified the good of love and charity, and “wine” signified truth:
The Lord says of the Samaritan, who as he journeyed saw in the way a man wounded by thieves, that he poured oil and wine into his wounds, and then set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and told them to care for him (Luke 10:33-35).
In the spiritual sense these things are thus perceived: “the Samaritan” means the Gentiles that were in the good of charity towards the neighbor; “the man wounded by thieves” means those who are infested by those from hell, who are thieves because they injure and destroy man’s spiritual life; the “oil and wine that he poured into his wounds” mean things spiritual that heal man, “oil” good, and “wine” truth; that “he set him on his own beast” signifies that he did this according to his intelligence so far as he was able, “horse,” and likewise “beast of burden” signifying the intellect; that “he brought him to an inn and told them to care for him” signifies to bring to those that are well instructed in the doctrine of the church from the Word, and who are better able to heal him than one who is still in ignorance. Thus are these words understood in heaven, and from them it is evident that the Lord when He was in the world spoke by pure correspondences, thus for the world and for heaven at the same time.
sRef Mark@6 @13 S43′ [43] Because “oil” signified the good of love and charity, and by this those are healed who are spiritually sick, therefore it is said of the Lord’s disciples:
That they anointed many with oil and healed them (Mark 6:13).
(Furthermore, what is specially signified by “the oil prepared for the lamps,” and what by “the oil prepared for anointings” see Arcana Coelestia, n. 9778-9789, and n. 10250-10288, where they are explained.) From this it can now be seen that “oil” signifies celestial good and spiritual good, that is, the good of love to the Lord, and the good of charity towards the neighbor; “the oil of anointing” the good of love to the Lord from the Lord, and the “oil for the lamps” the good of charity towards the neighbor from the Lord.
* Photolithograph has “I commanded.”
** Photolithograph has “sixty-six.”

sRef Rev@6 @6 S0′ 376. It has thus far been shown that “oil” signifies celestial good, which is the good of love to the Lord; it shall now be shown that “wine” signifies spiritual good, which is the good of charity towards the neighbor and the good of faith; and as this good in its essence is truth, it is said in the general explanation that “the oil and the wine hurt not,” which signifies that there must no harm be done to the internal or spiritual sense of the Word in respect either to good or to truth, or what is the same, that there must no harm be done to the goods and truths which are in the internal or spiritual sense of the Word. The good of charity and the good of faith in their essence are truth, because that good is implanted by the Lord in man’s intellectual part by means of the truths that are called the truths of faith, and when man lives according to these truths they become goods; for by means of truths a new will is formed in that part, and whatever proceeds from the will is called good. This will, moreover, is the same as conscience, and conscience is a conscience of truth, for it is formed by truths of every kind from the doctrine of the church, and from the sense of the letter of the Word (but on this subject see further in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 130-138; and the extracts from the Arcana Coelestia, n. 139-141). From this now it is that “wine” signifies truth.
[2] Furthermore, there are goods and truths internal and external; internal goods and truths are signified by “the oil and the wine” that must not be hurt; but external goods and truths are signified by “wheat and barley.” External goods and truths are those that are in the sense of the letter of the Word, while internal goods and truths are those that are in the internal or spiritual sense of the Word; or external goods and truths are such as are in the lower heavens with the angels there, that is, in the ultimates of heaven, while internal goods and truths are such as are in the higher heavens with the angels there, that is, in the third and second heavens. These goods and truths are genuine goods and truths themselves, but the former are truths and goods because they correspond, thus are correspondences; internal goods and truths have immediate communication with the angels of heaven, while external goods and truths have not an immediate but a mediate communication through correspondences. This is why the Jews, because they were only in the sense of the letter and had no knowledge of the signification of things in the spiritual sense, were unable to do harm to the spiritual sense in respect either to good or to truth, and consequently were unable to do harm to genuine goods and truths. So the Christian Church at this day is unable to do harm to the genuine goods and truths which are in the spiritual sense of the Word, for it has been ignorant of that sense, and at the same time ignorant of genuine goods and truths.
[3] The spiritual sense of the Word was not disclosed to Christians, because genuine goods and truths, such as are in the higher heavens, lie concealed in the spiritual sense of the Word; and so long as these goods and truths were unperceived and unknown that sense could not be opened, since these goods and truths could not be seen. In the Christian churches genuine goods and truths have not been perceived and known for the reason that those churches have been divided, in general, into the Papal and the Evangelical; and those in the Papal Church are utterly ignorant of truths, because they do not depend upon the Word, thus upon the Lord who is the Word, that is, Divine truth, but upon the pope, from whose mouth scarcely anything proceeds except what is from the love of ruling, and that love is from hell; therefore with them scarcely a single truth of the church exists; while in the Evangelical churches faith alone has been assumed as the essential means of salvation, and as a consequence the good of love and charity has been rejected as nonessential, and where good is rejected no truth which is truth in itself can exist, since all truth is from good; for the Lord flows into man’s good, and by means of good illustrates him and gives him the light to perceive truths, therefore without that light, which is man’s very spiritual life, there is no truth, however much it may sound like truth because it is from the Word; it is truth falsified by the ideas that are held in respect to it; for from faith separate from charity, or from truths without good, no other result can follow. This is why the spiritual sense of the Word could not be disclosed to the Christian churches, for if it had been disclosed, they would have falsified and perverted it by ideas from fallacies, and thus would have profaned it. This also is why no one will ever hereafter be admitted into the spiritual sense of the Word unless he is in genuine truths from good, and no one can be in genuine truths from good unless in heart he acknowledges the Lord alone as the God of heaven and earth, for from Him is every good and thence every truth. The spiritual sense of the Word is at this day opened, and therewith also genuine truths and goods are disclosed, because the Last Judgment has been accomplished by the Lord, and thus all things in the heavens and in the hells have been reduced to order; and for this reason it can be provided by the Lord that no harm can be done to genuine truths and goods, which are in the spiritual sense of the Word, and this could not have been provided before (see in the small work on The Last Judgment, n. 73).
sRef Isa@55 @1 S4′ [4] That “wine” signifies spiritual good, or the good of charity and the good of faith, which in its essence is truth, can be seen from the following passages in the Word. In Isaiah:
Ho, everyone that thirsteth, come ye to the waters; and he that hath no silver; come ye, buy and eat; buy wine and milk without silver and without price (Isa. 55:1).
Anyone can see that this does not mean that wine and milk may be bought without silver, “wine and milk” therefore signify things spiritual, namely, “wine” spiritual good, which in its essence is truth, as was said above, but “milk” the good of that truth. That these are given by the Lord freely to those who are ignorant of truth and good, and yet in a desire for these, is signified by “he that hath no silver, come ye, buy and eat; buy without silver;” “to buy” signifies to acquire for oneself, and “to eat” signifies to make one’s own, which is done by application as from oneself. Those who are ignorant of truth and good, and yet are in a desire for them, are evidently meant, for it is said, “Ho, everyone that thirsteth, come ye to the waters,” “to thirst” signifying to desire, and “waters” signifying truths, here the Word where truths are.
sRef Joel@3 @18 S5′ [5] In Joel:
It shall come to pass in that day, the mountains shall drop down sweet wine, and the hills shall flow with milk; all the water-courses of Judah shall flow with waters (Joel 3:18).
This treats of the Lord’s coming, and of the new heaven and the new church from Him. It is well known that the mountains in the land of Canaan, or in Judea, did not then drop down sweet wine, nor the hills flow with milk, nor the water-courses of Judah flow with waters more than before, therefore these words must mean something else than new wine, milk, and waters, or than mountains, hills, and water-courses, namely, “that the mountains shall drop down sweet wine” [mustum] or wine [vinum], means that from the good of love to the Lord there shall be genuine truth; “the hills shall flow with milk” means that from the good of charity towards the neighbor there shall be spiritual life; and “all the water-courses of Judah shall flow with waters” means that from the particulars of the Word there shall be truths. (For “Judah” signifies the Lord’s celestial kingdom, and also the Word, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3881, 6363; therefore “its water-courses” signify the particulars of the Word; that “mountains” signify the good of love to the Lord, n. 795, 4210, 6435, 8327, 8758, 10438, 10608; and “hills” the good of charity towards the neighbor, n. 6435, 10438; and this because in heaven those who are in the good of love to the Lord dwell upon mountains, and those who are in the good of charity towards the neighbor dwell upon hills, n. 10438, and Heaven and Hell, n. 188.)
sRef Amos@9 @15 S6′ sRef Amos@9 @14 S6′ sRef Amos@9 @13 S6′ [6] In Amos:
Behold the days come, that the ploughman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him that draweth forth seed; and the mountains shall drop down sweet wine, and all the hills shall dissolve. I will bring back the captivity of My people Israel, and they shall build the waste cities; and they shall inhabit them, and they shall plant vineyards and drink the wine thereof, and they shall make gardens and eat the fruit of them. Then will I plant them upon their ground (Amos 9:13-15).
This chapter treats first of the vastation of the church, and then of its restoration by the Lord; and “the people Israel” do not mean that people, but those with whom the church was to be established; and “the ploughman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him that draweth forth the seed,” signifies that he who receives good and truth shall also perform uses, or bear fruit, thus that with the man of the church the two shall be present at the same time; “the mountains shall drop down sweet wine, and all the hills shall dissolve,” signifies, as just above, that from the good of love to the Lord and from the good of charity towards the neighbor there shall be truths in abundance, “sweet wine” here, or “wine,” meaning truth; that “the captivity of the people Israel shall be brought back” signifies the restoration of the church among the Gentiles, for “captivity” means spiritual captivity, in which those are who are remote from goods and truths, and yet in a desire for them (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 9164). “The waste cities that they shall build” signify the doctrinals of truth and good from the Word, before destroyed and at that time to be restored; “the vineyards which they shall plant,” and “the wine of which they shall drink,” signify all things of the church from which there is intelligence, “a vineyard” signifies the spiritual church, and therefore “vineyards” signify all things of the church; “wine” signifies the truth of the church in general, and “to drink it” signifies to be instructed and become intelligent, thus intelligence; and “the gardens which they shall make, and the fruit of which they shall eat,” signifies wisdom, “gardens” meaning all things of intelligence, and their “fruit” signifying the goods of life, thus “to eat their fruit” signifies the appropriation of good, thus wisdom, for wisdom comes when truths are committed to the life; and because this is what is meant, therefore it is said of Israel, “I will plant them upon their ground.”
sRef Gen@49 @11 S7′ sRef Gen@49 @12 S7′ [7] In Moses:
He bindeth his foal to the vine, the son of his she-ass unto the noble vine; he washeth his vesture in wine, and his covering in the blood of the grapes. His eyes are red with wine, and his teeth white with milk (Gen. 49:1, 12).
This is in the prophecy of Israel the father respecting Judah, by whom here Judah is not meant, but the Lord in relation to the celestial kingdom; and “wine” and the “blood of grapes” mean the Divine truth. (What the rest signifies, and that “wine” signifies Divine truth, because this has reference to the Lord, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 6375-6381.)
sRef Gen@27 @27 S8′ sRef Gen@27 @26 S8′ sRef Gen@27 @37 S8′ sRef Gen@27 @25 S8′ sRef Gen@27 @28 S8′ sRef Gen@27 @28 S8′ sRef Gen@27 @27 S8′ [8] In the same:
Jacob brought of his venison to his father Isaac, and he did eat; and he brought him wine, and he drank. And Isaac blessed him, saying, God give thee of the dew of heaven, and of the fatnesses of the earth, and plenty of corn and new wine (Gen. 27:25, 27-28, 37).
Those who do not know that the Word is spiritual in its particulars may suppose that by “Isaac” here is meant Isaac, and by “Jacob” Jacob, and therefore that by “the fatnesses of the earth,” and “the corn and new wine,” no other and deeper things are meant; but “Isaac” here represents the Lord, and “Jacob” the church; thence the “fatnesses of the earth” mean the celestial things that are of the good of love; and “corn and new wine” every good and truth of the church. (But these words may also be seen explained in Arcana Coelestia, n. 3570, 3579, 3580.)
sRef Deut@11 @14 S9′ sRef Deut@11 @13 S9′ [9] In the same:
If ye shall harken to My commandments, I will give rain to your land in its time, the former rain and the latter rain; and thou shall gather in thy corn, and thy new wine, and thy fresh oil (Deut. 11:13-14).
These blessings of the earth were promised to the sons of Israel if they would hear and do the commandments of Jehovah, and the blessings followed because with them the church was representative, and the things that were said and commanded by Jehovah corresponded to things spiritual, thus these blessings of the earth to the blessings of heaven. The blessings of heaven, to which the blessings of the earth correspond, all have reference to the things that are of the good of love and the truth of faith; these blessings therefore are signified by “the former rain and the latter rain,” for “rain” in particular signifies Divine truth flowing in out of heaven, from which all things of the church and heaven with man are born, grow, and are brought forth; therefore “the corn, new wine, and oil, which they should gather in,” signify every good and truth of the external and internal man.
sRef Deut@33 @28 S10′ [10] In the same:
Thus Israel dwelt securely, alone by the fountain of Jacob, in a land of corn and new wine; yea, his heavens shall drop down dew (Deut. 33:28).
This was the conclusion of the blessings of the sons of Israel by Moses, which were all prophetical, and every son or every tribe of Israel signified something of the church (as in Gen. 49); and here “Israel” signifies the church itself; and “to dwell securely, alone by the fountain of Jacob,” signifies to live without infestation from evils and falsities, and to be led by the Lord alone through Divine truth, the “fountain of Jacob” meaning Divine truth and the Word; and “to live in a land of corn and new wine” signifies in every good and truth of the church; and “yea, his heavens shall drop down dew,” signifies influx out of heaven.
sRef Deut@32 @14 S11′ sRef Deut@32 @13 S11′ [11] In the same:
He made him ride upon the high places of the earth, and gave him butter of the herd, and milk of the flock, with the fat of lambs, and of rams, the sons of Bashan, and of he-goats, with the fat of the kidneys of wheat; and thou drinkest the blood of the grape, unmixed wine (Deut. 32:13-14).
These things are said of the Ancient Church, which was the church previous to the Israelitish Church, and was in the good of charity and in truths of faith. The goods of every kind, in which it was, are meant by these things, namely, the “butter of the herd,” the “milk of the flock,” “the fat of lambs,” “the fat of rams,” “the fat of goats,” “the fat of the kidneys of wheat;” and spiritual truths are meant by “the blood of the grape” and “unmixed wine.”
sRef Isa@62 @9 S12′ sRef Jer@31 @12 S12′ sRef Isa@62 @8 S12′ sRef Isa@62 @7 S12′ [12] In Jeremiah:
They shall come and sing aloud in the height of Zion, and shall flow together unto the good of Jehovah, to the corn, and to the new wine, and to the fresh oil, and to the sons of the flock and of the herd (Jer. 31:12).
“Corn,” “new wine,” and “fresh oil,” signify goods and truth of every kind (what these mean in particular, see above, n. 374). In Isaiah:
Jehovah hath sworn by His right hand, and by the arm of His strength, Surely I will no longer give thy corn to be food for thine enemies, and the sons of the alien shall not drink thy new wine for which thou hast labored; but they that gather it shall eat it and praise Jehovah, and they that bring it together shall drink it in the courts of holiness (Isa. 62:8-9).
This is said of Jerusalem, which signifies the church in relation to doctrine; therefore “the corn that shall no longer be given as food for the enemies, and the new wine that the sons of the alien shall not drink” signify in general the good and truth of the church, which shall no longer be consumed by evils and falsities; “enemies” here meaning evils, and “the sons of the alien” falsities, and “to eat,” or “to have food given them,” and “to drink,” mean to consume. That goods and truths will remain with those who receive them, and thence make use of them, is signified by “they that gather it shall eat it,” and “they that bring it together shall drink it;” worship from these is signified by “praising Jehovah,” and “drinking in the courts of holiness.”
sRef Isa@16 @10 S13′ [13] In the same:
Gladness is taken away, and exultation from Carmel; and in the vineyards there is no singing aloud, no shouting for joy; the treader treadeth not out the wine in the wine-vats; I have made the vintage-shouting to cease (Isa. 16:10).
This describes the taking away of the heavenly enjoyment that is from good and its truths, because good and truth itself is taken away; the good of the church is meant by “Carmel,” and its truths by “vineyards” and by “treading out the wine in the wine-vats;” the enjoyments thereof that are taken away are meant by “gladness,” “exultation,” “singing aloud,” “shouting,” and “vintage-shouting,” for it was a custom to sing in the vineyards, and in the winepresses when the grape was trodden into wine, that enjoyments from truths, which were signified by “wine,” might be represented.
sRef Jer@48 @32 S14′ sRef Jer@48 @33 S14′ [14] In Jeremiah:
With more than the weeping of Jazer I will weep for thee, O vine of Sibmah; thy shoots are passed over the sea, they reach even to the sea of Jazer; upon thy autumn fruits, and upon thy vintage the devastator is fallen. Whence gladness and exultation is gathered out of Carmel, and out of the land of Moab; and I have caused the wine to cease in the wine-vats; none shall tread with shouting; their shouting shall be no shouting (Jer. 48:32-33).
This also treats of the taking away of the heavenly enjoyment that is from the good of love and the truths thence, for all heavenly enjoyment is in these and from these. Lamentation over it is meant by “weeping” [flere fletum]; deprivation of it is meant by “gladness and exultation is gathered out of Carmel,” likewise by “the devastator falling upon it,” “the wine failing,” and “the shouting being no shouting;” the good that was taken away, for which there was lamentation, is meant by “the autumn fruits;” and the truths of good that were taken away are meant by “the vintage,” and by “the wine in the wine-vats.” That truths were banished, and that they perished through knowledges [scientifica] is meant by “the vine of Sibmah,” and by its “shoots that have gone over the sea, even to the sea of Jazer,” “sea” signifying the knowing faculty [scientificum].
sRef Lam@2 @11 S15′ sRef Lam@2 @12 S15′ [15] In Lamentations:
The infant and the suckling faint in the broad places of the city. They say to their mothers, Where is the corn and the wine? when they faint as one pierced in the broad places of the city, when their soul is poured out upon their mother’s bosom (Lam. 2:11-12).
These words contain a lamentation over the Jewish Church, that every good and truth thereof has perished; and the lamentation is described by “the infant and the suckling who faint in the broad places of the city, and say to their mothers, Where is the corn and the wine?” The “infant and the suckling” signify those who are in the good of innocence, and in an abstract sense, the good of innocence itself; by this good every good of the church is meant, since it is the essential of all its goods (see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 276-283, 285, 288, 341, 382). “The broad places of the city” signify the truths of doctrine; “mothers” all things of the church; “corn and wine” all the good and truth of the church in general. It is said that “they faint as one pierced in the broad places of the city, when their soul is poured out upon their mother’s bosom,” because “one pierced” signifies those who perish spiritually from the deprivation of truth, and “soul” signifies spiritual life. (That “the broad places of the city, in which they faint,” signify the truths of doctrine, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2336; and that “the mother, into whose bosom the soul is poured out,” signifies the church, n. 2691, 2717, 3703, 4257, 5581, 8897.)
sRef Zeph@1 @13 S16′ [16] In Zephaniah:
Their wealth shall be for plunder, and their houses for a waste, that they may build houses but not inhabit them, and plant vineyards but not drink the wine thereof (Zeph. 1:13).
The “wealth that shall be for plunder” signifies spiritual wealth, which is the knowledges of good and truth; “the houses that shall be for devastation” signify the things of the church in man; that from these when devastated one profits nothing and receives nothing, even though he listens to them, and sees them in the Word, is signified by “building and not inhabiting, and planting vineyards and not drinking the wine thereof,” “houses” meaning the goods of the church, and “vineyards” with “wine” its truths.
sRef Micah@6 @15 S17′ sRef Hos@9 @2 S17′ sRef Amos@5 @11 S17′ sRef Hos@9 @4 S17′ [17] Like things are meant in Micah:
Thou shalt sow but shalt not reap; thou shalt tread the olive but shalt not anoint thee with oil, and the new wine but shall not drink wine (Micah 6:15).
In Amos:
Vineyards of desire shall ye plant, but ye shall not drink the wine of them (Amos 5:11).
And in Hosea:
The threshing-floor and the wine-vat shall not feed them, and the new wine shall dissemble unto them. They shall not pour forth wine to Jehovah, and these shall not be agreeable unto Him (Hos. 9:2, 4).
The “threshing-floor and the wine-vat” signify the same as “corn and wine,” because corn and wine are there collected; that they will not profit by what they hear is signified by “they shall not feed them, and the new wine shall dissemble unto them;” and that thence their worship is not accepted is signified by “they shall not pour forth wine to Jehovah, and these (that is, the offerings) shall not be agreeable unto Him.”
sRef Joel@1 @5 S18′ sRef Joel@1 @11 S18′ sRef Joel@1 @10 S18′ [18] In Joel:
Awake, ye drunkards, and weep; and howl, all ye drinkers of wine, because of the sweet wine which is cut off from your mouth. The field is devastated, the ground mourned, for the corn was devastated, the new wine was dried up, the fresh oil languisheth; the husbandmen were ashamed; the vine-dressers howled (Joel 1:5, 10-11).
What these words signify in the spiritual sense, may be seen above (n. 374), where they are explained; “wine” and “sweet wine” meaning the truth of the church, and “vine-dressers” those who are in truths and teach them. This treats of a devastated church, in which goods and truths have perished.
sRef Ezek@27 @18 S19′ [19] In Ezekiel:
Damascus was thy trader in the multitude of thy works, in the multitude of all riches, in the wine of Heshbon* and the wool of Zachar (Ezek. 27:18).
This is said of Tyre, which signifies the church in relation to the knowledges of good and truth; and “Damascus,” which was a city in Syria, signifies the concordant knowing faculty [scientificum]; and the “tradings” referred to in this chapter signify the acquisition and communication and also the use of these. Because “Damascus” signifies the concordant knowing faculty, it is called a “trader in the multitude of all works and riches,” “works” by which uses are effected, signifying the knowledges of good, and “riches” the knowledges of truth; and as the knowledges of truth and good are in the natural man, for therein is everything pertaining to cognition and knowing that is perceptible, therefore it is said “in the wine of Heshbon and the wool of Zachar,” the “wine of Heshbon” signifying natural truth, and the “wool of Zachar” natural good.
sRef Isa@24 @7 S20′ sRef Isa@24 @10 S20′ sRef Isa@24 @6 S20′ sRef Isa@24 @9 S20′ [20] In Isaiah:
A malediction shall devour the earth; the new wine shall mourn, the vine shall languish, all the glad of heart shall sigh. They shall not drink wine with a song; strong drink shall be bitter to them that drink it. The city of voidness shall be broken down; every house shall be shut, that no one come in (Isa. 24:6-7, 9-10).
These words describe the perversion of the church, which takes place when falsity rules in place of truth, whence there is no longer any good; for man has good by means of truths. “The earth that the malediction will devour” signifies the church, “malediction” meaning its perversion; the “new wine that will mourn,” and the “vine that will languish,” signify all truth of the church, “to mourn” and “to languish” signifying deprivation of it; that there shall no longer be any heavenly enjoyment and blessedness is signified by “all the glad of heart shall sigh, they shall not drink wine with a song;” that they shall turn away from all things that agree with truths is signified by “strong drink shall be bitter to them that drink it,” “strong drink” signifying the things that are from truths and agree with them. But that the doctrine of falsity shall be destroyed is signified by “the city of voidness shall be broken down,” “city” meaning doctrine, and “a void” falsity; and that there shall no longer be any good or wisdom with man is signified by “every house shall be shut, that no one come in,” which takes place when there is no truth, but only falsity.
sRef Amos@6 @6 S21′ [21] In Amos:
Who drink out of bowls of wine, and anoint themselves with the firstfruits of the oils; but they are not grieved for the breach of Joseph (Amos 6:6).
This and what precedes in that chapter describes those who are in external worship without internal, such as the Jews were formerly and still are; the “bowls of wine out of which they drink” are the externals of truth from which is worship; and the “firstfruits of the oils with which they anoint themselves” are the externals of good, from which also is worship; “Joseph” signifies the internal of the church or its spiritual; not being affected because this perishes is signified by “they are not grieved for his breach.” (That external worship without internal is no worship, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 1094, 1175, 7724; that the Jews were formerly and still are in external worship without internal, n. 1200, 3147, 3479, 8871; that “Joseph” signifies the spiritual church, thus also the spiritual of the church, n. 3969, 3971, 4669, 6417.)
sRef Zech@10 @6 S22′ sRef Zech@10 @7 S22′ [22] In Zechariah:
I will render the house of Judah mighty and I will save the house of Joseph; on this account they shall be as the mighty Ephraim, and their heart shall be glad as if with wine (Zech. 10:6-7).
“The house of Judah” signifies the Lord’s celestial church, and the “house of Joseph” the Lord’s spiritual church; and “to render mighty their houses” signifies to multiply with them truths from good, for all might is of truth from good; therefore it is said, “they shall be as the mighty Ephraim;” “Ephraim” signifying the understanding of truth from good, which is called mighty from its multiplication; heavenly enjoyment therefrom is signified by “their heart shall be glad as if with wine,” “wine” meaning truth from good from which that enjoyment comes. (That truths have all power from good, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 228-233; and also above, n. 209, 333; that “Judah” in the Word signifies the Lord’s celestial kingdom, Arcana Coelestia, n. 3881, 6363; and “Ephraim” the intellectual of the church, n. 3969, 5354, 6222, 6234, 6238, 6267, 6296.)
sRef Dan@5 @5 S23′ sRef Dan@5 @3 S23′ sRef Dan@5 @25 S23′ sRef Dan@5 @4 S23′ sRef Dan@5 @21 S23′ sRef Dan@5 @24 S23′ sRef Dan@5 @2 S23′ [23] In Daniel:
Belshazzar king of Babylon, and his magnates, and his wives, and his concubines, drank wine out of vessels of the temple of Jerusalem, and praised the gods of silver, brass, iron, wood, and stone. Therefore there was written on the wall, Numbered, weighed, and divided. And then he [Nebuchadnezzar] was driven out from the sons of man, and his dwelling was with the wild asses (Dan. 5:2-5, 21).
In the internal sense this describes the profanation of good and truth, which also is meant by “Babel” or “Babylon;” for “to drink wine out of the vessels of the temple of Jerusalem” signifies to draw the truths of the church from the Word, “to drink wine” meaning to draw truths, and “the vessels of the temple of Jerusalem” meaning the truths that belong to the doctrine of the church from the Word; and “to praise the gods of gold, silver, brass, iron, wood, and stone” signifies worship from the love of self and the world; for these gods signify idolatrous worship of every kind, and profanation; that it was therefore written on the wall, “numbered, weighed, divided” signifies separation from all things of heaven and the church. That afterwards “the king was driven out from the sons of man, and his dwelling was with the wild asses” signifies separation from all truth, and the allotment of his life with the infernals, “sons of man” meaning the truths of the church, “wild asses” those who are in dire falsities like those in the hells, and “dwelling” meaning the allotment of the life.
sRef Joel@3 @3 S24′ [24] In Joel:
They have cast a lot upon My people; for they have given a boy for a harlot, and sold a girl for wine, which they drank (Joel 3:3).
“To cast lots upon the people” signifies to dissipate the truths of the church, “to cast a lot” signifying to dissipate, and “people” signifying the church in relation to truths, thus also the truths of the church; “to give a boy for a harlot” signifies to falsify truth, “boy” meaning the truth of the church, and “harlot” falsity; and “to sell a girl for wine, which they drank” signifies to pervert the good of the church by truth falsified, “girl” meaning the good of the church, and “wine” truth falsified.
sRef Joel@1 @9 S25′ [25] Because “wine” signified the truth of the church that is from good, it was commanded that, with the sacrifices upon the altar, a meal-offering and a drink-offering should be offered, and the meal-offering was bread, and the drink-offering wine; these signified worship of the Lord from the good of love, and from the truths therefrom; for all worship is from these. (On the drink-offerings, the portions of wine with them at the different sacrifices, see Exod. 29:40, 41; Lev. 23:13, 18; Num. 6:1-4, 15, 17; 15:4-7, 10, 24; 28:7-10, 24, 31; 29:6, 11, 16, 19, 22, 25, 27, 28, 31, 34, 38, 39; and besides Gen. 35:14.) This makes clear what is signified in Joel:
The meal-offering and the drink-offering was cut off from the house of Jehovah; the priests, the ministers (of the altar), mourned (Joel 1:9);
namely, that worship from the good of love, and from the truths therefrom, had perished. Who cannot see that the meal-offering and the drink-offering, which were bread and wine, were not pleasing to Jehovah in worship, unless they had signified such things as are of heaven and the church?
sRef Matt@26 @29 S26′ sRef Luke@22 @18 S26′ [26] From this it can now be seen what the bread and wine in the Holy Supper involve, namely, the bread, the good of love to the Lord from the Lord, and the wine, the good of faith, which in its essence is truth. (But on the Holy Supper and the bread and wine of it, see The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 210-222.) Because “wine” signifies the good of faith, which in its essence is truth, when the Lord instituted the sacrament of the supper, He said:
I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this product of the vine until that day when I will drink it with you new in My Father’s kingdom (Matt. 26:29).
I say unto you, I will not drink of the product of the vine until the kingdom of God shall come (Luke 22:18).
“The product of the vine,” that is, “wine,” which the Lord “would drink with them new in His Father’s kingdom,” or “when the kingdom of God should come,” means that all Divine truth in heaven and the church would then be from His Divine Human; He therefore calls it “new,” and also He calls it “the new testament in his blood” (Luke 22:20); for “the Lord’s blood” has a like signification as “wine” (see above, n. 30, 328, 329). And as everything Divine, since the Lord has risen, proceeds from Him, He says that He will drink it with them when the kingdom of God shall come, and it came when He reduced all things to order in the heavens and in the hells. That the kingdom of God came at the same time with the Lord and that it is from Him can be seen from Matt. 3:2; 4:8; 10:7; 12:28; 16:28; Mark 1:14, 15; 9:1; Luke 1:32, 33; 9:11, 27, 60; 10:11; 16:16; 17:20, 21; 23:42, 51; John 18:36. Now, because “bread” signifies the good of love, and “wine” the good of faith, which in its essence is the truth from that good, and in the highest sense, “bread” signifies the Lord in respect to Divine good, and “wine” the Lord in respect to Divine truth, and because there is a correspondence between spiritual things and natural, (and such a correspondence that when “bread” and “wine” are in man’s thought, the good of love and the good of faith are in the angels’ thoughts), and because all things of heaven and the church have reference to the good of love and the good of faith, therefore the Lord instituted the Holy Supper in order that by means of it there might be a conjunction of the angels of heaven with the men of the church.
sRef Gen@14 @19 S27′ sRef Gen@14 @18 S27′ [27] Because such things are meant by “bread and wine” in heaven, therefore:
Melchizedek, king of Salem, going out to meet Abram, brought out bread and wine; and he was a priest to God Most High. And he blessed Abram (Gen. 14:18-19).
“Melchizedek” here represents the Lord in relation to Divine good and in relation to Divine truth, as priest in relation to Divine good, and as king to Divine truth; therefore he “brought out bread and wine,” “bread” signifying Divine good, and “wine” Divine truth; or when applied to man, “bread” signifying the good of love to the Lord, and “wine” the good of faith, which is from the reception of Divine truth.
sRef Matt@9 @17 S28′ [28] The “wine” spoken of by the Lord in the following passages has a like signification:
They do not put new wine into old wine-skins, else the skins burst, and the wine is spilled; but they put [new] wine into fresh wine-skins, and both are preserved (Matt. 9:17).
And no man having drunk old wine straightway desireth new; for he saith, The old is more useful (Luke 5:39).
This comparison, like all others in the Word, is from correspondences, “wine” signifying truth, “old wine” the truth of the old or Jewish Church, and “wine-skins” things that contain, “old wine-skins” the statutes and judgments of the Jewish Church, and “fresh wine-skins” the precepts and commandments of the Lord. That the statutes and judgments of the Jewish Church, which related especially to sacrifices and representative worship, are not in agreement with the truths of the Christian Church is meant by “they do not put new wine into old wine-skins, else the wine-skins burst and the wine is spilled; but they put [new] wine into fresh wine-skins, and both are preserved together.” That those who have been born and educated in the externals of the Jewish Church cannot be brought immediately into the internals belonging to the Christian Church is signified by “no man having drunk old wine straightway desireth new; for he saith, “The old is more useful.”
sRef John@2 @8 S29′ sRef John@2 @7 S29′ sRef John@2 @9 S29′ sRef John@2 @1 S29′ sRef John@2 @10 S29′ sRef John@2 @2 S29′ sRef John@2 @3 S29′ sRef John@2 @4 S29′ sRef John@2 @6 S29′ sRef John@2 @5 S29′ [29] The same is signified by “the water turned into wine at Cana of Galilee,” thus described in John:
At the wedding in Cana of Galilee, when the wine failed, there were six water-pots of stone set there, according to the cleansing of the Jews. Jesus said, Fill the water-pots; and they filled them to the brim. Then he said unto them Draw out now, and bear unto the ruler of the feast; and they bare it. While the ruler of the feast tasted the water that was made wine, he calleth the bridegroom, and saith unto him, Every man setteth on first the good wine; and when they have had enough, the inferior; thou hast kept the good wine until now (John 2:1-10).
It should be known that all the miracles done by the Lord, as well as all the miracles by Him spoken of in the Old Testament, signified, that is, contained within them, such things as belong to heaven and the church, and that thence His miracles were Divine (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 7337, 8364, 9051). So with this miracle; here, as elsewhere in the Word, “a wedding” signifies the church; “in Cana of Galilee” means among the Gentiles; “water” the truth of the external church, such as was the truth of the Jewish Church from the sense of the letter of the Word, and “wine” the truth of the internal church, such as is the truth of the Christian Church; therefore the Lord’s “making the water wine” signifies that of the truths of the external church He will make truths of the internal church by opening the internal things that have lain concealed in them. “The six water-pots of stone, set there according to the cleansing of the Jews,” signify all these truths in the Word, and thence in the Jewish Church and its worship; these were all representative and significative of things Divine in the Lord and from the Lord, which contained things eternal. For this reason there were “six water-pots of stone, set for the cleansing of the Jews;” the number “six” signifies all, and is predicated of truths; “stone” signifies truth, and “the cleansing of the Jews” purification from sins; thus all things of the Jewish Church are signified, since that church regards purification from sins as its all, for so far as anyone is purified from sins, so far he becomes a church. “The ruler of the feast” means those who are in the knowledges of truth; his saying to the bridegroom, “every man setteth on first the good wine; and when men have had enough, the inferior; thou hast kept the good wine until now,” signifies that every church has its beginning in truths from good, but falls away into truths not of good, but that now, at the end of the church, truth from good, or genuine truth, is granted, namely by the Lord.
sRef Luke@10 @34 S30′ sRef Luke@10 @33 S30′ [30] It is because “wine” signifies the truth of the church, and “oil” the good of the church, that the Lord says, in the parable of the man who was wounded by thieves:
That the Samaritan poured oil and wine into his wounds (Luke 10:33-34);
where “the man wounded by thieves” means those who are infested and have their conscience hurt by evil men, who are “robbers;” and “the Samaritan” means the Gentiles that are in the good of charity; therefore “his pouring into his wounds oil and wine” signifies the spiritual things that heal a man thus injured, “oil” meaning the good of love, and “wine” the good of faith, or truth. What the rest signifies, namely, “that he set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and told them to take care of him,” may be seen above (n. 375 sRef Gen@27 @27 S8′ sRef Gen@27 @26 S8′ sRef Gen@27 @37 S8′ sRef Gen@27 @25 S8′ sRef Gen@27 @28 S8′ sRef Gen@27 @28 S8′ sRef Gen@27 @27 S8′ [8]), where they are explained. That “wine” signifies the truth of the church can be seen not only from the passages cited, but also from others in the Word (as Isa. 1:21, 22; 25:6; 36:17; Hos. 7:4, 5, 14; 14:5-7; Amos 2:8; Zech. 9:15, 17; Ps. 104:14-16).
sRef Isa@28 @1 S31′ sRef Isa@28 @3 S31′ sRef Isa@28 @7 S31′ [31] As most things in the Word have also a contrary sense, so, too, has “wine,” and in that sense it signifies truth falsified, and also falsity, as in the following passages. In Isaiah:
Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim, to the flower of his fading adornment, which is on the head of the valley of the fat ones frenzied with wine; the crown of pride, the drunkards of Ephraim, they shall be trampled under the feet; these go astray through wine, and through strong drink they err; the priest and the prophet go astray through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they err through wine,** they go astray among the seeing, they waver in judgment (Isa. 28:1, 3, 7).
This is said of those who are insane in things spiritual because they believe themselves to be intelligent of themselves, and glory in it; the state of such is here described by pure correspondences; those who are insane in things spiritual or in truths are meant by “the drunkards,” and those who thence believe themselves intelligent by “Ephraim,” and hence glorying in intelligence or learning is meant by the “crown of pride;” for those who are in falsities of doctrine and have confirmed themselves in them, when they are illustrated and see truths, in the other life become like drunkards. The learned who have confirmed themselves in falsities become such, and to confirm oneself in falsities is to confirm from oneself and not from the Lord. This makes clear what is signified by “woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim;” “the flower of the fading adornment that is on the head of the valley of the fat ones frenzied with wine” signifies the truth of the church destroyed even as it is born by the glorying of the self-intelligence that is of the natural man separated from the spiritual, when falsity is seen instead of truth, “the flower of the adornment” meaning truth as it is born declining or perished; “the head of the valley of the fat ones” means the intelligence of the natural man; “frenzied with wine” means those who see falsity in place of truth; “the crown of pride, the drunkards of Ephraim, they shall be trampled under the feet,” signifies that this intelligence shall utterly perish; “these go astray through wine, and through strong drink they err,” signifies through falsities and through such things as are from falsities; “the priest and the prophet go astray through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are gone astray through strong drink,” signifies that such are those who ought to be in the doctrine of good and truth, and in a sense abstracted from persons that such is their doctrine itself; “they go astray among the seeing, they waver in judgment,” signifies that they do not see the truths of intelligence. That these words have such a signification no one can see except from the spiritual sense; without that it could not be known that “crown” and “head” signify intelligence, that “drunkards” signify those who are insane in things spiritual, that “Ephraim” signifies here man’s own understanding, or that which is from himself, that “valley” signifies the lower things of the mind, which are natural and sensual, and that “priest and prophet” signify the doctrine of good and truth.
sRef Isa@29 @10 S32′ sRef Isa@29 @9 S32′ [32] In the same:
Linger ye, wonder, be astounded, and cry out; they are drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink; for Jehovah hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed up your eyes; the prophets and your heads, the seers hath He covered (Isa. 29:9-10).
This is said of those who can see nothing of truth when they hear or read it from the Word; those who are such are called “drunken but not with wine,” and “they stagger, but not with strong drink,” “wine” signifying in particular the truth of the spiritual and thus of the rational man, and “strong drink” the truth of the natural man therefrom. Because such are meant it is said, “Jehovah hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed up your eyes,” “the spirit of deep sleep” meaning no perception, and the “eyes closed up” no understanding. “The prophets and your heads [the seers] hath He covered,” signifies those who are in the doctrine of truth and were wise and intelligent thence; “prophets” signify those who are in the doctrine of truth, and in an abstract sense, doctrine itself, “heads” signify the wise, and in an abstract sense, wisdom, and “seers” signify the intelligent, and in an abstract sense, intelligence. Wonder at such gross stupidity is described by “Linger ye, wonder, be astounded,” and lamentation over it by “cry out.” Such are those who are in a life of evil, and at the same time in the principles of falsity, however learned they are believed to be; for a life of evil shuts out the perception of good by which thought has life and light, and the principles of falsity shut out the understanding of truth, on which account they see from the sensual man only, and not at all from the spiritual.
sRef Isa@56 @11 S33′ sRef Isa@56 @12 S33′ [33] In the same:
The dogs are strong of soul, they know not satiety; and they are shepherds who know not intelligence. Come, I will take wine and we will be drunk with strong drink (Isa. 56:11-12).
This is said of those who care for nothing but worldly and earthly things, which close the internal spiritual man. These, from having no perception of good and no understanding of truth, are called “dogs strong of soul, they know not satiety,” that is, they are unable to receive good, “to know” here signifies to be able, and “satiety” reception of good, for satiety is predicated of food, by which spiritual nourishment is signified. That they have no understanding of truth is meant by “they are shepherds who know not intelligence;” those are called “shepherds” who believe themselves able to instruct others, for “to feed” means to instruct; and because such persons love falsities and things falsified, it is added, “Come, I will take wine, and we will be drunk with strong drink.”
sRef Jer@13 @12 S34′ sRef Jer@13 @13 S34′ [34] In Jeremiah:
Thus said Jehovah, God of Israel, Every bottle shall be filled with wine. Behold I fill all the inhabitants of this land, and the kings sitting for David upon his throne, and the priests and the prophets, all the inhabitants of Jerusalem with drunkenness (Jer. 13:12-13).
Here, too, “wine” signifies falsity, and “every bottle that shall be filled with wine” signifies the mind of man, since the mind is a recipient of truth or of falsity, as a bottle is of wine; “the kings sitting for David upon his throne” signify those who would otherwise be in Divine truths, “priests” those who would be in Divine goods, “prophets,” those who would be in doctrine, “the inhabitants of Jerusalem” all who are of the church; and “the drunkenness with which they shall be filled” signifies insanity in spiritual things.
sRef Jer@23 @10 S35′ sRef Jer@23 @9 S35′ [35] In the same:
I am become like a drunkard, and like a man into whom wine hath passed, because of Jehovah, and because of the words of His Holiness. For the land is full of adulterers (Jer. 23:9-10).
This is a lamentation over the adulteration of good and falsification of truth in the church, which is signified by “the land is full of adulterers;” these are meant by “adulteries,” and the church by “land.” Insanity in spiritual things through reasonings from evils against Divine goods and from falsities against Divine truth is signified by, “I am become like a drunkard, and like a man into whom wine has passed, because of Jehovah, and because of the words of His Holiness;” “to become like a drunkard and like a man into whom wine hath passed” signifies confusion of mind and insanity by reasoning from evils and falsities; “because of Jehovah” signifies because of Divine goods, and “because of the words of his holiness” signifies because of Divine truths.
sRef Gen@19 @34 S36′ sRef Gen@19 @33 S36′ sRef Gen@9 @21 S36′ sRef Gen@19 @32 S36′ sRef Gen@19 @35 S36′ sRef Isa@51 @21 S36′ [36] In Isaiah:
Hear now this, thou afflicted, and drunken but not with wine (Isa. 51:21).
The “drunken but not with wine,” mean here those who are in falsities from ignorance of truth. That:
Noah drank of the wine and was drunken, and therefore lay naked in the midst of his tent (Gen. 9:21);
means in the spiritual sense, something entirely different from the meaning in the letter; likewise:
Lot’s being made drunken by his daughters, and their then lying with him (Gen. 19:32-34).
What is meant by the drunkenness of Noah in the spiritual sense may be seen in Arcana Coelestia (n. 1070-1081); and what by the drunkenness of Lot (n. 2465 at the end). “Drunkenness” also elsewhere in the Word signifies insanity in spiritual things, and lapsing into errors (Isa. 19:11, 12, 14; Jer. 25:27; Joel 1:5-7; Jer. 51:7; Lev. 10:8, 9).
sRef Isa@5 @12 S37′ sRef Isa@5 @21 S37′ sRef Isa@5 @22 S37′ sRef Isa@5 @11 S37′ [37] That “wine” in a contrary sense signifies falsity, is also evident from Isaiah:
Woe unto them that rise early in the morning, that follow strong drink; to them that delay until twilight till wine inflames them. But they do not look upon the work of Jehovah, and they see not the working of His hands. Woe to the wise in their own eyes, and the intelligent before their own faces. Woe unto the mighty in drinking wine, and to men of strength to mingle strong drink (Isa. 5:11-12, 21-22).
This is said of those who frame for themselves doctrinals from self-intelligence not from the Lord, or from Him out of the Word, which consequently are mere falsities. “Woe unto them who rise early in the morning, who follow strong drink, to them who delay until twilight till wine inflame them; but they do not look upon the work of Jehovah, and they see not the working of His hands” signifies therefore the perverted states of those who believe that they are illustrated of themselves, whence they are in falsities of doctrine, and care not for the Word, from which they might know goods and truths of life and of doctrine. “To rise early in the morning,” and “to delay until twilight” signifies to be illustrated; and “to follow strong drink,” and “to be inflamed with wine” signifies to hatch out doctrinals of themselves; “not to look upon the work of Jehovah,” and “not to see the working of His hands” signifies not to care for the Word, or the goods of life and the truths of doctrine there disclosed; “the work of Jehovah” is predicated of the goods of life, and “the working of His hands” of the truths of doctrine, both from the Word; because such persons are meant, therefore it is said, “Woe to the wise in their own eyes, and the intelligent before their own faces;” “the wise in their own eyes” signifying those who are wise from their own intelligence, and “the intelligent before their own faces” signifying those who are intelligent from their own affection, “eyes” signifying the understanding, and “face” affection. And “woe unto the mighty in drinking wine, and to men of strength to mingle strong drink,” signifies unto such as aspire after great things, and are ingenious in confirming the falsities that favor the loves of self and their own principles; “the mighty” are those who aspire to great things; “men of strength” those who are ingenious, and seem to themselves to be intelligent; “to drink wine” means to imbibe falsities, and “to mingle strong drink” means to confirm them. Such are all those who are in the love of self, and who seek after the reputation for learning, for such are in what is their own, and cannot be elevated above it; therefore their own thought is in the corporeal sensual, by which no truth is seen, and no spiritual good is perceived. But those who are not in the love of self, and who seek intelligence for the sake of the uses of life, are elevated by the Lord from what is their own into the light of heaven, and though not themselves aware of it, are illustrated.
sRef Hos@4 @18 S38′ sRef Hos@4 @17 S38′ sRef Hos@4 @12 S38′ sRef Hos@4 @11 S38′ [38] In Hosea:
Whoredom and new wine have taken up the heart. My people ask the wood, and their rod answereth them; for the spirit of whoredom hath led them astray, and they have committed whoredom under their God. Ephraim is joined to idols; their wine is gone; in whoring they commit whoredom (Hos. 4:11-12, 17-18).
This treats of those who falsify truths; the falsification of truth is signified by “whoredom,” and the falsity therefrom by “new wine.” This makes clear what is signified by “whoredom and new wine have taken up the heart; the spirit of whoredoms hath seduced them, they have committed whoredom under their God, and the wine hath departed, in whoring they commit whoredom,” namely, that such falsify Divine truths, and consequently have no truth at all, “to commit whoredom under their God” signifies to falsify Divine truths, and “the wine hath departed” signifies that consequently they have no truth at all; “Ephraim, who is joined to idols” signifies those who are in self-intelligence, and the “idols to which he is joined” signify the falsities of religion. “My people ask the wood, and their rod answereth them” signifies that they consult their self-love, and favor it from self-intelligence; for “wood” or an idol of wood, which they ask, signifies self-love, and “the rod that answers” signifies power from what is one’s own, thus intelligence.
sRef Rev@14 @10 S39′ sRef Rev@16 @19 S39′ sRef Rev@14 @8 S39′ sRef Rev@14 @9 S39′ sRef Rev@17 @1 S39′ sRef Rev@17 @2 S39′ sRef Rev@18 @3 S39′ [39] In Revelation:
Babylon is fallen is fallen, the great city, because of the wine of the wrath of her whoredom she hath made all nations to drink. If anyone worshipeth the beast he shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which hath been mingled unmixed in the cup of the anger [of God]; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone (Rev. 14:8-10);
I will show thee the judgment of the great harlot that sitteth upon many waters, with whom the kings of the earth committed whoredom, and they that dwell in the earth were made drunk from the wine of her whoredom (Rev. 17:1-2).
For of the wine of the wrath of her whoredom have all nations drunk, and the kings of the earth have committed whoredom with her (Rev. 18:3).
“The wine of the anger of God” signifies the falsity of evil, and “the wine of whoredom” signifies truth falsified; what the rest means will appear in the explanation of it, likewise what these words mean in Revelation:
Babylon the great was remembered before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the wrath of God’s anger (Rev. 16:19);
“The wine of God’s anger” having the same meaning as “the chalice, or cup, of God’s anger.”
sRef Jer@51 @7 S40′ sRef Ps@75 @8 S40′ [40] In Jeremiah:
Babylon hath been a cup of gold in the hand of Jehovah, making the whole earth drunken; the nations have drunk of her wine, therefore the nations are mad (Jer. 51:7).
And in David:
There is a cup in the hand of Jehovah, and He hath mingled the wine, hath filled it with mixture, and hath poured out; but the lees of it all the wicked of the earth shall suck out and drink (Ps. 75:8).
As the “meal-offering” and the “drink-offering,” which were bread and wine, signify worship from the good of love and the truths of faith, so in a contrary sense, the “meal-offering” and “drink-offering” signify worship from the evils that are of the love of evil, and from the falsities of faith; this was signified by the “meal-offering” and “drink-offering” that were offered to idols and to the gods (Isa. 57:6; 65:11; Jer. 7:18; 44:17-19; Ezek. 20:28; Deut. 32:38; and elsewhere). From the signification of “wine” it can be seen what “vineyard,” “vine,” its “branches,” and “grapes” signify in the Word, namely, that “a vineyard” signifies the spiritual church, that is, the church that is in the truths and goods of doctrine from the Lord, “a vine” the doctrine itself, its “branches” truths from which doctrine is formed, and “the grapes” which are the fruit of vineyards and of vines, the goods of charity and the goods of faith (but of these elsewhere).
* Hebrew has “Helbon.”
** In AC n. 6377 we read “strong drink.”

sRef Rev@6 @8 S0′ sRef Rev@6 @7 S0′ 377. Verses 7-8. And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth animal saying, Come and see. And I saw, and behold a pale horse; and he that sat upon him his name was Death, and hell followed with him. And there was given unto them power over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with famine, and with death, and by the wild beasts of the earth. 7. “And when he had opened the fourth seal,” signifies prediction still further manifested (n. 378); “I heard the voice of the fourth animal saying,” signifies out of the inmost heaven from the Lord (n. 379); “Come and see,” signifies attention and perception (n. 380). 8. “And I saw, and behold a pale horse,” signifies the understanding of the Word then become nought in consequence of evils of life and then of falsities therefrom (n. 381); “and he that sat upon him,” signifies the Word (n. 382); “his name was Death, and hell followed with him,” signifies eternal damnation (n. 383); “and there was given unto them power over the fourth part of the earth, to kill,” signifies the loss of every good and thence of every truth from the Word, and in consequence, in the doctrine of their church from the Word (n. 384); “with sword,” signifies by falsity (n. 385); “and with famine,” signifies by the loss, lack, and ignorance of the knowledges of truth and good (n. 386); “and with death,” signifies the consequent extinction of spiritual life (n. 387); “and by the wild beasts of the earth,” signifies the evils of life or lusts and falsities therefrom springing from the love of self and of the world, which devastate all things of the church with man (n. 388).

sRef Rev@6 @7 S0′ 378. Verse 7. And when he had opened the fourth seal, signifies prediction still further manifested; as is evident from what was said and shown above (n. 351, 352, 361).

sRef Rev@6 @7 S0′ 379. I heard the voice of the fourth animal saying, signifies out of the inmost heaven from the Lord; this, too, is evident from what has been said and shown above (n. 353, 362, 370).

sRef Rev@6 @7 S0′ sRef Rev@6 @8 S0′ 380. Come and see, signifies attention and perception, as above (n. 354, 371).

sRef Rev@6 @8 S0′ 381. Verse 8. And I saw, and behold a pale horse, signifies the understanding of the Word then become nought in consequence of evils of life and then of falsities therefrom. This and the following chapter treats of the successive states of the church, that is, of the men of the church in respect to their spiritual life; and their first state is described by “the white horse,” the second by “the red horse,” the third by “the black horse,” and the fourth by “the pale horse.” That “the white horse” signifies the understanding of truth from the Word may be seen above (n. 355); that “the red horse” signifies the understanding of the Word lost in respect to good (n. 364); that “the black horse” signifies the understanding of the Word lost in respect to truth (n. 372); from which it is clear that “the pale horse” signifies the understanding of the Word become nought in consequence of evils of life and of falsities therefrom. For when the understanding of the Word is lost in respect to good and in respect to truth, it follows that the understanding of the Word becomes nought; and for the reason that the evil of life and the falsity therefrom reign. It is said the evil of life and the falsity therefrom, because where there is the evil of life there also is falsity, for these make one in man’s spirit: it is said in man’s spirit, because an evil man equally with a good man can do good and speak truth; but an evil man does this merely from the natural man and thence from the body, while within him, that is, in his spirit, there is no will of good and thus no understanding of truth, therefore neither good nor truth; this is especially evident when such persons become spirits; then, because they are in the spirit, they will nothing but evil and speak nothing but falsity. This is what is here meant by “the pale horse.” That “a horse” signifies the understanding may be seen above (n. 355); here the understanding of the Word, because “he that sat upon the horse” signifies the Word (n. 373).
[2] “Pale” signifies the evil of life and the falsity therefrom, thus “the pale horse” the understanding of the Word become nought in consequence of evils of life and of the falsities therefrom, because paleness indicates and thence signifies the absence of life or deprivation of life, here absence and deprivation of spiritual life, which occurs when there is the evil of life in place of the good of life, and the falsity of faith in place of the truth of faith, for there is then no spiritual life. Spiritual life means the life of heaven, and in the Word this also is called simply “life;” but life not spiritual is such a life as those have who are in hell, and this in the Word is also called “death.” That “the pale horse” signifies spiritual death is evident, too, from the rest of this verse, for it is said, “he that sat upon this horse his name was Death, and Hell followed with him.”
sRef Jer@30 @6 S3′ [3] “Paleness” or “pale” has a like meaning in Jeremiah:
Ask ye, I pray, and see whether a male doth bring forth? wherefore do I see every man with his hands on his loins as one bringing forth, and all faces are turned into paleness? (Jer. 30:6).
No one can know what these words involve unless he knows the signification of “bringing forth,” “male,” “man” [vir], “hands on the loins,” and “faces.” This is said of those who wish to acquire for themselves love and faith from self-intelligence; to acquire these for oneself is signified by “bringing forth;” “male” and “man” signify intelligence, here self-intelligence; “hands on the loins” signifies hatching these out, and “faces” signify love and faith; for angels and spirits have faces such as their love and faith are, for the affection of good, which is love, and the affection of truth, which is faith, manifest themselves in their faces; therefore “whether a male doth bring forth” signifies whether anyone can acquire for himself the good of love and the truth of faith from self-intelligence. “I see every man with his hands on his loins as one about to bring forth” signifies that everyone is striving to hatch these out from what is his own [ex proprio]; and “all faces are turned into paleness” signifies that thence there is no good or truth, but evil and falsity, thus no life, but spiritual death. This is signified by “paleness of the face.” (That “conceptions,” “travailings,” and “births,” in the Word signify spiritual conceptions, travailings, and births which are of love and faith, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3860, 3868, 3915, 3919, 3965, 9325; that the “male” or “masculine” signifies truth, and intelligence therefrom, n. 749, 2046, 4005, 7838; likewise “man” [vir], n. 749, 1007, 3134, 3309, 3459, 9007; that “the face” signifies the interiors of the mind, thus the things of love and faith, n. 1999, 2434, 3527, 4066, 4796, 5102, 9306, 9546; that the faces with angels are the forms of their affections, see Heaven and Hell, n. 47, 457, 459, 481, 552, 553.)
sRef Isa@29 @22 S4′ [4] “To wax pale” has a like meaning in Isaiah:
Jacob shall not be ashamed, neither shall his face wax pale (Isa. 29:22).
“Jacob” means those who are of the church, and “his face shall not wax pale” means that such shall not be in evils and falsities, but in goods and truths. “Paleness” signifies privation of spiritual life, which occurs when there is no good and truth, but evil and falsity, because when man is deprived of vital heat he then waxes pale and becomes an image of death, as is the case in extreme terrors, the same as when he dies; but when a man dies spiritually his face either becomes red like a coal fire or pale like that of a corpse; thus the infernals appear in the light of heaven.

sRef Rev@6 @8 S0′ 382. And he that sat upon him, signifies the Word. This is evident from what has been said and shown above (n. 373). Its being said that “his name was Death” does not mean that the Word in itself is death, but only before those who are in evils and falsities therefrom, for such persons see and perceive in the Word nothing of truth and good, thus nothing of spiritual life; consequently before such as these it is according to appearance and perception that his name that sat upon the pale horse is “Death.” For the Word appears to everyone according to his quality, as life to those who are in good and truth, but as death to those who are in evils and falsities. It is similar with the Lord Himself, who is the Word; He too appears to everyone according to his quality; to those who are in goods and truths therefrom He appears as a fire and as light vivifying and recreating, but to those who are in evils and in falsities therefrom He appears as a consuming fire and as thick darkness (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 934 end, 1861 end, 6832, 8814, 8819, 9434, 10551). And for the same reason to those who are in evil and in falsities therefrom the Lord appears to be angry, to punish, to condemn, and to cast into hell, when yet He is never angry, never punishes, or condemns, or casts into hell, but saves so far as man applies himself; for the Lord is good itself and truth itself, He is love itself and mercy itself. The like is true of this passage, where it is said that the name of the one that sat on the pale horse is “Death.” (On this more may be seen cited above, n. 373.)

sRef Rev@6 @8 S0′ 383. His name was Death, and hell followed with him, signifies eternal damnation. This is evident from the signification of “name,” as being the quality of a thing (see above, n. 102, 148), here the quality of the Word with those who are in evils and in falsities therefrom; also from the signification of “death,” as being damnation (of which also see above, n. 186), for spiritual death is nothing else; also from the signification of “hell,” as being evil and falsity therefrom, since in these and from these hell exists. Moreover, “hell” has the same signification as “death,” namely, damnation; but as both are here mentioned, and thus hell is distinguished from death, “hell” signifies eternal damnation, for those who come into hell remain there to eternity; therefore it is also said, “and hell followed with him,” “to follow with him” signifying to abide therein, namely, in damnation to eternity. From this it can be seen that “his name was Death, and hell followed with him” signifies eternal damnation.

sRef Rev@6 @8 S0′ sRef Ps@87 @7 S0′ 384. And there was given unto them power over the fourth part of the earth, to kill, signifies the deprivation of every good and thence of every truth from the Word, and in consequence in the doctrine of their church from the Word. This is evident from the signification of “power,” as being effect, since to be able means to effect; from the signification of “to kill” or “to slay,” as being to deprive of good and truth (of which above, n. 366); from the signification of “fourth part,” as being every good and thence every truth (of which presently); and from the signification of “earth,” as being the church and everything thereof (of which above, n. 29, 304). And as a church is a church from doctrine there, and from life according to it, and as every doctrine of the church must be from the Word, so the doctrine of the church from the Word is at the same time signified. From this it can be seen that “there was given unto them power over the fourth part of the earth to kill” signifies the deprivation of every good and thus of every truth from the Word, and in consequence in the doctrine of the church from the Word. It is said that “power was given unto them,” meaning to evils and to falsities therefrom, and these are signified also by “death and hell.” That those who are in evils and falsities deprive themselves of all the perception of good and the understanding of truth from the Word, and in consequence in the doctrine of their church from the Word, is clearly evident in the case of those who are in falsities of doctrine from evils of life. Such, although they read the Word, either do not see the truths that are in it or they falsify them by applying them to the falsities of their own opinions and to the evils of their own loves; for the sense of the letter of the Word is such that those who are in good see truths in it, and those who are in evil see falsities, for the sense of the letter is according to the apprehension of little children, boys, and the simple, and is therefore according to appearance; but still in that sense truths lie hidden that are not seen by any except those who are in good, those who are in evil not wishing to see them, but they draw all things by perverse interpretations to the evils of their loves and to the falsities of their opinions, as is plainly evident from so many heresies existing within the church, especially the heinous Babylonian heresy, and also from the Jewish heresy.
[2] “A fourth part” signifies every good and thence every truth, because the number “four” signifies the conjunction of good and truth, and therefore “a fourth part” or “a fourth” signifies everything of conjunction. In the Word “a third part” and also “a fourth part” are often mentioned, and those who do not know that all numbers signify things may believe that “a third part” means a third part, and “a fourth part” a fourth part, or that they signify some portion; but “a third part” signifies all truth, and “a fourth part” all good; and as all truth is from good, “a fourth part” signifies all good and the truth therefrom, here the deprivation of these, because it is said “there was given to them power over the fourth part of the earth to kill.” That “three” and thence “a third part” are predicated of truths, will be seen hereafter, where that number is mentioned. But “four” and thence “a fourth part” are predicated of goods and the truths therefrom, because they signify the conjunction of good and truth. This has been made evident to me by much experience from the spiritual world; for when angels spoke there of the conjunction of good and truth, or of love and faith, and their speech was determined into numbers, the number four was exhibited, and sometimes also the number two, or the number eight, or the number sixteen, because these numbers have a like signification, for numbers multiplied or divided by themselves have a like signification as the numbers with which they are multiplied or divided (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 5291, 5335, 5708, 7973). That angelic speech falls also into numbers, may be seen in the work on Heaven and Hell (n. 263). That “four” signifies the conjunction of good and truth has its origin from the four quarters in heaven, in two of which, namely, in the east and the west, those dwell who are in the good of love, and in the other two, namely, in the south and the north, those who are in truths therefrom (see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 141-153). Consequently “the four quarters,” or “the four winds,” signify all good and the truth therefrom, and “four” their conjunction. “A fourth part” signifies everything of conjunction of good and truth, because here “a fourth” constitutes all, and “a fourth” is significative of conjunction; therefore “killing a fourth part” signifies all of conjunction, consequently every good and truth; for where no conjunction of good and truth exists, there they are not; for there can be no good without truth, nor truth without good; they are in their essence one, since truth is of good, and good is of truth (as can be seen from what is said, and the passages cited respecting good and truth in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 11-27).

sRef Rev@6 @8 S0′ 385. With sword, signifies by falsity. This is evident from the signification of “sword,” as being truth fighting against falsity and destroying it; and in a contrary sense falsity fighting against truth and destroying it (of which above, n. 131, 367).

sRef Rev@6 @8 S0′ 386. And with famine, signifies by the deprivation, lack, and ignorance of the knowledges of truth and good. This is evident from the signification of “famine,” as being the deprivation of the knowledges of truth and good, also the lack and ignorance of them. These are signified by “famine” in the Word. This is the signification of “famine” because “food and drink” signify all things that nourish and sustain spiritual life, and these in general are the knowledges of truth and good. The spiritual life itself needs nourishment and support just as much as the natural life does; so it is said to be famished when a man is deprived of these knowledges, or when they fail, or when they are unknown and yet are desired. Moreover, natural foods correspond to spiritual foods, as bread to the good of love, wine to the truths therefrom, and other foods and drinks to particular goods and truths, which have been treated of in several places before, and will be treated of in what follows. It is said that “famine” signifies (1) the deprivation of the knowledges of truth and good, (2) lack, and (3) ignorance of them, since there is deprivation with those who are in evils and in falsities therefrom; lack with those who cannot know them, because they are not in the church or in its doctrine; and ignorance with those who know that there are knowledges, and therefore desire them; these three things are signified by “famine” in the Word, as can be seen from the passages there in which “famine,” “the hungry,” “thirst,” and “the thirsty,” are mentioned.
sRef Isa@9 @20 S2′ sRef Isa@9 @19 S2′ sRef Isa@9 @21 S2′ [2] (1) That “famine” signifies the deprivation of the knowledges of truth and good which exists with those who are in evils and thence in falsities, is evident from the following passages. In Isaiah:
In the fury of Jehovah of Hosts is the land obscured, and the people are become as the food of the fire; a man shall not pity his brother. And if he shall cut down on the right hand he shall be hungry, and if he shall eat on the left hand they shall not be satisfied; they shall eat every man the flesh of his own arm; Manasseh Ephraim, and Ephraim Manasseh; they together against Judah* (Isa. 9:19-21).
Except from the internal sense no one can understand this, nor can even know what is treated of. This treats of the extinction of good by falsity, and of truth by evil. The perversion of the church through falsity is meant by “in the fury of Jehovah of Hosts is the land obscured;” and the perversion of it through evil is meant by “the people are become as the food of the fire;” “the land obscured” signifies the church where there is no truth, but only falsity; and “the food of the fire” signifies the consumption of the truth by the love of evil, “fire” meaning the love of evil. That falsity destroys good is meant by “a man shall not pity his brother,” “man” [vir] and “brother” signifying truth and good, here “man” signifies falsity, and “brother” good, because it is said that “he shall not pity him.” The consequent deprivation of all good and of all truth, however much it may be sought, is meant by “if he shall cut down on the right hand he shall be hungry, and if he shall eat on the left hand they shall not be satisfied,” “right hand” signifying good from which is truth, and “left hand” truth from good, “to cut down,** and to eat these” signifies to seek, and “to be hungry and not be satisfied” means to be deprived of; that evil extinguishes all truth and falsity all good is meant by “they shall eat every man the flesh of his own arm,” “flesh of the arm” meaning the power of good through truth, “man” falsity, and “to eat” to extinguish. That thence all the will of good and the understanding of truth perishes is meant by “Manasseh shall eat Ephraim, and Ephraim Manasseh.” (That “Manasseh” means the will of good, and “Ephraim” the understanding of truth, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3969, 5354, 6222, 6234, 6238, 6267, 6296.) That this is with those who are in evils and falsities is meant by “they together against Judah;” for when the will is in good and the understanding in truth these are with Jehovah, since they are both from Him; but when the will is in evil and the understanding in falsity they are against Jehovah.
sRef Isa@14 @30 S3′ sRef Isa@14 @29 S3′ [3] In the same:
Be not glad, O Philistia, all of thee, because the rod that smiteth thee is broken; for from the serpent’s root shall come forth a basilisk, and his fruit shall be a fiery-flying serpent. I will cause thy root to die with famine, and it shall slay thy remnant (Isa. 14:29-30).
Nearly the like is meant by this in the internal sense; but here those are treated of who believe that faith is merely the interior sight of the natural man, and that they are justified and saved by such sight or faith, thus denying that the good of charity has any effect. Such as these are meant by “the Philistines,” and a collection of them by “Philistia” (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3412, 3413, 8093, 8313). That this false principle, which is faith alone or faith separated from charity, destroys every good and truth of the church is meant by “from the serpent’s root shall come forth a basilisk,” the “serpent’s root” meaning that false principle, and “basilisk” the destruction of the good and truth of the church thereby. That reasoning from mere falsities springs from this is meant by “his fruit shall be a fiery-flying serpent,” “fiery-flying serpent” meaning reasoning from falsities. The deprivation of all truth and thence of all good is meant by “I will cause thy root to die with famine, and famine shall slay thy remnant,” meaning all things hatched out of that principle. That such is the meaning has been made evident also by experience itself. Those who in doctrine and in life have confirmed themselves in the principle of faith alone are seen in the spiritual world as basilisks, and their reasonings as fiery-flying serpents.
sRef Isa@44 @12 S4′ sRef Isa@44 @10 S4′ [4] In the same:
Who formeth a god, and casteth a molten image, and it profiteth not? he fashioneth iron with the tongs, and worketh it in the coal, and formeth it with sharp hammers; so he worketh it by the arm of his power; yea, he is hungry until there is no power, neither doth he drink, until he is weary (Isa. 44:10, 12).
This describes the formation of doctrine both from one’s own understanding and from one’s own love. “To form a god” signifies doctrine from one’s own understanding; and “to cast a molten image,” from one’s own love; “he fashioneth the iron with the tongs, and worketh it in the coal” signifies the falsity that he calls truth and the evil that he calls good, “iron” meaning falsity, and “the fire of coal” the evil of one’s own love; “he formeth it with sharp hammers” signifies by ingenious reasonings from falsities so that they may seem to hold together; “so he worketh it by the arm of his power” signifies from what is his own; “yea, he is hungry until there is no power, neither doth he drink, until he is weary” signifies that there is nothing whatever of good or of truth, “to be hungry” signifies the deprivation of good, and “not to drink” the deprivation of truth, “until there is no power,” and “until he is weary” signify till there is nothing of good and nothing of truth left. Who that looks at the Word from the sense of the letter only, can see in this anything but a description of the formation of a molten image? Yet he must see that there is nothing spiritual involved in such a description of the formation of a molten image; also that there is no need of saying that “he is hungry until there is no power, neither doth he drink until he is weary;” nevertheless not only here but elsewhere in many places in the Word, the formation of a religion and of the doctrine of falsity is described by “idols,” “graven images” and “molten images.” (That these signify the falsities of religion, and of doctrine originating from one’s own understanding, and from one’s own love, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 8869, 8932, 8941, 9424, 10406, 10503.)
sRef Isa@51 @19 S5′ [5] In the same:
These two things have met thee; who shall be sorry for thee? devastation and a breach, and famine and sword (Isa. 51:19).
Here, too, “famine” means the deprivation of the knowledges of good, even till there is no more good; and “sword” the deprivation of the knowledges of truth, even till there is no more truth; therefore “devastation” and “breach” are mentioned, “devastation” signifying that there is no more good, and “breach” that there is no more truth.
sRef Isa@65 @13 S6′ [6] In the same:
Thus said the Lord Jehovih, Behold, My servants shall eat, but ye shall be hungry; My servants shall drink, but ye shall be thirsty; behold, My servants shall be glad, but ye shall be ashamed (Isa. 65:13).
Here, also, “to be hungry and thirsty” means to be deprived of the good of love and the truths of faith, “to be hungry” to be deprived of the good of love, and “to be thirsty” to be deprived of the truths of faith; “to eat and to drink” signifies communication and appropriation of goods and truths; and “the servants of the Lord Jehovih,” those who receive goods and truths from the Lord; this makes clear what is signified by “Behold, My servants shall eat, but ye shall be hungry; My servants shall drink, but ye shall be thirsty;” that the Lord’s servants shall have eternal happiness, but the others unhappiness is signified by “Behold, My servants shall be glad, but ye shall be ashamed.”
sRef Jer@14 @13 S7′ sRef Jer@14 @16 S7′ sRef Jer@14 @12 S7′ sRef Jer@14 @15 S7′ [7] In Jeremiah:
By the sword, by famine, and by pestilence I consume them; Yet I said, Ah Lord Jehovih! behold the prophets say unto them, Ye shall not see the sword, neither shall ye have famine. Therefore thus said Jehovah against the prophets prophesying in My name, although I sent them not, yet they say, Sword and famine shall not be in this land. By sword and by famine shall these prophets come to an end; the people to whom they prophesy shall be cast out in the streets of Jerusalem, and there shall be no one to bury them (Jer. 14:12-13, 15-16).
“Sword, famine, and pestilence,” signifies the deprivation of truth and of good, and thus of spiritual life through falsities and evils; “sword” signifying the deprivation of truth through falsities, “famine” the deprivation of good through evils, and “pestilence” the deprivation of spiritual life. “Prophets” mean those who teach the truths of doctrine, and in an abstract sense, the doctrinals of truth. This makes clear what is signified by all this, namely, that those who teach the doctrine of falsity and evil shall perish through these things that are signified by “sword and famine;” and that those who receive the doctrine from them are separated from every truth of the church, and are damned, is signified by “they shall be cast out in the streets of Jerusalem, there shall be no one to bury them,” “the streets of Jerusalem” meaning the truths of the church, “to be cast out in them” meaning to be separated from those truths, and “not to be buried” meaning to be damned.
sRef Jer@29 @18 S8′ sRef Jer@24 @10 S8′ sRef Jer@18 @21 S8′ sRef Jer@42 @22 S8′ sRef Matt@24 @8 S8′ sRef Jer@42 @13 S8′ sRef Ezek@5 @12 S8′ sRef Jer@42 @15 S8′ sRef Jer@42 @14 S8′ sRef Jer@42 @18 S8′ sRef Jer@29 @17 S8′ sRef Jer@42 @17 S8′ sRef Jer@42 @16 S8′ sRef Ezek@5 @17 S8′ sRef Matt@24 @7 S8′ sRef Jer@5 @12 S8′ sRef Ezek@7 @15 S8′ sRef Jer@11 @22 S8′ sRef Jer@34 @17 S8′ sRef Ezek@5 @16 S8′ sRef Jer@16 @4 S8′ sRef Ezek@6 @12 S8′ sRef Ezek@5 @11 S8′ sRef Ezek@6 @11 S8′ [8] “Sword, famine, and pestilence,” have a like signification in the following passages, “sword” signifying the deprivation of truth through falsities, “famine” the deprivation of good through evils, and “pestilence” the consequent deprivation of spiritual life. In Jeremiah:
They shall be consumed by the sword and by famine, that their carcass may be for food to the fowl of the heavens and to the beast of the earth (Jer. 16:4);
“their carcass may be for food to the fowl of the heavens” signifying damnation by falsities, and “for food to the beast of the earth” damnation by evils. In the same:
They have denied Jehovah when they said, It is not He; neither shall evil come upon us; neither shall we see sword and famine (Jer. 5:12).
In the same:
Behold I will visit upon them; the young men shall die by the sword, their sons and their daughters shall die by famine (Jer. 11:22).
In the same:
Give their*** sons to the famine, and make them flow down upon the hands of the sword, that their wives may become bereaved and widows, and their men be slain by death, their young men smitten by the sword in war (Jer. 18:21).
In the same:
I will send upon them sword, famine, and pestilence, and will make them like the horrible figs, that cannot be eaten for badness. And I will pursue after them with the sword, with famine, and with pestilence (Jer. 29:17-18).
In the same:
I will send against them the sword, famine, and pestilence, until they come to an end from upon the ground that I gave to them and to their fathers (Jer. 24:10).
In the same:
I proclaim to you a liberty, to the sword, to the pestilence, and to the famine; and I will give you up for commotion by all the kingdoms of the earth (Jer. 34:17).
In the Gospels:
Nation shall be roused against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; and there shall be pestilences, and famines, and earthquakes, in diverse places (Matt. 24:17; Mark 13:8; Luke 21:11).
In Ezekiel:
Because thou hast defiled My sanctuary, a third part of thee shall die with the pestilence, and with famine shall they be consumed in the midst of thee; and a third part shall fall by the sword round about thee; and a third part I will disperse to every wind. When I shall send upon them the evil arrows of famine, that shall be for destruction, when I shall send them to destroy you; but yet I will increase the famine upon you, until I have broken for you the staff of bread. And I will send upon you famine and the evil wild beast, and I will make thee bereaved; and pestilence and blood shall pass through thee (Ezek. 5:11-12, 16-17).
In the same:
The sword without, and pestilence and famine within; he that is in the field shall die by the sword, but he that is in the city famine and pestilence shall devour him (Ezek. 7:15).
In the same:
Because of all the evil abominations, they shall fall by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence. He that is far off shall die by pestilence; he that is near shall fall by the sword; and he that remaineth and is preserved shall die by famine (Ezek. 6:11-12).
In Jeremiah:
But if ye say, We will not dwell in this land, that ye may not obey the voice of Jehovah your God; saying No, but we will come into the land of Egypt, where we shall see no war, and shall not hear the sound of the trumpet, and shall not hunger for bread, and there will we dwell: hear ye the word of Jehovah, If ye wholly set your faces to enter into Egypt, and come to sojourn there, it shall come to pass that the sword that ye fear shall overtake you there in the land of Egypt, and the famine about which ye were solicitous shall cleave to you there in Egypt, and there ye shall die. And they shall die there by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence; neither shall one of them remain, because of the evil that I will bring upon you.**** And ye shall be for an execration and an astonishment, and for a reproach; and ye shall see this place no more. Now therefore know certainly, that ye shall die by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence in the place whither ye have desired to come to sojourn there (Jer. 42:13-18, 22; 44:12-13, 27).
“Egypt” here signifies the natural, and “to come into Egypt and to sojourn there” signifies to become natural. (That “Egypt” means the knowing faculty [scientificum] that belongs to the natural man, and thus the natural, and “the land of Egypt” means the natural mind, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 4967, 5079-5080, 5095, 5160, 5276, 5278, 5280, 5288, 5301, 5799, 6015, 6147, 6252, 7353, 7648, 9340, 9391 and that “to sojourn” means to be instructed, and to live, n. 1463, 2025, 3672.) From this it can be seen what is signified in the spiritual sense by “their not going into Egypt, and their dying then by the sword, the famine, and the pestilence,” namely, that if they became merely natural, they would be deprived of all truth and good and spiritual life; for the natural man separate from the spiritual is in falsities and evils, and thus in infernal life. (That the natural man separate from the spiritual is such, see in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 47-48.) Therefore it is said that if they went into Egypt “they should be for an execration and an astonishment and a reproach, neither would they see this place;” “the place they would not see” meaning the state of the spiritual man, the same as “the land of Canaan.” Like things are signified by the murmurings of the sons of Israel in the wilderness, because they so often desired to return into Egypt; therefore manna was also given to them, which signifies spiritual nourishment (Exod. 16:2-3, 7-9, 22).
sRef Ezek@14 @21 S9′ sRef Ezek@14 @15 S9′ sRef Ezek@14 @13 S9′ [9] In Ezekiel:
When I shall stretch out Mine hand against the house of Israel to break for it the staff of bread, and send famine upon it, and cut off from it man and beast; then I will cause the evil wild beast to pass through the land, and will bereave it, that it may become a desolation; then I will send my four evil judgments upon Jerusalem, sword and famine, and the evil wild beast, and pestilence, to cut off from it man and beast (Ezek. 14:13, 15, 21).
This describes the vastation of the church; “the house of Israel” and “Jerusalem” meaning the church; “to break the staff of bread” signifies to destroy everything celestial and spiritual by which the church should be nourished, for “bread” involves everything belonging to heaven and the church, or all spiritual nourishment; “to cut off man and beast” signifies every spiritual and natural affection; therefore “the sword, the famine, the evil wild beast, and the pestilence,” signify the destruction of truth by falsity, of good by evil, of the affection of truth and good by the lusts arising from evil loves, and the consequent extinction of spiritual life. These are called “the four evil judgments,” and are also meant by “the sword, famine, death, and the evil wild beast,” in this verse of Revelation. Evidently it is the vastation of the church that is thus described.
[10] The three evils that are signified by “famine, sword, and pestilence” the prophet Gad also announced to David when he had numbered the people (2 Sam. 24:13). No one can know why David was threatened with these because of his numbering the people unless he knows that the people of Israel represented and thence signified the church in respect to all its truths and goods, and that “to number” signifies to know the quality thereof, and afterwards to arrange and dispose them according to it. Because no one but the Lord knows and does this, and because the man who does it deprives himself of all good and truth and of spiritual life, and because David did this representatively, therefore these three evils were offered him, one of which he might choose. Who cannot see that there was nothing wrong in numbering the people, and that the evil on account of which David and the people were punished was hidden interiorly, that is, in the representatives in which the church then was? In the passages that have been cited, “famine” signifies the deprivation of the knowledges of truth and good, and the consequent loss of all truth and good.
sRef Amos@8 @12 S11′ sRef Amos@8 @14 S11′ sRef Amos@8 @11 S11′ sRef Amos@8 @13 S11′ [11] (2) That “famine” signifies also the lack of knowledges with those who cannot know them because they are not in the church or in the doctrine thereof, is evident from the following passages. In Amos:
Behold, the days shall come in which I will send a famine into the land, not a famine for bread, nor a thirst for waters, but for hearing the words of Jehovah; that they may wander from sea to sea, from the north to the sunrise, they may run to and fro seeking the word of Jehovah, and shall not find it. In that day shall the beautiful virgins and the youths faint for thirst (Amos 8:11-13).
This explains what is meant by “famine” and “thirst,” namely, that a famine for bread is not meant, nor a thirst for waters, but for hearing the word of Jehovah, thus that it is a lack of the knowledges of good and truth that is meant; and that these are not in the church or in its doctrine is described by the words, “they shall go from sea to sea, and from the north to the sunrise, seeking the word of Jehovah, and shall not find it,” “from sea to sea” signifying on every side, for the outmost boundaries in the spiritual world, where truths and goods begin and terminate appear like seas; consequently “seas” in the Word signify the cognitions of truth and good, also knowledges [scientifica] in general; “from the north to the sunrise” signifies also on every side where truth and good are, “the north” meaning where truth is in obscurity, and “the sunrise” where good is. Because “famine and thirst” signify a lack of the knowledges of good and truth, therefore it is also said “in that day shall the beautiful virgins and the youths faint for thirst,” “the beautiful virgins” meaning the affections of truth from good, and “youths” the truths themselves that are from good, “the thirst for which they shall faint” meaning the lack of these. (That “virgins” signify the affections of good and truth, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2362, 3963, 6729, 6775, 6788; and “youths” the truths themselves, and intelligence, n. 7668.)
sRef Isa@5 @13 S12′ [12] In Isaiah:
Therefore My people shall be carried away for the lack of knowledge; and the glory thereof shall be men of famine, and the multitude thereof shall be parched with thirst (Isa. 5:13).
The desolation or destruction of the church from lack of the knowledges of good and truth is signified by, “My people shall be carried away for lack of knowledge.” The Divine truth that constitutes the church is signified by “glory;” that this is not, and consequently good is not, is signified by “the glory thereof shall be men of famine,” “men of famine” meaning those who are in no perception of good, and in no knowledges of truth; and that consequently there is no truth is signified by “the multitude thereof shall be parched with thirst,” “to be parched with thirst” meaning the lack of truth, “multitude” in the Word being predicated of truths.
sRef Isa@8 @21 S13′ sRef Isa@8 @19 S13′ sRef Isa@8 @20 S13′ sRef Isa@8 @22 S13′ [13] In the same:
The people shall seek after their God, the law, and the testimony; for they shall pass through it perplexed and famished; and it shall come to pass that when they shall hunger they shall rage, and shall curse their king and their gods, and shall look upwards; they shall look also to the earth, but behold distress and thick darkness (Isa. 8:19-22).
This treats of those who are in falsities from lack of the knowledges of truth and good, and their indignation on that account; the lack is described by “they shall look upwards, and they shall look also to the earth, but behold distress and thick darkness,” “to look upwards and to look to the earth” means to look everywhere for goods and truths; “but behold distress and thick darkness” means that these are nowhere to be found, but mere falsities only, “thick darkness” meaning dense falsity. Their indignation on this account is meant by “it shall come to pass that when they shall hunger they shall rage, and shall curse their king and their gods,” “to hunger” meaning to desire to know, “king” falsity, “the gods” the falsities of worship therefrom, and “to curse” to detest.
sRef Lam@2 @19 S14′ [14] In Lamentations:
Lift up thy hands to the Lord respecting the soul of thy babes, who have fainted for famine at the head of all the streets (Lam. 2:19).
Lamentation over those who ought to be instructed in the knowledges of good and truth, by which they may have spiritual life, is described by “Lift up thy hands to the Lord respecting the soul of thy babes;” and the lack of these knowledges is described by “who have fainted for famine at the head of all the streets,” “famine” meaning lack, “streets” the truths of doctrine, “to faint at the head of them” meaning that there are no truths.
sRef Lam@5 @10 S15′ sRef Lam@5 @9 S15′ sRef Lam@5 @8 S15′ [15] In the same:
Servants have ruled over us, there is no one to free us out of their hand. We bring in our bread with the peril of our souls because of the sword of the wilderness. Our skins are black like an oven because of the tempests of famine (Lam. 5:8-10).
“Servants that have ruled with no one to free us out of their hand” signify the evils of life and the falsities of doctrine, in general, evil loves and false principles; “we bring in our bread with the peril of our souls because of the sword of the wilderness” signifies that there is no good from which there may be spiritual life itself, because of the falsity everywhere reigning; “bread” means the good from which there may be spiritual life; “sword” falsity destroying; and “the wilderness” where there is no good because no truth; for all good with man is formed by truths, therefore where there are no truths but only falsities there is no good; “our skins are black like an oven because of the tempests of famine” signifies that because of the lack of the knowledges of good and truth the natural man is in its own evil love; “the skin,” from correspondence with the Greatest Man or heaven, signifies the natural man; “to be black like an oven” signifies to be in one’s own evil from falsities; and “tempests of famine” signify a complete lack of the knowledges of good and truth.
sRef Job@5 @20 S16′ sRef Job@5 @17 S16′ sRef Luke@6 @25 S16′ [16] In Luke:
Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger (Luke 6:25).
“The full” in the Word mean those who have the Word, in which are all the knowledges of good and truth; and “to hunger” means to lack these, and also to be deprived of them. In Job:
Blessed is the man whom God hath chastened; therefore reject not the discipline of Schaddai. In famine He shall redeem thee from death; and in war from the hands of the sword (Job 5:17, 20).
This treats of those who are in temptations; temptations are signified by “whom God hath chastened,” and by “the discipline of Schaddai.” “The Almighty (Schaddai)” signifies temptations, deliverance from them, and consolation after them (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 1992, 3667, 4572, 5628, 6229). “The famine in which he shall be redeemed” signifies temptation in respect to the perception of good, in which he shall be delivered from evil; “to redeem” meaning to deliver; and “the hand of the sword in war” signifies temptations in respect to the understanding of truth, “war” also meaning temptation or combat against falsities.
sRef Luke@1 @53 S17′ sRef Matt@5 @6 S17′ [17] (3) That “famine” in the Word also signifies ignorance of the knowledges of truth and good, such as are with those who know that there are knowledges and therefore desire them, is evident from the following passages. In Matthew:
Blessed are they that hunger after righteousness, for they shall be satisfied (Matt. 5:6).
“To hunger after righteousness” signifies to desire good, for in the Word “righteousness” is predicated of good. In Luke:
God hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich He hath sent empty away (Luke 1:53).
“The hungry” are those who are ignorant of the knowledges of truth and good, and yet desire them; and “the rich” are those who have an abundance of them, but no desire for them. That the former are enriched is signified by “God hath filled them with good things;” and that the latter are deprived of them is signified by “The rich He hath sent away empty.”
sRef Ps@33 @18 S18′ sRef Ps@33 @19 S18′ [18] 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. 33:18-19).
“Those that fear Jehovah” mean those who love to do His commandments; “to deliver the soul from death” signifies from evils and falsities, and thus from damnation; and “to keep them alive in famine” signifies to give spiritual life according to desire. A desire for the knowledges of truth and good is a spiritual affection of truth, which is given only to those who are in the good of life, that is, who do the Lord’s commandments; and these, as has been said, are meant by “those that fear Jehovah.”
sRef Ps@107 @8 S19′ sRef Ps@34 @10 S19′ sRef Ps@107 @9 S19′ sRef Ps@34 @9 S19′ [19] In the same:
Let them confess to Jehovah His mercy, for He satisfieth the longing soul, and the hungry soul He filleth with good (Ps. 107:8-9).
“To satisfy the longing soul, and to fill with good the hungry soul,” applies to those who long for truths and goods, “the longing soul” signifying those who long for truths, and “the hungry soul” those who long for goods. In the same:
There is no want to them that fear Jehovah. The young lions shall lack, and suffer hunger; but they that seek Jehovah shall not want any good (Ps. 34:9-10).
Here, too, “those that fear Jehovah to whom there is no want,” signify those who love to do the Lord’s commandments; and “they that seek Jehovah who shall not want any good,” signify those who in consequence are loved by the Lord, and receive truths and goods from Him. “The young lions that lack and suffer hunger”, signify those who have knowledge and wisdom from themselves, “to lack and suffer hunger” meaning that they have neither truth nor good. (What “lions” in both senses signify, see n. 278.)
sRef Ps@146 @7 S20′ [20] In the same:
Jehovah who executeth judgment for the oppressed; who giveth bread to the hungry; Jehovah, who looseth the bound (Ps. 146:7).
The “oppressed” here mean those who are in falsities from ignorance; such are oppressed by spirits who are in falsities; therefore it is said that “Jehovah executeth judgment for them,” by rescuing them from those that oppress. “The hungry” mean those who desire goods; and as such are nourished by the Lord, it is said “Jehovah giveth bread to the hungry,” “to give bread” meaning to nourish, and spiritual nourishment is knowledge, intelligence, and wisdom. “The bound” mean those who desire truths but are withheld from them by the falsities of doctrine or by ignorance, because they have not the Word; therefore “to loose the bound” means to free from falsities. (That such are called “bound,” see Arcana Coelestia, n. 5037, 5086, 5096.)
sRef Ps@107 @35 S21′ sRef Ps@107 @36 S21′ sRef Ps@107 @37 S21′ [21] In the same:
Jehovah turneth the wilderness into a pool of waters, and a land of drought into a springing forth of waters. And there He maketh the hungry to dwell, that they may prepare a city of habitation, and sow fields, and plant vineyards, and make fruit of increase (Ps. 107:35-37).
The meaning of these words is wholly different from the sense of the letter, namely, that those who are ignorant of the knowledges of truth and yet desire to know them shall be enriched and abundantly supplied with them; for “Jehovah turneth the wilderness into a pool of water” signifies that in place of ignorance of truth there shall be abundance of truth, “wilderness” meaning when there is ignorance of truth, and “a pool of waters” abundance of it; “to turn a land of drought into a springing forth of waters” signifies the like in the natural man, for “a land of drought” means where there is ignorance of truth, “the springing forth of waters” is abundance, the natural man is “the springing forth,” and “waters” are truths; “there He maketh the hungry to dwell” signifies those who desire truth, “to dwell” meaning to live, and “the hungry” those who desire; “that they may prepare a city of habitation” signifies that they form for themselves a doctrine of life, “city” meaning doctrine, and “habitation” life; “that they may sow fields and plant vineyards, and make fruit of increase,” signifies to receive truths, to understand them, and to do them; “to sow fields” meaning to be instructed and to receive truths; “to plant vineyards” meaning to receive truths in the understanding, that is, in the spirit, for “vineyards” mean spiritual truths; therefore “to plant” them means to receive them spiritually, that is, to understand them; “to make fruit of increase” means to do them and to receive goods, for “fruits” are the deeds and goods of charity.
sRef Ps@37 @19 S22′ sRef Ps@37 @18 S22′ [22] In the same:
Jehovah knoweth the days of the perfect, and He shall be their inheritance forever. They shall not be ashamed in the time of evil; and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied (Ps. 37:18-19).
“The days of the perfect” signify the states of those who are in good and in truths therefrom, or those who are in charity and in faith therefrom. “Jehovah shall be their inheritance forever” signifies that they are His own and are in heaven; “they shall not be ashamed in the time of evil” signifies that they shall conquer when they are tempted by evils; and “in the days of famine they shall be satisfied” signifies that they shall be upheld by truths when they are tempted and infested by falsities, “time of evil” and “days of famine” signifying the states of temptations, and temptations are from evils and falsities.
sRef 1Sam@2 @4 S23′ sRef 1Sam@2 @5 S23′ [23] In the first book of Samuel:
The bows of the mighty are broken, but they who had stumbled have girded strength about them; they that are full have hired themselves for bread; and they that are hungry have ceased; even until the barren hath borne seven, and she that hath many sons hath failed (1 Sam. 2:4-5).
“They that are full have hired themselves for bread, and they that are hungry have ceased,” signify those who wish for and long for goods and truths. The rest may be seen explained above (n. 257 and 357).
sRef Isa@32 @6 S24′ [24] In Isaiah:
For the fool speaketh foolishness, and his heart doeth iniquity, to practice hypocrisy, and to speak error against Jehovah, to make empty the hungry soul, and to cause the drink of the thirsty to fail (Isa. 32:6).
He is here called “a fool” who is in falsities and evils from the love of self, consequently from self-intelligence. Falsities are meant by the “foolishness” that he speaks; and evils by the “iniquity” that his heart does. The evils that he speaks against goods are meant by “the hypocrisy” that he practices; and the falsities that he speaks against truths, by the “error” that he speaks against Jehovah; “to make empty the hungry soul, and to cause the drink of the thirsty to fail” means to persuade and destroy those who desire goods and truths, “the hungry soul” meaning those who desire goods, and “he that thirsteth for drink” meaning those who desire truths.
sRef Isa@58 @10 S25′ [25] In the same:
If thou shalt draw out thy soul to the hungry and satisfy the afflicted soul, thy light shall arise in darkness and thy thick darkness be as the noonday (Isa. 58:10).
This describes charity towards the neighbor, here towards those who are in ignorance, but at the same time in a desire to know truths, and in grief on account of the falsities that possess them, and signifies that with those who are in such charity falsities are dispersed and truths shine and become radiant. Charity towards those that are in ignorance and at the same time in a desire to know truths is meant by “If thou shalt draw out thy soul to the hungry,” “the hungry” meaning those who desire, and “the soul” is the understanding of truth instructing. This being done to those who are in grief because of the falsities that possess them is meant by “if thou shalt satisfy the afflicted soul;” that ignorance is dispelled and truths shine and become radiant with those who are in such charity is meant by “thy light shall arise in darkness, and thy thick darkness be as the noon day;” “darkness” signifying the ignorance of the spiritual mind, and “thick darkness” the ignorance of the natural mind, “light” truth in light, “noonday” the like. Such illustration those have who from charity or spiritual affection instruct such as are in falsities from ignorance; for such charity is a receptacle of the influx of light or of truth from the Lord.
sRef Isa@58 @7 S26′ sRef Isa@58 @6 S26′ [26] In the same:
Is not this the fast that I choose, to break thy bread to the hungry, and to bring the afflicted outcasts into thy house, when thou shalt see the naked and shalt cover him? (Isa. 58:6-7).
These words have a like meaning, for “to break bread to the hungry” signifies from charity to communicate to and instruct those who are in ignorance and at the same time in a desire to know truths; “to bring the afflicted outcasts into the house” signifies to correct and reform those who are in falsities, and thence in grief, “afflicted outcasts” meaning those who are in grief from falsities; for those who are in falsities stand without, while those who are in truths are in the house, “house” meaning the intellectual mind, into which truths only are admitted, since that mind is opened by means of truths from good. Because this is what is signified it is added, “when thou shalt see the naked and shalt cover him,” the “naked” signifying those that are without truths, and “to cover” signifying to instruct; for “garments” in the Word signify truths investing (see above, n. 195).
sRef John@6 @35 S27′ sRef Isa@49 @10 S27′ [27] In the same:
They shall not hunger nor thirst, neither shall the heat nor the sun smite them; for He that hath compassion on them leadeth them forth, even unto the springs of waters shall He guide them (Isa. 49:10).
That “they shall not hunger nor thirst” does not mean that they are not to hunger nor thirst for natural food and drink; and “neither shall the heat nor sun smite them” does not mean that they will not become heated by these; the same is true of their being led unto the springs of waters. Who that thinks about it does not see that something else is here meant? “To hunger and thirst” therefore signifies to hunger and thirst for such things as pertain to eternal life or give that life, and these, in general, have reference to the good of love and the truth of faith, “hunger” to the good of love, and “thirst” to the truth of faith; “heat” and “sun” signify the heat from the principles of falsity and the love of evil, for these take away all spiritual hunger and thirst; “the springs of waters, unto which the Lord will guide them” signify illustration in all truth, “spring” or “fountain” meaning the Word, and also the doctrine from the Word, “waters” truths, and “to guide” in reference to the Lord, meaning to illustrate. From this the significance can be seen of the Lord’s words in John:
I am the bread of life; he that cometh to Me shall not hunger, and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst (John 6:35).
Here evidently “to hunger” is to come to the Lord, and “to thirst” is to believe on Him; to come to the Lord is to do His commandments.
sRef Matt@25 @34 S28′ [28] This signification of “hungering and thirsting” makes evident also the signification of the Lord’s words in Matthew:
The king said to them on the right hand, I was an hungered, and ye gave me to eat, I was thirsty and ye gave me to drink, I was a sojourner and ye took me in. And he said to them on the left hand, that he was an hungered and they gave him not to eat, and he was thirsty and they gave him not to drink; that he was a sojourner and they took him not in (Matt. 25:34-35, 37, 41-44).
“To hunger and to thirst” signifies to be in ignorance and in spiritual want, and “to give to eat and drink” signifies to instruct and to illustrate from spiritual affection or charity; it is therefore also said, “I was a sojourner and ye took me not in,” “sojourner” signifying those who are out of the church, but who wish to be instructed and to receive the doctrinals of the church and to live according to them (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 1463, 4444, 7908, 8007, 8013, 9196).
Furthermore, we read in the Word that the Lord hungered and thirsted, which means that from His Divine love He willed and desired the salvation of the human race.
sRef Mark@11 @14 S29′ sRef Mark@11 @20 S29′ sRef Mark@11 @13 S29′ sRef Mark@11 @12 S29′ [29] That He hungered we read in Mark:
When they were come from Bethany, Jesus hungered; and seeing a fig-tree afar off having leaves, He came, if haply He might find anything thereon; but when He had come to it He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. Therefore He said unto it, No one eat any fruit of thee forever. And the disciples in the morning as they passed by, saw the fig-tree dried up from the roots (Mark 11:12-14, 20; Matt. 21:19-20).
One who does not know that all things of the Word contain a spiritual sense, may believe that the Lord did this to the fig-tree from indignation because He was hungry; but “fig-tree” means here not a fig-tree, but the church in relation to natural good, in particular, the Jewish Church. That there was no natural good in that church, because nothing spiritual, but only some truths from the sense of the letter of the Word, is signified by “Jesus seeing a fig-tree afar off having leaves, came, if haply He might find anything thereon; but when He had come to it He found nothing but leaves,” “leaves” signifying the truths of the sense of the letter of the Word. That with that nation, because they were in dense falsities and in evil loves, nothing whatever of the natural good of the church would ever exist is signified by “Jesus said, No one eat any fruit of thee forever, and the fig-tree was dried up from the roots.” It is also said that “it was not the season for figs,” and this means that the church was not yet begun; that the beginning of a new church is meant by “a fig-tree,” is clear from the Lord’s words (Matt. 24:32, 33; Mark 13:28, 29, and in Luke 21:28-31). From this it can be seen what “hungering” here signifies. (That “a fig-tree” signifies the natural good of the church, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 217, 4231, 5113; and that “leaves” signify the truths of the natural man, see above, n. 109.)
sRef John@19 @28 S30′ sRef John@19 @29 S30′ sRef John@19 @30 S30′ [30] That the Lord thirsted we read in John:
Jesus, knowing that all things were now finished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled said, I thirst. And there had been placed a vessel full of vinegar; and they filled a sponge and placed it upon hyssop, and put it to His mouth. And when Jesus had received the vinegar He said, It is finished (John 19:28-30).
Those who think of these things only naturally and not spiritually may believe that they involve nothing more than that the Lord thirsted, and that vinegar was then given Him; but it was because all things that the Scriptures said of Him were then finished, and because He came into the world to save mankind that He said, “I thirst,” which means that from Divine love He willed and desired the salvation of the human race; and that “vinegar was given Him” signifies that in the coming church there would be no genuine truth, but truth mixed with falsities, such as there is with those who separate faith from charity or truth from good; this is what “vinegar” signifies; “they placed it upon hyssop” signifies some kind of purification by it, for “hyssop” signifies an external means of purification (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 7918). That every particular related in the Word respecting the Lord’s passion involves and signifies Divine celestial and Divine spiritual things, may be seen above (n. 83). From the passages cited above it can be seen what “famine” signifies in the Word. Let them be examined and considered, and it will be seen by those who are in any interior thought that natural famine, hunger, and thirst, can by no means be meant, but spiritual famine, hunger, and thirst.
* The photolithograph has “Jehovah,” as is also found in AE n. 440. Hebrew has “Judah,” which is also found in AC n. 5354.
** Photolithograph has “fall.”
*** Photolithograph has “his.” Hebrew “their (sons,” and “their men”).

sRef Rev@6 @8 S0′ 387. And with death, signifies the consequent extinction of spiritual life. This is evident from the signification of “death,” as being the extinction of spiritual life (see above, n. 78, 186). That this is what “death” here signifies is evident from the series of things in the internal sense; for it is said that “there was given unto them power to kill with sword, with famine, and with death;” and “sword” signifies falsity destroying truth, “famine” the deprivation of the knowledges of truth and good; thence “death” signifies the extinction of spiritual life; for where falsity reigns, and where there are no knowledges of truth and good, there is no spiritual life, for spiritual life is acquired by means of the knowledges of truth and good applied to the uses of life. For man is born into all evil and falsity from evil; he is therefore born also into an entire ignorance of all spiritual knowledges; therefore in order that he may be led away from the evils and consequent falsities into which he is born, and be led into the life of heaven and be saved, he must needs acquire the knowledges of truth and good, by means of which he can be led into spiritual life and become spiritual. From this series of things in the internal sense it is evident that “death” here signifies the extinction of spiritual life; this is meant, too, by spiritual death.

sRef Rev@6 @8 S0′ 388. And by the wild beasts of the earth, signifies the evils of life, which are lusts and falsities therefrom springing from the love of self and of the world, which devastate all things of the church with man. This is evident from the signification of “wild beasts,” as being the lusts and falsities that spring from the love of self and the world; and because these are the evils of life themselves, since an evil life is a life of lusts and falsities, therefore these are here meant by “the wild beasts of the earth;” that this is the signification of “wild beasts” will be seen in what follows. Also from the signification of “the earth,” as being the church (of which see above, n. 29, 304); and as “wild beasts” signify the evils of life, and these devastate the church with man, and “the earth” signifies the church, so the “wild beasts of the earth” signify the evils of life which devastate the church with man. It is said the church with man, because the church is in man; for the church is a church from charity and faith, and these are in man; and if these are not in him, the church is not with him. It is believed that the church is where the Word is, and where the Lord is known; but still the church consists of those only who from the heart acknowledge the Divine of the Lord, and who learn truths from the Lord by the Word and do them; others do not constitute the church. That “the wild beasts of the earth” here signify, in particular, the evils of life can be seen from the series of things in the internal sense. It is said that “there was given unto them power over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, with famine, with death, and by the wild beasts of the earth,” “sword” signifying falsity destroying truth, “famine,” the deprivation of the knowledges of truth and good, “death” the extinction of spiritual life; therefore “the wild beasts of the earth” signify the evils of life, since these rule when spiritual life is extinct, for where there is no spiritual life there life is merely natural, and natural life apart from the spiritual is full of lusts from the love of self and the world, thus is infernal; therefore that life is meant by “the evil wild beast.”
[2] Moreover, in respect to the evil life that is signified by “the evil wild beast,” such may be the life as well with those who lead a good moral life, if they have no spiritual life; for such do good and speak truth and practice sincerity and justice but only because of reputation, honor, gain, and the laws, thus for the sake of appearance, that they may emulate those who are spiritual, while inwardly they have no will of good and no thought of truth, and laugh at sincerity and justice, unless for the causes mentioned above; consequently they are infernal within. This is also clearly manifest when such persons become spirits, which takes place immediately after death; then the external bonds mentioned above are taken away from them, and they then rush without restraint into evils of every kind. But it is otherwise with those who have led a good moral life from a spiritual origin. (On this subject see further in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 484, 529-531, 534 and above, n. 182.) This has been said to make known what is meant by an evil life, namely, that it is not the external life that pertains to the body and has reference to the world where men are, which is called the natural world, but is the internal life that pertains to the spirit and has reference to the world where angels are, which is called the spiritual world. For in respect to his body, its gestures and speech, man is in the natural world, but in respect to his spirit, that is, in respect to thought and affection, man is in the spiritual world; in fact, as the bodily sight has extension into the natural world and sweeps about there, so the sight of the spirit, which is thought from affection, has extension into the spiritual world and sweeps about there. That this is so is known to few; and it is therefore supposed that thinking evil and willing evil is of no consequence if only one does not do evil and speak evil; and yet every thought and volition affects the spirit of man and makes up his life after death.
sRef Jer@12 @9 S3′ sRef Jer@12 @10 S3′ sRef Jer@12 @11 S3′ [3] That “evil wild beasts” signify the lusts and the falsities from them springing from the love of self and the world, that devastate all things of the church with man, and in a contrary sense signify also the affections of truth that vivify all things of the church, can be seen from the following passages in the Word. In Jeremiah:
Go ye, gather together every wild beast of the field; come to eat. Many shepherds have destroyed My vineyard; they have trodden down My field, they have made the field of desire a wilderness of solitude (Jer. 12:9-10).
This treats of the vastation of the church in respect to its truths and its goods. Vastation is described by “the shepherds have destroyed the vineyard of the Lord,” and “have trodden His field under foot;” “shepherds” mean those who teach truths, and by means of them lead to good of life; here those who teach falsities and by means of them lead to evil of life; “vineyard” means the church in respect to truths; and “field” the church in respect to good; its vastation is meant by “have destroyed” and “have trodden down,” also by “they have made the field a wilderness of solitude.” And as lusts and falsities springing from the love of self and the world devastate it, it is said, “Go ye, gather together every wild beast of the field; come to eat;” “every wild beast of the field” signifying the falsities and lusts springing from those loves, and “to eat” signifying to devastate and consume. “The wild beast of the field” does not mean evidently the wild beast of the field, for it is said “shepherds have destroyed the vineyard and trodden down the field;” and “shepherds” mean shepherds (pastors) of the church, and not shepherds of the flock.
sRef Ps@80 @13 S4′ [4] In David:
Why doth the boar out of the forest tread under foot [thy vine], and the wild beast of the fields doth feed on it (Ps. 80:13)?
“Vine” here signifies the same as “vineyard” above, namely, the church in respect to truth, which is called the spiritual church; its vastation by the lusts and falsities of the natural man separated from the spiritual is meant by “the boar out of the forest treadeth it under foot; “the boar out of the forest” signifying the evil lusts of the natural man, and “the wild beast of the field” falsities.
sRef Hos@2 @2 S5′ sRef Hos@2 @12 S5′ [5] In Hosea:
I will lay waste her vine and her fig-tree; and I will make them a forest, and the wild beast of the field shall eat them (Hosea 2:12).
“Vine” and “fig-tree” signify the church, “vine” the internal church which is of the spiritual man, and “fig-tree” the external church which is of the natural man; the vastation of both is signified by “I will lay them waste, and make them a forest; and the wild beast of the field shall eat them,” “a forest” signifying the sensual man who is in mere fallacies and in falsities therefrom, and the “wild beast of the field” signifying falsities therefrom and evil lusts; for when the church with man is laid waste, that is, when the truth of the church is no longer believed, then man becomes sensual, believing nothing but what he can see with his eyes and touch with his hands; and such a man gives himself up wholly to the love of self and the love of the world, thus to lusts. That the church is here meant by “the vine” and “fig-tree” is evident from the second verse of the same chapter, where it is said that they should plead with their mother, “for she is not my wife, and I am not her husband,” “mother” and “wife” in the Word signifying the church.
sRef Ex@23 @28 S6′ sRef Ex@23 @29 S6′ [6] In Moses:
By little and little I will drive out the nations, lest the land become a waste, and the wild beast of the field be multiplied against thee (Exod. 23:29-30; Deut. 7:22).
What this signifies can be seen in the Arcana Coelestia (n. 9333-9338), namely, that “nations” signify the evils that man has, even those from inheritance; and that these with man are removed “by little and little,” since if they were removed suddenly, before good is formed in him by truths, falsities would enter which would destroy him. “The wild beasts of the field” signify the falsities springing from the delights of natural loves.
sRef Lev@26 @22 S7′ sRef Lev@26 @6 S7′ sRef Lev@26 @3 S7′ sRef Lev@26 @14 S7′ [7] In the same:
If ye walk in My statutes and keep My commandments and do them, I will give peace in the land, so that ye may lie down securely, and none make afraid; and I will cause the evil wild beast to cease out of the land, and the sword shall not pass through your land. But if ye do not hearken unto Me and do all My commandments, I will send among you the wild beast of the field, which shall bereave you of your children, and cut off your cattle, and make you few in number, that your ways may be laid waste (Lev. 26:3, 6, 14, 22).
This describes the state of life of those who are in charity, and of those who are not in charity. The life of charity is meant by “walking in the statutes and keeping the commandments and doing them,” for this is charity; the state of their life is described by “peace,” by “they shall lie down securely, and none make them afraid,” which signifies blessedness of heart and soul arising from the conjunction of good and truth, whence there is no longer any combat of evil and falsity against good and truth. It is also described by “I will cause the evil beast to cease out of the land, and the sword shall not pass through it,” which signifies that there will no longer be any lusts or falsities springing from the love of self and the world, “the evil wild beast” signifying the lusts that destroy good affections, and “the sword” signifying the falsities that destroy truths. That those who are not in charity are in a contrary state is described by “if ye do not hearken unto Me and do all My commandments, I will send among you the wild beast of the field, which shall bereave you of your children, and cut off your cattle, and make you few in number, that your ways may be laid waste,” which signifies that by lusts and falsities from them they shall be deprived of every good and truth. The lusts and falsities therefrom that will deprive are signified by “the wild beasts of the field that shall bereave you of your children;” the good affections of which they will be deprived are signified by “the cattle that shall be destroyed,” and the truths themselves therefrom by their “ways” that shall be laid waste, “ways” meaning the truths that lead to good.
sRef Ezek@34 @25 S8′ sRef Ezek@34 @28 S8′ [8] In Ezekiel:
Then I will make with them a covenant of peace, and will cause the evil wild beast to cease out of the land, that they may dwell securely in the wilderness, and sleep in the forests. They shall no more be a prey to the nations, and the wild beast of the field shall not devour them; but they shall dwell securely, and none shall make afraid (Ezek. 34:25, 28).
This treats of the Lord’s coming and His kingdom at that time; what is signified in the internal sense, can be seen from the passages just now explained, where many like words occur; the evil wild beast in the land” signifies lusts; and “the wild beast of the field” falsities.
sRef Hos@13 @8 S9′ [9] In Hosea:
I will meet them as a bear that is bereaved of her whelps, and I will rend the caul of their heart, and I will devour them like a fierce lion; the wild beast of the field shall cleave them asunder (Hosea 13:8).
This treats of the vastation of good by falsity, “a bear bereaved of her whelps” signifying the power of evil from falsity, and “a fierce lion” the power of falsity from evil, and “the wild beast of the field” lusts and falsities; destruction by these is signified by “the wild beast shall cleave them asunder;” the separation of truth from good by falsity and evil is signified by “rending the caul of their heart.”
sRef Isa@35 @9 S10′ [10] In Isaiah:
No lion shall be there, and the ravenous of the wild beasts shall not go up thither (Isa. 35:9).
This chapter treats of the Lord’s coming, and the state of those who are in His kingdom. “No lion shall be there” signifies that there shall be no falsity destroying truth; “the ravenous of the wild beasts shall not go up thither” signifies that there shall be no lust of destroying; it is said “shall not go up thither,” because this lust is from hell.
sRef Zeph@2 @15 S11′ sRef Zeph@2 @13 S11′ sRef Zeph@2 @14 S11′ [11] In Zephaniah:
Jehovah will stretch out His hand over the north, and will destroy Assyria; that the droves may lie down in the midst of her, every wild beast of the nation; both the pelican and the bittern shall lodge in the chapiters thereof. Such is the city that dwelleth securely, saying in her heart, I, and none other beside me; how is she become a waste, a place for the wild beast to lie down in (Zeph. 2:13-15).
This treats of self-intelligence, which confirms falsities and evils by reasonings from knowledges, and by applying to them things from the sense of the letter of the Word. “The north” signifies the natural and sensual man, and the knowing [faculty] that belongs to it; and “Assyria” signifies reasoning therefrom; and “saying in her heart, I, and none other beside me” signifies self-intelligence. This makes clear what is involved in these particulars, in series, namely, “Jehovah will stretch out His hand over the north, and will destroy Assyria” signifies that He will deprive such a natural man, and its power to understand and reason thence, of all perception of good and understanding of truth; “the droves shall lie down in the midst of her, every wild beast of the nation; both the pelican, and the bittern, shall lodge in the chapiters thereof” signifies that there shall be falsities of evil, and falsities of thought and perception in the knowledges from the Word everywhere therein, “the wild beast of the nation” meaning the falsity of evil, “pelican and bittern” the falsity of thought and perception, and “chapiters” the knowledges from the Word. “Such is the city that dwelleth securely, saying in her heart, I, and none other beside me” signifies that such intelligence trusts in itself and draws only from self, “city” signifying doctrine from such intelligence; “how is she become a waste, a place for the wild beast to lie down in” signifies that it has nothing of truth in it but is full of falsities.
sRef Ezek@31 @2 S12′ sRef Ezek@31 @10 S12′ sRef Ezek@31 @13 S12′ sRef Ezek@31 @12 S12′ sRef Ezek@31 @5 S12′ sRef Ezek@31 @3 S12′ sRef Ezek@31 @1 S12′ [12] In Ezekiel:
Speak unto Pharaoh king of Egypt, and to his multitude, Asshur was a cedar in Lebanon, he has become high above all the trees of the field; but because he was lifted up in his height, and hath set his top among the thick boughs, therefore strangers shall cut him off, the violent of the nations, and they shall cast him down. Upon his ruin every fowl of the heavens shall dwell, and every wild beast of the field shall be upon his branches (Ezek. 31:2-3, 5, 10, 12-13).
These things have a like signification as those above; “Pharaoh king of Egypt” meaning the like as “the north,” namely, the natural man and the knowing [faculty] that belongs to it; “Asshur” reasoning from it; “he was lifted up in his height, and hath set his top among the thick boughs” signifies glorying in intelligence from reasoning, thus in self-intelligence. From this general idea of the contents it can be seen what the particulars here involve, namely, “Speak unto pharaoh king of Egypt, and to his multitude” signifies what pertains to the natural man, and its knowledges, “pharaoh king of Egypt” meaning the natural man, and “his multitude” the knowing faculty there; “Asshur, a cedar in Lebanon, has become high above all the trees of the field” signifies the rational increasing by knowledges “Asshur” meaning the rational, and “cedar” the intellectual, and “its becoming high above all the trees of the field” signifying immense increase from the knowledges of truth and good; “but because he was lifted up in his height, and hath set his top among the thick boughs” signifies because he gloried in his intelligence, and in the knowledge belonging to the natural man; and this glorying, which is an elation of mind from the love of self is from the selfhood; for the natural man separated from the spiritual exalts itself, because when separated from the spiritual it is in one’s own, and attributes all things to itself and nothing to God; “to set his top” is exalting oneself; and “thick boughs” are the knowledges that belong to the natural man (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2831, 8133).
“Strangers shall cut him off, the violent of the nations, and they shall cast him down” signifies that falsities and evils therefrom shall destroy the rational, “strangers” meaning falsities, and “the violent of the nations” evils therefrom; whence “upon his ruin every fowl of the heavens shall dwell, and every wild beast of the field shall be upon his branches” signifies that then there will be the falsities of thought and the evils of affection;” “fowl” signifying the knowledges both of truth and of falsity, “wild beast” the evils of affection therefrom, and “field” the church, for no other falsities and evils are meant than those that are in the church. (That birds signify thoughts, ideas, and reasonings, in both senses, with a difference according to their genera and species, Arcana Coelestia, n. 776, 778, 866, 988, 991, 3219, 5149, 7441.)
sRef Ezek@29 @5 S13′ [13] In the same:
I will abandon thee in the wilderness, thee and all the fish of thy rivers; upon the faces of the field shalt thou fall; thou shalt not be gathered nor brought together; I have given thee for food to the wild beast of the land and to the fowl of heaven (Ezek. 29:5; 32:4).
This, too is said of Pharaoh and the Egyptian, who signify the natural man separate from the spiritual, and this, when separated is in mere falsities and evils, for it is then without the light of heaven, which gives all intelligence; therefore “I will abandon thee in the wilderness” signifies to be without truths and goods; “the fish of his rivers” signify the sensual knowing faculty [scientificum sensuale] (see above, n. 342); “upon the faces of the field shalt thou fall” signifies that for it everything of the church is to perish; “thou shalt not be gathered nor brought together” signifies that good and truth will not be seen, for the spiritual man sees these in the natural, for the natural brings together and gathers knowledges and forms conclusions; “I have given thee for food to the wild beast of the land and the fowl of heaven” signifies here as above, to be about to perish by the falsities of thought and the evils of affection therefrom. Because the natural man separated from the spiritual is carried away into falsities of every kind and becomes hurtful, therefore “Egypt” is to be:
A wild beast of the reed (Ps. 68:30).
sRef Ezek@39 @4 S14′ [14] In Ezekiel:
Thou shalt fall upon the mountains of Israel, thou and all thy hordes, and the peoples that are with thee; I have given thee for food to the bird of prey, the bird of every wing, and to the wild beast of the field (Ezek. 39:4).
This is said of Gog, which signifies external worship separated from internal, which in itself is no worship, for it is the worship of the natural man separated from the spiritual. “Thou shalt fall upon the mountains of Israel” signifies that such have nothing of the good of charity, “mountains of Israel” signifying the goods of charity, and “to fall” there signifying to perish; “thou and all thy hordes, and the people that are with thee,” signifies that such worship, with its doctrinals and falsities, would perish; “I have given thee for food to the bird of prey, the bird of every wing, and to the wild beast of the field,” signifies the extinction of truth and good by falsities of every kind and by evils; the evils that are signified by “the wild beast of the field” are the evils of life, which are the lusts arising from the love of self and the world.
sRef Ps@79 @1 S15′ sRef Ps@79 @2 S15′ [15] In David:
O God, the nations have come into Thine inheritance; the temple of Thy holiness have they defiled; they have laid Jerusalem in heaps; the dead body of Thy servants have they given for food to the fowl of the heavens, the flesh of Thy saints to the wild beast of the earth (Ps. 79:1-2).
“Nations” here does not mean nations, but the evils of life and the falsities of doctrine; for God’s “inheritance” signifies the church wherein the Lord is all the good and all the truth, because these are from Him; “to defile the temple of holiness, and to lay Jerusalem in heaps,” signifies to profane worship and to pervert the doctrine of the church, “the temple of holiness” signifying worship, because worship is there, and “Jerusalem” signifying the church in relation to doctrine, thus also the doctrine of the church; “to give the dead body of Thy servants for food to the fowl of the heavens, and the flesh of Thy saints to the wild beast of the earth” signifies to destroy all truths by falsities, and all goods by evils; here, too, “the fowl of the heavens” means thoughts of falsity, and “the wild beast of the earth” the affections of evil therefrom.
sRef Ps@74 @19 S16′ [16] In the same:
Give not the soul of Thy turtle dove unto the wild beast; forget not the life of Thy wretched ones perpetually (Ps. 74:19).
“Turtle dove” signifies spiritual good, so, too, those who are in that good; and “the wild beast” signifies the falsity of evil lusting to destroy, so, too, those who are in the falsity of evil and are eager to destroy; this makes clear what “give not the soul of Thy turtle dove unto the wild beast” signifies. “Wretched ones” mean those who are infested by falsities, and are thence in anxiety, and are waiting for deliverance.
sRef Ezek@34 @5 S17′ sRef Ezek@34 @8 S17′ [17] In Ezekiel:
The sheep were scattered with no shepherd, and became food for every wild beast of the field, and were scattered (Ezek. 34:5, 8).
This signifies that the goods of charity have been destroyed by falsities and utterly consumed by evils of every kind therefrom; “the wild beast of the field” meaning the evils of life springing from the falsities of doctrine; “sheep,” in the Word, mean those who are in the good of charity; but the genuine spiritual sense is a sense abstracted from persons, consequently “sheep” signify the goods of charity; “shepherds” signify those who by truths lead to good, and in an abstract sense, the truths themselves through which there is good; therefore “without a shepherd” signifies that there is no truth through which there is good, and therefore falsity. “To become food” signifies to be consumed, the same as “to be eaten” when wild beasts are spoken of; “the wild beast of the field” signifying the evils from falsities.
sRef Job@5 @20 S18′ sRef Job@5 @17 S18′ sRef Job@5 @22 S18′ [18] In Job:
Blessed is the man whom God chasteneth. In famine He shall ransom thee from death; and in war from the hands of the sword. At devastation and famine thou shalt laugh, and thou shalt not fear the wild beast of the land (Job 5:17, 20, 22).
This treats of temptations; “Blessed is the man whom God chasteneth” signifies one who is tempted; “In famine he shall ransom thee from death” signifies deliverance from evil when tempted through the lack and non-perception of good; “in war from the hands of the sword” signifies deliverance from falsities when tempted through the lack and non-understanding of truth; “war” meaning temptation; “at devastation and famine thou shalt laugh” signifies that to him there shall be no lack of good; and “thou shalt not fear the wild beast of the earth” signifies that no falsity shall be in him.
sRef Ezek@33 @28 S19′ sRef Ezek@33 @27 S19′ [19] In Ezekiel:
Thus shalt thou say unto them, Those who are in the desolate places shall fall by the sword, and him that is upon the faces of the field I will give to the wild beast to be devoured, and they that be in the fortresses and in the caves shall die of the pestilence. For I will make the land a desolation and wasteness (Ezek. 33:27-28).
This treats of the desolation of all the truth and the vastation of all the good in the church, as is also said, “I will make the land a desolation and wasteness,” “land” signifying the church. “Those who are in the desolate places shall fall by the sword” signifies that those who are in knowledges [scientifica] shall perish by falsities, for the knowledges [scientifica] of the natural man without light from the spiritual are here meant by desolate places; “him who is upon the faces of the field I will give to the wild beast to be devoured” signifies that those who are in knowledges from the Word shall perish by the evils of falsity, “the faces of the field” meaning the things of the church, here knowledges from the Word, and the “wild beast” the evil of falsity; “they that are in the fortresses and in the caves shall die of the pestilence” signifies those who by the Word and those who by knowledges [scientifica] have confirmed themselves in falsities and evils, that such shall utterly perish by evils and falsities,” “fortresses” meaning confirmations from the Word, and “caves” confirmation from knowledges. That such is the signification of these words, can be seen only from the series in the internal sense, for that sense treats, as has been said, of the total vastation of the church.
sRef Ezek@14 @13 S20′ sRef Ezek@5 @17 S20′ sRef Ezek@14 @15 S20′ sRef Ezek@14 @19 S20′ sRef Ezek@14 @17 S20′ sRef Ezek@14 @21 S20′ [20] In the same:
I will send upon you famine and the evil wild beast, and I* will make thee bereaved; and pestilence and blood shall pass through thee: especially will I bring the sword upon thee (Ezek. 5:17).
In the same:
When I shall send famine upon the land, and cut off from it man and beast; when I shall cause the evil wild beast to pass through the land and bereave it, that it may become a waste, so that none pass through because of the wild beast, and when I shall bring the sword, and send the pestilence; thus when I shall send my four evil judgments upon Jerusalem, the sword, the famine, the evil wild beast, and the pestilence, to cut off from it man and beast (Ezek. 14:13, 15, 17, 19, 21).
In the internal sense “to cut off man and beast” signifies to deprive of every affection of good and truth, both internal or spiritual and external or natural. (That this is signified by “man and beast” in the Word, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 7424, 7523, 7872. “Famine” signifies the deprivation of the good of love; “sword” the deprivation of the truth of faith, both through falsity; “the evil wild beast” the deprivation of both by the evils of the love of self and of the world; and “pestilence” the consequent loss of spiritual life. These are called here “the four judgments,” because man is judged by them.
[21] From the explanation of these and the preceding passages the meaning of each particular here in the series can be seen. “The evil wild beast” means all ravenous beasts, such as lions, bears, tigers, panthers, wild boars, wolves, dragons, serpents, and many others, which seize and rend asunder good animals, such as lambs, sheep, bullocks, oxen, and the like. That such wild beasts, and in general, “the evil wild beast,” signify lusts springing from the love of self and the world, from which are all the evils of life and the falsities of doctrine, is from correspondence, as can be seen from the appearances in the spiritual world. There all lusts of evil and of falsity appear as wild beasts of various kinds; moreover, those from whom such appearances spring are like wild beasts, for their highest delight is to attack and destroy the good. This delight is an infernal delight, and is inherent in the loves of self and of the world, in which the hells are. From this it can be seen why it is that “the evil wild beast” in general signifies the evils of life, or lusts and the falsities therefrom springing from the loves of self and of the world, which lay waste all things of the church with man.
sRef Gen@3 @20 S22′ [22] Hitherto it has been shown from the Word that “wild beasts” signify evil lusts and falsities, in particular, the lusts of ravaging and destroying goods and truths, thus the spiritual life of man, by means of falsities. It shall now be shown that “wild beasts” in the Word also signify the affections of truth and good, which are contrary to the affections of falsity from evil, which are called lusts. “Wild beasts” signify also in the Word the affections of truth and good, because the word in the original by which they are designated and called signifies life, for in that language a “wild beast” is called chayah, and chayah means life, and the life itself of the spiritual man is in the affection of truth and good; so when “wild beast” is mentioned in the Word in this good sense, it ought rather to be rendered and called animal, which means a living soul. But when “wild beast” is spoken of in this sense, the idea that adheres to the word fera in the Latin must be entirely laid aside, for in that language an idea of what is fierce and ferocious adheres to the word fera, thus an idea of something bad or evil. It is otherwise in the Hebrew tongue, in which fera means life, and in general, a living soul or animal; in this sense chayah or fera cannot be called “beast” [bestia], since frequently in the Word fera and bestia are mentioned together, when fera signifies the affection of truth, and bestia the affection of good. Because fera or chayah in this contrary sense signifies the affection of truth and good, Eve, the wife of Adam, is called Chavah, from that word, as is evident in Moses:
And the Man called his wife’s name Eve [chavah], because she was to be the mother of all chay [that is, living] (Gen. 3:20).
Also “the four animals” that were cherubim, are called from the same word, chayah, in the plural; and because, as was said, the idea of fierce and ferocious adheres to the word fera in the Latin, therefore the translators have used “living creatures” [animalia] for the cherubim which appeared as animals (see Ezek. 1:5, 13-15, 22; 10:15; and elsewhere).
sRef Ps@50 @13 S23′ sRef Ps@50 @14 S23′ sRef Lev@11 @47 S23′ sRef Ps@50 @9 S23′ sRef Lev@17 @13 S23′ sRef Ps@50 @12 S23′ sRef Lev@11 @2 S23′ sRef Ps@50 @10 S23′ sRef Lev@11 @27 S23′ sRef Isa@40 @16 S23′ sRef Ps@50 @11 S23′ [23] Likewise animals that may be eaten, as lambs, sheep, she-goats; rams, kids, he-goats, heifers, oxen, cows, as also animals that are not to be eaten, are called by the common word wild beasts [ferae], and yet they are mild and useful, consequently not wild or ferocious. Thus in Moses:
This is the wild beast that ye shall eat of all the beasts, among all the wild beasts that go on all four, to distinguish between the wild beast that is eaten and the wild beast that is not eaten (Lev. 11:2, 27, 47).
And elsewhere:
He that hunteth a hunting of the wild beast or** of the fowl that is eaten (Lev. 17:13).
Also the animals that were sacrificed, and that have been named above, were termed wild beasts. Thus in Isaiah:
And Lebanon is not sufficient to burn, and the wild beast thereof is not sufficient for a burnt-offering (Isa. 40:16).
And in David:
I will take no bullock out of thy house, nor he-goats out of thy folds for sacrifice; for every wild beast of the forest is Mine, and the beasts upon the mountains of thousands. I know every fowl of the mountains and the wild beast of My fields is with Me. If I were hungry I would not tell thee, for the world is Mine and the fullness thereof. Sacrifice unto God confession (Ps. 50:9-12, 14).
sRef Ex@23 @11 S24′ sRef Lev@25 @7 S24′ sRef Lev@25 @6 S24′ [24] That “wild beast” signifies the affection of truth and good can be seen further from the following passages. In Moses:
In the seventh year, which is the sabbatical year, thou shalt let the land rest and shalt abandon it; that the needy of thy people may eat it, and what they leave the wild beast of the field may eat (Exod. 23:11).
And in another place:
In the year of the Sabbath, all the produce that is in thy land shall be for food for thy beast and for the wild beast (Lev. 25:7).
Here “beast and wild beast” mean lambs, sheep, she-goats, kids, rams, he-goats, bullocks, oxen, cows, horses, and asses, but not lions, bears, boars, wolves, and the like rapacious wild beasts; so here “wild beasts” mean domestic wild beasts which are useful, which signify the affections of truth and good.
sRef Ps@148 @11 S25′ sRef Ps@148 @10 S25′ sRef Ps@148 @7 S25′ [25] In David:
Praise Jehovah from the earth, ye whales and deeps, the wild beast and every beast, the creeping thing and the bird of wing, kings of the earth and all peoples (Ps. 148:7, 10-11).
These signify goods and truths of every kind with man, from which man worships God; and as man worships God from these, and these are not of man but of the Lord with him, it is meant that these worship God, for no one can worship God rightly from himself, but from God, that is, from the goods and truths that are of God with him. That no one of himself but only from the Lord, is able to name Jesus, is known to some in the church, and is fully known in heaven. “To praise Jehovah” signifies to worship Him; “whales and deeps” signify knowledges and cognitions in general or in the whole complex; “wild beast and every beast” signify the affections of truth and good; “creeping thing and bird of every wing” signify the delight of good and truth of the natural and of the spiritual man; consequently it is also said, “Praise Jehovah, ye kings of the earth and all peoples,” these signifying truths of good of every kind. That such things are signified by these words is evident from their signification in the internal sense, and from the Word in heaven, where the Word is spiritual, because it is for the angels who are spiritual. (That the Word is also in the heavens, and there it is in its internal sense, see Heaven and Hell, n. 259-261.)
sRef Ps@68 @9 S26′ sRef Ps@68 @10 S26′ [26] In the same:
O God, Thou makest the rain of good will to drop down; Thou shalt confirm Thine inheritance when it is weary; Thy wild beasts shall dwell therein (Ps. 68:9-10).
Here too, “wild beast,” or “animal,” stands for those who are in the affections of truth and good, or in an abstract sense, those affections themselves; for “the rain of good will which God makes to drop down,” signifies Divine truth from Divine good; “the inheritance when it is weary which God shall confirm,” signifies the church that is in Divine truth in respect to doctrine and life, “inheritance” meaning the church where these are, which is said “to be weary” from the earnest endeavor to do good; “the wild beasts that shall dwell therein,” that is, in the inheritance or church, signify the affections of truth and good. That nothing else is here meant by “wild beast,” is evident, for no rapacious wild beast, that is, no lust of falsity and evil, can dwell in the inheritance upon which God causes the rain of good will to drop down.
sRef Hos@2 @19 S27′ sRef Hos@2 @18 S27′ [27] In Hosea:
In that day will I make a covenant for them with the wild beast of the field, and with the fowl of the heavens, and with the creeping thing of the earth; and I will break the bow and the sword and war from the earth; and I will make them to lie down securely. And I will betroth Me to thee*** forever (Hos. 2:18-19).
These things are said of a new church from the Lord; and “the wild beast of the field, the fowl of the heavens, and the creeping thing of the earth,” have the same signification as above in David (Ps. 148:7, 10, 11), where they have been explained. “Covenant” signifies conjunction; so “to make a covenant” signifies to be conjoined (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 665, 666, 1023, 1038, 1864, 1996, 2003, 2021, 6804, 8767, 8778, 9396, 10632). For Jehovah cannot “make a covenant” or be conjoined with the affections of evil and falsity, or with the lusts that are signified by “wild beasts” in the sense first given, nor can He make a covenant with the wild beast, the fowl, and the creeping thing generally, but only with such things as are signified by these. But these things may be seen more fully explained above (n. 357).
sRef Ezek@31 @4 S28′ sRef Ezek@31 @5 S28′ sRef Ezek@31 @6 S28′ sRef Ezek@31 @7 S28′ sRef Ezek@31 @3 S28′ sRef Ezek@31 @9 S28′ sRef Ezek@31 @2 S28′ sRef Ezek@31 @8 S28′ [28] In Ezekiel:
Speak unto Pharaoh king of Egypt, Behold Asshur, a cedar in Lebanon, beautiful in branch, and with shady foliage, and high in stature. The waters made him to grow great, whence his stature became higher than all the trees of the field; in his branches did all the birds of the heavens build their nests, and under his boughs every wild beast of the field brought forth; and in his shade have dwelt all the great nations; no tree in the garden of God was equal to him in beauty (Ezek. 31:2-9).
“Pharaoh and Egypt” here signify the knowing faculty, [scientificum] that belongs to the natural man; and “Asshur” the rational which the knowing faculty serves; the growth of this through knowledges and cognitions is described by “cedar in Lebanon,” this also signifying the rational; “the waters that made him to grow great” signify truths, and “branches” signify extension, such as pertains to the thought of the rational man. From this it can be seen what is signified by “in his branches did all the birds of the heavens build their nests; under his boughs every wild beast of the field brought forth, and in his shade have dwelt all the great nations,” namely, rational and spiritual truths of every kind, the affections of truth and goods; “the birds of the heavens” signifying the rational and spiritual truths of every kind, “the wild beast” the affections of truth, “to bring forth” signifies to multiply, since every spiritual birth or multiplication is effected by the affections of truth, and “the great nations” signify goods. (That “birds” signify thoughts, and things rational, intellectual, and spiritual, and thus truths, since all things of thought are either truths or falsities, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 745, 776, 866, 988, 991, 3219, 5149, 7441; that “to bring forth” signifies to multiply truths and goods, and that this is spiritual birth, n. 3860, 3868, 9325; that “nations” signify those who are in goods, and thence in an abstract sense, goods, n. 1059, 1159, 1258, 1260, 1416, 1849, 6005; and above, n. 175, 331; that “Pharaoh” and “Egypt” signify the knowing faculty [scientificum] in both senses, good and evil, see n. 1164, 1165, 1186, 1462, 5700, 5702, 6015, 6651, 6679, 6683, 6692, 7296, 9340, 9391; and that “Asshur” signifies the rational in both senses, n. 119, 1186.)
sRef Isa@19 @25 S29′ sRef Isa@19 @24 S29′ sRef Isa@19 @23 S29′ [29] That “Egypt” signifies the true knowing faculty [verum scientificum] and “Assyria” the rational, and that the whole of man’s rational has its birth by means of knowledges [scientifica], or that these serve it, as was said above, can be seen from these words in Isaiah:
In that day shall there be a highway out of Egypt into Assyria, that Assyria may come into Egypt, and Egypt into Assyria, and they shall serve [Jehovah], the Egyptians with Assyria. In that day shall Israel be a third to Egypt and to Assyria, a blessing in the midst of the land, whom Jehovah of Hosts shall bless, saying, Blessed be Egypt My people, Assyria the work of My hands, and Israel Mine inheritance (Isa. 19:23-25).
Here “Egypt” signifies the knowing faculty [scientificum], “Assyria” the rational, and “Israel” the spiritual.
sRef Ezek@39 @18 S30′ sRef Ezek@39 @20 S30′ sRef Ezek@39 @21 S30′ sRef Ezek@39 @22 S30′ sRef Ezek@39 @19 S30′ sRef Ezek@39 @17 S30′ [30] From the passages already cited it can be seen what “bird” and “wild beast of the field” signify in Ezekiel:
Thus said the Lord Jehovih, Say to the bird of every wing, and to every wild beast of the field, Assemble yourselves and come; gather yourselves from the circuit to My sacrifice that I do sacrifice for you, a great sacrifice upon the mountains of Israel, that ye may eat flesh and drink blood. Ye shall eat the flesh of the mighty and drink the blood of the princes of the earth. And ye shall eat fat to satiety, and drink blood, even to drunkenness, of My sacrifice which I will sacrifice for you. And ye shall be satiated at My table with horse and chariot, with mighty man and with every man of war. So will I give My glory among the nations (Ezek. 39:17-21).
From the particulars here it is evident that this is said of the church to be established by the Lord among the nations; therefore “the bird of every wing, and every wild beast of the field, that are to be assembled and invited to the sacrifice,” signify all who are in the affection of truth and good, for “the flesh that they will eat” signifies the good of love, and “the blood that they will drink,” the truth from that good, and “sacrifice” the worship itself from these. But these things may be seen more fully explained above (n. 329).
[31] Sometimes in the Word, “wild beast” and “beast” are mentioned together, sometimes “wild beast” alone, and “beast” alone; and sometimes “wild beast of the earth” or “wild beast of the field;” and when “wild beast” and “beast” are mentioned together, then the affection or love of falsity and evil is signified, “the wild beast” signifying the affection or love of falsity, and “beast” the affection or love of evil; or in a contrary sense “the wild beast” the affection or love of truth, and “beast” the affection or love of good. But when “wild beast” alone, or “beast” alone is mentioned, then “a wild beast” means the affection of both falsity and evil, and in a contrary sense the affection both of truth and good; while “beast” means the affection of evil and of the falsity therefrom, and in a contrary sense, the affection of good and of the truth therefrom. But what “beast” signifies will be seen below where it is explained. When, however, “the wild beast of the earth” is mentioned, it means a wild beast that devours animals and men; but when “the wild beast of the field” is mentioned, it means a wild beast that eats up the crops; therefore “the wild beast of the earth” signifies such things as destroy the goods of the church, and “the wild beast of the field” such things as destroy the truths of the church; for both “earth” and “field” signify the church, “earth” signifying the church from the nation and people there, and “field” the church from what is sown, or from the reception of seeds.
* Photolithograph has “I will make bereaved” as also AE n. 816;AC n. 5536, 7102; but the Hebrew has “they shall make bereaved.” Which we also find in AC n. 1460, 9335.
** Photolithograph has “and,” Hebrew “or.”
*** Photolithograph has “Me to thee,” which is also found in SS n. 85; LW n. 38; AR n. 688; TCR n. 51; Coronis n. 3; but the Hebrew has “thee to Me,” which is also found in AC n. 329, 650, 701, 946; AC n. 2235, 9182, 9857; HH n. 216; AR n. 567; Dicta. Pr. p. 56).

sRef Rev@6 @8 S0′ 389. Verses 9-11. And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those slain because of the Word of God, and because of the testimony that they held. And they cried out with a great voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost Thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And there were given to every one of them white robes; and it was said unto them that they should rest yet a little time, until their fellow-servants, as well as their brethren, who were to be killed, as they also were, should be fulfilled. 9. “And when he had opened the fifth seal,” signifies still further prediction (n. 390); “I saw under the altar,” signifies those who were preserved under heaven (n. 391); “the souls of those slain because of the Word of God, and because of the testimony that they held,” signifies those who were rejected and concealed because of Divine truth and because of their confession of the Lord (n. 392). 10. “And they cried out with a great voice,” signifies their grief of mind (n. 393); “saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost Thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?” signifies sighings to the Lord, who is Righteousness, respecting the judgment and removal of those who persecute and infest those who acknowledge the Lord, and are in the life of charity (n. 394). 11. “And there were given to every one of them white robes,” signifies Divine truth from the Lord with them, and protection (n. 395); “and it was said unto them they should rest yet a little time,” signifies some further continuance in that state (n. 396); “until their fellow-servants, as well as their brethren, who were to be killed, as they also were, should be fulfilled,” signifies until all things were consummated (n. 397).

390. Verse 9. And when he had opened the fifth seal, signifies still further prediction, as is evident from the signification of “opening a seal of a book” as being to reveal things hidden and to predict things future (of which see above, n. 352, 361, 369, 378).

sRef Rev@6 @11 S0′ sRef Rev@6 @10 S0′ 391. I saw under the altar, signifies those who were preserved under heaven. This is evident from the signification of “to see,” as being to make manifest (see above, n. 351); also from the signification of “altar” as being, in the nearest sense, worship from the good of love to the Lord; in a more interior sense, heaven and the church, which are in that love; and in the inmost sense, the Lord’s Divine Human in relation to the Divine good of the Divine love. “Under the altar” signifies those who were preserved under heaven, because it is said that he “saw under the altar the souls of those slain because of the Word of God, and because of the testimony that they held,” and by these are meant those who were preserved under heaven until the Last Judgment; but as this is not yet known in the world, I will tell how it is. In the small work on The Last Judgement it has been shown that before the Last Judgement took place there was a semblance of heaven which is meant by “the former heaven that passed away” (Rev. 21:1) and that this heaven consisted of those who were in external worship without internal, and who therefore lived an external moral life, although they were merely natural and not spiritual. Those of whom this heaven consisted before the Last Judgment were seen in the spiritual world above the earth, also upon mountains, hills, and rocks, and therefore believed themselves to be in heaven; but those of whom this heaven consisted, because they were in an external moral life only and not at the same time in an internal spiritual life, were cast down; and when these had been cast down, all those who had been preserved by the Lord, and concealed here and there, for the most part in the lower earth, were elevated and transferred to these same places, that is, upon the mountains, hills, and rocks where the others had formerly been, and out of these a new heaven was formed. These who had been preserved and then elevated were from those in the world who had lived a life of charity, and who were in the spiritual affection of truth. The elevation of these into the places of the others I have often witnessed. It is these who are meant by “the souls of those slain seen under the altar,” and because they were guarded by the Lord in the lower earth, and this earth is under heaven, so “I saw under the altar” signifies those who were preserved under heaven. But these are particularly treated of in Revelation 20:4-5, 12-13, where more will be told about them; meanwhile see what is said in the small work on The Last Judgement (n. 65-72) of “the former heaven that passed away,” and “the new heaven” that was formed by the Lord after the Last Judgment. This much will suffice to afford some light for understanding what is said in the two following verses, namely, that they who were under the altar “cried out with a great voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost Thou not judge and avenge our blood on those that dwell on the earth? And there were given to them white robes; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet a little time, until their fellow-servants, as well as their brethren, who were to be killed, as they also were, should be fulfilled.”
[2] “Under the altar” signifies under heaven, because the “altar,” in the highest sense, signifies the Lord, and in a relative sense, heaven and the church, for the Lord is heaven and the church, since everything of heaven and the church, or everything of love and faith which make heaven and the church with angel and man, are from the Lord, and thence are His; but in a general sense the “altar” signifies all worship of the Lord and especially representative worship, such as there was with the sons of Israel. “The altar” signifies all worship, because “worship” in that church consisted mainly in offering burnt-offerings and sacrifices; for these were offered for every sin and guilt, also from good will to please Jehovah (these were called eucharistic or voluntary sacrifices), also for cleansings of every kind. Moreover, by burnt-offerings and sacrifices inaugurations were also effected into everything holy of the church, as is evident from the sacrifices at the inauguration of Aaron and his sons into the priesthood, the inauguration of the tent of meeting, and afterwards of the temple. And as the worship of Jehovah, that is, of the Lord, consisted chiefly in burnt-offerings and sacrifices, these also were offered daily, namely, every morning and evening, and were called in one word “the continual,” besides a great number at every feast; so in the Word the “continual-offering” signifies all representative worship. From this it can be seen that worship, and particularly the representative worship of that nation, consisted chiefly in burnt-offerings and sacrifices. For this reason the altar upon which these were made, and which contained them, signifies in the Word all worship in general. Worship means not external worship only, but also internal worship; and internal worship comprehends everything of love and everything of faith, thus everything that constitutes the church or, heaven with man, in a word, that causes the Lord to be with him.
Heaven was represented before John by an altar, for this reason also, that the whole Word was written by representatives, and by such representatives as were with the sons of Israel; in order, therefore, that the Word might be similar in both Testaments, the things in this book and that were seen by John, are like those in other parts, that is, an altar of incense was seen, the incense itself with the censers, likewise the tabernacle, the ark, and other like things. But at the present day such things never appear to any angel, or to any man whose sight is opened into heaven. The altar, the ark, and like things do not appear in heaven at the present day, because to the ancients sacrifices were wholly unknown, and after the Lord’s coming they were entirely abolished. Sacrifices were begun by Eber, and were continued afterwards among his posterity, who were called Hebrews, and were tolerated among the sons of Israel who were from Eber, especially because a worship once begun and rooted in the mind is not abolished by the Lord, but is bent to signify what is holy in religion (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 1343, 2180, 2818, 10042).
sRef Ps@43 @4 S3′ sRef Ps@43 @3 S3′ [3] That “the altar” signifies, in the highest sense, the Lord’s Divine Human in relation to the Divine good of the Divine love, and that in a relative sense it signifies heaven and the church, and in general all worship, and in particular representative worship, can be seen from the following passages in the Word. In David:
O send out 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 come unto the altar of God, unto God (Ps. 43:3-4).
It is clearly evident that “the altar of God” here means the Lord in respect to the Divine Human, for these words treat of the way to heaven and to the Lord there; the way to heaven is meant by “send out Thy light and truth; let them lead me;” “light” meaning the illustration in which truths appear; heaven, into which it leads is meant by “let them bring me unto the mountain of holiness, and to Thy habitations;” “mountain of holiness” meaning heaven where the Lord’s celestial kingdom is, in which the good of love reigns; while those heavens are called “habitations” where the Lord’s spiritual kingdom is, in which truth from that good reigns; and as both are meant it is said, “that I may go unto the altar of God, unto God,” “altar of God” meaning where the Lord is in the good of love, and “God” where the Lord is in truth from that good; for the Lord is called “God,” from Divine truth, and “Jehovah” from Divine good. In the Jewish Church there were two things that, in the highest sense, signified the Lord’s Divine Human, namely, the altar and the temple; the altar, the Divine Human in relation to Divine good; the temple, in relation to Divine truth proceeding from that good. These two signified the Lord in respect to His Divine Human, because all things of worship in that church represented the Divine things that proceed from the Lord, called celestial and spiritual, and the worship itself was chiefly performed upon the altar and in the temple, therefore, these two represented the Lord Himself.
sRef Matt@24 @2 S4′ sRef John@2 @20 S4′ sRef John@2 @22 S4′ sRef John@2 @19 S4′ sRef John@2 @21 S4′ sRef John@2 @18 S4′ [4] That the temple represented His Divine Human He teaches in plain terms in John:
The Jews said, What sign showest Thou that Thou doest these things? Jesus answered and said, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. But He was speaking of the temple of His body (John 2:18-23; also Matt. 26:61; and elsewhere).
When the disciples were showing Him the buildings of the temple, the Lord said:
That there shall not be left stone upon stone that shall not be thrown down (Matt. 24:1-2);
signifying that the Lord was wholly denied among them, on which account also the temple was destroyed from its foundation.
sRef Matt@23 @18 S5′ sRef Matt@23 @17 S5′ sRef Matt@23 @20 S5′ sRef Matt@23 @22 S5′ sRef Matt@23 @21 S5′ sRef Matt@23 @19 S5′ sRef Matt@23 @16 S5′ [5] That “the altar” also signified the Lord’s Divine Human, may be concluded from the Lord’s words in Matthew:
Woe unto you, ye blind guides, for ye say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple it is nothing, but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple he is guilty. Ye fools and blind! Which is greater, the gold or the temple that sanctifieth the gold? Also, whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty. Ye fools and blind! Which is greater, the gift or the altar that sanctifieth the gift? For he that sweareth by the altar sweareth by it and by everything thereon. And he that sweareth by the temple sweareth by it and by him that dwelleth therein. And he that sweareth by heaven sweareth by the throne of God and by him that sitteth thereon (Matt. 23:16-22).
It is here said that the temple sanctifies the gold that is in it, and that the altar sanctifies the gift that is upon it; and thus that the temple and the altar were most holy, and that all sanctification was from them; therefore “the temple” and “altar” signify the Lord in respect to the Divine Human, for from that everything holy of heaven and the church proceeds. If this is not the meaning how could the temple or the altar sanctify anything? Nor can worship itself sanctify, but the Lord alone, who is worshiped, and from whom is the good and truth of worship; for this reason it is said that the gift does not sanctify, but the altar, “the gift” meaning the sacrifices that constituted the worship; and because the Jews did not understand this, but taught otherwise, they were called by the Lord “fools and blind.”
sRef Ex@29 @37 S6′ [6] Because this was signified by the altar, all who touched it were sanctified as is evident in Moses:
Seven days thou shalt sanctify [the altar], that the altar may be the holy of holies; whosoever shall touch the altar shall be sanctified (Exod. 29:37).
“To touch” signifies to communicate, to transfer, and to receive (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 10130), here the Divine that proceeds from the Lord; and as this was signified by “touching,” and those who touched were sanctified, it follows that in the highest sense the Lord Himself is signified by the “altar,” for there is nothing holy from any other source. Moreover, all worship is worship of the Lord and from the Lord; and as worship in that church consisted chiefly of burnt-offerings and sacrifices, so the “altar” signified the Divine Itself from which [a quo] and this Divine is the Lord’s Divine Human.
sRef Lev@6 @13 S7′ [7] It was therefore also commanded:
That the fire upon the altar should burn continually, and never be extinguished (Lev. 6:12-13);
also that from that fire the lamps should be lighted in the tent of meeting, and that they were to take from that fire in the censers and burn incense; for “the fire” signified the Divine love which is in the Lord alone (see above, n. 68).
sRef Isa@6 @6 S8′ sRef Isa@6 @7 S8′ [8] Because “the fire of the altar” signifies the Divine love, the prophet Isaiah was sanctified by it:
Then flew one of the seraphim unto me, in whose hand was a burning coal, which he had taken from off the altar, and he touched my mouth, and said, This hath touched thy lips; therefore thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin is expiated (Isa. 6:6-7).
What these words signify in their series can be seen when it is known that “the altar” signifies the Lord in respect to the Divine Human, and “the fire” on it the Divine good of his Divine love; that the prophet’s “mouth and lips” signify the doctrine of good and truth; and that “to touch” signifies to communicate; “iniquity which was taken away” signifies falsity, and “sin” evil; for “iniquity” is predicated of the life of falsity, that is, of a life contrary to truths, and “sin” of the life of evil, that is, of a life contrary to good.
sRef Isa@60 @7 S9′ [9] In Isaiah:
All the flocks of Arabia shall be brought together unto Thee, the rams of Nebaioth shall minister unto Thee; they shall come up to Mine altar with acceptance; thus will I adorn the house of Mine adornment (Isa. 60:7).
This treats of the Lord’s coming, and this is said of the Lord Himself; “all the flocks of Arabia that are to be brought together,” and “the rams of Nebaioth that are to minister” signify all spiritual goods, external and internal, “flocks” signify external goods, and “rams” internal goods, and “Arabia” and “Nebaioth” things spiritual; “they shall come up to Mine altar with acceptance; thus will I adorn the house of Mine adornment” signifies the Lord’s Divine Human, in which they will be, “altar” signifying His Divine Human in relation to Divine good, and “house of adornment” the same in relation to Divine truth. That the Lord in respect to the Divine Human is here meant is evident from the preceding part of that chapter, where it is said that “Jehovah shall arise upon Thee, and His glory shall be seen upon Thee,” with what follows, which describes the Divine wisdom with which the Lord will be filled in respect to His Human.
[10] As “the altar” signifies in the highest sense the Lord’s Divine Human, “altar” therefore signifies also heaven and the church; for the angelic heaven, viewed in itself, is from the Divine that proceeds from the Lord’s Divine Human; from this it is that the angelic heaven in the whole complex is as one man; wherefore that heaven is called the Greatest Man (see what is said about this in Heaven and Hell, n. 59-86; and about the church, n. 57). And as all worship is from the Lord, for it is the Divine communicated to man from the Lord, in which is the Lord Himself, thence “altar” signifies also in general, everything of worship that proceeds from the good of love; and “temple” the worship that proceeds from truths from that good; for all worship is either from love or from faith, either from good or from truth; worship from the good of love is such as exists in the Lord’s celestial kingdom, and worship from truths from that good, which truths are called the truths of faith, is such as exists in the Lord’s spiritual kingdom (about which see also in the same work, n. 20-28).
sRef Ps@84 @4 S11′ sRef Ps@84 @3 S11′ sRef Ps@84 @1 S11′ sRef Ps@84 @2 S11′ [11] From this it can be seen what is signified by “altar” in the following passages. In David:
How amiable are Thy tabernacles, O Jehovah of Hosts! My soul is eager, yea, it is consumed for the courts of Jehovah; my heart and my flesh sing for joy unto the living God. Yea, the bird hath found a house, and the swallow a nest for herself, Thine altars, O Jehovah of Hosts, my King and my God! Blessed are they that dwell in thy house (Ps. 84:1-4).
“Altars” here mean the heavens, for it is said, “How amiable are Thy tabernacles; my soul is eager, yea, it is consumed for the courts of Jehovah,” and afterwards it is said “Thine altars, O Jehovah of hosts;” “tabernacles” mean the higher heavens, and “courts” the lower heavens where is the entrance; these are also called “altars” from worship; and as all worship is from the good of love by means of truths it is said “Thine altars, O Jehovah of Hosts, my King and my God;” for the Lord is called “Jehovah” from Divine good, and “King” and “God” from Divine truth; and because the heavens are meant, it is also said, “Blessed are they that dwell in Thy house,” “the house of Jehovah God” meaning heaven in the whole complex. It is also said, “yea, the bird hath found a house, and the swallow her nest,” because “bird” signifies spiritual truth and “swallow” natural truth, by which there is worship; and as all truth by which there is worship is from the good of love, it is first said, “my heart and my flesh sing for joy unto the living God,” “heart and flesh” signifying the good of love, and “sing for joy” worship from the delight of good.
sRef Rev@11 @1 S12′ sRef Ps@26 @6 S12′ sRef Rev@16 @7 S12′ sRef Ps@26 @7 S12′ [12] Heaven and the church are also meant by “altar” in these passages in Revelation:
There was given me a reed like unto a rod; and the angel stood and said to me, Rise and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein (Rev. 11:1).
I heard another angel out of the altar saying, Yea, O Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are Thy judgments (Rev.16:7).
In David:
I wash mine hands in innocence, and compass Thine altar, O Jehovah, that I may make the voice of confession to be heard (Ps. 26:6-7).
“To wash the hands in innocence” signifies to be purified from evils and falsities; “to compass Thine altar, O Jehovah” signifies conjunction with the Lord by worship from the good of love; and because this is a worship by means of truths from good, it is added, “that I may make the voice of confession to be heard,” “to make the voice of confession to be heard” meaning worship from truths. “To compass Thine altar, O Jehovah” signifies the conjunction of the Lord by means of worship from the good of love, because “Jehovah” is predicated of the good of love, and “to compass” signifies to embrace with worship, thus to be conjoined.
sRef Isa@19 @18 S13′ sRef Isa@19 @19 S13′ [13] In Isaiah:
In that day there shall be five cities in the land of Egypt that speak with the lips of Canaan, and that swear to Jehovah of Hosts; every one of them shall be called Ir Cheres [the city of Cheres]. In that day there shall be an altar to Jehovah in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar to Jehovah beside the border thereof (Isa. 19:18-19).
“Egypt” signifies the natural man, and its knowing faculty [scientificum]; “in that day” signifies the Lord’s coming and the state of those who will then be in true knowledges [scientifica] from the Lord; “five cities in the land of Egypt that speak with the lips of Canaan” signify many truths of doctrine which are genuine truths of the church, “five” meaning many, “cities” the truths of doctrine, and “the lips of Canaan” genuine doctrinals of the church; “to swear to Jehovah of Hosts” signifies those that confess the Lord; “Jehovah of Hosts,” mentioned here and in many other passages in the Word, means the Lord in respect to all good and truth; for “Hosts” [Zebaoth] in the original signifies armies, and “armies” signify in the spiritual sense all the goods and truths of heaven and the church (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3448, 7236, 7988, 8019). This, therefore is the meaning of “Jehovah Zebaoth” or “Jehovah of Hosts;” “every one of them shall be called Ir Cheres” signifies the doctrine glittering from spiritual truths in natural, for “Ir” means city, and “city” signifies doctrine; “Cheres” means a glittering like that of the sun; “in that day there shall be an altar to Jehovah in the midst of the land of Egypt” signifies that there shall then be worship of the Lord from the good of love by means of true knowledges that are in the natural man; “an altar to Jehovah” signifying the worship of the Lord from the good of love, “in the midst of the land of Egypt” signifying by means of knowledges that are in the natural man, true knowledges meaning also cognitions from the sense of the letter of the Word; “and a pillar to Jehovah besides the border thereof” signifies the worship of the Lord from the truths of faith, “a pillar (statue)” signifying worship from the truths of faith, and “the border of Egypt” signifying the ultimates; the ultimates of the natural man are things of the senses.
sRef Isa@27 @9 S14′ [14] In the same:
When he shall lay all the stones of the altar as chalk stones scattered, the groves and sun statues shall rise no more (Isa. 27:9).
This is said of Jacob and Israel, by whom the church is signified, here the church that is to be destroyed; its destruction in respect to the truths of worship is described by “laying the stones of the altar as chalk stones scattered,” “the stones of the altar” meaning the truths of worship, “as chalk stones scattered” mean as falsities that do not cohere; “the groves and sun statues shall rise no more” signifies that there shall no longer be any worship from spiritual and natural truths, “groves” signifying worship from spiritual truths, and “sun statues” worship from natural truths.
sRef Lam@2 @7 S15′ [15] In Lamentations:
The Lord hath cast off His altar; He hath abhorred His sanctuary; He hath shut up in the hand of the enemy the walls of her palaces (Lam. 2:7).
This is a lamentation over the vastation of all things of the church; that the church has been vastated in respect to all goods is signified by “the Lord hath cast off His altar;” that it has been vastated in respect to all truths is signified by “He hath abhorred His sanctuary.” (That “sanctuary” is predicated of the church in respect to truths, see above, n. 204.) That falsities and evils have entered into all things of the church is signified by “He hath shut up in the hand of the enemy the walls of her palaces;” “enemy” signifies evil and falsity, “to shut up in his hands” signifies that these have seized and entered, “the walls of palaces” signifies all protecting truths, “palaces” mean the things of doctrine.
sRef Isa@56 @7 S16′ sRef Isa@56 @6 S16′ [16] In Isaiah:
Everyone that keepeth the sabbath, and holdeth to My covenant, them will I bring in upon the mountain of My holiness, and will make them glad in the house of My prayer; their burnt-offerings and their sacrifices shall be well pleasing upon My altar (Isa. 56:6-7).
“Sabbath” signifies the conjunction of the Lord with heaven and the church, thus with those who are therein; so “to keep the sabbath” signifies to be in conjunction with the Lord; and “to hold to his covenant” signifies conjunction by a life according to the Lord’s commandments; “covenant” means conjunction, and a life according to the commandments is what conjoins; for this reason the commandments of the Decalogue were called “a covenant;” “them will I bring in upon the mountain of holiness” signifies that He will endow them with the good of love, “the mountain of holiness” meaning the heaven in which the good of love to the Lord is, consequently also such good of love as there is in that heaven; “I will make them glad in the house of My prayer” signifies that He will endow them with spiritual truths, “the house of prayer,” or the temple, meaning the heaven where spiritual truths are, consequently also such spiritual truths as there are in that heaven; “their burnt-offerings and sacrifices shall be well pleasing upon Mine altar” signifies worship from the good of love grateful from spiritual truths, “burnt-offerings” signifying worship from the good of love, and “sacrifices” worship from truths that are from that good; truths from good are what are called spiritual truths; “upon the altar” signifies in heaven and the church.
sRef Ps@51 @18 S17′ sRef Ps@51 @19 S17′ [17] In David:
Do good in Thy good pleasure unto Zion; build Thou the walls of Jerusalem. Then shalt Thou be delighted with the sacrifices of righteousness, and with whole burnt-offering; then shall they offer up bullocks upon Thine altar (Ps. 51:18-19).
“Zion” means the church that is in the good of love, and “Jerusalem” the church that is in the truths of doctrine; therefore, “to do good in good pleasure unto Zion, and to build the walls of Jerusalem” signifies to restore the church by leading it into the good of love and by instructing it in the truths of doctrine. Worship then from the good of love is signified by “then shalt Thou be delighted with the sacrifices of righteousness and with whole burnt-offering,” “righteousness” is predicated of celestial good, and “whole burnt-offering” signifies love; and worship then from the good of charity is signified by “then shall they offer up bullocks upon Thine altar,” “bullocks” signifying natural good, which is the good of charity.
sRef Ps@118 @28 S18′ sRef Ps@118 @27 S18′ [18] In the same:
God is Jehovah who enlighteneth us; bind the festal-offering with ropes even to the horns of the altar. Thou art my God (Ps. 118:27-28).
“To enlighten” signifies to illustrate in truths; “to bind the festal-offering with ropes even to the horns of the altar” signifies to conjoin all things of worship, “to bind with ropes” meaning to conjoin, “the festal-offering to the horns of the altar” meaning all things of worship, “horns” mean all things because they are the ultimates, and “the festal-offering” and “altar” mean worship. All things of worship are conjoined when externals are conjoined with internals, and goods with truths.
sRef Luke@11 @51 S19′ sRef Luke@11 @50 S19′ [19] In Luke:
The blood of all the prophets shed from the foundation of the world shall be required of this generation; from the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zachariah, slain between the altar and the temple (Luke 11:50-51).
This does not mean that the blood of all the prophets from the foundation of the world, from the blood of Abel, shall be required of the Jewish nation, for blood is not required from anyone but of him who sheds it; but these words mean that that nation had falsified all truth and adulterated all good; for “the blood of all the prophets, shed from the foundation of the world” signifies the falsification of all the truth there had ever been in the church; “blood” meaning falsification, “prophets” the truths of doctrine, and “from the foundation of the world,” meaning all that there had ever been in the church; “the foundation of the world” meaning the establishment of the church. “From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zachariah, slain between the altar and the temple,” signifies the adulteration of all good, and the consequent extinction of the worship of the Lord; “the blood of Abel unto Zachariah” means the adulteration of all good; “to be slain between the altar and the temple” means the extinction of all good and all truth in worship, for “altar” signifies worship from good, and “temple” the worship from truth, as has been said above; “between these” means where there is conjunction, and where there is not conjunction there is neither good nor truth. The altar was outside the tent of meeting, and outside the temple; therefore what was done between the two signified communication and conjunction (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 10001, 10025; and that “Abel” signifies the good of charity, n. 342, 374, 1179, 3325). It is evident that neither Abel nor Zachariah is meant here in the spiritual sense, since in the Word names signify things.
sRef Matt@5 @23 S20′ sRef Matt@5 @24 S20′ [20] In Matthew:
Jesus said, if thou shalt offer thy gift upon the altar, and shalt there remember that thy brother hath aught against thee, leave the gift before the altar, and go; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then coming offer thy gift (Matt. 5:23-24).
“To offer a gift upon the altar” means in the spiritual sense to worship God, and to worship God means worship both internal and external, namely, from love and from faith, and thus from the life; this is meant because in the Jewish Church worship consisted chiefly in offering sacrifices or gifts upon the altar, and the chief thing is taken for the whole. From this the meaning of these words of the Lord in the spiritual sense can be seen, namely, that Divine worship consists primarily in charity towards the neighbor, and not in piety without that; “to offer a gift upon the altar” means worship from piety, and “to be reconciled to a brother” means worship from charity, and this is truly worship, and such as this is such is the worship from piety. (On this see The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 123-129; and in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 222, 224, 358-360, 528, 529, 535; and above, n. 325.)
sRef Luke@17 @4 S21′ [21] That “If thou shalt offer thy gift upon the altar” signifies in all worship, is evident from the Lord’s words in Luke 17:4 [Matt. 18:22], where it is said that the brother or neighbor must be forgiven all the time, “seventy times seven” there signifying always.
Because such things are signified by “altar,” the altar was made either of wood or of ground, or of whole stones, upon which iron had not been moved, also it was overlaid with brass. The altar was made of wood, because “wood” signifies good; it was also made of ground because “ground” has a like signification; it was made of whole stones, because such “stones” signified truths formed out of good, or good in form, and it was forbidden to fit these stones by any hammer, axe, or instrument of iron, to signify that nothing of self-intelligence must come near to the formation of it; that it was overlaid with brass signified that it represented good in every part, for “brass” signifies good in externals.
sRef Ex@27 @8 S22′ sRef Ex@27 @1 S22′ sRef Ex@27 @5 S22′ sRef Ex@27 @4 S22′ sRef Ex@20 @25 S22′ sRef Ex@27 @7 S22′ sRef Ex@27 @6 S22′ sRef Ezek@41 @22 S22′ sRef Ex@27 @2 S22′ sRef Ex@20 @24 S22′ sRef Deut@27 @5 S22′ sRef Ex@27 @3 S22′ [22] That the altar was made of wood is evident in Moses:
Thou shalt make the altar of shittim-wood, five cubits long and broad; it shall be foursquare. And thou shalt make horns for it. And thou shalt make for it a grating of network of brass; the board-work shall be hollow (Exod. 27:1-8).
And in Ezekiel:
The altar was of wood, three cubits high, and the length of it two cubits; its corners, the length of it, and the walls of it, were of wood. Then he said unto me, This is the table that is before Jehovah (Ezek. 41:22).
Moreover, the altar was made of wood, and overlaid with brass, for the sake of use, that it might be carried about, and removed from place to place in the wilderness, where the sons of Israel then were; also because “wood” signifies good, and “shittim-wood” good of righteousness, or the good of the Lord’s merit. (That “wood” signifies good, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 643, 3720, 8354; and that “shittim-wood” signifies the good of righteousness or of merit, which belongs to the Lord only, n. 9472, 9486, 9528, 9715, 10178.) But that the altar was built also of ground, and if of stones, then of whole stones, and not hewn by any iron instrument, is further evident in Moses:
An altar [of ground] thou shalt make unto Me, that thou mayest sacrifice thereon thy burnt-offerings and thy peace-offering. If thou makest to Me an altar of stones thou shalt not build it of hewn stones, for if thou move a tool upon it thou wilt profane it (Exod. 20:24-25).
If an altar of stones be built, no iron shall be struck upon the stones (Deut. 27:5-6).
sRef Isa@17 @8 S23′ sRef Isa@17 @7 S23′ [23] Thus far it has been shown what “altar” signifies in the genuine sense; from this it is clear what “altar” signifies in the contrary sense, namely, idolatrous worship, or infernal worship, which has place only with those who profess religion, but yet love and thus worship self and the world above all things; and when they do this they love evil and falsity; therefore “the altar,” in reference to such, signifies worship from evil, and “the statues” which they also had, worship from falsity, and therefore also hell. That this is the signification of “altar,” in the contrary sense, is evident from the following passages. In Isaiah:
In that day shall a man have respect to his Maker, and his eyes shall look to the Holy One of Israel. And he shall not have respect to altars, the work of his hands, and he shall not look* to that which his fingers have made, or to the groves or the sun-statues (Isa. 17:7-8).
This treats of the establishment of a new church by the Lord; that men shall then be led into the goods of life, and be instructed in the truths of doctrine, is meant by “In that day shall a man have respect to his Maker, and his eyes shall look to the Holy One of Israel.” The Lord is called “Maker” because He leads into the goods of life, for these make man; and He is called “the Holy One of Israel” because He teaches the truths of doctrine; therefore it is added, “a man shall have respect,” and “his eyes shall look;” man is called “man” from the good of life, and “eyes” are predicated of the understanding of truth, thus of the truths of doctrine. That there will then be no worship from self-love, from which are the evils of life, nor from self-intelligence, from which are the falsities of doctrine, is signified by “he shall not have respect to altars, the work of his hands, and he shall not look to that which his fingers have made,” “altars, the work of his hands,” mean worship from self-love, from which are evils of life, and “that which his fingers have made” means worship from self-intelligence, from which are the falsities of doctrine; “groves and sun-statues” signify a religion from falsities and evils therefrom, “groves,” a religious principle from falsities, and “sun-statues” a religious principle from the evils of falsity.
sRef Jer@17 @1 S24′ sRef Jer@17 @2 S24′ [24] In Jeremiah:
The sin of Judah is written with a pen of iron, with a point of a diamond; it is graven** upon the table of their heart, and upon the horns of your altars; as I remember their sons, their altar, and their groves, by the green tree upon the high hills (Jer. 17:1-2).
This declares that the idolatrous worship of the Jewish nation was so deeply rooted that it could not be removed. That it was too deeply rooted to be removed is signified by “the sin of Judah is written with a pen of iron, with a point of a diamond, it is graven upon the table of their heart, and upon the horns of their altars;” deeply-rooted falsity is meant by “it is written with a pen of iron, and with the point of a diamond,” and deeply-rooted evil is meant by “it is graven upon the table of the heart, and upon the horns of their altars;” it is said “upon the horns of the altars,” because idolatrous worship is meant. The “sons whom He remembers,” signify the falsities of evil; “the altars” idolatrous worship from evil; “the groves by the green tree” such worship from falsities; “upon the high hills” signifies the adulteration of good and the falsification of truths; for at that time, when all things of worship were representative of celestial and spiritual things, they had worship in groves and upon hills, for the reason that “trees,” of which groves consist, signify the knowledges and perceptions of truth and good, and this according to the kind of trees; and because “hills” signified the goods of charity, and spiritual angels who dwell in the spiritual world upon hills are in such goods, so in ancient times worship was performed upon hills; but this was forbidden to the Jewish and Israelitish nation, lest they should profane the holy things that were represented; for in respect to worship that nation was in externals only, their internal was merely idolatrous. (That trees signify the knowledges and perceptions of truth and good, according to their kind, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2163, 2682, 2722, 2972, 7692; for this reason the ancients worshiped in groves under trees, according to their significations, n. 2722, 4552; why this was forbidden to the Jewish and Israelitish nations, n. 2722; why “hills” signify goods of charity, n. 6435, 10438.)
sRef Hos@10 @2 S25′ sRef Hos@10 @1 S25′ [25] In Hosea:
Israel is an empty vine, he bringeth forth fruit like unto himself; when his fruit is plentiful he multiplieth altars; when his land is good they make goodly statues. Their heart is smooth, now are they laid waste; he shall demolish their altars, he shall devastate their statues (Hos. 10:1-2);
“Israel” here signifies the church, which is called “an empty vine” when there is no longer any truth; its worship from evils is meant by “the altars which he multiplies;” and worship from falsities is meant by the “statues which he makes goodly;” that this is done so far as these abound is signified by “when his fruit is plentiful” and “when his land is good.” That worship from evils and falsities shall be destroyed is signified by “he shall demolish their altars, and shall devastate their statues.” (That “statues” signify worship from truths, and in a contrary sense, worship from falsities, thus idolatrous worship, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3727, 4580, 10643.)
sRef Ezek@6 @13 S26′ sRef Ezek@6 @4 S26′ sRef Ezek@6 @3 S26′ sRef Ezek@6 @6 S26′ [26] In Ezekiel:
Thus said the Lord Jehovih to the mountains and to the hills, to the water courses and to the valleys, I bring in a sword upon you, and I will destroy your high places; and your altar shall be laid waste; your sun images shall be broken; yea, I will make your slain to fall before your idols (Ezek. 6:3, 4, 6, 13).
“The Lord Jehovih said to the mountains, hills, water courses, and valleys,” does not signify to all who dwell there, but to all idolaters, that is, to all who instituted worship upon mountains and hills, and near water-courses and in valleys, which was done because of the representation and consequent signification of these; “to bring a sword upon you, and to destroy the high places, and to lay waste the altars, and to break the sun images” signifies to destroy all things of idolatrous worship by means of falsities and evils, for it is by means of these that idolatrous worship destroys itself; “the sword” signifies falsities destroying, “the high places” idolatrous worship in general, “altars” the same from evil loves, and “sun images” the same from the falsities of doctrine; “to make the slain to fall before the idols” signifies the damnation of those who perish by falsities; “slain” signifying those who perish by falsities, “idols” the falsities of worship in general, and “to fall” to be damned.
sRef Hos@8 @11 S27′ [27] In Hosea:
Ephraim hath multiplied altars for sinning, they have made*** for him altars for sinning (Hos. 8:11).
“Ephraim” signifies the intellect of the church, here the intellect perverted; “to multiply altars for sinning” signifies to pervert worship by means of falsities; and “to make altars for sinning” signifies to pervert worship by means of evils; for in the Word, “to multiply” is predicated of truths, and in a contrary sense of falsities, and “to make” is predicated of good, and in a contrary sense of evil; this is why the two are mentioned, and yet it is not a vain repetition.
sRef Hos@10 @8 S28′ sRef Hos@10 @7 S28′ [28] In the same:
Samaria is discomfited, her king is as foam upon the faces of the waters and the high places of Aven, the sin of Israel, shall be destroyed; the thorn and the thistle come up on their altars (Hos. 10:7-8).
“Samaria” signified the spiritual church, that is the church in which charity and faith make one; but after it became perverted “Samaria” signified the church in which charity is separated from faith, and in which faith is even declared to be the essential; therefore also it then signified the church in which there is no longer any truth, because there is no good, but in place of good the evil of life, and in place of truth the falsity of doctrine. This is here signified by “Samaria is discomfited;” the falsity of its doctrine is signified by “her king is as foam upon the faces of the waters,” “king” signifying truth, and in a contrary sense, as here, falsity; “foam upon the faces of the waters” signifying what is empty and separated from truths, “waters” meaning truths; “the high places of Aven shall be destroyed” signifies the destruction of principles of falsity and of the reasonings therefrom of those who are in that worship, which viewed in itself is interiorly idolatrous; for those who are in the evil of life and the falsities of doctrine worship themselves and the world; “the thorn and the thistle shall come up on their altars” signifies that truth falsified and evil therefrom, shall be in all their worship, “altars” meaning all worship.
391h. sRef Amos@3 @14 S29′ [29] 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 hewn down and fall to the earth (Amos 3:14).
“To visit the transgressions of Israel upon him” signifies their last state, in the spiritual sense their state after death, when they are to be judged; it is said “to visit,” instead of to judge, because visitation always precedes judgment; “the altars of Bethel” signify the worship from evil; “the horns of the altar” signify worship from falsities, thus these signify all things of worship; and that these are to be destroyed is signified by “the horns shall be hewn down and fall to the earth.” It is said, “I will visit upon the altars of Bethel,” because Jeroboam separated the Israelites from the Jews, and erected two altars, one in Bethel and the other in Dan; and as “Bethel” and “Dan” signify the ultimates in the church, and the ultimates in the man of the church are called natural-sensual things, or natural-worldly and corporeal, so these are signified by “Bethel,” and “Dan,” the ultimates of good by “Bethel,” and the ultimates of truth by “Dan;” therefore these two altars signify worship in ultimates or in things most external, such as is the worship of those who separate charity from their faith, and acknowledge faith alone to be the means of salvation.
Such persons therefore, think of religion in the natural-sensual; consequently they neither understand nor desire to understand any of the things they say they believe, saying that the understanding must be under obedience to faith. Such as these were represented by the Israelites separated from the Jews, or by Samaria separated from Jerusalem, and the worship of such was represented by the altars in Bethel and Dan; such worship, insofar as it is separated from charity, is no worship, for in it the mouth speaks apart from the understanding and the will, that is, apart from the mind; apart from the understanding, because they say that men ought to believe even though they do not understand; and apart from the will because they put aside deeds or goods of charity.
[30] That such worship is no worship is signified by what is said in the first book of Kings:
When Jeroboam stood by the altar in Bethel, the man of God cried out to him that the altar should be rent, and the ashes poured out; and so it came to pass (1 Kings 12:26 at the end; 13:1-6).
“The altar should be rent and the ashes poured out” signifies that there was no worship whatever. Faith separated from charity was then signified by “Samaria,” because the Jewish kingdom signified the celestial church, that is, the church that is in the good of love, and the Israelitish kingdom signified the spiritual church which is in the truths from that good. This was signified by the Jewish and Israelitish kingdom while they were under one king, or while they were united; but when they were separated, the Israelitish kingdom signified truth separated from good, or what is the same, faith separated from charity. Moreover, worship is signified by “the altar,” because it is signified by the burnt-offerings and sacrifices that were offered upon it, in many other passages too numerous to be cited. And because idolatrous worship was signified by “the altars of the nations,” therefore it was commanded that they should be everywhere destroyed (see Deut. 7:5; 12:3; Judges 2:2; and elsewhere).
[31] This makes clear that altars were in use among all the posterity of Eber, thus among all who were called Hebrews, who for the most part were in the land of Canaan and its immediate neighborhood; likewise in Syria, from which Abraham came. That there were altars in the land of Canaan and its neighborhood is evident from the altars mentioned there as destroyed:
That there were altars in Syria is evident from the account of those built by Balaam, who was from Syria (Num. 23:1).
Also from the altar in Damascus (2 Kings 16:10-15).
Also from the Egyptian abominating the Hebrews on account of their sacrifices (Exod. 8:26);
Even so that they were unwilling to eat bread with them (Gen. 43:32).
The reason of this was that to the Ancient Church, which was a representative church and extended through a great part of the Asiatic world, sacrifices were unknown, and when they were instituted by Eber it looked upon them as abominable, that is, that they should wish to appease God by the slaughter of different animals, thus by blood. Among those who were of the Ancient Church were also the Egyptians; but as they applied representatives to magic that church became extinct among them. They were unwilling to eat bread with the Hebrews, because at that time “dinners” and “suppers” represented and thus signified spiritual consociation, which is consociation and conjunction through those things that pertain to the church; and “bread” signified in general all spiritual food and thus “dining” and “supping” all conjunction.
[32] (That the Ancient Church extended through a great part of the Asiatic world, namely through Assyria, Mesopotamia, Syria, Ethiopia, Arabia, Libya, Egypt, Philistia, even to Tyre and Zidon, through the land of Canaan, on both sides of the Jordan, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 1238, 2385; that it was a representative church, n. 519, 521, 2896; respecting the church instituted by Eber, which was called the Hebrew Church, n. 1238, 1341, 1343, 4516, 4517. That sacrifices were first begun by Eber, and were afterwards in use among his posterity, n. 1128, 1343, 2180, 10042. That sacrifices were not commanded, but only permitted, shown from the Word; why they were said to have been commanded, n. 922, 2180, 2818; that it was necessary that altars and sacrifices should be mentioned, and that Divine worship should be signified by them, because the Word was written in that nation, and the historical Word treated of that nation, n. 10453, 10461, 10603-10604.)
* Photolithograph has “they shall not look;” the Hebrew has “he shall not look,” so also, AE n. 585; AC n. 2722.
** Photolithograph has “they have made,” the Hebrew “they are,” as also AC n. 921.
*** Photolithograph has “thy,” but Hebrew has “their,” as also AC n. 6804.

sRef Rev@6 @10 S0′ sRef Rev@6 @11 S0′ 392. The souls of those slain because of the Word of God, and because of the testimony that they held, signifies those who were rejected and concealed because of Divine truth and because of their confession of the Lord. This is evident from the signification of “those slain,” as being those who were rejected by the evil and concealed by the Lord (of whom presently); also from the signification of “the Word of God,” as being Divine truth. What the Lord speaks is called the Word of God, and that is Divine truth. The Word or the Sacred Scripture is nothing else; for in it all Divine truth is contained, but it is only before the angels that the truth itself in its glory is manifest in it, because to them the interior things of the Word, which are spiritual and celestial, become manifest and also constitute their wisdom. “The Word of God,” therefore, signifies in the genuine sense Divine truth, and in the highest sense the Lord Himself who spoke it, for He spoke from Himself, or from His Divine, and what proceeds from Him that also is Himself.
[2] That the Divine proceeding is the Lord may be illustrated by this: About every angel there is a sphere that is called the sphere of his life; this spreads abroad to a great distance from him. This sphere flows out or proceeds from the life of his affection or love; it is therefore an extension outside of him of such life as is in him. This extension is effected by means of the spiritual atmosphere or aura, which is the aura of heaven. By means of that sphere the quality of an angel in respect to affection is perceived at a distance by others; this has been granted me sometimes to perceive. But about the Lord there is a Divine sphere, which near Him appears as a sun, which is His Divine love, and from this that sphere proceeds into the whole heaven and fills it and constitutes the light that is there; this sphere is the Divine proceeding from the Lord, which in its essence is Divine truth. This comparison with angels is made as an illustration, to show that the Divine proceeding from the Lord is the Lord Himself, because it is a proceeding of His love, and the proceeding is Himself outside of Himself. The above is further evident from the signification of “testimony,” as being the confession of the Lord, and the Lord Himself (of which presently).
[3] That “those slain” here mean those who were rejected by evil spirits and concealed by the Lord, or removed from the eyes of others and preserved to the day of the Last Judgment, can be seen from what was said in the article above, also from what follows in the two verses in which they alone are described. In the article above it was said that “the former heaven” that passed away consisted of those who in externals lived a moral life, and yet were merely natural and not spiritual, or who lived a sort of spiritual life merely from the affection or love of fame, honor, glory, and gain, thus for the sake of appearance. Although these were inwardly evil, they, nevertheless, were tolerated, and constituted societies in the higher places in the spiritual world. These societies, taken together, were called a heaven, but “the former heaven” that afterwards passed away. From this it came to pass that all those who were spiritual, that is, who were inwardly as well as outwardly good, not being able to be with these, withdrew from them, either voluntarily or being driven away, and wherever found they were persecuted; on this account they were concealed by the Lord and preserved in their places until the day of judgment, that they might constitute “the new heaven.” These therefore are those that are meant by “the souls of those slain seen under the altar.” This makes clear that “those slain” signify those who were rejected and concealed, for they were hated by the others, because of Divine truth and because of their confession of the Lord; and those who are hated are called “those slain,” because to hate is spiritually to slay. That such are meant by “the souls of those slain,” can be seen further from what follows in the two verses where it is said of them, “And they cried out with a great voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on those that dwell on the earth? And there were given to every one of them white robes; and it was said unto them that they should rest yet a little time, until their fellow-servants, as well as their brethren, who were to be killed, as they also were, should be fulfilled.” That those above described are meant by “those slain,” no one can know but those to whom it has been revealed; for who can know, except by revelation, of whom “the former heaven” (Rev. 21:1) consisted, and of whom “the new heaven” was formed; and that those of whom the new heaven was to be formed, were in the meantime concealed and preserved by the Lord? And unless these things had been revealed to someone, all things contained in Revelation in its internal sense must have remained hidden; for in it such things as were to take place in the spiritual world before the Last Judgment, and while it was going on, and after it are chiefly treated of.
[4] That “testimony” signifies the confession of the Lord, and the Lord Himself, can be seen from the passages in the Word that follow. This signification has its origin from this, that the Word in each and every particular testifies respecting the Lord; for in its inmost sense it treats of the Lord alone, and in its internal sense of the celestial and spiritual things that proceed from the Lord, and in particular the Lord testifies respecting Himself in everyone who is in the life of love and charity; for the Lord flows into their heart and life and teaches them, especially respecting His Divine Human; for He grants to those who are in a life of love to think of God under the human form, and God under the human form is the Lord.
The simple in the Christian world so think, as also the heathen who live in charity according to their religious principle. Both these are astonished when they hear the learned speak of God as not to be perceived in any human form, for they know that thinking thus they could not see any God in thought, and therefore could have little belief in the existence of a God, since the faith which is the faith of charity wishes to comprehend in some way what is believed; for faith is of thought, and to think what is incomprehensible is not to think, but only to have knowledge and to speak from that without any idea. Angels, even the wisest, do not think of God otherwise than as in the human form; it is impossible for them to think otherwise, for the reason that their perceptions flow according to the form of heaven, which is the human form from the Lord’s Divine Human (on which see Heaven and Hell, n. 59-86); and for the reason that the affections from which are their thoughts, are from influx, and influx is from the Lord.
This has been said that it may be known why “testimony” signifies the Lord, namely, because the Lord testifies respecting Himself with all who accept His testimony, and these are such as live a life of love to the Lord, and a life of charity towards the neighbor. These receive His testimony and confess Him, because a life of love and charity opens the interior mind by the influx of light from heaven, for a life of love and charity is the Divine life itself; for the Lord loves everyone, and does good to everyone from love; consequently where that life is received the Lord is present and is conjoined to the man, and thus flows into his higher mind which is called the spiritual mind, and by light from himself opens it.
[5] That “testimony” signifies the Lord, and with man the confession of the Lord from the heart, and in particular, the acknowledgment of the Lord’s Divine in His Human, can be seen from this, that the law which was given on Mount Sinai and written upon two tables, and afterwards placed in the ark, is called the “Testimony;” whence also the ark was called “the ark of the Testimony,” and the tables also were called “the tables of Testimony;” and because this was most holy, the mercy-seat was placed upon the ark, and over the mercy-seat were sculptured two cherubim, between which Jehovah, that is, the Lord, spoke with Moses and Aaron. This makes clear that “the Testimony” signifies the Lord Himself; otherwise the mercy-seat would not have been placed upon the ark, nor would the Lord have spoken with Moses and Aaron between the cherubim which were upon the mercy-seat. Moreover, when Aaron entered within the veil, which he did once every year, he was first sanctified, and afterwards he burnt incense till the smoke of the incense covered the mercy seat; it is said that unless he did this he would have died. From this it is clearly evident that the Testimony that was in the ark, and that was the law given on Mount Sinai and inscribed on two tables of stone, signified the Lord Himself.
sRef Num@17 @4 S6′ sRef Lev@16 @13 S6′ sRef Ex@25 @16 S6′ sRef Ex@40 @20 S6′ [6] That the law is called “the Testimony” is evident in Moses:
Thou shalt put into the ark the Testimony which I shall give thee (Exod. 25:16).
He put the Testimony into the ark (Exod. 40:20).
The mercy-seat that is upon the Testimony (Lev. 16:13).
Lay up the rods of the tribes before the Testimony (Num. 17:4).
That the tables and the ark were therefore called the tables and the ark of the Testimony (Exod. 25:22; 31:7, 18; 32:15).
That the mercy-seat was placed upon it, and over the mercy-seat two sculptured cherubim (Exod. 25:17-22; 26:34).
That the Lord spoke with Moses and with Aaron between the two cherubim (Exod. 25:16, 21-22; Num. 17:4; and elsewhere).
That they sanctified themselves before they entered thither, and that the smoke of the incense covered the mercy-seat lest they should die (Lev. 16:1-34).
sRef John@1 @9 S7′ sRef John@1 @4 S7′ sRef John@1 @14 S7′ sRef John@1 @1 S7′ [7] That “the testimony” signifies the Lord is evident also from this, that what was upon the ark was called the mercy seat [propitiatorium], and the Lord is the propitiator; the ark also, from the testimony in it, was the holy of holies, both in the tabernacle and in the temple, and from this the tabernacle was holy, and also the temple. The tabernacle represented heaven, and also the temple, and heaven is heaven from the Lord’s Divine Human; from this it follows that “testimony” signifies the Lord in respect to His Divine Human. (That “the tent of meeting” represented heaven, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 9457, 9481, 9485, 10545; likewise the temple, see above, n. 220; and that heaven is heaven from the Lord’s Divine Human, see Heaven and Hell, n. 59-86.) The law proclaimed from Mount Sinai is called “the Testimony” because that law, in a broad sense, signifies the whole Word, both historical and prophetical, and the Word is the Lord, according to these words in John:
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and God was the Word; and the Word was made flesh (John 1:1, 14).
The Word is the Lord because the Word signifies Divine truth, and all Divine truth proceeds from the Lord, for it is the light in heaven, that enlightens the minds of the angels and also the minds of men, and gives them wisdom; this light in its essence is Divine truth proceeding from the Lord as a sun (of which light, see Heaven and Hell, n. 126-140); therefore it is afterwards said, “the Word was with God, and God was the Word.” It is also said in John:
In Him was life; and the life was the light of men. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man coming into the world (John 1:4, 9).
[8] This makes clear that the Lord is meant by “the Testimony;” for the law written on the two tables, which was called the “Testimony,” signifies the Word in the whole complex, and the Lord is the Word. (That “the law” in a broad sense signifies the Word in the whole complex, in a sense less broad the historical Word, and in a strict sense the ten commandments of the Decalogue, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 6752.) This law was also called “a Covenant,” and so the tables on which it was inscribed were called “the tables of the Covenant,” and the ark was called “the ark of the Covenant” (see Exod. 34:28; Num. 14:44; Deut. 9:9, 15; Rev. 11:19; and elsewhere); and this because “Covenant” signifies conjunction, and the Word or Divine truth is what conjoins man with the Lord; from no other source is there any conjunction. (That “Covenant” signifies conjunction, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 665, 666, 1023, 1038, 1864, 1996, 2003, 2021, 6804, 8767, 8778, 9396, 10632.)
This law is called both “a Covenant” and “a Testimony,” because when called “a Covenant” it means the Word by which there is conjunction; and when called “a Testimony” it means the Lord Himself who conjoins; and on man’s part, the confession of the Lord and the acknowledgment of His Divine in His Human, which conjoin. From this it can be seen why the Word is called in the church “a Covenant,” the Word before the Lord’s coming “the Old Covenant,” and that after His coming “the New Covenant;” it is called also “the Old and the New Testament,” but it is to be called “the Testimony.”
sRef Rev@12 @17 S9′ sRef Rev@19 @10 S9′ sRef Rev@12 @11 S9′ [9] That “Testimony” signifies the Lord, and on man’s part the confession of the Lord and the acknowledgment of His Divine in His Human, is evident also from these passages in the Word. In Revelation:
They overcame the dragon by the blood of the Lamb, and by the Word of the testimony. And the dragon was angry, and went away to make war with the remnant of her seed, that keep the commandment of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ (Rev. 12:11, 17).
I am thy fellow-servant, and of thy brethren that hold the testimony of Jesus. The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy (Rev. 19:10).
“The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy” signifies that the confession of the Lord and the acknowledgment of His Divine in His Human is the life of all truth, both in the Word and in doctrine from the Word.
sRef Ps@122 @5 S10′ sRef Ps@122 @3 S10′ sRef Rev@20 @4 S10′ sRef Ps@122 @4 S10′ [10] And elsewhere:
The souls of those slain with the axe for the testimony of Jesus, and for the Word of God, received not the mark upon their forehead and upon their hand (Rev. 20:4).
These passages will be explained in what follows. In David:
Jerusalem is builded as a city that is conjoined together; and thither the tribes go up, the tribes of Jah, a testimony to Israel, to confess to the name of Jehovah. For there are set thrones for judgment (Ps. 122:3-5).
“Jerusalem” signifies the church in relation to doctrine, which is said to be “builded” when it is established by the Lord; “as a city that is conjoined together” signifies doctrine in which all things are in order, “city” meaning doctrine; “thither the tribes go up, the tribes of Jah,” signifies that in it are all truths and goods in the complex; “a testimony to Israel, to confess to the name of Jehovah,” signifies the confession and acknowledgment of the Lord there; “for there are set thrones for judgment” signifies that Divine truth is there according to which judgment is executed. That this is what “thrones” signify, see above (n. 253).
sRef Ps@78 @5 S11′ [11] In the same:
Jehovah hath set up a testimony in Jacob, and a law in Israel (Ps. 78:5).
“Jacob” and “Israel” signify the church, “Jacob” the external church, and “Israel” the internal church; and “testimony” and “law” signify the Word, “testimony” that in the Word which teaches the goods of life, and “the law” that in it which teaches the truths of doctrine. Because those who are in the external church are in the good of life according to the truths of doctrine, and those who are in the internal church are in the truths of doctrine according to which is the life, so “testimony” is predicated of Jacob, and “the law” of Israel.
sRef Ps@132 @12 S12′ [12] In the same:
If thy sons shall keep My covenant, and the testimony that I shall teach them, their* sons shall sit upon the throne for thee forevermore (Ps. 132:12).
This is said of David, but David here means the Lord; “his sons” mean those who do the Lord’s commandments; of these it is said, “if thy sons shall have kept My covenant and My testimony,” “covenant” meaning the like as “law” above, namely, the truth of doctrine, and “testimony” the like as “testimony” above, namely, the good of life according to the truths of doctrine. Like things are signified by “covenant” and “testimonies” in David (Ps. 25:10).
sRef Ps@19 @8 S13′ sRef Ps@19 @7 S13′ sRef Ps@19 @9 S13′ sRef Ps@119 @1 S13′ sRef Ps@119 @3 S13′ sRef Ps@119 @2 S13′ sRef Ps@119 @7 S13′ sRef Ps@119 @4 S13′ sRef Ps@119 @6 S13′ sRef Ps@119 @5 S13′ [13] “Testimonies” are mentioned in many passages in the Word, together with “law,” “precepts,” “commandments,” “statutes,” and “judgments;” and “testimonies and commandments” there signify such things as teach life, “law and precepts” such as teach doctrine, “statutes and judgments” such as teach rituals, as in the following passages in David:
The law of Jehovah is perfect, restoring the soul; the testimony of Jehovah is sure, making wise the simple. The commandments of Jehovah are right, making glad the heart; the precept of Jehovah is pure, enlightening the eyes; the judgments of Jehovah are truth, they are righteous altogether (Ps. 19:7-9).
In the same:
Blessed are the perfect in the way, who walk in the law of Jehovah. Blessed are they that observe His testimonies, that seek after Him with the whole heart. Thou hast enjoined Thy commandments to be strictly kept. O that my ways may be directed to keep Thy statutes! Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all Thy precepts. I will confess to thee in uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned the judgments of Thy righteousness (Ps. 119:1-7; in like manner in verses 12-15, 88-89, 151-156, etc.).
* Photolithograph has “thy,” but Hebrew has “their,” as also AC n. 6804.

sRef Isa@15 @5 S1′ sRef Isa@15 @4 S1′ sRef Isa@15 @8 S1′ 393. Verse 10. And they cried out with a great voice, signifies their grief of mind. This is evident from the signification of “to cry out,” as being vehement grief of mind, for this manifests itself by the sound of crying out in speech; consequently “crying out” in the Word signifies grief. Moreover, every affection, whether of grief or joy, expresses itself by sounds, and ideas of thought by the expressions in the sound. This is why sound in speech manifests both the quality and measure of the affection, and this more clearly in the spiritual world than in the natural world, for the reason that it is not permitted there to show forth any affections other than those that are the mind’s own. In the spiritual world, therefore, anyone who is wise can hear and perceive the affection of another, solely from his speech. (That with spirits and angels sounds belong to affection, and words to the ideas of the thought, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 241, and above, n. 323.) That “to cry out,” and “a crying out,” in the Word, signify grief, is evident from many passages there, of which I will cite this only from Isaiah:
Heshbon cried out, and Elealeh; their voice was heard even to Jahaz; therefore the armed men of Moab shall shout; his soul shall be ill within him. My heart crieth out over Moab: for a crying out closeth round about the border of Moab, the howling thereof even unto Eglaim (Isa. 15:4, 6, 8).
Because “crying out” signifies grief, it is customary to speak of “crying out unto God,” when the mind is in a state of grief (as in Isa. 19:20; 30:19; 65:19; Jer. 14:2; and elsewhere). That “crying out” in the Word is predicated of various affections, such as interior lamentation, beseeching and supplication from anguish, attestation and indignation, confession, supplication, and also exultation and other states (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2240, 2821, 2841, 4779, 5016, 5018, 5027, 5323, 5365, 5870, 6801, 6802, 6862, 7119, 7142, 7782, 8179, 8353, 9202).

sRef Matt@25 @45 S0′ sRef Matt@25 @40 S0′ 394. Saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost Thou not judge and avenge our blood upon them that dwell on the earth? signifies sighings to the Lord, who is justice, respecting the judgment and removal of those who persecute and infest those who openly acknowledge the Lord and are in the life of charity. This is evident from the signification of “crying out and saying, How long, O Lord,” as being to pour out to the Lord sighs from grief, for these are the words of those that groan and sigh and supplicate for justice. Also from the signification of “holy and true,” as being the One who is Justice; for justice when predicated of the Lord, signifies that He does not tolerate such things, and this because He is holy and true. Also from the signification of “to judge and avenge our blood,” as being the judgment and removal of those who persecute and infest those who openly acknowledge the Lord and are in the life of charity. This is the signification of these words because “blood” signifies all violence offered to Divine good and Divine truth, thus to the Lord; consequently violence offered to those who are in the life of charity and faith. To offer violence to these is to offer violence to the Lord Himself, according to the words of the Lord Himself in Matthew:
Inasmuch as ye did it unto one of My least brethren, ye did it unto Me (Matt. 25:40, 45).
That this is signified by “blood” in this sense, may be seen above (n. 329). Also from the signification of “those that dwell on the earth,” as being those who were in “the former heaven” that afterwards passed away, for those dwelt in the spiritual world upon the earth, upon mountains, hills, and rocks, while those who acknowledged the Lord and were in the life of charity abode under the earth, or under heaven, and were there concealed and preserved (see above, n. 391, 392).
[2] From this the meaning of these words in their genuine sense can be seen; but no one can know that such things are meant unless it has been revealed to him. For otherwise who could know who are meant by “the souls of those slain,” and what is meant by “to avenge their blood upon those that dwell on the earth?” One who does not know from revelation who these are must conclude that the martyrs only are meant; when yet these were not the martyrs, but all such as were persecuted and infested by those who were in the former heaven that passed away; for these were such that they thrust out from themselves all who openly acknowledged the Lord and were in the life of charity, because they were interiorly evil (as has been said above, n. 391, 392).
To this I will add the following: All in the spiritual world who are interiorly evil, however moral a life in externals they may have lived in the world, are utterly unable to tolerate anyone who worships the Lord and lives the life of charity; as soon as they see such, they infest and either do them injury or treat them shamefully. I have often wondered at this, and all who do not know about it must wonder, since these same persons, when in the world, tolerated preachings respecting the Lord and also respecting charity, and themselves talked about these things doctrinally, yet when they become spirits they cannot tolerate them. The reason is that this aversion is inherent in their evil in which they are; for in their evil there is hostility, yea, hatred against the Lord, and also against those who are led by the Lord, who are those who are in the life of charity; but this hostility and this hatred lie concealed in their spirit; consequently when they become spirits they are in them; then that antipathy or antagonism inherent in evil comes forth.
[3] Take, for example, those in whom the love of ruling has predominated; it is their delight to rule over others, and if possible over all; this delight is in them after death, nor can it be removed, since every delight is of the love, and the predominant love constitutes the life of everyone, and this life remains to eternity. When these have become spirits, they strive continually, from the delight of their love, to gain dominion over others as they did in the world; and when they are unable to obtain it, they are angry against the Lord; and as they are unable to harm the Lord Himself, they are angry against those who openly acknowledge Him; for the delight of their love is contrary to the delight of heavenly love; this delight is that the Lord may rule, while the other delight is that they themselves may rule; this is why there is inherent in this delight a hatred against the Lord and against all who are led by Him, who are those who are in the life of charity. From this it can be seen why those who openly acknowledged the Lord and lived the life of charity were delivered by the Lord from the violence of such spirits, and were concealed in the lower earth, and there preserved until the judgment. But after the judgment those who had dwelt above the earth, upon the mountains, hills, and rocks there, who were, as said above, interiorly evil, were cast out; and those who had been hidden under the earth, or under heaven, were elevated and allotted an inheritance in the places from which the former were cast out. From this it can now be more fully comprehended what is meant by what is said to them in the next verse, that “they should rest yet a little time, until they should be fulfilled.”

395. Verse 11. And white robes were given to every one of them, signifies Divine truth from the Lord with them, and protection. This is evident from the signification of “a white robe” as being Divine truth from the Lord, for “robe” signifies truth in general, because it is a general covering; and “white” is predicated of truths which are from the Lord; for whiteness pertains to light, and the light proceeding from the Lord as a sun is in its essence Divine truth. That “white robes were given to everyone of them” signifies also protection, will be told further on; but let it first be told why “a white robe” signifies Divine truth from the Lord. All spirits and angels are clothed according to their intelligence, or according to their reception of truth in the life, this constituting intelligence; for the light of their intelligence is formed into garments, and when these are thus formed they do not merely appear as garments, but they also are garments. For all things that exist in the spiritual world, and appear before the eyes of those there, exist from the light and heat that proceed from the Lord as a sun; from that origin have been created and formed not only all things in the spiritual world, but also all things in the natural world; for the natural world exists and subsists by means of the spiritual world from the Lord. From this it can be seen that the appearances that exist in heaven before the angels are altogether real; in like manner also the garments. As spirits and angels are clothed according to intelligence, and all intelligence is of truth, and angelic intelligence is of Divine truth, so they are clothed according to truths; this is why “garments” signify truths; “the garments” that are next to the body, that is, the inner garments, signify interior truths; but the garments that are outside of these and encompass them, signify exterior truths; therefore “a robe,” “a mantle,” and “a cloak,” which are general coverings, signify truths in general, and “a white robe” Divine truth in general, which they have from the Lord. (But see what has been shown respecting The Garments with which Angels are Clothed, in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 177-182; and what has been said above about the signification of garments, n. 64-65, 195, 271.)
[2] “There were given to those who were under the altar white robes” signifies also protection by the Lord, because “the white robes” given to them represented the presence about them of the Lord with Divine truth; and by means of Divine truth the Lord protects His own, for He surrounds them with a sphere of light, from which they have white robes; and when encompassed by this sphere they can no longer be infested by evil spirits; for, as said above, they were infested by evil spirits, and were therefore hidden by the Lord. This also takes place with those who are elevated by the Lord into heaven. They are then clothed with white garments, which is an indication that they are in Divine truth, and thus in safety. But respecting those who were clothed in white robes more will be shown in the explanation of the following chapter (Rev. 7:9, 13-17).
sRef Zech@13 @4 S3′ [3] That “robe,” “mantle,” and “cloak” signify Divine truth in general can be seen also from the following passages. In Zechariah:
The prophets shall be ashamed every man of his vision which he hath prophesied; neither shall they wear a mantle of hair to dissemble (Zech. 13:4).
“Prophets” signify those who teach truths from the Word, and in an abstract sense, the truths of doctrine from the Word; and because of this signification of “prophets” they were clothed with a mantle of hair, “the mantle of hair” signifying Divine truth in ultimates, which is Divine truth in general, for the ultimate contains all things interior; “hair,” too, signifies the ultimate. This is why:
Elijah, from his mantle, was called a hairy man (2 Kings 1:7-8);
And John the Baptist, who was as Elijah by reason of a like representation, had a garment of camel’s hair (Matt. 3:4).
This makes clear the signification of “the prophets shall not wear a mantle of hair to dissemble,” namely, that they shall not declare truths to be falsities, and falsities to be truths; this is what is signified by “dissembling.”
sRef 1Ki@19 @19 S4′ sRef 2Ki@2 @11 S4′ sRef 2Ki@2 @14 S4′ sRef 2Ki@2 @8 S4′ sRef 2Ki@2 @12 S4′ sRef 2Ki@2 @13 S4′ [4] Because Elijah represented the Lord in relation to the Word, which is the doctrine of truth itself, and Elisha continued the representation, and because “mantle” signified Divine truth in general, which is the Word in ultimates, so the mantle divided the waters of Jordan, according to the following in the books of the Kings:
When Elijah found Elisha he cast his mantle upon him (1 Kings 19:19).
Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped it together, and smote the waters of Jordan, and they were divided hither and thither, and they two passed over on the dry ground (2 Kings 2:8).
Elisha seeing when Elijah was carried up by a whirlwind into heaven, took up the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of Jordan; and he took that mantle and smote the waters; and they were divided hither and thither, and he passed over (2 Kings 2:12-14).
“Elijah’s casting his mantle upon Elisha” signified the transference to Elisha of the representation of the Lord in relation to the Word; and that “the mantle fell from Elijah when he was taken away, and was taken up by Elisha,” signified that this representation was then transferred to Elisha, for Elijah and Elisha represented the Lord in relation to the Word, and they were clothed according to what they represented, “the mantle” signifying the Word in which is Divine truth in general, or Divine truth in the whole complex. “The dividing of the waters of Jordan by Elijah’s mantle,” first by Elijah and afterwards by Elisha, signified the power of Divine truth in ultimates; “the waters of Jordan” signifying, moreover, the first truths through which there is introduction into the church, and these first truths are such as are in the ultimates of the Word. From this, too, it can be seen that “a mantle” and “a robe” signify Divine truth in general. (That “Elijah” represented the Lord in relation to the Word, so, too, “Elisha,” see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2762, 5247. That the ultimate contains the interior things, and thus signifies all things in general, n. 634, 6239, 6465, 9215, 9216, 9828; that thus strength and power are in ultimates, n. 9836; that “Jordan” signifies the entrance into the church, and thus “the waters of Jordan” signify the first truths through which there is entrance, n. 1585, 4255; and that “waters” mean truths, see above, n. 71.) First truths are also ultimate truths, such as are in the sense of the letter of the Word, for through these entrance is effected, for these are first learned, and in them are all interior things which constitute the internal sense of the Word.
sRef 1Sam@15 @27 S5′ sRef 1Sam@15 @28 S5′ [5] One who does not know what “robe” or “mantle” signifies, does not know what “cloak” signifies, for a cloak, as well as a mantle, was a general garment, encompassing the tunic or inner garment, therefore it has a like signification. Neither does he know what was signified by Saul’s rending the skirt of Samuel’s cloak; by David’s cutting off the skirt of Saul’s cloak; by Jonathan’s giving David his cloak and garments; and by kings’ daughters being arrayed in cloaks of various colors; neither does he know the meaning of many other passages in which cloaks are mentioned in the Word. Of Saul’s rending the skirt of Samuel’s cloak, we read:
Samuel turned to go away, but he laid hold upon the skirt of his cloak and it was rent. And Samuel said, Jehovah hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath given it to thy companion, who is better than thou (1 Sam. 15:27-28).
The words of Samuel make clear that “the rending of the skirt of the cloak” signified the rending of the kingdom from Saul, for he said after it was done, “Jehovah hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day,” “a king” and “his kingdom” signifying the Divine truth of the church, and “the skirt of a cloak” signifying Divine truth in ultimates, that is, all Divine truth in general; for the kings that were over the sons of Israel represented the Lord in relation to Divine truth, and their kingdom signified the church in relation to Divine truth; therefore this historical fact signifies that king Saul was such that he could no longer represent the Lord, and that the representation of the church would perish if the kingdom were not rent from him. (That “kings” represented the Lord in relation to Divine truth, and thus “a kingdom” signified the church in relation to Divine truth, see above, n. 29, 31.)
sRef 1Sam@24 @4 S6′ sRef 1Sam@24 @3 S6′ sRef 1Sam@24 @5 S6′ sRef 1Sam@24 @11 S6′ sRef 1Sam@24 @20 S6′ [6] The same is signified by David’s cutting off the skirt of Saul’s cloak, of which we read:
David entered into the cave where Saul was, and cut off the skirt of his cloak, and when he afterwards showed it to Saul, Saul said, Now I know that thou shalt reign, and the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thy hand (1 Sam. 24:3-5, 11, 20).
This was done by David of Divine Providence, that the like might be represented as above, “the skirt of the cloak,” and “King Saul and his kingdom,” having the like meaning as above.
sRef 1Sam@18 @3 S7′ sRef 1Sam@18 @4 S7′ [7] That Jonathan the son of Saul stripped himself of his cloak and his garments, and gave them to David, of which we read as follows, has a like signification:
Jonathan stripped off the cloak that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, and even his sword and his bow and even to his girdle (1 Sam. 18:4).
This signified that Jonathan, the heir of the kingdom, transferred all his right to David; for all the things that Jonathan gave to David were representative of the kingdom, that is, of the Divine truth of the church, which Saul represented; for as was said above, all the kings who were over the sons of Israel represented the Lord in relation to Divine truth, and their kingdom represented the church in relation to Divine truth.
sRef 2Sam@13 @18 S8′ [8] Because “cloaks” and “robes” signify Divine truth in general:
The king’s daughters that were virgins were clad in robes of diverse colors (2 Sam. 13:18).
“The king’s daughters that were virgins” signified the affections of truth, and thus the church, as can be seen from a thousand passages in the Word in which “the king’s daughter,” “the daughter of Zion,” “the daughter of Jerusalem,” also “the virgin of Zion,” and “the virgin of Jerusalem” are mentioned; therefore “the king’s daughters” represented also the truths of that affection by their garments, and in general by their robes, which, were therefore, variegated with diverse colors. So also truths from good, or truths from affection, are represented by the garments of the virgins in heaven; which truths are more fully described by:
The garments of the king’s daughter (Ps. 45:9-10, 13-14).
sRef Job@2 @12 S9′ sRef Job@1 @20 S9′ sRef Job@1 @21 S9′ sRef Ezek@26 @16 S9′ [9] As mourning in the Ancient Churches signified spiritual mourning, which is from the deprivation of truth, they represented this in their mourning, then by rending their mantles or cloaks, as is evident in Job:
When Job had lost all things, then he arose, rent his mantle, and said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return (Job 1:20-21).
Job’s three friends, when they saw him, wept and rent their cloaks (Job 2:12).
(That “rending the garments” was a representative of mourning because of truth injured or destroyed, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 4763.) And again in Ezekiel:
All the princes of the sea shall come down from their thrones, and shall put away their cloaks and strip off their broidered garments; they shall be clothed with terrors; they shall sit upon the earth (Ezek. 26:16).
This is said of Tyre, which signifies the church in respect to the knowledges of truth and good, here the church where these are destroyed. That there are no longer any truths through which there can be a church, is signified by “all the princes of the sea shall come down from their thrones;” “the princes of the sea” meaning true primary knowledges [scientifica]; “to come down from thrones” signifying that these have been destroyed, and consequently that there is no intelligence. The like is signified by “they shall cast away their cloaks and strip off their broidered garments,” “cloaks” meaning truths in general, and “broidered garments” the knowledges of truth; the consequent damnation is signified by “they shall be clothed with terrors; they shall sit upon the earth.”
sRef Micah@2 @8 S10′ [10] In Micah:
My people have set up an enemy for themselves for the sake of a garment; ye strip off the mantle from them that pass by securely, returning from war (Micah 2:8).
These words do not mean that “the sons of Israel have set up an enemy for the sake of a garment, and have stripped off the mantle from those that pass by securely;” but they mean that they held as enemies those who spoke truths, and deprived of all truth those who had lived well and had shaken off falsities, “garment” meaning truth, “mantle” all truth because it means truth in general; “to pass by securely” means to live well; “men returning from war” mean those who have shaken off falsities, “war” meaning the combat of truth against falsity. Who cannot see that this is the spiritual meaning of the Word; and not that the people of Israel held some one as an enemy for the sake of a garment, or stripped off the mantle from those who passed by?
sRef Matt@23 @5 S11′ [11] In Matthew:
The scribes and Pharisees do all their works that they may be seen of men, and make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their robes (Matt. 23:5).
This the scribes and Pharisees did, but it also represented and signified that they talked about, and applied to life and to their traditions many things from the ultimates of the Word, in order that they might appear holy and learned. “Their phylacteries which they make broad,” signify goods in outward form, for “phylacteries” were worn upon the hands, and “hands” signify deeds, because these are done by the hands; “the borders of their robes which they enlarge,” signify external truths; external truths are those that are in the ultimate sense of the letter; “robes” mean truths in general, and “borders” their ultimates. (That “borders of robes” signify such truths, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 9917.)
sRef Isa@61 @10 S12′ [12] In Isaiah:
I will rejoice in Jehovah, my soul shall exult in my God; for He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation; He hath covered me with the robe of righteousness (Isa. 61:10).
“To rejoice in Jehovah” signifies to rejoice in Divine good; “to exult in God” signifies to exult in Divine truth; for the Lord is called “Jehovah” from Divine good, and “God” from Divine truth, and from these is all spiritual joy. “To clothe with the garments of salvation” signifies to instruct and to gift with truths; and “to cover with the robe of righteousness” signifies to fill with every truth from good, “robe” meaning all truth, because it means truth in general, and “righteousness” is predicated of good.
sRef Isa@59 @17 S13′ [13] In the same:
He put on the garments of vengeance, and covered Himself with zeal as with a robe (Isa. 59:17).
This is said of the Lord and of His combat with the hells; for when He was in the world He reduced all things in the hells and in the heavens to order, and this by Divine truth from Divine love. “Garments of vengeance” signify the truths by which, and “zeal as a robe” the Divine love from which this was done; “robe” is mentioned to signify that it was done through Divine truths from Divine love. (But what “the robe of the ephod” signifies, in which Aaron was arrayed, and upon the borders of which were pomegranates and bells, of which in Exodus 28:31-35 and Leviticus 8:7, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 9910-9928).

396. And it was said unto them that they should rest yet a little time, signifies some further continuance in that state, as is evident without further explanation; it means in that state, because time signifies state. (That time signifies the state of life, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 162-169.)

397. Until their fellow-servants as well as their brethren, who were to be killed, as they also were, should be fulfilled, signifies until evils were consummated. This is evident from the signification of “until they should be fulfilled,” as being until they were consummated; also from the signification of “their fellow-servants as well as their brethren, who were to be killed, as they also were,” as being evils, for to kill these denotes evil, “fellow-servants” meaning those who are in truths, and “brethren” those who are in goods, and “fellow-servants” and “brethren” together those who are in truths from good; for in the internal sense the two are conjoined into one.
“Consummation” is mentioned in some passages in the Word, likewise “when evils are consummated,” but scarcely anyone at this day knows what this signifies. In three articles above (n. 391, 392, 394) it is said that the former heaven consisted of such as had led a moral life in externals, and yet were internally evil, and that these dwelt in high places in the spiritual world, and therefore thought themselves to be in heaven.
These, because they were interiorly evil, would not tolerate among them those that were interiorly good, and this because their affections and thoughts were discordant, for all consociations in the spiritual world are effected according to agreement of affections and thence of thoughts; for angels and spirits are nothing but affections and thoughts therefrom in a human form; and as those who then were in the high places could not endure the presence of those who were interiorly good, they cast them out from among them, and wherever they saw them, treated them wrongfully and shamefully, consequently the good were delivered by the Lord from this violence and concealed under heaven and preserved; and this was taking place from the time when the Lord was in the world even until this time when the judgment was accomplished; then those who were on high places were cast down, and those who were under heaven were elevated. The evil were tolerated so long on the high places, and the good were detained so long under heaven, in order that both “might be fulfilled,” which means that there might be a sufficient number of the good to form a new heaven, and also that the evil might sink down of themselves into hell; for the Lord casts no one down into hell, but the evil itself which is with evil spirits casts them down (as may be seen in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 545-550). This takes place when evils are consummated, that is, fulfilled.
sRef Matt@13 @30 S2′ sRef Matt@13 @28 S2′ sRef Matt@13 @37 S2′ sRef Matt@13 @38 S2′ sRef Matt@13 @29 S2′ sRef Matt@13 @40 S2′ sRef Matt@13 @41 S2′ sRef Matt@13 @39 S2′ sRef Matt@13 @27 S2′ sRef Matt@13 @42 S2′ [2] This also is what is meant by the Lord’s words in Matthew:
The servants of the householder coming, said, Didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? whence then are the tares? And they said, Wilt thou therefore that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay, lest in gathering the tares ye root up at the same time the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest; and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them into bundles to burn them; but gather the wheat into the barn. So shall it be in the consummation of the age (Matt. 13:27-30, 37-42).
“The consummation of the age” is the last time when judgment takes place; “the time of harvest” is when all things are consummated, that is, are fulfilled; “the tares” mean evils or those in whom evils are, and “the wheat” means goods or those in whom goods are. (But of these see further in the small work on The Last Judgment, n. 65-72.) From all this it can in some measure be known why it was said to them “that they should rest yet a little time, until their fellow-servants, as well as their brethren, who were to be killed, as they also were, should be fulfilled;” “to be killed” has here the like signification as “to be slain” above (n. 392), namely, to be rejected by the evil because of Divine truth, and because of their confession of the Lord.
sRef Isa@10 @23 S3′ sRef Zeph@1 @18 S3′ sRef Isa@28 @22 S3′ sRef Dan@9 @27 S3′ sRef Isa@10 @22 S3′ sRef Gen@15 @16 S3′ sRef Gen@18 @21 S3′ [3] When this is known it can be known what is signified by “consummation” and by “iniquity consummated” in the following passages. In Moses:
Jehovah said, I will go down and see whether they have made a consummation, according to the cry that is come unto Me (Gen. 18:20-21).
This is said of Sodom. In the same:
For the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet consummated [fulfilled] (Gen. 15:16).
In Isaiah:
A consummation and decision I have heard from the Lord Jehovih of Hosts upon the whole earth (Isa. 28:22).
In the same:
A consummation is determined, righteousness has overflowed. For the Lord Jehovih of Hosts is making a consummation and a decision in the whole earth (Isa. 10:22-23).
In Zephaniah:
In the fire of the zeal of Jehovah of Hosts the whole land shall be devoured; for He shall make a consummation, even a speedy one, with all the inhabitants of the land (Zeph. 1:18).
In Daniel:
At last upon the bird of abominations shall be desolation, and even to the consummation and decision it shall drop upon the devastation (Dan. 9:27);
and elsewhere. “Consummation” and “decision” in these passages signify the last state of the church, a state in which there is no longer any truth because there is no good, or in which there is no longer any faith because there is no charity; and when this is the state of the church, then comes the Last Judgment. The Last Judgment then comes, for the further reason that the human race is the basis or foundation of the angelic heaven, for the conjunction of the angelic heaven with the human race is perpetual, the one subsisting by means of the other; when therefore the basis does not correspond the angelic heaven totters; consequently there must then be a judgment upon those who are in the spiritual world, that all things in the heavens as well as in the hells, may be reduced to order. (That the human race is the basis and foundation of the angelic heaven, and that the conjunction is perpetual, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 291-310.) From this it can be known that “consummation” means the last state of the church, when there is no longer any faith because there is no charity. This state of the church is also called in the Word “vastation” and “desolation,” and by the Lord “the consummation of the age” (Matt. 13:39, 40, 49; 24:3; 28:20).

sRef Rev@6 @12 S0′ sRef Rev@6 @13 S0′ sRef Rev@6 @14 S0′ 398. Verses 12-14. And I saw when he had opened the sixth seal, and behold there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood. And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, as a fig-tree casteth her unripe figs when shaken by a great wind. And the heaven departed as a scroll rolled up; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. 12. “And I saw when he had opened the sixth seal,” signifies still further prediction respecting the state of the church (n. 399); “and behold there was a great earthquake” signifies the state of the church entirely changed (n. 400); “and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood,” signifies that all the good of love was separated, and thence all truth of faith falsified (n. 401). 13. “And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth,” signifies that the knowledges of good and truth perished (n. 402); “as a fig-tree casteth her unripe figs when shaken by a great wind,” signifies which knowledges the natural man has laid waste by reasonings (n. 403). 14. “And the heaven departed as a book rolled up,” signifies that the spiritual man became closed up (n. 404); “and every mountain and island were moved out of their places,” signifies that every good of love and every truth of faith perished (n. 405, 406).

sRef Rev@6 @12 S0′ 399. Verse 12. And I saw when he had opened the sixth seal, signifies still further prediction respecting the state of the church, as is evident from the signification of “opening the seals” of the book which was in the Lord’s hand, as being to reveal things hidden, and to predict things future (of which above, n. 352, 361, 369, 378, 390).

sRef Rev@6 @12 S0′ 400. And behold there was a great earthquake, signifies the state of the church entirely changed. This is evident from the signification of “earthquake,” as being a change of state of the church, “earth” meaning the church, and its “quaking” a change of state. (That “the earth” means the church, see above, n. 304; and that its “quaking” means a change of state, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 1273-1275, 1377, 3356.) That this prediction, which is signified by “the sixth seal was opened,” involves a total change in the state of the church, is evident from what has been said before, and from what follows in this chapter. In what precedes it was predicted that the understanding of the Word in relation to good, and afterwards in relation to truth, would perish, and that at length there would be no understanding of the Word in consequence of the evils of life and the falsities of doctrine from them. The destruction of the understanding of the Word in relation to good was signified by “the red horse” that was seen to go forth from the opened seal of the book (of which above, n. 364); the destruction of the understanding of the Word in relation to truth was signified by “the black horse” that was seen (of which above, n. 372); and that in consequence of the evils of life and the falsities of doctrine there was no understanding of the Word was signified by “the pale horse” (of which above, n. 381); from this it follows that the state of the church was altogether changed. This is evident from what precedes; also from what follows, since it is said that “the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood, and the stars of heaven fell unto the earth,” with many other things, which signify that there was no longer any good of love nor any truth of faith, nor any knowledges of good and truth; which makes clear that “a great earthquake” here signifies a total change in the state of the church.
sRef Rev@6 @14 S2′ [2] It is evident, moreover, from many passages in the Word, that “an earthquake” signifies a change in the state of the church; and some of these shall be cited in what follows. This signification of “earthquake” is from appearances in the spiritual world. In that world, as well as in the natural world, there are lands, valleys, hills, mountains, and on them societies of spirits and angels dwell. Before the new heaven was formed upon these places, they were seen to undergo remarkable changes; some appeared to sink down, some to be agitated and shaken, and some appeared to be rolled up, as the scroll of a book is rolled up, and to be borne away, and some appeared to shake and tremble as by a great earthquake. Such things were often seen by me before the new heaven was formed, and were always signs of a change there in the state of the church. When there was a quaking and trembling as from an earthquake it was a sign that the state of the church was changed in that place, and the amount of change was made evident from the extent and character of the earth’s motion; and when the state of the church with them was completely changed from good into evil and from truth into falsity, the earth there appeared to be rolled up like the scroll of a book and to be taken away; this is what is meant by the words in verse 14 of this chapter, namely, “and the heaven departed as a book rolled up.” Like things also appeared to John, for when he saw these things he was in the spirit, as he himself says (1:10; 4:2); and he who sees in the spirit sees the things that exist and appear in the spiritual world. This now makes clear that “an earthquake” signifies a change of state of the church, that is, from good into evil, and from truth into falsity.
sRef Joel@2 @10 S3′ [3] That “earthquakes” and “tremblings of the earth” have no other meaning in the Word can be seen from the following passages. In Joel:
The earth trembled before Him, the heavens quaked, the sun and the moon were blackened, and the stars withdrew their brightness (Joel 2:10).
“Earth and heavens” here, as often elsewhere, signify the church; “earth” the external church, and “heavens” the internal church. The external church means the worship from good and truth in the natural man; and the internal church, the good of love and the faith, which is in the spiritual man, from which is worship; for as there is an internal and an external man, or a spiritual and a natural man, so is it with the church, since the church is in man, and is made up of men in whom the church is. A change and perversion of the church is signified by “the earth trembled, and the heavens quaked;” “the sun and the moon were blackened” signifies that there is no good of love or truth of faith, and “the stars withdrew their brightness” signifies that there were no longer any knowledges of truth and good.
sRef Isa@13 @12 S4′ sRef Isa@13 @13 S4′ [4] In Isaiah:
I will make a man [virum hominem] more rare than fine gold; therefore I will make heaven to tremble, and the earth shall quake out of its place, in the fury of Jehovah of Hosts, and in the day of the fury of His anger (Isa. 13:12-13).
“Man” [virum hominem] means intelligence, and “to make him more rare than fine gold” means that there is scarcely any intelligence left, intelligence meaning intelligence from truths, for all intelligence is from truths; “therefore I will make heaven to tremble, and the earth shall quake out of its place,” signifies that the good of love and the truth of faith and worship therefrom in externals are dispersed, “heaven and earth” signifying here, as above, the internal and the external of the church; the internal of the church is the good of love and the good of faith, and its external is worship therefrom; for such as the internal of the man of the church is such is his external, since the external proceeds solely from the internal. Apart from the internal, external worship is inanimate, the voice is without spirit, and the thought from which is the voice, and the will from which is gesture, are without life, for there is nothing spiritual therein from which there is life. What is signified by “the fury of Jehovah, and the glowing of His anger,” will be told in the explanation of verse 17, below.
sRef Isa@24 @20 S5′ sRef Isa@24 @19 S5′ sRef Isa@24 @18 S5′ [5] In the same:
The flood-gates from on high were opened, and the foundations of the earth quaked, in breaking the earth was broken, in shaking the earth was shaken, in staggering the earth staggers as a drunkard, it sways like a hut; and its transgression is heavy upon it; and it shall fall and shall not rise again (Isa. 24:18-20).
This is most evidently said of the church, not of the earth; for who can think that the foundations of the earth have quaked, that the earth has been shaken, that it staggers like a drunkard, that it sways like a hut? But anyone can understand these words when, instead of the earth, the church is thought of. These words evidently signify a change and perversion of the church, for it is said “its transgression is heavy upon it, and it shall fall and shall not rise again;” “the flood-gates that were opened from on high,” also mean an inundation of evil and of falsity.
sRef Ps@18 @6 S6′ sRef Ps@18 @7 S6′ [6] In David:
The earth tottered and quaked; the foundations of the mountains trembled, because He was wroth (Ps. 18:7).
This does not mean that it was the earth and its foundations that tottered and quaked, but the church and the truths upon which it was founded; for “earth” signifies the church, and the “foundations of the mountains” signify the truths on which the church is founded, which are truths from good; “because He was wroth” has the like signification as “the wrath of Jehovah,” in the Word. Its being said that “the earth tottered and quaked, and the foundations of the mountains trembled,” is from appearances in the spiritual world, where such things occur when the state of the church is changed with those who dwell there. Moreover, those who are in truths there dwell at the foot of mountains, for all the dwelling places of the angels are so arranged that those who are in the good of love to the Lord dwell upon mountains, and those who are in truths from that good dwell lower down. When the state of these in respect to truths is changed, their habitations, and thus the foundations of the mountains, tremble. That there are such things in the spiritual world, and that they exist from changes of the state of the church there, no one except he to whom it is revealed can know.
sRef Nahum@1 @6 S7′ sRef Nahum@1 @5 S7′ [7] In Nahum:
The mountains quake before Jehovah, and the hills dissolve, and the earth is burned up before Him, and the world and all that dwelt therein. His wrath is poured out like fire, and the rocks are torn down before Him (Nahum 1:5-6).
“Mountains” signify the church in which there is love to the Lord, and “hills” the church in which there is love towards the neighbor; so, too, “mountains” signify love to the Lord, and “hills” love towards the neighbor, for the reason that angels who are in love to the Lord dwell upon mountains, and those who are in love toward the neighbor dwell upon hills. When in place of love to the Lord love of self reigns, and in place of love towards the neighbor love of the world reigns, then the mountains are said “to quake,” and the hills “to dissolve;” for this occurs in the spiritual world, not with the angels, who are in heaven, but with those spirits that made for themselves a semblance of heaven upon the mountains and hills before the Last Judgment. Because the love of self and the world is meant, it is said that “they dissolve,” and that “the earth is burned up before Him, the world and all that dwell therein,” also that “His wrath is poured out like fire,” for “fire” signifies such loves, and “to dissolve” and “to be burned” signify to perish by them; “the rocks that are torn down,” signify the truths of faith, because those who are in faith, and do good from obedience, although not from charity, dwell in the spiritual world upon rocks.
sRef Job@9 @6 S8′ sRef Jer@10 @10 S8′ [8] In Job:
Jehovah who maketh the earth to tremble out of its place, so that the pillars thereof shake (Job 9:6).
And in Jeremiah:
Jehovah is God in truth, He is the living God, and King of an age; by His rage the earth quaketh, and the nations are not able to abide His indignation (Jer. 10:10).
Here, too, “the earth” signifies the church, but the church in which are falsities, which is said “to quake” when falsities are believed and are called truths. “Nations” signify the evils of falsity; the casting down into hell and destruction of these evils is signified by “the nations are not able to abide His indignation.” Because “the earth” here signifies the church in which are falsities, it is said “God in truth, He is the living God, and the King of an age;” for Jehovah is called “God” and “King” from Divine truth, “a living God” from Divine truth in the heavens, and “King of an age,” from Divine truth on the earth; and as good is also treated of in the Word wherever truth is treated of, because of the heavenly marriage in the particulars of the Word, and so on the other hand, where falsity is treated of, evil is also treated of, mention is made also of “the nations,” by which the evils of falsity are signified. What the evils of falsity that flow from the falsities of doctrine are, may be illustrated as follows: where the doctrine prevails that faith alone and not the good of life saves, also that to one who has faith nothing of evil is imputed, and that a man may be saved by faith alone, even at the end of his life, provided he then believes that the Lord has delivered all from the yoke of the law by His fulfillment of it, and has made atonement by His blood, in that case the evils that a man does in consequence of such a faith are the evils of falsity.
sRef Ezek@38 @19 S9′ sRef Ezek@38 @18 S9′ sRef Ezek@38 @20 S9′ [9] In Ezekiel:
In the day in which Gog shall come upon the ground of Israel, in My anger wrath shall go up, and in My zeal and in the fire of My indignation I will speak: Surely there shall be in this day a great earthquake upon the ground of Israel, that the fishes of the sea, and the fowl of the heavens, and the wild beast of the field, and every creeping thing that creepeth upon the ground, and every man who is upon the faces of the ground may quake before Me; and the mountains shall be thrown down and the steps shall fall, and every wall shall fall down to the earth (Ezek. 38:18-20).
“Gog” signifies external worship without internal; “the ground of Israel” signifies the church; this makes clear what is signified by “in that day Gog shall come upon the ground of Israel;” that “then there shall be a great earthquake,” signifies a change of the church, and its overthrow; for external worship derives its all from internal worship, so that the external is just such as the internal is, consequently where there is no internal worship the external worship is not worship but mere gesture and speech; the thought that is present at the time is solely from the natural memory, and the affection is from the body, such as arises from habit before men; “the fishes of the sea, the fowl of the heavens, the wild beast of the field, and every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth, shall quake” signifies all things of man; for “fishes of the sea” signify natural things in general, and in particular, knowledges there, “the fowl of the heavens” signify in general intellectual things, in particular, thoughts from truths, but here from falsities, “the wild beast of the field” signifies affection and lust for falsity and evil, and the creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth” signifies the sensual, which is the ultimate of the natural, with its delights and knowledges; and as these signify all things of man it is said, “and every man who is upon the faces of the ground,” “every man” in the spiritual sense meaning everything of man in respect to intelligence and wisdom; “the mountains shall be thrown down, and the steps shall fall, and every wall shall fall down to the earth” signifies that every good of love and every truth of that good shall perish, and thus every evil and falsity will break in unresisted; “mountains” signifying the goods of love, “steps” the truths therefrom, and “wall” defense; and where there is no defense there every evil and falsity breaks in unresisted. Who does not see that this does not mean that fishes of the sea, the fowl of the heavens, the wild beast of the field, and the creeping thing of the ground are to quake before Jehovah?
sRef Jer@49 @21 S10′ [10] In Jeremiah:
At the sound of the fall of Edom and of the inhabitants of Teman the earth quaked, there is a cry, and the sound of it was heard in the sea of Suph (Jer. 49:21).
Here “Edom and the inhabitants of Teman” are not meant, but the evils and falsities that are opposed to the goods and truths of the celestial kingdom; therefore “at the sound of the fall of Edom and of the inhabitants of Teman the earth quaked” signifies that the church was changed and perished by those evils and falsities; “a cry, and the sound of it was heard in the sea of Suph” signifies their damnation; “the sea of Suph” meaning damnation; “cry” is predicated of the damnation of evil, and “sound” of the damnation of falsity. (That “the sea of Suph” signifies damnation and hell, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 8099.)
sRef Ps@60 @1 S11′ sRef Ps@60 @2 S11′ [11] In David:
O God, Thou hast cast us off, Thou hast made a breach in us, Thou hast been angry; restore rest to us. Thou hast made the earth to quake; Thou hast broken it up; heal the breaches thereof, for it is moved (Ps. 60:1, 2).
“Breach” signifies a falling away of the church and the consequent perversion of truth and breaking in of falsity; this therefore is signified by “Thou hast made the earth to quake, Thou hast broken it up,” also by “the earth is moved,” “earth” meaning the church.
sRef Hag@2 @9 S12′ sRef Hag@2 @7 S12′ sRef Hag@2 @6 S12′ [12] In Haggai:
Yet once, it is for a little while, when I make the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land to quake, and then I will make all nations to quake that the choice of all nations may come; and I will fill this house with glory (Hag. 2:6-7).
This is said of the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem, and the “new temple” there signifies a new church that is to be established by the Lord. This is meant by “Yet once, it is for a little while,” and by “then I will make all nations quake that the choice of all nations may come; and I will fill this house with glory,” “nations” and “the choice of nations” signifying all who are in good (see above, n. 175, 331), “house” signifying the church, and “glory” Divine truth. This new church is further described by “the temple” in that chapter thus:
The glory of this latter house shall be greater than that of the former, for in this place I will give peace (Hag. 2:9).
The judgment in the spiritual world that will precede is described by “I make the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land to quake” “the heavens and the earth” meaning all interior things of the church, and “sea and dry land” all the exterior things of it.
sRef Matt@24 @7 S13′ [13] In the Gospels:
Nation shall be stirred up against nation, kingdom against kingdom; for there shall be pestilences, famines, and earthquakes, in divers places (Matt. 24:7; Mark 13:8; Luke 21:11).
“Nation shall be stirred up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom,” signifies that evil is to fight with evil, and falsity with falsity, “nation” signifying the good of the church, and in a contrary sense its evil, and “kingdom” signifying the truth of the church, and in a contrary sense its falsity; “there shall be pestilences, famines, and earthquakes in divers places,” signifies that there will no longer be any goods and truths, and knowledges of good and truth, and thus that the state of the church is changed, which is meant by “an earthquake.” In these chapters of the Gospels the successive states of the church even to its consummation are foretold, but these are described by pure correspondences. (These are explained in Arcana Coelestia, n. 3353-3356, 3486-3489, 3650-3655, 3751-3757, 3897-3901, 4056-4060, 4229-4231, 4332-4335, 4422-4434.)
sRef Matt@27 @54 S14′ sRef Matt@28 @1 S14′ sRef Matt@28 @2 S14′ sRef Matt@27 @51 S14′ sRef Matt@27 @66 S14′ [14] It is recorded also in the Word that there was an earthquake when the Lord suffered upon the cross, and also when the angel descended and rolled away the stone from the mouth of the sepulcher; and each of these earthquakes signified a change in the state of the church. Of the earthquake that occurred when the Lord suffered it is thus written:
The veil in the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks were rent. The centurion and they that were with him guarding Jesus, seeing the earthquake and the things that were done, feared exceedingly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God (Matt. 27:51, 54).
And of the earthquake that occurred when the angel descended and rolled away the stone from the mouth of the sepulcher it is said:
When Mary Magdalene came and the other Mary to see the sepulcher, and behold, there was a great earthquake; for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and coming, rolled away the stone from the mouth, and sat upon it (Matt. 28:1-2).
These earthquakes occurred to indicate that the state of the church was then changed; for the Lord by His last temptation, which He endured in Gethsemane and upon the cross, conquered the hells, and put in order all things there and in the heavens, and also glorified His Human, that is, made it Divine; for this reason “there was an earthquake, and the rocks were rent.” “The veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom” signified that His Human was made Divine; for within the veil was the ark in which was the Testimony, and “the Testimony” signified the Lord in respect to His Divine Human (see above, n. 392). “The veil” signified the external of the church which was with the Jews and Israelites, and that covered their eyes that they might not see the Lord and Divine truth, or the Word in its own light. The “great earthquake” that occurred when the angel descended from heaven and rolled away the stone from the mouth of the sepulcher, has a like signification, namely, that the state of the church was altogether changed; for the Lord then rose again, and in respect to His Human assumed all dominion over heaven and earth, as He Himself says in Matthew (28:18). “The angel rolled away the stone from the mouth and sat upon it” signifies that the Lord removed all the falsity that had shut off access to Him, and that He opened Divine truth, “the stone” signifying the Divine truth which the Jews had falsified by their tradition; for it is said that:
The chief priests and Pharisees sealed the stone with a guard; but that an angel from heaven removed it and sat upon it (Matt. 27:66; 28:2).
The things that have been said respecting these earthquakes, and the veil of the temple, and the stone before the mouth of sepulcher, are but a few, but the things signified by them are many, for each and everything that is written in the Gospels respecting the Lord’s Passion involves arcana and is significative. The earthquakes mentioned elsewhere in Revelation also signify changes of the state of the church (as chap. 11:13; 16:17-19).

sRef Rev@6 @12 S0′ 401. And the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood, signifies that all the good of love was separated, and thence all the truth of faith falsified. This is evident from the signification of “sun” as being in the highest sense the Lord in respect to Divine love, and thence with man the good of love to the Lord from the Lord (of which presently); also from the signification of “black as sackcloth of hair,” as being separated; “black” is predicated of thick darkness, thus of what does not appear from any light. It is said “as sackcloth of hair,” because it means the sensual of man, which is the lowest of the natural, and is thus round about the interiors, in which it induces thick darkness. Man has two minds, a spiritual and a natural; the spiritual mind thinks and perceives from the light of heaven, but the natural mind thinks and perceives from the light of the world; from the latter, man has a light that is called natural light [lumen]. This natural mind is what is called the natural man, but the spiritual mind is what is called the spiritual man. As the natural mind is below or outside of the spiritual mind it is also round about it, for it enwraps it on every side; therefore it is called “sackcloth of hair” or “hairy;” for when the spiritual mind, which is the higher and interior mind, is closed, then the natural mind, which is the lower and exterior, is in thick darkness in respect to all things of heaven and the church; for all the light that the natural mind has, and that constitutes its intelligence, is from the light of his spiritual mind, and this light is the light of heaven. The sensual, which is the ultimate of the natural, is also in the light of heaven like something hairy; from this it is that “hair” signifies the ultimate of the natural man, which is the sensual (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3301, 5247, 5569-5573). These things have been said that it may be known why it is that “the sun became black as sackcloth of hair.”
[2] The above is evident also from the signification of the “moon” as being spiritual truth, which is called the truth of faith (of which presently); also from the signification of “became as blood,” as being that truth was falsified; for “blood” in the genuine sense signifies Divine truth, and in the contrary sense, violence offered to Divine truth, thus Divine truth falsified (that this is the signification of “blood” in the Word, see above, n. 329); this makes clear what “the moon became as blood” signifies. “The sun” signifies the Lord in respect to Divine love, and thus with man the good of love to the Lord from the Lord, and “the moon” signifies spiritual truth, because the Lord in the heaven of celestial angels appears as a sun, and in the heaven of spiritual angels as a moon. His appearing as a sun is from His Divine love, for Divine love appears as a fire, from which angels in the heavens have their heat; consequently celestial and spiritual “fire” means in the Word, love. The Lord’s appearing as a moon is from the light that is from that sun, for the moon derives her light [lumen] from that sun, and light in heaven is Divine truth, consequently “light” in the Word signifies Divine truth. (But of the Sun and the Moon in the Heavens, and the Heat and Light Therefrom, see what is shown in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 116-140.)
sRef Rev@1 @16 S3′ sRef Matt@17 @1 S3′ sRef Matt@17 @2 S3′ [3] That in the Word “sun” signifies the Lord in respect to Divine love, and with man the good of love to the Lord, and the “moon” signifies the Lord in respect to Divine truth spiritual, is evident from the following passages. In Matthew:
When Jesus was transfigured before Peter, James, and John, His face did shine as the sun, and His garments became as light (Matt. 17:1-2).
Because the Lord was then seen in His Divine, He appeared in respect to His face “as the sun,” and in respect to His garments “as the light,” because the face corresponds to love, and “garments” correspond to truths; and “His face did shine as the sun” because Divine love was in Him, and “His garments became as light” because Divine truth was from Him; for the light in Heaven is Divine truth proceeding from the Lord as a sun. (That “the face” in reference to the Lord means love and every good, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 5585, 9306, 9546, 9888; and that “garments” in reference to the Lord signify Divine truth, see above, n. 64, 195.) In like manner the Lord appears in heaven before the angels when He presents Himself before them, but He then appears out of the sun. He was therefore seen in like manner by John when he was in the spirit, as appears in Revelation, where it is said that:
The face of the Son of man was seen as the sun shineth in his power (Rev. 1:16).
It was evidently the Lord who was seen (see above, n. 63).
sRef Rev@10 @1 S4′ [4] Likewise when the Lord was seen by John as an angel, respecting which we read:
And I saw a strong angel coming down out of heaven, encompassed with a cloud, and a rainbow about his head, and his face was as the sun (Rev. 10:1);
for “angels” in the Word in its spiritual sense do not mean angels, but something Divine from the Lord, since the Divine that appears from them is not theirs, but the Lord’s with them. So, too, the Divine truth they speak, which is full of wisdom, they do not speak from themselves, but from the Lord, for they have been men, and men have all wisdom and intelligence from the Lord. This makes clear that in the Word “angel” means the Lord, who also then appeared as a sun. (That in the Word, “angel” means something Divine from the Lord, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 1925, 2821, 3039, 4085, 6280, 8192; that this is why in the Word angels are called gods, n. 4295, 4402, 7268, 7873, 8301, 8192.)
sRef Rev@12 @1 S5′ [5] So, too, when the church was represented as a woman, the sun also then appeared around her; which is thus described in Revelation:
A great sign was seen in heaven; a woman encompassed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars (Rev. 12:1).
That “the woman” here signifies the church will be seen in the explanation that will be given in what follows. (That “woman” signifies the church, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 252, 253, 749, 770.) And because the church is from the Lord she was seen encompassed with the sun. What is signified by “the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars,” will also be shown in that explanation.
sRef 2Sam@23 @4 S6′ sRef 2Sam@23 @3 S6′ [6] It is therefore said by David:
The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spoke to me, As the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, a morning without clouds, from the brightness after rain (2 Sam. 23:3-4).
“The God of Israel” and “Rock of Israel” here mean the Lord in relation to the church, and in relation to Divine truth therein, “the God of Israel” in relation to the church, and “Rock of Israel” in relation to Divine truth therein; and as the Lord is the sun of the angelic heaven, and the Divine truth proceeding from Him is the light of that heaven, therefore it is said of the Divine which He spoke, which is Divine truth, that it is “as the light of the morning when the sun riseth;” because this is pure, and proceeds from His Divine love, it is added, “a morning without clouds, from brightness after rain,” for the brightness of the light, or of Divine truth proceeding from Him, is from Divine love; “after rain” signifies after communication and reception, for its brightness is then with angels and men to whom it is communicated and by whom it is received. (That “the Rock of Israel,” and “the Stone of Israel,” mean the Lord in relation to Divine truth, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 6426, 8581, 10580; and that “light” is Divine truth proceeding from the Lord as a sun, thus out of His Divine love, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 126-140.)
sRef Matt@13 @43 S7′ sRef Judg@5 @31 S7′ [7] In like manner it is said of those who love Jehovah, in the book of Judges:
Let them that love Him be as the going forth of the sun in his might (Judg. 5:31).
That in the Word “Jehovah” means the Lord in relation to the Divine good of the Divine love may be seen in the Arcana Coelestia (n. 1736, 2921, 3035, 5041, 6303, 6281, 8864, 9315, 9373, 10146). Of those who love Him it is said, “as the going forth of the sun in his might,” which signifies the Lord’s Divine love in them. Of such it is also said that “they shall shine as the sun,” in Matthew:
The righteous shall shine as the sun in the kingdom of My* Father (Matt. 13:43).
in the Word those are called “righteous” who love the Lord, that is, from love do His commandments; and in respect to their faces they shine with an effulgence like that of the sun, because the Lord’s Divine love is communicated to them and received by them, whereby the Lord is in their midst, that is, in their interiors, which manifest themselves in the face. (That those who are in good of love to the Lord are called “righteous,” see above, n. 204.)
sRef Ps@89 @36 S8′ sRef Ps@89 @37 S8′ [8] In David:
His seed shall be to eternity, and His throne as the sun before Me. It shall be established as the moon to eternity, and as a faithful witness in the clouds (Ps. 89:36-37).
This is said of the Lord, and of His heaven and church, for by “David,” who is here treated of in the sense of the letter, is meant the Lord (see above, n. 205); “his seed which shall be to eternity” signifies Divine truth, and also those who receive it; “his throne as the sun before Me” signifies the heaven and church of the Lord, which are in celestial good, which is the good of love; “the throne established as the moon to eternity” signifies the heaven and the church that are in spiritual good, which is Divine truth; “a faithful witness in the clouds” signifies the Word in the sense of the letter, which is called “a witness” because it witnesses, “clouds” meaning the sense of the letter of the Word.
sRef Ps@72 @17 S9′ sRef Ps@72 @7 S9′ sRef Ps@72 @5 S9′ [9] In the same:
They shall fear Thee with the sun and before the moon, a generation of generations. In His days shall the righteous flourish; and much peace till the moon be no more. His name shall be to eternity; before the sun shall He have the name of Son; and all nations shall be blessed in Him (Ps. 72:5, 7, 17).
This, too, is said of the Lord, for this whole Psalm treats of Him; and as the Lord appears in heaven to those who are in His celestial kingdom as a sun, and to those who are in His spiritual kingdom as a moon, it is said “they shall fear Thee with the sun and before the moon, a generation of generations;” “in that day the righteous shall flourish, and much peace till the moon be no more,” signifies that those who are in love to the Lord will be in truths from that good, for with those who are in the celestial kingdom, that is, in love to the Lord, truths are implanted; those are called “righteous” who are in the good of love, and “peace” is predicated of that good. But that it may be known how this is to be understood, “till the moon be no more,” it shall be told. The light proceeding from the Lord as a sun differs from the light proceeding from the Lord as a moon in the heavens, as the light of the sun in the world by day differs from the light of the moon in the world by night; the intelligence of those who are in the light of the sun of heaven differs in like manner from the intelligence of those who are in the light of the moon there; wherefore those who are in the light of the sun there are in pure Divine truth; but those who are in the light of the moon there are not in pure Divine truth, for they are in many falsities, which they have derived from the sense of the letter of the Word not understood, and yet these falsities appear to them as truths. From this it can be seen that “till the moon be no more” signifies till there no longer exists with them falsity appearing as truth, but pure truth which makes one with the good of love. It must be known however, that the falsities of those who are in the light of the moon in the heavens are falsities in which there is no evil, and that such falsities, therefore, are accepted by the Lord as if they were truths (respecting these falsities, see in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 21). This, therefore, is what is signified by “till the moon be no more,” that is, with those who are meant by “the righteous in whom there is much peace.” But in the highest sense, by these words the Lord in relation to His Divine Human, that this shall be the Divine good of the Divine love, is meant, therefore it is also added, “before the sun He shall have the name of Son,” “Son” meaning the Lord’s Divine Human. And as “nations” mean all who are in good, or who receive the good of love from the Lord, it is said, “and all nations shall be blessed in Him.” (That “nations” signify those who are in good, and “peoples” those who are in truths, may be seen above, n. 331.)
sRef Isa@30 @25 S10′ sRef Isa@30 @26 S10′ [10] In Isaiah:
There shall be upon every high mountain and upon every lofty hill streams, rivulets of waters, in the day of the great slaughter, when the towers shall fall. And 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 (Isa. 30:25-26).
This is said of the Last Judgment, which is meant by “the day of great slaughter, when the towers shall fall,” “the towers that shall fall” meaning those who are in evils and in falsities therefrom, in particular, those who are in the love of ruling by means of the holy things of the church (see in the work on The Last Judgment, n. 56, 58). That to those who are in love to the Lord and in charity towards the neighbor it shall then be given to understand truths, is signified by “there shall be upon every high mountain and upon every lofty hill streams, rivulets of waters.” Those “upon a high mountain” mean those who are in the good of love to the Lord, “high mountain” signifying that good; those “upon the lofty hill” mean those who are in the good of charity towards the neighbor, “hill” signifying that good; “streams, rivulets of water” signify intelligence from truths. That there shall then be truth in the Lord’s spiritual kingdom, as before there was truth in the celestial kingdom, and that the truth in the celestial kingdom shall then become the good of love is meant by “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;” for “light” means Divine truth proceeding from the Lord, “the light of the moon” Divine truth in the spiritual kingdom, and “the light of the sun” Divine truth in the celestial kingdom; “sevenfold” signifies full and perfect, and truth is full and perfect when it becomes good, or good in form. It can be seen that this means, not the sun and moon on the earth, but the sun and moon in the heavens. It is to be known that when a last judgment is being effected the Lord appears in the heavens in much greater effulgence and splendor than at other times, and this because the angels there must be more powerfully defended; for lower things, with which the exteriors of the angels have communication, are then in a state of disturbance. Therefore, as the Last Judgment is here treated of, it is said, “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;” and therefore it is also said that “there shall be streams, rivulets of waters, upon every high mountain, and upon every lofty hill,” which signifies abundant intelligence with those who are upon the higher mountains and higher hills, for on the lower mountains and hills is where the judgment then takes place. (That the Lord appears to those who are in His celestial kingdom as a sun, and to those who are in his spiritual kingdom as a moon, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 116-125; and that the light from these is Divine truth, n. 127-140.)
sRef Isa@60 @20 S11′ sRef Isa@60 @19 S11′ sRef Isa@60 @20 S11′ [11] In the same:
Thy sun shall no more go down, and thy moon shall not withdraw; for Jehovah shall be unto thee for a light of eternity, and the days of thy mourning shall be fulfilled (Isa. 60:20).
This treats of the Lord, and of the new heaven and new earth, that is, of the church to be established by Him. That to those in that church the good of love to the Lord and the good of charity towards the neighbor should not perish is meant by “thy sun shall no more go down, and thy moon shall not withdraw;” for to those who are in the good of love to the Lord He appears as a sun, and to those who are in truths from the good of charity towards the neighbor He appears as a moon; so “thy sun” signifies the good of love to the Lord, and “thy moon” the good of charity, which, in its essence, is truth from good. That they shall continue to eternity in truths from the good of love, and in truths from the good of charity is meant by “Jehovah shall be unto thee for a light of eternity, and the days of thy mourning shall be fulfilled,” “the light of eternity” is predicated of those who are in the good of love to the Lord, and “fulfilling the days of mourning” of those who are in the good of charity towards the neighbor, or in truths from good; for with those who were of the ancient churches, “mourning” represented grief on account of the loss or destruction of truth and good; “fulfilled” signifies ended, thus that they shall be in truths from good. From this the signification of “the sun became as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood,” can be seen, namely, that the good of love to the Lord was separated, and thus truth was falsified.
sRef Isa@13 @9 S12′ sRef Isa@13 @10 S12′ sRef Isa@13 @11 S12′ [12] Nearly the same is signified in the following passages. In Isaiah:
Behold the day of Jehovah cometh, cruel with indignation and the glow of anger, to lay the earth waste; and He shall destroy its sinners out of it. For the stars of the heavens and the constellations thereof do not shine with their light; the sun is darkened in its rising, and the moon maketh not her light to be bright. I will visit evil upon the world, and upon the wicked their iniquity (Isa. 13:9-11).
“The day of Jehovah, cruel with indignation and the glow of anger,” signifies the day of the Last Judgment; “the stars of the heavens and the constellations thereof do not shine with their light, the sun is darkened in its rising, and the moon maketh not her light to be bright,” signifies that the knowledges of good and truth have perished, as well as the good of love to the Lord, and the good of charity towards the neighbor, and thence the truth that is called the truth of faith; for “stars” signify the knowledges of good, “constellations” the knowledges of truth, “the sun” the good of love to the Lord, and “the moon” the good of charity towards the neighbor, which, in its essence, is truth from good, and is called the truth of faith. The sun is said “to be darkened in its rising,” and the moon “not to make her light to be bright;” not that the sun and moon in the angelic heavens are darkened, for the sun there is always in its effulgence, and the moon in its splendor; but before those who are in evils and in falsities therefrom, goods and truths are thus obscured; it is therefore according to the appearance that it is so said, for those who are in evils and in falsities therefrom turn themselves away from the good of love and charity, consequently from the Lord, and then they will nothing but evil and think nothing but falsity, and those who will and think no other, see nothing but thick darkness and darkness in such things as pertain to heaven and the church. Because such are meant by those with whom “the sun is darkened, and the moon maketh not her light to be bright,” it is said, “to lay the earth waste, and He shall destroy its sinners out of it,” and afterwards, “I will visit evil upon the world, and upon the wicked their iniquity,” “earth” and “world” signifying the church, “laying it waste” signifying that there is no longer any good, and “visiting evil upon the world, and upon the wicked their iniquity,” signifying the Last Judgment. sRef Ezek@32 @8 S13′ sRef Ezek@32 @7 S13′ [13] In Ezekiel:
When I shall extinguish thee I will cover the heavens and make the stars thereof black; I will cover the sun with a cloud, and the moon shall not make her light to shine; all the luminaries of light in the heavens will I make black over thee, and I will give darkness upon thy land (Ezek. 32:7-8).
This is said of Pharaoh king of Egypt, by whom is here signified the natural man separate from the spiritual; which when it is separated is wholly in thick darkness and in darkness in regard to all things of heaven and the church, and so far as it is separated denies them; for the natural man sees nothing in such things from itself, but only through the spiritual man from the Lord, since the natural man is in the heat and light of the world, while the spiritual man is in the heat and light of heaven. From this it is clear what is meant by the particulars here, namely, “When I extinguish thee I will cover the heavens” signifies the interiors, which are in the light of heaven; “I will make the stars thereof black” signifies the knowledges of good and truth; “I will cover the sun with a cloud” signifies the good of love to the Lord; “the moon shall not make her light to shine” signifies the good of charity towards the neighbor and the truth of faith therefrom; “all the luminaries of light will I make black over thee” signifies all truths; and “I will give darkness upon thy land” signifies falsities.
sRef Joel@3 @15 S14′ sRef Rev@8 @12 S14′ sRef Joel@3 @14 S14′ sRef Joel@2 @10 S14′ sRef Rev@9 @2 S14′ sRef Matt@24 @29 S14′ sRef Joel@2 @31 S14′ sRef Joel@2 @1 S14′ sRef Joel@2 @2 S14′ [14] In Joel:
The day of Jehovah cometh. A day of darkness and of thick darkness, a day of cloud and obscurity. Before Him the earth trembleth, the sun and the moon were black, and the stars withdrew their brightness (Joel 2:1-2, 10).
In the same:
The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of Jehovah cometh (Joel 2:31).
In the same:
The day of Jehovah is near in the valley cut off. The sun and the moon were made black, and the stars withdrew their brightness (Joel 3:14-15).
In the Gospels:
Immediately after the affliction of those days the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven (Matt. 24:29; Mark 13:24-25).
In Revelation:
The fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; and the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for the third part of it, and the night likewise (Rev. 8:12).
In another place:
Out of the pit of the abyss there went up a smoke as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun was darkened and the air by the smoke (Rev. 9:2).
It is clear from what has been said above, that in these passages “the sun and moon made black and darkened” means that there was no longer any good or any truth; therefore they are not further explained.
sRef Luke@23 @45 S15′ sRef Luke@23 @44 S15′ [15] Because such things are signified by “the sun darkened,” therefore the sun was darkened when the Lord was upon the cross, because He was entirely rejected by the church that then was with the Jews, who were consequently in dense darkness, or in falsities. This is thus described in Luke:
At the sixth hour darkness came over all the land until the ninth hour, for the sun was darkened (Luke 23:44-45).
This was done as a sign and token that the Lord was denied, and that thence there was no good nor truth with those who were of the church; for with them all signs from the heavens represented and signified such things as are of the church, because the church with them was a representative church, or consisted of such things in externals as represented and thus signified the internal things of the church. That “darkness came over all the land” signified that with those who were of the church there was nothing except the falsities of evil, “all the land” meaning all the church, and “darkness” signifying falsities; that it continued for three hours, namely, “from the sixth to the ninth hour,” signifies that there remained mere falsity, and no truth whatever, for “three” signifies full, whole, and entirely, and “six” and “nine” signify all things in the complex, here falsities and evils; and because there were falsities and evils with them, from the Lord’s having been denied, therefore it is said, “and darkness came, and the sun was darkened;” “the sun” that was obscured, meaning the Lord, who is said to be “obscured” when falsities so prevail in the church that He is not acknowledged, and evils so prevail that He is crucified. (That each and every thing related in the Word concerning the Lord’s passion is significative may be seen above, n. 64, 83, 195c at the end.)
sRef Amos@8 @9 S16′ sRef Micah@3 @6 S16′ sRef Micah@3 @5 S16′ [16] In Micah:
Jehovah said against the prophets that cause the people to err, It shall be night unto you for vision; and darkness shall be to you for divination; and the sun shall go down over the prophets, and the day shall grow black over them (Micah 3:5-6).
What these words signify in the spiritual sense, may be seen above (n. 372), where they are explained. In Amos:
It shall come to pass in that day, that I will cause the sun to set at noon, and I will darken the earth in a day of light (Amos 8:9).
This signifies that in the church, where the Word is from which it might be known what is good and true, there is nevertheless nothing but evil and falsity. “To cause the sun to set,” and “to darken the earth” signify the evil of life, and the falsity of doctrine in the church; for “the rising of the sun” signifies the good of love, which is the good of the life, and “the setting of the sun” signifies the evil of love, which is the evil of the life; and “the darkening of the earth” signifies the consequent falsity of doctrine, “darkness” signifying falsities, and “the earth” the church; “at noon,” and “in the day of light” signify when there might be the knowledges of good and truth, because they have the Word, “noon” signifying where there are the knowledges of good, and the “day of light” where there are the knowledges of truth. Such knowledges as are from the Word are meant, because it is the church where the Word is that is here treated of.
sRef Hab@3 @11 S17′ sRef Hab@3 @10 S17′ [17] In Habakkuk:
The mountains were moved; the overflowing of waters passed by. Sun and moon stood in their habitation; Thine arrows go forth in light, the lightning of Thy spear in brightness (Hab. 3:10-11).
This chapter treats of the Lord’s coming and of the Last Judgment then accomplished by Him; “the mountains were moved, the overflowing of waters passed by” signifies that those who were in the love of self and the world were cast out by the falsities of evil into which they were let; “mountains” signifying the loves of self and the world, and “the overflowing of waters” to be let into falsities from those loves, “waters” meaning falsities, and “overflowing” to be let into them. That by those in that state genuine truths and goods are not seen, but instead of these, fatuous truths and goods, which in themselves are falsities and evils is signified by, “Thine arrows go forth in light, the lightning of Thy spear in brightness;” “arrows” or “lightnings” signifying fatuous truths, which in themselves are falsities, and “the lightning of the spear” signifying fatuous goods which in themselves are the evils of falsity. Moreover, such signs appear in the spiritual world, in the case of those who are in falsities from the loves of self and the world, when the Last Judgment takes place, and these are cast out.
sRef Josh@10 @13 S18′ sRef Josh@10 @12 S18′ [18] As in this prophecy it is said, “Sun and moon stood in their habitation,” the significance of the sun’s resting in Gibeon, and the moon in the valley of Aijalon shall also be explained, which is thus described in Joshua:
Then spoke Joshua to Jehovah, and he said in the eyes of Israel, Sun, rest thou in Gibeon; and thou, moon, in the valley of Aijalon; and the sun rested, and the moon stayed, until the nation was avenged upon its enemies. Is not this written upon the book of the Upright? And the sun stood in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day (Jos. 10:12-13).
That the sun is said to have stood in Gibeon, and the moon in the valley of Aijalon, signifies that the church was altogether vastated in respect to all good and truth, for a battle was then going on against the king of Jerusalem and the kings of the Amorites; and “the king of Jerusalem” signifies the truth of the church wholly vastated by falsities, and “the kings of the Amorites” signify the good of the church vastated by evils; therefore those kings were smitten with hailstones, which signify the dire falsities of evil. It is said that the sun and the moon stood in their place, that is, before the sons of Israel, that they might see their enemies; but this, although it is told as history is a prophecy, as is evident from its being said, “Is not this written upon the book of the Upright?” which was a prophetical book from which this was taken; so it was from the same book that it was said, “Until the nation was avenged upon its enemies,” and not, “Until the sons of Israel were avenged upon their enemies,” the term “nation” being used prophetically. This is evident also from the fact that if this miracle had occurred altogether in this way, the whole nature of the world would have been inverted, which is not the case with the other miracles in the Word. That it might be known, therefore, that this was said prophetically, it is added, “Is not this written upon the book of the Upright?” And yet it is not to be doubted, that there was given to them a light out of heaven, a light in Gibeon like that of the sun, and a light in the valley of Aijalon like that of the moon.
sRef Jer@15 @9 S19′ [19] In Jeremiah:
She that hath borne seven shall languish, she shall breathe out her soul; her sun shall go down while it is yet day, it shall be ashamed and blush; and the remnant of them will I give to the sword before their enemies (Jer. 15:9).
“She that hath borne seven shall languish, she shall breathe out her soul,” signifies that the church to which the Word is given and through it all truths, is about to perish; “to bear seven” meaning to be gifted with all the truths of the church (as in the first book of Samuel, 2:5, see above, n. 257). “Her sun shall go down while it is yet day” signifies that the good of the church is about to perish, although the church has the Word, and might through the Word be in light; “it, namely, the sun, shall be ashamed and blush” signifies because good and truth are not received, but evil and falsity (as is evident also from the next quotation from Isaiah); “the remnant of them will I give to the sword before their enemies” signifies that all the remaining good and truth will perish through the falsity from evil; “remnant” meaning all that remains; “to be given to the sword” meaning to perish on account of falsities; “enemies” meaning evils.
sRef Isa@24 @23 S20′ sRef Isa@24 @21 S20′ [20] In Isaiah:
Jehovah will visit upon the host of the height in the height, and upon the Kings of the earth who are upon the earth. Then the moon shall blush, and the sun be ashamed (Isa. 24:21, 23).
“To visit” signifies to destroy, because visitation precedes judgment, when those who are in evils and in falsities therefrom are destroyed; “the host of the height in the height” signifies all evils that are from the love of self, “host” signifying all evils; “the kings of the earth” falsities of every kind, and “the earth” the church. This makes clear the signification of “Jehovah will visit upon the host of the height in the height, and upon the kings of the earth who are upon the earth.” It is said “upon the host of the height in the height” because those who are in the love of self seek in the spiritual world high places; “then the moon shall blush, and the sun be ashamed,” signifies that there is no longer any reception of Divine truth and Divine good, “moon” and “sun” signifying the truth of faith and the good of love, and these are said “to blush and be ashamed” when they are no longer received, but falsity and evil are received in their place.
sRef Ps@136 @9 S21′ sRef Ps@136 @11 S21′ sRef Ps@136 @5 S21′ sRef Ps@136 @8 S21′ sRef Ps@136 @7 S21′ sRef Ps@136 @6 S21′ sRef Ps@136 @10 S21′ [21] In David:
Jehovah, who hath made the heavens by His intelligence, who hath spread out the earth upon the waters; who hath made great luminaries, the sun for rule by day, the moon and stars for rule by night: Who hath smitten Egypt in their firstborn, and hath brought out Israel from the midst of them (Ps. 136:5-11).
He who knows nothing of the spiritual sense of the Word must suppose that there is nothing involved in these words except what appears in the sense of the letter; and yet every particular involves such things as pertain to angelic wisdom, which are all celestial Divine and spiritual Divine things. This describes the new creation, or regeneration of the men of the church, of whom the church consists; “the heavens” which Jehovah hath made by His intelligence, signify the internal things of the men of the church, which, in one expression, are called the spiritual man, where intelligence has its seat, and where their heaven is; “the earth” which He hath spread out upon the waters, signifies the external of the church, which in one expression, is called the natural man; this is said to be “spread out upon the waters” because there the truths are by which man is regenerated, “waters” meaning truths; “the great luminaries, the sun, moon, and stars,” signify the good of love, truth from that good, and the knowledges of good and truth, “the sun,” the good of love, “the moon” truth from that good, and “the stars” the knowledges of good and truth. The sun is said to have been made “for rule by day,” because “day” signifies the light of the spiritual man, for the spiritual man has illustration and perception from the good of love; the moon and the stars are said to have been made “for rule by night,” because “night” signifies the light of the natural man, and its light, as compared with the light of the spiritual man, is like the light of night from the moon and the stars as compared with the light of day from the sun. Because this treats of the regeneration of the men of the church it follows, “who hath smitten Egypt in their firstborn, and hath brought out Israel from the midst of them;” “Egypt” signifying the natural man, such as it is by birth, namely, in mere falsities from evil; “their firstborn” mean primary things; the destruction of these while man is being regenerated is meant by “who hath smitten Egypt in their firstborn;” “Israel” signifies the spiritual man; and “to bring him out from the midst of them” signifies to open the spiritual man, and thus to regenerate; for the Lord regenerates the man of the church by dispersing the falsities from evils that are in the natural man, and by opening the spiritual man, and this is effected by the Lord by means of spiritual light, which is Divine truth.
sRef Jer@31 @35 S22′ sRef Gen@1 @16 S22′ [22] Like things are signified by these words in Genesis:
God made two great luminaries; the great luminary to rule by day, and the lesser luminary to rule by night, and the stars (Gen. 1:16).
For that chapter treats of the new creation, or the regeneration of the men of whom the Most Ancient Church consisted, and this is described in the sense of the letter, by the creation of heaven and earth. Like things are signified, too, by these words in Jeremiah:
Thus said the Lord Jehovih** who giveth the sun for light by day, the statutes of the moon and stars for light by night (Jer. 31:35).
“The statutes of the moon and stars” signify all things that are done in the natural man according to the laws of order.
sRef Ps@148 @3 S23′ sRef Ps@148 @2 S23′ sRef Ps@148 @4 S23′ [23] In David:
Praise ye Jehovah, all His angels; praise ye Him, all His hosts; praise ye Him, sun and moon; praise Him, all ye stars of light; praise Him, ye heavens of heavens (Ps. 148:2-4).
“To praise Jehovah” signifies to worship Him; “angels” signify those who are in Divine truths from the good of love, for such are angels; “all the hosts” signify goods and truths in the whole complex; “sun and moon” signify the good of love and the truth from that good; “the stars of light” signify the knowledges of truth from good; “the heavens of heavens” signify goods and truths both internal and external; and as man worships the Lord from those things that are with him from the Lord, thus from the goods and truths that are with him, and as man is a man from these, therefore it is said to them, namely, to the sun, moon, and stars, which signify goods and truths, that they “shall praise,” that is, worship, Jehovah. Who does not know that the sun, moon, and stars do not praise, that is, worship?
sRef Deut@33 @13 S24′ sRef Deut@33 @14 S24′ [24] In Moses:
Of Joseph he said, Blessed of Jehovah be His land, for the precious things of heaven, for the dew, and for the deep that lieth beneath, and for the precious things of the increase of the sun, and for the precious things of the produce of the months (Deut. 33:13, 14).
This is said in the blessing of the sons of Israel by Moses; and because “Joseph” means the spiritual-celestial, who are those that are highest in the spiritual kingdom, and thus most closely communicate with those who are in the Lord’s celestial kingdom, “His land” signifies that spiritual kingdom, likewise the church that consists of such; “the precious things of heaven, the dew, and the deep also that lieth beneath” signify things spiritual-celestial in the internal and the external man; “the precious things of the increase of the sun, and the precious things of the produce of the months,” signify all things that proceed from the Lord’s celestial kingdom, and all things that proceed from His spiritual kingdom, thus the goods and truths therefrom, “the sun” signifying the good of love to the Lord from the Lord which is the good that those have who are in the Lord’s celestial kingdom, “its increase” signifying all things that proceed from it; “the produce of the months” signifies all things that proceed from the Lord’s spiritual kingdom, “months” here signifying the like as “the moon,” namely, truths from good, for the same word is used for both in the original. But this that has been said must seem obscure to one who knows nothing about the two kingdoms of heaven, the celestial and the spiritual, and about their conjunction by intermediates. (But respecting these kingdoms and the intermediates, see what is said in Heaven and Hell, n. 20-28.)
sRef Isa@54 @12 S25′ [25] In Isaiah:
I will make thy suns a ruby, and thy gates of stones of carbuncles, and all thy border of stones of desire (Isa. 54:12).
This is said of the nations outside of the church, from whom a new church was to be established by the Lord. “I will make thy suns a ruby” signifies that goods will be brilliant from the fire of love, “suns” here meaning the goods of love, and “the ruby” meaning a brilliance as from fire; “I will make thy gates of stones of carbuncles” signifies that truths will be resplendent from good, “gates” meaning introductory truths, in particular the doctrines that are from good, for all truths of doctrine that are genuine proceed from good, and are of good; and “stones of carbuncles” signify their brightness from good; in fact, all precious stones signify truths from good, and their color, brightness, and fire indicate the quality of the truth from good. “I will make all their border of stones of desire” signifies that true knowledges, which belong to the natural man, will be pleasant and enjoyable from good; for “border” has the same meaning as “foundation,” and this means the natural man, for in the things in it the goods and truths of the spiritual man are terminated, and “stones of desire” mean truths pleasant and enjoyable from good; by these are meant the goods and truths of the Word which those who constitute the new church will have, and which will be such. That the “sun” signifies the good of love is evident, too, from their being called “suns,” in the plural.
sRef Job@31 @25 S26′ sRef Job@31 @27 S26′ sRef Job@31 @26 S26′ [26] In Job:
Was I glad because my means were great, and because my hand had found much? did I behold the light that it shone, and the moon that it walked in brightness? and hath my heart secretly misled itself, and my hand kissed my mouth? (Job 31:25-28).
These words mean in the spiritual sense that he had not acquired for himself intelligence from what was his own [ex proprio], and had taken no merit to himself for his intelligence, and had not gloried in it; for “Was I glad because my means were great, and because my hand had found much?” signifies, had he gloried over having intelligence, and having acquired it for himself from what was his own “means” signify the knowledges of good and truth, by which intelligence is gained; “and because my hand had found much” signifies to have acquired from what is one’s own; “did I behold the light that it shone, and the moon that it walked in brightness” signifies to have spiritual truths, which constitute intelligence, “light” and the “moon” signifying spiritual truths; “hath my heart secretly misled itself, and my hand kissed my mouth?” signifies, have I therefore gloried inwardly, and have I claimed them to myself?
sRef Matt@5 @45 S27′ [27] In Matthew:
That ye may be sons of your Father who is in the heavens; who maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust (Matt. 5:45).
This treats of charity towards the neighbor, as is evident from what there precedes and follows, and, in particular of the Jews, who accounted the Gentiles as enemies, and their own people as friends. That they ought to love the Gentiles the same as their own people the Lord makes clear by this comparison; but as all comparisons in the Word are from correspondences, and from that are significative, as other things are that are not said comparatively, so it is with this comparison; and “the Father in the heavens maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust” signifies that the Lord flows in from heaven with the Divine good of love and with Divine truth, with those who are outside of the Jewish church as much as with those who are within it, “sun” also here signifying the good of love, and “rain” the Divine truth. “The evil and the unjust” signify in the internal sense those who were of the Jewish Church, since they did not receive; and “the good and the just” signify those who were outside of that church and did receive. In general, all the evil and the good, and the just and the unjust, are here meant, for the Lord flows in with good and truth equally with all, but all do not receive equally.
sRef Mal@1 @11 S28′ sRef Isa@59 @19 S28′ sRef Ps@113 @3 S28′ sRef Isa@41 @25 S28′ sRef Ps@50 @1 S28′ sRef Isa@45 @6 S28′ [28] Because “the sun” signifies the Lord in relation to Divine love, He is called “the Sun of righteousness (in Malachi 4:2); and “a Sun and Shield” (in David, Psalm 84:11). Because “the sun” signifies the good of love to the Lord with man, “from the rising of the sun unto its going down” signifies all who are in the good of love to the Lord, from the first to the last; “from the rising of the sun” meaning from the first, and “unto the going down of the sun” meaning to the last, as in the following passages. In Malachi:
From the rising of the sun even unto its going down is My name great among the nations (Mal. 1:11).
In David:
From the rising of the sun unto its going down the name of Jehovah is to be praised (Ps. 113:3).
In the same:
God, Jehovah God speaketh, and shall call the earth from the rising of the sun unto its going down (Ps. 50:1).
In Isaiah:
That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from its going down, that there is none beside Me (Isa. 45:6).
In the same:
From the going down of the sun shall they fear the name of Jehovah, and His glory from the rising of the sun (Isa. 59:19).
I shall raise up one that shall come from the north, and from the rising of the sun one who shall call upon My name (Isa. 41:25).
“From the rising of the sun unto its going down” signifies all, from the first to the last, who are in the good of love to the Lord, because all in heaven dwell according to quarters. Those who are in the good of love to the Lord dwell from the east to the west; those who dwell in the east are those who are in a clear good of love, and those who dwell in the west are those who are in an obscure good of love. This is why “from the rising of the sun unto its going down” signifies all, from the first to the last, who are in the good of love. The words in Isaiah, “I will raise up one that will come from the north and from the rising of the sun” signify those who are outside of the church, and those who are inside of it; for “the north” signifies the obscurity of truth, thus those who are outside of the church, because they are in obscurity in regard to truths from not having the Word, and thence not knowing anything about the Lord; and “the rising of the sun” signifies those who are within the church, because they have the Word, in which the Lord is always present, and so in His rising. (That “the east” or “the rising of the sun,” and “the west” or “the setting of the sun,” mean the good of love in clearness and the good of love in obscurity, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 141, 148-150; and that “the north” means truth in obscurity, in the same chapter, n. 148-150; for the Four Quarters in the Spiritual World are there treated of.)
Again, “the setting of the sun” signifies the state of the church when it is in ignorance, which is its first state; and “the rising of the sun” signifies its state when it is in light. “The setting of the sun” also signifies the state of the church when it is in evils and falsities therefrom; and “the rising of the sun” when it is in goods and in truths therefrom.
sRef Deut@16 @6 S29′ [29] The first state of the church, when it is still in ignorance, is signified by the commencement of the passover in the evening when the sun was set, according to these words of Moses:
Thou shalt sacrifice the passover at even, when the sun shall have set in the stated time of thy going forth out of Egypt (Deut. 16:6).
For “the feast of the passover” signified the celebration of the Lord on account of deliverance from damnation, which is effected by regeneration; and in the highest sense a remembrance of the glorification of the Lord’s Human, because deliverance is from that (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 7093, 7867, 9286-9292, 10655). And because the first state of regeneration is a state of ignorance, the beginning of that feast was “at even, when the sun had set.” Again, that state is signified by “the going forth of the sons of Israel out of Egypt,” for in Egypt they were in a servile state, and thus in a state of ignorance; therefore it is said, “in the stated time of the going forth out of Egypt.”
sRef Gen@15 @12 S30′ sRef Gen@15 @17 S30′ [30] The last state of the church, when the church is in falsities and evils, for this state is its last, is signified by “the setting of the sun” in Moses:
When the sun was about setting, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and lo, a horror and great darkness fell upon him. At length, when the sun had set, and it had become dark, behold, a furnace of smoke, and a torch of fire that passed through between these pieces (Gen. 15:12, 17).
These things are said of the posterity of Abram from Jacob, that is, of the Israelitish and Jewish nation; and “when the sun was about setting,” and “at length, when the sun had set,” signify the last state of the church in that nation, that they were in mere falsities and evils; “great darkness” and “a furnace of smoke,” signify falsities from evil; and “a torch of fire” signifies the dire love of self, from which came their evils and falsities.
[31] As most things in the Word have also a contrary sense, so have “sun” and “moon” and in that sense “sun” signifies the love of self, and “moon,” the falsities therefrom. “Sun and moon” have this signification because those who are in natural thought only, and not in spiritual thought, do not think beyond nature; therefore when they see that from these two luminaries, or from their light and heat, all things arise and, as it were, live upon the earth, they suppose that these luminaries rule the universe; above this they do not raise their thoughts. This all do who are in the love of self and in the evils and falsities therefrom, for such are merely natural and sensual men, and the merely natural and sensual man does not think beyond nature, for what he does not see and touch he believes to be nothing.
With the ancients, all things of the church consisted of the representatives of spiritual things in natural; with them therefore, “the sun” signified the Lord in relation to Divine good, and “the moon” the Lord in relation to Divine truth, consequently in worship they turned their faces to the rising of the sun; and those among them who were in the love of self, and were therefore merely natural and sensual, began to worship as their highest gods the sun and the moon that they saw with their eyes; but because those alone did this, or persuaded others to do it, who were in the love of self and in the evils and falsities therefrom, therefore “the sun” signifies the love of self, and “the moon” the falsity therefrom. This becomes still more evident in the case of spirits in the other life who in the world had been such; these turn the face away from the Lord, and turn it towards something there that is dark and in thick darkness, which is in the place of the sun and moon of the world, over against the sun and moon of the angelic heaven (on which more may be seen in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 122, 123). By persons like this the worship of the sun and moon was instituted in ancient times, when all Divine worship was representative; but at this day, when representatives have ceased, the worship of the sun and moon does not exist in the Christian world, but in its place the worship of self, which exists with those in whom the love of ruling predominates. This makes clear the signification of “sun and moon” in the contrary sense.
sRef Jer@43 @10 S32′ sRef Jer@43 @13 S32′ sRef Jer@8 @2 S32′ sRef Ezek@8 @16 S32′ sRef 2Ki@23 @5 S32′ sRef Jer@43 @11 S32′ sRef 2Ki@23 @11 S32′ sRef Jer@8 @1 S32′ [32] That in ancient times the sun and moon were worshiped is evident from the fact that the Gentiles dedicated shrines to them, which are spoken of in many histories. That the Egyptians as well as the Jews and Israelites worshiped the sun and moon is evident from the Word. That the Egyptians did, see in Jeremiah:
The King of Babylon shall come, and shall smite the land of Egypt, and shall break in pieces the pillars of the house of the sun in the land of Egypt (Jer. 43:11, 13).
That the Jews and Israelites did, see in Ezekiel:
I held their faces towards the east; and the same bowed themselves towards the rising of the sun (Ezek. 8:16).
This treats of the abominations of Jerusalem. In the second book of Kings:
Josiah*** the King put down the idolatrous priests, them that burned incense unto Baal, to the sun, to the moon, and to the stars, and to all of the hosts of the heavens. He furthermore took away the horses that the Kings of Judah had set up to the sun at the entering in of the house of Jehovah, and burned the chariots of the sun with fire (2 Kings 23:5, 11).
In Jeremiah:
They shall bring out the bones of the Kings of Judah, the bones of his princes, and the bones of his priests, and the bones of his prophets, and the bones of the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and they shall spread them to the sun and the moon and all the host of the heavens, which they have loved, and which they have served (Jer. 8:1-2);
and also Jer. 44:17-19, 25; Deut. 4:19; 17:3, 5.
sRef Num@25 @4 S33′ sRef Num@25 @1 S33′ sRef Num@25 @3 S33′ sRef Num@25 @2 S33′ [33] Because “Moab” in the Word signifies those who are in a life of falsity from the love of self, and their worship signifies the worship of self, therefore when the Israelitish people drew near to the worship of the Moabitish people, it was commanded that the chiefs of the people should be hung up before the sun; respecting which it is thus written in Moses:
The daughters of Moab called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods; and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods. Especially did Israel join himself unto Baalpeor; therefore Jehovah said unto Moses, Take all the chiefs of the people, and hang them up before the sun (Num. 25:1-4).
“Moab” signifies those who are in a life of falsity from the love of self, and who consequently adulterate the goods of the church (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2468, 8315).
sRef Ps@121 @6 S34′ sRef Rev@16 @8 S34′ sRef Rev@7 @16 S34′ sRef Ps@121 @7 S34′ [34] From this it is also clear that the sun of the world signifies the love of self. Because the love of self lets man down into what is his own [proprium] and holds him there, for it looks continually to self, and man’s own is nothing but evil, and from evil comes every falsity, therefore “the heat of the sun” signifies adulterated truth, which in its essence is the falsity of evil. This is signified by “the heat of the sun” in the following passages. In Revelation:
The fourth angel poured out his bowl upon the sun; and it was given unto him to scorch men with fire (Rev. 16:8).
And elsewhere:
They shall hunger no more, neither shall the sun fall on them, nor any heat (Rev. 7:16).
In David:
The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. Jehovah shall keep thee from all evil, He shall keep thy soul (Ps. 121:6, 7).
The “sun” here means the love of self, and the “moon” the falsity therefrom; because from that love is all evil, and from evil all falsity, therefore it is said, “Jehovah shall keep thee from all evil, and He shall keep thy soul,” “soul” signifying the life of truth.
sRef Matt@13 @5 S35′ sRef Matt@13 @6 S35′ [35] In Matthew:
Other seeds fell upon the rocky places, where they had not much earth; and when the sun was risen they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away (Matt. 13:5-6; Mark 4:5-6).
“Seeds” signify the truths from the Word, that is, the truths man receives from the Lord, for it is afterwards said, that it is “the Son of man that soweth.” “Rocky places” signify a historical faith, which is another’s faith in oneself, which is believing a thing to be true, not because one sees it in himself, but because another in whom he has confidence has said it. “Earth” signifies spiritual good, because this receives truths as soil does seeds; “the sun’s rising” signifies the love of self; and “to be scorched” and “to wither away” signify to be adulterated and to perish. This makes clear what is signified by these words of the Lord in series, namely, that the truths that are implanted from infancy from the Word or from preaching, when man begins to think from himself, are adulterated and perish by lusts from the love of self. All things in the Word are, indeed, truths, but they are adulterated by the ideas of thought concerning them, and by the way they are applied, consequently with such persons truths are not truths except in respect to the mere utterance of them. This is so because all the life of truth is from spiritual good, and spiritual good has its seat in the higher or interior mind, which is called the spiritual mind. This mind cannot be opened with those who are in the love of self, for in everything they look to self. If they lift their eyes to heaven, still the thought of their spirit is held in the consideration of self; consequently from the fire of its own glory it incites the external and corporeal sensual things which have been taught from childhood, to the imitation of such affections as belong to the spiritual man.
sRef Jonah@4 @3 S36′ sRef Jonah@4 @1 S36′ sRef Jonah@4 @8 S36′ sRef Jonah@4 @6 S36′ sRef Jonah@4 @9 S36′ sRef Jonah@4 @7 S36′ sRef Jonah@4 @5 S36′ sRef Jonah@4 @11 S36′ sRef Jonah@4 @10 S36′ [36] It is written in Jonah that “the gourd that came up over him withered, and that the sun beat upon his head, so that he fell sick.” As this cannot be understood without explanation by the internal sense, it shall be explained in a few words. It is thus told in Jonah:
Jehovah prepared a gourd that came up over Jonah, that it might be a shadow over his head to deliver him from his evil, and Jonah was glad over the gourd. And God prepared a worm, when the dawn came up the following day, and it smote the gourd that it dried up. And it came to pass when the sun arose that God prepared a scorching east wind; and the sun smote upon the head of Jonah, and he fell sick so that he asked that his soul might die. Then God said to Jonah, is it well for thee to be angry over the gourd? He said, It is well for me to be angry, even unto death. Jehovah said, Thou wouldest spare the gourd, for which thou hast not labored, nor didst thou make it grow up, because thou didst become the son of the night**** and the son of night perisheth; shall not I spare Nineveh, the great city, in which are more than twelve myriads***** of men? (Jonah 4:6-11).
This is a description of the genius of the Jewish nation, that they are in the love of self and in falsities therefrom. Jonah was of that nation, and therefore also was sent to Nineveh; for the Jewish nation had the Word, and was therefore able to teach those who were outside of the church and who are called Gentiles; these are signified by “Nineveh.” Because the Jewish nation was, above others, in the love of self and in the falsities from that love, they did not wish well to any but themselves, thus not to the Gentiles, but these they hated. Because that nation was such, and Jonah represented it, he was very angry that Jehovah should spare Nineveh, for it is said:
Jonah was ill with a great illness, so that he was angry, and from the illness of anger he said, Take, O Jehovah, my soul from me, for my death is better than my life (Jonah 4:1, 3).
This evil in that nation is signified by the gourd which the worm smote so that it dried up. “The sun that smote upon the head of Jonah” signifies the love of self which was in that nation; and “the scorching east wind” the falsity therefrom; and “the worm that smote the gourd” signifies the destruction of this evil and the falsity thence. That this is the signification of “the gourd” is evident from its being said in this description that Jonah at first “was glad over the gourd,” and after the gourd had been smitten by the worm and had dried up that “he was angry over it, even unto death,” and also from its being said that “he had pity over the gourd.” That the Jewish nation, because it was in such a love and in such falsity therefrom was liable to damnation is meant by these words to Jonah, “thou didst not cause it to grow up, because thou didst become a son of night,****** and a son of night perisheth.” (That such was the Jewish nation, see Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 248.)
[37] The love of self is signified here and in the preceding passages, because “the sun” in the genuine spiritual sense signifies love to the Lord, and the love of self is the opposite of this love.
Moreover, the Lord’s Divine love, which is present with everyone, is turned into the love of self with the evil; for everything that flows in is changed in the recipient subject into what agrees with its own nature; as the pure heat of the sun is turned into an offensive smell in subjects of such a nature, and the pure light of the sun into hideous colors in objects of such reception; this is why “the sun that smote upon the head of Jonah” signifies the love of self that is in him; likewise “the sun that was risen” by which the seeds were scorched upon the rocky places, mentioned in Matthew.
sRef Rev@21 @23 S38′ [38] In Revelation:
The city New Jerusalem hath no need of the sun and moon to shine in it, for the glory of God doth lighten it, and the Lamb is the lamp thereof (Rev. 21:23; 22:5).
“The sun” here, of which the city New Jerusalem shall have no need, signifies natural love, which, viewed in itself is the love of self and the world; and “the moon” signifies natural light, for natural light, viewed in itself is from natural love, and the quality of the light is according to the quality of the love; while spiritual love and spiritual light are signified by “the glory of God shall lighten it, and the Lamb is the lamp thereof.”
[39] That such is the sense of these words is very evident from the following from Isaiah:
The sun shall be no more a light to thee by day, and for brightness the moon shall not give light unto thee; but Jehovah shall be unto thee for a light of eternity, and thy God for thine adornment. Thy sun shall no more go down, and thy moon shall not withdraw; for Jehovah shall be unto thee for a light of eternity, and the days of thy mourning shall be fulfilled (Isa. 60:19-20).
In the first part of this passage “the sun and moon” have the same meaning as above in Revelation, namely, “the sun” signifies merely natural love, and “the moon” natural light therefrom; but in the latter part of the passage “the sun and moon” mean the sun and moon of the angelic heaven, and that sun signifies the Lord’s Divine love, and the moon Divine truth, as was explained above. For it is first said, “the sun shall be no more a light to thee by day, and for brightness the moon shall not give light unto thee;” and afterwards it is said, “thy sun shall no more go down, and thy moon shall not withdraw.” From all this it is now evident what “sun and moon” signify in both senses.
* Photolithograph has “my,” as also AC n. 612; HH n. 348; but Greek has “their,” as also AC n. 9192.
** Photolithograph has “Lord Jehovih,” but the Hebrew and other passages have simply “Jehovah,” cf. AE n. 527, 610, 768.
*** Photolithograph has “Chiskias;” the king in 2 Kings 23 is “Josiah.”
**** Photolithograph has “because thou didst become the son of death, and the son of death perished;” the Hebrew has, “which was the son of a night and perished a son of the night.”
***** Photolithograph has “thousands;” the Hebrew has “myriads.”
****** Cf. 887.

sRef Rev@6 @13 S0′ 402. Verse 13. And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, signifies that the knowledges of good and truth perished. This is evident from the signification of “stars” as being the knowledges of good and truth (see above, n. 72); also from the signification of “falling unto the earth,” as being to perish; for when stars fall to the earth they perish. The same is signified by:
The stars shall fall from heaven (Matt. 24:29; and Mark 13:25).
Anyone can see that “stars” here do not mean stars, for these cannot fall from heaven, for they are fixed or established in their place, and cannot fall to the earth, because they are larger than the earth; consequently by them are signified such things as belong to heavenly light, and give light, which are the knowledges of good and truth. Moreover, stars appear in the angelic heaven, but they are appearances from the knowledges of good and truth, therefore they appear about those who are in such knowledges, especially when they turn them over in the mind, and are desirous of knowing them.

sRef Rev@6 @13 S0′ 403. As a fig tree casteth her unripe figs when shaken by a great wind, signifies which knowledges the natural man has laid waste by its reasonings. This is evident from the signification of “fig-tree,” as being the natural man (of which presently); from the signification of “her unripe figs” as being the things that are in the natural man, which especially are the knowledges implanted in the natural man from infancy, and that are not yet mature, having been merely heard and thence accepted; also from the signification of “shaken by a great wind,” as being, which the natural man has laid waste by reasonings. “To be shaken by a great wind” here signifies the reasonings from the falsities of evil, for “great” in the Word is predicated of good and of evil, “wind” of truth and of falsity, and “to be shaken thereby,” of reasoning therefrom. Such is the signification of these words, although they are used comparatively, because in the Word all comparisons, like the rest, are significative, for they are equally correspondences. With respect to these things, the case is this: every man is born natural from his parents, but becomes spiritual from the Lord, which is called to be born anew or to be regenerated; and because he is born natural, therefore the knowledges that he imbibes from infancy, before he becomes spiritual, are implanted in his natural memory; but as he advances in years and begins to consider rationally the knowledges of good and truth that he has imbibed from the Word or from preaching, if he is then leading an evil life he eagerly adopts and is imbued with the falsities that are opposite and contrary to these knowledges, and then, because he is endowed with ability to reason, he reasons from falsities against the knowledges of his infancy and childhood, in consequence of which these are cast out, and falsities take their place; this, therefore, is what is signified by “the stars shall fall to the earth as a fig-tree casteth her unripe figs when shaken by a great wind.”
[2] That “the fig-tree” signifies the natural man is from correspondence; for in heaven gardens and paradises are seen, where there are trees of every kind, and each tree signifies something of the Divine that is communicated to angels by the Lord. In general, “the olive” signifies the celestial, which is of the good of love; “the vine” the spiritual, which is of truth from that good; and “the fig-tree,” the natural, which is derived from the spiritual or the celestial. And as these trees have this signification they also signify the angel or man in whom such things exist. But in a general sense they signify a whole society, because every society in the heavens is so formed as to present the image of a single man. In the spiritual sense, however, these trees signify the church, “the olive” the celestial church, “the vine” the spiritual church, and “the fig-tree” the natural church, which is the external church corresponding to the internal. From this it can be seen why “the fig-tree” is said to signify the natural man, that is, the natural with man.
sRef Isa@34 @4 S3′ [3] That “the fig tree” signifies this, and, in general, the external church is evident also from other passages in the Word, where it is mentioned, as from the following. In Isaiah:
All the host of the heavens shall waste away, and the heavens shall be rolled up as a book; and all their* host shall fall down as the leaf falleth off from the vine, and as that which falleth from the fig-tree (Isa. 34:4).
This is said of the day of the Last Judgment, which was to come, and which also did come; for the Last Judgment foretold by the prophets of the Old Testament was accomplished by the Lord when He was in the world; and as the things then done were like those done in the Last Judgment that is foretold in Revelation, and has at this day been accomplished by the Lord, so nearly the same things are said; as in the prophet Isaiah, that “all the host of the heavens shall fall down, as the leaf falleth off from the vine, and as that which falleth from the fig-tree,” likewise that “the heavens shall be rolled up as a scroll;” and in Revelation, that “the stars shall fall unto the earth, as a fig-tree casteth her unripe figs,” and that “the heaven shall depart as a book rolled up.” “All the host of the heavens shall waste away” signifies that all goods and truths that are of love and faith are corrupted, “the host of the heavens” meaning all goods and truths that are of love and faith; for the sun, moon, and stars, by which these are signified, are called “the host of the heavens.” “The heavens shall be rolled up as a book” signifies their dispersion; “all the host shall fall down as the leaf from the vine, and as that which falleth from the fig tree” signifies a laying waste from the falsities of evil.
sRef Jer@8 @13 S4′ [4] In Jeremiah:
In consuming I will consume them; there shall be no grapes on the vine nor figs on the fig-tree, and the leaf shall wither (Jer. 8:13).
“No grapes on the vine” signifies that there is no spiritual good, for “the vine” signifies the spiritual man, and “the grape,” as being its fruit, signifies the good of that man, which is called spiritual good; “nor figs on the fig-tree” signifies that there is no natural good, for “the fig-tree” signifies the natural man, and “the fruit of the fig tree” signifies the good of that man which is called natural good. Evidently “the vine” does not mean a vine, nor “the fig-tree” a fig-tree, for it is said, “In consuming I will consume them, there shall be no grapes on the vine nor figs on the fig-tree,” for they would not be consumed on that account. Moreover, the vastation of the church is what is treated of, as is clearly evident from what there precedes and follows.
sRef Hos@2 @2 S5′ sRef Hos@2 @11 S5′ sRef Hos@2 @12 S5′ [5] In Hosea:
I will make all her joy to cease, her feast, her new moon, her sabbath. And I will lay waste her vine and her fig-tree, whereof she hath said, These are my meretricious hire; and I will make them a forest, and the wild beast of the field shall eat them (Hos. 2:11-12).
This treats of the churches and of the falsification of truth therein. That the church is treated of is evident from the second verse of this chapter, where it is said, “Plead with your mother; for she is not my wife, and I am not her husband,” “mother” and “wife” meaning the church. Moreover, the holy things of the church, from which worship is performed, and the worship itself, are signified by “the feast, the new moon, and the sabbath,” which shall cease; therefore “I will lay waste her vine and her fig-tree” signifies that both spiritual good and natural good are to perish. That “they will be made a forest, and the wild beast of the field shall eat them” signifies that both will be merely natural, and that the spiritual will be consumed by falsities and lusts; “forest” signifying the merely natural, and “wild beast of the field” falsities and lusts. And as falsities in the church are especially falsified truths, and these are treated of in this chapter, it is said, “whereof she hath said, These are my meretricious hire,” “meretricious hire” signifying falsification.
sRef Joel@1 @7 S6′ sRef Joel@1 @6 S6′ sRef Joel@1 @12 S6′ [6] In Joel:
A nation shall come up upon My land, vigorous and without number; its teeth are the teeth of a lion, and it hath the cheek-teeth of an immense** lion. It hath made My vine a waste. and My fig-tree foam; [in stripping it hath stripped it, and cast it away;] the branches thereof are made white. 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 dried up (Joel 1:6-7, 12).
This whole chapter treats of the devastated church; and “the nation that comes up upon the land, vigorous and without number, having the teeth of a lion, and the cheek-teeth of an immense lion,” does not signify any such nation, but direful evil and falsity therefrom; “the land upon which it comes up” signifies the church; “the teeth of a lion” signify the falsities of such evil; and because these destroy all the goods and truths of the church, they are called “the teeth of the lion and the great cheek-teeth of a lion,” “lion” signifying [falsity] which destroys. Therefore “it hath made My vine a waste, and My fig-tree foam,” signifies that the church internal and external is thereby vastated, “vine” signifying the internal church, and “fig-tree” the external, “foam” signifying where there is inwardly no truth; “in stripping it hath stripped it, and cast it away” signifies that there is no longer any good or truth that is not destroyed, “to strip,” that is, of fruits and leaves, means of goods and truths, and “to cast away” means to destroy entirely; “the branches thereof are made white” signifies that there is no longer anything spiritual; “the pomegranate, the palm, and the apple, and all the trees of the field, that are dried up” signify the kinds of goods and truths of the church, and its knowledges, which are consummated by evils and falsities, “the trees of the field” signifying in general the knowledges of good and truth.
sRef Joel@2 @22 S7′ [7] In the same:
Fear not, ye beasts of My fields; for the habitations of the wilderness are full of herbs, for the tree beareth her fruit, the fig-tree and the vine shall yield their strength (Joel 2:22).
This treats of the establishment of the church, therefore “the beasts of the field” do not mean beasts of the field, but the affections of good in the natural man, consequently those in whom are such affections. Who does not see that it cannot be beasts to whom it is said, “Fear not, ye beasts of my fields?” “The habitations of the desert are made full of herbs” signifies that with such there will be knowledges of truth where there were none before, “the habitations of the wilderness” meaning the interiors of the mind of those in whom these did not exist before, “full of herbs” signifying the increase and multiplication of these; “for the tree beareth her fruit, the fig tree and the vine shall yield their strength” signifies that they have natural good and spiritual good, “strength” here meaning the production of fruit.
sRef Amos@4 @9 S8′ [8] In Amos:
Your many gardens and your vineyards, and your fig-trees and your olive-trees, the palmer worm hath devoured; yet have ye not returned unto me (Amos 4:9).
“Gardens” signify all things of the church that constitute intelligence and wisdom; “vineyards” spiritual goods and truths; “fig-trees” natural goods and truths; “olive-trees” celestial goods and truths; “the palmer worm” means the falsity that destroys; “the fig-tree,” “the vine,” and “the olive” properly signify the church and the man of the church; but as the church is a church and man is a man from goods and truths, so these also are signified by those trees, goods by their fruits, and truths by their branches and leaves.
sRef Hag@2 @19 S9′ sRef Hag@2 @18 S9′ [9] In Haggai:
Set your heart from this day and onwards. Is not the seed yet in the barn, even to the vine and fig-tree, and the pomegranate and the olive-tree? (Hag. 2:18-19).
These words in the spiritual sense mean that there are goods and truths yet remaining; all goods and truths from first to last are meant by “the vine, the fig-tree, the pomegranate, and the olive-tree,” “the vine” meaning spiritual good and truth; “the fig-tree” natural good and truth; “the pomegranate” in general that which belongs to knowing and perceiving, and in particular, the knowledges and perceptions of good and truth; and “the olive-tree” the perception of celestial good and truth; “the barn” signifies where all these are, either the church or the man in whom the church is, or the mind of the man which is the subject.
sRef Hab@3 @17 S10′ [10] In Habakkuk:
The fig-tree shall not blossom, neither shall there be produce on the vines; the labor of the olive shall dissemble, and the fields shall yield no food (Hab. 3:17).
“The fig-tree shall not blossom” signifies that there shall be no natural good; “neither shall there be produce on the vines” signifies that there shall be no spiritual good; “the labor of the olive shall dissemble” signifies that there shall be no celestial good; “the fields shall yield no food” signifies that there shall be no spiritual nourishment.
sRef Deut@8 @8 S11′ sRef Num@13 @23 S11′ sRef Deut@8 @7 S11′ [11] In Moses:
Jehovah God bringeth thee to a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths going forth in valley and mountain; a land of wheat and barley, and of vine and fig-tree and pomegranate; a land of oil-olive and honey (Deut. 8:7-8).
“The good land” to which they shall be led means the land of Canaan, which signifies the church; here, therefore, “vine,” “fig-tree,” “pomegranate,” and “olive,” have a like signification as above. (The remainder may be seen explained before, n. 374.)
Because “the land of Canaan” signifies the church, and “the vine,” “the fig-tree,” and “the pomegranate,” signify the internal and external things of the church, so it came to pass that the explorers of that land brought away such things from it, respecting which it is thus written in Moses:
The explorers of the land of Canaan came to the brook Eshcol, and cut down from thence a branch with one cluster of grapes, which they bare upon a pole between two; and also of the pomegranates and of the figs (Num. 13:23).
sRef 1Ki@4 @25 S12′ sRef Micah@4 @1 S12′ sRef Zech@3 @10 S12′ sRef Micah@4 @3 S12′ sRef Micah@4 @2 S12′ sRef Micah@4 @4 S12′ sRef Zech@3 @9 S12′ sRef Micah@4 @3 S12′ [12] Because “the vine” and “the fig-tree” signify such things, it is said in the Word of those who are in the goods and truths of the church, and thus in safety from evils and falsities, that “they shall sit securely under their own vine and under their own fig-tree, and none shall make afraid.” Thus in the first book of Kings:
Judah and Israel dwelt in security, every man under his vine and under his fig-tree, from Dan even to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon (1 Kings 4:25).
In Zechariah:
I will remove the iniquity of this land in one day. In that day ye shall cry every man to his companion, to the vine and to the fig-tree (Zech. 3:9-10).
And in Micah:
In the end of the days it shall be that the mountain of the house of Jehovah shall be established as the head of the mountains; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more; but they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig-tree; and none shall make afraid (Micah 4:1, 3-4).
These things are said respecting the Lord’s kingdom, which is with those in the heavens and on the earth who are in love to Him. The Lord’s kingdom is signified by “the mountain of Jehovah, which is established as the head of the mountains,” for “the mountain of Jehovah” signifies the Lord’s kingdom constituted of those who are in love to Him; and as these dwell above the others in the heavens, it is said that this mountain “shall be established as the head of the mountains” (see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 188). And as such have truths inscribed on their hearts, and therefore do not dispute about them, it is said that “nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more,” which signifies that in that kingdom there shall be no disputation about truths (see in the same work, n. 25, 26, 270, 271). That through the truths and goods in which they are, they shall be safe from evils and falsities is signified by “they shall sit under their own vine and under their own fig tree, and none shall make afraid.”
sRef Jer@5 @17 S13′ sRef Jer@5 @15 S13′ [13] In Jeremiah:
Lo, I will bring upon you a nation from afar, which shall eat up thy harvest and thy bread; and it shall eat up thy sons and thy daughters; it shall eat up thy flock and thy herd; it shall eat up thy vine and thy fig tree (Jer. 5:15, 17).
“A nation from afar” signifies the evil opposed to celestial good, “from afar” signifying apart and remote from, also opposed to, goods and truths; “which shall eat up thy harvest and thy bread” signifies that it will destroy all truths and goods by which there is spiritual nourishment; “which shall eat up thy sons and thy daughters” signifies all the spiritual affections of truth and good; “which shall eat up thy flock and thy herd” signifies truths and goods internal and external; “which shall eat up thy vine and thy fig tree” signifies thus the internal and the external of the church.
sRef Hos@9 @10 S14′ [14] In Hosea:
I found*** Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers as the first-ripe in the fig-tree in its first season (Hos. 9:10).
“Israel” and “the fathers” do not mean here the fathers of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, but those who were of the Ancient Church, because they were in good (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 6050, 6075, 6846, 6876, 6884, 7649, 8055); because these were in good, but at the beginning in ignorance of truth, through which, however, good comes, it is said, “I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers as a fig-tree in its first season,” “grapes” signifying spiritual good, “wilderness” signifying ignorance of truth, and “the first-ripe in the fig-tree” signifying natural good from spiritual good in infancy.
sRef Luke@21 @29 S15′ sRef Luke@21 @31 S15′ sRef Luke@21 @30 S15′ sRef Luke@21 @28 S15′ [15] In Luke:
When these things begin to come to pass, look up, and lift up your heads. And He spoke a parable: Behold the fig-tree and all the trees; when now they shall have shot forth ye see and shall know of your own selves that summer is now near. So ye also, when ye shall see these things coming to pass know that the kingdom of God is nigh (Luke 21:28-31; Matt. 24:32; Mark 13:28-29).
This treats of the consummation of the age, which is the Last Judgment, and the signs which precede are enumerated, which are meant by “when all these things begin to come to pass;” that a new church is then to begin, which in its beginning will be external, is signified by “Behold the fig-tree and all the trees, when they have shot forth.” This parable or similitude was related because “the fig-tree” signifies the external church, and “trees” signify the knowledges of truth and good; “the kingdom of God,” which then is near, signifies the new church of the Lord; for at the time of the Last Judgment the old church perishes and a new one begins.
sRef Luke@6 @44 S16′ [16] In Luke:
Every tree is known by its own fruit; for from thorns men do not gather figs, nor from a bramble bush gather they the grape (Luke 6:44; Matt. 7:16);
as “fruit” signifies the good of life, and the good of life is external good from internal, or natural good from spiritual, and as from this good man is known, so the Lord says, “Every tree is known by its own fruit; from thorns men do not gather figs, nor from a bramble-bush gather they the grape,” “fig” here meaning the good of the external or natural man, and “the grape” the good of the internal or spiritual man; “thorns” and “bramble-bush” mean the evils opposed to these goods.
sRef 2Ki@20 @7 S17′ sRef Isa@38 @21 S17′ [17] Because the kings of Judah and Israel represented the Lord in relation to Divine truth, and Divine truth with man endures distress and labors as it were, when the life is not according to it and when it is not made the good of life, but when it is made the good of life it lives, so this was signified by the following:
By command of Jehovah they brought to Hezekiah king of Judah, when he was sick, a lump of figs, and placed it as a plaster upon his boil, and so he lived (2 Kings 20:7; Isa. 38:21).
From this it can be seen that “the fig-tree” in the genuine sense, signifies the natural man in respect to good and truth, the fig itself as a tree the natural man, the fig as a fruit the good of the natural man, and its leaf the truth of that good.
sRef Jer@24 @2 S18′ sRef Jer@24 @1 S18′ sRef Jer@24 @8 S18′ sRef Jer@24 @9 S18′ sRef Jer@24 @5 S18′ sRef Jer@24 @7 S18′ sRef Jer@24 @3 S18′ sRef Jer@24 @6 S18′ sRef Jer@24 @10 S18′ sRef Jer@24 @4 S18′ [18] But that “the fig-tree” in the contrary sense signifies the natural man in respect to evil and falsity, the fig as a tree the natural man itself, the figs of it as fruit, the evil of that natural man, and its leaf the falsity of that evil, is evident from the following passages. In Jeremiah:
Jehovah showed me, and behold, two baskets of figs set before the temple of Jehovah, one basket of very good figs, as of fig-trees bearing the firstfruits; and the other basket of very bad figs, that could not be eaten for badness. Jehovah said, As the good figs, so will I recognize those carried away of Judah into the land of the Chaldeans for good; and I will set Mine eyes upon them for good, and I will bring them back upon this land; and I will build them, and I will plant them. And as the bad figs, so will I give them that are left in this land to commotion, and to evil to all nations; and I will send among them the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, that they may be consumed (Jer. 24:1-10);
“the captivity of the Jews in the land of the Chaldeans” means the like as the spiritual captivity or removal of the good from the evil in the spiritual world, according to what has been said above (n. 391, 392, 394, 397), namely that those who were inwardly evil, and yet were able to maintain a moral life externally like a spiritual life, remained upon the earth in the spiritual world, and made habitations for themselves there upon the higher places; while those who were inwardly good were removed from them, and concealed by the Lord in the lower earth; this was what was represented by the carrying away of the Jews into the land of the Chaldeans, and by the continuance of the rest of them in the land; therefore it is said concerning those who suffered themselves to be carried away into the land of the Chaldeans, “I recognize those carried away of Judah into the land of the Chaldeans for good; and I will set Mine eyes upon them for good, and I will bring them back upon this land; and I will build them, and I will plant them;” while of those that remained it is said “I will give them that are left in this land to commotion, and to evil to all nations; and I will send among them the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, that they may be consumed.” That this is what was represented is evident also from this, that the temple of Solomon was destroyed before they were carried away, and a new one was built when they returned; “temple” signifying Divine worship, and “a new temple” worship restored.
sRef Jer@29 @16 S19′ sRef Jer@29 @17 S19′ [19] From this it can be seen what is signified by “the two baskets of figs set before the temple of Jehovah, in one of which were very good figs, as of fig-trees bearing the firstfruits, and in the other very bad figs, that could not be eaten for badness,” namely, that those who are inwardly good, of whom a new heaven is to be formed, are meant by “the basket of good figs;” and those who are inwardly evil, who are to be cast down into hell, are meant by “the basket of bad figs;” wherefore it is said of the latter that “they could not be eaten for badness,” signifying that such are inwardly evil, while of the former it is said that they were “as fig-trees bearing the firstfruits,” signifying that such are inwardly good, so that a new heaven may be formed out of them; for “the fig,” as a fruit, signifies the good of life both in its internal and its external form, and in the contrary sense it signifies the good of life merely in its external form, which is the evil of life, because inwardly it is evil, every external deriving all its quality from its internal, as it is an effect of it. With such, evil appears in externals as good, because they feign good for the sake of the evil that is within, in order to obtain some end, to which the seeming good serves as a means. The like is said of those who remained in the land of Canaan elsewhere in the same prophet:
Thus said Jehovah concerning the king, and all the people that dwell in this city that are not gone forth with you into captivity: Behold, I will send against them the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, and I will make them like vile figs, that cannot be eaten for badness (Jer. 29:16-17).
sRef Luke@13 @7 S20′ sRef Luke@13 @6 S20′ sRef Luke@13 @8 S20′ sRef Luke@13 @9 S20′ [20] That “the fig,” as a tree, in the contrary sense signifies a merely natural man, and a church constituted of such, or those with whom there is no natural good because there is no good within is evident in Luke:
Jesus spoke this parable: A certain man had a fig-tree planted in his vineyard; he therefore came seeking fruit thereon, but found none. He said unto the vine dresser, Behold, three years I come seeking fruit on this fig-tree, but find none; cut it down, why also doth it make the land unfruitful? But he answering said, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it and dung it, if indeed it will bear fruit; but if not, after that thou shalt cut it down (Luke 13:6-9).
“The vineyard in which was the fig-tree” signifies the church, which contains also such as are in externals; for in the Lord’s church there is both an internal and an external; the internal of the church is charity and the faith therefrom, while the external of the church is the good of life. The works of charity and faith, which are the good of life, belong to the natural man, while charity itself and faith therefrom belong to the spiritual man, therefore “a vineyard” signifies the internal of the church, and “a fig-tree” its external. With the Jewish nation there was only the external of the church, since it was in external representative worship; therefore “a fig tree” means the church with that nation; but because they were in external worship and in no internal, being inwardly evil, and external worship without internal is no worship, and with the evil is evil worship, therefore with them there was nothing of natural good. It is therefore said that “for three years he found no fruit on the fig-tree, and that he told the vine dresser to cut it down,” which signifies that from beginning to end there was no natural good with that nation, “three years” signifying a whole period, or the time from beginning to end, and “the fruit of the fig tree” signifying natural good; by natural good is meant spiritual-natural good, or good in the natural from the spiritual. And because a church composed of such as are not in natural good, as was the Jewish nation, is not a church, it is also said “why also doth it make the land unfruitful?” “land” meaning the church; “the vine dresser saying that it should still be left, and he would dig about it” signifies that they would remain, and that they would hereafter be instructed by the Christians, in the midst of whom they would be; but no answer being made to this means that the fig tree would still produce no fruit, that is, that no good proceeding from anything spiritual would be done by the Jewish nation.
sRef Matt@21 @18 S21′ sRef Matt@21 @19 S21′ [21] This is the signification of “the fig-tree that withered away” when the Lord found no fruit on it, in Matthew:
In the morning Jesus returning into the city, hungered. And seeing a fig-tree by the way, He came to it, but found nothing thereon but leaves, therefore He said unto it, Let nothing grow on thee henceforward forever; therefore from that time the fig-tree withered away (Matt. 21:18, 19; Mark 11:12-14).
Here, too, “the fig-tree” means the church with the Jewish nation. That with that nation there was no natural good, but only truth falsified, which in itself is falsity, is signified by “the Lord came to the fig-tree, but found nothing thereon but leaves,” “the fruit” which He did not find signifying natural good such as was described above, and “the leaf” signifying truth falsified, which in itself is falsity, for in the Word “leaf” signifies truth, but the leaf of a tree that is without fruit signifies falsity, and with that nation truth falsified, because they had the Word in which truths are, but which they falsified by application to themselves, which was the source of their traditions. That no natural good from a spiritual origin, which is called spiritual-natural good, would be done by that nation is signified by the words that the Lord spoke respecting it, “Let nothing grow on thee henceforward forever; therefore from that time it withered away;” “to wither away” signifying that there was no longer any good or any truth. The Lord saw the fig-tree and said this when He was returning into the city, and hungered, because “the city of Jerusalem” signifies the church, and “hungering,” in reference to the Lord, signifies to desire good in the church (as may be seen above, n, 386). One who does not know the signification of “fig-tree,” and that this fig-tree meant the church with that nation, thinks no otherwise than the Lord did this from indignation because He was hungry; but it was not done for that reason, but that it might be signified that such was the quality of the Jewish nation; for all the Lord’s miracles involve and signify such things as belong to heaven and the church, whence those miracles were Divine (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 7337, 8364, 9051 at the end).
[22] A perverted church, or the man of the church perverted in respect to his natural or external man is also signified by the fig-tree in David:
He gave them hail for their rain, a fire of flames in their land; and He smote their vine and their fig-tree; He brake the tree of their border (Ps. 105:32-33).
This was said of Egypt, which signifies the natural man that is in falsities and evils; and “vine,” “fig tree,” and “the tree of the border” signify all things of the church, “vine” the internal or spiritual things thereof, “fig-tree” the external or natural things thereof, and “the tree of the border” everything pertaining to knowing and perceiving, “the border” signifying the ultimate in which the interior things close, and in which they are together, and “trees” signifying knowledges and perceptions. Because all these things were perverted and therefore damned, it is said that they were “smitten and broken,” which signifies destruction and damnation; that this was done by the falsities of evil which are from the love of the world is signified by “hail for their rain, a fire of flames in their land,” “rain as hail” signifying the falsities of evil, and “the fire of flames” the love of the world.
sRef Nahum@3 @12 S23′ [23] In Nahum:
All thy fortresses shall be like fig-trees with the first-ripe figs, if they be shaken they fall upon the mouth of the eater (Nahum 3:12).
This is said of “the city of bloods,” which signifies doctrine in which truths are falsified and goods adulterated. This is compared to “fig-trees with the first-ripe figs, if they be shaken they fall upon the mouth of the eater,” and this signifies that the goods therein are not goods, however much they may appear to be goods; and that such are not received, or if received are received only in the memory and not in the heart. That “if they be shaken they fall” signifies that they are not goods although they appear to be goods, because they are “the first-ripe figs;” and their falling “upon the mouth of the eater” signifies that they are not received even in the memory. That “the mouth of the eater” signifies non-reception is evident from appearances in the spiritual world; for those who commit anything to memory appear to receive it with the mouth; so “to fall upon the mouth” signifies not to receive even in the memory but only to hear, and also if they do receive, that it is only in the memory and not in the heart. “Fig-trees with their first-ripe figs” may also mean genuine goods, of which the like is true as of those who are in the falsities of evil.
* Photolithograph has “its host;” the Hebrew “their host;” the latter is found in AE n. 573.
** Photolithograph has “immense teeth,” but AC n. 556 and AC n. 9052 have “immense lion” with Hebrew.
*** Photolithograph has “I saw;” Hebrew has “I found;” this is also found in the explanation AE n. 403, as well as AE n. 918, and in AC n. 217, 1971, 5117.

sRef Isa@34 @4 S0′ sRef Rev@6 @14 S0′ 404. Verse 14. And the heaven departed as a book rolled up, signifies that the spiritual man became closed up. This is evident from the signification of “heaven,” as being the church in general and in particular; for the church is the heaven of the Lord on the earth; moreover, the church makes one with heaven by conjunction; therefore when “heaven and earth” are mentioned in the Word, the church internal and external is meant, for the internal of the men of the church is heaven with them, and their external is the world with them; and as “heaven and earth” signify the church internal and external so they signify the internal and external man, or the spiritual and the natural man; for as man in whom is the good of love and of faith is a church, so the church, in general exists from the men in whom the church is. This makes clear why it is that “heaven” here means the internal or spiritual man. It is said “the spiritual man,” by which is meant the spiritual mind, which is the higher or interior mind of man, while the lower or exterior mind is called the natural man. The above is evident also from the signification of “departed as a book rolled up,” as meaning that it became closed up; for the spiritual mind, which is, as was said, the higher or interior mind with man, is opened by truths applied to life, thus by goods, but it is closed up by falsities applied to life, thus by evils; and the closing up is as the rolling up of the scroll of a book. That this is so was made very clear by the appearances in the spiritual world when the Last Judgment was accomplished; for the mountains and the hills there then appeared sometimes to be rolled up as the scroll of a book is rolled up, and those that were upon them were then rolled down into hell. The cause of this appearance was this: that the interiors of their minds, through which somewhat of light from heaven had before flowed in, were then closed up. What takes place in general with many, takes place with everyone in particular of a like character, for in the spiritual world such as the general is, such is the particular (see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 73). By “book” is meant a scroll, because in ancient times there were no types and thus no books like those at the present day, but there were scrolls of parchments; so “books” in Revelation mean scrolls, and “heaven departed as a book rolled up” means as a scroll rolled up; the same as in Isaiah:
All the host of the heavens shall waste away, and the heavens shall be rolled up as a book (Isa. 34:4).

sRef Rev@6 @14 S0′ 405. And every mountain and island were moved out of their places, signifies that every good of love and every truth of faith perished. This is evident from the signification of “a mountain,” as being the good of love to the Lord (of which presently); from the signification of “island” as being the truth of faith (of which in the next article); and from the signification of “to be moved out of their places,” as being to be taken away and to perish, since the good of love and the truth of faith are meant, for when these are moved out of their places, then evils and falsities take their place, and through evils and falsities goods and truths perish. “Mountain” signifies the good of love, because in heaven those who are in the good of love to the Lord, dwell upon mountains, and those who are in charity towards the neighbor dwell upon hills; or, what is the same, those who are of the Lord’s celestial kingdom dwell upon mountains, and those who are of His spiritual kingdom dwell upon hills; and the celestial kingdom is distinguished from the spiritual kingdom in this, that those who are of the celestial kingdom are in love to the Lord, and those who are of the spiritual kingdom are in charity towards the neighbor (but of the latter and the former, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 20-28). This is why “mountain” signifies the good of love to the Lord.
[2] The good of love to the Lord is meant in an abstract sense by “mountain,” because all things in the internal sense of the Word are spiritual, and spiritual things must be understood in a sense abstracted from persons and places; consequently, because angels are spiritual they think and speak abstractedly from these, and thereby have intelligence and wisdom; for the idea of persons and places limits the thought, since it confines it to persons and places, and thus limits it. This idea of thought is proper to the natural, while the idea abstracted from persons and places extends itself into heaven in every direction, and is no otherwise limited than the sight of the eye is limited when it looks up into the sky without intervening objects; such an idea is proper to the spiritual. This is why “a mountain” in the spiritual sense of the Word signifies the good of love. It is similar with the signification of “the earth,” as being the church; for thought abstracted from places, and from nations and peoples upon the earth, is thought respecting the church there or with these; this, therefore, is signified by “earth” in the Word. It is similar with the other things that are mentioned in the natural sense of the Word, as with hills, rocks, valleys, rivers, seas, cities, houses, gardens, woods, and other things.
sRef Amos@4 @12 S3′ sRef Amos@4 @13 S3′ [3] That “mountain” signifies the love to the Lord, and thus all good that is from that, which is called celestial good, and in the contrary sense signifies the love of self, and thus all the evil that is from that, is evident from the following passages in the Word. In Amos:
Dispose thyself towards thy God, O Israel; for lo, He is the Former of the mountains, and the Creator of the spirit, and declareth unto man what is his thought (Amos 4:12-13).
God is here called “the Former of the mountains” because “mountains” signify the goods of love, and “the Creator of the spirit” because “spirit” signifies life from such goods; and because through these He gives intelligence to man it is added, “and declareth unto man what is his thought,” for the intelligence that man has is of his thought, which flows in from the Lord through the good of love into his life, so “to declare” here means to flow in.
sRef Ps@65 @6 S4′ [4] In David:
God who maketh firm the mountains by His power; He is girded with might (Ps. 65:6).
Here, too, “mountains” signify the goods of love; these the “Lord maketh firm” in heaven and in the church through His Divine truth, which has all power; therefore it is said “He maketh firm the mountains by His power; He is girded with might.” In the Word “God’s power” signifies Divine truth; and “might” in reference to the Lord signifies all might or omnipotence. (That all power is in the Divine truth that proceeds from the Lord may be seen in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 228-233; and above, n. 209, 333; and that might in reference to the Lord is omnipotence, see above, n. 338.)
sRef Ps@121 @2 S5′ [5] In the same:
I lift up mine eyes to the mountains, whence cometh help (Ps. 121:1).
“Mountains” here mean the heavens; and as in the heavens those who are in the goods of love and of charity dwell upon the mountains and hills, as was said above, and the Lord is in these goods, “to lift up the eyes to the mountains” also means to the Lord, from whom is all help. When “mountains,” in the plural, are mentioned, both mountains and hills are meant, consequently both the good of love to the Lord and the good of charity towards the neighbor.
sRef Isa@30 @25 S6′ [6] In Isaiah:
There shall be upon every high mountain and upon every lofty hill streams, rivulets of waters, in the day of the great slaughter, when the towers shall fall (Isa. 30:25).
The Last Judgment, which is here treated of, is meant by “the day of great slaughter, when the towers shall fall,” “great slaughter” meaning the destruction of the evil, “the towers which shall fall,” the falsities of doctrine that are from the love of self and the world. That this is what “towers” signify is from appearances in the spiritual world, for those who seek to rule by such things as pertain to the church build towers for themselves in high places (see in the small work on The Last Judgment, n. 56, 58). That such then as are in love to the Lord and in charity towards the neighbor are raised up into heaven and imbued with intelligence and wisdom, is meant by “there shall be upon every high mountain and upon every lofty hill streams, rivulets of waters;” “the high mountain” signifying where those are who are in love to the Lord, and “lofty hill” where those are who are in charity towards the neighbor; “streams” wisdom, and “rivulets of waters” intelligence, for “waters” mean truths, from which are intelligence and wisdom.
sRef Joel@3 @18 S7′ [7] In Joel:
It shall come to pass in that day, that the mountains shall drop down sweet wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the water-courses of Judah shall flow with waters (Joel 3:18).
This treats of the Lord’s coming and of the new heaven and the new earth at that time; “the mountains shall drop down sweet wine” means that all truth shall be from the good of love to the Lord; “the hills shall flow with milk” means that there shall be spiritual life from the good of charity towards the neighbor; and “all the water-courses of Judah shall flow with waters” means that there shall be truths from the particulars of the Word, through which there is intelligence. (But these things may be seen more fully explained above, n. 376.)
sRef Nahum@1 @15 S8′ sRef Isa@52 @7 S8′ sRef Isa@40 @9 S8′ [8] In Nahum:
Behold upon the mountains the feet of him that proclaimeth good tidings, [that publisheth] peace (Nahum 1:15).
In Isaiah:
How joyous [upon the mountains] are the feet of him that proclaimeth good tidings, that maketh peace to be heard; that saith unto Zion, Thy king* reigneth (Isa. 52:7).
In the same:
O Zion, that proclaimest good tidings, go up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that proclaimest good tidings, lift up thy voice with power (Isa. 40:9).
This is said of the Lord’s coming, and of the salvation at that time of those who are in the good of love to Him, and thence in truths of doctrine from the Word; and as the salvation of these is treated of, it is said, “Behold upon the mountains the feet of him that publisheth peace,” and “O Zion, that proclaimest good tidings, go up into the high mountain,” “to publish peace,” signifying to preach the Lord’s coming, for “peace” in the highest sense signifies the Lord, and in the internal sense every good and truth that is from the Lord (see above, n. 365); and “O Zion, that proclaimest good tidings,” means the church that is in the good of love to the Lord; and “O Jerusalem, that proclaimest good tidings,” the church that is thence in truths of doctrine from the Word.
sRef Isa@49 @13 S9′ sRef Isa@49 @11 S9′ [9] In Isaiah:
I will make all My mountains for a way, and My highways shall be exalted. Sing aloud O heavens, and exult O earth, and break forth with singing aloud O mountains; for Jehovah hath comforted His people (Isa. 49:11, 13).
“Mountains,” in the plural, mean both mountains and hills, thus both the good of love and the good of charity. “Mountains and hills shall be made for a way, and highways shall be exalted” signifies that those who are in these goods shall be in genuine truths; “to be made for a way” signifying to be in truths, and “highways being exalted” signifying to be in genuine truths; for “ways and highways” signify truths, which are said to be exalted by good, and the truths that are from good are genuine truths. Their joy of heart on this account is signified by “Sing aloud O heavens, exult O earth,” internal joy by “Sing aloud O heavens,” and external joy by “exult O earth.” Confessions from joy originating in the good of love are signified by “break forth with singing aloud O mountains;” that this is on account of reformation and regeneration is signified by “for Jehovah hath comforted his people.” Evidently mountains in the world are not here meant; for why should mountains be made for a way, and highways be exalted, and mountains resound with singing aloud?
sRef Isa@44 @23 S10′ [10] In the same:
Sing aloud ye heavens, shout ye lower parts of the earth, break forth with singing aloud, ye mountains, O forest and every tree therein; for Jehovah hath redeemed Jacob, and hath shown Himself glorious in Israel (Isa. 44:23).
“Sing aloud ye heavens, shout ye lower parts of the earth, break forth with singing aloud ye mountains,” has a like signification as just above; but here “mountains” signify the goods of charity; therefore it is also said, “O forest and every tree therein,” for “a forest” means the external or natural man in respect to all things thereof, and “every tree” means the cognizing and knowing faculty therein; the reformation of these is signified by “Jehovah hath redeemed Jacob, and hath shown Himself glorious in Israel;” “Jacob and Israel” meaning the church external and internal; thus the external and internal with those in whom the church is.
sRef Isa@55 @12 S11′ sRef Ps@148 @9 S11′ [11] In the same:
The mountains and hills shall break forth with singing aloud, and all the trees of the field shall clap the hand (Isa. 55:12).
In David:
Praise Jehovah, mountains and hills, tree of fruit, and all cedars (Ps. 148:7, 9).
This describes the joy of heart from the good of love and charity; and “mountains,” “hills,” “trees,” and “cedars,” are said “to break forth with singing aloud,” “to clap the hand,” and “to praise,” because these signify the goods and truths that cause joys in man; for man does not rejoice from himself, but from the goods and truths that are with him; these rejoice because they make joy for man.
sRef Isa@42 @11 S12′ [12] In Isaiah:
The wilderness and its cities shall lift up their voice, and the villages that Arabia doth inhabit; the inhabitants of the cliff shall sing aloud, they shall shout from the top of the mountains (Isa. 42:11).
“The wilderness” signifies the obscurity of truth; “its cities” signify doctrinals; “villages” the natural cognitions and knowledges; “Arabia” the natural man, for “an Arabian in the wilderness” means the natural man; “the inhabitants of the cliff” signify the goods of faith, or those who are in the goods of faith; “the top of the mountains” signifies the good of love to the Lord. This makes clear what the particulars signify in their order, namely, confession and joyful worship from the good of love in such things as are mentioned; for “to shout from the top of the mountains” means to worship from the good of love.
sRef Ps@68 @16 S13′ sRef Ps@68 @15 S13′ [13] In David:
A mountain of God is the mountain of Bashan; a mountain of hills is the mountain of Bashan; why leap ye, ye mountains, ye hills of the mountain? God desireth to dwell in it; yea, Jehovah will inhabit it perpetually (Ps. 68:15-16).
“The mountain of Bashan” signifies voluntary good, such as exists in those who are in the externals of the church; for Bashan was a region beyond Jordan, which was given as an inheritance to the half tribe of Manasseh, as may be seen in Joshua (13:29-32); and “Manasseh” signifies the voluntary good of the external or natural man. This voluntary good is the same as the good of love in the external man, for all good of love is of the will, and all truth therefrom is of the understanding; therefore “Ephraim,” his brother, signifies the intellectual truth of that good. Because “the mountain of Bashan” signifies that good, “the hills” of that mountain signify goods in act. Because it is the will that acts-for every activity of the mind and body is from the will, as everything active of thought and speech is from the understanding, therefore the joy arising from the good of love is described and meant by “skipping” and “leaping;” this makes clear what is signified by “a mountain of God is the mountain of Bashan; a mountain of hills is the mountain of Bashan; why leap ye, ye mountains, ye hills of the mountain?” Because the Lord dwells with man in his voluntary good, from which are goods in act, it is said, “God desireth to dwell in it; yea, Jehovah will inhabit it perpetually.”
sRef Ps@114 @3 S14′ sRef Ps@114 @4 S14′ sRef Ps@114 @8 S14′ sRef Ps@114 @2 S14′ sRef Ps@114 @5 S14′ sRef Ps@114 @7 S14′ sRef Ps@114 @6 S14′ [14] In the same:
Judah became the sanctuary of Jehovah. The sea saw it and fled; the Jordan turned itself back. The mountains leaped like rams, the hills like the sons of the flock. What hast thou O sea, that thou fleest? O Jordan, that thou turnest back? ye mountains, that ye leap like rams; ye hills, like sons of the flock? Before the Lord thou art in travail, O earth, before the God of Jacob; who turned the rock into a pool of waters, the flint into a fountain of waters (Ps. 114:2-8).
This describes the departure of the sons of Israel out of Egypt; and yet without explanation by the internal sense no one can know what this signifies, as that “the mountains then leaped like rams, and the hills like the sons of the flock,” likewise what is meant by “the sea saw it and fled, and the Jordan turned itself back.” It shall therefore be explained. The establishment of the church, or the regeneration of the men of the church, is here meant in the internal sense, for the church that was to be established is signified by the sons of Israel, its establishment by their departure, the shaking off of evils by the passage through the sea Suph, which is said “to have fled,” and the introduction into the church by the crossing of the Jordan, which is said to have “turned itself back.” But for the particulars: “Judah became a sanctuary, and Israel a domain,” signifies that the good of love to the Lord is the very holiness of heaven and the church, and that truth from that good is that by which there is government; for “Judah” signifies celestial good, which is the good of love to the Lord; “sanctuary” the very holiness of heaven and the church; “Israel” spiritual good, which is truth from that good, by which there is government, for all government pertaining to the Lord is a government of Divine truth proceeding from Divine good; “the sea saw it and fled, Jordan turned itself back,” signifies that when the evils and falsities which are in the natural man had been shaken off, true knowledges [scientifica] and cognitions [cognitiones] of truth and good took their place; “the mountains leaped like rams, the hills like the sons of the flock,” signifies that celestial good, which is the good of love, and spiritual good, which is truth from that good, produce good or come into effect from joy; “mountains” signifying the good of love, “hills” the goods of charity, which in their essence are truths from that good; and “to leap,” because it is predicated of these, signifies to produce good from joy. It is said “like rams,” and “like the sons of the flock,” because “rams” signify the goods of charity, and “the sons of the flock” truths therefrom. The establishment of the church from these, that is, the regeneration of the men of the church, is signified by, “before the Lord thou art in travail, O earth, before the God of Jacob; who turned the rock into a pool of waters, and the flint into a fountain of waters;” “earth” meaning the church; and this is said “to be in travail” when it is established or when the man of the church is born anew; it is said “before the Lord” and “before the God of Jacob,” because where the good of love is treated of in the Word the Lord is called “the Lord;” and when goods in act are treated of He is called “the God of Jacob.” Regeneration by truths from goods is signified by “He turned the rock into a pool of waters, and the flint into a fountain of waters;” “pool of waters” signifying the knowledges of truth, and “fountain of waters” the Word from which these are, and “rock” the natural man in respect to truth before reformation, and “flint” the natural man in respect to good before reformation.
sRef Ps@80 @10 S15′ sRef Ps@80 @8 S15′ [15] In the same:
Thou hast caused a vine to journey out of Egypt; Thou hast driven out the nations and planted it. The mountains were covered by its shadow, and the cedars of God by its branches (Ps. 80:8, 10).
“A vine out of Egypt” signifies the spiritual church which has its beginning with man by means of knowledges and cognitions in the natural man, “vine” meaning the spiritual church, and “Egypt” the knowing faculty [scientificum] which is in the natural man; “thou hast driven out the nations, and planted it,” signifies that when evils had been cast out therefrom the church was established; “nations” meaning evils, and “to plant a vine” meaning to establish the spiritual church; “the mountains were covered by its shadow, and the cedars of God by its branches,” signifies that the whole church is from spiritual goods and truths; “mountains” meaning spiritual goods, and “the cedars of God” spiritual truths. Evidently the bringing forth of the sons of Israel out of Egypt and their introduction into the land of Canaan, from which the nations were expelled, is what is meant by these words; and yet the same words, in the internal sense, mean such things as have been explained; nor was anything else represented and signified by the introduction of the sons of Israel into the land of Canaan, and by the expulsion of the nations from it; for all the historical parts of the Word, as well as its prophetical parts, involve spiritual things.
sRef Isa@65 @9 S16′ sRef Isa@7 @25 S16′ [16] In Isaiah:
As to all mountains that shall be hoed with the hoe, there shall not come thither the fear of briar and bramble; but there shall be the sending forth of the ox and the trampling of the sheep (Isa. 7:25).
“The mountains that shall be hoed with the hoe” mean those who do what is good from a love of good. (What the remainder signifies see above, n. 304, where it is explained.) In the same:
I will bring forth a seed out of Jacob, and out of Judah an inheritor of My mountains, that My chosen may possess it and My servants dwell there (Isa. 65:9).
“Jacob” and “Judah” signify the church, “Jacob” the external church, which is in the knowledges of good and truth, and “Judah” the [internal] church which is in the good of love to the Lord; therefore “a seed out of Jacob” signifies the knowledges of good and truth, and thus such as are in these; and “the mountains whose inheritor shall be out of Judah,” signify the good of love to the Lord, and thence such as are in it; “the chosen who shall possess the mountain,” signify those who are in good, and “the servants” those who are in truths from good.
sRef Jer@16 @16 S17′ sRef Jer@16 @15 S17′ [17] In Jeremiah:
I will bring the sons of Israel back upon their land. Behold, I will send to many fishers, who shall fish them; and I will send to many hunters, who shall hunt them from upon every mountain and from upon every hill and out of the holes of the cliffs (Jer. 16:15-16).
This treats of the establishment of a new church, which was represented and signified by the bringing back of the Jews from the captivity out of the land of Babylon into the land of Canaan. He who does not know what is signified by “fishing and hunting,” by “mountain,” “hill,” and “holes of the cliffs,” can gather nothing from these words that he can comprehend. That a church was to be established from those who are in natural good and in spiritual good is meant by “I will send fishers who shall fish them, and hunters who shall hunt them.” To gather together those who are in natural good is meant by “sending fishers who shall fish them;” and to gather together those who are in spiritual good is meant by “sending hunters who shall hunt them;” because such are meant it is added, “from upon every mountain and from upon every hill, and out of the holes of the cliffs,” those “upon a mountain” meaning those who are in the good of love, “those upon a hill” those who are in the good of charity; “and those out of the holes of the cliffs” those who are in obscurities respecting truth.
sRef Ezek@36 @8 S18′ [18] In Ezekiel:
Ye mountains of Israel, ye shall give forth your branch, and bear your fruit to My people Israel, when they draw near to come (Ezek. 36:8).
“The mountains of Israel” signify the goods of charity; that from these are the truths of faith and the goods of life, is signified by “ye shall give forth your branch, and bear your fruit;” “branch” meaning the truth of faith, and “fruit” the good of life.
sRef Amos@9 @14 S19′ sRef Amos@9 @13 S19′ [19] In Amos:
Behold, the days come, that the ploughman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him that soweth; and the mountains shall drop sweet wine, and all the hills shall dissolve; for I will bring back the captivity of My people (Amos 9:13-14).
What these words signify may be seen above (n. 376), where they are explained. “The mountains” are said “to drop sweet wine,” and “the hills to dissolve,” because “mountains” signify the good of love to the Lord, and “hills” the good of charity towards the neighbor, and “sweet wine” truths; therefore these words signify that from these two goods they shall have truths in abundance, for the bringing back of the people from captivity, about which this is said, signifies the establishment of a new church.
sRef Ps@36 @6 S20′ [20] In David:
Jehovah, Thy righteousness is like the mountains of God; Thy judgments like a great deep (Ps. 36:6).
Because “righteousness,” in the Word, is predicated of good, and “judgment” of truth, it is said that “the righteousness of Jehovah is like the mountains of God, and His judgments like a great deep;” “the mountains of God” signifying the good of charity, and “the deep” truths in general, which are called the truths of faith. (That “righteousness” is predicated of good, and “judgment” of truth, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2235, 9857.)
sRef Ps@104 @13 S21′ sRef Ps@104 @7 S21′ sRef Ps@104 @10 S21′ sRef Ps@104 @9 S21′ sRef Ps@104 @8 S21′ sRef Ps@104 @6 S21′ sRef Ps@104 @5 S21′ [21] In the same:
Jehovah hath founded the earth upon its bases; Thou hast covered it with the deep as with a vesture; the waters stand above the mountains. At Thy rebuke they flee; at the voice of Thy thunder they hurried away. The mountains arise, the valleys sink down unto the place which Thou hast founded for them. Thou hast set a bound, they pass it not; they return not again to cover the earth. He sendeth forth springs into the brooks, they flow between the mountains. He watereth the mountains from His upper chambers; the earth is satisfied with the fruit of Thy works (Ps. 104:5-10, 13).
This, understood in the spiritual sense, describes the process of regeneration, or of the formation of the church with man; and “He hath founded the earth upon its bases,” signifies the church with man with its boundaries and closings; “Thou hast covered it with the deep as with a vesture,” signifies with knowledges [scientifica] in the natural man, by which knowledges the interiors of the natural man, where the spiritual things of the church have their seat, are encompassed; “the deep” signifying knowledges in general, and “vesture” the true knowledges encircling and investing; “the waters stand above the mountains” signifies the falsities above the delights of the natural loves, which delights are in themselves evils; “mountains” meaning the evils of those loves, and “waters” falsities therefrom; “at Thy rebuke they flee, at the voice of Thy thunder they hurry away” signifies that falsities are dispersed by truths, and evils by goods from heaven; “the mountains arise, and the valleys sink down unto the place which Thou hast founded for them” signifies that in place of natural loves and of evils therefrom there are inserted heavenly loves and goods from them, and in place of falsities general truths are let down; “Thou hast set a bound, they pass it not, they return not again to cover the earth” signifies that falsities and evils are kept without, separated from truths and goods, and held within bounds that they may not flow in again and destroy; “He sendeth forth springs into the brooks, they flow between the mountains” signifies that the Lord, out of the truths of the Word, gives intelligence, all things of which are from the good of celestial love; “springs” signifying the truths of the Word, “springs sent into brooks” the intelligence therefrom, and their “flowing between the mountains” that they are from the goods of celestial love, “mountains” meaning such goods. “He watereth the mountains from His upper chambers” signifies that all goods are by means of truths from heaven; “to water” is predicated of truths, because “waters” mean truths; “mountains” mean the goods of love; and “upper chambers” the heavens from which these are; “the earth is satisfied with the fruit of Thy works” signifies that from the Divine operation the church continually increases with man; “the fruit of works” meaning, in reference to the Lord, the Divine operation, and “the earth” the church in man, the formation of which is here treated of; and the church is said “to be satisfied” by continual increase. These are the arcana that are hid in these words; but who can see them unless he knows them from the internal sense, and unless he is in knowledges, in this case, unless he is in knowledge respecting the internal and external man, and the goods and truths that constitute the church in these?
sRef Zech@6 @1 S22′ [22] In Zechariah:
I lifted up mine eyes and saw, when behold, four chariots coming out from between the mountains; and the mountains were mountains of copper (Zech. 6:1).
A new church to be established among the Gentiles is treated of in this chapter, for a new temple is treated of, which signifies a new church. “Chariots coming out from between the mountains” signify doctrine, which is to be formed out of good by means of truths, “chariots” signifying doctrinals, “mountains” the goods of love, and “between mountains” truths from goods; for “valleys,” which are between mountains, signify lower truths, which are the truths of the natural man. That it may be known, that “mountains” here signify the goods of the natural man, it is said, “and the mountains were mountains of copper,” “copper” signifying the good of the natural man.
sRef Zech@14 @5 S23′ sRef Zech@14 @4 S23′ sRef Zech@14 @3 S23′ sRef Zech@14 @6 S23′ sRef Zech@14 @7 S23′ sRef Zech@14 @5 S23′ [23] In Zechariah:
Jehovah shall go forth and fight against the nations; His feet shall stand in that day upon the Mount of Olives, before the faces of Jerusalem from the east; and the Mount of Olives shall be cloven asunder, a part thereof toward the east and toward the sea with a great valley, and a part of the mountain shall withdraw toward the north, and a part of it toward the south. Then shall ye flee through the valley of My mountains; and the valley of the mountains shall reach towards Azal (Zech. 14:3-5).
This is said of the Last Judgment, which was accomplished by the Lord when He was in the world; for when the Lord was in the world He reduced all things to order in the heavens and in the hells, therefore He then wrought a judgment upon the evil and upon the good. This judgment is what is meant in the word of the Old Testament by “the day of indignation,” “of anger,” “of wrath,” “of the vengeance of Jehovah,” and by “the year of retributions” (on this judgment see the small work on The Last Judgment, n. 46). That the Lord’s coming and the judgment that then took place are treated of in this chapter, is evident from these words in it:
Then Jehovah my God shall come, all the holy ones with Thee. And there shall be in that day no light, brightness, nor flashing; and it shall be one day that shall be known to Jehovah, not day nor night; for about the time of evening there shall be light (Zech. 14:5-7).
“The time of evening” means the last time of the church, when judgment takes place; then it is “evening” to the evil, but “light” to the good. As soon as these things are known, it becomes plain, through the spiritual sense, what the particulars here signify, namely, “Jehovah shall go forth and fight against the nations” signifies the Last Judgment upon the evil, “to go forth and fight” means to execute judgment, and “nations” the evil; “His feet shall stand upon the Mount of Olives, before the faces of Jerusalem from the east” signifies that this is effected from the Divine love by means of Divine truths proceeding from His Divine good; “the Mount of Olives” signifying, in reference to the Lord, the Divine love, “Jerusalem,” the church in respect to truths, and therefore the Divine truths of the church, and “the east” the Divine good; “the Mount of Olives shall be cloven asunder, a part thereof toward the east and toward the sea, with a great valley” signifies the separation of those who are in good from those who are in evil; for “the Mount of Olives,” as was said, means the Divine love; “the east” means where those are who are in Divine good, and “the sea” where those are who are in evil, for in the western quarter of the spiritual world is a sea which separates; “a part of the mountain shall withdraw toward the north, and part of it toward the south” signifies the separation of those who are in the falsities of evil from those who are in the truths of good; “the north” meaning where those are who are in the falsities of evil, since they are in darkness, and “the south” where those are who are in the truths of good, since they are in light; “then shall ye flee through the valley of my mountains” signifies that then those who are in truths from good shall be rescued, “to flee” signifying to be rescued, “the valley of the mountains” signifying where those are who are in the knowledges of truth, and thus in truths from good, for those who are in the knowledges of truth dwell in valleys, and those who are in good upon the mountains; “and the valley of the mountains shall reach even unto Azal” signifies separation from the falsities of evil, “Azal” signifying separation and liberation.
sRef Luke@21 @37 S24′ [24] Because “the Mount of Olives,” which was before Jerusalem eastward, signified the Divine love, and “Jerusalem from the east” Divine truth proceeding from Divine good, as was said above, the Lord was accustomed to stay on that mount, as is evident in Luke:
Jesus during the days was teaching in the temple; but at night He went out and lodged in the mount that is called the Mount of Olives (Luke 21:37; 22:39; John 8:1).
It was here, too, that He spoke with His disciples about His coming and the consummation of the age, that is, about the Last Judgment (Matt. 24:3 seq.; Mark 13:3 seq.). It was from here, also, that He went to Jerusalem and suffered (Matt. 21:1; 26:30; Mark 11:1; 14:26; Luke 19:29, 37; 21:37; 22:39); signifying thereby that He did all things from the Divine love, for “the Mount of Olives” signified that love; for whatever the Lord did in the world was representative, and whatever He spoke was significative. The Lord when in the world was in representatives and significatives, in order that He might be in the ultimates of heaven and the church, and at the same time in their firsts, and thus might rule and dispose ultimates from firsts, and thus all intermediates from firsts through ultimates; representatives and significatives are in ultimates.
sRef Matt@17 @1 S25′ sRef Ex@19 @20 S25′ [25] Because “a mountain” signified the good of love and in reference to the Lord, the Divine good of the Divine love, from which good Divine truth proceeds, so Jehovah, that is, the Lord, descended upon Mount Sinai and promulgated the law. For it is said that:
He came down upon that mount, to the top of the mount (Exod. 19:20; 24:16-17);
And that He promulgated the law there (Exod. 20).
Therefore also Divine truth from Divine good is signified in the Word by “Sinai,” and also by “the law” there promulgated. So too:
The Lord took Peter, James, and John into a high mountain, when He was transfigured (Matt. 17:1; Mark 9:2).
and when He was transfigured He appeared in Divine truth from Divine good, for “His face which was as the sun” represented the Divine good, and “His raiment which was as the light” the Divine truth; and “Moses and Elias,” who appeared, signified the Word, which is Divine truth from the Divine good.
sRef Obad@1 @17 S26′ sRef Obad@1 @16 S26′ sRef Joel@2 @1 S26′ sRef Isa@66 @20 S26′ sRef Dan@9 @16 S26′ sRef Isa@27 @13 S26′ sRef Micah@4 @1 S26′ sRef Micah@4 @2 S26′ sRef Ezek@20 @40 S26′ sRef Isa@57 @13 S26′ sRef Isa@2 @2 S26′ sRef Isa@2 @3 S26′ sRef Rev@14 @1 S26′ sRef Isa@16 @1 S26′ [26] Since “a mountain” signified the good of love, and in the highest sense, the Divine good, and from the Divine good Divine truth proceeds, so Mount Zion was built up above Jerusalem, and in the Word “Mount Zion” signifies the church that is in the good of love to the Lord, and “Jerusalem” the church that is in truths from that good, or the church in respect to doctrine. For the same reason Jerusalem is called “the mountain of holiness,” also “the hill;” for “the mountain of holiness,” likewise “hill” signify spiritual good, which in its essence is truth from good, as can be seen from the following passages. In Isaiah:
It shall come to pass in the latter end of days that the mountain of Jehovah shall be on the head of the mountains, and shall be lifted up above the hills; whence all nations shall flow unto it; and many peoples shall go and say, Come ye, let us go up to the mountain of Jehovah, to the house of the God of Jacob (Isa. 2:2-3).
In the same:
In that day a great trumpet shall be blown, and the perishing in the land of Assyria shall come, and the outcasts in the land of Egypt, and they shall bow down to Jehovah in the mountain of holiness at Jerusalem (Isa. 27:13).
In Joel:
Blow ye the trumpet in** Zion, and cry aloud in the mountain of holiness (Joel 2:1).
In Daniel:
Let thine anger and Thy wrath be turned back from Thy city Jerusalem, the mountain of Thy Holiness (Dan. 9:16).
In Isaiah:
They shall bring all your brethren out of all nations unto Jehovah, unto the mountain of My holiness, Jerusalem (Isa. 66:20).
He that putteth His trust in Me shall have the land for a heritage, and shall possess as an inheritance the mountain of My holiness (Isa. 57:13).
In Ezekiel:
In the mountain of My holiness, in the mountain of the height of Israel, there shall all the house of Israel, all of them in the land, serve Me (Ezek. 20:40).
In Micah:
In the latter end of days it shall be that the mountain of the house of Jehovah shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be lifted up above the hills; and the peoples shall flow unto it (Micah 4:1).
Besides many passages elsewhere in which “the mountain of holiness,” “Mount Zion,” and “the mountain of Jehovah” are mentioned:
The mountain of holiness (Isa. 11:9; 56:7; 65:11, 25; Jer. 31:23; Ezek. 28:14; Dan. 9:20; 11:45; Joel 2:1; 3:17; Obad. verse 16; Zeph. 3:11; Zech. 8:3; Ps. 15:1; 43:3).
And Mount Zion (Isa. 4:5; 8:18; 10:12; 18:7; 24:23; 29:8; 31:4; 37:32; Joel 3:5; Obad. verses 17, 21; Micah 4:7; Lam. 5:18; Ps. 48:11; 74:2; 78:68; 125:1).
Because “Mount Zion” signified Divine good and the church in respect to Divine good, it is said in Isaiah:
Send ye [the lamb of] the ruler of the land from the cliff towards the wilderness unto the mountain of the daughter of Zion (16:1).
And in Revelation:
A lamb standing upon the Mount Zion, and with him a hundred forty and four thousand (Rev. 14:1).
sRef Ps@48 @2 S27′ sRef Ezek@40 @2 S27′ sRef Ps@48 @3 S27′ sRef Ps@48 @1 S27′ [27] From this it can also be seen why the New Jerusalem, in which was a temple, was seen by Ezekiel built upon a high mountain, respecting which it is thus written:
In the visions of God I was brought unto the land of Israel; he set me down upon a very high mountain, whereon was as it were the building of a city on the south (Ezek. 40:2).
Respecting this, much is said in the chapters that follow. In David:
Great is Jehovah, and to be praised exceedingly in the city of our God, in the mountain of His holiness; beautiful in situation, the joy of the whole earth is Mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King. God is known in her palaces as a refuge (Ps. 48:1-3).
This describes the worship of the Lord from truths that are from good. The worship of Him from spiritual truths and goods and the consequent pleasure of the soul is signified by “Great is Jehovah, and to be praised exceedingly in the city of our God, in the mountain of His Holiness, beautiful for situation;” worship is meant by “to be great,” and “to be praised exceedingly;” spiritual truth that is from spiritual good by “in the city of our God, the mountain of His Holiness;” and the consequent pleasure of the soul by “beautiful for situation;” the worship of the Lord from celestial goods and truths is described by “the joy of the whole earth is Mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great king;” worship from celestial good is meant by “the joy of the whole earth is Mount Zion;” and truths from that good by “on the sides of the north, the city of the great King;” “the sides of the north” meaning truths from celestial good, and “the city of the great King” the doctrine of truth therefrom. That truths are inscribed on those who are in celestial good is signified by “God is known in her palaces.” “The sides of the north” signify truths from celestial good, because those who are in the Lord’s celestial kingdom dwell in the east in heaven; and those who are in truths from that good, towards the north there.
sRef Isa@14 @13 S28′ [28] In Isaiah:
O Lucifer, thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into the heavens; I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; and I will sit on the mount of the meeting, on the sides of the north (Isa. 14:13).
“Lucifer” means Babylon, as is evident from what precedes and follows in this chapter; its love of ruling over heaven and the church is described by “I will ascend into the heavens, and will exalt my throne above the stars of God;” which means a striving for dominion over those heavens that constitute the Lord’s spiritual kingdom, for truths and the knowledges of truth appear to such as stars; “I will sit on the mount of meeting, on the sides of the north” signifies a striving for dominion over the heavens that constitute the Lord’s celestial kingdom, “the mount of meeting” and “the sides of the north” meaning the goods and truths there (as above). The fact that Mount Zion and Jerusalem were built as far as possible according to the form of heaven makes clear what the words cited above from David signify, “Mount Zion on the sides of the north, the city of the great king;” and the words from Isaiah, “The mount of meeting on the sides of the north.”
sRef Isa@37 @24 S29′ [29] In Isaiah:
Sennacherib the king of Assyria said, By the multitude of my chariots I will come up to the height of the mountains, to the sides of Lebanon; where I will cut down the height of its cedars, the choice of its fir trees (Isa. 37:24).
This describes, in the internal sense, the haughtiness of those who wish to destroy the goods and truths of the church by reasonings from falsities; “the king of Assyria” signifies the rational perverted; “the multitude of his chariots” signifies reasonings from the falsities of doctrine; “to come up to the height of the mountains, to the sides of Lebanon, and to cut down the height of its cedars, and the choice of its fir trees” signifies the endeavor to destroy the goods and truths of the church, both internal and external; “mountains” meaning the goods of the church, “the sides of Lebanon” meaning where goods are conjoined with truths, “Lebanon” the spiritual church, “cedars” its internal truths which are from good, and “fir trees” its external truths, also from good. This is the meaning of these words in the spiritual sense, consequently in heaven.
sRef Ps@147 @8 S30′ [30] “Mountain” and “mountains” signify the goods of love and of charity in the following passages also. In David:
Jehovah who covereth the heavens with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to spring forth upon the mountains (Ps. 147:8).
“The clouds,” with which Jehovah covers the heavens, signify external truths, such as are in the sense of the letter of the Word; for the truths in that sense are called in the Word “clouds,” while the truths in the internal sense are called “glory;” “the heavens” mean internal truths, because those who are in the heavens are in them; “the rain which he prepares for the earth” signifies influx of truth, “the earth” meaning the church, and thus those there who receive truth, for the church consists of such; “the mountains on which He makes grass to spring forth” signify the goods of love, and thence those who are in the goods of love, “grass” signifying the spiritual nourishment that such have; for grass for beasts is meant, and “beasts” signify the affections of good of the natural man.
sRef Deut@33 @15 S31′ sRef Deut@33 @14 S31′ sRef Deut@33 @13 S31′ [31] In Moses:
Of Joseph he said, Blessed of Jehovah be the land [of Joseph] for the precious things of heaven, for the dew, and for the deep that lieth beneath, for the firstfruits of the mountains of the east, and for the precious things of the hills of an age (Deut. 33:13-15).
This is the blessing of Joseph, or of the tribe named from Joseph by Moses; and this blessing was pronounced upon Joseph because “Joseph” signifies the Lord’s spiritual kingdom, and the heaven there that most nearly communicates with the Lord’s celestial kingdom; “the land of Joseph” means that heaven, and also the church that consists of those who will be in that heaven; “the precious things of heaven, the dew, and the deep that lieth beneath” signify Divine-spiritual and spiritual-natural things from a celestial origin, “the precious things of heaven” Divine-spiritual things, “the dew” spiritual things communicating, and “the deep that lieth beneath” spiritual-natural things; “the firstfruits of the mountains of the east, and the precious things of the hills of an age” signify genuine goods, both of the love to the Lord and of charity towards the neighbor, “the mountains of the east” meaning the goods of love to the Lord, “the firstfruits” genuine goods, and “the hills of an age” the goods of charity towards the neighbor. Those who are ignorant of what is represented by “Joseph” and “his tribe,” and also by “dew,” “the deep that lieth beneath,” “the mountains of the east,” and “the hills of an age,” can know scarcely anything of what such words involve, and, in general, can know scarcely anything of the significance of what is said by Moses in this whole chapter respecting the tribes of Israel, and of what is said by Israel the father in Genesis 49.
sRef Matt@5 @14 S32′ [32] In Matthew:
Ye are the light of the world; a city*** that is set on a mountain cannot be hid (Matt. 5:14).
This was said to the disciples, by whom the church which is in truths from good is meant; therefore it is said, “Ye are the light of the world,” “the light of the world” meaning the truth of the church. That it is not the truth unless it is from good is signified by “a city that is set on a mountain cannot be hid,” “a city on a mountain” meaning truth from good.
sRef Matt@18 @12 S33′ [33] In the same:
If any man have a hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, will he not leave the ninety and nine in the mountains, and going seek that which is gone astray? (Matt. 18:12).
It is said, “will he not leave the ninety and nine in the mountains?” for “sheep in the mountains” signify those who are in the good of love and charity; but “the one that is gone astray” signifies one who is not in that good, because he is in falsities from ignorance; for where falsity is, there good is not, because good is of truth.
sRef Mark@13 @14 S34′ sRef Mark@13 @15 S34′ [34] In the Gospels:
When ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, then let them that are in Judea flee to the mountains; and let him that is on the roof not go down into the house (Mark 13:14-15; Matt. 24:15-17; Luke 21:21).
In those chapters the Lord describes the successive vastation of the church, but it is described by pure correspondences. “When ye shall see the abomination of desolation” signifies when the disciples, that is, those who are in truths from good, perceive the church to be devastated, which takes place when there is no longer any truth because there is no good, or no faith because there is no charity; “then let them that are in Judea flee to the mountains” signifies that those who are of the Lord’s church are to remain in the good of love, “Judea” signifying the Lord’s church, and “mountains” the goods of love; “to flee to them” means to remain in those goods; “let him that is on the roof not go down into the house” signifies that he that is in genuine truths should remain in them, “house” signifying a man in respect to all the interior things which belong to his mind, and “the roof of the house” signifying therefore the intelligence that is from genuine truths, thus also the genuine truths through which there is intelligence. Unless the particulars of what the Lord said in these chapters of the Gospels are illustrated by the spiritual sense, scarcely anything that is contained there can be known, thus when it is said “let him that is on the roof not go down into the house;” or in another place, “let not him that is in the field return back to take his garments;” and many other things.
sRef Isa@2 @12 S35′ sRef Isa@2 @14 S35′ [35] Thus far it has been shown that “mountains” signify in the Word the goods of love; but as most things in the Word have also a contrary sense, so do “mountains,” which in that sense signify the evils of the love, or the evils that spring forth from the loves of self and the world. Mountains are mentioned in this sense in the following passages in the Word. In Isaiah:
The day of Jehovah of Hosts shall come upon everyone that is proud and exalted, and upon all the exalted mountains, and upon all the hills that are lifted up (Isa. 2:12, 14).
“The day of Jehovah of Hosts” means the Last Judgment, when the evil were cast down from the mountains and hills which they occupied in the spiritual world, as was said in the beginning of this article. It is because such before the Last Judgment dwelt upon mountains and hills, that “mountains and hills” mean the loves and the evils therefrom in which they were, “mountains” the evils of the love of self, and “hills” the evils of the love of the world. It is to be known that all who are in the love of self, especially those who are in the love of ruling, when they come into the spiritual world, are in the greatest eagerness to raise themselves into high places; this desire is inherent in that love; and this is why “to be of a high or elated mind” and “to aspire to high things” have become expressions in common use. The reason itself that there is this eagerness in the love of ruling is that they wish to make themselves gods, and God is in things highest. That “mountains and hills” signify these loves, and thence the evils of these loves, is clear from its being said, “a day of Jehovah of Hosts shall come upon everyone that is proud and exalted, and upon all the exalted mountains, and upon all the hills that are lifted up;” what else could be meant by “coming upon the mountains and hills?”
sRef Isa@40 @3 S36′ sRef Isa@40 @4 S36′ [36] In the same:
The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of Jehovah, make level a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill shall be made low (Isa. 40:3-4).
This, too, treats of the Lord’s coming and of the Last Judgment at that time; and “the voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of Jehovah, and a highway for our God,” signifies that they should prepare themselves to receive the Lord; “wilderness” signifying where there is no good because there is no truth, thus where there is as yet no church; “every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill shall be made low” signifies that all who are humble in heart, that is, all who are in goods and truths, are received, for such as are received by the Lord are raised up to heaven; while “every mountain and hill shall be made low” signifies that all who are elated in mind, that is, who are in the love of self and the world, shall be put down.
sRef Ezek@33 @28 S37′ [37] In Ezekiel:
For I will make the land a desolation and wasteness, that the pride of strength may cease; and the mountains of Israel have been laid waste, that none may pass through (Ezek. 33:28).
This describes the desolation and vastation of the spiritual church, which the Israelites represented; for the Jews represented the Lord’s celestial kingdom, or the celestial church, while the Israelites represented the Lord’s spiritual kingdom, or the spiritual church. Its “desolation and vastation” signifies the last state of the spiritual church, which was when there was no longer any truth because there was no good, or, when there was no faith because no charity; “desolation” is predicated of truth which is of faith, and “vastation” of good which is of charity. Boasting and elation of mind from falsities that they call truths, is signified by “the pride of strength,” “strength” and “power” having reference to truths from good, because all strength and all power belong to such truths; here, however, they have reference to falsities, because of the boasting and elation of mind. That there was no longer any good of charity and faith is signified by “the mountains of Israel have been laid waste;” that there was no good whatever, but only evil, is signified by “that none may pass through.”
sRef Ezek@6 @2 S38′ sRef Ezek@6 @3 S38′ [38] In the same:
Son of man, set thy faces toward the mountains of Israel, and prophesy against them, and say, Ye mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord Jehovih; Thus said the Lord Jehovih to the mountains and to the hills, to the water-courses and to the valleys: Behold I bring the sword upon you (Ezek. 6:2-3).
Here, too, “mountains of Israel” signify the evils that proceed from the love of self and of the world, which exist with those who are in the spiritual church, when they no longer have any good of life, but only evil of life and the falsity of doctrine therefrom; “mountains,” “hills,” “water-courses,” and “valleys,” signify all things of the church, both interior or spiritual and exterior or natural, “mountains and hills” signifying things interior or spiritual, “water-courses and valleys” things exterior or natural; that these will perish through falsities is signified by “Behold I will bring the sword upon you,” “sword” meaning the destruction of falsity by truths, and in a contrary sense, as here, the destruction of truth by falsities.
sRef Ezek@38 @20 S39′ sRef Ezek@38 @18 S39′ sRef Ezek@38 @21 S39′ [39] In the same:
In the day in which God shall come upon the ground of Israel, the fishes of the sea, and the fowl of the heavens, and the wild beast of the field, and every creeping thing that creepeth upon the ground, and every man who is upon the faces of the ground, shall quake before Me, and the mountains shall be thrown down, and the steps shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the earth; then I will call for the sword against him unto all My mountains (Ezek. 38:18, 20-21).
What all this signifies see above (400), where it is explained, namely, what is signified by “God,” by “the fishes of the sea,” “the fowl of the heavens,” “the wild beast of the field,” “the creeping thing that creepeth upon the ground;” also that “the mountains of Israel” signify the goods of spiritual love, but here, the evils of love that are opposed to those goods.
sRef Micah@6 @2 S40′ sRef Micah@6 @1 S40′ [40] In Micah:
Arise, strive thou with the mountains, that the hills may hear thy**** voice. Hear, O ye mountains, the strife of Jehovah, and ye strong foundations of the earth; for Jehovah hath a strife with His people, and He reproveth Israel (Micah 6:1, 2).
This, too, was said of the spiritual church, which was represented by the Israelites when separated from the Jews; and “mountains” mean the goods of charity, and “hills” the goods of faith; but here, the evils and falsities that are the opposites of these goods; therefore, it is said, “strive thou with the mountains, and let the hills hear thy voice;” “the strong foundations of the earth” mean the principles of falsity in that church, “the earth” meaning the church, and “foundations” the principles upon which the other things are founded. It is said, “with His people,” “with Israel,” because “people” means those who are in truths, or those who are in falsities; and “Israel” those who are in goods, or those who are in evils.
sRef Nahum@1 @6 S41′ sRef Jer@51 @25 S41′ sRef Nahum@1 @5 S41′ [41] In Jeremiah:
Behold, I am against thee, O destroying mountain, destroying the whole earth; and I will stretch out the hand against thee, and roll thee down from the cliffs, and will make thee a mountain of burning (Jer. 51:25).
This was said of Babylon, by which those who are in the falsities of evil and in the evils of falsity from the love of self are meant, for such misuse the holy things of the church as a means of ruling; it is from that love and the falsities and evils therefrom that Babylon is called “a destroying mountain, destroying the whole earth,” “the earth” meaning the church. The destruction and damnation of such by the falsities of evil is signified by “I will roll thee down from the cliffs,” “cliffs” meaning where the truths of faith are, here, where the falsities of evil are; while the destruction and damnation of such by the evils of falsity is signified by “I will make thee a mountain of burning,” “burning” having reference to the love of self, because “fire” signifies that love (see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 566-573). This makes clear that “mountains” signify the evils of the love of self and the world, since Babylon is called “a destroying mountain,” and is to be made “a mountain of burning.” In Nahum:
The mountains quake before Him, and the hills dissolve, and the whole earth is burned up before Him. Who can stand before His rebuking (Nahum 1:5-6).
What this, in series, signifies, may be seen above (n. 400), where the particulars are explained; showing that “mountains and hills” here mean the evils of the love of self and the world.
sRef Micah@1 @4 S42′ sRef Micah@1 @3 S42′ sRef Micah@1 @5 S42′ [42] In Micah:
Jehovah going forth out of His place cometh down and treadeth upon the high places of the earth. Therefore the mountains are melted under Him, and the valleys are cleft, as wax before the fire, as waters poured down a descent; on account of the transgressions of Jacob is all this, and on account of the sins of the house of Israel (Micah 1:3-5).
This, too, was said of the Last Judgment, and of those who then made for themselves a semblance of heaven upon the mountains and hills (who have been treated of above, in several places). The Last Judgment is meant by “Jehovah going forth out of His place, He cometh down and treadeth upon the high places of the earth,” “upon the high places of the earth” signifying upon those who were in the high places, that is, upon whom judgment was executed, for in the spiritual world, just as in the natural world, there are lands, mountains, hills, and valleys. The destruction of those who are upon the mountains and in the valleys, who are such as are in evils from the love of self and the world and in the falsities therefrom, is signified by “the mountains are melted under Him, and the valleys are cleft, as wax before the fire, as waters poured down a descent,” “mountains” signifying the evils of the loves of self and of the world, and “valleys” the falsities therefrom; of these evils of the loves of self and of the world that are signified by “mountains” it is said that they are melted “as wax before the fire,” since “fire” signifies those loves; and of the falsities that are signified by “valleys” it is said “as waters poured down a descent,” since “waters” signify falsities. This was evidently because of evils and falsities, for it is said, “on account of the transgressions of Jacob is all this, and on account of the sins of the house of Israel.”
sRef Jer@4 @24 S43′ sRef Jer@4 @25 S43′ sRef Jer@4 @23 S43′ sRef Isa@63 @19 S43′ sRef Isa@64 @1 S43′ [43] In Jeremiah:
I saw the earth, and lo, it is void and empty; and towards the heavens, and they have no light. I saw the mountains, and lo, they quake, and all the hills are overturned. I saw, and lo, there is no man, and every fowl of heaven hath fled away (Jer. 4:23-25).
“The quaking of the mountains” signifies the destruction of those who are in the evils of the love of self, and “the overturning of the hills,” the destruction of those who are in the evils of the love of the world, and in falsities. (The remainder may be seen explained above, n. 280, 304). In Isaiah:
O Jehovah, that Thou wouldst rend the heavens, that Thou wouldst come down, that the mountains might flow down before Thee (Isa. 64:1).
These words have a similar signification as those in Micah (1:3-5) which have been explained above.
sRef Ps@144 @5 S44′ sRef Ps@144 @6 S44′ [44] In David:
Bow Thy heavens, O Jehovah, and come down; touch the mountains that they may smoke. Flash forth the lightning and scatter them (Ps. 144:5-6).
“To bow the heavens and come down,” means the like as “to rend the heavens and come down,” “to go forth out of His place, and to come down and tread upon the high places of the earth,” quoted above, namely, to visit and judge; “to touch the mountains that they may smoke” signifies to destroy by His presence those who are in the evils of the loves of self and of the world, and in falsities therefrom; “to smoke” signifies to be let into the evils of these loves and into their falsities, for “fire” signifies these loves, and “smoke” their falsities; “flash forth the lightning and scatter them” signifies the Divine truth by which they are dispersed, for it is by the presence of Divine truth that evils and falsities are disclosed, and from the collision then there are appearances like lightnings.
sRef Ps@18 @7 S45′ sRef Ps@46 @2 S45′ sRef Ps@46 @3 S45′ sRef Deut@32 @22 S45′ sRef Ps@46 @1 S45′ [45] In Moses:
A fire hath been kindled in Mine anger, and shall burn even unto the lowest hell, and it shall devour the earth and its produce, and shall set in flames the foundations of the mountains (Deut. 32:22).
It is said that “a fire hath been kindled in Jehovah’s anger, which shall burn even unto the lowest hell,” although Jehovah has no fire of anger, much less one that burns to the lowest hell; for Jehovah, that is the Lord, is angry with no one, and does evil to no one, neither does He cast anyone into hell, as may be seen in the work on Heaven and Hell (n. 545-550); but it is so said in the sense of the letter of the Word, because it so appears to an evil man, and also to a simple man, for the Word in the letter is according to appearance, because according to the apprehension of natural men. But as angels, who are spiritual, see the truths themselves of the Word, not apparently according to the apprehension of man, but spiritually, therefore with the angels the sense of such expressions is inverted, and this is the internal or spiritual sense, that is, that the infernal love with man is such a fire, and burns even to the lowest hell; and as that fire, that is, that love, destroys all things of the church with man, from the very foundation, therefore it is said that “it shall devour the earth and its produce, and shall set in flames the foundations of the mountains,” “the earth” meaning the church, “its produce” everything of the church, “the foundations of the mountains” the truths upon which the goods of love are founded, and these are said “to be set in flames” by the fire of the love of self and the world. In David:
Then the earth tottered and quaked, and the foundations of the mountains trembled and tottered because He was wroth (Ps. 18:7).
The meaning here is similar, but for an explanation of the particulars see above, n. 400. In the same:
God is a refuge for us. Therefore will we not fear when the earth shall be changed, and when the mountains are moved in the heart of the seas; the waters thereof shall be in tumult, they shall foam, the mountains shall quake in the uprising thereof (Ps. 46:1-3).
This, too, may be seen explained above (n. 304), where it may be seen what is signified by “the mountains are moved in the heart of the seas,” and “the mountains shall quake in the uprising,” namely, that the evils of the loves of self and of the world will cause distress according to their increase.
sRef Isa@34 @2 S46′ sRef Isa@34 @3 S46′ [46] In Isaiah:
The anger of Jehovah is against all nations, and His wrath upon all their host; He hath devoted them, He hath given them to the slaughter, that their slain may be cast forth; and the stink of their carcasses shall come up, and the mountains shall be melted by their blood (Isa. 34:2-3).
This is said of the Last Judgment; and “the anger of Jehovah is against all nations, and His wrath upon all their host” signifies the destruction and damnation of all who are in evils and their falsities from purpose and from the heart; “nations” signifying these evils, and “host” all falsities therefrom. That such are to be damned and that they will perish is signified by “He hath devoted them, and hath given them to the slaughter.” The damnation of those who will perish through falsities is signified by “their slain shall be cast forth;” those are said in the Word “to have been slain” who have perished through falsities; and “to be cast forth” signifies to be damned. The damnation of those who would perish by evils is signified by “the stink of their carcasses shall come up;” those are called in the Word “carcasses” who have perished by evils, and “stink” signifies their damnation; “the mountains shall be melted by their blood” signifies that evils of the loves with such are full of falsities, “mountains” meaning the evils of the loves of self and of the world, and “blood” falsity.
sRef Isa@42 @15 S47′ [47] In the same:
I will make waste mountains and hills, and dry up all their herbs; and I will make the rivers islands, and I will dry up the pools (Isa. 42:15).
“To make waste mountains and hills” signifies to destroy all the good of love to the Lord and towards the neighbor; “to dry up every herb” signifies the consequent destruction of all truths, “herb” signifying truths springing from good; “to make the rivers islands, and to dry up the pools” signifies to annihilate all the understanding and perception of truth, “rivers” signifying intelligence which is of truth, “islands” where there is no intelligence, “pools” the perception of truth. The understanding of truth is from the light of truth, but the perception of truth is from the heat or love of truth.
sRef Isa@41 @16 S48′ sRef Isa@41 @15 S48′ [48] In the same:
Behold, O Jacob, I have made thee into a new threshing instrument having sharp teeth, that thou mayest thresh the mountains, and beat them small, and make the hills as chaff. Thou shalt disperse them, that the wind may carry them away and the tempest scatter them (Isa. 41:15-16).
“Jacob” means the external church in respect to good and truth, and thence external good and truth, which are good and truth from the sense of the letter of the Word. Those who are of the external church are in such good and truth. These are compared to “a new threshing instrument having sharp teeth,” because a threshing instrument beats out wheat, barley, and other grain from the ears, and these signify the goods and truths of the church (see above, n. 374-375); here therefore because evils and falsities are what are to be crushed and broken up it is said “a threshing instrument having sharp teeth, that thou mayest thresh the mountains and beat them small, and make the hills as chaff,” which signifies the destruction of the evils arising from the love of self and the world, and of the falsities therefrom; and it is added “thou shalt disperse them, that the wind may carry them away and the tempest scatter them,” which signifies that they shall be of no account; both “wind” and “tempest” are mentioned because both evils and falsities are meant, “wind” having reference to truths, and in the contrary sense to falsities, and “tempest” to the evils of falsity.
sRef Isa@54 @10 S49′ [49] In the same:
The mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed, but My mercy shall not depart from with thee (Isa. 54:10).
“The mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed,” does not mean that the mountains and hills that are on the earth are to depart and be removed, but those who are in evil loves and in falsities therefrom, for this chapter treats of the nations from which a new church is to be formed, therefore “mountains and hills” mean, in particular, those of the former church, consequently the Jews with whom were mere evils of falsity and falsities of evil, because they were in the loves of self and of the world.
sRef Jer@9 @10 S50′ [50] In Jeremiah:
For the mountains will I take up a weeping and wailing, and for the habitations of the wilderness a lamentation, because they are laid waste so that no man passeth through (Jer. 9:10).
“The mountains” for which there is weeping and wailing, mean evils of every kind springing forth from the two loves just mentioned; and “the habitations of the wilderness” signify falsities therefrom, for “wilderness” signifies where there is no good because there is no truth, and “habitations” where falsities are; so here the “habitations of the wilderness” mean the falsities from the evils above described; that there is no good and truth whatever is meant by “they are laid waste so that no man passeth through.” Where vastation is treated of in the Word, it is customary to say, “so that no man passeth through,” and it signifies that there is no longer any truth, and consequently no intelligence. It is evident that it is not mountains and habitations of the wilderness for which there is weeping and wailing.
sRef Ezek@34 @6 S51′ sRef Jer@50 @6 S51′ [51] In the same:
My people have been lost sheep; their shepherds have caused them to err, the mountains have turned away; they have gone from mountain to hill, they have forgotten their resting place (Jer. 50:6).
In Ezekiel:
My sheep go astray on all the mountains and upon every exalted hill; and My sheep were scattered upon all the faces of the earth, and there is none that enquireth or seeketh (Ezek. 34:6).
That “the sheep have gone from mountain to hill,” and that “they go astray on all the mountains and upon every exalted hill” signifies that they seek goods and truths, but do not find them, but that evils and falsities are seized upon instead. “The mountains have turned away” signifies that instead of goods there are evils.
sRef Jer@13 @16 S52′ [52] In Jeremiah:
Give glory to Jehovah your***** God, before He cause darkness and before your feet stumble upon the mountains of twilight (Jer. 13:16).
This signifies that Divine truth must be acknowledged, that falsities and evils therefrom may not break in from the natural man; “to give glory to God” signifies to acknowledge the Divine truth, “glory” in the Word signifying Divine truth, and to acknowledge it and live according to it is the glory which the Lord desires, and which is to be given to Him; “before He cause darkness” signifies lest falsities take possession, “darkness” meaning falsities; “and before your feet stumble upon the mountains of twilight” signifies lest evils therefrom out of the natural man take possession, “the mountains of twilight” meaning the evils of falsity, for “mountains” mean evils, and it is “twilight” when truth is not seen, but falsity instead, and “feet” signify the natural man, for all evils and the falsities therefrom are in the natural man, because that man by inheritance is moved to love himself more than God, and the world more than heaven, and to love the evils adhering to those loves from parents. These evils and the falsities therefrom are not removed except by means of Divine truth and a life according to it; by these means the higher or interior mind of man, which sees from the light of heaven, is opened, and by this light the Lord disperses the evils and the falsities therefrom that are in the natural mind. (That “feet” signify the natural man, see above, n. 65, 69; and Arcana Coelestia, n. 2162, 3147, 3761, 3986, 4280, 4938-4952.)
sRef Mark@11 @23 S53′ sRef Mark@11 @26 S53′ sRef Mark@11 @25 S53′ sRef Mark@11 @24 S53′ sRef Mark@11 @22 S53′ [53] In the Gospels:
Jesus saith unto the disciples, Have the faith of God; verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall say unto [this] mountain, Be thou taken up and cast into the sea, and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass, what he hath said shall be done for him (Mark 11:22-23; Matt. 17:20).
One who is ignorant of the arcana of heaven and of the spiritual sense of the Word, might believe that the Lord said this, not of saving faith, but of another faith that is called historical and miraculous; but the Lord said this of saving faith, which faith makes one with charity and is wholly from the Lord, therefore the Lord calls this faith “the faith of God;” and because it is by this faith, which is the faith of charity from Him, that the Lord removes all evils flowing from the loves of self and of the world and casts them into hell from which they came, so He says, “Whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou taken up and cast into the sea, what he hath said shall he done;” for “mountain” signifies the evils of those loves, and “sea” signifies hell; therefore “to say to a mountain, Be thou taken up,” signifies the removal of those evils, and “to be cast into the sea” signifies to be cast into the hell from which they came. Because of this signification of “mountain” and “sea,” this came to be a common expression with the ancients when the power of faith was the subject of discourse; not that that power can cast the mountains on the earth into the sea, but it can cast out the evils that are from hell.
Moreover, the mountains in the spiritual world upon which the evil dwell are often overturned and cast down by faith from the Lord; for when the evils with such are cast down, the mountains upon which they dwell are also cast down, as has been several times said before; and this has often been seen by me. That no other faith than the faith of charity from the Lord is here meant is evident from what follows in the Lord’s discourse in Mark, where it is said:
Therefore I say unto you, All things whatsoever that praying ye ask for, believe that ye are to receive, and it shall be done for you. But when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have aught against any, that your Father also who is in the heavens may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye shall not forgive, neither will your Father who is in the heavens forgive your trespasses (Mark 11:24-26).
This makes evident that “the faith of God,” of which the Lord here speaks, is the faith of charity, that is, the faith that makes one with charity, and is therefore wholly from the Lord. Moreover, the Lord said these things to the disciples when they supposed that they could do miracles from their own faith, thus from themselves; nevertheless such things are done by faith from the Lord, thus by the Lord (as is also evident from Matthew 17:19, 20, where like things are said).
sRef Jer@3 @6 S54′ sRef Hos@4 @13 S54′ sRef Isa@57 @7 S54′ sRef Deut@12 @2 S54′ [54] Because “mountains” signified the goods of celestial love, and “hills” the goods of spiritual love, the ancients, with whom the church was representative, had their Divine worship upon mountains and hills, and Zion was upon a mountain, and Jerusalem on mountainous places below it. But that the Jews and Israelites, who were given to idolatry, might not turn Divine worship into idolatrous worship, it was commanded them that they should have their worship in Jerusalem only, and not elsewhere; but because they were idolaters at heart they were not content to have their worship in Jerusalem, but after a custom of the nations derived from the ancients they everywhere held worship upon mountains and hills, and sacrificed and burnt incense thereon; and because this was idolatrous with them, worship from evils and falsities was signified by their worship upon other mountains and hills; as in the following passages. In Isaiah:
Upon a mountain high and lifted up hast thou set thy bed; thither also wentest thou up to sacrifice sacrifices (Isa. 57:7).
In Hosea:
They sacrifice upon the tops of the mountains, and burn incense upon the hills (Hos. 4:13).
In Jeremiah:
Backsliding Israel is gone away upon every high mountain and under every green tree, and thou hast played the harlot (Jer. 3:6).
“To play the harlot” signifies to falsify worship; that this was idolatrous, is evident from these words in Moses:
Ye shall destroy the places wherein the nations served their gods, upon the mountains, and upon the hills, and under every green tree (Deut. 12:2).
In these passages, therefore, worship upon mountains and hills signifies worship from evils and falsities. From this, also, it came that the nations in Greece placed Helicon on a high mountain, and Parnassus on a hill below it, and believed that their gods and goddesses dwelt there; this was derived from the ancients in Asia, and especially those in the land of Canaan, who were not far away, with whom all worship consisted of representatives.
sRef Matt@4 @8 S55′ [55] It is said in the Gospels:
The devil took Jesus up into a high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory, and tempted Him there (Matt. 4:8; Luke 4:5).
This signifies that the devil tempted the Lord through the love of self, for this is what “the high mountain” signifies; for the three temptations described in these passages signify and involve all the temptations that the Lord endured when He was in the world; for the Lord, by temptations admitted into Himself from the hells and by victories then, reduced all things in the hells to order, and also glorified His Human, that is, made it Divine. All the Lord’s temptations were described so briefly, since He has revealed them in no other way; but yet they are fully described in the internal sense of the Word. (Respecting the Lord’s temptations see what is cited in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 201, 293, 302.)
* Hebrew has “God,” which we find in AC n. 8331; in his own copy of TCR he corrected the reading (n. 303) of “King” in the margin to “God.” The reading “King” is found in AE n. 365, 612; also AR n. 306, 478; AC n. 3780.
** Photolithograph has “out of;” Hebrew “in,” which we also find in AE n. 502; AR n. 397.
*** Photolithograph has “light;” the Greek has “city,” which is also found in AE n. 223; AR n. 194.
**** Photolithograph has “my;” for Hebrew “thy,” which we also find in the text as quoted before.
***** Photolithograph has “our” twice; Hebrew has “your,” which is also found in AE n. 526.

sRef Rev@6 @14 S0′ sRef Rev@16 @20 S0′ 406. Thus far it has been shown what “mountain” signifies; it remains to be shown what “island” signifies, for it is said, “Every mountain and island were moved out of their places;” and elsewhere:
Every island fled away, and the mountains were not found (Rev. 16:20).
“Islands” in the Word do not mean islands nor those who dwell upon islands, but the natural man in respect to the truths that are in it is meant, and thus, in an abstract sense, the truths of the natural man are signified. The truths of the natural man are true knowledges [scientifica], which are under the intuition of the rational man, and the cognitions of truth which are under the intuition of the spiritual man; the cognitions of truth are such as the natural man knows from the Word, while true knowledges [scientifica] are such as the natural man sees from the rational, and by which he is accustomed to confirm the truths of the church. There are with man two minds, one higher or interior, which is called the spiritual mind; and the other lower or exterior, which is called the natural mind. The natural mind is first opened and cultivated with men, because this most nearly stands forth in the world; and afterwards the spiritual mind is opened and cultivated, but only to the extent that man receives in the life the cognitions of truth from the Word, or from doctrine from the Word; consequently with those who do not apply knowledges to the life it is not opened. But when the spiritual mind is opened the light of heaven flows in through that mind into the natural mind and enlightens it, whereby the natural mind becomes spiritual-natural; for the spiritual mind then sees in the natural almost as a man sees his face in a mirror, and acknowledges the things that are in agreement with itself. But when the spiritual mind is not opened, as is the case with those who do not apply to their life the cognitions of truth and good that are in the Word, there is nevertheless formed in man a mind in the interior part of the natural; but this mind consists of mere falsities and evils; because the spiritual mind, by which the light of heaven is let into the natural by a direct way is not opened; but [light is let in] only through chinks round about; from this a man has the faculty to think, reason, and speak, and also the faculty to understand truths, but not the faculty to love them, or to do them from affection. For the faculty to love truths because they are truths is given only through an influx of the light of heaven through the spiritual mind; for the light of heaven through the spiritual mind is conjoined with the heat of heaven, which is love, which is comparatively like the light of the world in the time of spring; but the light of heaven flowing only through chinks into the natural is a light separated from the heat of heaven which is love, and this light is comparatively like the light of the world in the time of winter. This makes clear that a man in whom the spiritual mind is opened is like a garden and a paradise; but a man in whom the spiritual mind is not opened is like a wilderness, and like land covered with snow. Because the mind makes the man (the mind consisting of understanding and will) it is the same whether you say the mind or the man, thus whether you say the spiritual and natural mind or the spiritual and natural man.
The natural mind or natural man, in respect to its truths and its falsities, is signified by “islands” in the Word, in respect to truths with those in whom the spiritual mind is opened, and in respect to falsities with those in whom the spiritual mind is closed.
sRef Ezek@26 @15 S2′ sRef Ezek@26 @18 S2′ sRef Ezek@26 @16 S2′ [2] That these are signified by “islands” can be seen from the following passages in the Word. In Ezekiel:
Thus said the Lord Jehovih to Tyre: Shall not the islands quake at the sound of thy fall, when the wounded shall groan, when the slaughter shall be accomplished in the midst of thee? And all the princes of the sea shall come down from* their thrones. The islands shall tremble in the day of thy fall, and the islands that are in the sea shall be affrighted at thy departure. All the inhabitants of the islands were astonished at thee, and their kings shuddered shuddering, their faces were troubled (26:15-16, 18; 27:35).
These two chapters treat of Tyre, which signifies the church in respect to the knowledges of truth and good, and in an abstract sense the knowledges of truth and good. In the first place the intelligence and wisdom of the men of the church through the knowledges of truth and good from the Word is treated of, and afterwards the church vastated in respect to these. The church vastated in respect to these, or where the knowledges of truth and good have perished is described by what is said by the prophet in these verses; the vastation of the knowledges of truth and good by “when the wounded shall groan, and when the slaughter shall be accomplished in the midst of thee,” “the wounded” meaning those in whom truths are extinguished, and “slaughter” meaning the very extinction of truth and good.
That all knowledges that man from his infancy has imbibed from the Word, also all true knowledges by which he has confirmed them, are then disturbed, moved out of their place, and recede is signified by “the islands shall tremble, and all the princes of the sea shall come down from their thrones,” also by “the islands shall tremble in the day of thy fall, and the islands that are in the sea shall be affrighted,” “islands” meaning these cognitions and knowledges in the natural man; “the princes of the sea” primary things therein, “sea” signifying the natural man and all things therein in general. That all goods of truth of the natural man, because of the vastation of the knowledges of truth, shall be changed as to their state is signified by “all the inhabitants of the islands were astonished at thee, and their kings shuddered, their faces were troubled;” “the inhabitants of the islands” mean the goods of truth of the natural man, for “to inhabit,” in the Word, signifies to live, and “inhabitants” the goods of life; “kings” mean all truths from good; “faces” signify the interiors and the affections; “to be astonished,” “affrighted,” and “troubled” signify to be entirely changed as to state. This makes clear what these things involve in the internal sense, namely, that all cognitions of truth and good and the confirming knowledges that man from infancy has imbibed from the Word and from teachers, will change their places and their state in the natural man and perish out of sight when falsities enter.
sRef Isa@20 @6 S3′ sRef Isa@20 @4 S3′ sRef Isa@20 @5 S3′ [3] In Isaiah:
The king of Assyria shall lead the captivity of Egypt and the crowd of Cush that is to be carried away; then shall they be dismayed and ashamed because of Cush their expectation, and because of Egypt their adornment; and the inhabitant of this island shall say in that day, Behold, such is our expectation, whither we flee for help to be delivered from before the king of Assyria; and how shall we escape? (Isa. 20:4-6).
No one can perceive anything about the church in these words, but only something obscurely historical, which is not known to have occurred, as that the king of Assyria will lead away Egypt and Cush into captivity, and that the dwellers of some island would grieve in heart over it; yet, here as elsewhere, some matter of the church is treated of, and this matter becomes manifest when it is known that “the king of Assyria” signifies the rational perverted, and thence the reasoning from false knowledges which favor the delight of natural loves, over which the natural man grieves because it is perverted thereby; for “the king of Assyria shall lead the captivity of Egypt and the crowd of Cush that is to be carried away” signifies that the perverted rational will claim to itself the knowledges of the natural man, and will confirm itself by these and by its delights, which these favor, “the king of Assyria” meaning the rational perverted, “to lead the captivity” and “to carry away the crowd” meaning to claim for itself and to confirm itself by reasonings, “Egypt” meaning the knowing faculty of the natural man, and “Cush” the delight which it favors.
That the goods of truth of the natural man grieve on this account, or that the natural man, in which are the goods of truth, grieves is signified by all the things that follow, namely, that “they shall be dismayed and ashamed because of Cush their expectation, and because of Egypt their adornment; and the inhabitant of the island shall say in that day,” and what follows; “the inhabitant of the island” meaning the good of truth, of the natural man, or the natural man in whom is the good of truth, “inhabitant” signifying good, and “island” truth, both in the natural man (as above). That there is such a sense in these words can hardly be believed, and yet it is there.
sRef Isa@24 @14 S4′ sRef Isa@24 @15 S4′ [4] In the same:
These shall lift up their voice, they shall shout for joy; for the majesty of Jehovah they shall cry aloud from the sea; therefore glorify Jehovah in Urim, the name of [Jehovah] the God of Israel in the islands of the sea (Isa. 24:14-15).
This chapter treats of the vastation of the church, and in these verses of the establishment of a new church among the gentiles; the joy of these is described by “they shall lift up their voice, they shall shout for joy; for the majesty of Jehovah they shall cry aloud from the sea,” or from the west; “the sea” when it means the west signifying the natural, for the reason that those who dwell in the western quarter in the spiritual world are in natural good, while those who dwell in the eastern quarter are in celestial good; and as the Gentiles of whom the church was constituted were in natural good it is said “glorify Jehovah in Urim, the name of the God of Israel in the islands of the sea,” which signifies that they were to worship the Lord from the goods and truths in the natural man, for “Urim” means a fire and a hearth, and these signify the good of love of the natural man; “the islands of the sea” signify the knowledges of truth and good, which are the truths of the natural man; and “to glorify” signifies to worship and adore; “Jehovah” and “God of Israel” mean the Lord, who is called “Jehovah” where good is treated of, and “the God of Israel” where truth is treated of; it is therefore said “glorify Jehovah in Urim,” that is, from good, “and the name of the God of Israel in the islands of the sea,” that is, from truths. This makes clear that “islands of the sea” signify the truths of the natural man.
sRef Isa@42 @12 S5′ sRef Isa@42 @11 S5′ sRef Isa@42 @10 S5′ sRef Isa@42 @4 S5′ [5] In the same:
He shall not quench nor break till He have set judgment in the earth; and the islands shall hope in His law. Sing unto Jehovah a new song, His praise, the end of the earth, ye that go down to the sea, its fullness, ye islands and the inhabitants thereof. Let the wilderness and its cities extol, the villages that Arabia doth inhabit; let the inhabitants of the cliff sing aloud, let them cry aloud from the top of the mountains. Let them give glory unto Jehovah, and declare His praise in the islands (Isa. 42:4, 10-12).
This, too, treats of the Lord and of a new church to be established by Him, and “islands” mean those who are merely in truths from the natural man, and are therefore as yet remote from true worship; so, “till He have set judgment in the earth, and the islands shall hope in His law,” signifies until He shall have given intelligence to those who are of the church, and the knowledges of truth to those who are more remote from the church; “to set judgment” meaning to give intelligence; “to hope in the law” meaning to give the knowledges of truth, for “the earth” signifies those who are of the church, and in an abstract sense the church itself in respect to intelligence from spiritual truths, and “the islands” signify those who are remote from the church, and in an abstract sense the church in respect to the knowledges of truth and good, or the church in respect to the truths of the natural man that correspond to spiritual truths; “sing unto Jehovah a new song, His praise, the end of the earth, ye that go down to the sea, and its fullness, ye islands and the inhabitants thereof,” signifies the worship of the Lord by those who are remote from the church, and in an abstract sense, the worship of the natural man from truths and goods; “to sing a song” and “to praise” signify worship from a glad mind; “the end of the earth” signifies those who are in the ultimates of the church, and in an abstract sense its ultimates; “the sea and its fullness” signify the natural man and all things therein; “islands and inhabitants” signify the truths and goods of the natural man, “islands” its truths, and “inhabitants” its goods (as above). What is signified by “let the wilderness and its cities extol, and the villages that Arabia doth inhabit; let the inhabitants of the cliff sing aloud, let them cry aloud from the top of the mountains,” see above (n. 405), where this is explained; “let them give glory unto Jehovah, and let the islands declare His praise,” signifies worship from internals and externals; “to give glory” meaning worship from internals, and “to declare praise” worship from externals, for externals declare, and “islands” mean the truths of the natural man from which is worship.
sRef Isa@51 @5 S6′ sRef Isa@51 @4 S6′ [6] In the same:
Attend unto Me, My people, and give ears unto Me, O My nation; for the law shall go forth from Me, and I will arouse My judgment for a light of the peoples. My righteousness is near, My salvation is gone forth, and Mine arms shall judge the peoples; the islands shall hope in Me, and on Mine arm shall they trust (Isa. 51:4-5).
This is said of the Lord; “Attend unto Me, My people, and give ears unto Me, O My nation,” signifies all who are of the church who are in truths and goods, “people” meaning those who are in truths and “nation” those who are in goods. It is said “attend” and “give ears,” in the plural, because all are meant; “the law shall go forth from Me, and I will arouse My judgment for a light of the peoples,” signifies that from Him are Divine good and Divine truth, from which is illustration; “law” signifying the Divine good of the Word, and “judgment” the Divine truth of the Word, “for a light of the people” signifying illustration; “My righteousness is near, My salvation is gone forth,” signifies the judgment, when those who are in the good of love and in truths therefrom are saved, “righteousness” having reference to the salvation of those who are in good at the day of judgment, and “salvation” of those who are in truths; “Mine arms shall judge the peoples” signifies judgment upon those of the church who are in falsities, “peoples” here having the contrary sense; “the islands shall hope in Me, and on Mine arm shall they trust,” signifies the approach of those to the church who are remote from the truths of the church, and their trust in the Lord; “the islands” signifying those who are remote from the truths of the church because they are in natural light and not yet in spiritual light from the Word, and “to trust on His arm” signifies trust in the Lord who has all power, “arm” in reference to the Lord meaning omnipotence.
sRef Isa@49 @1 S7′ [7] In the same:
Hear, O islands, and attend ye peoples from afar (Isa. 49:1).
“The islands” stand for those who are in truths, and “the peoples from afar” for those who are in goods, and in an abstract sense, truths and goods, both in the natural man; “from afar” is predicated of the goods that are in the natural man, while “near” is predicated of the goods that are in the spiritual man. “Peoples” here signify goods, because in the original a different word is used from that which signifies truths; for this word is also applied to nations, whereby goods are signified (as is evident from the same word in Genesis 25:23).
sRef Jer@31 @10 S8′ [8] In Jeremiah:
Hear the word of Jehovah, ye nations, and declare it in the islands afar off (Jer. 31:10).
“Nations” stand for those who are in goods, and in an abstract sense for goods; and “islands” for those who are in truths, and in an abstract sense, for truths in the natural man; “afar off” signifies remote from the truths of the church, which are spiritual (that “afar off” has this signification, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 8918). But these words in a purely spiritual sense, signify that the internal man shall teach the external, or the spiritual the whole natural man, the truths of the Word, for it is this that “the nations declare in the islands afar off;” but this pure sense, which is for angels, is with difficulty perceived by men, for it is with difficulty that men can think abstractedly from persons and places, for the reason that the thought of men is natural, and natural thought differs from spiritual thought in this, that it is tied down to places and persons and is consequently more limited than the spiritual. And this is why many things that have been explained will perhaps with difficulty fall into the ideas of the thought of those who keep the sight of the mind fixed on the sense of the words.
sRef Ps@72 @10 S9′ [9] In David:
The kings of Tarshish and of the islands shall bring an offering; the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer a gift (Ps. 72:10).
This is said of the Lord, and “to bring and offer a gift” means to worship; and “kings of Tarshish and of the islands” mean the interior and exterior truths of the natural man, “the kings of Tarshish” its interior truths, and “islands” its exterior truths; “the kings of Sheba and Seba” mean the interior and exterior goods of the natural man, “Sheba” its interior goods, and “Seba” its exterior goods. By the truths of the natural man the knowledges of truth are meant, and by the goods of the natural man the knowledges of good are meant. (That these are meant by “Sheba and Seba,” see Arcana Coelestia, n. 1171, 3240; and that the interior truths of the natural man are meant by “Tarshish,” see just below.) And because these are meant, those who are in the knowledges of truth and good are also meant.
sRef Isa@60 @9 S10′ sRef Isa@60 @8 S10′ [10] In Isaiah:
Who are these that fly as a cloud, and as doves to their windows? Because the islands shall trust in Me, and the ships of Tarshish in the beginning, to bring thy sons from far (Isa. 60:8-9).
This, too, is said of the Lord, and it signifies that those will receive and acknowledge Him who are in simple truth and good, who are such as perceive the truths of the Word in a natural way, that is, according to the sense of the letter, and do them, “the islands” signifying those who perceive the Word in a natural way, that is, according to the sense of the letter, “the ships of Tarshish in the beginning” meaning the goods that they bring forth and do, for “Tarshish” signifies the natural man in respect to knowledges, and “Tarshish in the beginning” the natural man in respect to the knowledges of good, because Tarshish abounded in gold and silver, and these the ships brought away thence (1 Kings 10:22); at first, gold, which signifies good; and as truths are from good it is also said “to bring thy sons from far.” And as “islands” and “ships of Tarshish” signify the knowledges of truth and good of the natural man, it is said, “Who are these that fly as a cloud and as doves to their windows?” “cloud” signifying the truths of the sense of the letter of the Word, “doves” the goods therein, and “windows” truths from good in light. (That “ships” signify the knowledges of truth and good from the Word, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 1977, 6385; and that “windows” signify truths in light, and therefore the intellectual, n. 655, 658, 3391.)
sRef Isa@23 @5 S11′ sRef Isa@23 @2 S11′ sRef Isa@23 @4 S11′ sRef Isa@23 @1 S11′ sRef Isa@23 @3 S11′ sRef Isa@23 @6 S11′ [11] In the same:
Howl, ye ships of Tarshish; for Tyre is laid waste, so that there is no house, nor doth anyone enter; from the land of Kittim it shall plainly come to them. The inhabitants of the island are still, the merchant of Zidon passeth over the sea, they have filled thee. Be ashamed, O Zidon, for the sea saith, the stronghold of the sea, I have not travailed, neither brought forth; I have not trained up young men, I have not brought up virgins. When the report comes from Egypt they shall be in travail, as at the report respecting Tyre. Pass ye over into Tarshish; howl, ye inhabitants of the island (Isa. 23:1-2, 4-6).
This describes the desolation of truth in the church; for “the ships of Tarshish” signify the knowledges of good from the Word, and “Tyre” the knowledges of truth therefrom. That there is no good because there are no truths is signified by “howl, ye ships of Tarshish, for Tyre is laid waste, so that there is no house, nor doth anyone enter,” that falsities then enter until there are no longer any goods of truth and truths of good in the natural man, is signified by “from the land of Kittim it shall plainly come to them; the inhabitants of the island are still, the merchant of Zidon passeth over the sea, they have filled thee;” “the land of Kittim” signifies falsities; “the inhabitants of the island” signify the goods of truth in the natural man (as above); “the merchant of Zidon” signifies the knowledges from the Word; “passeth over the sea” signifies which are in the natural man; “they have filled thee” (that is, the ships of Tarshish) signifies, they have enriched thee by them. The vastation of truth and good in the natural man is further described by “Be ashamed, O Zidon, for the sea said, the stronghold of the sea, I have not travailed, neither brought forth; I have not trained up young men, I have not brought up virgins;” “Zidon,” as well as “Tyre,” signifies the knowledges of truth and good in the church; “the sea, the stronghold of the sea,” signifies the whole natural man; “I have not travailed, neither brought forth,” signifies that there is nothing of the church conceived or generated; “young men” signify the affections of truth, and “virgins” the affections of good. This took place because cognitions from the Word and confirming knowledges [scientifica] were applied to falsities and evils which is signified by “when the report comes from Egypt they shall be in travail, as at the report respecting Tyre;” “Egypt” signifying knowledges [scientifica]; “Tyre,” the cognitions from the Word, here those vastated by the falsities and evils to which they have been applied; and as there is lamentation on this account it is said “they shall be in travail.” That all good in the natural man and all truth there would thus perish is signified by “pass ye over into Tarshish; howl, ye inhabitants of the island;” “Tarshish” signifying interior goods and truths in the natural man; “the inhabitants of the island” signifying exterior goods and truths therein (as above), “to howl” signifying grief on account of vastation.
sRef Jer@25 @17 S12′ sRef Jer@25 @22 S12′ [12] In Jeremiah:
I took the cup out of Jehovah’s hand, and made all the nations to drink, unto whom Jehovah sent me, all the kings of Tyre, and all the kings of Zidon, and the kings of the island which is in the crossing (beyond) the sea (Jer. 25:17, 22).
Many nations are enumerated in this chapter that are not cited here, all of which signify the goods and truths of the church in general and in particular that are vastated; and “the kings of Tyre and Zidon” signify the knowledges of truth and good from the Word in the natural man; for all the knowledges of truth and good, so far as they are knowledges, are in the natural man; they become truths and goods when men live according to them, because it is by means of the life that they are received in the spiritual man; “the kings of the island which is in the crossing beyond the sea” signify the knowledges of truth in the ultimate of the natural man, which is called the natural-sensual, because through this there is a crossing into the interiors of the natural man, “sea” signifying the natural man in general (see above, n. 275, 342). The vastation of these things is meant by “the cup of Jehovah which the prophet made the nations to drink.”
sRef Jer@47 @4 S13′ [13] In the same:
Because of the day that cometh to devastate all the Philistines, to cut off from Tyre and Zidon every residue that helpeth; for Jehovah devastates the Philistines, the remnant of the island of Caphtor (Jer. 47:4).
“The Philistines” mean those who are in faith alone, or in faith separate from charity, therefore they are also called “the uncircumcised,” which signifies that they have no charity (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2049, 3412, 3413, 8093, 8313); “to cut off from Tyre and Zidon every residue that helpeth” signifies that they have no knowledge of truth and good; “the residue that helpeth” signifying that they are no longer concordant; “the remnant of the island of Caphtor” has a like signification.
sRef Jer@2 @10 S14′ sRef Jer@2 @12 S14′ [14] In the same:
Pass over into the islands of the Kittim and see; send into Arabia and consider well, and see whether there hath been such a thing, whether a nation hath changed gods (Jer. 2:10-11).
“To pass over and to send into the islands of the Kittim and into Arabia” does not signify to send to those places, but to all who live naturally in truths and goods according to their religious principle; “the islands of the Kittim” meaning where those are who live naturally in truths, and “Arabia” where those are who live naturally in goods, that is, according to their religious principle; “the Kittim” and “Arabia” signify such persons and things; for all who do not have the Word or any revelation from heaven, and live according to their religious principle, live naturally; for to live spiritually is to live solely in accordance with truths and goods from the Word and from revelation out of heaven.
sRef Zeph@2 @11 S15′ sRef Zeph@2 @12 S15′ [15] In Zephaniah:
Jehovah will be fearful upon them; for He will make lean all the gods of the earth,** that they may worship Him, every man from his place, all the islands of the nations, ye Kushites also, slain by my sword shall they be (Zeph. 2:11-12).
This, in the internal sense, signifies that the falsities of evil will be dispersed, and truths and goods given to those who are in falsities indeed, but not in the falsities of evil; “the gods of the nations that He will make lean” signify the falsities of evil, “gods” signifying falsities, “nations” evils, and “to make lean” to remove evils from falsities; “the islands of the nations” and “the Kushites” signify those who are in falsities indeed, but not in the falsities of evil; and in an abstract sense they signify falsities, but not falsities of evil; and as falsities not of evil are in the natural man, therefore “the islands of the nations” signify the natural man in respect to such falsities, or in respect to falsities in the natural man; these falsities are signified by “slain by my sword.” (Respecting the falsities of evil, and the falsities not of evil, see Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 21.)
sRef Ps@72 @9 S16′ sRef Ps@72 @8 S16′ [16] In David:
He shall have dominion from sea to sea, and from the river even unto the uttermost parts of the earth. The islands shall bow low before Him; and His enemies shall lick the dust (Ps. 72:8-9).
This is said respecting the Lord; and “to have dominion from sea to sea, and from the river even unto the uttermost parts of the earth,” means His dominion over all things of heaven and the church; for the boundaries in the spiritual world are seas, and the intermediate regions are lands, where there are habitations for angels and spirits; therefore “from sea to sea” signifies all things of heaven, and because all things of heaven, it signifies also all things of the church; for the goods of love and the truths therefrom are what constitute both heaven and also the church, so “from sea to sea” signifies also all things of the church.
All things of heaven and of the church are signified by “from the river even unto the uttermost parts of the earth;” but this signifies all things of heaven and of the church in respect to truths, while “from sea to sea” signifies all things of heaven and of the church in respect to goods; for in the spiritual world the seas are the boundaries of the land east and west, and in the lands from the east to the west those dwell who are in the good of love; while “the river” means the first boundary, and “the uttermost parts of the earth” the last boundaries from south to north, where those dwell who are in truths from good; these boundaries were represented in respect to the land of Canaan by the rivers Jordan and Euphrates. Because the places that are about the last boundaries are meant by “islands,” these signify truths in last things; and these, although they are not truths, are accepted as truths; for genuine truths are diminished from the midst towards the borders, since those who are about the borders are in natural light, and not so much in spiritual light. “Enemies” signify evils, of whom it is said that they “shall lick the dust,” that is, that they are damned.
sRef Ps@97 @1 S17′ [17] In the same:
Jehovah reigneth; the earth shall exult; many islands shall be glad (Ps. 97:1).
This signifies that the church where the Word is and the church where the Word is not, consequently those who are in spiritual truths and those who are in truths not spiritual, shall rejoice on account of the Lord’s kingdom. “The earth” signifies the church where the Word is, and “the islands” the church where the Word is not, consequently those who are far away from spiritual truths; for the truths of the Word only are spiritual, whereas those who are outside the church, as they do not have the truths of the Word, have only natural truths; this is why they are called “islands.”
sRef Gen@10 @4 S18′ sRef Gen@10 @5 S18′ sRef Isa@66 @18 S18′ sRef Isa@66 @19 S18′ [18] By “islands” in the Word certain islands of the sea are not meant, but places in the spiritual world inhabited by those who have a natural knowledge of cognitions that in some measure agree with the cognitions of truth and good that are in the Word; and these places sometimes appear there as islands in a sea; so in an abstract sense “islands” signify the truths of the natural man. This is so called from a sea in which there are islands, for “the sea” signifies the generals of truth, or the truths of the natural man in general. This is the signification of “islands” in Genesis:
The sons of Javan were Elisha and Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim. From these were the islands of the nations separated in their lands; everyone after his tongue, after their families, in their nations (Gen. 10:4-5).
And in Isaiah:
He will come to gather all nations and tongues that they may come and see My glory; and I will set a sign among them, and I will send those of them that escape unto the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, to Tubal, and Javan, to the islands afar off, that have not heard My fame, neither have seen My glory; and they shall declare My glory among the nations (Isa. 66:18-19; likewise 11:10-11).
sRef Isa@42 @16 S19′ sRef Isa@59 @18 S19′ sRef Isa@42 @15 S19′ sRef Isa@41 @5 S19′ sRef Isa@41 @1 S19′ sRef Isa@40 @15 S19′ sRef Isa@42 @15 S19′ sRef Ezek@39 @6 S19′ [19] As most things in the Word have also a contrary sense, so have islands; and in this sense “islands” signify the falsities opposed to the truths in the natural man. In this sense “islands” are mentioned in the following passages. In Isaiah:
I will make waste mountains and hills and dry up all their herbs; and I will make the rivers islands, and I will dry up the pools (Isa. 42:15-16).
This may be seen explained in the preceding article, n. 405. In Ezekiel:
I will send a fire upon Magog, and upon the secure inhabitants of the islands (Ezek. 39:6).
In Isaiah:
[He will repay] wrath to His adversaries, retribution to His enemies; to the islands He will repay retribution (Isa. 59:18).
Behold, the nations are as a drop from a bucket, and are reckoned as the dust of the balance; behold, He taketh up the islands as a very little thing (Isa. 40:15).
“Nations” here stand for evils, and “the islands” for falsities. In the same:
Keep silence, O islands; let the peoples renew power; let them draw near, then let them speak; let us come near together for judgment. The islands saw and feared; the ends of the earth trembled (Isa. 41:1, 5).
* Photolithograph has “upon their thrones;” the Hebrew “from their thrones,” as is also given in the following explanation.
** Photolithograph has “of the nations;” Hebrew “of the earth,” as also found in AE n. 50; AC n. 1158.

sRef Rev@6 @14 S0′ 407. Verses 15-17. And the kings of the earth, and the great ones, and the rich, and the commanders of thousands, and the mighty, and every servant, and every freeman, hid themselves in caves, and in the rocks of the mountains. And they said to the mountains and to the rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him that sitteth on the throne, and from the anger of the Lamb. For the great day of His anger is come, and who is able to stand? 15. “And the kings of the earth, and the great ones, and the rich, and the commanders of thousands, and the mighty,” signifies all internal goods and truths, and all external goods and truths, by means of which there are wisdom and intelligence (n. 408); “and every servant and every freeman” signifies the natural man and the spiritual man (n. 409); “hid themselves in caves, and in the rocks of the mountains,” signifies truths and goods destroyed by evils of life, and by falsities therefrom (n. 410). 16. “And they said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us,” signifies to be covered over by evils and by falsities therefrom (n. 411); “and hide us from the face of Him that sitteth on the throne, and from the anger of the Lamb,” signifies lest they should suffer direful things from the influx of Divine good united to Divine truth proceeding from the Lord (n. 412). 17. “For the great day of His anger is come,” signifies the Last Judgment upon the evil (n. 413); “and who is able to stand?” signifies who shall live and bear it? (n. 414).

sRef Rev@6 @15 S0′ 408. Verse 15. And the kings of the earth, and the great ones, and the rich, and the commanders of thousands, and the mighty, signify all internal goods and truths, and all external goods and truths, by means of which there are wisdom and intelligence. This is evident from the signification of “kings,” as being truths from good in their whole complex (of which above, n. 31); from the signification of “great ones, and the rich,” as being internal goods and truths (of which presently); from the signification of “commanders of thousands and the mighty” as being external goods and truths; “commanders of thousands” meaning such goods, and “the mighty” such truths (of which also presently). It is added, “by means of which there are wisdom and intelligence,” because from internal goods and truths, which are spiritual goods and truths, there is wisdom, and from external goods and truths, which are natural goods and truths from spiritual, there is intelligence. Wisdom differs from intelligence in this, that wisdom is from the light of heaven, and intelligence from the light of the world enlightened by the light of heaven; this is why wisdom is predicated of spiritual goods and truths, and intelligence of natural goods and truths; for spiritual goods and truths are from the light of heaven, because the spiritual mind or the internal mind is in the light of heaven; and natural goods and truths are from the light of the world, because the natural or external mind is in the light of the world; but so far as this mind receives the light of heaven through the spiritual mind, so far it is in intelligence. He who believes that intelligence is from the light of the world only, which is called natural light, is much deceived. Intelligence means seeing from oneself truths and goods, whether civil, moral, or spiritual, while seeing them from another is not intelligence but knowledge [scientia]. Yet that it may be known how these things are to be understood, see what is said in a preceding article (n. 406), namely, that man has two minds, the one spiritual or internal, the other natural or external, and that the spiritual or internal mind is opened with those who apply the goods and truths of the Word to the life, while in those who do not apply the goods and truths of the Word to the life, that mind is not opened, but only the natural or external mind; such are thence called natural men, but the former spiritual.
To this let it be added, that so far as the spiritual or internal mind is opened, spiritual light, which is the light of heaven, flows in through it from the Lord into the natural or external mind, and enlightens that mind and gives intelligence. The goods and truths that constitute the spiritual or internal mind are meant by “the great ones and the rich,” goods by “the great ones,” and truths by “the rich;” and the goods and truths that constitute the natural or external mind are meant by “the commanders of thousands and the mighty,” these goods by “the commanders of thousands,” and these truths by “the mighty.” This makes clear that these words, in the internal sense, include all things that are with man; for the extinction of all these is treated of in what follows. All things with man as well as all things in the universe have reference to good and truth; it is from these and according to these that man has all wisdom and intelligence.
[2] He who looks only to the sense of the letter cannot see otherwise than that kings and the chief men in their kingdoms are here meant, and that so many are mentioned in order to exalt that sense; but in the Word no word is meaningless, for the Divine is in all things and in everything of the Word. So these must mean things Divine, which are of heaven and the church, and which are called, in general, celestial and spiritual, and from these the Word is Divine, celestial, and spiritual. Moreover, the Word was given that by it there may be conjunction of heaven with the church, or of the angels of heaven with the men of the church (see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n, 303-310); and such conjunction would not be possible if nothing else were meant by these words than what stands forth in the sense of the letter, namely, that the kings of the earth, the great ones, the rich, the commanders of thousands, and the mighty, as also every servant and every freeman, were to hide themselves in caves and in the rocks of the mountains, for these are natural things; but when spiritual things are at the same time understood by these there is conjunction. In no other way could angels be conjoined with men, for the angels are spiritual because they are in the spiritual world and thus both think spiritually and speak spiritually; while men are natural, because they are in the natural world, and thence think naturally and speak naturally. This is said to make known that “the kings of the earth, the great ones, the rich, the commanders of thousands, and the mighty,” signify also things spiritual. That these mean spiritual things, namely, “the great ones and the rich” internal goods and truths, and “the commanders of thousands and the mighty” external goods and truths, can be seen from their signification where they are mentioned in the Word.
[3] “Great ones” in the Word signify internal goods which are the goods of the internal or spiritual man, because “great” and “greatness” in the Word are predicated of good, and “many” and “multitude” of truth (see above, n. 336, 337). Internal goods are signified by “great ones,” because these four, namely, “great ones,” “the rich,” “the commanders of thousands” and “the mighty” signify all the goods and truths that are with man, thus the goods and truths both of the internal or spiritual man and of the external or natural man; “the great ones and the rich” meaning the goods and truths of the internal or spiritual man, and “the commanders of thousands and the mighty” the goods and truths of the external or natural man; so it is added, “every servant and every freeman,” “servant” signifying the external of man, which is called the natural man, and “freeman” the internal of man, which is called the spiritual man. Like things are signified by “great ones” elsewhere in the Word (namely in Jeremiah 5:5; in Nahum 3:10; and in Jonah 3:7).
That “the rich” signify internal truths, which are spiritual truths or those who are in such truths, is evident from what has been shown above (n. 118, 236). That “the commanders of thousands” signify external goods, which are the goods of the natural man, has also been shown above (n. 336); it is therefore unnecessary to say more respecting these. But that “the mighty” signify external truths, or truths of the natural man, is evident from many passages in the Word, where “the mighty” and “the strong,” likewise “power” and “strength” are mentioned; this is because truths from good, and indeed truths that are in the natural man, have all power. Truths from good are what have all power, because good does not act of itself, but by truths, for good forms itself in truths, and clothes itself with them, as the soul does with the body, and so acts; it acts by truths in the natural man, because there all interior things are together, and in their fullness. (That truths from good, or good by means of truths, has all power may be seen above, n. 209, 333; and in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 231, 232, 539; and that all power is in ultimates, because the Divine is there in its fullness, see above, n. 346; and Arcana Coelestia, n. 9836, 10044.) From this it can be seen that “the mighty” mean external truths, or truths of the natural man.

sRef Rev@6 @15 S0′ 409. And every servant, and every freeman, signifies the natural man and the spiritual man. This is evident from the signification of “servant,” as meaning the natural man (of which presently); and from the signification of “freeman,” as meaning the spiritual man. The spiritual man is meant by “freeman” and the natural man by “servant” because the spiritual man is led by the Lord from heaven, and to be led by the Lord is freedom; while the natural man obeys and serves the spiritual, for it executes what the spiritual man wills and thinks. “Servant” is mentioned in many passages in the Word; and one who does not know that in these “servant” means what does service and effects the things the spiritual man wills and thinks, might suppose that “servant” there means one who is in servitude, thus he might understand it in its ordinary sense, but it will be plain from the passages in the Word that will presently be cited that it means what does service and effects. When “servant” is mentioned in the Word in this sense, the natural man is meant by it, which is “a servant” in the same sense as the body is a servant to its soul.
As what does service and effects is meant by “servant,” so “servant” is predicated not only of the natural man in its relation to the spiritual, but also of men who perform service for others and of the angels who execute God’s commands, yea, of the Lord Himself as to His Divine Human when He was in the world; it is also predicated of truths from good, because good acts and produces effects by means of truths, and truths perform the service to good which good wills and loves, and so forth. Moreover, “servant” is predicated of the natural man with regard to obedience and effect, although with the regenerate the natural man is just as free as the spiritual, for they act as one, like principal and instrumental; and yet the natural man, in relation to the spiritual, is called “a servant,” because, as was said, the natural man is of service to the spiritual in producing effects. But with those with whom the spiritual man is closed and the natural man only open, the whole man in a general sense is a servant, although in appearance it is like a freeman; for the exterior natural man is subservient to the evils and falsities which the interior wills and thinks, and is thus led by hell, and to be led by hell is to be altogether a servant, and after death such a man also becomes altogether a servant and vile slave in hell; for after death the delights of everyone’s life are changed into things that correspond, and the delights of evil are changed into servitude and into loathsome things (see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 485-490). In this sense also “servant” is mentioned in the Word. But here it shall be shown especially that “servant” means what is of service and what effects, and this in every respect.
sRef Isa@42 @1 S2′ sRef Isa@53 @11 S2′ sRef Isa@42 @19 S2′ [2] That “servant” means what is of service and effects is plainly evident from this, that the Lord in relation to His Divine Human is called “servant” and “minister,” as in the following passages. In Isaiah:
Behold My servant, on whom I lean, My chosen, in whom My soul is well pleased; I have given My spirit upon Him. [He shall bring forth judgment to the nations]. Who is blind but My servant? or deaf as My angel that I send? Who is blind as He that is perfect, and blind as My* servant? (Isa. 42:1, 19).
This is said of the Lord, who is treated of in the whole of this chapter, and the Lord in respect to His Divine Human is here called “a servant,” because He served his Father by doing His will, as He frequently declares; and this means that He reduced to order all things in the spiritual world, and at the same time taught men the way to heaven. Therefore by “My servant on whom I lean,” and by “My chosen, in whom My soul is well pleased,” the Divine Human is meant; and this is called “a servant” from the Divine truth by which it produced effects, and “chosen” from the Divine good. That it was by means of the Divine truth which belonged to Him that the Lord produced effects is meant by “I have given My spirit upon Him, He shall bring forth judgment to the nations;” “the spirit of Jehovah” meaning the Divine truth, and “to bring forth judgment to the nations” meaning to instruct. He is called “blind” and “deaf” because the Lord is as if He did not see and perceive the sins of men, for He leads men gently, bending and not breaking, thus leading away from evils, and leading to good; therefore He does not chastise and punish, like one who sees and perceives. This is meant by “who is blind but My servant? or deaf as My angel?” He is called “blind” and hence “a servant” from the Divine truth, and “deaf” and hence “an angel” from the Divine good; for “blindness” has reference to the understanding and thence to the perception, and “deafness” to the perception and thence to the will; it is therefore here meant that He as it were does not see, although He possesses the Divine truth from which He understands all things, and that He does not will according to what He perceives, although He has the Divine good, from which He is able to effect all things.
[3] In the same:
He shall see out of the labor of His soul, He shall be satisfied; by His knowledge My just servant shall justify many, in that He hath borne their iniquities (Isa. 53:11).
This, too is said of the Lord, of whom the whole chapter evidently treats, and indeed of His Divine Human. His combats with the hells and His subjugation of them are signified by “the labor of His soul,” and “He hath borne their iniquities;” “bearing their iniquities” means not that He transferred them unto Himself, but that He admitted into Himself evils from the hells that He might subdue them; this therefore is what is meant by “bearing iniquities.” The consequent salvation of those who are in spiritual faith, which is the faith of charity, is meant by the words, “by His knowledge My just servant shall justify many;” “knowledge” signifying Divine truth, and thence Divine wisdom and intelligence, and “many” signifying all who receive; for “many” in the Word is predicated of truths, but “great” of good, therefore “many” means all who are in truths from good from the Lord.
It is said that “He shall justify” these, because “to justify” signifies to save by Divine good, and from Divine good He is also called “just.” Because the Lord accomplished and effected these things by His Divine Human, He is called “the servant of Jehovah;” this makes clear that Jehovah calls His Divine Human “His servant,” because of its serving and effecting.
sRef Luke@12 @37 S4′ sRef Isa@43 @10 S4′ [4] In the same:
Behold My servant shall act prudently, He shall be exalted, and lifted up, and made exceeding high (Isa. 52:13).
This, too is said of the Lord, whose Divine Human is called “a servant,” for the same reason as was mentioned just above; the glorification of His Human is meant by “He shall be exalted, and lifted up, and made exceeding high.” In the same:
Ye are My witnesses, and My servant whom I have chosen; that ye may know and believe Me (Isa. 43:10).
Here, too, “servant” means the Lord in respect to His Divine Human. That the Lord Himself calls Himself “a minister” from serving is clear in the Gospels:
Whosoever will become great among you must be your minister, and whosoever will be first must be your servant, as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto but to minister (Matt. 20:25-28; Mark 10:42-44; Luke 22:27).
This may be seen explained in the work on Heaven and Hell (n. 218). And in Luke:
Blessed are the servants whom the Lord when He cometh shall find watching; verily I say unto you, that He will gird Himself, and make them to recline to meat, and drawing near He will minister to them (Luke 12:37).
sRef Isa@49 @3 S5′ sRef Ps@89 @3 S5′ sRef Ps@89 @4 S5′ sRef Ps@89 @20 S5′ sRef Isa@49 @6 S5′ sRef Ezek@37 @24 S5′ sRef Ps@78 @71 S5′ sRef Ezek@34 @24 S5′ sRef Ps@78 @72 S5′ sRef Ps@78 @70 S5′ sRef Isa@37 @35 S5′ [5] Since “David” in the Word means the Lord in respect to Divine truth, and Divine truth serves, so David also, where the Lord is meant by him, is in many places called “a servant,” as in Ezekiel:
I Jehovah will be their God, and My servant David a prince in the midst of them (Ezek. 34:24).
In the same:
My servant David shall be king over them, that they all may have one shepherd (Ezek. 37:24).
This was said of David after his times, when he was never again to be raised up to be a prince in the midst of them, or a king over them. In Isaiah:
For I will defend this city to save it for Mine own sake, and for My servant David’s sake (Isa. 37:35).
In David:
I** have made a covenant with My chosen, I have sworn to David My servant, even to eternity will I establish thy seed. I have found David My servant; with the oil of My holiness have I anointed him (Ps. 89:3-4, 20).
The whole of this Psalm treats of the Lord, who is here meant by “David.” In the same:
He chose David His servant; from following the ewes giving suck He brought him to feed Jacob His people, and Israel His inheritance; and he fed them in the integrity of his heart, and guided them by the intelligence of his hands (Ps. 78:70-72);
and elsewhere. That the Lord in respect to Divine truth is meant by “David” in the Word, may be seen above (n. 205), and in the passages there cited. The Lord is also called “a servant” in the Word where He is meant by “Israel.” As in Isaiah:
Thou art My servant, O Israel, in whom I will be made glorious. It is a light thing that thou shouldst be My servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to lead back the preserved of Israel; but I have given thee for a light to the nations, that thou mayest be My salvation unto the end of the earth (Isa. 49:3, 6).
(That in the highest sense the Lord is meant by “Israel,” see Arcana Coelestia, n. 4286; and that “the Stone of Israel,” means the Lord in respect to Divine truth, n. 6426.)
sRef Ps@119 @23 S6′ sRef Ps@119 @48 S6′ sRef Isa@41 @8 S6′ sRef Ps@86 @16 S6′ sRef Dan@9 @10 S6′ sRef Isa@52 @13 S6′ sRef Ps@119 @65 S6′ sRef Ps@119 @124 S6′ sRef Amos@3 @7 S6′ sRef Isa@44 @2 S6′ sRef Isa@44 @1 S6′ sRef Mal@4 @4 S6′ sRef Ps@119 @176 S6′ sRef Isa@65 @9 S6′ sRef Jer@25 @9 S6′ sRef Jer@25 @4 S6′ sRef Ps@119 @135 S6′ sRef Ps@119 @17 S6′ sRef Ps@119 @18 S6′ sRef Ps@86 @4 S6′ sRef Ps@86 @2 S6′ sRef Ps@119 @125 S6′ sRef Ps@119 @16 S6′ [6] Since the Lord in respect to Divine truth is called in the Word “a servant” from serving, so those who are in Divine truth from the Lord and thereby serve others are there called “servants,” as the prophets are in these passages. In Jeremiah:
Jehovah sent unto you all His servants the prophets (Jer. 25:4).
In Amos:
He hath revealed His secret unto His servants the prophets (Amos 3. 7).
In Daniel:
He hath set [His laws] before us*** by the hand of His servants the prophets (Dan. 9:10).
So too:
Moses is called The servant of Jehovah (Mal. 4:4).
And also Isaiah, in his prophecy (Isa. 20:3; 50:10).
For “prophets” in the Word signify the doctrine of Divine truth, thus Divine truth in respect to doctrine (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2534, 7269). So again, David calls himself “a servant of Jehovah,” as in the following passages:
I rejoice in Thy statutes; I do not forget Thy word. [Deal well with Thy servant.] Thy servant doth meditate in Thy statutes. Thou hast done good to Thy servant, O Jehovah, according to Thy word. Deal with Thy servant according to Thy mercy, and teach me Thy statutes. I am Thy servant, cause me to discern, that I may know Thy testimonies. Make Thy faces to shine upon Thy servant, and teach Me Thy statutes. I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek Thy servant (Ps. 119:16-17, 23, 65, 124-125, 135, 176).
In the same:
Keep my soul, for I am holy; save Thy servant, for I trust**** in Thee. Gladden the soul of Thy servant; for unto Thee, O Lord, do I lift up My soul. Give strength unto Thy servant, and save the son of Thy handmaid (Ps. 86:2, 4, 16; and elsewhere, as Ps. 27:9; 31:16; 35:27; 116:16; Luke 1:69).
Since the Lord in respect to Divine truth is meant by “David” in the above cited passages, and thus “David,” in like manner as the prophets, means Divine truth, so “servant” in these passages also means in the spiritual sense, what is of service. One who is ignorant of the spiritual sense of the Word might believe that not only David but also others who are spoken of in the Word, called themselves “servants,” for the reason that all are servants of God; but still wherever “servants” are mentioned in the Word, what is of service and effect is meant in the spiritual sense. For this reason too:
Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon is called the servant of Jehovah (Jer. 25:9; 43:10).
But in a particular sense, “servant” and “servants” in the Word mean those who receive Divine truth and who teach it, since Divine truth is what serves, and by means of it Divine good produces effects. For this reason “servants” and “chosen” are frequently mentioned together, “servants” meaning those who receive Divine truth and who teach, and “chosen” those who receive Divine good and who lead, as in Isaiah:
I will bring forth a seed out of Jacob, and out of Judah an inheritor of My mountains; that My chosen may possess it, and My servants may dwell there (Isa. 65:9).
In the same:
Thou, Israel, art My servant, and Jacob, whom I have chosen (Isa. 41:8).
In the same:
Hear, O Jacob, My servant; Israel, whom I have chosen. Fear not, O Jacob, My servant, and thou Jeshurun, whom I have chosen (Isa. 44:1-2).
(That those are called “chosen” who are in the life of charity, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3755 near the end, 3900.)
sRef Luke@16 @13 S7′ [7] Now as “servants” have reference in the Word to what is of service and effects, consequently to such as serve and produce effects, therefore the natural man is called “a servant,” since this serves the spiritual in effecting what it wills; and for this reason the spiritual man is also called “a freeman” and “master.” This, too, is meant by “servant” and “master” in Luke:
No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will prefer the one and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon (Luke 16:13).
This must be understood as referring, not to servants in the world, for such can serve two masters, and yet not hate and despise one of them, but to servants in a spiritual sense, who are such as desire to love the Lord and themselves equally, or heaven and the world equally. These are like those who wish to look with one eye upwards, and with the other downwards, that is, with one eye to heaven, and with the other to hell, and thus to hang between the two; and yet there must be a predominance of one of these loves over the other; and where there is a predominance, that which opposes will be hated and despised when it offers opposition. For the love of self and of the world is the opposite of love to the Lord and love towards the neighbor. For this reason, those who are in the heavenly love would rather die or be deprived of honors and wealth in the world than be drawn away by them from the Lord and from heaven; for this they regard as the all, because it is eternal, but the former as relatively nothing, because it comes to an end with life in the world. On the other hand, however, those who love themselves and the world above all things, regard the Lord and heaven as relatively of no account, and even deny them, and so far as they see that they are opposed to self and the world they hate them; this becomes clearly manifest with all such in the other life. With those who love the Lord and heaven above all things, the internal or spiritual man is open, and the external or natural man serves it; then the latter is a servant because it serves, and the former is a master because it exercises its will; but with those who love themselves and the world above all things, the internal or spiritual man is closed, and the external or natural man is open; and when the latter is open and the former closed, the man loves the one master, namely, himself and the world, and hates the other, namely, the Lord and heaven. To this I am able to bear witness from experience; for all who have lived for self and the world, and not, as they ought, for God and heaven, in the other life hate the Lord and persecute those who are His, however in the world they may have talked about heaven and also about the Lord. From this it can be seen how impossible it is to serve two masters. That these words of the Lord must be understood spiritually is clear from the Lord’s own words; for He says, “Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”
sRef Matt@10 @24 S8′ sRef Matt@10 @25 S8′ [8] In Matthew:
The disciple is not above his teacher, nor the servant above his lord. It is enough for the disciple that he be as his teacher, and the servant as his lord (Matt. 10:24, 26).
This in the most general sense means that man must not make himself equal to the Lord, and that it is sufficient for him that all that he has he has from the Lord, and then the disciple is as the Teacher, and the servant as the Lord, for then the Lord is in him, and causes him to will good and to think truth. The term “disciple” is used in reference to good and “servant” in reference to truth. It is similar in a particular sense, namely, with each individual who is led by the Lord, the external or natural man with him is “a disciple” and “a servant,” and the internal and spiritual man is “a teacher” and “a lord.” When the external or natural man serves the internal or spiritual by obeying and carrying into effect, then it also is “as its teacher” and “as its lord,” for they act as one, as is said of the principal cause and the instrumental, that they act as one cause. This particular sense coincides with the most general in this, that when the spiritual and natural man act as one, the Lord Himself acts, for the spiritual man does nothing of itself, but what it does comes solely from the Lord; so far, indeed, as the spiritual man has been opened (for this opens into heaven), so far man acts not of himself but from the Lord; this spiritual man is the spiritual man in its proper sense.
sRef John@8 @33 S9′ sRef John@8 @34 S9′ sRef John@8 @36 S9′ sRef John@8 @35 S9′ sRef John@8 @32 S9′ [9] In John:
Ye shall know the truth; the truth maketh you free. The Jews answered, We are Abraham’s seed, and have never yet been in bondage to any man; how sayest Thou, Ye shall be made free? Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, everyone that committeth sin is a servant of sin. The servant abideth not in the house forever; the Son abideth forever. If the Son therefore make you free ye shall be free indeed (John 8:32-36).
This means that to be led by the Lord is freedom, and to be led by hell is slavery; “the truth that makes free” means Divine truth which is from the Lord, for he who receives this in doctrine and in life is free, because he is made spiritual and is led by the Lord; therefore it is also added, “the Son abideth in the house forever; if the Son make you free ye shall be free indeed,” “Son” meaning the Lord, and also truth (see above, n. 63, 151, 166), and “to abide in the house” meaning to abide in heaven. That to be led by hell is slavery is taught by these words, “everyone that committeth sin is a servant of sin,” “sin” is hell because it is from hell.
sRef John@15 @15 S10′ sRef John@15 @16 S10′ sRef John@15 @14 S10′ [10] That to receive Divine truth from the Lord in doctrine and in life is to, be free the Lord teaches also in John:
Ye are My friends if ye do whatsoever I command you. No longer do I call you servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth; I rather call you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known unto you. Ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you and appointed you that ye may go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit may abide (John 15:14-16).
“Friends” here mean the free, “friends” being contrasted with “servants.” That those who receive the Divine truth in doctrine and life from the Lord are not “servants,” but are “friends” or freemen, is taught by these words, “if ye do whatsoever I command you, no longer do I call you servants, but friends;” likewise by these words, “all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known unto you, that ye may go and bring forth fruit;” “to command” and “to make known” pertain to doctrine, and “to bring forth fruit” pertains to life. That these are from the Lord is thus taught, “ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you and appointed you.” Something nearly similar was represented by the Hebrew servants who were sent away free in the seventh year and in the year of Jubilee (who are treated of in Exod. 21:2, 3; Lev. 25:39-41; Deut. 15:12 seq.; Jer. 34:9 seq. Concerning these see Arcana Coelestia, n. 8973- 9005.)
From what has been thus far set forth it can be seen that those are called “servants” in the Word who serve and bring into effect, and that therefore “servant” means the natural man, because this serves its spiritual man by bringing into effect what it wills and thinks; also that those are called “freemen” who act from the love of truth and good, thus who act from the Lord, from whom is the love of truth and good. Moreover, “servants” in the Word mean also those who are led by self and the world, and thence by evils and falsities, consequently who are led by the natural man and not at the same time by the spiritual. But respecting these servants, the Lord willing, it shall be told elsewhere.
* Photolithograph has “My,” but Hebrew has “of Jehovah,” as also found in AC n. 2159.
** Photolithograph has “He hath made,” but Hebrew has “I have made,” as also in AE n. 205, 608, 684, 701, etc.
*** Photolithograph has “you;” for Hebrew “us.”
**** Photolithograph has “for I trust;” Hebrew “that trusteth.”

sRef Rev@6 @15 S0′ 410. Hid themselves in caves and in the rocks of the mountains, signifies truths and goods destroyed by evils of life and falsities therefrom. This is evident from the signification of “hiding themselves,” as meaning that they were lost, namely, internal and external goods and truths, or those in the natural and in the spiritual man, which are signified by “the kings of the earth,” “the great ones,” “the rich,” “the commanders of thousands,” “the mighty,” and by “every servant and every freeman,” as has been shown above. From this it follows that “they hid themselves” signifies that these were lost, the things lost being also in a hidden place. It is evident also from the signification of “caves,” as meaning evils of life (of which presently); and from the signification of “the rocks of the mountains,” as meaning the falsities therefrom; for “rocks” signify the truths of faith, and in the contrary sense the falsities of faith, here the falsities from evils, for “mountains” signify evils springing from the loves of self and of the world (as was shown just above, n. 405). But on the signification of “rocks” see in the article immediately following; here the signification of “caves” will be treated of.
[2] It was said above that in the spiritual world there are mountains, hills, rocks, valleys, and lands, as on our globe, and that angels and spirits dwell on them; but yet in the spiritual world they have a different appearance; upon the mountains those dwell who are in the greatest light, below these on the same mountain those dwell who are in less light, and beneath these those who are in still less, and in the lowest parts those dwell who are in darkness and thick darkness as compared to the light the higher ones have; accordingly the heavens are in the higher part of the mountains, and the hells are in the lowest parts, thus the expanses of the mountains succeed each other as strata. This is so in order that the lower may be governed by the Lord through the higher; for the Lord flows in immediately from Himself into all things of the spiritual world, and mediately through the higher heavens into the lower, and through these into the hells. The reason for this arrangement is that all may be held in connection by influx; such a coordinate and subordinate arrangement exists through the whole spiritual world. Into the hells, which are under the mountains and in the rocks, entrances lie open either in the lowest parts of their sides or through caverns from the valleys; and the entrances in the lower parts of the sides appear like entrances into caves where there are wild beasts, altogether dark; these are opened when infernal spirits are let in, but are shut when they have been let in. These entrances are called in the Word “the gates of hell.” But among the rocks these entrances appear like clefts in a cliff, and in some places like holes with various openings. The darkness in these gates or doors appears densely dark to good spirits and angels, but as if luminous to evil spirits; the reason is that there is no light of heaven there, but a fatuous lumen, which is natural lumen apart from the spiritual. The light of those there is not like the light [luminosum] of the world in the daytime, but like the nocturnal light that is suitable for owls, moles, birds of night, and bats, which see nothing in the light of day, and therefore the light of day is thick darkness to them, while the darkness of the night is their light. Their sight is such because it is formed of falsities and evils, which in themselves are darkness and thick darkness; for this reason “darkness” in the Word signifies falsities of every kind, and “thick darkness” the falsities of evil. From this it can be seen what is signified by “they hid themselves in caves,” that is, in evils of life, the goods in them having been destroyed. Evils of life are signified by “caves” for the same reason that “mountains” signify the goods of life, namely, because those who are in them are such; for the spiritual sense is concerned solely with evils or with goods regarded apart from places and persons, that is, with the kinds of evils or goods in the places and in the persons, as has also been several times said above.
sRef Isa@2 @11 S3′ sRef Isa@2 @15 S3′ sRef Isa@2 @14 S3′ sRef Isa@2 @10 S3′ sRef Isa@2 @12 S3′ sRef Isa@2 @16 S3′ sRef Isa@2 @20 S3′ sRef Isa@2 @21 S3′ sRef Isa@2 @17 S3′ sRef Isa@2 @13 S3′ sRef Isa@2 @18 S3′ sRef Isa@2 @19 S3′ [3] From this it can be seen what is signified in the Word by “caves,” “caverns,” “hollows,” “holes,” “clefts,” and “chinks of rocks and mountains,” in the following passages. In Isaiah:
Enter into the rock, and hide thee in the dust, for the dread of Jehovah and for the glory of His magnificence. For there shall be a day of Jehovah of Hosts upon everyone that is proud and exalted, and upon everyone that is lifted up, and that is brought low; and upon all the cedars of Lebanon that are exalted and lifted up, and upon all the oaks of Bashan, and upon all the exalted mountains, and upon all the hills that are lifted up, and upon every lofty tower, and upon every fenced wall, and upon all the ships of Tarshish, and upon all images of desire; that the haughtiness of man [hominis] may be bowed down, and the loftiness of men [virorum] be brought low, and Jehovah alone be exalted in that day. And the idols shall go away into smoke. And they shall enter into the caves of the rocks, and into the clefts of the dust, for dread of Jehovah and for the glory of His magnificence when He shall arise to terrify the earth. In that day a man shall cast away his idols of silver and his idols of gold which they made for themselves to bow down to the moles and to the bats, to go into the rents of the rocks and into the clefts of the cliffs (Isa. 2:10-21).
No one can understand all these things except from the internal sense, and unless he knows what the appearance of things is in the spiritual world; for without the internal sense who can know what is meant by “there shall be a day of Jehovah upon the cedars of Lebanon and the oaks of Bashan, upon mountains and hills, upon the tower and the wall, upon the ships of Tarshish and the images of desire;” and what is meant by “bowing down to moles and bats?” And unless the appearance of things in the spiritual world is known, who can know what is meant by “their entering into the rock and hiding themselves in the dust,” “entering into the caves of the rocks and into the clefts of the dust,” also “into the rents of the rocks and the clefts of the cliffs?” But from the internal sense it is known that all these things describe the state of those who are in the love of self and of the world, and thus in evils and falsities at the time of the Last Judgment.
It is therefore said “there shall be a day of Jehovah upon everyone that is proud and exalted, and upon everyone that is lifted up and that is brought low;” “day of Jehovah” meaning the Last Judgment; “everyone that is proud and exalted” meaning those who are in the love of self and the world, and “everyone that is lifted up and that is brought low” meaning those who are in the love of self-intelligence. This is further described by “there shall be a day of Jehovah upon all the cedars that are exalted and lifted up, and upon all the oaks of Bashan, and upon all the exalted mountains and hills that are lifted up, upon every lofty tower and fenced wall, and upon all the ships of Tarshish and the images of desire;” “the cedars of Lebanon” and “the oaks of Bashan” signify the pride of self-intelligence, “the cedars of Lebanon,” interior pride, and “the oaks of Bashan” exterior pride; “mountains and hills” signify the loves of self and of the world, and the evils and falsities springing from them (as was shown above, n. 405); “tower” and “wall” signify the falsities of doctrine confirmed, “the ships of Tarshish” and “the images of desire” signify the knowledges and perceptions of falsity from evil; their worship from evils and falsities is signified by “the idols which they made for themselves, to bow down to the moles and the bats;” worship from such things as are from self-intelligence is signified by “the idols which they made for themselves to bow down unto;” the evils and falsities of doctrine from which such worship springs are signified by “moles and bats,” because these have sight in the dark and shun the light; judgment upon such is described by “they shall enter into the caves of the rocks and into the clefts of the dust,” also “into the rents of the rocks and into the clefts of the cliffs;” “to enter into the caves of the rocks and into the clefts of the dust” signifies the damnation of those who are in evils and falsities from the loves of self and of the world, and from the pride of self-intelligence; for the hells of such appear as caves in rocks, and the entrances into them as rents in rocks and clefts in cliffs; “rocks” and “cliffs” signifying the falsities of faith and doctrine, and “dust” signifying what is damned.
sRef Jer@49 @16 S4′ [4] In Jeremiah:
Thy horror hath deceived thee, the presumption of thine heart, O thou that dwellest in the holes of the cliff, that holdest the height of the hill; if thou shouldst make thy nest as high as the eagle, thence would I cast thee down (Jer. 49:16).
This is said of Esau and Edom; and “Esau” here signifies the love of self and the evil therefrom destroying the church, and “Edom” the pride of self-intelligence and the falsity therefrom destroying the church. That the love of self and such pride are meant is evident from its being said “the presumption of thine heart hath deceived thee; if thou shouldst make thy nest as high as the eagle, thence would I cast thee down.” Those who are in falsities from self-intelligence dwell in rocks below, and the ways of approach to them appear like holes therein. These have also been seen by me. Within, however, there are rooms hollowed out and arched chambers where they sit in their fantasies. But before they are cast into these they are seen on mountains and hills, for they raise themselves into high places by fantasies, and as they are not in truths they think they are there bodily, and yet bodily they are in the caves of the rocks; this, therefore, is what is meant by “dwelling in the holes of the rocks, and holding the height of the hill.” This makes clear the nature of the Word, namely, that in many places it conforms to the aspects and appearances in the spiritual world, which are unknown to man but known to spirits and angels; from which it is evident that the Word is written for them also.
sRef Obad@1 @3 S5′ sRef Job@30 @6 S5′ sRef Obad@1 @4 S5′ [5] In Obadiah:
The presumption of thy heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the cliff, in the height of thy seat; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the earth? Though thou shalt mount on high like the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, I will bring thee down from thence (Obad. 3-4).
This, too, is said of Edom, who signifies here the pride of learning which is from self-intelligence, and falsity therefrom destroying the church. As almost similar things are said here as above, so the signification is similar; “the clefts of the rock” signify the falsities of faith and of doctrine, because those dwell there who are in such falsities; these are compared to an eagle because the eagle from its lofty flights signifies the pride of self-intelligence; so, too, “a nest for habitation” is mentioned, and “to set it among the stars” signifies in the heights where those dwell who are in the knowledges of truth, for the knowledges of truth are signified by “stars.” In Job:
To dwell in the clefts of the valleys, in the holes of the earth, and in the rocks (Job 30:6).
Here, too, “clefts of the valleys,” “holes of the earth,” and “rocks” signify the falsities of evil, for the falsities of evil are here treated of.
sRef Isa@7 @18 S6′ sRef Isa@7 @19 S6′ [6] In Isaiah:
It shall come to pass in that day, Jehovah shall hiss for the fly that is in the uttermost part of the rivers of Egypt, and for the bee that is in the land of Assyria, which shall come and shall rest, all of them, in the brooks of desolations, and in the clefts of the cliffs, and in all thickets, and in all courses (Isa. 7:18-19).
This describes the church laid waste by knowledges [scientifica] falsely applied, and by reasonings therefrom, by which the very knowledges of truth from the Word are perverted; “the fly that is in the uttermost part of the rivers of Egypt” signifies the falsity in the outermost parts of the natural man; the outermost parts of the natural man are what are called sensual things, for the natural man is interior, middle, and exterior; the interior communicates with the spiritual man through the rational, the exterior with the world through the bodily senses, and the middle conjoins the two; the exterior is what is called the sensual, because it depends upon the bodily senses, and draws therefrom what belongs to it. The falsities that are in this and from it are signified by “the flies in the uttermost part of the rivers of Egypt;” but “the bee in the land of Assyria” signifies false reasonings therefrom, for “Assyria” signifies the rational, and “Egypt” the knowing faculty of the natural man; and because the rational derives all it has from the knowledges [scientifica] of the natural man, its reasonings are signified by “bees,” for as bees suck out and derive their store from flowers, so the rational does from the knowledges [scientifica] of the natural man. Here, however, “bees” signify false reasonings, because the rational gathers what belongs to it from knowledges [scientifica] falsely applied. It is from correspondences that these are likened to flies and bees; for in the spiritual world flying things of various kinds appear, but they are appearances from the ideas of the thoughts of spirits, and the noxious flying things among them are flies and bees of such a kind; “the flies in the uttermost part of the rivers of Egypt” have their correspondence from their springing out of the filth of rivers. It is said “which shall come and shall rest in the brooks of desolations and in the clefts of the cliffs,” which signifies that the falsities of knowledges [scientifica] and of reasonings therefrom have their seats where there are no truths and where there is the faith of falsity, “the brooks of desolations” meaning where there are no truths, and “the clefts of the cliffs” where there is the faith of falsity; “in all thickets and in all courses” signifies that the knowledges and perceptions of truth are falsified by such things; “thickets” meaning the knowledges of truth, and “courses” the perceptions, and these are falsified by the above-mentioned falsities when they flow in. No one can see and know that these arcana are contained in these words except from the internal sense, and at the same time from the spiritual world.
sRef Isa@32 @14 S7′ [7] In the same:
The palace shall be abandoned, the multitude of the city forsaken, the height and the watch-tower shall be over the caves even forever, a joy of wild asses and a pasture for droves (Isa. 32:14).
This describes the total vastation of the church, where there is no longer any good of life or truth of doctrine; yet no one can know what is involved in it unless he knows the state of things in the spiritual world, and at the same time the internal sense. The devastation of the whole church is meant by “the palace shall be abandoned, and the multitude of the city forsaken;” “palace” signifying the whole church in respect to truths from good, and “abandoned” where there is no good because there is no truth; therefore “the palace shall be abandoned” signifies the church devastated; “the multitude of the city” signifies all truths of doctrine, for “city” means doctrine, and “multitude” is predicated of truths, which are said to be “forsaken” when they cease to be; “the height and the watch-tower shall be over the caves even forever” signifies that a church shall no longer exist with them, because there is nothing but the evil of life and the falsity of doctrine; “caves” signifying such things because such persons dwell in caves, as was said above; and because such persons dwell in deep places in the spiritual world, and are covered over by heights and watch-towers, thus hidden from those who abide on the lands there, therefore it is said not only that “the height and the watch-tower shall be over the caves,” but also that they shall be “a joy of wild asses and a pasture for droves.” Moreover, in that world there are many hells in deep places wholly hidden by the lands, rocks, and hills above, or by the heights and watch-towers, where there is grass like a pasture for flocks; for which reason these hells are unknown to those who dwell there upon the land. “A joy of wild asses” signifies also the affection or love of falsities; and “a pasture for droves” the nourishing of evils from falsities; and both of these signify the devastation of truth by falsities. From this it can be seen what an arcanum lies hidden in these words.
sRef Jer@7 @11 S8′ sRef Matt@21 @13 S8′ [8] In Jeremiah:
Is this house, upon which My name is named, become a den of robbers? (Jer. 7:11).
“A den of robbers” signifies the evil of life from the falsities of doctrine; and “the house upon which My name is named” signifies the church where there is worship from the goods of life by truths of doctrine; “house” meaning the church, and “the name of Jehovah” everything by which He is worshiped, thus good and truth, truth of doctrine and good of life. The church where there is evil of life from falsities of doctrine is called “a den of robbers” because “den” signifies that evil, and those are called “robbers” who steal truths from the Word and pervert them, and apply them to falsities and evils, and thus extinguish them. All this makes clear what is meant by the Lord’s words in the Gospels:
It is written, My house shall be called a house of prayers; but ye have made it a den of robbers (Matt. 21:13; Mark 11:17; Luke 19:46).
“House” here, in the universal sense, signifies the church; and because worship was performed in the temple at Jerusalem, it is called “a house of prayers.” (That the temple signifies the church, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3720; that “prayers” signify worship, see above, n. 325; that “to be called” has a similar signification as “to name My name upon them,” see above, Arcana Coelestia, n. 3421.)
sRef Isa@11 @8 S9′ [9] In Isaiah:
The suckling shall play on the hole of the adder, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the basilisk’s den (Isa. 11:8).
Neither can this be understood unless, from the things that appear in the spiritual world, it is known what is meant by “the hole of the adder” and by “the basilisk’s den.” It was said above that the entrances to the hells appear like holes in the rocks and like gaps opening into caves, such as wild beasts in the forests have; those who dwell in these, when they are looked at in the light of heaven appear like monsters of various kinds and like wild beasts. Those who are in the hells where those dwell who act craftily against innocence appear like adders, and those who act craftily against the good of love appear like basilisks; and as “suckling” or “sucking infant” signifies the good of innocence it is said “the suckling shall play on the hole of the adder;” and as “a weaned child,” or an infant that has stopped sucking, signifies the good of love, it, is said, “and the weaned child shall put his hand on the basilisk’s den,” and this signifies that those who are in the good of innocence and in the good of love to the Lord have no fear whatever of evils and falsities which are from hell, because they are protected by the Lord. (That “infants,” in the Word, and also “sucklings,” signify the good of innocence, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 430, 3183; and what “adders” and other poisonous serpents signify, n. 9013.)
sRef Jer@13 @4 S10′ sRef Jer@13 @5 S10′ sRef Jer@13 @7 S10′ sRef Jer@13 @6 S10′ [10] In Jeremiah:
Take the girdle that thou hast bought for thyself, which is upon thy loins, and arise and go to Euphrates, and hide it in a cleft of the cliff. This he also did; and afterwards at the end of many days he went there and took it again, and behold the girdle was marred and was not profitable for anything (Jer. 13:4-7).
This represented the quality of the Jewish Church, namely, that it was destitute of all the good of life and the truth of doctrine. For “the girdle” upon the loins of the prophet signified the conjunction of the Lord with the church by means of the Word; “Euphrates” signifies everything of the church in respect to good, here in respect to evil; and “the cliff” everything of the church in respect to truth, here in respect to falsity, for it is said “a cleft of the cliff;” that “the girdle was marred so as not to be profitable for anything” signified that there was no conjunction whatever of the church with the Lord, consequently that there was no church.
sRef Judg@6 @2 S11′ sRef Gen@19 @36 S11′ sRef Gen@19 @35 S11′ sRef Gen@19 @37 S11′ sRef Judg@6 @1 S11′ sRef Gen@19 @38 S11′ sRef Gen@19 @34 S11′ sRef Gen@19 @30 S11′ sRef Gen@19 @31 S11′ sRef Gen@19 @33 S11′ sRef Gen@19 @32 S11′ [11] “Cave” has a like significance in the histories of the Word as in the prophesies of the Word; for the histories of the Word, the same as the prophesies of the Word, contain an internal sense. Thus it is related of Lot, that after the burning of Sodom and Gomorrah:
He dwelt in a cave of the mountain with his two daughters, who made him drunk and lay with him; whence were born Moab and Ammon (Gen. 19:30-33).
The representation and signification of this occurrence is similar to that of Moab and Ammon in the Word, for “Moab” signifies the adulteration of the good of the church, and “Ammon” the falsification of the truth of the church (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2468, 8315); and “adulteries” and “whoredoms” signify in general the adulterations of good and the falsifications of truth (see above, n. 141, 161); and the various kinds of adulteries and whoredoms (such as are enumerated in Leviticus 18:6-30), signify the various kinds of adulterations and falsifications of good and truth; and this is why Lot is here said to have “dwelt in a cave;” such an abomination being signified here by “the cave of the mountain.” In the book of Judges it is said:
That the sons of Israel did evil in the eyes of Jehovah, and therefore were given into the hand of Midian; and because of Midian they made for themselves caves in the mountains and dens and strongholds (Judg. 6:1-2).
The “evil” which the sons of Israel did means the perversion of good and truth, as can be seen from what follows there, and also from the signification of “Midian” (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3242), on account of whom they made for themselves caves in the mountains and dens; for the sons of Israel were possessed by the evil signified by “Midian;” “because of Midian” signifying on account of that evil. It was similar when the sons of Israel fled on account of the Philistines (1 Sam. 13:6).

sRef Rev@6 @16 S0′ 411. Verse 16. And they said to the mountains and to the rocks, Fall on us, signifies to be covered over by evils and by falsities therefrom. This is evident from the signification of “mountains,” as being the evils that flow from the loves of self and of the world (of which above, n. 405); also from the signification of “rocks,” as being the falsities from evil (of which below); also from the signification of “fall on us,” as being to be covered by them. These things, too, are to be illustrated by such things as occur in the spiritual world when the Last Judgment takes place; for they are said respecting the Last Judgment, as is evident from the following verse, where it is said, “For the great day of His anger is come, and who is able to stand?” that “day” meaning the time and state of the Last Judgment. The state of the wicked then is such that from the mountains and rocks upon which they have made their habitations they cast themselves down into the hells, more or less deeply according to the atrocity of the evils and falsities with them; and this they themselves do, because they cannot endure Divine good and Divine truth, the higher heavens then being opened, from which the light of heaven flows in, which is Divine truth united to Divine good, by which light their pretended goods and truths are constricted, and these being constricted their evils and falsities are loosened; and as evils and falsities cannot endure the light of heaven, for they are pained and tortured by it, these spirits cast themselves from the mountains and rocks into the hells, more or less deeply according to the quality of their evil and falsity; some into gaps and caves, and some into holes and rocks, which then stand open before them; but as soon as they have cast themselves in, the openings are closed up. In this way the casting out of evil spirits from the mountains and hills which they have occupied is effected (see above, n. 391, 392, 394); and when they are in the caves and among the rocks the pains and torments they suffered from the influx of the light of heaven cease; for they find rest in their evils and in the falsities therefrom, because these had been their delights; for the delights of his life remain with everyone after death, and the delights of life are the delights of their loves, for every delight of life is from love.
sRef Luke@23 @30 S2′ sRef Hos@10 @8 S2′ [2] From this the signification of their “calling to the mountains and the rocks to fall on them” can be seen; likewise what is signified in Hosea:
They shall say to the mountains, Cover us, and to the hills, Fall on us (Hos. 10:8).
And in Luke:
Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us, and to the hills, Hide us (Luke 23:30).
This, too, treats of the Last Judgment. The light of heaven, which is Divine truth united to Divine good, by the influx and presence of which the evil who cast themselves down are pained and tormented, is meant by the words immediately following in this verse; “hide us from the face of Him that sitteth on the throne, and from the anger of the Lamb;” it is said “the anger O the Lamb” because they are in torment; but their torment is not from that, but from the evils of their loves and from the falsities of their faith; and because these evils and falsities have formed all the interiors of their mind (for each one’s mind is formed by his love and its faith, even so as to be a likeness of these in form), and because the interiors of the mind of those who are in evils and in falsities therefrom are turned away in a contrary direction, or to a quarter opposite to Divine goods and truths, therefore when Divine truth flows in and endeavors to reverse the action of the interiors of their mind, and thereby to lead them into heaven (for this is what Divine truth proceeding from the Lord does everywhere where it flows in), and they are unwilling to abandon the delights of their loves, they suffer anguish and torment; but these cease when they come into the hells where like delights or like loves prevail.
sRef Ps@141 @6 S3′ [3] Having shown above (n. 405) what “mountains and hills” signify, it shall now be shown what “rocks” signify, namely, that they signify truth from spiritual good, also the truth and good of faith, but in the contrary sense the falsity of faith. This signification of “rocks” is also from appearances in the spiritual world; for rocks and crags are seen there as mountains and hills are seen, as was shown above, and upon the rocks there those dwell who are in truths from spiritual good, and who are in the truth and good of faith. The difference between the mountains and hills, and the rocks and crags, is that the former are of soil, and the latter of stone, and “soil” corresponds to and thus signifies the good of love, and “stone” corresponds to and thus signifies the truth of faith. And as most things in the Word have also a contrary sense, so do “rocks,” and in that sense they signify the falsity of faith, and this also from correspondence; for those who are in the falsities of faith dwell there within the rocks in caverns.
sRef Dan@2 @34 S4′ sRef Dan@2 @35 S4′ sRef Dan@2 @43 S4′ [4] That “rock” signifies truth from good and the truth of faith, and in the highest sense the Lord in respect to these, is evident from the following passages. In Daniel:
Thou sawest* till that a stone was cut out, not by hands, and it smote the image upon his feet, that were iron and clay. And the stone that smote the image became a great rock and filled the whole earth (Dan. 2:34-35).
This was said of the image that Nebuchadnezzar saw in his dream. “The stone that became a great rock” means the Lord, as is evident from the particulars there. But first let the signification of what precedes be told; “the head of the image” which was gold, signifies the Most Ancient Church, which was a celestial church, or a church in which the good of love to the Lord reigned; this good is signified in the Word by “gold,” and also by “the head;” “the breast” and “the arms” which were silver, signify the Ancient Church, which succeeded the Most Ancient, and this church was a spiritual church, or a church in which the good of charity towards the neighbor, and truth from that good, reigned; this truth and good are signified by “silver,” and also by “the breast” and “the arms;” “the belly and the thighs which were brass” signify the church that succeeded the ancient spiritual church and which may be called spiritual-natural; in this church the good of faith and the truth from that good reigned; this good is signified in the Word by “brass,” and also by “the belly” and “the thighs;” but “the legs and the feet, which were part iron and part clay,” signify the Israelitish and Jewish Church, which was an external church without any internal, and which therefore had no truth and good, but truth falsified which in itself is falsity, and good adulterated which in itself is evil; therefore it is said respecting it in this chapter:
Whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of man; but they shall not cohere one with the other, even as iron doth not mingle with clay (Dan 2:43).
“Iron” signifies natural truth, and “miry clay” natural good; “the feet and legs” have a like meaning; but here “clay” signifies good adulterated, and “iron” such truth as there is in the external sense of the Word; for “the seed of man” means the Word where there are goods and truths, the adulterations and falsifications of which are described by “iron mixed with clay, which do not cohere one with the other.” (That there have been four churches, one after another, may be seen in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 247, 248.) “The stone” that smote the image means Divine truth from the Lord; that “it became a great rock and filled the whole earth” signifies that the Lord by Divine truth is to rule over heaven and the church; “the earth” here meaning the church and also heaven; therefore it is added that this kingdom “shall stand forever” (verse 44), “kingdom” also signifying the church and heaven, for there is the kingdom of God. That Divine truth is here meant by “stone,” and the Lord in respect to Divine truth by “rock,” is evident from the signification of “stone” in the Word when predicated of the Lord (as in Gen. 49:24; Ps. 118:22, 23; Isa. 28:16; Matt. 21:42, 44; Mark 12:10, 11; Luke 20:17, 18). Whether you say the Lord or Divine truth it is the same, since all Divine truth is from Him, and thence He is in it; and it is from this that the Lord is called “the Word,” for the Word is Divine truth. (That “stone” in the highest sense signifies the Lord in respect to Divine truth, and thence in a lower sense truth from good, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 643, 1298, 3720, 6426, 8609, 10376.)
sRef Ex@17 @6 S5′ sRef Ps@78 @20 S5′ sRef Ex@17 @5 S5′ sRef Ps@114 @8 S5′ sRef Num@20 @9 S5′ sRef Num@20 @8 S5′ sRef Num@20 @10 S5′ sRef Num@20 @12 S5′ sRef Num@20 @11 S5′ sRef Ps@78 @15 S5′ sRef Ps@78 @35 S5′ sRef Ps@105 @41 S5′ sRef Ps@114 @7 S5′ sRef Isa@48 @21 S5′ sRef Ps@78 @16 S5′ [5] That “rock” signifies the Lord in respect to Divine truth, is plain from:
The rock in Horeb from which waters were given to the Israelitish people (Exod. 17:5-6);
and that it was commanded:
That Moses and Aaron should speak unto the cliff, and thus should sanctify Jehovah in the eyes of the sons of Israel; but that Moses smote it with a staff two times, therefore it was declared to Moses and Aaron that they should not bring the people into the land of Canaan (Num. 20:8-13).
It is known in the church that this “rock” signified the Lord; but it is not known that it had this signification because “rock” in the Word signifies the Divine truth that proceeds from the Lord; this was why Moses and Aaron were commanded to speak to it, and thus to sanctify Jehovah in the eyes of the sons of Israel. Also “the waters” that flowed forth signify Divine truth; and “the people drinking of them” signifies to nourish spiritually, which is done by instructing and teaching. (That “waters” signify truths, see above, n. 71; and that “to drink,” and “to be given to drink,” signify to be instructed and to be taught, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3069, 3772, 4017, 4018, 8562, 9412.) The like is signified by “rock” in Isaiah:
They shall not thirst; He will lead them in desolate places; He will cause the waters to flow out of the rock for them, when He cleaveth the rock that the waters may issue (Isa. 48:21).
In David:
He clave the rocks in the wilderness, and made them to drink of the great depths; and He brought streams out of the cliff; and they remembered that God was their Rock, and the most high God their Redeemer (Ps. 78:15-16, 20, 35).
In the same:
He opened the rock that the waters might issue out; they flowed in the dry places, a river (Ps. 105:41).
In the same:
Before the Lord thou art in travail, O earth, before the God of Jacob, who turned the rock into a pool of waters, the flint into a fountain of waters (Ps. 114:7-8).
That “rock” in these passages signifies the Lord in respect to Divine truth, or what is the same, Divine truth from the Lord, is evident from what has been said above, also from the fact that these two passages in David treat of the redemption and the regeneration of the men of the church, and this is effected by means of Divine truth from the Lord. Redemption is treated of in these words, “they remembered that God was their Rock, and the most high God their Redeemer;” regeneration in these words, “Before the Lord thou art in travail, O earth;” “to be in travail” when predicated of the church, signifying to be reformed and regenerated.
sRef Isa@51 @1 S6′ [6] In Isaiah:
Hearken unto me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek Jehovah; look unto the rock out of which ye were hewn, and to the digging out of the pit out of which ye were digged (Isa. 51:1).
The “rock” means the Lord in respect to Divine truth, and the “pit” signifies the Word, as also in other places; “to be hewn out of the rock” and “to be digged out of the pit,” signify to be regenerated by Divine truths and Divine goods, thus by truths from good from the Lord; for “stones,” that are cut out of a rock, signify truths from the Lord; and “soil,” that is dug out of a pit, signifies good from the Lord, therefore it is called “the digging out of the pit.”
sRef Deut@32 @31 S7′ sRef Deut@32 @18 S7′ sRef Deut@32 @13 S7′ sRef Deut@32 @30 S7′ sRef Deut@32 @4 S7′ sRef Deut@32 @3 S7′ [7] In Moses:
Give ye greatness unto our God; the rock, whose work is perfect, and all His ways are judgment. He made him to ride on the high places of the earth, and feedeth him with the increase of the fields; He maketh him to suck honey out of the cliff, and oil out of the flint of the rock. The rock that begat thee hast thou given to forgetfulness, and hast forgotten God thy Former. Is it not because their rock hath sold them, and Jehovah hath shut them up? For their rock is not as our rock, neither are our enemies judges (Deut. 32:3-4, 13, 18, 30-31).
This is said of the Ancient Church, which was a church that was in truths from good; therefore truths from good are described by various things that correspond, as “He made him to ride on the high places of the earth, He fed him with the increase of the fields; He made him to suck honey out of the cliff, and oil out of the flint of the rock.” Intelligence in the spiritual things of this church is signified by “He made him to ride on the high places of the earth;” “to ride” signifying to understand; “the high places of the earth” meaning the spiritual things of the church; spiritual nourishment therefrom is signified by “He fed him with the increase of the fields;” “to feed” meaning to nourish, and “the increase of the fields” meaning all things of the church. That they had natural good and spiritual good through Divine truth from the Lord is signified by “He made him to suck honey out of the cliff, and oil out of the flint of the rock;” “honey” meaning natural good, “oil” spiritual good; “cliff” external Divine truth from the Lord which is for the natural man, and “flint of the rock” internal Divine truth from the Lord which is for the spiritual man. The Jewish Church, which was not in any Divine truth, is next treated of, and respecting this it is said, “the rock that begat thee hast thou given to forgetfulness, and hast forgotten God thy Former,” which signifies that the Lord, and thence Divine truth, by which the church is reformed, were rejected; “rock” meaning the Lord in respect to Divine truth, and “that begat thee,” and “God the Former” signifying to be reformed by the Lord by means of Divine truth. That they were altogether deprived of truth and good is signified by “their rock hath sold them, and Jehovah hath shut them up,” “rock” having reference to truth, and “Jehovah” to good; “to sell” and “to shut up” means to be deprived of. That they would be in falsity from evil is signified by “their rock is not as our rock, neither are our enemies judges” “their rock” meaning falsity, “our enemies” evils, “not judges” signifying not truths and goods. From this it can be seen that “rock” signifies the Lord in respect to Divine truth, and in the contrary sense, falsity.
sRef 2Sam@23 @2 S8′ sRef 2Sam@23 @3 S8′ [8] In the second book of Samuel:
The spirit of Jehovah spoke in me, and His speech was upon my tongue. The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spoke [to me]. He that ruleth over the righteous man, that ruleth over the fear of God (2 Sam. 23:2-3).
“Rock” here manifestly stands for the Lord, for in the Word “the God of Israel” means the Lord; therefore it is said “the spirit of Jehovah spoke in me, and His speech was upon my tongue,” also “the God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spoke to me.” The “spirit of Jehovah” and “His speech” signify Divine truth, and the Lord is called “the God of Israel” from worship, and “the Rock of Israel” from Divine truth, from which is worship. Because it is the Lord who is meant, it is said that “the Rock of Israel spoke.” His dominion over those who are in good and those who are in truth is signified by “He that ruleth over the righteous man, that ruleth over him that hath the fear of God;” righteousness” is predicated of good, and “fear of God” of truth; for this Psalm of David treats of the Lord, which makes clear that the Lord is meant by “the God of Israel,” and “the Rock of Israel.” sRef 2Sam@22 @47 S9′ sRef Ps@81 @13 S9′ sRef Ps@81 @16 S9′ sRef 2Sam@22 @3 S9′ sRef 2Sam@22 @2 S9′ sRef Ps@18 @46 S9′ sRef Ps@18 @31 S9′ sRef Ps@18 @2 S9′ [9] In David:
O that My people may hearken unto Me, that Israel might walk in My ways! I would feed** them with the fat of wheat; and with honey out of the rock I would satisfy them (Ps. 81:13, 16).
Here, too, “rock” means the Lord in respect to Divine truth (as may be seen above, n. 374, where this is explained). In the same:
Who is God save Jehovah, or who is a Rock besides my*** God? Jehovah liveth: and blessed be my Rock; and the God of my salvation shall be exalted (Ps. 18:2, 31, 46; 2 Sam. 22:2-3, 32, 47).
It is said, “Who is God save Jehovah, and who is a Rock besides my God?” because where Divine good is treated of the Lord is called “Jehovah,” and where Divine truth is treated of he is called “God,” and also “Rock,” as here; so afterwards, “Jehovah liveth, and blessed be my Rock;” “the God of my salvation shall be exalted” signifies that He must be worshiped by means of truths from good, from which is salvation; “to be exalted,” in reference to God is predicated of worship from good by means of truths.
sRef Ps@19 @14 S10′ sRef Ps@28 @1 S10′ sRef Ps@42 @9 S10′ sRef Ps@89 @27 S10′ sRef Isa@26 @4 S10′ sRef Isa@44 @8 S10′ sRef Ps@89 @26 S10′ sRef Hab@1 @12 S10′ sRef Ps@92 @15 S10′ sRef Isa@30 @29 S10′ sRef Ps@95 @2 S10′ sRef Ps@95 @1 S10′ sRef 1Sam@2 @2 S10′ [10] In the same:
Let the sayings of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be well pleasing before Thee, O Jehovah, my Rock and my Redeemer (Ps. 19:14).
“Jehovah the Rock” has a like signification as “Jehovah God,” namely, the Lord in respect to Divine good and Divine truth; and He is called “Redeemer” from regeneration, which is effected by Divine truth; “sayings of the mouth” signify the understanding of truth, and “the meditation of the heart” the perception of good. In the same:
I say unto God my Rock, Why hast Thou forgotten me? (Ps. 42:9).
“God the Rock” means the Lord in respect to Divine truth, here in respect to defense. In the same:
Unto Thee do I call, O Jehovah my Rock; be not silent from me; lest Thou be silent from me (Ps. 28:1).
Here, too, “Jehovah” and “Rock” are mentioned, because “Jehovah” means the Lord in respect to Divine good, and “Rock” the Lord in respect to Divine truth, and as both are meant it is twice said, “be not silent from me,” “lest Thou be silent from me;” one having reference to Divine good, the other to Divine truth, for in the Word there is a heavenly marriage in every particular, which is the marriage of good and truth. In Habakkuk:
O Jehovah, Thou hast placed him for judgment; and thou, O Rock, hast founded him for correction (Hab. 1:12).
In Isaiah:
Trust ye in Jehovah forevermore; for in Jah Jehovah is the Rock of Eternity (Isa. 26:4).
Ye shall have a song as of the night of celebrating the feast; and gladness of heart as of one going with a pipe to come into the mountain of Jehovah, to the Rock of Israel (Isa. 30:29).
Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no Rock, I know not any (Isa. 44:8).
In David:
We will make a joyful noise unto the Rock of our salvation; we will come before His faces with confession (Ps. 95:1-2).
In the first book of Samuel:
There is none holy as Jehovah; and there is no Rock like our God (1 Sam. 2:2).
In David:
Upright is Jehovah my Rock (Ps. 92:15).
He shall call me, Thou art my Father, my God, the Rock of my salvation. I also will make Him the firstborn, high above the kings of the earth (Ps. 89:26-27).
sRef Matt@7 @24 S11′ sRef Matt@7 @25 S11′ [11] In these passages, “rock” means Divine truth from the Lord and the Lord Himself, as well as in other passages. As in the gospels:
Everyone that heareth My words and doeth them, I will liken him to a prudent man, who built his house upon a rock; and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house, yet it fell not, for it was founded upon a rock (Matt. 7:24-25; Luke 6:48).
“The house founded upon a rock” means the church and the man of the church who has founded his doctrine and life upon the Divine truth, which is from the Lord, thus upon those things that are in the Word, consequently one who is in truths from good from the Lord. It is said, “who is in truths from good,” because Divine truth is not received by anyone who is not in good. To be in good is to be in the good of life, which is charity; therefore it is said “he that heareth My words and doeth them;” “doing the Lord’s words” is the good of life, for truth, when a man does it, becomes good because it then enters the will and love, and whatever becomes of the will and love is called good. Temptations, in which such a man of the church does not fall but conquers, are signified by “the rain descended, the floods came, the winds blew, and beat upon the house, and yet it fell not, for it was founded upon a rock;” for in the Word “floods of waters” and “rains,” and also “tempests of wind,” signify temptations. This, to be sure, is a comparison, but it should be known that all comparisons in the Word are as much according to correspondences as are the things not said comparatively (see above, n. 69; and Arcana Coelestia, n. 3579, 8989).
This makes plainly evident that “rock” in the Word signifies the Lord in respect to Divine truth, or Divine truth from the Lord.
sRef Matt@16 @15 S12′ sRef Matt@16 @19 S12′ sRef Matt@16 @18 S12′ sRef Matt@16 @17 S12′ sRef Matt@16 @16 S12′ [12] From this it can be seen what is signified by the Lord’s words to Peter, in Matthew:
Jesus said to the disciples, But who say ye that I am? Simon Peter answered, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus answering said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon son of Jonah; 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, 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, that 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 (Matt. 16:15-19).
“Peter” here does not mean Peter, but Divine truth from the Lord (as in the passages cited above) for all the Lord’s disciples together represented the church; and each one of them some constituent of the church; “Peter” the truth of the church, “James” its good, and “John” good in act, that is, works; the rest of the disciples represented the truths and goods that are derived from these, just as the twelve tribes of Israel. That this is so will be seen in what follows, where the tribes and the disciples are treated of. This is why these three disciples are mentioned in the Word more than the others.
sRef John@1 @42 S13′ [13] The Lord addressed these words to Peter because he then confessed, saying, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God,” which in the spiritual sense signifies that He is the Divine truth; this is signified by “Christ,” also by “the Son of God.” (That this is signified by “Christ” see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3004, 3005, 3009; and by “the Son of God” above, n. 63, 151, 166.) By virtue of this confession “Peter” represented Divine truth from the Lord in the church, and for this reason he was called “a rock” [petra], and it is said “thou art a rock [petra], upon this rock [petra] I will build My church,” which signifies upon Divine truth from the Lord, or what is the same, upon truths from good, for upon these the church is built. That Peter might represent this in the church he was called by the Lord “a rock [petra].” as is evident in John:
Jesus looking upon him said unto him, Thou art Simon, the son of Jonah; thou shalt be called Cephas, which is, by interpretation, a rock [petra] (John 1:42).
Cephas in the Syriac language means a rock, and so Peter in that version is everywhere called “Cephas;” moreover, the same word in the Hebrew means a rock (as is evident in Jer. 4:29; and Job 30:6, where “rocks” are mentioned in the plural number); but Peter is not called a rock [petra] in the Greek and Latin because the name was bestowed upon him as a personal name.
sRef John@14 @8 S14′ sRef John@14 @10 S14′ sRef John@14 @11 S14′ sRef John@14 @9 S14′ sRef John@10 @30 S14′ sRef John@10 @38 S14′ sRef John@14 @7 S14′ [14] The Lord said “Simon son of Jonah” and afterwards he was called “a rock,” because “Simon son of Jonah” signifies truth from good, or faith from charity; and as truth from good or faith from charity is granted only to those who are in Divine truth from the Lord, and Peter then confessed [the Lord], so he is called “a rock,” not himself as a person, but that Divine truth which was from the Lord with him in his confession. That this was from the Lord is meant by the Lord’s words, “flesh and blood has not revealed it unto thee, but My Father who is in the heavens;” “the Father in the heavens” meaning the Divine in the Lord, since the Father was in Him, and He in the Father and they were one (John 14:7-11; 10:30, 38). That “Simon” signifies truth in the will, see in the following chapter; and that “dove,” which is what “Jonah” means, signifies spiritual good, see Arcana Coelestia (n. 870, 1826, 1827); consequently “Simon son of Jonah” signifies the truth of good or truth from good. Because the hells have no power against Divine truth proceeding from the Lord, or against any man in whom there is Divine truth from the Lord, therefore the Lord says that “the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
sRef Matt@18 @18 S15′ sRef Mark@11 @24 S15′ [15] The Lord further said, “I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of the heavens; 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,” which signifies that all things are possible to those who are in truths from good from the Lord, in full agreement with these words:
All things whatsoever ye ask for, praying, believe that ye are to receive, then shall it be done unto you (Mark 11:24; Matt. 7:8; Luke 11:9).
How these words are to be understood see above (n. 405i), namely, that to ask from the faith of charity is to ask not from self but from the Lord, for whatever anyone asks not from self but from the Lord he receives. That such is the signification of these words, “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,” is clear from the Lord’s words to the disciples and to all who are in truths from good from the Lord, in Matthew:
Verily I say unto you, What things soever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and what things soever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in the heavens (Matt. 18:18).
sRef Matt@18 @20 S16′ sRef Matt@18 @19 S16′ [16] These words were spoken to all, thus not to Peter only, as the Lord immediately declares in that chapter in these words:
I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth in My name respecting anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them by My Father, who is in the heavens. For where two or three are gathered in My name, there am I in the midst of them (Matt. 18:19-20).
“The Lord’s name” means everything by which He is worshiped; and as He is worshiped by means of truth from good, which is from Him, so this is meant by “His name.” (That this is what is meant by the “Lord’s name,” see above, n. 102, 135.) So “every thing they shall ask on earth shall be done for them in the heavens” has a similar signification as “whatsoever ye shall bind and shall loose on earth shall be bound and shall be loosed in the heavens,” for the Lord explains the former words by the latter. One who knows the spiritual sense of the Word can know also why it is said “if two agree,” and afterwards, “where there are two or three,” namely, because “two” is predicated of good, and “three” of truth, consequently “two and three” of all who are in truths from good. (That Divine truth from the Lord has all power in the heavens and on earth, see above, n. 209, 333; and in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 230-231, 539; and Arcana Coelestia, n. 3091, 3563, 6344, 6423, 6948, 8200, 8304, 9643, 10019, 10182. “Two” is predicated of good because it signifies conjunction by love, n. 1686, 5194, 8423; “three” is predicated of truths because it signifies all truths in the complex, in like manner as “twelve,” n. 577, 2089, 2129, 2130, 3272, 3858, 3913; therefore when “two” and “three” are mentioned in the spiritual world, two and three, are not meant, but all who are in truths from good. That “Peter” signifies truth from good, which is from the Lord, see in the small work on The Last Judgment, n. 57.)
sRef Isa@22 @16 S17′ [17] Thus far it has been shown what “rock” signifies in this sense; it shall now be shown what “rock” signifies in the contrary sense. In the contrary sense “rock” signifies infernal falsity that is trusted in; as in the following passages. In Isaiah:
Hewing out**** thy sepulcher in the height, graving for himself a habitation in the cliff (Isa. 22:16).
This chapter treats of “the valley of vision,” which signifies the falsity of doctrine confirmed by the sense of the letter of the Word; the love of falsity is signified by “the sepulcher in the height,” and the belief of falsity by “the habitation in the cliff;” their making such things for themselves is signified by “hewing out” and “graving for themselves.”
sRef Isa@31 @7 S18′ sRef Isa@31 @8 S18′ sRef Isa@31 @9 S18′ [18] In the same:
In that day they shall reject every man the idols of his silver and the idols of his gold which your hands make for you; then shall Asshur fall by the sword not of a man [vir], and the sword not of a man [homo] shall devour him: and his cliff shall pass away for awe, and his princes shall be dismayed at the banner (Isa. 31:7-9).
This treats of judgment upon those who from self-intelligence believe themselves to be wise in Divine things. Such are those who are in the love of self and the world, and who seek after a reputation for learning for the sake of self; these, because they are unable to see truths, seize on falsities and proclaim them as truths. The falsities that favor their principles and their loves are signified by “the idols of silver and the idols of gold;” that these are from self-intelligence is signified by “which your hands have made for you;” that they will perish by their own falsities is signified by “then shall Asshur fall by the sword not of a man [vir], and the sword not of a man [homo] shall devour him;” “Asshur” meaning the rational perverted, and thence those who are in falsities from self-intelligence; “to fall and to be devoured by the sword” meaning to perish. This was represented also by the king of Assyria in that he was slain by his own sons (Isa. 37:38); “his sons” there signifying his own falsities by which he perished; “his cliff, which shall pass away for awe,” signifies all falsity in general, in which such have trusted; and “the princes, who shall be dismayed at the banner,” signify the primary falsities; it is said “at the banner,” because such falsities are dispersed not by any combat with truths, but by a mere sign of combat, which a banner is. I have seen such cast down from the rocks upon which they were by the waving of an ensign.
sRef Jer@4 @29 S19′ [19] In Jeremiah:
The whole city fleeth before the voice of the horseman and the shooter of the bow; they entered the clouds and went up into the rocks, the whole city is forsaken, not a man [vir] dwelleth therein (Jer. 4:29).
This describes the church desolated in respect to truths. The desolation of all the truth of doctrine by false reasonings and false doctrinals therefrom is signified by “the whole city fleeth before the voice of the horseman and of the shooter of the bow;” “the voice of the horseman” signifying false reasonings, and “the voice of the shooter of the bow” false doctrinals; “the whole city fleeth” signifies the desolation of all the truth of doctrine, “city” meaning doctrine. That no truth is acknowledged, but falsity alone, is signified by “they entered the clouds and went up into the rocks;” “to enter the clouds” signifying into the non-acknowledgment of truth, and “to go up into the rocks” signifying into mere falsity.
sRef Ezek@24 @7 S20′ sRef Matt@13 @5 S20′ sRef Matt@13 @6 S20′ sRef Ezek@26 @14 S20′ sRef Ezek@26 @4 S20′ sRef Ezek@24 @8 S20′ sRef Ezek@26 @3 S20′ [20] I have also seen rocks that consisted of stones heaped together, with no level place where verdure grew as elsewhere upon rocks; upon these were spirits who while they lived in the world as men had been in faith separate from charity, which is called faith alone, and had confirmed themselves therein both in doctrine and in life. This is what is meant by “the dryness of the rock,” in Ezekiel:
She set***** it upon the dryness of the cliff; she poured it not upon the earth that dust might cover it (Ezek. 24:7).
And in the same:
I will cause many nations to come up against thee; and they shall destroy the walls of Tyre and throw down her towers; and I will purge her dust from her, and make her the dryness of a cliff (Ezek. 26:3-4, 14).
“Dust” in these two passages means the soil, which signifies the good of the church. When there is no soil on the rocks, but the rocks are dry, that is, consist of mere heaps of stones, as was said above, it is a sign that there is no good, and where there is no good there is mere falsity; so this is what is signified by “the dryness of a cliff,” and “she poured it not upon the earth, that the dust might cover it,” and “I will purge her dust from her.” This makes evident what is signified by the Lord’s words in the Gospels:
Other seed fell upon the rocky places, where they had not much soil; and straightway they sprang up because they had no depth of earth; and they dried up (Matt. 13:5-6; Mark 4:5-6; Luke 8:6).
This may be seen explained above (n. 401).
[21] Most of those in the spiritual world who have their light from the moon there, dwell upon rocks. Those who are spiritual-natural dwell upon rocks that are covered with a thin surface of soil, where consequently there are level places, verdure, and shrubberies, but not such as are upon the mountains and hills where those dwell who receive light from the sun of heaven; while those who are not spiritual-natural, but merely natural, are not at this day upon the rocks, but in caverns in the rocks there; and those who are in falsities from evil, dwell among heaps of stones there; all these things are correspondences.
sRef Jer@51 @25 S22′ [22] In Jeremiah:
Behold, I am against thee, O mountain destroying the whole earth; and I will stretch out Mine hand against thee and roll thee down from the cliffs, and will make thee a mountain of burning (Jer. 51:25).
This is said of Babylon, whose damnation through falsities is signified by “I will roll thee down from the cliffs,” and whose damnation through evils is signified by “I will make thee a mountain of burning” (but this may be seen more fully explained above, n. 405).
sRef Jer@48 @28 S23′ [23] In the same:
O ye inhabitants of Moab, forsake the cities and dwell in the cliff, and be like the dove that maketh her nest in the passages of the mouth of the pit (Jer. 48:28).
This is said of Moab, which signifies the adulteration of good and truth, and thus those who pervert the good and truth of the Word. “Forsake the cities” signifies to leave the truths of doctrine; “dwell in the cliff” signifies in falsities and the doctrine of falsities; “be like the dove that maketh her nest in the passages of the mouth of the pit” signifies looking at truth from without and not from within, for “a pit” signifies the Word where truths are; “to make a nest in the passages of its mouth” means outside of it and not within, “to make a nest” having the same signification as to dwell, namely, to live a life; but “to build a nest” is predicated of a bird, and “to dwell” of man. What it is to regard the Word from without and not from within may be seen in the Arcana Coelestia (n. 10549-10551), namely, to look at it not from doctrine but from the mere letter; and in consequence of this men wander in every direction whither the disposition, thought, and affection may lead; they are sure of nothing, whence come the perpetual adulterations that are signified by “Moab.” This is the case with those who study the Word for the sake of glory and honor; because such regard themselves in everything when studying the Word, they remain outside of the Word; while those who love truth and good from the Word are within the Word, for they look at it not from self, but from the Lord. This makes clear what is signified by “O ye inhabitants of Moab, forsake the cities and dwell in the cliff, and be like the dove that maketh her nest in the passages of the mouth of the pit.”
sRef Jer@23 @29 S24′ [24] In the same:
Is not My word like as fire? and like a hammer that scattereth the cliff? (Jer. 23:29.)
The Word is said to be “like a fire and like a hammer” because “fire” signifies the good of love, and “hammer” the truth of faith, for “the hammer” has a similar signification as “iron,” and “iron” signifies truth in ultimates, and the truth of faith. Both are mentioned, namely, “fire” and “hammer,” and accordingly good and truth, because of the marriage of good and truth in every particular of the Word. “The cliff that is scattered” signifies the falsity in the whole complex and the doctrine of falsity; and these are scattered or destroyed, when man with whom they exist is judged.
sRef Nahum@1 @6 S25′ [25] In Nahum:
Who shall stand before His indignation? or who shall stand up in the glowing of His anger? His wrath is poured out like fire, and the rocks shall be overturned before Him (Nahum 1:6).
That the “indignation,” “wrath,” and “anger” of Jehovah signify the Last Judgment, and the state of damnation of those who are in evils and in falsities therefrom will be seen in the following articles. The damnation of evils is signified by “His wrath, which is poured out like fire;” and the damnation of falsities from evils by “His anger,” and “the rocks shall be overturned before Him;” “fire” also signifying the evils of the loves of self and of the world, and “rocks” the falsities therefrom, and “to be overturned” signifies to perish. Moreover, the rocks, upon which are those who are in the principles of falsity and thus in falsities of every kind, are visibly overturned, and those who are upon them are thus cast down into hell; but this occurs in the spiritual world, where all have their dwelling places according to the quality of their interiors to which their externals correspond.
sRef Isa@57 @5 S26′ sRef Isa@57 @4 S26′ [26] In Isaiah:
Ye that have heated yourselves with gods under every green tree, that slaughter the children in the brooks under the shelves of the cliffs (Isa. 57:5).
What is meant by “heating oneself with gods under every green tree, and slaughtering the children in the brooks under the shelves of the cliffs,” no one can know except from the internal sense. In that sense “to heat oneself with gods under every green tree” signifies to worship God from every falsity that occurs; “to heat oneself with gods” means ardent worship, and “every green tree” means every falsity that occurs, for “tree” signifies knowledges and perceptions, here the knowledges and perceptions of falsity; and “to slaughter the children in the brooks, under the shelves of the cliffs” signifies to extinguish truths by falsities from self-intelligence; “children” meaning truths, “brooks” self-intelligence, “shelves of the cliffs” falsities; “under the shelves of these” signifies from the sensual, in which there is the ultimate natural light, for those who are in that light only stand under precipitous rocks and do not see any truth, and if it is told them they do not perceive it. In such a position I also have seen them in the spiritual world. This makes evident that “to slaughter the children” means not to slay children, but to extinguish truths.
sRef Ps@137 @9 S27′ [27] So in David:
Happy is he who shall seize and shatter thy babes against the cliff (Ps. 137:9).
“Babes” mean here not babes but falsities springing up; for Babylon is here treated of, which signifies the falsities of evil destroying the truths of good of the church; the destruction of these is signified by “shattering them against the cliff;” “cliff” meaning the ruling falsity of evil, and “to shatter” meaning to destroy. He who abides in the mere sense of the letter of the Word and does not think beyond it, can easily be led to believe that he is called “happy” who does this with the babes of his enemies, when yet that would be an enormous crime; but he is called “happy” who disperses the falsities of evil springing up in the church, which are here signified by “the babes of Babylon.”
sRef Jer@18 @14 S28′ sRef Jer@18 @13 S28′ sRef Jer@18 @15 S28′ [28] In Jeremiah:
Who hath heard such a thing as this? The virgin of Israel hath done a horrible thing. Shall the snow of Lebanon from the rock leave My fields? Shall the strange cold waters flowing down be snatched away? My people have forgotten Me, they have burned incense to vanity (Jer. 18:13-15).
“The virgin of Israel” means here and elsewhere the spiritual church, for this the Israelites represented; “the horrible thing that they did” means that they turned the goods of the church into evils, and the truths of the church into falsities, and from these evils and falsities worshiped Jehovah. The evils from which is such worship are signified by “My people have forgotten Me,” for he who forgets God is in evils; and the falsities from which is such worship are signified by “they have burned incense to vanity,” “vanity” meaning falsity, and “to burn incense” worship; “shall the snow of Lebanon from the rock leave My fields?” signifies, have they not the truths of the church from the Word? “rock” here signifies the Word, because it signifies Divine truth (as above); “the snow of Lebanon” signifies the truths of the church therefrom. Here “snow” has a similar signification as water, namely, truths, but “snow” signifies cold truths, because a cold church is here treated of. “Lebanon” means the church from which these are, and “fields” mean all goods and truths of the church; “the strange cold waters flowing down,” signify the falsities in which there is no good; “strange waters” meaning falsities, and “cold” meaning in which there is no good, for truths have all their heat from the good of love.
sRef Jer@21 @13 S29′ [29] In the same:
Behold, I am against thee, thou inhabitant of the valley, thou rock of the plain; that say, Who shall descend against us, and who shall enter into our abodes? (Jer. 21:13).
“The inhabitant of the valley” and “the rock of the plain” signify those who are in the ultimates of the Word, and do not permit themselves to be illustrated from the interior; and such do not see truths, but falsities instead; for all the light of truth, because it is out of heaven from the Lord, comes from the interior and descends. Such are meant by “the inhabitant of the valley” and “the rock of the plain;” “valley” and “plain” meaning the ultimates of the Word in which they are; and “inhabitant” and “rock” signifying falsities, “inhabitant” the falsity of life, and “rock” the falsity of doctrine. The belief in falsity and evil in which such are firmly fixed, believing falsity and evil to be truths and goods, is signified by their saying, “Who shall descend against us, and who shall enter into our abodes?”
sRef Job@14 @18 S30′ sRef Isa@2 @10 S30′ [30] In Isaiah:
Enter into the rock, and hide thee in the dust, for the dread of Jehovah (Isa. 2:10).
“To enter into the rock” means into falsity, and “to hide themselves in the dust” means in evil. This treats of the Last Judgment, when those who are in the falsities of evil and in the evils of falsity cast themselves into the hells which are in the rocks and under the lands in the spiritual world. (But these things may be seen more fully brought out and explained in the preceding article.) In Job:
The mountain falling passeth away, and the rock is removed out of its place (Job 14:18).
“Mountain” signifies the love of evil; and “rock” the belief of falsity; and “to melt away” and “be removed out of its place” signifies to perish.
sRef Job@30 @6 S31′ [31] In David:
Let their judges be cast down by the sides of the cliff (Ps. 141:6).
“Judges” signify those who are in falsities, and in an abstract sense, the falsities of thought and of doctrine. “Judges” in the Word have a similar signification as “judgments,” and “judgments” signify the truths from which judgments are formed and in the contrary sense falsities. Because those who are in falsities dwell in the spiritual world in cliffs it is said, “let them be cast down by the sides of the cliff,” which signifies that they should be let into their falsities and dwell in the hells corresponding to their falsities. In Job:
To dwell in the cleft of the valleys, in holes of the earth, and in the rocks (Job 30:6).
This treats of those who are in the hells, because they are in evils and in falsities therefrom; the hells of those who are in evils in respect to life are under valleys and in caves there; and the hells of those who are in falsities from evil are in rocks. This makes clear what is signified by “dwelling in the cleft of the valleys, in holes of the earth, and in rocks.” (But respecting the caverns and caves in which those dwell who are in the hells, and the clefts and holes by which these are entered, see the article just preceding, n. 410.)
[32] These things have been adduced to make known that “rock” in the contrary sense signifies falsity in general; and this signification of “rock” is from correspondence, as can be seen from the appearances and phenomena in the spiritual world, where all dwell according to the correspondences of the interiors of their mind and life. Consequently those who are in wisdom and intelligence, because they are in love to the Lord and in charity towards the neighbor, and thence in the spiritual affection of truth, dwell upon mountains and hills of earth, where there are paradises, gardens, rose-beds, and lawns; but those who are in the belief in the doctrinals of their church and in some degree of charity, dwell upon rocks where there are level places upon which are some groves and some trees and grassy places; while those who have been in faith alone, as it is called, in respect to doctrine and life, and thence in falsities of faith and evils of life, dwell within the rocks, in caverns and cells there.
sRef Isa@5 @28 S33′ sRef Job@19 @24 S33′ sRef Jer@5 @3 S33′ sRef Ezek@3 @9 S33′ [33] This signification of “rock” is from the correspondence spoken of. But there is a signification of “rock” from its hardness, as in the following passages. In Jeremiah:
They have made their faces harder than a rock (Jer. 5:3).
In Ezekiel:
As an adamant stronger than rock have I made thy forehead; fear not (Ezek. 3:9).
In Job:
They shall be graven with an iron pen and with lead in the rock forevermore (Job 19:24).
In Isaiah:
The hoofs of the horses are accounted as rock (Isa. 5:28).
Hardness is expressed by “rock” from the correspondence of rock with truth from good, for truth from good has all power, as has been said above; but when truth acts against falsity from evil then good is blunted, and truth then remaining acts with hardness, according to the above words in Ezekiel, “As an adamant stronger than rock have I made thy forehead.” Truth without good is also hard, but still is easily broken. But what has been here adduced respecting rocks will be more fully elucidated by what will be said hereafter respecting the signification of stones.
* Photolithograph has “for I trust;” Hebrew “that trusteth.”
** Photolithograph has “thou wast seen;” for Chaldean “thou sawest,” which is also found in App. 2.
*** Photolithograph has “I would feed,” but Hebrew has “He would feed.” The former reading is also found in AE n. 374, 619; AC n. 5620, 5943; the latter in AC n. 3941, 8581.
**** Photolithograph has “my;” Hebrew has “our,” which is also found in AC n. 4402
***** Photolithograph has “I set;” the Hebrew “she set.”

sRef Rev@6 @16 S0′ 412. And hide us from the face of Him that sitteth upon the throne, and from the anger of the Lamb, signifies lest they should suffer direful things from the influx of Divine good united to the Divine truth proceeding from the Lord. This is evident from the signification of “hide us,” when it is said by those in whom the goods and truths of the church are destroyed by evils of life and falsities therefrom, as being lest they should suffer direful things (of which presently); also from the signification of “from the face of Him that sitteth upon the throne,” as being the Lord in respect to Divine good in heaven; that “face,” in reference to the Lord, means the Divine love, from which is Divine good in heaven, will be evident from the passages in the Word that will be cited presently; and that “He that sitteth upon the throne” means the Lord in respect to Divine good in heaven may be seen above (n. 297, 343). Also from the signification of “the anger of the Lamb,” as being the casting into hell by the influx of Divine truth proceeding from the Lord.
That “the anger of Jehovah” or of the Lord signifies this, can be seen from passages in the Word to be cited in the following article. Moreover it may be seen above (n. 297, 343) that the Lord alone is meant by “Him that sitteth upon the throne,” and by “the Lamb;” the Lord in respect to Divine good by “Him that sitteth upon the throne,” and the Lord in respect to Divine truth by “the Lamb.” The expression “the anger of the Lamb” does not mean that the Lord (who is meant by “Him that sitteth upon the throne” and by “the Lamb”) is angry, for He is Divine good itself, and that cannot be angry, for anger has nothing to do with good itself; but it is so expressed in the sense of the letter of the Word, for reasons explained elsewhere; let it be merely shown here that “the face” of Jehovah, or of the Lord, signifies the Divine love, and thence Divine good in heaven and in the church; and in the contrary sense “to set His face against anyone,” and “to hide or conceal His face,” has a similar meaning as “wrath” and “anger;” also that “the face,” in reference to man, means in both senses the interiors that belong to his mind and affection.
sRef Ps@31 @16 S2′ [2] That “the face,” in reference to Jehovah or the Lord, signifies the Divine love and the Divine good therefrom is evident from the following passages. In David:
Make Thy faces to shine upon Thy servant; save me because of Thy mercy (Ps. 31:16).
“To make the faces to shine” signifies to enlighten in Divine truth from Divine love; this is signified by “making the faces to shine,” because Divine truth, which proceeds from the Lord as a sun in the angelic heaven, gives all the light there, and also enlightens the minds of the angels and fills them with wisdom; consequently the Lord’s face, in a proper sense, is the sun of the angelic heaven; for the Lord appears to the angels of the interior heavens as a sun, and this from His Divine love, for love in the heavens when presented before the eyes appears as fire, but the Divine love as a sun. From that sun both heat and light proceed, that heat is Divine good, and that light is Divine truth. From this it can be seen that “Make Thy faces to shine upon Thy servant” signifies to enlighten with Divine truth from Divine good; therefore it is also added, “save me because of Thy mercy;” mercy is of the Divine good. (But of the sun in the angelic heaven, and the heat and light from it, see in the work on Heaven and Hell; of The Sun there, n. 116-125; and of The Heat and Light from it, n. 126-140.)
sRef Ps@80 @3 S3′ sRef Ps@89 @15 S3′ sRef Ps@4 @6 S3′ sRef Ps@67 @1 S3′ sRef Ps@80 @19 S3′ sRef Ps@80 @7 S3′ [3] In the same:
Many say, Who will show us good? Jehovah, lift up the light of Thy faces upon us (Ps. 4:6).
In the same:
They shall walk, O Jehovah, in the light of Thy faces (Ps. 89:15).
In the same:
Turn us back, O God, and cause Thy faces to shine, that we may be saved (Ps. 80:3, 7, 19).
And in the same:
God be merciful unto us and bless us, and cause His faces to shine upon Us (Ps. 67:1).
“The light of the faces” of Jehovah or of the Lord means Divine truth from Divine love (as above) and intelligence and wisdom therefrom, for both angels and men have all their intelligence and wisdom from Divine truth, or the Divine light in the heavens, therefore “make Thy faces to shine upon us,” “lift up the light of Thy faces upon us,” and “cause Thy faces to shine,” in the above passages signify to enlighten in Divine truth, and to bestow intelligence and wisdom.
sRef Num@6 @26 S4′ sRef Num@6 @24 S4′ sRef Num@6 @25 S4′ [4] The like is signified in the blessing of the sons of Israel in Moses:
Jehovah bless thee and keep thee; Jehovah make His faces to shine upon thee and be gracious unto thee; Jehovah lift up His faces upon thee and give thee peace (Num. 6:24-26).
“To make the faces to shine and to be gracious” signifies to enlighten in Divine truth, and to bestow intelligence and wisdom; and “to lift up the faces and give peace” signifies to fill with Divine good and to bestow love. Both are necessary to make man wise, for everyone that is in the spiritual world is enlightened by the light that is from the Lord as a sun, and yet those only become intelligent and wise who are at the same time in love, because the good that is of love is what receives truth; for they are conjoined because they agree and love one another. Only such, therefore, as have love see the sun in heaven, the rest see merely the light. “To be gracious,” which is said of making the faces to shine, is predicated in the Word of truth; and “peace,” which is said of lifting up the faces, is predicated of good.
sRef Matt@17 @2 S5′ sRef Rev@1 @16 S5′ [5] Since the Lord’s Divine love is seen as a sun in heaven, from which is the light there, so:
When the Lord was transfigured before Peter, James, and John, His face did shine as the sun, and His garments became as the light (Matt. 17:2).
Also when He was seen by John:
His face did shine as the sun in his power (Rev. 1:16).
“The garments which became as the light” signify Divine truth, for “garments” in the Word signify truth, and this because all angels are clothed by the Lord according to their reception of Divine truth; and their garments are moreover from the light of heaven, and are shining and brilliant therefrom, and the light of heaven, as was said, is Divine truth. This makes clear why the Lord’s garments when He was transfigured “became as the light.” (But on these things more may be seen in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 177-182; also above, n. 64, 195, 271, 395.)
sRef Rev@22 @4 S6′ sRef Matt@18 @10 S6′ sRef Rev@22 @3 S6′ [6] In Matthew:
Jesus said of the child whom He had placed in the midst of the disciples, See that ye despise not one of these little ones; I say unto you, that their angels in the heavens do always behold the face of My Father who is in the heavens (Matt. 18:10).
It is said “their angels behold,” because with every man there are spirits and angels, and the spirits and angels are such as the man is. With infant children there are angels from the inmost heaven; these see the Lord as a sun, for they are in love to Him and in innocence; this is meant in the nearest sense by “their angels behold the face of My Father;” “the face of the Father” meaning the Divine love which was in the Lord, consequently the essential Divine which is Jehovah; for the Father was in Him, and He in the Father, and they were one, as He Himself teaches. But these same words in the purely spiritual sense signify that the Lord in respect to His Divine good is in the good of innocence, for this is signified by “infant child” in the spiritual sense, and “the face of the Father” signifies the Lord’s Divine good. Of “the servants of the Lord,” by whom are meant those who are in Divine truths because they are in the good of love and charity, the same is said in Revelation:
The throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in the New Jerusalem; and His servants shall do Him service; and they shall see His face* (Rev. 22:3-4).
But on this see the explanation in the following.
sRef Isa@63 @9 S7′ [7] In Isaiah:
In all their distress He was distressed, and the angel of His faces saved them; because of His love and His pity He redeemed them; and He carried them and lifted them up all the days of eternity (Isa. 63:9).
This treats of the Lord, who is called “the angel of the faces” of Jehovah from Divine truth which is from His Divine love; for “angel” in the Word signifies Divine truth; this is why the angels are called “gods” (see above, n. 130, 200, 302); and “the faces of Jehovah” mean the Divine love which is in the Lord, therefore it is also said, “because of His love and His pity He redeemed them; and He carried them and lifted them up all the days of eternity;” all this is of the Divine love. The Lord in respect to His Human was Divine truth, and from this He combated with the hells, and by it subjugated them; for this reason He is called “an angel,” that is, in respect to His Divine Human. This chapter evidently treats of the Lord, and of His combats with the hells and of their subjugation.
sRef Ps@31 @20 S8′ [8] In David:
Thou hidest them** in the hiding place of Thy faces from the elations of man; Thou concealest them in Thy covert from the strife of tongues (Ps. 31:20).
“To hide them in the hiding place of Thy faces” means in the Divine good that does not appear before others; and “to conceal in Thy covert” means in the Divine truth; “the elations of man” and “the strife of tongues” mean the evils of falsity and the falsities of evil; for “elations” are predicated of evils because they are of self-love, and “man” signifies truth and falsity; “the strife of tongues” means the falsity of evil. (What the evil of falsity and the falsity of evil are, see Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 21.)
sRef Ps@90 @8 S9′ [9] In the same:
Thou hast set our iniquities before Thee, and our hidden things in the light of Thy faces (Ps. 90:8).
“The light of Thy faces” means the light of heaven from the Lord as the sun there. Because this light is Divine truth itself, from which is all intelligence and wisdom, whatever comes into this light has its quality exhibited as in clear day; for this reason when the evil come into this light they appear just as they are, deformed and monstrous according to the evils concealed with them. This makes clear what is meant by “Thou hast set our iniquities before Thee, and our hidden things in the light of Thy faces.”
sRef Jer@3 @9 S10′ sRef Ex@25 @30 S10′ [10] In Jeremiah:
Proclaim these words towards the north, and say, Return, thou backsliding Israel; I will not cause My faces to fall upon you, for I am merciful (Jer. 3:12).
Here, too, “My faces” signify the Divine love, and every good that is of love; and “not causing the faces to fall” signifies not to let it be lowered or cease, for when the countenance falls then it ceases to look, which makes clear what is signified by “I will not cause My faces to fall upon you,” so it is also said, “for I am merciful,” mercy being the Divine love towards the miserable. “Proclaim towards the north” signifies towards those who are in falsities and in evils therefrom; so it is also said, “Return, thou backsliding Israel.” “The north” signifies such, because those who are in falsities and in evils therefrom dwell in the northern quarter in the spiritual world. (Of falsities and the evils therefrom, see in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 21.) The bread upon the table in the tabernacle was called “the bread of faces,” and the table itself “the table of faces” (Exod. 25:30; Num. 4:7), because “the bread” there, the same as “the faces of Jehovah” signified the Divine good of the Divine love (see Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 212-213, 218).
sRef Isa@1 @12 S11′ sRef Ps@42 @2 S11′ sRef Mal@1 @9 S11′ sRef Ps@42 @5 S11′ sRef Zech@8 @21 S11′ sRef Ps@95 @2 S11′ sRef Isa@1 @11 S11′ sRef Zech@8 @22 S11′ sRef Ps@95 @1 S11′ sRef Ps@27 @8 S11′ [11] Because “the faces of Jehovah,” or of the Lord, signify the Divine good united to Divine truth going out and proceeding from His Divine love, therefore also “the faces of Jehovah” signify the interiors of the church, of the Word, and of worship, for Divine good is in the interior of these; the exteriors of the church, of the Word, and of worship are only the effects and works therefrom. The interiors of the church, of the Word, and of worship are signified by “seeing,” “seeking,” and “entreating the faces of Jehovah.” In Isaiah:
What is the multitude of your sacrifices unto Me? when ye shall come to see the faces of Jehovah? (Isa. 1:11-12.)
In Zechariah:
The inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, In going let us go to entreat the faces of Jehovah, and to seek Jehovah of Hosts; thus many peoples and numerous nations shall come to seek Jehovah of Hosts in Jerusalem, and to entreat the faces of Jehovah (Zech. 8:21-22).
In David:
My heart said unto thee, Seek ye my faces; Thy faces, O Jehovah, I do seek (Ps. 27:8).
We will make a joyful noise unto the Rock of our salvation; we will come before His faces with confession (Ps. 95:1, 2).
In Malachi:
Entreat the faces of God that He may be gracious unto us (Mal. 1:9).
In David:
My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God; when shall I come to appear before the faces of God? Hope thou in God, for I shall yet confess to Him; His faces are salvations (Ps. 42:2, 5).
In these passages, “faces of Jehovah,” “of God,” or “of the Lord,” mean the interiors of the church, of the Word, and of worship, because Divine good and Divine truth, thus the Lord Himself, are in these interiors, and from them in externals; but are not in externals, namely, of the church, of the Word, and of worship apart from these.
sRef Ex@23 @15 S12′ sRef Ex@33 @15 S12′ sRef Ex@33 @14 S12′ [12] As it was the duty of all who went to Jerusalem to the feasts to carry with them such things as pertained to worship, and all worship is from the interiors which are of the heart and faith, and these interiors are signified by the gifts offered to the Lord, so it was commanded that everyone should offer some gift, which is meant by:
They shall not see My faces empty (Exod. 23:15).
The interiors of the church, of the Word, and of worship, are also signified by these words in Moses:
Jehovah spoke unto Moses, My faces shall go until I shall give thee rest. Then Moses said, If Thy faces go not make us not go up hence (Exod. 33:14-15).
This was said to Moses, because with that nation the Word was to be written, and also in the historical parts of the Word that nation was to be treated of, for with that nation a church was to be instituted which would be a representative church consisting of external things that corresponded to things internal; on this account it was said, “My faces shall go.” (Respecting this see further in Arcana Coelestia, n. 10567, 10568, where it is explained.)
sRef Ex@33 @22 S13′ sRef Ex@33 @23 S13′ sRef Ex@33 @21 S13′ sRef Ex@33 @18 S13′ sRef Ex@33 @20 S13′ sRef Ex@33 @19 S13′ [13] But because that nation was only in the externals of the Word, of the church, and of worship, and not at all in the internals, therefore it was not granted to Moses to see the Lord’s face, but only His back, according to these words in Moses:
Moses said, I pray Thee show me Thy glory; to whom He said, I will make all My good to pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of Jehovah before thee; thou canst not see My faces, for man shall not see Me and live. I will put thee in a hole of the rock, and will cover thee with My hand until I shall have passed by; and when I shall take away My hand thou shalt see My hinder parts, but My faces shall not be seen (Exod. 33:18-23).
Here Moses represented that nation, what was its quality in respect to the understanding of the Word, and thence in respect to the church and worship, namely, that it was in externals only without internals. These externals were represented and signified by “the hinder parts” of Jehovah which were seen by Moses, and the internals by the front parts and “the face.” That the internals that are in the externals of the Word, of the church, and of worship, were not seen and could not be seen by that nation, was represented and signified by Moses being placed in the hole of a rock, and by his being covered with the hand of Jehovah while He passed by. (But this has been more fully explained in Arcana Coelestia, n. 10573-10584.)
[14] Furthermore, since “the faces of Jehovah” or the Lord mean the internals of the Word, of the church, and of worship, they mean especially the externals in which are internals; since internals make themselves to be seen in externals, as the internals of man do in his face and features. But the Jewish nation was such that it looked to externals only, and to internals not at all; and to look at externals and not at the same time at internals, or at externals without internals, is like looking at the image of a man that is without life; but to look at externals and at the same time at internals, or at externals from internals, is like looking at a living man; this therefore is, in the proper sense, “to see the face of Jehovah,” or “to entreat His faces,” in the passages cited above.
sRef Deut@5 @24 S15′ sRef Gen@32 @30 S15′ sRef Judg@6 @23 S15′ sRef Judg@6 @22 S15′ sRef Ex@33 @11 S15′ sRef Deut@34 @10 S15′ [15] Since the internals of the Word, of the church, and of worship, appear in the externals, or present themselves to be seen in externals, comparatively as the internals of man do in the face, it is evident what is signified in the internal sense by “seeing Jehovah” or the Lord “face to face,” in the following passages. In Moses:
I have seen God face to face, and yet my soul is delivered (Gen. 32:30).
Jacob said this after he had wrestled with God, who appeared to him as an angel. In the book of Judges:
Gideon said, I have seen the angel of Jehovah face to face. And Jehovah said unto him, Peace be unto thee; fear not, thou shalt not die (Judg. 6:22-23).
So, too, with Manoah and his wife (Judg. 13:21-23).
And respecting the Israelitish people:
Jehovah spoke with you face to face from the mount, out of the midst of the fire (Deut. 5:4).
Respecting which it is further said:
Jehovah hath made [us] to see His glory and His greatness, and we have heard His voice out of the midst of the fire; we have seen this day that God doth talk to man and he remaineth alive (Deut. 5:24).
And respecting Moses:
Jehovah spoke unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh to his companion (Exod. 33:11; Deut. 34:10).
sRef Ex@33 @20 S16′ [16] But it should be known that no man, nor even any angel, can see the Lord’s face, since it is Divine love, and no one can sustain the Divine love such as it is in itself; for to see the Lord’s face would be like letting the eye into the very fire of the sun, whence it would instantly perish. Such also is the Lord’s Divine love viewed in itself; therefore to those in the interior heavens the Lord appears as a sun, and that sun is encompassed by many radiant circles, which are envelopments one after another, in order that the Divine love may proceed to the angels in heaven tempered and moderated, and thus the angels may sustain it; the Lord therefore appears as a sun to the angels of the higher heavens only, while to the angels of the lower heavens He appears merely as light, and to the rest as a moon. Nevertheless, in heaven the Lord appears to the angels, but under an angelic form; for He fills an angel with His aspect, and thus with His presence from afar, and this He does in various places, but everywhere in accommodation to the good of love and of faith with those to whom He appears. Thus the Lord was seen by Gideon, and by Manoah and his wife, also by Moses, and the Israelitish people. This, therefore, is what is meant by “seeing Jehovah face to face,” and by “seeing Jehovah and not dying.” It is clearly evident that the face itself in respect to the interiors which are of His Divine love was not seen, for it was said to Moses:
That no one can see Jehovah’s face and live (Exod. 33:20).
Yet it is said that “they saw Jehovah face to face;” which shows clearly that “seeing the faces of Jehovah” in the passages cited above signifies seeing Him in the interiors of the Word, of the church, and of worship, which nevertheless is seeing Him in externals from internals. That the Jewish nation was in the externals of the Word, of the church, and of worship, apart from internals, may be seen in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem (n. 248; what the external is apart from the internal, and what the external is in which is the internal, see n. 47).
sRef Matt@26 @67 S17′ [17] That the Jewish nation was such, was also represented and signified by:
Their covering the Lord’s face, striking it, and spitting in it (Matt. 26:67; Mark 14:65; Luke 22:64);
for all things related in the Word respecting the Lord’s passion represent and signify arcana of heaven and the church, and in particular the quality of the Jews in respect to the Word, the church, and worship. (That this is so, see above, n. 64, 83, 195c.)
sRef Isa@8 @17 S18′ sRef Deut@31 @17 S18′ sRef Deut@31 @18 S18′ sRef Jer@33 @5 S18′ sRef Micah@3 @4 S18′ sRef Ps@104 @29 S18′ sRef Ezek@7 @22 S18′ sRef Ps@88 @14 S18′ sRef Ps@13 @1 S18′ sRef Lam@4 @16 S18′ sRef Ezek@39 @28 S18′ sRef Ezek@39 @29 S18′ sRef Ps@69 @17 S18′ sRef Ezek@39 @23 S18′ sRef Isa@59 @2 S18′ sRef Ps@30 @7 S18′ sRef Ps@27 @8 S18′ sRef Ps@27 @9 S18′ sRef Deut@32 @20 S18′ sRef Ps@102 @1 S18′ sRef Ps@143 @7 S18′ sRef Ps@102 @2 S18′ sRef Ps@44 @24 S18′ sRef Ps@22 @24 S18′ [18] It can be known from what has been thus far explained, what “the face” of Jehovah or the Lord signifies, namely, the Divine love, and all good in heaven and in the church therefrom; and from this it can be known what is signified by “hiding” or “concealing the faces,” in reference to Jehovah or the Lord, namely, that it is to leave man in what is his own [proprium] and thus in the evils and falsities that spring forth from what is his own [proprium]; for man viewed in himself is nothing but evil and falsity therefrom, and that he may be in good he is withheld from these by the Lord, which is effected by being elevated out of what is his own [proprium]. From this it can be seen that “hiding and concealing the faces,” in reference to the Lord, signifies to leave in evils and falsities; as in the following passages. In Jeremiah:
For all their evil I have covered My faces from this city (Jer. 33:5).
In Isaiah:
Your sins have hid God’s faces from you, that He hath not heard (Isa. 59:2).
In Ezekiel:
My faces will I turn away from them, that they may profane My secret, and that the violent may enter into it and profane it (Ezek. 7:22).
The nations shall know that for their iniquity the sons of Israel were carried away; and therefore will I hide My faces from them (Ezek. 39:23).
In Lamentations:
The face of Jehovah hath divided them; He will no more regard them (Lam. 4:16).
In Micah:
Jehovah will hide His faces from them, even as they have made their works evil (Micah 3:4).
In David:
Thou didst hide Thy faces, I was troubled (Ps. 30:7).
Wherefore hidest Thou Thy faces, and forgettest our affliction and our oppression? (Ps. 44:24).
Thou hidest Thy faces, they are affrighted; Thou gatherest in their spirit, they expire, and return to their dust (Ps. 104:29).
In Moses:
My anger shall glow against the people in that day, and I will forsake them, and will hide My faces from them. In hiding I will hide My faces in that day because of all the evil which they have done (Deut. 31:17-18).
I will hide My faces from them; they are a generation of perversions (Deut. 32:20).
In Isaiah:
I will tarry for Jehovah, although He hideth His faces from the house of Jacob (Isa. 8:17).
In David:
How long wilt Thou forget me, O Jehovah? how long wilt Thou hide Thy faces from me? (Ps. 13:1).
Hide not Thy faces from me; put not Thy servant away in anger (Ps. 27:9).
Hide not Thy faces from Thy servant, for I am in distress; hasten, answer me (Ps. 69:17).
O Jehovah why casteth Thou off my soul? Why hidest Thou Thy faces from me? (Ps. 88:14).
Hide not Thy faces from me in the day of my distress (Ps. 102:2).
Answer me, O Jehovah; hide not Thy faces from me, lest I become like them that go down into the pit (Ps. 143:7).
In Ezekiel:
When I shall have brought together the sons of Israel upon their own ground, then will I not hide My faces any more from them, for I will pour out My spirit upon the sons of Israel (Ezek. 39:28-29).
In David:
He hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of Israel; neither hath He hid His faces from him; but when he cried aloud unto Him He heard (Ps. 22:24).
[19] In these passages it is said that Jehovah, that is, the Lord, conceals and hides His faces on account of iniquities and sins, and He is entreated not to conceal or hide them, and yet He never conceals or hides, that is, His Divine good and His Divine truth; for the Lord is Divine love itself and mercy itself, and desires the salvation of all; therefore He is present with all and with each one, even with those who are in iniquities and sins, and by this presence He gives them the freedom to receive Him, that is, truth and good from Him, consequently they also do receive if from freedom they desire to. Reception must be from freedom, in order that goods and truths may abide with man, and be with him as his own; for what a man does from freedom he does from affection, for all freedom is of affection, and affection is man’s will; therefore what is received in freedom, or from man’s affection, enters his will and endures. It then endures because the will is the man himself and in the will his life primarily resides, but secondarily in the thought or the understanding. This therefore is why man ought to receive Divine good and Divine truth, with which the Lord is always present.
sRef Ezek@14 @7 S20′ sRef Lev@17 @10 S20′ sRef Isa@59 @2 S20′ sRef Ezek@15 @7 S20′ sRef Ezek@14 @8 S20′ sRef Rev@3 @20 S20′ sRef Jer@21 @10 S20′ sRef Jer@5 @3 S20′ sRef Jer@32 @33 S20′ sRef Jer@44 @11 S20′ sRef Jer@7 @24 S20′ sRef Jer@18 @17 S20′ [20] This is what is meant by:
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 (Rev. 3:20).
But when man from freedom chooses evil he shuts the door to himself, and thus does not let in the good and truth that are from the Lord; consequently the Lord then appears to be absent. It is from this appearance that it is said that Jehovah conceals and hides His faces, although He does not conceal and hide. Moreover man as to his spirit then turns away from the Lord, and consequently does not perceive the good or see the truth, which are from the Lord; this is why it appears as if the Lord did not see him; and yet the Lord sees each and every thing pertaining to man. It is from this appearance also that the Lord is said to conceal and hide His faces, and also is said to set [ponere et dare] His faces against them, also that He regards them with the back of the neck and not with the faces, as in the following passages. In Jeremiah:
I have set My faces against this city for evil, and not for good (Jer. 21:10).
In the same:
I set My faces against you for evil, to cut off all Judah (Jer. 44:11).
In Ezekiel:
I will set My faces against that man, and I will lay him waste, and I will cut him off from the midst of My people (Ezek. 14:8).
In the same:
I will set My faces against them; let them go forth from the fire and the fire shall devour them, when I shall have set My faces against them (Ezek. 15:7).
In Moses:
He that shall eat any blood, I will set My faces against that soul, and I will cut him off (Lev. 17:10).
In Jeremiah:
As the east wind will I scatter them before the enemy; with the back of the neck, and not with the face, will I regard them (Jer. 18:17).
That it is man who sets his face against the Lord and who turns himself away from the Lord, whence evil comes to him, is evident also from the Word. As in Jeremiah:
They have turned unto Me the back of the neck, and not the faces (Jer. 32:33).
In the same:
They have made their faces harder than a rock; they have refused to return (Jer. 5:3).
In the same:
They have gone away in their own counsels, in the hardening of their evil heart, and they have become turned backwards and not forwards (Jer. 7:24).
And in Isaiah:
Your sins have hid God’s faces from you (Isa. 59:2).
sRef Ex@23 @21 S21′ sRef Ex@23 @20 S21′ sRef Isa@64 @3 S21′ sRef Rev@20 @11 S21′ sRef Ps@34 @16 S21′ sRef Ezek@20 @35 S21′ sRef Ps@80 @17 S21′ sRef Ps@80 @16 S21′ sRef Num@10 @35 S21′ [21] That the evil turn away their face from the Lord does not mean that they do it with the face of the body, but with the face of their spirit. Man can turn his face whatever way he pleases, since he is in a state of freedom to turn himself either towards heaven or towards hell, and moreover a man’s face is taught to deceive for the sake of the appearance before the world; but when man becomes a spirit, which he does immediately after death, then he who had lived in evils turns the face altogether away from the Lord (as can be seen from what has been said and shown in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 17, 123, 142, 144, 145, 151, 153, 251, 272, 511, 552, 561). This is what is meant by “they have turned unto Me the back of the neck, and not the face,” and “they have become turned backwards and not forwards.” And because such then come into the evil of punishment and hell, those who have turned themselves away suppose that this is from the Lord, and that He regards them with a stern countenance, and casts them down into hell, and punishes them just as an angry man would do, when yet the Lord regards no one in any other way than from love and mercy. It is from that appearance that these things are said in the Word. In Isaiah:
When Thou shalt do fearful things that we look not for, the mountains shall flow down before Thee (Isa. 64:3).
In David:
It is burned with fire, it is cut down; they have perished at the rebuke of Thy faces (Ps. 80:16).
In the same:
The faces of Jehovah are against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth (Ps. 34:16).
In Moses:
Behold I send an angel before thee. Take ye heed of his faces; for he will not bear your transgression (Exod. 23:20-21).
In Ezekiel:
I will lead you into the wilderness of the peoples, and I will have judgment with you face to face (Ezek. 20:35).
In Moses:
When the ark set forward, Moses said, Arise O Jehovah, let Thine enemies be scattered; and let them that hate Thee flee before Thy faces (Num. 10:35).
In Revelation:
I saw a throne high and great, and Him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away (Rev. 20:11).
sRef Isa@30 @11 S22′ [22] These things are said respecting the signification of the face in reference to Jehovah or the Lord. The face in reference to man signifies his disposition and affection, and consequently the interiors which belong to his mind, and this because the disposition and affections, or the interiors that belong to man’s mind, present themselves to be seen in the face; this is why the face is said to be an index of the mind; the face also is an effigy of the interiors of man, for it represents them, and his countenance corresponds to them. That “faces” in reference to man signify affections of various kinds, can be seen from the following passages. In Isaiah:
They say, Turn aside out of the way, decline out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from our faces (Isa. 30:11).
“Cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from our faces” signifies to cause the Lord to cease from the thought and affection, thus everything of the church, “the Holy one of Israel” meaning the Lord; to withdraw from the truth and good of the church, which is from the Lord and in which is the Lord, is signified by “Turn aside out of the way, decline out of the path,” “way” and “path” meaning the truth and good of the church.
sRef Lam@4 @16 S23′ sRef Lam@5 @12 S23′ [23] In Lamentations:
They have not accepted the faces of the priests, and they were not gracious unto the faces of the old (Lam. 4:16).
Again:
Princes were hanged up by their hand; the faces of the old were not honored (Lam. 5:12).
“Not to accept the faces of the priests” signifies to value as nothing the goods of the church, which are of love and faith; for “the priests” represented the Lord in respect to Divine good, and thus signified the good of the church, and “faces” signify all things thereof that have reference to love and faith. “Not to honor the faces of the old” signifies to account as nothing all things of wisdom, “the old” signifying wisdom, and “faces” all things thereof, because they signify interior things; “the princes hanged up by their hand” signify that all intelligence was rejected, “princes” meaning the primary truths from which there is intelligence.
sRef Deut@16 @19 S24′ sRef Gen@32 @20 S24′ [24] In Moses:
Jacob said respecting Esau, I will appease his faces with the present that goeth before me, and afterwards I will see his faces; peradventure he will accept my faces (Gen. 32:19-20).
“To appease his faces,” signifies to captivate his mind; “afterwards to see his faces” signifies to know what the disposition is; “peradventure he will accept my faces” signifies, peradventure he will receive me with a kindly disposition; “to accept the faces” meaning to have good will towards anyone from affection. In the same:
Thou shalt not wrest judgment; thou shall not regard faces, neither take a gift (Deut. 16:19).
“Not to regard faces” signifies not to have the mind better disposed towards superiors, the rich, and friends, than towards inferiors, the poor, and enemies, because what is just and right is to be regarded without respect to person.
sRef Isa@3 @15 S25′ sRef Mal@2 @9 S25′ [25] In Malachi:
I have made you contemptible and lowly unto all the people, according as ye keep not My ways, and accept faces in the law (Mal. 2:9).
“Accepting faces in the law” has a similar signification as “regarding faces in judgment,” quoted above, namely, to have the mind better disposed towards, and to show more favor to superiors, the rich, and friends, than to inferiors, the poor, and enemies. In Isaiah:
What mean ye? Ye crush the people, and grind the faces of the poor (Isa. 3:15).
“To grind the faces of the poor” signifies to destroy the affections of knowing truths with those who are in ignorance of truth and yet wish to be instructed; “to grind” signifying to destroy, “faces” signifying the affections of knowing truths, and “the poor” those who are in ignorance of truth but wish to be instructed, for these are the spiritually poor.
sRef Ps@45 @12 S26′ sRef Ps@45 @13 S26′ [26] In David:
The daughter of Tyre shall bring an offering; the rich of the people shall entreat thy faces. The king’s daughter is all glorious within; her vesture is inwrought with gold (Ps. 45:12-13).
“The king’s daughter” signifies the spiritual affection of truth; “the daughter of Tyre” signifies the affection of the knowledges of truth and good; to be enriched with these is signified by “bringing an offering;” “the rich of the people” signify the intelligent, and in an abstract sense, the understanding of truth and good; to be gifted with these is signified by “entreating his faces;” for all things of intelligence dwell in the spiritual affection of truth, which therefore is signified by his “faces.” (The rest may be seen explained above, n. 195.)
sRef Ps@42 @11 S27′ [27] In the same:
Yet do I confess*** Him, the salvations of my faces, my God (Ps. 42:11; 43:5).
“The salvations of my faces” signify all things that are within, thus those that are of the mind and the affections, accordingly those that are of love and faith; because these are what save they are called “salvations.” Evil affections, which are lusts, are expressed by the same term, “faces,” because they appear in the face, for the face is the external or natural form of the interiors, which are of the disposition and mind; and in the spiritual world these make one, for there it is not permitted to put on other faces than those that are from the affections, thus that correspond to the interiors which are of their mind. This is why the angels of heaven are radiant and lovely in face, while infernal spirits are dusky and misshapen in face.
sRef Isa@13 @8 S28′ [28] This, too is evidently the meaning of “faces” in the following passages. In Isaiah:
Throes and pangs seize them, they travail like a woman bringing forth; they are amazed every man at his companion; their faces are faces of flames (Isa. 13:8).
This treats of the Last Judgment, when the evil are let into their interiors. The interiors of those who are in the love of self and the world, and thence in hatreds and revenges, are meant by “their faces are faces of flames;” and such also do they appear. Their torments from the influx of Divine good and Divine truth are signified by “throes and pangs seize them, they are in travail like a woman bringing forth.” Their torments are likened to the throes and pangs of women bringing forth for the same reason that the comparison is used in Genesis 3:16; for evils and falsities are then conjoined; and when this is the case “pangs seize” when Divine good and truth flow in.
sRef Ezek@20 @47 S29′ [29] In Ezekiel:
Say to the forest of the south, The flame of the grievous flame shall not be quenched, wherefore all faces from the south even to the north shall be burned therein (Ezek. 20:47).
“The forest of the south” means falsity within the church, consequently those there who are in falsities; the church is signified by “the south” because it can be in the light of truth from the Word; and falsity from evil is signified by “forest;” the vastation and destruction of the church by the love of falsity from evil is signified by “the flame of the grievous flame, by which all faces shall be burned;” “all faces” meaning all the interiors of the men of the church in respect to the affections of truth and good, and the thoughts therefrom; “from the south even to the north” signifies all things of the church from first to last, or interior and exterior; “the south” meaning the interior or first things of the church, and “the north” the exterior or last things of the church; this is the signification of “the south” and “the north” because those who are in the light of truth from the Lord are in the southern quarter in the spiritual world; while in the hells under them are those who are in natural lumen by means of which they have confirmed themselves in falsities; and in the northern quarter are those who are in obscurity of truth from the Lord, and in the hells under them are those who are in falsities, but not in any natural lumen whereby they have confirmed their falsities.
sRef Joel@2 @6 S30′ [30] In Joel:
Before him the peoples tremble; all faces have gathered blackness (Joel 2:6).
This treats of evils and falsities devastating the church, and of the judgment upon those who are in them; those who are in falsities are signified by “the peoples who tremble;” their interiors which are in the falsities of evil are signified by “the faces that have gathered blackness;” “faces” meaning the interiors, and “blackness” the falsity of evil. The infernals who are in falsities from evil appear black in the light of heaven.
sRef Dan@8 @23 S31′ [31] In Daniel:
In the latter end of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king hard in faces shall rise up (Dan. 8:23).
This was said of the four horns of the he-goat, by which are there meant four kingdoms, but “kingdoms” there do not mean kingdoms but the states of the church, for “a he-goat of the goats” means faith separated from charity, which is called faith alone; “the latter end of their kingdom” signifies the end of the church, when there is no faith because there is no charity; “when the transgressors are come to the full” signifies when there are no longer truth and good, but evil and falsity; these words signify the like as “when iniquity is consummated and fulfilled” (respecting which see above, n. 397). “A king hard in faces” signifies no truth but only falsity in their interiors; “king” signifying truth, and in the contrary sense falsity; “faces” the interiors, and “hard in faces” the interiors without good; for where there is no good, truth is hard, while truth from good is mild, because living; and truth without good even becomes falsity in their interiors or thought, since they do not think about it spiritually but materially, because they think from things corporeal and worldly, and thus from the fallacies of the senses.
sRef Ezek@2 @4 S32′ [32] In Ezekiel:
Sons hard in their faces, and hardened in heart (Ezek. 2:4).
“Sons hard in their faces” signify those who are in truths without good, and in an abstract sense truths without good, which in themselves are falsities (as has been said above); and “hardened in heart” signifies those who do not admit good, and who are therefore in evil, for where good cannot enter evil enters; “the heart” signifies also in the Word the good of love, and “a hardened heart” signifies the same as “a stony heart,” namely, where the good of love is not admitted; but “a heart of flesh” signifies where it is admitted.
sRef Isa@3 @9 S33′ sRef Isa@3 @8 S33′ [33] In Isaiah:
Their tongue and their doings are against Jehovah, to rebel against the eyes of His glory; the hardness of their faces answereth against them (Isa. 3:8-9).
“Their tongue and their doings which are against Jehovah” signify thought and affection; “the tongue” thought, because the tongue utters what man thinks, and “doings” affection, because man does what is of his affection; these “are against Jehovah, and rebel against the eyes of His glory” when they are against Divine good and against Divine truth; for “Jehovah” in the Word means the Lord in respect to Divine good proceeding from His Divine love, and “His glory” means Divine truth; to be against this is signified by “rebelling against the eyes of His glory;” “the hardness of their faces which answers against them” signifies to refuse Divine truth and Divine good, and not to admit them into their thoughts and affections, which are their interiors.
sRef Ezek@3 @8 S34′ [34] In Ezekiel:
Behold I have made thy faces hard against their faces, and thy forehead hard against their forehead (Ezek. 3:8).
This was said to the prophet, by whom is signified the doctrine of truth and good combating against falsities and evils; therefore “his faces made hard against their faces” signifies the rejection of falsities by truths, and “his forehead hardened against their forehead” signifies the rejection of evil by good; for “faces” signify the affections of truth, or the affections of falsity, and “forehead” signifies the affection of good or the affection of evil. The affection of truth and good is hardened and becomes outwardly hard from zeal, when it is combating against falsity and evil, otherwise it could not repulse them; but it is not so inwardly. From this it can be seen how these words must be understood. Since “faces” signify man’s interiors, or the things that are of his thought and affection, the same word in the Hebrew that means “face” means what is interior.
[35] (In these explanations various things have been said respecting “faces” which cannot be easily understood, perhaps, without further exposition; I will therefore add what has been said and shown respecting faces in the Arcana Coelestia, namely, that the face is formed to a correspondence with man’s interiors, n. 4791-4805, 5695; on the correspondence of the face and countenance with the affections of the mind, n. 1568, 2988, 2989, 3631, 4796, 4797, 4800, 5165, 5168, 9306; consequently the interiors shine forth from the face, n. 3527, 4066, 4796; with the ancients the face made one with the interiors, n. 3573, 4326, 5695; it also makes one with the interiors with the angels in heaven, and with sincere men in the world, n. 4796, 4797, 4799, 5695, 8250; in the other life the faces of all become such as their interiors are, n. 4798, 5695; experiences respecting changes of the face there according to the interiors, n. 4796, 6604; on the influx of the interiors of the mind, or of the understanding and will into the face and its muscles, n. 3631, 4800; with flatterers, dissemblers, hypocrites, and the deceitful, the face does not act as one with the interiors, n. 4799, 8250; with such the face is taught to feign sincerity, honesty, and piety, n. 4326; how influx from the brains into the face became changed in process of time, and with it the face itself in respect to its correspondence with the interiors, n. 4326, 8250; the natural of man is like an interior face to the spiritual mind and its sight, n. 5165, 5168. See also what has been said and shown respecting faces in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 46-48, 142-144, 457-459, 553.)
* Photolithograph has “faces;” the Greek has “face,” which is also found in AE n. 148; AR 938; but the former reading is found in AC n. 9936, 10579.
** Photolithograph has “us,” but this is rectified in the explanation.
*** Photolithograph has “trust;” Hebrew has “confess.” IB, IV n. 107, 767 have the latter translation.

sRef Matt@13 @12 S0′ sRef Rev@6 @17 S0′ 413. Verse 17. For the great day of His anger is come, signifies the Last Judgment upon the evil. This is evident from the following passages from the Word. The Last Judgment, which is signified by “the great day,” is upon the evil and also upon the good; the judgment upon the evil is called “a day of indignation,” “of wrath,” “of anger,” and “of vengeance,” while the judgment upon the good is called “the time of the Lord’s coming,” “the year of His good pleasure,” “the year of the redeemed,” “the year of salvation.” Everyone, whether evil or good, is judged immediately after death, when he enters the spiritual world, where he is to live to eternity, for man is then immediately marked out either for heaven or for hell; he that is marked out for heaven is connected with some heavenly society into which he will afterwards come, and he that is marked out for hell is connected with the infernal society into which he will afterwards come. There is, however, an interval of time before they go thither, chiefly for the purpose of preparation; for the good, that the evils that adhere to them from the body in the world may be wiped away; and for the evil, that the goods that adhere to them outwardly from teachers and from religion may be taken away; according to the Lord’s words in Matthew:
Whosoever hath, to him shall be given, that he may have more abundantly; whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath (Matt. 13:32; 25:29).
This delay occurs for this reason also, that the affections, which are of many kinds, may be so arranged and reduced to the ruling love that the man-spirit may become wholly his own love. Yet many of them, both evil and good, were reserved for the Last Judgment; but only such of the evil as from habit acquired in the world had been able to lead a moral life in externals, and such of the good as from ignorance and from their religion had been imbued with falsities; but the rest, when their time had been fulfilled, were separated from these, the good were elevated into heaven, and the evil were cast into hell, and this before the Last Judgment.
[2] The Last Judgment is called “the great day of the anger of God” because to the evil who are cast down into hell it appears as if it were God who did this from anger and wrath, for the destruction that then comes upon them comes from above, and also from the east where the Lord is as a sun, and they are then in terrors, griefs, and also in torments. But the Lord has no anger whatever, for He is love and mercy itself and good itself; and pure love and good itself cannot be angry; for this is contrary to its essence. But it so appears for this reason: when the last state is reached, which is when evils on the earth and at the same time then in the spiritual world have so increased that the supremacy inclines to their side, and thereby the equilibrium between heaven and hell is perishing, and this perishing, the heavens where the angels dwell begin to labor, then the Lord from the sun directs His energy, that is His love, to protecting the angels and restoring the state which labors and begins to totter; and by this energy and power Divine truth united to Divine good, which in its essence is Divine love, penetrates through the heavens to the places below, where the evil have associated themselves together; and because they cannot endure such influx and presence of the Divine love they begin to tremble, and to be in anguish and torment; for thereby the goods and truths which they have learned to feign by speech and action merely in externals, are dispersed, and their internals, which are nothing but evils and falsities, are opened; and as these are in direct opposition to the goods and truths that flow in from within, although they have made evils and falsities their life, they experience such tremor, anguish and torment, that they can no longer maintain themselves, therefore they flee away and cast themselves into the hells which are under the mountains and rocks, where they can be in evils and in the falsities of their evils. This in particular is signified by the words explained above, “They said to the mountains and to the rocks, Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him that sitteth on the throne, and from the anger of the Lamb.”
[3] From this it can be seen why the words “the anger of the Lamb” are used, and why the Last Judgment is called “the great day of His anger,” although it is the Divine love that is meant, the operation of which viewed in itself is to save all, for it is a will to save, thus not anger at all, but love. The like is true when an evil spirit who can feign himself an angel of light ascends into heaven. When he comes thither, as he cannot endure the Divine good and the Divine truth that are there, he begins to feel anguish and torment to the extent even that he casts himself down with all his might, nor does he rest until he is in the hell corresponding to his evil.
It is from this appearance, and because when they do evils they are punished, that indignation, anger, wrath, and even fury and vengeance, are so often in the Word attributed to Jehovah, that is, the Lord; but a presentation of all the passages where these are attributed to Jehovah, that is, to the Lord, is here omitted because there are so many of them, and a few only will be cited, in which the Last Judgment is called “the day of the indignation,” “of the anger,” “of the wrath,” and “of the vengeance” of Jehovah and God, as in the following.
sRef Isa@13 @9 S4′ sRef Isa@13 @13 S4′ [4] In Isaiah:
Behold the day of Jehovah cometh, cruel and of indignation and of the glowing of anger, to lay the land waste, and He shall destroy its sinners out of it. I will make heaven to tremble, the land shall quake out of its place, in the indignation of Jehovah of Hosts, and in the day of the glowing of His anger (Isa. 13:9, 13).
“A day cruel and of the glowing of Jehovah’s anger” means the Last Judgment; and because it is evil that glows, and falsity that is angry, it is called “a day of the glowing of anger.” “The land that shall be laid waste, and that shall quake out of its place,” means the land that is in the spiritual world, for there are lands there the same as on our globe; and those lands, while the Last Judgment is going on, are “laid waste” and “quake out of their place,” for the mountains and hills are then overturned, and the valleys sink down into marshes, and the face of all things there is changed. Nevertheless, “land” in the spiritual sense means the church everywhere, for in the spiritual world the face of the land is similar to the state of the church with those who dwell upon the land there, consequently when the church perishes the land also perishes, for they make one; and then in place of the former land a new one comes into existence; but these changes are unknown to us on our earth. Nevertheless they must be made known, in order that it may be understood what is meant by “the land shall be laid waste, and shall quake out of its place.”
sRef Lam@2 @1 S5′ sRef Lam@2 @22 S5′ sRef Zeph@2 @3 S5′ sRef Zeph@2 @2 S5′ [5] In Zephaniah:
When the glowing of the anger of Jehovah hath not yet come upon you; when the day of the anger of Jehovah hath not yet come upon you, it may be ye shall be hid in the day of Jehovah’s anger (Zeph. 2:2-3).
Here, too, “the glowing of anger” and “the day of Jehovah’s anger” mean the Last Judgment. In Lamentations:
He doth not remember the footstool of His feet in the day of His anger (Lam. 2:1).
“The footstool of Jehovah’s feet” means the worship of the Lord in the natural world, for the reason that the whole heaven, together with the church in the world, is before the Lord a semblance of one man (as may be seen in Heaven and Hell, n. 78-86), the inmost heaven constituting the head, the other heavens the breast and legs, and the church on earth the feet; consequently the feet signify also the natural; moreover, the heavens rest upon the church which is with mankind as a man does upon his feet (as can be seen from what is shown in the same work, n. 87-102, also 291-302). Since the Last Judgment comes when there is no longer any faith because there is no charity, thus when the church is at an end, it is evident what is meant by “He doth not remember the footstool of His feet in the day of His anger.” And elsewhere:
There was none that escaped nor any residue in the day of Jehovah’s anger; those whom I brought up and nourished hath mine enemy consumed (Lam. 2:22).
“The day of Jehovah’s anger” is the Last Judgment; that there is then no longer any good of love nor any truth of faith in the church, but evil and falsity is signified by “there was none that escaped nor any residue; those whom I brought up and nourished hath mine enemy consumed;” “there was none that escaped nor any residue” signifying that there was no good nor truth; “whom I brought up and nourished” meaning those who are of the church, who have all spiritual food or the knowledge of good and truth from the Word; “the enemy that consumed them” meaning evil and falsity.
sRef Isa@61 @2 S6′ sRef Rev@11 @18 S6′ sRef Isa@63 @6 S6′ sRef Isa@61 @1 S6′ sRef Isa@63 @4 S6′ [6] In Revelation:
Thine anger came, the time of judging the dead, and of giving the reward to Thy servants, and to those that fear Thy name, and of destroying them that destroy the earth (Rev. 11:18).
This makes clear that “anger” or “the day of anger” means the Last Judgment, for it is said “Thine anger came, the time of judging the dead.” In Isaiah:
The day of vengeance is in My heart, and the year of My redeemed hath come. I have trodden down the peoples in Mine anger, and made them drunk in My wrath (Isa. 63:4, 6).
This treats of the combats of the Lord, by which He subjugated the hells, thus of a Last Judgment which was accomplished by Him when He was in the world; for by combats, which were temptations admitted into Himself, He subjugated the hells and wrought a Last Judgment. It is this judgment that is meant by “the day of Jehovah’s anger and wrath” in the Word of the Old Testament; but the Last Judgment, which has at the present time been accomplished is meant by “the day of His anger” in Revelation. (That a Last Judgment was performed by the Lord when He was in the world, see Last Judgment, n. 46.) The subjugation of the hells is here signified by “I have trodden them down in Mine anger, and have made them drunk in My wrath;” “the year of the redeemed” signifies the judgment upon the good who are saved.
sRef Isa@34 @8 S7′ [7] In the same:
The spirit of the Lord Jehovih is upon me, to proclaim the year of Jehovah’s good pleasure, and the day of vengeance for our God; to comfort all that mourn (Isa. 61:1, 2).
The day of vengeance of Jehovah, the year of retributions for the controversy of Zion (Isa. 34:8).
“The day of vengeance of Jehovah,” like “the day of His anger and wrath,” signifies the Last Judgment. This is because vengeance is attributed to Jehovah or the Lord for the same reason anger and wrath are-namely, from the appearance that those who have denied the Divine and have been hostile in heart and mind to the goods and truths of the church, consequently hostile to the Lord who is the source of these, are cast down into hell (as are all who live wickedly). And because these are treated as enemies, vengeance, like anger, is attributed to the Lord (see above). “The year of retributions” signifies the like as “the day of vengeance,” but it is predicated of falsities, while “the day of vengeance” is predicated of evils; “the controversy of Zion” signifies the rejection of the truth and good of the church; “Zion” meaning the church. In other places also, the time of the Last Judgment is called “the day of Jehovah,” “the day of visitation,” “the day of slaughter,” and “the day of the coming”:
The day of the Lord’s coming (Mal. 3:2; Matt. 24:3, 27, 37, 39).

sRef Luke@21 @36 S0′ sRef Ps@82 @1 S0′ sRef Mal@3 @2 S0′ sRef Isa@3 @13 S0′ sRef Joel@2 @11 S0′ sRef Rev@6 @17 S0′ sRef Luke@1 @19 S0′ 414. And who is able to stand? signifies, who shall sustain and live? This is evident from the signification of standing, when it is before the Lord, as meaning to sustain and live, here, not able to sustain it and live; for, as was said above, the evil, from the influx and consequent presence of the Lord, that is, of Divine good and Divine truth going out and proceeding from Him with power and might, come not only into the tremors from fear, but also into torments from interior conflict, consequently unless they flee away and cast themselves down they cannot live, for from fear and torment death as it were befalls them, for the presence of the Divine brings death to the evil as it brings life to the good. From this their state it is then said, “Who is able to stand?” As also in Malachi:
Who sustaineth the day of His coming, and who shall stand when He shall appear (Mal. 3:2)?
In Nahum:
Who shall stand before His indignation; and who shall stand up in the glow of His anger (Nahum 1:6)?
And in Joel:
The day of Jehovah is great and very terrible; and who shall sustain it? (Joel 2:11).
Moreover, “to stand,” like walking and sitting, in the Word signifies to be and to live; and “to stand,” has a similar meaning with to stand firm and stand still. As in Luke:
The angel answered Zachariah, I am Gabriel, that standeth before God (Luke 1:19).
And in the same:
Be wakeful at every season, that ye may be accounted worthy to stand before the Son of man (Luke 21:36).
And elsewhere. And as “to stand” also signifies to be, it is said of Jehovah, in Isaiah:
Jehovah hath stood up to plead, and standeth to judge (Isa. 3:13).
And in David:
God stood in the congregation of God; He shall judge in the midst of the gods (Ps. 82:1).
But why “to stand” signifies to be shall be told elsewhere.

sRef Rev@7 @1 S0′ 415. APOCALYPSE. CHAPTER 7.

1. After these things I saw four angels standing upon the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow upon the earth, nor upon the sea, nor upon any tree.
2. And I saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun, having the seal of the living God; and he cried with a great voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea;
3. Saying, Hurt not the earth, nor the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.
4. And I heard the number of those sealed; a hundred and forty-four thousand sealed out of every tribe [of the sons]* of Israel.
5. Of the tribe of Judah twelve thousand sealed; of the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand sealed; of the tribe of Gad twelve thousand sealed.
6. Of the tribe of Asher twelve thousand sealed; of the tribe of Naphtali twelve thousand sealed; of the tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand sealed.
7. Of the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand sealed; of the tribe of Levi twelve thousand sealed; of the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand sealed.
8. Of the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand sealed; of the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand sealed; of the tribe of Benjamin twelve thousand sealed.
9. After these things I saw, and behold a great multitude, which no one could number, out of every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palms in their hands.
10. And crying with a great voice, saying, Salvation unto our God, who sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.
11. And all the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four animals, and they fell before the throne upon their faces, and worshiped God.
12. Saying, Amen: the blessing and the glory and the wisdom and the thanksgiving and the honor and the power and the strength unto our God unto the ages of the ages; amen.
13. And one of the elders answered, saying to me, These clothed with the white robes, who are they, and whence came they?
14. And I said unto him, Lord, thou knowest. And he said unto me, These are they who come out of the great tribulation, and have washed their robes and have made their robes white in the blood of the Lamb.
15. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and they serve Him day and night in His temple; and He that sitteth on the throne shall dwell over them.
16. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; neither shall the sun fall on them, nor any heat.
17. For the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall guide them unto living fountains of waters; and God shall wipe away every tear from their eyes.

EXPOSITION

Verse 1. And after these things I saw four angels standing upon the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow upon the earth, nor upon the sea, nor upon any tree. 1. “And after these things I saw,” signifies a new perception as to the state of heaven before the Last Judgment (n. 416); “four angels standing upon the four corners of the earth,” signifies the Divine proceeding from the Lord in the whole spiritual world (n. 417); “holding the four winds of the earth,” signifies moderation of its influx (n. 418); “that the wind should not blow,” signifies that the good be not injured, and the evil be not cast out before the day (n. 419); “upon the earth nor upon the sea nor upon any tree,” signifies everywhere in the spiritual world, even to its ultimates, with those who have some perception (n. 420).
* “Of the sons” is lacking in the Latin here, also in the edition of Schmidius as used by Swedenborg; but it is found in all Greek MSS. It is also omitted in the Arcana Coelestia, n. 3272, 3858, 4592, etc, and in SS 11, but found in AE n. 39.

sRef Rev@7 @1 S0′ 416. Verse 1. And after these things I saw, signifies a new perception as to the state of heaven before the Last Judgment. This is evident from what follows in this chapter, which treats of the separation of the good from the evil; for before the Last Judgment occurs the good are separated from the evil by the Lord, and are led away; and because this is involved in the things that were seen, so all this is here signified by “after these things I saw.”

sRef Rev@7 @1 S0′ 417. Four angels standing upon the four corners of the earth, signifies the Divine proceeding from the Lord in the whole spiritual world. This is evident from the signification of “angels,” as being the Divine proceeding from the Lord (see above, n. 130, 200, 302); and from the signification of “the four corners of the earth,” as being the whole spiritual world; for “the four corners” signify the spiritual world because there are lands there as well as on our globe; for there, as here, there are mountains, hills, rocks, plains, valleys, and other things, as has been several times said above; and as the Last Judgment on all in the spiritual world is treated of in Revelation, and here the separation of the good from the evil there, therefore “the earth” means that world. “The earth” signifies the church, as has been frequently said before, because the face of the earth in the spiritual world is exactly like the face of the church with the spirits and angels there; the face of the earth is most beautiful where the angels of the higher heavens dwell, and also beautiful where the angels of the lower heavens dwell, but unbeautiful where evil spirits dwell; for where the angels dwell there are paradises, gardens, flower beds, palaces, and all things in heavenly form and harmony, from which enjoyments flow and inmostly delight the mind; but with the evil spirits all places are marshy, or stony, or barren, and they dwell in huts of a vile appearance, and also in caverns and caves.
[2] This has been said to make known that “the earth,” in the nearest sense, means the spiritual world; nor could any other earth appear to John, since it was seen by him when he was in the spirit; and when man is in the spirit he sees nothing on our globe, but only what is in the spiritual world. This is why John saw four angels, and these were standing upon the four corners of that earth. There were four angels seen, because these standing “on four corners” signify the Divine proceeding from the Lord in the whole spiritual world, for the four quarters, namely, the eastern, western, southern, and northern, constitute the whole of that world, for that world is thus divided; and those who are in the good of love to the Lord dwell in the eastern quarter, likewise in the western, the former in clear because interior good of love, the latter in obscure because exterior good of love; those who are in the clear light of truth dwell in the southern quarter, and those who are in the obscure light of truth in the northern. (But on these quarters see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 141-153, where they are treated of.) And because all things have reference to the good of love and to the truth from that good, or in general to good and truth, therefore these four quarters also mean all things of heaven and the church. These quarters are meant also in the Word by “the four winds,” and here by “the four corners.” It is evident, therefore, that the angels were not seen standing on the four corners of the earth, but in the four quarters. The quarters are called “the four corners” because “corners” signify the outermost parts, and the outermost parts signify all things, because they include all.
sRef Num@35 @5 S3′ sRef Ex@26 @18 S3′ sRef Ex@26 @20 S3′ sRef Ezek@48 @2 S3′ sRef Ezek@48 @17 S3′ sRef Ezek@48 @23 S3′ sRef Rev@20 @8 S3′ sRef Ezek@48 @5 S3′ sRef Ezek@48 @4 S3′ sRef Ezek@48 @3 S3′ sRef Ezek@48 @6 S3′ sRef Ezek@48 @8 S3′ sRef Ezek@48 @7 S3′ sRef Ezek@48 @24 S3′ sRef Ezek@48 @28 S3′ sRef Ezek@48 @27 S3′ sRef Ezek@48 @16 S3′ sRef Ezek@48 @34 S3′ sRef Ezek@48 @33 S3′ sRef Ezek@48 @25 S3′ sRef Ezek@48 @1 S3′ sRef Ezek@48 @26 S3′ [3] That “corners” signify quarters is evident from the passages in the Word, where quarters are designated as “corners,” as in the following. In Moses:
Thou shalt make for the tabernacle twenty boards for the south corner southward. And for the second side of the tabernacle, towards the north corner, twenty boards (Exod. 26:18, 20; 27:9, 11; 36:21, 23, 25).
“For the south corner” means for the southern quarter; and “towards the north corner” means towards the northern quarter, for there were twenty boards for each side. So in Ezekiel:
Next the border of Dan, from the east corner even to the west corner, Asher one. And thence next the border of Asher, from the east corner even unto the corner towards the west (48:1-8).
In the same:
These shall be the measures: the north corner four thousand and five hundred, and the south corner the same, and from the east corner the same, and the west corner the same, next the border to the east corner towards the west (48:16, 17, 23-28, 33, 34; also 47:17-20).
In Moses:
Ye shall measure without the city the corner towards the east two thousand cubits, and the south corner the same, and the west corner and the north corner the same (Num. 35:5).
Also in Joshua (15:5; 18:12, 14, 15, 20). Here the east, south, west, and north corners mean the sides towards the east, south, west, and north quarters. This makes clear that the “four angels standing upon the four corners of the earth” mean not upon its four corners, but in its four quarters. So elsewhere in Revelation:
Satan shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth (20:8).
[4] “Four corners” are mentioned, and not four quarters, because “corners” also signify all things, since they are outermost parts, for the outermost parts comprehend all things from the center to the last circumferences, for they are the last borders. This is why four horns were placed on the four corners of the altar, and upon them the blood was poured, and thus expiation was made for the whole altar (as is evident from Exod. 27:2; 29:12; 30:2, 3, 10; 38:2; Lev. 4:7, 18, 25, 30, 34; 16:18, 19; Ezek. 41:22; 43:20).
sRef Lev@19 @9 S5′ sRef Lev@19 @27 S5′ sRef Lev@21 @5 S5′ [5] That “corners” signify all things because the outermost parts (for the reason stated above, that the outermost parts include and comprehend all things) is clearly evident from some of the statutes given to the sons of Israel, as:
That they should not round or shave the corner of their head (Lev. 19:27).
That they should not shave off the corner of their beard (Lev. 19:27; 21:5).
And that they should not wholly finish the corners of their field when they reaped (Lev. 19:9; 23:22).
Why such statutes were given them cannot be known unless it is known what is signified by “the hair of the head,” by “the beard,” by “the field,” and also by “the corner;” “the hair of the head,” and “the beard” signify the ultimate of man’s life, which is called the corporeal sensual; and “field” signifies the church, and “reaping” the truth of doctrine. By these statutes, therefore, it was represented that the ultimates must be preserved because they signify all things; for unless there are outermost things, the middle things are not kept together, but are dispersed, comparatively as the interior parts of man would be dispersed if he were not encompassed by skins. It is similar in everything, thus in what is signified by “the hair of the head,” by “the beard,” and by “the harvest of the field.” (That “the hair of the head” signifies the outermost of man’s life, which is called the corporeal sensual, may be seen above, n. 66; and that “the beard” has a like signification, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 9960; that the outermosts or ultimates signify all things in the complex, thus the whole, n. 10044, 10329, 10335.) And as “a field” signified the church, and “harvest” its truths, so “not to finish wholly the corners of thy field when thou reapest” signifies the conservation of all things that are signified by “the harvest of the field.”
sRef Deut@32 @26 S6′ [6] That “corners” signify all things because they signify outermost things can be seen also from the following passages. In Moses:
I will hurl them into the extreme corners; I will make the remembrance of them to cease from man (Deut. 32:26).
“To hurl into the extreme corners” signifies to be deprived of all good and truth; it is therefore added, “I will make the remembrance of them to cease from a man,” which signifies that they would no longer have anything of spiritual life, which comes to pass when man is merely in the ultimates of life, called the corporeal sensual, in which alone most of those are who acquire nothing of spiritual life; for such then become not unlike the beasts, for this is the kind of life beasts have, but with this difference, that as man is born a man he is able to speak and to reason, but this he does from the fallacies of the senses, or of the outermost things of nature, of the world, and of the body; this is what is meant here by “being hurled into the extreme corners.”
sRef Jer@49 @32 S7′ [7] In Jeremiah:
Their camels shall be for a prey, and the multitude of their cattle for a spoil; and I will disperse them unto every wind among the cut off of the corner; and from all the passages thereof I will bring calamity (49:32).
This is said of the devastation of Arabia and Hazor by the king of Babylon; and “Arabia” and “Hazor” signify the knowledges of good and truth, and “the king of Babylon” signifies evil and falsity laying waste. The vastation of all confirming knowledges (scientifica), and cognitions of good and truth is signified by “their camels shall be for a prey, and the multitude of their cattle for a spoil;” “camels” meaning confirming knowledges (scientifica), and “cattle” the cognitions of good and truth. Vastation in respect to all things of good and truth, so that there is nothing left, is signified by “I will disperse them unto every wind, among the cut off of the corner;” “the cut off of the corner” meaning the outermost parts where there is no longer any good and truth. That evils and falsities will then break in on every side is signified by “from all the passages thereof I will bring calamity;” for in the spiritual world where the evil are, on every side ways from the hells are open, and evils and their falsities break in through these; and all who are in like evils and falsities go through these ways and consociate themselves with the evil there. This has been said to make known what is signified by “from all the passages I will bring calamity;” “to be for a prey and a spoil,” and “to disperse and to bring calamity” signify devastation.
sRef Jer@9 @26 S8′ sRef Jer@9 @25 S8′ [8] In the same:
Behold, the days come in which I will visit upon everyone that is circumcised in the foreskin; Egypt, and Judah, and Edom, and the sons of Ammon, and Moab, and all the cut off of the corner that dwell in the wilderness; for all nations are uncircumcised, and the whole house of Israel is uncircumcised in heart (Jer. 9:25, 26).
Here “the cut off of the corner” signify those who are in the ultimates of the church separate from the interiors, which are spiritual, thus those who are only in things sensual, which are the ultimates of the natural man. (Respecting those who are merely sensual, who and of what quality they are see The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 50.) These are signified by “the cut off of the corner,” because “corners” signify the quarters of the spiritual world, and the quarters of the spiritual world signify all the goods and truths of heaven and the church, as has been said previously. The habitations of spirits and angels in that world succeed in such an order that those who are in the highest wisdom and intelligence are in the midst, and from the midst even to the last circumferences those in less and less degree; and these diminutions are in exact accord with the distances from the midst; in the ultimates are those who are in no wisdom or intelligence, and outside of these are those who are in evils and falsities therefrom. These are the ones meant by “the cut off of the corner;” and as these are desert places, they are said “to dwell in the wilderness.” (On these diminutions in the spiritual world, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 43, 50, 189.) The same are meant by “the uncircumcised nations” and “the house of Israel uncircumcised in heart;” “the uncircumcised” signifying those who are without love and charity, thus without good, and therefore in the loves of self and of the world; and those who are in these loves are in the ultimates of the natural man wholly separate from things spiritual; therefore they are “the cut off of the corner that dwell in the wilderness;” “Egypt, Judah, Edom, the sons of Ammon, and Moab,” mean all who, through these loves, have separated from themselves the goods and truths of the church, consequently are outside of these, and thus are “the cut off of the corner”:
The cut off of the corners (Jer. 25:23);
have a similar signification.
sRef Num@24 @17 S9′ [9] In Moses:
There shall arise a star out of Jacob, and a scepter shall arise out of Israel, which shall break in pieces the corners of Moab (Num. 24:17).
“The corners of Moab” mean all things that are signified by “Moab;” and “Moab” signifies those who are in the ultimates of the Word, of the church, and of worship; and in the contrary sense those who adulterate these by turning themselves towards self, and having regard to their own honor in every particular of these; therefore “the corners of Moab” mean adulterations of the Word, and thence of the church and of worship, such as are with those of that character:
The corner of Moab (Jer. 48:45);
has a similar signification.
sRef Zeph@1 @16 S10′ sRef Zeph@3 @6 S10′ [10] In Zephaniah:
A day of the trumpet and alarm upon the fenced cities and upon the high corners (1:16).
“A day of the trumpet and alarm” signifies spiritual combat, which is against falsities and evils; “fenced cities” signify false doctrinals that have been confirmed; and “high corners” signify those things that favor their loves. This makes clear what is signified by “a day of the trumpet and alarm upon the fenced cities and upon the high corners.” In the same:
I will cut off the nations; their corners shall be laid waste; I will make desolate their streets that none may pass by; and I will lay waste their cities so that there is no inhabitant (Zeph. 3:6).
The destruction of all the goods of the church is signified by “I will cut off the nations, and their corners shall be laid waste;” “nations” meaning the goods of the church, and “corners” all things of it, because its outermost parts (as above). The destruction of the truths of doctrine is signified by “I will make desolate their streets and I will lay waste their cities;” “streets” meaning truths, and “cities” doctrinals; total destruction even until there is no truth and good left is signified by “that none pass by, and there is no inhabitant;” for “to pass by” in the Word is predicated of truths, and “to dwell” of goods. sRef Judg@20 @1 S11′ sRef Judg@20 @2 S11′ [11] In the book of Judges:
All the sons of Israel went out, and the congregation was assembled as one man, from Dan even to Beersheba. And the corners of all the people, all the tribes of Israel presented themselves in the assembly of the people of God (20:1, 2).
“The corners of all the people presented themselves in the assembly of the people of God” signifies all on every side, or from every quarter, as is clearly evident from its being said that “all the sons of Israel and all the tribes of Israel went out, and the congregation was assembled from Dan to Beersheba;” but in the spiritual sense, “the corners of all the people” signify all the truths and goods of the church; so, too, “all the tribes of Israel, from Dan even to Beersheba,” signify all these from the last to the first, and “the assembly of the people of God” signifies consideration of the things of the church; for in the histories of the Word, as well as in the prophecies, there is everywhere a spiritual sense; therefore in the historical sense “corners” signify quarters, such as are in the spiritual world; but in the spiritual sense they signify all the truths and goods of the church, for the reason given above.
sRef Jer@51 @26 S12′ sRef Ps@118 @22 S12′ sRef Zech@10 @4 S12′ sRef Isa@28 @16 S12′ [12] From this what is signified by “corner stone” in the following passages becomes evident. In Isaiah:
I will lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a proved stone, a precious corner stone, of a foundation that is founded (28:16).
In Jeremiah:
They shall not take of thee a stone for a corner, nor a stone of foundations (51:26).
In Zechariah:
Out of Judah the corner, out of him the nail, out of him the bow of war (10:4).
In David:
The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner (Ps. 118:22; see also Matt. 21:42; Mark 12:10, 11; Luke 20:17, 18).
“The stone of the corner” signifies all Divine truth upon which heaven and the church are founded, thus every foundation; and as the foundation is the ultimate upon which a house or temple rests, therefore it signifies all things. Because “the stone of the corner” signifies all things upon which the church is founded it is said “I will lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a proved stone, a precious cornerstone, of a foundation that is founded;” and it is called also “a stone for a corner” and “a stone of foundations;” and because “the stone of the corner” signifies all Divine truth upon which the church is founded, it also signifies the Lord in respect to His Divine Human; because all Divine truth proceeds from that; “the builders” (or architects) who rejected that stone, as is read in the Gospels, are those who are of the church, here of the Jewish Church, which rejected the Lord, and with Him all Divine truth; for with them there was nothing but vain traditions drawn from the sense of the letter of the Word in which the truths themselves of the Word were falsified and its goods adulterated. (That ultimates signify all things, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 634, 5897, 6239, 6451, 6465, 9216, 9824, 9828, 9836, 9905, 10044, 10099, 10329, 10335, 10548.)

sRef Rev@7 @1 S0′ 418. Holding the four winds of the earth, signifies the moderation of its influx. This is evident from the signification of “the four winds of the earth” as being everything Divine in heaven (of which presently); also from the signification of “holding them,” as being to moderate its influx. But what is meant by moderating the influx of the Divine in heaven no one can know unless it is revealed to him, nor consequently can it be known what is signified by “holding the four winds of the earth.” Without revelation, who would not think that “winds” here mean winds held back by angels, since it also follows “that the wind should not blow upon the earth, nor upon the sea, nor upon any tree.” But “the winds of the earth,” here as elsewhere in the Word signify everything Divine that is from the Lord in heaven, in particular, Divine truth, and because Divine truth flows from the Lord as a sun into the whole heaven, and from that into the whole earth, so “holding the winds” signifies to moderate influx. But that these things may be more clearly understood, it shall be told how it is with respect to that influx. The Lord is the sun of the angelic heaven; from Him as a sun all light and all heat there proceed. The light that proceeds is in its essence Divine truth, because it is spiritual light; and the heat that proceeds is in its essence Divine good, because it is spiritual heat. From the Lord as a sun these flow out into all the heavens accommodated to reception by the angels there, thus sometimes more moderately, sometimes more intensely. When they flow out more moderately the good are separated from the evil, but when more intensely the evil are cast out. When, therefore, the Last Judgment is at hand the Lord first flows in moderately, in order that the good may be separated from the evil. Because this separation is what is treated of in this chapter, the “holding of the four winds of the earth” is first mentioned, which signifies the moderation of the influx of Divine good and Divine truth from the Lord. It is evident from what follows in this chapter that this refers to the separation of the good from the evil, for it is said, “Hurt not the earth, nor the sea, nor any tree, till we shall have sealed the servants of God on their foreheads” (verse 3); and afterwards, to the end of the chapter, “those sealed,” that is, the good separated from the evil are treated of. But respecting this separation more will be said in what follows, likewise respecting the casting out of the evil into the hells, which takes place afterwards.
[2] “The four winds” signify all the Divine proceeding, because “the winds of heaven” signify the quarters of heaven, for the whole heaven is divided into four quarters, namely, east, west, south, and north. Into two quarters, the east and the west, the Lord flows with Divine good more powerfully than with Divine truth; and into two quarters, the south and the north, with Divine truth more powerfully than with Divine good; consequently those who are in the latter are more in wisdom and intelligence, and those in the former more in love and charity; and as the whole heaven is divided into four quarters, and those quarters are meant by “the four winds,” therefore “the four winds” signify all the Divine proceeding. They are called “the four winds of the earth,” because “the earth” means all the earth in the spiritual world, but in the spiritual sense “the earth” signifies heaven and the church (respecting which see the preceding article).
sRef Ezek@37 @10 S3′ sRef Ezek@37 @9 S3′ [3] From this the meaning of “the four winds” in other passages of the Word can be seen, as in Ezekiel:
The Lord Jehovih said unto me, Prophesy about the spirit, prophesy, and say to the spirit, Thus the Lord Jehovih hath said, Come from the four winds, O spirit, and breathe into these slain that they may live. And when I had prophesied the spirit came, and they revived (37:9, 10).
This is said of “the dry bones” seen by the prophet, by which the sons of Israel are meant (as is evident from verse 11 there); and this vision describes the reformation and establishment of a new church from those who have not before had any spiritual life. “The dry bones” are those who have nothing of spiritual life; the spiritual life given them by the Lord, from which the church is in them, is described by these words; “the spirit” about which the prophet prophesied, and by which they were revived, signifies spiritual life, which is a life according to the truths of the Word. “Come from the four winds, O spirit,” signifies from the Divine of the Lord in heaven; “the four winds” meaning the four quarters in heaven, and the four quarters are everything Divine there (as has been said above). In the sense of the letter, “spirit” here means the breath (spiritus) of respiration, which is wind; it is therefore said that it should “come and breathe into these slain;” but the breath of respiration signifies as well the spiritual life, as will appear from what follows. “The slain” have a similar signification as “dry bones,” namely, those who have no spiritual life.
sRef Zech@6 @5 S4′ sRef Zech@6 @1 S4′ [4] In Zechariah:
There were seen four chariots coming out from between two mountains of copper, to which there were horses; and the angel said, These are the four winds of the heavens, going forth from standing by the Lord of the whole earth (5:1, 5).
This treats of the church which is to be extended among those who have not yet been in any light of truth of the church, because they have not had the Word. What “the four chariots” and “the four horses,” and the many things respecting them signify, may be seen above (n. 355), and what “the mountains of copper” signify, also above (n. 364, 405), where they are explained. Here “the four winds” signify every Divine proceeding, or the Divine good and Divine truth that constitute the church; it is therefore said “the winds of the heavens going forth from standing by the Lord of the whole earth;” “to go forth from standing by Him” signifying to proceed. “Chariots” and “horses” are called winds because “chariots” signify the doctrinals of good and truth, and “horses” an understanding of them, and both of these proceed from the Divine of the Lord.
sRef Matt@24 @31 S5′ [5] In the Gospels:
The Son of man shall send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other end (Matt. 24:31; Mark 13:27).
All the successive states of the church, even to its end, when the Last Judgment takes place, are here predicted by the Lord; and “the angels with a great sound of a trumpet” signifies proclaiming the good tidings respecting the Lord; and “gathering together the elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other end,” signifies the establishment of a new church; “the elect” mean those who are in the good of love and of faith; “the four winds” mean all states of good and truth; “from one end of the heavens to the other end” means the internals and the externals of the church. (This may be seen more clearly explained in Arcana Coelestia, n. 4060.)
sRef Dan@8 @8 S6′ [6] In Daniel:
The he-goat made himself very great; but when he was strong the great horn was broken, and there came up in appearance four in its place towards the four winds of the heavens (8:8).
What is meant by “the he-goat” and “ram” in this chapter may be seen above (n. 316), namely, that “he-goat” signifies faith separate from charity, and therefore those who expect to be saved because they know the doctrinals and truth of the Word, and who give no thought to a life according to them; “horns” signify truths, and in the contrary sense, as here, falsities; “the great horn” signifies the ruling falsity, which is, that salvation comes merely through knowing and thus believing; “the great horn was broken, and there came up four in its place toward the four winds of heaven,” signifies that out of the one principle, faith alone, many falsities conjoined with evils arise; “the great horn” signifying the ruling falsity, which is, that faith alone saves; “broken” signifying its division into many falsities arising therefrom; “four in its place” signifying the conjunction of these with evils; “toward the four winds of the heavens,” signifying in respect to each and all things of falsity and evil, for “the four winds of heaven” signify every good and truth of heaven and the church and their conjunction, but in the contrary sense every evil and falsity and their conjunction. “The four winds of the heavens” signify also every evil and falsity, because in the four quarters in the spiritual world not only those who are in the good of love and in truths therefrom dwell, but also those who are in evils and in falsities therefrom; for the hells are in the same quarters, but deep beneath the heavens, for the most part in caverns, caves, and vaults (respecting which see above, n. 410).
sRef Jer@49 @36 S7′ [7] In this same sense “the winds of the heavens” are mentioned in Jeremiah:
Upon Elam will I bring the four winds from the four ends of the heavens, and I will disperse him toward all those winds, that there may be no nation to which the outcasts of Elam shall not come (49:36).
Here “Elam” signifies those who are in the knowledges that are called the knowledges of faith, but not at the same time in any charity; “the four winds from the four ends of the heavens” signify falsities conjoined with evils; and “to disperse him toward all those winds” signifies into falsities of evil of every kind; “that there may be no nation to which the outcasts of Elam shall not come” signifies that there may be no evil to which falsity cannot be adapted, “nation” meaning evil, for knowledges alone without a life of charity bring forth innumerable falsities of evil.
sRef Rev@7 @3 S8′ sRef Dan@7 @2 S8′ sRef Dan@7 @3 S8′ [8] In Daniel:
I was seeing in my vision when it was night, and behold, the four winds of the heavens rushed upon the great sea. And four great beasts came up from the sea (7:2, 3).
Here, too, “the four winds” signify falsities conjoined with evils, “the great sea” signifies hell from which they are, and “the four beasts” signify evils of every kind: but on this more in what follows. “The four winds” have a similar signification in Daniel (11:4); also in Zechariah (2:6, 7). That “the four winds” signify the four quarters is clearly evident in Ezekiel (42:16-19), where the measure of the house according to the four winds, that is, the four quarters, is treated of; and there the quarter is named by the same word in the Hebrew by which wind and spirit are named. But more will be seen concerning winds in the article that now follows.

sRef Rev@7 @1 S0′ 419. That the wind should not blow, signifies that the good be not injured, and the evil be not cast out before the day. This is evident from the signification of “wind,” as meaning the Divine proceeding, which is Divine good united to Divine truth; therefore “that the wind should not blow” signifies that the influx might be moderate and gentle; “the wind not blowing upon the earth” signifies that the good may not be injured, and the evil cast out before the day, because the separations of the good from the evil and the casting out of the evil in the spiritual world are effected by various degrees of moderation and intensity of the Divine proceeding from the Lord as a sun. When this flows in moderately the good are separated from the evil, and when it flows in intensely the evil are cast out; and for the following reasons: when the Divine from the Lord flows in moderately there is everywhere tranquillity and serenity, wherein all appear such as they are in respect to the state of their good, for all then stand forth in light; consequently those who are in good from a spiritual origin are then separated from those who are in good merely from a natural origin; for the Lord looks upon those who are in spiritual good and leads them, and thus separates them. Those who are in good from a spiritual origin are those referred to in what follows where they are said “to be sealed on their foreheads,” for they are spiritual, and are angels of heaven; but those who are merely in good from a natural origin are not good because they are not spiritual, for the good appearing with them is evil, because it has regard to self and the world as an end. Such do good in external form with reference to their own glory, honor, and gain, and not with reference to the neighbor’s good, consequently they do good only that they may be seen of men. Those who are merely natural are those who are “not sealed,” and who are afterwards rejected. But when the Divine from the Lord flows in intensely, the goods with the evils are dispersed, because these goods are in themselves not goods but evils, and evils do not endure the influx of the Divine. This causes the externals in such to be closed up, and when these are closed up the interiors are opened, in which there is nothing except evils and falsities therefrom; and this brings them into pain, anguish, and torment, on account of which they cast themselves down into the hells, where there are evils and falsities like their own.
[2] When the influx of the Divine is intensified, which occurs when the evil are to be cast out, then lower down in the spiritual world a wind springs up that blows strongly like a storm or tempest; this wind is what is called in the Word “the east wind” (of which presently). The casting down of the evil is described also in the Word by violent and impetuous winds, by storms, and by tempests. “The wind of Jehovah” has a similar signification as “the spirit of Jehovah,” for the wind of respiration is meant, which is also called spirit (or breath). On this account in the Hebrew and many other languages spirit is expressed by the same word as wind. This is why the greater part of mankind have no other idea of spirit and of spirits than of wind like the wind of respiration; and from this have come the notions in the learned world also that spirits and angels are like wind in which there is merely a vital principle of thought; and this is the reason also that so few of these allow themselves to be persuaded that spirits and angels are men, endowed with body, face, and organs of sensation, like men on the earth. “Wind” and “spirit,” in reference to man, signify the life of truth, or a life according to the truths or precepts of the Lord, because respiration, which pertains to the lungs, corresponds to that life, while the heart and its motion corresponds to the life of good. For there are two lives, which should make one in man, the life of truth and the life of good; the life of truth is the life of man’s understanding, while the life of good is the life of his will; for truths have their seat in the understanding because these constitute the understanding, while goods have their seat in the will because these constitute the will. “Soul and heart,” in the Word, when mentioned together, have a similar significance.
sRef Ezek@37 @8 S3′ sRef Ezek@37 @14 S3′ sRef Ezek@37 @9 S3′ [3] From this it can be seen what is meant by “the wind” and “the spirit of Jehovah,” namely, the Divine truth, and by “the four winds,” Divine truth united to Divine good. Since wind means the wind or breath of respiration, and it signifies Divine truth and spiritual life with those who receive it, so this wind is called also “the breath of the nostrils of Jehovah,” and also “the breath of His mouth,” and “breathing;” as can be seen from the following passages. In Ezekiel:
And I saw, and upon the dry bones, sinews and flesh came up, and skin covered them above, yet there was no breath in them. Then said he unto me, Prophesy about the spirit, prophesy, son of man, and say to the spirit, Thus the Lord Jehovih hath said, Come from the four winds, O spirit, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live (37:8, 9).
What is here signified by “the dry bones” was told in the preceding article, namely, those who have no spiritual life, or no life through Divine truth. The breathing in of this life by the Lord is signified by “Prophesy about the spirit, and say to the spirit, Come from the four winds, O spirit, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.” Here “spirit” evidently means the breath of respiration, for there were sinews, flesh, and skin, but as yet no breathing; therefore it is said, “Say to the spirit, Breathe upon them.” From this it can be seen that this “spirit” or “wind” signifies spiritual life. That common breathing was not meant is evident from its being said that “these dry bones were the house of Israel,” meaning that the house of Israel was without spiritual life; and from its being said of them afterwards, “I will put My spirit in you, that ye may live, and I will place you in your own land that ye may live” (5:14); which signifies that they are to be regenerated that a church may be made of them. Regeneration is effected by a life according to Divine truth, from which is spiritual life; and “to bring them back to the land” signifies that they may become a church, the land of Canaan signifying the church.
sRef Gen@2 @7 S4′ [4] In Moses:
Jehovah God breathed into his nostrils* the soul of lives, and man became a living soul (Gen. 2:7).
Here, too, in the sense of the letter, the wind of breathing is meant, as it is said He “breathed into his nostrils;” but spiritual life, which is the life of intelligence and wisdom through Divine truth, is evidently meant, since it is said that He breathed into him “the soul of lives,” and that thus man became “a living soul;” “the soul of lives” and “a living soul” meaning spiritual life; for man without that soul is called a dead man, although in respect to the body and the senses he is alive. This, too, makes evident that “soul,” “spirit,” and “wind” in the Word mean spiritual life.
sRef John@20 @21 S5′ sRef John@20 @22 S5′ [5] In John:
Jesus said to the disciples, Peace be unto you; as the Father hath sent Me, even so send I you. And when He had said this He breathed on them, and said unto them, Receive ye the Holy Spirit (20:21, 22).
The Lord “breathed on them, and said to them, Receive ye the Holy Spirit,” signifies the like, as Jehovah “breathed into Adam’s nostrils the soul of lives” namely, spiritual life; for the Holy Spirit signifies Divine truth proceeding from the Lord, from which is spiritual life. That they should teach Divine truth from the Lord is signified by “as the Father hath sent Me, even so send I you;” for the Lord when He was in the world was Divine truth itself, which He taught from His Divine good which was in Him from conception. This Divine is what the Lord here and in other places calls “the Father;” and because when He went out of the world He united Divine truth to Divine good that in Him they might be one, and because thenceforth Divine truth proceeds from Him He said, “as the Father hath sent Me, even so send I you.”
That the wind of respiration signifies spiritual life comes from correspondence (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3883-3896). The quality of all in the spiritual world is known from their respiration merely. Those who are in the life of the respiration of heaven are among the angels; but those who are not in that respiration, if they come into heaven, are unable to breathe there, and are therefore in anguish like that of suffocation (respecting which see also Arcana Coelestia, n. 1119, 3887, 3889, 3892, 3893). From this correspondence the term, “inspiration” is derived, and the prophets are called “inspired,” and the Word is said to be “Divinely inspired.”
sRef John@3 @5 S6′ sRef John@3 @7 S6′ sRef John@3 @8 S6′ [6] From all this it can be seen what is signified by the Lord’s words in John:
Except one be born of the water and of the spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it willeth, and thou hearest the voice thereof, but knowest not whence it cometh and whither it goeth; so is everyone that is born of the spirit (3:5, 7, 8).
“To be born again” means to be regenerated; and as man is regenerated by a life according to Divine truth, and all Divine truth through which man is regenerated proceeds from the Lord, and flows into him he knows not when, so it is said, “The wind bloweth where it willeth, and thou hearest the voice thereof, but knowest not whence it cometh and whither it goeth,” thus is described the life of man’s spirit, which he has by regeneration, “wind” meaning the Divine truth through which he has that life. So long as he is in the world man is utterly ignorant of how Divine truth flows in from the Lord, for he then thinks from the natural man, and merely perceives a something that flows in from the spiritual man into the natural; this therefore is what is meant by “thou hearest the voice thereof, but knowest not whence it cometh and whither it goeth.” The “water” of which man is born signifies truth from the Word, and the “spirit” a life according to it. (That “water” signifies truth, see above, n. 71.)
sRef Lam@4 @20 S7′ [7] In Lamentations:
The breath [spiritus] of our nostrils, the anointed of Jehovah, was taken in their pits; of whom we had said, Under his shadow we shall live among the nations (Lam. 4:20).
“The anointed of Jehovah” here means the Lord in respect to Divine truth, for “the anointed of Jehovah” has a similar signification as a king. (That a “king” signifies in the highest sense the Lord in respect to Divine truth, see above, n. 31; and “the anointed of Jehovah” the same, n. 375.) This is why it is said “the breath of our nostrils, of whom we had said, Under his shadow we shall live;” for “the spirit and breath of the nostrils” signifies in the highest sense Divine truth, as has been said above. That Divine truth perished through falsities of evil is signified by “was taken in their pits;” “pits” meaning the falsities of evil.
sRef Lam@3 @56 S8′ sRef Gen@7 @22 S8′ [8] Again in Lamentations:
Jehovah Thou hast heard my voice; hide not thine ear at my breathing, at my cry (3:56).
“To hide the ear at the breathing and at the cry” signifies at worship, confession, and prayers, which are from truths and from goods; for all worship, confession, and prayer must be from truths and goods; to be heard they must be from both; if they are from truths alone they are not heard, because there is no life in them; the life of truth is from good. “Breathing” is here predicated of truths, and “cry” of goods (that “cry” is predicated of goods will be seen elsewhere).
sRef Ps@135 @17 S9′ [9] In Moses:
Everything that had in its nostrils the breath of the spirit of lives, of all that was on the dry land, died (Gen. 7:22).
What these words signify in the sense of the letter everyone can see, namely, that all things upon the earth were destroyed by the flood, thus all men then living, except Noah and his sons; but what these words signify in the spiritual sense may be seen in the Arcana Coelestia (n. 805, 806, where they are explained), namely, that “the breath of the spirit of lives in the nostrils” means spiritual life, which those had who were of the Most Ancient Church; for “the flood” signifies the end of that church and the Last Judgment, which took place when everything of the church was extinct. In David:
They have ears but they hear not; neither is there any breath [ventus] in their mouth (Ps. 135:17);
“no breath in their mouth” signifying that there was no truth in the thought, for “mouth” signifies thought.
sRef Ps@18 @15 S10′ sRef Job@4 @9 S10′ sRef Jer@14 @5 S10′ sRef Isa@30 @33 S10′ sRef Ex@15 @8 S10′ sRef Jer@14 @6 S10′ sRef Job@4 @8 S10′ sRef Ex@15 @10 S10′ [10] In Jeremiah:
The wild asses pant for breath like whales; their eyes were consumed because there was no herb (14:6).
“To pant for breath like whales” signifies that there is no truth to be imbibed; “because there was no herb” means because there is no truth in the church. As the evil are cast down by a more powerful influx of Divine truth and good proceeding from the Lord as a sun, as has been said above, so the casting down of those who are in the falsities of evil is described also by “the breath of the nostrils of Jehovah.” As in Isaiah:
Topheth is prepared of old; the pile thereof is fire and much wood made ready; the breath of Jehovah like a brook of brimstone doth kindle them (30:33).
In David:
The channels of waters appeared, and the foundations of the world were disclosed, at the rebuke of Jehovah, at the blast of the breath of Thy nostrils (Ps. 18:15).
In Moses:
By the breath of Thy nostrils the waters were heaped up; Thou didst blow with Thy wind, the sea covered them (Exod. 15:8, 10).
And in Job:
Plotters of iniquity, by the blast of God they perish, by the breath of His nostrils are they consumed (4:8, 9).
In all these passages “the blast,” “the breath,” and “the breathing of the nostrils of Jehovah” means the Divine proceeding, which disperses and casts down the evil when it flows in intensely and strongly; but respecting this influx more will be said in what follows, where “tempests,” “storms,” and “the east wind” are treated of.
sRef Ps@104 @4 S11′ sRef Ps@104 @3 S11′ [11] Again, that “the wind of the earth” also signifies the Divine proceeding is also from correspondence with the winds in the spiritual world; for there exist winds in the spiritual world also, and these arise from the determining of Divine influx, and arise in the lower parts of the earth there. In the heavens rarely any other than gentle winds are perceived; but with those who dwell lower down, upon the lands, winds are frequent, for they grow stronger as they descend; their direction is from the quarters into which the Divine inflows, especially from the north. Because the winds there are from a spiritual origin they also signify spiritual things, in general Divine truth, from which they exist. As in David:
Jehovah layeth the beams of His upper chambers in the waters; He maketh the clouds His chariot; He walketh upon the wings of the wind; He maketh His angels winds, His ministers a flaming fire (Ps. 104:3, 4).
“Waters,” “clouds,” and “wings of the wind,” signify Divine truth in ultimates, such as is the truth of the sense of the letter of the Word; because this is in ultimates, it is said “He layeth the beams of His chambers in the waters, He maketh the clouds His chariot, He walketh upon the wings of the wind;” “waters” meaning truths in ultimates, likewise “clouds,” and “the wings of the wind” and “chariots” meaning the truth of doctrine; “He maketh His angels winds, and His ministers a flaming fire,” signifies that He makes them to be receptions of Divine truth and Divine good; “angels” mean those who are in the Lord’s spiritual kingdom, and because such are recipients of Divine truth it is said “He maketh them winds;” while “ministers” mean those who are in the Lord’s celestial kingdom, and as these are recipients of the Divine good it is said “He maketh them a flaming fire;” “a flaming fire” signifying the good of love and the truth therefrom. (That those who are in the Lord’s spiritual kingdom are recipients of Divine truth, and those who are in the celestial kingdom recipients of Divine good, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 20-28; that angels are called “angels” from reception of Divine truth, see above, n. 130, 412; and that ministers are called “ministers” from the reception of Divine good, see also above, n. 155; and that “fire” signifies the good of love, n. 68.)
sRef Ps@18 @9 S12′ sRef Ps@18 @10 S12′ [12] In the same:
Jehovah bowed the heavens, He came down, and thick darkness was under His feet; and He rode upon a cherub, He did fly, and was borne upon the wings of the wind (Ps. 18:9, 10).
Jehovah “bowed the heavens, He came down,” signifies visitation, which precedes the Last Judgment; “thick darkness under His feet” signifies the falsities of evil in lower things; “He rode upon a cherub, He did fly, and was borne upon the wings of the wind,” signifies omnipresence with the Divine, “the wings of the wind” meaning Divine truth in ultimates (as above).
sRef Ps@135 @7 S13′ sRef Jer@10 @13 S13′ sRef Jer@10 @12 S13′ [13] In Jeremiah:
The Maker of the earth by His power, He prepareth the world by His wisdom, by His intelligence He stretcheth out the heavens; at the voice that He uttereth there is a multitude of waters in the heavens, and He maketh the vapors to go up from the end of the earth; He maketh lightnings for the rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of His treasuries (10:12, 13; 51:15, 16).
And in David:
He maketh the vapors to go up from the ends of the earth; He maketh lightnings for the rain; and He bringeth forth the wind out of His treasuries (Ps. 135:7).
This describes in the spiritual sense the reformation of man and the establishment of the church. Because of that reformation and establishment the Lord is called “the Maker of the earth,” and elsewhere “the Former” and “Creator;” “earth” meaning the church. The Divine good, by which reformation is effected, is signified by “He prepareth the world by His wisdom;” “world” means the church, and is predicated of good. The Divine truth, which is also a means, is signified by “at the voice that He uttereth there is a multitude of waters in the heavens;” “the voice that He uttereth” signifying the influx of Divine truth, and “the multitude of waters in the heavens” reception; “waters” meaning truths. Ultimate truths, which are the knowledges from the sense of the letter of the Word, are signified by “the vapors from the ends of the earth;” spiritual truths therefrom are signified by “lightnings for the rain,” “lightnings” called from the light of heaven, and “rain” from influx; thus reformation through Divine truth from the Lord is signified by “He bringeth forth the wind out of His treasuries.” This is the meaning of all these things in the heavens.
[14] In David:
He casteth forth His hail like morsels; who can stand before His cold? He sendeth His word, He melteth them; He maketh His wind to blow, the waters flow. He declareth His word unto Jacob, His statutes and His judgments unto Israel (Ps. 147:17-19).
This, too, is a description of reformation, but in respect to the natural man. Here knowledges and cognitions which are in man before reformation are signified by “hail like morsels; who can stand before His cold?”-for man before reformation is utterly frigid, and that coldness is also plainly felt when the Divine flows in out of heaven; and as such coldnesses are dissipated by the reception of Divine good and Divine truth, thus by reformation, it is said, “He sendeth His word, He melteth them; He maketh His wind to blow, the waters flow;” “word” signifying Divine good united to Divine truth, “wind” Divine truth, and “the waters flow,” the reception of truth; and this being the signification of these words it is added, “He declareth His word unto Jacob, His statutes and judgments unto Israel;” “Jacob” and “Israel” signifying the church, “Jacob” the church that is in good, and “Israel” the church that is in truths; “statutes and judgments” mean external and internal truths which are from good.
sRef Ps@148 @8 S15′ sRef Ps@148 @7 S15′ [15] In the same:
Praise Jehovah, fire and hail, snow and vapor; stormy wind doing His word (Ps. 148:7, 8).
“Fire and hail, snow and vapor, and wind,” evidently signify something different from these, for why should it be said of such things in the Divine Word that “they praised Jehovah?” But “fire and hail, and snow and vapors” signify the delights of the loves of the natural man, and its knowledges and cognitions; for these are “fire and hail, and snow and vapor” before man is reformed and made spiritual, the sphere of life of such when it flows out from them, presenting in the spiritual world appearances like these; and the worship of the Lord from these things is signified by their “praising Jehovah,” “to praise” meaning to worship; “stormy wind” signifies Divine truth in respect to reception; it is therefore said “stormy wind doing His word;” “doing His word” signifying to receive into life the things of doctrine.
sRef Jer@5 @13 S16′ sRef Isa@41 @29 S16′ [16] As all things in the Word have also a contrary sense, so has “wind,” and in that sense it signifies falsity, as in the following passages. In Isaiah:
Behold they are all iniquity, their works are nothing; their molten images are wind and a void (41:29).
“Wind and a void” mean the falsities of evil and the evils of falsity; “wind” meaning the falsities of evil, and “a void” the evils of falsity; for where there is a void and emptiness, that is, absence of good and truth, there are evil and falsity; “wind” signifies where there are falsities, as is evident from its being said “they are all iniquity, their works are nothing;” also from its being said “their molten images are wind and a void,” for “molten images” signify such things as man hatches out of self-intelligence, and these are all falsities and evils. In Jeremiah:
And the prophets shall become wind, and the word is not in them (5:13).
“Prophets” signify those who teach truths, and in an abstract sense the truths of doctrine, here the falsities of doctrine; falsities are signified by “wind;” therefore it is added, “the word is not in them,” “word” signifying Divine truth.
sRef Jer@22 @22 S17′ sRef Jer@13 @24 S17′ [17] In the same:
I will scatter them as the stubble that passeth away by the wind of the wilderness (Jer. 13:24).
“The wind of the wilderness” signifies where there is no truth, and therefore falsity, for “wilderness” in the Word signifies where there is no good because there is no truth. In the same:
The wind shall feed all thy shepherds, and thy lovers shall go into captivity (Jer. 22:22).
“Shepherds” in the Word signify those who teach the good of life and lead to it, which is done by means of truths; but here “shepherds” mean those who do not teach the good of life, still less lead to it, because they are in falsities; this is meant by “the wind shall feed all thy shepherds;” “wind” meaning the falsity which they seize upon and love; “the lovers” who shall go into captivity, signify the delights of the loves of self and the world, and thence the delights of the evil; “lovers” meaning such delights, and “captivity” detention in the hells.
sRef Hos@12 @1 S18′ [18] In Hosea:
Ephraim feedeth on wind, and pursueth the east wind; every day he multiplieth lying and devastation, and they make a covenant with Assyria, and oil is carried down into Egypt (12:1).
“Ephraim” signifies the intellectual of the church; “Assyria” reasoning, and “Egypt” the knowing faculty (scientificum); therefore “Ephraim feedeth on wind, and pursueth the east wind,” signifies that the intelligent in the church imbue themselves with falsities which altogether disperse truths; “wind” meaning falsity, and “east wind” falsity drying up and dispersing truths. Because of this signification of “wind” and “east wind” it is added, “every day he multiplieth lying and devastation;” “lying” meaning falsity, and “devastation” the dispersion of truth; “they make a covenant with Assyria, and oil is carried down into Egypt,” signifies that by reasonings from knowledges (scientifica) falsely applied they pervert the truths and goods of the church; “to make a covenant with Assyria” signifying to reason from falsities and to destroy truths, and “to carry down oil into Egypt” signifying to destroy the good of the church by knowledges [scientifica]; for he who is in principles of falsity applies to them the knowledges [scientifica] he has imbibed from childhood, since his understanding sees nothing else. For the understanding is formed either of truths or of falsities; if of truths, man sees truths, if of falsities he sees falsities; he sees them in the natural man, in the memory of which knowledges [scientifica] have their seat; and from these he selects such as favor his principles, and those that do not favor them he either perverts or rejects.
sRef Jer@49 @32 S19′ sRef Zech@5 @9 S19′ sRef Hos@4 @17 S19′ sRef Hos@4 @19 S19′ sRef Hos@4 @18 S19′ [19] In the same:
Ephraim is joined to idols. Their wine is gone; in whoring they have committed whoredom; they are given up to love; her shields give disgrace. The wind hath bound her up in its wings, and they shall be ashamed because of their sacrifices (Hos. 4:17-19).
“Ephraim” signifies the church in respect to the understanding of truth; here that it has no understanding of truth but of falsity; the falsities of the church are signified by “idols;” which makes clear what is signified by “Ephraim is joined to idols;” “the wind in its wings” signifies reasoning from fallacies, from which are falsities. (What the rest signifies see above, n. 283, and 376, where it is explained.)
Wind in the wings (Zech. v. 9);
has a similar meaning. In Jeremiah:
Their camels shall be for prey, and the multitude of their cattle for a spoil; and I will disperse them to every wind, them that are the cut off of the corner (49:32).
“To disperse them to every wind” signifies into every falsity and evil when truths and goods are destroyed. (The rest may be seen explained above, n. 417.)
sRef Ezek@5 @2 S20′ sRef Ezek@5 @12 S20′ [20] In Ezekiel:
A third part thou shalt disperse to the wind, and I will draw out a sword after them (5:2, 12).
This is said of the hairs of the head and of the beard, which the prophet, by command, shaved off with a razor; and those hairs signify the ultimate of truth in the church, for the whole heaven and the whole church are before the Lord as one man; whence all things of heaven and of the church correspond to all things of man, both to those without man and to those within him (on which correspondence, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 87-102); therefore the hairs of the head and of the beard, as they are the ultimate things of man, correspond to the ultimates of truth and good. The ultimates of truth and good are such as are the ultimate truths of the sense of the letter of the Word. That these ultimates were perverted, falsified, and adulterated by the Jews is signified by what is here said of the hairs of the prophet’s head and beard. “A third part thereof he should disperse unto every wind” signifies the destruction of all truth; and because when truth is destroyed mere falsities are seized on, it is added, “I will draw out a sword after them;” “sword” signifying the destruction of truth by falsity (see above, n. 131). Unless this signification of “hairs” is known, who could understand what is involved in the command to the prophet that “he should shave off the hairs of his head and of his beard, and a third part he should burn in the midst of the city, a third part he should smite with a sword round about it, and a third part he should disperse unto every wind, and that a sword should be drawn out after them”?
sRef Ezek@12 @14 S21′ sRef Ezek@5 @6 S21′ sRef Matt@7 @25 S21′ sRef Ezek@5 @5 S21′ [21] That this signifies the falsification of truth by the Jews is clearly evident from what follows in the same chapter, where among other things it is said:
This is Jerusalem; she hath altered My judgments into wickedness more than the nations, and My statutes more than the lands that are round about her (Ezek. 5:5, 6).
In the same:
All his bands I will disperse unto every wind; and I will draw out the sword after them (12:14).
This has a similar signification. In Matthew:
The rain descended and the winds blew and beat upon that house, yet it fell not; for it was founded upon a rock (7:24, 25, 27).
“The rain descended and the winds blew” signifies temptations, and consequently falsities rushing in; for spiritual temptations are nothing else than infestations of the mind by falsities and evils, so here, too, “winds” signify falsities. (The rest may be seen explained above, n. 411.)
sRef Isa@29 @6 S22′ sRef Ezek@13 @13 S22′ sRef Amos@1 @14 S22′ sRef Ps@83 @15 S22′ sRef Ps@83 @13 S22′ sRef Ps@55 @8 S22′ sRef Jer@25 @32 S22′ sRef Jer@23 @19 S22′ sRef Isa@41 @16 S22′ sRef Ps@50 @3 S22′ sRef Zech@9 @14 S22′ sRef Hos@8 @7 S22′ sRef Ps@11 @6 S22′ sRef Nahum@1 @3 S22′ [22] It has been said above, that in the spiritual world, as in the natural world, strong winds and tempests spring up; but the tempests in the spiritual world spring from the influx of the Divine into the parts below, where those are who are in evils and falsities; as that influx descends from the heavens towards the lands that lie below, it becomes more dense and appears like clouds, and with the evil, dense and dark according to the quantity and quality of the evil. These clouds are appearances of falsity from evil, arising from the spheres of their life; for round about every spirit and angel there is a sphere of life. When from the Lord as a sun the Divine is sent forth powerfully and flows into these dense and dark clouds, a tempest arises which is perceived by spirits there in like manner as tempests on the earth are perceived by men. It has at different times been granted me to perceive these tempests and also the east wind by which the evil were dispersed and cast into the hells, when the Last Judgment was in progress. From this it can be seen what “tempests,” “storms,” and “violent winds” signify in the following passages. In Isaiah:
Thou shalt disperse them, that the wind may carry them away and the tempest scatter them (41:16).
In Jeremiah:
Behold,** the tempest of Jehovah has gone forth in wrath, a whirling tempest; it shall hurl itself upon the head of the wicked (23:19; 30:23).
In David:
I will speed my escape from the rushing wind, from the tempest (Ps. 55:8).
In the same:
O my God, pursue them with Thy tempest, and affright them with Thy storm (Ps. 83:13, 15).
In Ezekiel:
I will make a wind of tempests to break through in My wrath, and in Mine anger there shall be an overflowing rain, for a consummation (13:13).
In Jeremiah:
Evil shall go forth from nation to nation, and a great tempest shall be stirred up from the sides of the earth (25:32).
In Isaiah:
Thou shalt be visited of Jehovah of Hosts with tempest, storm and with the flame of a devouring fire (29:6).
In Amos:
I will kindle a fire in the wall of Rabbah, and it shall devour the palaces thereof, with a tempest in the day of storm (1:14).
In Nahum:
Jehovah hath His way in the storm and in the tempest (1:3).
In Zechariah:
The Lord Jehovih shall blow with the trumpet, and shall go with tempests of the south (9:14).
In David:
Upon the wicked a wind of storm, the portion of the cup of the wicked (Ps. 11:6).
In the same:
Our God shall come, and shall not be silent; about Him the tempest shall blow violently (Ps. 50:3).
In Hosea:
They sow the wind, therefore they shall reap the whirlwind (8:7).
In these passages “tempest” and “storm” signify the dispersion of falsities and evils, because those who are in the falsities of evil are cast down into hell by a tempestuous wind.
sRef Ps@107 @25 S23′ sRef Ps@107 @29 S23′ sRef Ps@107 @23 S23′ [23] In David:
They that go down to the sea in ships, that do work in many waters. And He spake, and maketh the wind of the tempest to stand, and He raised up its waves on high. He made the tempest to stand still, that their waves might be hushed (Ps. 107:23, 25, 29).
This treats of temptations and of the deliverance from them. “The wind of the tempest,” and thus “the waves of the sea lifted up,” signify temptations; and as spiritual temptations come through falsities breaking into the thoughts, which is the source of remorse of conscience and grief of mind and spirit, these are signified by “the wind of the tempest stood, and He raised up its waves on high;” deliverance from them is signified by “He made the tempest to stand still, that the waves might be hushed.”
sRef Mark@4 @37 S24′ sRef Luke@8 @24 S24′ sRef Mark@4 @38 S24′ sRef Mark@4 @39 S24′ sRef Luke@8 @23 S24′ [24] The same is signified by these words in Mark:
There arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was now filling. But Jesus was in the stern, slumbering on a pillow; and they awake Him, and say unto Him, Carest Thou not that we perish? And He awoke, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Be still, be dumb. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm (4:37-39).
And in Luke:
As they sailed Jesus fell asleep; and there came down a storm of wind on the lake, and they were filling*** [with water], and were in danger; and coming to Him they awoke Him, saying, Master, Master, we perish. And having awakened, He rebuked the wind and the raging of the sea; and they ceased, and there was a calm (8:23, 24).
This miracle of the Lord, like all the rest, involves arcana of heaven and interior things of the church. The difference between Divine miracles and those not Divine is that Divine miracles also signify Divine things, because the Divine is in them, while miracles not Divine signify nothing, because there is nothing of the Divine within them; and moreover, in the description of the Divine miracles in the Word, and in every particular thereof, there is a spiritual sense. This miracle involves spiritual temptations; “a great storm of wind, so that the waves beat into the boat, and it was filling,” signifies such temptations; and that when they were in extreme fear, “Jesus awoke, and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, Be still, be dumb; and the wind ceased, and there was a great calm,” signifies deliverance from temptations. Moreover, every single word here contains a spiritual sense; but this is not the place to unfold it particularly, but only to note that the “storm” and “tempest of wind” signify temptations, for these are irruptions of falsities, or inundations of the mind by falsities. This, too, is plain from the rebuke of the wind and the waves, and from the words of the Lord to the sea, “Be still, be dumb,” as if He were speaking to those things or those persons that induce temptations.
[25] Furthermore, the winds that spring up in the spiritual world appear to arise there from different quarters, some from the south, some from the north, and some from the east; those from the south disperse truths with such as are in falsities, and those from the east disperse goods with such as are in evils. The winds disperse these because the winds spring from a powerful and strong influx of the Divine through the heavens into the parts below, and where the influx enters it fills truths and goods, that is, it fills the minds and spirits of those who are in truths and goods with the Divine; therefore those, the interiors of whose mind and spirit consist merely of falsities and evils, while exteriorly truths are mixed with falsities and goods are mixed with evils, cannot endure such influx from the Divine, consequently they withdraw into their falsities and evils which they love, and reject the truths and goods, which they do not love except for the sake of self and appearance.
sRef Jonah@4 @8 S26′ sRef Ezek@19 @12 S26′ sRef Ezek@17 @10 S26′ sRef Hos@13 @15 S26′ [26] This makes clear what effect is there produced by the wind coming from the east, which is called “the east wind,” namely, that with the evil it disperses all the goods and truths which they presented in external form before the world, and all the truths which they talked about for the sake of appearances. This is why withering and drying up are ascribed to that wind, “withered” signifying where there is no good, and “dried up” where there is no truth, as can be seen from passages in the Word where that wind is mentioned. As in Ezekiel:
Behold the vine planted, when the east wind shall touch it, in drying up shall it not dry up? (17:10).
In the same:
The vine was plucked up in Mine anger, she was cast down to the earth, and the east wind withered her fruit; and the rods of her strength were broken and withered (19:12).
In Hosea:
Ephraim, fierce among his brethren; an east wind shall come, the wind of Jehovah coming up from the wilderness, and his spring shall become dry, and his fountain shall be dried up; he shall plunder the treasure of every vessel of desire (13:15).
In Jonah:
And it came to pass when the sun arose that God prepared a scorching east wind (4:8).
sRef Ezek@27 @26 S27′ sRef Jer@18 @17 S27′ sRef Ps@48 @7 S27′ [27] Moreover, the east wind also destroys all things where the evil are, their lands, their habitations, and their treasures (as may be seen in the little work on The Last Judgment, n. 61); it destroys because the lands, habitations, and treasures in the spiritual world are correspondences; therefore when these perish the things that correspond also perish; on this account, when a land in that world on which the evil dwell is destroyed there rises up the aspect of a new land for the good. Because there is such a force in the east wind in the spiritual world, so for the sake of the correspondence:
An east wind was brought by which the waters of the Red Sea were dried up (Exod. 14:21);
And that brought on the locusts (10:13);
It is called a hard wind (Isa. 27:8);
A wind that broke the ships of Tarshish (Ps. 48:7);
A wind that broke Tyre in the heart of the seas (Ezek. 27:26);
And that scattered enemies (Jer. 18:17).
* Photolithograph has “soul,” for “nostrils.” Elsewhere Swedenborg has “nostrils,” as in AC n. 94, 3623, 8286, etc.
** Photolithograph has “out of,” Hebrew “behold.”
*** Photolithograph has “it was filling.”

sRef Rev@7 @1 S0′ 420. Upon the earth, nor upon the sea, nor upon any tree, signifies everywhere in the spiritual world, even to its ultimates, in those who have any perception. This is evident from the signification of “the earth,” as being the whole spiritual world, consequently all angels and spirits there. This is the signification of “the earth” in the general and nearest sense, because in the spiritual world, the same as on our globe, there are lands, mountains, hills, plains, valleys, and also seas (respecting which see above, n. 304, 342, 413). It is evident also from the signification of the “sea,” as being the ultimates of the earth in the spiritual world, because the last boundaries or limits there are seas (respecting which see above, n. 342); also from the signification of “tree,” as being perception and also knowledge (of which presently). This being the signification of “earth,” “sea,” and “tree,” the three joined together in one idea signify all things in the spiritual world even to its ultimates in those who have any perception. A “tree” in general signifies perception and knowledge, because a “garden” signifies intelligence, and all intelligence is according to knowledges and a perception of them; this is why each kind of tree signifies something pertaining to knowledge [scientia] and intelligence. Because a “tree” signifies in general perception and knowledge, it also signifies the interiors of the mind with man, and also the whole man; for a man is such as are the interiors that belong to his mind, and these are such as is the perception from knowledges. (That a “tree” signifies the interiors that belong to the mind, and also man himself, see above, n. 109, 110; that a “tree” signifies perception and knowledge, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 103, 2163, 2682, 2722, 2972, 7692; that the ancients had Divine worship in groves under trees, according to their significations, n. 2722, 4552; that this was prohibited with the Jewish nation, and why, n. 2722; that “paradises” and “gardens” signify intelligence, n. 100, 108, 3220; also in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 176; and above, n. 110.)

sRef Rev@7 @2 S0′ sRef Rev@7 @3 S0′ 421. Verses 2, 3. And I saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun, having the seal of the living God; and he cried with a great voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea; Saying, Hurt not the earth, nor the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads. 2. “And I saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun,” signifies the Divine love going forth from the Lord (n. 422); “having the seal of the living God,” signifies the Divine will (n. 423); “and he cried with a great voice,” signifies Divine command (n. 424); “to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea,” signifies as yet preventing the influx from becoming intense (n. 425). 3. “Saying, Hurt not the earth, nor the sea, nor the trees,” signifies lest the good perish with the evil wherever they are (n. 426); “till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads,” signifies that those who are in truths from good are first to be separated (n. 427).

sRef Rev@7 @2 S0′ 422. Verse 2. And I saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun, signifies the Divine love going forth from the Lord. This is evident from the signification of “angel,” as being something Divine proceeding from the Lord; for “angel” in the Word means, in the nearest sense, an entire angelic society, but in a general sense “angel” signifies everyone who receives Divine truth in doctrine and life; while in the highest sense “angel” signifies something Divine proceeding from the Lord, and in particular Divine truth (respecting these significations of an angel see above, n. 90, 130, 200, 302, 307); here, therefore, “the angel ascending from the rising of the sun” signifies the Divine proceeding from the Lord’s love; “the rising of the sun” or the “east” signifying the Lord’s Divine love, and “to ascend therefrom” signifying to go forth and proceed; so here “the angel ascending from the rising of the sun” signifies the Divine love going forth from the Lord. The things that follow are also of the Divine love, namely, that the good be not harmed. “The rising of the sun” signifies the Lord’s Divine love, because the Lord is the sun in the angelic heaven, and the Lord appears as a sun from His Divine love; where the Lord appears as a sun, there in heaven is the east, and as the sun is constantly there it is also constantly in its rising.
[2] In the spiritual world there are four quarters, namely, east, west, south, and north; and these quarters are all determined by the sun, which is the Lord; where this sun is, there is the east, opposite to it is the west, to the right the south, and to the left the north. In the eastern quarter angels who are in love to the Lord dwell, because they are under the nearest auspices of the Lord, for the Lord most nearly and directly flows into them from Divine love, and this is why “the rising of the sun” and the “east” signify in the Word the Lord’s Divine love. (That the Lord appears in the angelic heaven as a sun, and that it is the Lord’s Divine love that thus appears, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 116-125; consequently that the “sun” signifies in the Word the Divine love, see above, n. 401; that all the quarters in the spiritual world are determined from the east, where the Lord is as a sun, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 141; therefore that those who are in the good of love to the Lord dwell in the eastern quarter, n. 148, 149.)
[3] The quarters, namely, the east, west, south, and north, are frequently mentioned in the Word, and he who knows nothing about the spiritual sense of the Word believes that this means the quarters of our solar world, and thus supposes that no arcana of heaven and the church are involved therein; and yet the quarters mentioned in the Word mean the quarters in the spiritual world; which are altogether different from the quarters in our world; for there all angels and spirits have their dwelling places in the quarters according to the quality of their good and truth; those who are in the good of love to the Lord dwelling there in the east and the west, and those who are in truths from that good dwelling in the south and north. They dwell in this manner because the Lord there is the sun, and from Him as the sun are all heat and light, or all good and truth. The heat there, which is spiritual heat or the good of love, inflows directly from the east into the west, and decreases according to reception by the angels, consequently according to the distances, for in the spiritual world all distance from the Lord is in the measure of the reception of good and truth from Him. This is why those who are in interior and thence in clear good of love dwell there in the east, and those who are in exterior and thence obscure good of love dwell in the west. The light, too, which is spiritual light, or Divine truth, flows directly from the east into the west; it also flows into either side, but with the difference, that the Divine truth that flows from the east into the west is in its essence the good of love, while that which flows into either side is in its essence truth from that good; consequently those who dwell in the south and in the north, which are the quarters at the sides, are in the light of truth; those in the south in the clear light of truth, and those in the north in an obscure light of truth; the light of truth is intelligence and wisdom. (But respecting these quarters more may be seen in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 141-153.) These, therefore, are the quarters meant in the Word where quarters are mentioned, and they also signify such Divine things as exist in those quarters; namely, the “east” the good of love in clearness, the “west” the good of love in obscurity, the “south” truth from that good in clearness, and the “north” truth from that good in obscurity.
[4] Furthermore, there are quarters in the spiritual world which differ from those just mentioned, and are removed from them about thirty degrees; these are under the auspices of the Lord as a moon; for the Lord appears as a sun to those who are in love to Him, but as a moon to those who are in charity towards the neighbor and in faith therefrom (respecting this appearance, see also in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 118, 119, 122). In the eastern and western quarters there dwell those who are in the good of charity towards the neighbor; and in the southern and northern quarters those who are in truths from that good, which are called the truths of faith. These quarters are also sometimes meant in the Word, where these truths and this good are treated of.
sRef Isa@43 @6 S5′ sRef Ps@107 @3 S5′ sRef Gen@28 @14 S5′ sRef Isa@43 @5 S5′ sRef Luke@13 @29 S5′ [5] From this it can be seen that one who knows nothing about the quarters of heaven, which have here been mentioned, cannot know the spiritual things of the Word in the passages where the quarters are mentioned, as in the following. In Isaiah:
I will bring in thy seed from the sunrise and bring thee together from the west; I will say to the north, Give up, and to the south, Hold not back; bring in My sons from far, and My daughters from the end of the earth (43:5, 6).
This treats of Jacob and Israel, and one who does not know that these quarters mean the spiritual things mentioned above, may believe the meaning to be that the sons of Israel and Jacob are to be gathered from every side; but “Jacob” and “Israel” mean the church, which consists of those who are in the good of love and in truths from that good, and their “seed” means all who are of that church. “I will bring in thy seed from the sunrise, and will bring thee together from the west,” means that those who are in the good of love are to be brought in and gathered together; and “I will say to the north, Give up, and to the south, Hold not back,” means that those who are in truths from that good are to be brought in and gathered together. That all who are in these truths and goods, even to those who are in ultimates shall be brought together, is signified by “bring My sons from far, and My daughters from the end of the earth;” “sons” meaning those who are in truths, and “daughters” those who are in goods; “from far,” and “from the end of the earth,” signifying those who are in the ultimate truths and goods of the church. These quarters have a like signification in the following passages. In David:
Jehovah will gather the redeemed out of the lands, from the sunrise and from the west, from the north and from the sea (Ps. 107:3).
In Moses:
Jehovah said to Jacob in a dream, Thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and shall spread itself towards the west and towards the east, and towards the north and towards the south (Gen. 28:14).
In Luke:
They shall come from the sunrise and from the west, and from the north and from the south, and shall recline in the kingdom of God (13:29).
sRef Zech@8 @7 S6′ sRef Isa@45 @6 S6′ sRef Ps@113 @3 S6′ sRef Mal@1 @11 S6′ sRef Matt@8 @11 S6′ sRef Ps@50 @1 S6′ sRef Isa@59 @19 S6′ [6] In many passages the words “from east to west,” and not at the same time “from north and south,” are mentioned, by which all who are in the good of love to the Lord and in the good of charity towards the neighbor are meant. Moreover, these quarters involve the two others, because all who are in good are also in truths, for good and truth everywhere act as one; these, therefore, are meant where “from east to west” is mentioned. In Matthew:
Many shall come from the east and even from the west, and shall recline at meat with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of the heavens (8:11).
In the passage above cited from Luke (13:29), it is said of those reclining at meat in the kingdom of the heavens that “they shall come from the east and the west, from the north and from the south;” here it is said only “from the east and from the west,” because by these two quarters are meant the other two at the same time as has been said. The same is true of the following passages. In Malachi:
From the rising of the sun unto its going down My name is great among the nations (1:11).
In David:
From the rising of the sun unto its going down the name of Jehovah is to be praised* (Ps. 113:3).
In Isaiah:
From the going down of the sun they shall fear the name of Jehovah, and His glory from the rising of the sun (59:19).
In the same:
That they may know from the rising of the sun and from its going down that there is none beside Me (45:6).
In David:
God, Jehovah God, speaketh, and shall call the earth from the rising of the sun unto its going down (Ps. 50:1).
In Zechariah:
Behold, I save My people from the land of the sunrise and from the land of the going down of the sun (8:7).
In these passages, “from the rising” and “from the going down” signify all who are in the goods and truths of heaven and of the church. Like things are signified by the quarters:
With reference to which the temple was measured (Ezek. 42).
And with reference to which the land was to be given for an inheritance (Ezek. 47:13, et seq.).
And should be distributed among the twelve tribes of Israel (Ezek. 48).
Also with reference to which the sons of Israel were to measure the camp (Num. 2).
And with reference to which they should go forward (Num. 10).
And with reference to which the gates of the new city would be placed (Ezek. 40; Rev. 21:13; and the same elsewhere).
[7] The temple was to be measured with reference to the quarters (in Ezekiel), and the land was distributed with reference to the quarters (in Ezekiel and also in Joshua), likewise the sons of Israel encamped in reference to the quarters and went forward in the same order, for the reason that all things in the spiritual world are arranged in reference to the quarters, both in general and also in particular. In general, all angels and spirits have their dwelling places in accordance with the states of good and truth with them in corresponding quarters, as was said above; the same is true in particular; for in all assemblies, those who are present are allotted places in quarters that correspond to the states of their life; in like manner they are seated in their temples there, and in like manner also dwell in their houses: in a word, each and every thing there is arranged in accordance with the quarters of heaven; for the form of heaven is the same in every particular as it is in general. This makes evident what is signified by the arrangements in reference to quarters in the Word, also by the quarters in reference to which the tabernacle was built, and in reference to which the temple also was built by Solomon; besides other things.
sRef Ezek@43 @3 S8′ sRef Ezek@43 @2 S8′ sRef Ezek@43 @5 S8′ sRef Ezek@43 @1 S8′ sRef Ezek@43 @4 S8′ [8] So much in respect to quarters in general. That the “east” signifies the Lord in respect to Divine love, and thus the Lord with those who receive the good of love to Him, can be seen from the following passages. In Ezekiel:
He brought me to the gate of the temple that looketh toward the east; and behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east; and His voice was like the voice of many waters; and the earth was enlightened by His glory. And the glory of Jehovah came into the house by the way of the gate whose face is toward the east. Then the spirit took me up, and brought me into the inner court; and behold, the glory of Jehovah filled the house (43:1, 2, 4, 5).
This treats of the building of a new temple, which signifies a new church to be established by the Lord; and because introduction is effected through the good of love to the Lord and through the truth from that good, there was seen “a gate that looked towards the east, and the God of Israel coming from the way of the east;” “gate” signifying introduction and entrance; “the God of Israel” meaning the Lord; the “east” the good of love from Him to Him, and “glory” the truth from that good; for the Lord enters into heaven and so into the church from His Divine love, which in the heavens appears as a sun (as was said above); from this is all Divine good there as well as all Divine truth. That there was seen “the glory of Jehovah entering into the house by the way of the gate whose face is towards the east,” and that “the glory of Jehovah filled the house,” have a like signification; “house” or “temple” signifying heaven and the church. “Glory” in the Word signifies Divine truth proceeding from the Lord; “the glory of the God of Israel” Divine truth illustrating those who are in the Lord’s spiritual kingdom, and “the glory of Jehovah” Divine truth illustrating those who are in the Lord’s celestial kingdom. Divine truth is called “glory” because it is the light of heaven, and from that light come all the splendor, magnificence, and glory there, for in the heavens whatever appears before the eyes is from that light; it is therefore added, “the earth was enlightened by His glory,” “the earth” meaning the church. The influx of this light towards the lower parts on every side is signified by “His voice was like the voice of many waters; “voice” signifying influx, and “waters” truths.
sRef Ezek@44 @1 S9′ sRef Ezek@46 @1 S9′ sRef Ezek@44 @2 S9′ [9] In the same:
Afterwards He brought me back by the way of the gate of the outer sanctuary that looketh towards the east; and it was shut. But Jehovah the God of Israel shall enter in by it (Ezek. 44:1, 2).
In the same:
The gate of the inner court that looketh toward the east shall be shut the six days of work; but on the day of the Sabbath it shall be opened (46:1).
Here, too, “the gate that looketh towards the east” signifies the introduction by the Lord into heaven and into the church through the good of love proceeding from Him; this therefore is meant by “the east;” and that this is done by the Lord is signified by “Jehovah the God of Israel shall enter by that gate;” that introduction is effected by worship of the Lord from that good is signified by “the gate shall be opened on the day of the Sabbath;” and that when there is no worship from that good introduction is not effected is signified by “that gate shall be shut the six days of work.”
sRef Ezek@10 @19 S10′ [10] In the same:
And the cherubim lifted up their wings, and he stood at the entrance of the gate of the house of Jehovah on the east; and the glory of the God of Israel was over them above (Ezek. 10:19).
“The cherubim” signify the Lord in respect to Divine Providence, and in respect to protection that there be no approach except through the good of love (see above, n. 152 at the end, 277); and as the Lord is signified by “the cherubim,” and from the Lord as a sun, where the east is, all good of love and all truth from that good proceed, so “the cherubim were seen to stand at the entrance of the gate of the house of Jehovah on the east, and the glory of the God of Israel over them above;” “the house of Jehovah,” “the east,” and “the glory of the God of Israel,” having a similar signification here as above.
sRef Isa@41 @2 S11′ [11] In Isaiah:
Who hath stirred up one from the sunrise, whom He hath called in righteousness to His train, He hath given the nations before him and made him to rule over kings? (41:2).
This treats of the Lord, who is said to have been “stirred up from the sunrise” because He was conceived from the Divine Itself, which in its essence is Divine love; it is from this that the Lord is the sun of the angelic heaven; “to call in righteousness” signifies to restore heaven and the church; for “the righteousness of the Lord” signifies in the Word that from His own power He saved the human race, and this was done by reducing all things in the heavens and hells to order. (See above, n. 293; what the rest signifies was explained above, n. 357.)
sRef 2Sam@23 @4 S12′ sRef 2Sam@23 @3 S12′ sRef 2Sam@23 @2 S12′ [12] In the second book of Samuel:
The spirit of Jehovah spake in me, the God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, As the light of the morning when the sun riseth, a morning without clouds; from the brightness after rain cometh grass out of the earth (23:2-4).
“The God of Israel” and “the Rock of Israel” mean the Lord, and because He is the sun of the angelic heaven, and because all Divine truth which illustrates angels and men, and gives intelligence and works reformation, proceeds from Him as a sun and flows in, so it is said “as the light in the morning when the sun riseth, a morning without clouds; from the brightness after rain cometh grass out of the earth;” “the light in the morning when the sun riseth” signifying Divine truth from the Lord as a sun; “a morning without clouds” signifying the purity of that truth; “rain” its influx, and “grass out of the earth” the consequent intelligence and reformation; for these are signified by “grass” because grass springs out of the earth by the action of the sun of the world after rain, and intelligence is from the Lord as a sun through the influx of Divine truth.
sRef Isa@60 @3 S13′ sRef Isa@60 @2 S13′ [13] In Isaiah:
Jehovah shall arise upon thee, and His glory shall be seen upon thee. And the nations shall walk to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising (60:2, 3).
This is said of the Lord; and the Divine in Him is meant by “Jehovah shall arise upon thee, and His glory shall be seen upon thee;” the Divine good of the Divine love is meant by “Jehovah shall arise upon thee,” and Divine truth from that good by “His glory shall be seen upon thee;” “nations” signify those who are in good, and “kings” those who are in truths from good; of the former it is said “they shall walk to thy light,” which signifies a life according to Divine truth; and of the latter, “they shall walk to the brightness of thy rising,” which signifies a life of intelligence from Divine good; “to walk” signifying to live; “light” Divine truth, and “the brightness of rising” Divine truth from Divine good, whence is intelligence.
sRef Ezek@11 @23 S14′ sRef Ezek@11 @22 S14′ [14] In Ezekiel:
Then the cherubim lifted up their wings, and the glory of the God of Israel was over them above. And the glory of Jehovah went up over the midst of the city, and stood over the mountain on the east of the city (11:22, 23).
“The cherubim” signify the Lord in respect to Divine Providence and protection, and “the glory of the God of Israel” signifies Divine truth proceeding from the Lord (as above). And because Divine truth, which is light, proceeds from the Lord as a sun in the angelic heaven, “the glory of Jehovah was seen to go up over the midst of the city, and to stand over the mountain on the east of the city,” for Jerusalem is the city that is meant, and it signifies the church in respect to doctrine; and because the doctrine of the church is from Divine truth, the glory of Jehovah was seen “to go up over the midst of the city,” and because all Divine truth proceeds from the Lord as a sun, and there the east is, the glory was seen “to stand over the mountain on the east of the city;” the mountain on the east of the city was the Mount of Olives. That “the Mount of Olives” signifies the Lord’s Divine love, and on that account the Lord was accustomed to tarry on that mountain, may be seen above (n. 405); and that the Mount of Olives was before Jerusalem on the east may be seen in Zechariah (14:4).
sRef Ezek@47 @12 S15′ sRef Ezek@47 @1 S15′ sRef Ezek@47 @9 S15′ sRef Ezek@47 @2 S15′ sRef Ezek@47 @8 S15′ [15] In Ezekiel:
He brought me back to the entrance of the house; where behold, waters going out from under the threshold of the house towards the east, the front of the house being east, and the waters coming down from under, from the right side of the house, at the south of the altar. And he brought me out by the way of the gate northward, and led me round by the outer way to the outer gate, by the way that looketh eastward; and behold, waters running from the right side. He said to me, These waters go forth toward the eastern boundary, and go down into the plain, and come towards the sea, being sent forth into the sea that the waters may be healed; whence it cometh to pass that every living soul that creeps, whithersoever the brooks come, liveth; whence there is exceeding much fish. And by the brook upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, cometh up every tree for food, whose leaf falleth not, nor does its fruit come to an end (47:1, 2, 8, 9, 12).
This describes a new church to be established by the Lord in the heavens and on the earth, when everything Divine shall proceed from the Lord’s Divine Human; for before the Lord’s coming the Divine proceeded from His Divine that He calls “the Father,” but after the church had become vastated, this did not reach to the ultimates. Here “house” signifies the church, its “gate” entrance and introduction, the “east” the Lord where His Divine love appears as a sun, and “the waters going out” Divine truth proceeding from that sun. The “plain” and the “sea” signify the ultimates of the church, that is, where those are who are in ultimate truths and goods, to whom the Divine did not reach before, because they are natural and sensual, and but little spiritual. That “the waters of the sea were healed by the flowing in of the brook from the east” signifies that after the Lord’s coming even these had life from the Divine; “exceeding much fish” signifies the abundance of cognitions and knowledges, which in such also acquire spiritual life; the fructification of good and the multiplication of truth are signified by “on the bank of the brook every tree for food cometh up, whose leaf falleth not off, and its fruit does not come to an end.” From this it can be seen what the particulars here signify in series, and that “the east,” from which they all are, signifies the Lord and His Divine love.
sRef Zech@14 @8 S16′ [16] The like is signified in Zechariah:
And it shall come to pass in that day that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; part of them to the eastern sea (14:8).
This, too, treats of the Lord. “In that day” signifies His coming, and the “eastern sea” signifies the last limit toward the east in the spiritual world, at which there was no reception of Divine truth before the Lord’s coming, but where there was reception when Divine truth proceeded from His Divine Human. That the ultimates in the spiritual world are like seas may be seen above (n. 342); and that there are dry places and wastes there may be seen in Joel (2:20).
sRef Num@2 @3 S17′ sRef Lev@16 @15 S17′ sRef Lev@16 @14 S17′ sRef Num@3 @38 S17′ [17] Because in heaven, where the angels are, the Lord appears as a sun, and is there the east:
So Aaron, when he made expiation for himself and his house, sprinkled of the blood of the bullock before the mercy-seat eastward (Lev. 16:14, 15);
So Moses and Aaron and his sons pitched their camp before the Tent of the meeting towards the east (Num. 3:38);
Also the tribe of Judah (Num. 2:3).
“Moses, Aaron and his sons,” and “the tribe of Judah,” represented the Lord in respect to Divine good and Divine truth proceeding from Divine love; for this reason their camp was towards the east. So, too, the ancients in their adorations turned their faces to the rising of the sun; and so built their temples that the front parts, where the adytum was, should look towards the east, which from the old custom is still done at the present day. Moreover, the whole angelic heaven is turned to the Lord as a sun, thus constantly to the east; furthermore, all the interiors of the angels in the heavens are turned in that direction, and for this reason the angels of heaven turn their faces to the Lord. (Respecting this turning see many things worthy of mention in the work Heaven and Hell, n. 17, 123, 142-144, 272.)
sRef Matt@24 @27 S18′ sRef Judg@5 @31 S18′ [18] Because the Lord is the east it is said in Matthew:
As the lightning cometh forth from the east, and is seen even unto the west, so shall the coming of the Son of man be (24:27).
Since “the rising of the sun” signifies in reference to men the good of love, proceeding from the Lord as a sun, received by them, it is said in the book of Judges:
Let all Thine enemies perish, O Jehovah; but let them that love Him be as the rising of the sun in his might (5:31).
This is in the prophetic song of Deborah and Barak; and of those who love Jehovah, who are those that are in the good of love to the Lord, it is said, “Let them be as the rising of the sun in his might.”
sRef Deut@33 @15 S19′ [19] In Moses:
Joseph shall have of the firstfruits of the mountains of the east, and of the precious things of the hills of an age (Deut. 33:15).
“Joseph” in the representative sense signifies the Lord’s spiritual kingdom, therefore it is said of him that he shall have “of the firstfruits of the mountains of the east, and of the precious things of the hills of an age;” “the firstfruits of the mountains of the east” signify the genuine goods of love to the Lord, and thence of charity towards the neighbor; “the mountains of the east” meaning the good of love to the Lord, and “firstfruits” genuine and primary goods; “the hills of an age” mean the goods of charity towards the neighbor; when these are genuine they are called “precious things.” (The rest of the blessing of Joseph may be seen explained above, n. 405.)
sRef Matt@2 @2 S20′ sRef Matt@2 @9 S20′ sRef Matt@2 @1 S20′ sRef Num@24 @17 S20′ [20] In ancient times there was a church in many kingdoms of Asia, as in the land of Canaan, in Syria and Assyria, in Arabia, Ethiopia, Egypt, Chaldea, in Tyre and Sidon, and elsewhere; but the church with them was a representative church, for in all the particulars of their worship, and in every one of their statutes, spiritual and celestial things, which are the internals of the church, were represented, and in the highest sense the Lord Himself was represented. These representatives in worship and statutes remained with many even to the Lord’s coming, and thence there was a knowledge of His coming; as can be seen from the predictions of Balaam, who was from Syria, and who prophesied of the Lord in these words:
I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not nigh; there shall arise a Star out of Jacob, and a Scepter shall rise out of Israel (Num. 24:17).
That this knowledge was afterwards preserved is evident from this, that certain wise men from the east, when the Lord was born saw a star from the east, which they followed, which is thus described in Matthew:
In the days of Herod the king wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, where is He that is born King of the Jews? for we saw His star in the east, and have come to worship Him; and lo, the star which they saw in the east went before them till it came and stood over where the young child was (2:1, 2, 9).
The star appeared to those from the east because the Lord is the east; and because they had knowledge respecting the Lord’s coming from representatives that were with them, the star appeared and went before them, first to Jerusalem, which represented the church itself in respect to doctrine and in respect to the Word, and from there to the place where the infant Lord lay. Moreover, a “star” signifies the knowledges of good and truth, and in the highest sense the knowledge respecting the Lord. (That “stars” signify in the Word the knowledges of good and truth, see above, n. 72, 179, 402.) And because the Orientals had such knowledges they were called “sons of the east.” That those from Arabia were so called is evident in Jeremiah (49:28). Also “sons of the east” signify in the Word the knowledges of good and truth; “Kedar,” that is, Arabia, has a similar signification. That Job was one of the sons of the east is evident from Job (1:3).
[21] As most things in the Word have also a contrary sense, so does “the east,” and in that sense it signifies the love of self, because this love is the opposite of love to the Lord. In this sense the east is mentioned in Ezekiel (8:16), and in Isaiah (2:6). That “the east” signifies the Lord in respect to Divine love, and thus the good of love to Him, can be more fully seen from what was shown above respecting the sun and the morning (respecting the sun, n. 401; and the morning, n. 176); for where the sun is in the angelic heaven there is the east; and as the morning is where the sun rises, and there the sun is always in its rising and never setting, so “morning” has a like signification.
* Photolithograph has “great,” but we find “to be praised” in AE n. 401, and AR n. 809.

sRef Rev@7 @2 S0′ 423. Having the seal of the living God, signifies the Divine will. This is evident from the signification of “having the seal” of anyone, as meaning to have command, for a command is confirmed by a seal; therefore “to have the seal of the living God” means to have Divine command. Here Divine command means the Divine will, because “the angel ascending from the rising of the sun, having the seal,” signifies Divine love proceeding from the Lord; and whatever goes forth from Divine love is the Divine will. There are also Divine commands that are not from the Divine will, but from sufferance and permission, many of which were given to the sons of Israel, as that it was permitted them to take several wives, and to give bills of divorcement, with other like things. These commands were from permission, given because of the hardness of their hearts (as is evident from the Lord’s words in Matthew 19:8; and Mark 10:4, 5); but the commands that are immediately from the Divine love are all of the Divine will; therefore it is said, “the seal of the living God;” for the Lord is called “the living God” from the Divine love, for love is man’s very life, and the Divine love is the source of the life of all.

sRef Rev@7 @2 S0′ 424. And he cried with a great voice, signifies Divine command. This is evident from the signification of “a great voice,” when from the Lord, as meaning Divine command. The command itself, uttered by the voice, also follows, namely, that “the four angels hurt not the earth, nor the sea, nor the trees, till the servants of God were sealed on their foreheads.” It is said “a great voice” and “he cried,” because “great” and also “crying” are predicated in the Word of the good of love (that “great” is predicated of the good of love, and “many” of truths from good, see above, n. 336, 337; and “crying” of the affections that are of love, see above, n. 393); here, therefore, as this command was from the Divine love and from the Divine will, it is said, “he cried with a great voice.”

sRef Rev@7 @2 S0′ 425. To the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, signifies preventing as yet the influx from becoming intense. This is evident from what was said above, where the separation of the good from the evil by a moderate or gentle influx was treated of (respecting which influx see above, n. 413, 418, 419), namely, that by a moderate and gentle influx the good are separated from the evil, and by an intense and powerful influx the evil are cast down; and as what now follows treats first of the separation of the good from the evil, and this separation is effected by a moderate influx, these words signify preventing the influx as yet from becoming intense; for “the four angels upon the four corners of the earth holding back the four winds of the earth” signify the Divine proceeding from the Lord, and its influx into the whole spiritual world (see above, n. 417, 418); and “the earth and the sea” signify everywhere, even to its ultimates (n. 420).

sRef Rev@7 @3 S0′ 426. Verse 3. Saying, hurt not the earth, nor the sea, nor the trees, signifies lest the good perish with the evil wherever they are. This is evident from the signification of “hurt not,” as being lest they perish (of which presently); also from the signification of “the earth, the sea, and the trees,” as being everywhere in the spiritual world, even to its ultimates, with those who have any perception (see above, n. 420), consequently the good with the evil, wherever they are. That this is the meaning of these words is evident from the series of things in the spiritual sense; for what now follows treats of the separation of the good from the evil, and this separation is signified by “the sealing of the servants of God on their foreheads,” and by the “twelve thousand out of every tribe,” and by those who were seen “clothed in white robes,” for this chapter treats of all these. By both the latter and the former the good are meant who are to be separated from the evil before the evil are cast down into hell. And as the separation of the good from the evil and the casting out of the evil into hell is effected by Divine influx from the Lord as a sun, the separation of the good from the evil by a gentle and moderate influx, and the casting down of the evil into hell by a strong and intense influx (as may be seen above, n. 413, 418, 419), so these three verses treat of the former influx by which the good are separated from the evil, while the good who are separated are treated of in the rest of the chapter even to the end.
[2] But something shall first be said on this point, that unless the good were separated from the evil before the evil were cast down into hell, the good would perish with the evil. For the good who are not yet raised up into heaven, but are to be raised up after the evil have been cast out, have a very close communication with the evil through the external worship of the evil. For (as was said above, and also in the small work on The Last Judgment, n. 59, 70) the evil, who were allowed to remain till the Last Judgment, were in external worship but in no internal worship, for they made a show and simulation of the holy things of the church with the mouth and gestures, but not from the soul and heart; and by means of this external worship they maintained communication also with those who were inwardly good. Because of this communication the evil could not be cast down until the good had been separated from them, for if they had been left together, the good with whom the evil had been conjoined by external worship would have been hurt, that is, would have perished, for the evil would have drawn them away with themselves.
sRef Matt@13 @39 S3′ sRef Matt@13 @37 S3′ sRef Matt@13 @40 S3′ sRef Matt@13 @38 S3′ sRef Matt@13 @24 S3′ sRef Matt@13 @29 S3′ sRef Matt@13 @30 S3′ sRef Matt@13 @25 S3′ sRef Matt@13 @28 S3′ sRef Matt@13 @27 S3′ sRef Matt@13 @26 S3′ [3] This, too, is foretold by the Lord in Matthew:
The kingdom of the heavens is like unto a man that sowed good seed in his field; but while men slept his enemy came and sowed tares [among the wheat], and went away. But when the blade sprang up and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. But the servants of the householder coming said unto him, Lord, didst thou not sow good seed in thy field? whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, A foe hath done this. But the servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we going gather them up? But he said, Nay, lest haply while ye gather up the tares ye root up at the same time the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest; and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them; but gather the wheat into my barn (13:24-30).
“The man that sowed” means the Lord; the “field” means the spiritual world and the church, in which there are both good and evil; the “good seed” and the “wheat” mean the good, and the “tares” mean the evil; that they could not be separated until the time of the Last Judgment, because of the conjunction described above, is meant by the answer to the servants who wished to gather up the tares before, meaning to separate the evil from the good, namely, “lest haply while ye gather up the tares ye root up at the same time the wheat with them; let both grow together until the harvest,” the “harvest” meaning the last judgment. That this is the signification the Lord Himself teaches in the same chapter where He says:
He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; the field is the world; the [good] seed are the sons of the kingdom; the tares are the sons of the evil one; the harvest is the consummation of the age. As then the tares are gathered up and burned with fire, so shall it be in the consummation of the age (13:37-40).
This makes evident that “the householder that sowed the good seed” means the Lord, who here calls Himself “the Son of man;” and that “the field is the world” means the spiritual world and the church, in which there are both good and evil. It is clear that this means the spiritual world from its being said “The kingdom of the heavens is like unto a man that sowed good seed in his field;” “the kingdom of the heavens” meaning the spiritual world and the church; it is clear from this also, that this is said of the Last Judgment, and the Last Judgment is accomplished not in our world but in the spiritual world, as can be seen in the little work on the Last Judgment. This latter passage makes evident also that the “good seed” and the “wheat” mean the good, who are here called “the sons of the kingdom;” and that the “tares” mean the evil, who are called “the sons of the evil one;” also that the “harvest,” when the separation is to be effected, means the time of the Last Judgment, for it is said “the harvest is the consummation of the age.” (“The consummation of the age” means the time of the Last Judgment, as may be seen above, n. 397.) That “then the tares shall be gathered into bundles to be burned, and the wheat be gathered into the barn,” signifies that the evil, according to the genera and species of the evil that is with them, are to be gathered up and cast into hell; this takes place with the evil when they are cast out, and is meant by “gathering into bundles;” that the good are to be preserved is meant by “gathering the wheat into the barn,” the “barn” meaning where the good are collected.
From this it can be seen that a complete separation of the good from the evil takes place at the time of the Last Judgment, and that it cannot take place before because of the conjunction described above, and that otherwise the good would perish with the evil; for it is said “lest haply while ye gather up the tares ye root up at the same time the wheat with them;” and it is further said “let both grow together until the harvest,” that is, until the consummation of the age. Now, because the separation of the good from the evil is effected by a gentle and moderate influx of the Divine proceeding from the Lord, while the casting out of the evil into hell is effected by a powerful and intense influx of the Divine, it can be seen how all the particulars contained in the first three verses of this chapter are to be understood, when it is known from the spiritual sense what is signified by the “winds” that were to be held back, that earth, sea, and tree be not hurt until the servants of God had been sealed on their foreheads.
[4] A few words shall be said about how this separation is effected. When the good are separated from the evil, which is done by the Lord by means of a moderate influx of His Divine, and by a looking into those things that are of spiritual affection with angels and spirits, then the Lord causes those who are interiorly and thence also exteriorly good, to turn themselves to Him, and thus to turn themselves away from the evil, and when they so turn themselves they become invisible to the evil; for this is a common thing in the spiritual world, that when anyone turns himself away from another he becomes invisible to him. When this is done the evil are separated from the good, and at the same time from the sanctity that they had simulated in externals; and thus they look towards hell, into which they are presently cast. (Concerning this turning about more may be seen in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 17, 123, 142, 144, 145, 151, 153, 251, 255, 272, 510, 548, 561; that the evil who were able to continue in external worship, or in external piety and sanctity, although not in any internal, were allowed to remain till the Last Judgment, and no longer, and why, may be seen in the small work on The Last Judgment, n. 59 and 70.)

sRef Rev@9 @5 S0′ sRef Rev@7 @3 S0′ 427. Till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads, signifies that those who are in truths from good are first to be separated. This is evident from the signification of “to seal,” as being to distinguish and separate (of which presently); also from the signification of “the servants of God,” as being those who are in truths from good (of which see above, n. 6); also from the signification of “forehead,” as being the good of love. It is from correspondence that “forehead” means the good of love; for all things pertaining to man in the whole body, whether within or without, correspond to heaven, for the universal heaven in the sight of the Lord is as one Man, so arranged as to correspond to each and all the things in man. The whole face, where the organs of sight, smell, hearing, and taste, are situated, corresponds to the affections and the thoughts therefrom in general, the eyes corresponding to the understanding, the nose to perception, the ears to hearkening and obedience, and the taste to the desire to know and be wise; but the forehead corresponds to the good of love, from which all these are, for it forms the highest part of the face, and directly encloses the front and primary part of the brain, which is the seat of man’s intellect. This is why the Lord looks upon angels in the forehead, and the angels look to the Lord through the eyes; this is so because the forehead corresponds to the love, from which the Lord looks upon them, and the eyes correspond to the understanding from which they look to the Lord; for the Lord grants Himself to be seen through the influx of love into their understanding. (Respecting this see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 145, 151; and that The Universal Heaven in its Whole Complex answers to One Man, n. 68-86; and that There is thence a Correspondence of all Things of Heaven with all Things of Man, n. 87-102.) This makes clear the signification of “being sealed on the forehead,” namely, to be in the good of love to the Lord from the Lord, and thereby to be distinguished and separated from those who are not in that love; for the Lord looks upon such in the forehead, and fills them with the good of love, from which they look to the Lord by thought from affection. The rest cannot be looked upon by the Lord in the forehead, for they turn away from Him and turn themselves to the opposite love, by which they are filled and attracted. (That everyone in the spiritual world, and man as well in respect to his spirit, turns the face to the ruling love, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 17, 123, 142-144, 153, 552.)
sRef Ezek@9 @6 S2′ sRef Ezek@9 @5 S2′ sRef Ezek@9 @4 S2′ [2] “To be sealed” means not to be sealed, but to be reduced to such a state that their quality may be recognized, and that they may thus be conjoined with those who are in a like state and separated from those who are in a dissimilar state. This is signified by “to be sealed,” and by a “sign” in the following passages. In Ezekiel:
Jehovah said to the man clothed in linen, Pass through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and mark a sign upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and groan over all the abominations done in the midst thereof. And pass ye through the city after him and smite; let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity; but come not near against any man upon whom is the sign (9:4, 6).
This also treats of the separation of the good from the evil; and “to mark on the forehead” has a similar signification as in this passage in Revelation, namely, to be distinguished and separated from the evil and to be conjoined to the good; the casting out and damnation of the evil are treated of afterwards. Those who are in good are described by those “that sigh and groan over all the abominations done in the midst of the city Jerusalem;” “those that sigh and groan over abominations” mean those who are not in evils and in falsities therefrom, “sighing and groaning over them” signifying aversion and grief because of them, “Jerusalem” meaning the church, and “city” the doctrine. Afterwards that they should “pass through the city after him and smite, and the eye should not spare,” describes the casting out and damnation of the evil; “to smite and kill” signifying damnation, for spiritual death, which is damnation, is signified in the Word by natural death.
sRef Isa@66 @19 S3′ sRef Isa@66 @18 S3′ [3] In Isaiah:
He shall come for bringing together all nations and tongues, that they may come and see My glory. And I will set a sign upon them (66:18, 19).
This is said of the Lord, and of a new church to be established by Him, and thus of a new heaven and a new earth (as is evident from verse 22 of that chapter). “Bringing together all nations and tongues” has a similar signification, as:
Gathering together the elect from the four winds (Matt. 24:31);
“to gather together” signifies to receive to Himself those who are His own; “nations” signify those who are in good, and “tongues” those who are in a life according to doctrine; “to come and see the glory of the Lord” signifies to be illustrated by Divine truth, and thus to enjoy heavenly joy; for “the glory of the Lord” signifies Divine truth, and illustration and joy from it; “to set a sign upon them” signifies to distinguish and separate them from the evil and conjoin them to the good.
sRef Gen@4 @15 S4′ [4] It is written of Cain:
That Jehovah set a sign upon him that no one might slay him (Gen. 4:15).
He who does not know this arcanum of the Word that the persons named in its histories mean in the spiritual sense things, or that every person there mentioned represents and thence signifies something of the church and of heaven, can know nothing beyond the historical things of the letter, in which nothing more of the Divine appears than in other histories; and yet there is in the Word, both prophetical and historical, and in each and all things of it, something Divine that does not appear in the letter except to those who are in the spiritual sense and who know it. The spiritual arcanum in the history of Cain and Abel is this: “Abel” represents the good of charity, and “Cain” the truth of faith, and that good and that truth are called in the Word “brethren;” and the truth of faith is called “the firstborn” because the truths that are afterwards to become truths of faith are first acquired and stored up in the memory, that from it, as from a storehouse, good may draw what it may conjoin to itself and make the truths to be truths of faith. For truth does not become of faith until man wills it and does it; but so far as man does this the Lord conjoins him to Himself and to heaven, and from love flows in with good, and through good into the truths that the man has acquired from childhood, and conjoins them to good and makes them to be truths of faith; before this they are nothing but the cognitions and knowledges, in which as yet man has no other faith than such as he has in things heard from another, from which he can withdraw if he afterwards thinks differently; therefore this faith is not his own but that of another in him; and yet if a man’s faith is to remain with him after death it must be his own faith; and it becomes his own when he sees, wills, and does what he believes, for it then enters into the man and forms his spirit, and comes to be of his affection and thought; for man’s spirit in its essence is nothing but his affection and thought.
[5] That which is of the affection is called good, and that which is of the thought therefrom is called truth; and man believes nothing to be true except what is of his affection, but of the interior affection that pertains to his spirit; consequently that which a man thinks from interior affection is his faith, and whatever other things he holds in his memory, whether he has drawn them from the Word or from the doctrine of the church, by reading or from preachings, or from his own understanding, are not faith, however much he thinks that they are, and it is at present said and believed that they are. This first-begotten and primary thing is what “Cain” represents and signifies in this history, for Cain was the first-begotten. When this, and not willing and doing the truth, that is, living according to it, is believed to be the faith that saves man, then there springs up a pernicious heresy that faith alone saves, whatever the life may be, and that there may be faith apart from the life; and yet this is not faith, but mere knowledge residing outside of man in his memory, and not within him in the life. If this is called faith it is historical faith, which is having in oneself another’s faith, and such a faith does not receive life until the man sees that what he has thus imbibed is true, and this he first sees when he wills and does it. When that heresy prevails, charity, which is the good of life, is destroyed, and at length rejected as not essential to salvation. This was represented by Cain’s slaying his brother Abel; for faith and charity, or the truth of faith and the good of charity, are called in the Word “brethren,” as was said above.
[6] That “Jehovah set a sign upon Cain lest he should be slain” signifies that He distinguished him from others and preserved him, because saving faith cannot be given unless historical faith precedes, and this is knowing from others the things of the church and heaven; in a word, it is a knowledge of such things as faith afterwards consists of; for unless man from infancy imbibed truths from the Word, or from the doctrine of the church, or from preachings, he would be empty, and into an empty man no operation could fall, and no influx out of heaven from the Lord could come, for the Lord operates and flows in through good into truths with man, and conjoins these, and thus makes charity and faith to be one. From this can be seen the signification of “Jehovah set a sign upon Cain that no one might slay him, and that whosoever should slay him vengeance should be taken on him sevenfold.” Moreover, those who are in mere historical faith, that is, in a knowledge of such things as constitute faith, who are the persons or which is the faith meant by “Cain,” these are preserved also because they can teach truths from the Word to others, which they do from memory.
sRef Ex@28 @36 S7′ sRef Ex@28 @37 S7′ sRef Ex@28 @38 S7′ [7] Because the “forehead” corresponds to the good of love, and therefore the Lord from Divine love looks upon angels and men in the forehead, as was said above, it was commanded that a plate of pure gold, upon which was written “Holiness to Jehovah,” should be placed upon the miter of Aaron on the forehead, concerning which it is thus written in Moses:
Thou shalt make a plate, pure gold, and grave upon it with the engravings of a signet, Holiness to Jehovah. And thou shalt put it on a thread of blue; over against the faces of the miter it shall be, that it may be upon Aaron’s forehead, and may be constantly on his forehead, that they may have acceptance before Jehovah (Exod. 28:36-38).
For Aaron as high priest represented the Lord in relation to the good of Divine love, therefore his garments represented such things as proceed from that love; the miter represented intelligence and wisdom; and the front part of it love, from which are intelligence and wisdom; therefore the plate of pure gold, upon which was engraved “Holiness to Jehovah,” was placed upon a thread of blue; “pure gold” of which the plate was made signifies the good of celestial love; the “blue” of which the thread was made, on which was the plate, signifies the good of spiritual love (spiritual love is the love of truth); “the engraving of a signet” signifies endurance to eternity; “Holiness to Jehovah” signifies the Lord in respect to the Divine Human from which proceeds all the holiness of heaven and the church; these were upon the front of the miter which was upon Aaron’s head, because the “miter” signifies the like as the head, namely Divine wisdom, and the “forehead” the Divine good of love. (That Aaron represented the Lord in relation to the good of love, see Arcana Coelestia, 9806, 9946, 10017; that “blue” signifies the love of truth, n. 9466, 9687, 9833; and the “miter” signifies intelligence and wisdom, n. 9827.)
sRef Deut@6 @5 S8′ sRef Deut@6 @8 S8′ [8] Because the “forehead” signifies the good of love, the sons of Israel were commanded to bind the commandment respecting love to Jehovah upon their foreheads, as is taught in Moses:
Thou shalt love Jehovah thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And thou shalt bind these words for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be for frontlets before thine eyes (Deut. 6:5, 8; 11:18; Exod. 13:9, 16).
It is said “they shall be for frontlets before the eyes,” as a representation that the Lord looks upon angels and men in the forehead, because from Divine love, and grants to angels and men to look at Him from intelligence and wisdom, for the “eyes” signify the understanding, and all man’s understanding is from the good of his love and according to that which he receives from the Lord. That they bound these words upon the hand also represented ultimate things, because the hands are the ultimates of the powers of man’s soul; therefore “upon the forehead and upon the hand” signifies in things first and last, and “first and last” signifies all things (as may be seen above, n. 417). This commandment was so bound because “on it hang the law and the prophets,” that is, the whole Word, consequently all things of heaven and the church:
That on this commandment hang the law and the prophets the Lord teaches (Matt. 22:35-38, 40).
This also makes clear why kings, in former times and also at present, when crowned, were anointed with oil upon the forehead and upon the hand, and what this signifies; for kings formerly represented the Lord in relation to Divine truth, and because this is received in the good of love that flows in from the Lord, therefore they were anointed upon the forehead and upon the hand, the “oil” also with which they were anointed signifying the good of love. This is why kings in the Word signify those who are in truths from good, and in an abstract sense truths from good (see above, n. 31). From this it can be seen what “a seal upon the forehead” means, as also elsewhere in Revelation (9:4; 14:1; 22:3, 4).
sRef Ezek@3 @7 S9′ sRef Ezek@3 @8 S9′ sRef Isa@48 @4 S9′ sRef Jer@3 @3 S9′ [9] But on the contrary, the “forehead” signifies that which is opposite to the good of love, namely, the evil of love, and thus what is hard, obstinate, shameless, and infernal. It signifies what is hard in Isaiah:
Thou art hard, for thy neck is a sinew of iron, and thy forehead brass (48:4).
It signifies what is stubborn in Ezekiel:
The house of Israel will not hearken unto Me; for the whole house of Israel are stubborn in forehead and hard in heart (3:7, 8).
It signifies what is shameless in Jeremiah:
The forehead of a harlot remained to thee, thou didst refuse to be ashamed (3:3).
It signifies what is infernal in Revelation (13:16; 14:9-11; 16:2; 17:5; 19:20; 20:4); for as the good of love is heavenly, and thence mild, patient, and modest, so the evil opposite to that good is infernal, hard, stubborn, and shameless.

sRef Rev@7 @4 S0′ sRef Rev@9 @5 S0′ 428. Verse 4. And I heard the number of those sealed: a hundred and forty-four thousand, sealed out of every tribe of the sons of Israel. 4. “And I heard the number of those sealed,” signifies the quality of those who are in good who are separated from the evil (n. 429); “a hundred and forty-four thousand, sealed out of every tribe of the sons of Israel,” signifies all who are in truths from good, and thence in the Lord’s church (n. 430).

sRef Rev@7 @4 S0′ 429. Verse 4. And I heard the number of those sealed, signifies the quality of those who are in good who are separated from the evil. This is evident from the signification of “number,” as being the quality of the thing treated of (of which presently); also from the signification of “those sealed,” as being those who are in good, distinguished and separated from others (of which just above, n. 427). “Number” and “measure” are mentioned in many passages in the Word, and it is believed that these mean simply number and measure; but “number” and “measure” in the spiritual sense mean the quality of the thing treated of. The quality itself is determined by the numbers expressed, as here by the “hundred and forty-four thousand,” and afterwards the “twelve thousand” out of every tribe. What is signified by these numbers will be told in the following article. Number signifies the quality of the thing treated of for the reason that the Word is spiritual, and therefore each and every thing that it contains is spiritual, and spiritual things are not numbered or measured, but still they fall into numbers and measures when they come down out of the spiritual world or out of heaven where the angels are into the natural world or upon the earth where men are; and likewise in the Word, when they come down out of its spiritual sense in which the angels are into the natural sense in which men are; the natural sense of the Word is the sense of its letter. This is why there are numbers in that sense, and why the numbers there signify things spiritual, or such as pertain to heaven and the church. That the spiritual things of heaven, such as the angels think and speak about, also fall into numbers, has often been shown to me. When they spoke with each other, what they said was determined into pure numbers, which were seen upon paper; and they afterwards said that this was what they had said determined into numbers, and that these numbers in series contained everything they had said; I was also taught what they signified and how they were to be understood; this will be spoken of frequently in what follows. (But respecting writings in pure numbers out of heaven, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 263; that all numbers in the Word signify the things of heaven and the church, see above, n. 203, 336.)

sRef Rev@7 @4 S0′ 430. A hundred and forty-four thousand, sealed out of every tribe of the sons of Israel, signifies all who are in truths from good, and thence in the Lord’s church. This is evident from the signification of “a hundred and forty-four thousand,” as being all things, and as being said of those who are in truths from good (of which presently); also from the signification of “the tribes of Israel,” as being those who are in truths from good, and thence who are in the Lord’s church, “tribes” signifying truths from good, and “Israel” the church. That this is the signification of “the tribe of Israel” will be seen in the following article. “A hundred and forty-four thousand” signifies all things and all persons, and is predicated of truths from good, because that number arises out of the number twelve, and “twelve” signifies all things and all persons, and is predicated of truths from good; for greater numbers, and those made up of smaller numbers, have a similar signification as the smaller and simple numbers from which they arise by multiplication (on which see Arcana Coelestia, n. 5291, 5335, 5708, 7973). Thus “a hundred and forty-four” and “a hundred and forty-four thousand” have a similar significance as “twelve,” for a hundred and forty-four arises out of twelve multiplied into itself, and a hundred and forty-four thousand out of twelve thousand multiplied into twelve.
[2] There are simple numbers that are more significative than others, and from which the greater numbers derive their significations, namely, the numbers two, three, five, and seven; “two” signifies union, and is predicated of good; “three” signifies fullness, and is predicated of truths; “five” signifies much and something; and “seven” signifies holiness. From the number two the numbers 4, 8, 16, 400, 800, 1,600, 4,000, 8,000, and 16,000 arise; and these numbers have a similar signification as two, because they arise from that simple number multiplied into itself, and multiplied by ten. From the number three the numbers 6, 12, 24, 72, 144, 1,440, and 144,000 arise; and these numbers have a similar signification as three, because they arise from this simple number by multiplication. From the number five the numbers 10, 50, 100, 1,000, 10,000, and 100,000 arise, and these numbers have a similar signification as five, because* they arise from it by multiplication. From the number seven the numbers 14, 70, 700, 7,000, and 70,000 arise, and these numbers have a similar signification as seven, because they arise from it. As the number “three” signifies fullness, and fullness implies all, the number twelve derives from this its signification of all things and all persons; and it is predicated of truths from good because it arises out of three multiplied into four, and three is predicated of truths, and four of good, as was said above.
sRef Rev@14 @4 S3′ sRef Rev@14 @1 S3′ sRef Rev@14 @3 S3′ [3] One who does not know that “twelve” signifies all things, and that the numbers that are multiples of it have a like signification, and who does not know that each tribe signifies some universal and essential constituent of the church, can have no other idea than that simply twelve thousand of every tribe of Israel were sealed, and consequently were received or are to be received into heaven; nevertheless the “twelve thousand” here do not mean twelve thousand, nor do the “tribes” here enumerated mean the tribes of Israel; but “twelve thousand” means all, and “the tribes of Israel” those who are in truths from good,** and thus all, wherever on the earth they may be, who constitute the church of the Lord. That this is the signification, everyone who thinks intelligently can perceive; for where now are these tribes, and where were they when this was written by John? Have they not been scattered through a great part of the globe, and excepting the tribe of Judah, it is not known to anyone where they are? And yet it is said that they are to be sealed, that they may be introduced by the Lord into heaven and be with Him (as appears in Rev. 14:1, 3, 4). Furthermore, it is known that eleven of the tribes here mentioned were banished from the land of Canaan on account of their idolatries and other abominations; and so too has the whole Jewish nation, the quality of which may be seen in the New Jerusalem and Its Heavenly Doctrine (n. 248). From this it can be seen that “twelve thousand” does not mean twelve thousand, nor do “tribes” mean the tribes of Israel, but they mean all who are in truths from good, thus all who are of the Lord’s church. This will become still clearer from the significations of each tribe in the spiritual sense; for each tribe signifies some universal or essential of the church, in which those are who are of the church.
Moreover, the universal of each has relation to truths from good, and truths are manifold; for all who are in the heavens differ from each other in respect to good, and thence also in respect to truth, since every truth that has life in man or angel is from good and in accordance with good. Furthermore, all who are of the Lord’s church are in truths from good, while those who are in truths and not in good are not of the church; for, as was just said, every truth that has life in man or angel is from good. (On this see above, n. 6, 59, 136, 242, 286, 292; and in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 11-27. That goods and truths therefrom are of infinite variety, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 56, 71, 405, 418, 486, 588; and in the small work on The Last Judgment, n. 13; also Arcana Coelestia, n. 684, 690, 3241, 3267, 3470, 3519, 3744-3746, 3804, 3986, 4067, 4149, 4263, 5598, 6917, 7236, 7833, 7836, 9002.) Goods and the truths from them are of infinite variety, because every angel and every man in whom is the church is his own good and his own truth therefrom; so, too, the universal heaven is arranged according to the affections that are of love to the Lord and of charity towards the neighbor, and of faith therefrom, and all good is of these affections.
sRef Rev@21 @17 S4′ [4] The number “a hundred and forty-four thousand,” or the number twelve thousand multiplied into twelve*** signifies all truths from good, in respect to their genera and species in the whole complex, as can be seen from the meaning of the number “one hundred and forty-four,” which is twelve multiplied into twelve, in the following passages in Revelation, where the city New Jerusalem is described by measures expressed in numbers. Of the measure of its wall it is said:
He measured the wall thereof, a hundred and forty-four cubits, which is the measure of a man, that is, of an angel (Rev. 21:17).
“The city Jerusalem” here signifies a new church to be established by the Lord, and its doctrine; therefore all things that are mentioned, as the “wall,” the “gates,” and the “foundations,” mean such things as belong to the church, consequently spiritual things; and as the church and its doctrine are here described in the sense of the letter by “the city Jerusalem,” and a city can be measured, therefore the spiritual things of that church are designated by measures expressed in numbers, and its wall by the number “one hundred and forty-four,” or by twelve multiplied into twelve, which number signifies truths from good in the whole complex; for a “wall” signifies truths defending against falsities and evils. That such is the signification of this number is clearly evident from its being said that the measure of a “hundred and forty-four cubits” is “the measure of a man, that is, of an angel.” What this involves cannot be known unless it is known that measure, in the spiritual sense, has a similar signification as number, namely, the quality of the thing treated of; and that “man” signifies the reception of truth from spiritual affection, that is, from good, and intelligence therefrom; “angel” having a similar signification, since a man is an angel when he is in truths from good, and also becomes an angel after death. The number “a hundred and forty-four thousand” has a similar signification; for larger and smaller numbers, if from a similar origin, have a like signification, the larger number being made use of when the multitude is greater, or when many kinds together are included, as “a hundred and forty-four thousand,” which includes all kinds of truth from good, which are signified by “twelve thousand**** sealed out of every tribe;” and as the measure of the wall, which is said to be “a hundred and forty-four cubits,” which includes both the gates and the foundations, which are twelve in number.
sRef Rev@21 @19 S5′ sRef Rev@21 @20 S5′ sRef Rev@21 @21 S5′ [5] So respecting the gates and the foundations it is said:
The New Jerusalem had a wall great and high, having twelve gates, and upon the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel. And the wall had twelve foundations, and on them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. And the foundations consisted of twelve kinds of precious stones (Rev. 21:12, 14, 19-21).
When it is known that “the New Jerusalem” means a new church, who will not perceive that the number “twelve” so often employed, means the chief and primary constituent of the church? And the chief and primary constituent of the church is truth from good, for everything of the church is from that, for truth is of its doctrine, and good is of a life according to doctrine. But the signification of “gates” and of “foundations” will be told when that chapter is explained.
sRef Rev@21 @16 S6′ [6] Because the number “twelve” signifies all things, and is predicated of truths from good, and “the New Jerusalem” signifies a new church, therefore the measurement of the city itself is indicated by a multiple of a like number, in these words:
The city lieth foursquare, and the length thereof is as great as the breadth; and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand stadia. The length and the breadth and the height are equal (Rev. 21:16).
What is signified by “length, breadth, and height” in the spiritual sense will also be told below in the explanation; “the city” means in that sense the doctrine of the church, and “twelve thousand stadia” all its truths from good.
sRef Rev@22 @2 S7′ [7] Again the number “twelve” is used here in reference to the fruits of the trees about the river, in these words:
In the midst of its street and of the river, on this side and on that, was there the tree of life, bearing twelve fruits, yielding its fruit every month (Rev. 22:2).
Since “the streets of the city” signify the truths of doctrine; “the river going forth thence” intelligence; “the tree of life” the perception of truth from good from the Lord, and “fruits” the good from which are truths, it is clear that “twelve” signifies truths from good, through which is intelligence, and of which the church is constituted.
[8] As a representative church was to be instituted among the sons of Jacob, it was provided by the Lord that he should have twelve sons (Gen. 29:32-35; 30:1-25; 35:22-26), that thus all together might represent all things of the church, and each one his part; and this is why twelve tribes sprang from them (Gen. 49:28), and these signify all things of the church, and each tribe signifies some essential of the church; so in what now follows it is said “twelve thousand were sealed out of every tribe,” and these signify all who are in that essential of the church, or all who are in that kind of truth from good, since truth from good is what forms the church with all, for truth is of doctrine, and good is of the life, as was said above. (What truth from good is and what the nature of it is, may be seen in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 24.)
sRef Ex@24 @4 S9′ sRef Deut@1 @23 S9′ sRef Num@1 @44 S9′ sRef Lev@24 @5 S9′ sRef Lev@24 @6 S9′ sRef Num@7 @84 S9′ sRef Num@7 @87 S9′ [9] As the twelve tribes named from the twelve sons of Jacob represented the church, and all things belonging to it, the number “twelve,” on account of such signification, was employed in various connections:
As that the princes of Israel were twelve in number (Num. 1:44).
That these twelve princes brought to the dedication of the altar twelve chargers of silver, twelve bowls of silver, twelve spoons of gold, twelve bullocks, twelve rams, twelve lambs, and twelve goats (7:84, 87).
Each one of these things that they brought signifies such things as have reference to truths from good. So too:
Twelve men were sent to explore the land of Canaan (Deut. 1:23);
for “the land of Canaan” signifies the church. So too:
There were twelve precious stones in the breastplate of judgment, or the Urim and Thummim (Exod. 28:21; 39:14);
“precious stones” signifying truths from good. So again:
There were twelve cakes of bread placed in two rows upon the table, which were called the bread of faces (Lev. 24:5, 6);
“bread” signifying the good of love, and the “table” its reception, thus also truth in general, since truth is what receives good. Again:
Moses built an altar below Mount Sinai, and erected twelve pillars for the twelve tribes***** of Israel (Exod. 24:4);
for an “altar” signifies the good of the church, and “pillars” its truths, thence “the altar and twelve pillars” together signify all truths from good by which the church exists.
sRef Josh@4 @20 S10′ sRef Josh@4 @7 S10′ sRef 1Ki@18 @32 S10′ sRef 1Ki@18 @31 S10′ sRef Josh@4 @4 S10′ sRef Josh@4 @9 S10′ sRef Josh@4 @3 S10′ sRef Josh@4 @6 S10′ sRef Josh@4 @8 S10′ sRef Josh@4 @5 S10′ sRef Josh@4 @2 S10′ sRef Josh@4 @1 S10′ [10] Again:
Twelve men carried twelve stones out of the midst of Jordan which were set up in Gilgal, that they might be for a memorial to the sons of Israel. And also twelve stones were set up in the midst of Jordan, in the place where the feet of the priests that bare the ark stood (Josh. 4:1-9, 20);
“Jordan” in the Word signifying the introduction into the church, and “stones” therefrom and in its midst, the truths of the church through which introduction is effected.
sRef Num@31 @6 S11′ sRef Num@31 @49 S11′ sRef Luke@16 @9 S11′ sRef Num@31 @5 S11′ sRef Ex@3 @22 S11′ [11] So again:
Elijah took twelve stones, and built an altar (1 Kings 18:31, 32);
“altar” signifying the good of the church, and “stones” its truths.
Moses sent twelve thousand of the sons of Israel, with Phinehas as commander, against Midian, and they returned with great spoil, with not a man missing (Num. 31:5, 6, 49).
For “Midian” signifies those who are in the knowledges of truth, but not in a life according to them, therefore “twelve thousand” were sent against them. The “great spoil” taken from them, has a similar signification as the “raiment, silver, and gold,” which the sons of Israel took from the Egyptians (Exod. 3:22; 12:35, 36), and a similar signification as the “unrighteous mammon” of which they should make to themselves friends (Luke 16:9), namely, the knowledges of truth therefrom, which they hold as doctrine and not in the life.
sRef 1Ki@10 @19 S12′ sRef 1Ki@10 @18 S12′ sRef 1Ki@7 @25 S12′ sRef 1Ki@7 @44 S12′ sRef 1Ki@10 @20 S12′ [12] So again:
Solomon placed upon twelve oxen the brazen sea that he made (1 Kings 7:25, 44);
“the brazen sea” signifying truth from good, the “water” in it, truth, and the “brass” out of which it was made, good; and “twelve oxen” signify all goods and all truths therefrom which serve as a foundation. Therefore also:
Solomon made a throne of ivory with six steps to it, and twelve lions standing upon the steps on the one side and on the other (1 Kings 10:18-20).
“The throne of Solomon” signified judgment, which is effected by truths from good, and it represented Divine truth from Divine good; “lions” signifying the truths of heaven and of the church in their power, and “twelve” all (see above, n. 253).
sRef Gen@17 @20 S13′ sRef Rev@12 @1 S13′ sRef 1Ki@19 @19 S13′ [13] Of Ishmael it is said:
That he should be blessed and multiplied, and that twelve princes should be born from him (Gen. 17:20; 25:16);
for the reason that “Ishmael” signified the external church with all its truths from good. Of Elisha it is said:
That Elijah found him plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he among the twelve; and that he cast his mantle upon him (1 Kings 19:19).
This was done and said because Elijah and Elisha represented the Lord in respect to the Word, in which are all truths from good; consequently when this representation was transferred from Elijah to Elisha, which was signified by his casting his mantle upon him, Elisha was seen “plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he among the twelve,” which signifies the formation of the church by means of truths from good out of the Word (see above, n. 395). It is said below that:
There was seen a woman encompassed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars (Rev. 12:1).
This was seen because a “woman” signifies the church and “stars” the knowledges of truth: a “crown” the good of these knowledges, and the “head” intelligence.
sRef Luke@22 @30 S14′ sRef Matt@19 @28 S14′ sRef Rev@21 @12 S14′ sRef Rev@21 @14 S14′ [14] The Lord’s twelve apostles had a similar representation as the twelve tribes of Israel; namely, they collectively represented the church, and each one of them some essential of the church, and for this reason there were twelve of them.
From this it can be seen why it is and what it signifies that the New Jerusalem (which signifies the church and its doctrine) is said:
To have twelve gates, and upon the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon which are the names of the twelve tribes of Israel; and that the wall had twelve foundations, and on these the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb (Rev. 21:12, 14);
the “twelve angels,” the “twelve tribes,” and the “twelve apostles” here meaning not angels, tribes, and apostles, but all the things of the church. Likewise it is said that:
The apostles are to sit upon twelve thrones, and judge the twelve tribes of Israel (Matt. 19:28; Luke 22:30);
which does not mean that the apostles are to sit on twelve thrones and judge the twelve tribes of Israel, but that the Lord alone is to judge all by Divine truth from Divine good (see above, n. 9, 206, 253, 270, 297, 333).
sRef Matt@14 @18 S15′ sRef Matt@14 @17 S15′ sRef Matt@14 @16 S15′ sRef Matt@14 @19 S15′ sRef Matt@14 @15 S15′ sRef Matt@14 @20 S15′ sRef Matt@14 @21 S15′ [15] He who does not know that “twelve” signifies all things cannot know the arcanum that is signified by:
The twelve baskets of fragments that remained from the five loaves and two fishes with which the Lord fed five thousand men besides women and children (Matt. 14:5-2; Mark 6:37-44; Luke 9:12-17; John 6:9-13).
Each particular here, with the numbers themselves, is significative; “the five thousand men besides women and children,” signify all who are of the church that are in truths from good; the “men” signifying those who are in truths, and the “women and children” those who are in good; “loaves” the goods and “fishes” the truths of the natural man; “eating” spiritual nourishment from the Lord; the “twelve baskets of fragments” the knowledges of truth and good therefrom in all abundance and fullness.
sRef Luke@2 @43 S16′ sRef Rev@14 @3 S16′ sRef Rev@14 @4 S16′ sRef Luke@2 @46 S16′ sRef John@11 @9 S16′ sRef Luke@2 @49 S16′ sRef Rev@14 @1 S16′ sRef Matt@26 @53 S16′ sRef Luke@2 @42 S16′ [16] Because “twelve” signifies all things, and is predicated of truths from good, which constitute the church:
When the Lord was twelve years old He left father and mother and remained in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, hearing them and asking them questions (Luke 2:42, 46);
by which is meant the initiation and introduction of His Human into all things of heaven and the church; therefore when He was found He said:
Wist ye not that I must be in the things that are My Father’s? (verse 49).
Because “twelve” signifies all things, and is predicated of truths from good, the Lord said:
Are there not twelve hours of the day? If a man walk in the day he stumbleth not (John 11:9);
“day” signifying illustration in truths from good, and the “twelve hours of the day” all things of truth from good, and “to walk” signifying to live; these words, therefore, in the spiritual sense signify that one who is living in any kind of truth from good is in illustration, and does not stray into falsities. Because “twelve” signifies all things, the Lord said:
Thinkest thou that I cannot now beseech My Father and He will cause to stand by Me more than twelve legions of angels? (Matt. 26:53).
“Twelve legions of angels” meaning the whole heaven, and “more than these” signifying Divine omnipotence.
[17] From this it can now be seen what is signified by “a hundred and forty-four thousand out of every tribe,” namely, all who are in truths from good; and “twelve thousand out of each tribe” all who are in that kind of truth from good which is signified by the tribe named; consequently, that twelve thousand are not meant, nor those who are of the tribes of Judah, Reuben, Gad, Asher, Naphtali, Manasseh, Simeon, Levi, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, and Benjamin. Furthermore, it is to be known that all these, or “the hundred and forty-four thousand,” mean those who were taken up into heaven before the Last Judgment; but those afterward mentioned, from verse 9 to the end of this chapter, mean those that were preserved by the Lord until the Last Judgment, and were then first taken up into heaven (respecting whom see above, n. 391, 392, 394, 397); for those who were in truths from good were all received into heaven before the judgment; but those who were in good, and not as yet in truths, were preserved, and in the meantime instructed and prepared for heaven. These are to be further treated of hereafter. Those who were taken up into heaven before the judgment are meant by those of whom it is said in chapter 14 of Revelation:
A Lamb was standing on the Mount Zion, and with Him a hundred and forty-four thousand, having the Father’s name written on their foreheads (verse 1).
Of these it is said that:
No one could learn the song save the hundred and forty-four thousand bought from the earth. These are they who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins, bought from among men, the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb (verses 3, 4); and the same are meant by those who are “of the first resurrection;” and the others are meant by those who were “of the second resurrection” (Rev. 20:4-6).
* Photolithograph has “which” for “because.”
** Photolithograph has “in” for “from.”
*** Photolithograph has “itself” for “twelve.”
**** Photolithograph has “twelve” for “twelve thousand.”
***** Photolithograph has “sons” for “tribes.” The latter is found in AC n. 9389.

sRef Rev@7 @4 S0′ 431. It has been shown thus far that “twelve” signifies all things, and that it is predicated of truths from good; it shall now be shown that “the twelve tribes” signify all things of the church, and each tribe some universal and essential of the church. Because a representative church was to be instituted with the sons of Jacob it was provided by the Lord that his sons should be twelve in number, and that significative names should be given to them, and the twelve tribes from these, known by the same names, should signify all things of the church which they represented, and each tribe some universal essential of it. What, then, each tribe signified and represented will be told in what follows. As all things of the church have relation to truths from good, so “the twelve tribes” signify truths from good in the whole complex. They were called “tribes” because the two words in the original or Hebrew tongue rendered “tribe” mean a scepter and a rod; and a “scepter” signifies Divine truth in relation to government, and a “rod” Divine truth in relation to power.
sRef Num@17 @7 S2′ sRef Num@17 @6 S2′ sRef Num@17 @4 S2′ sRef Num@17 @2 S2′ sRef Num@17 @8 S2′ sRef Num@17 @5 S2′ sRef Num@17 @3 S2′ [2] Because of this derivation and signification, when the people murmured against Moses and Aaron on account of the government and power exercised over them, it was also commanded that:
The princes of all the tribes should lay up their rods in the Tent of meeting, and in the midst of them the rod of Levi with the name of Aaron written upon it, and this blossomed with almonds (Num. 17:3-8).
For “rods,” as has been said, have a similar meaning as “tribes,” and “the rod of Levi, on which was written the name of Aaron,” has a similar signification as “the tribe of Levi” and as “Aaron” as high priest, namely, the good of charity towards the neighbor and the good of love to the Lord; “tribe of Levi” signifying the good of charity, and “Aaron the priest” the good of love; consequently this rod was placed in the midst and blossomed with almonds; to be placed “in the midst” signifying that all things are from it (see above, n. 313), and “almonds” signifying the goods of life.
sRef Ex@28 @21 S3′ sRef Ex@28 @15 S3′ sRef Ex@28 @17 S3′ sRef Ex@28 @16 S3′ sRef Ex@28 @20 S3′ sRef Ex@28 @25 S3′ sRef Ex@28 @26 S3′ sRef Ex@28 @24 S3′ sRef Ex@28 @29 S3′ sRef Ex@28 @18 S3′ sRef Ex@28 @28 S3′ sRef Ex@28 @30 S3′ sRef Ex@28 @19 S3′ sRef Ex@28 @22 S3′ sRef Ex@28 @23 S3′ sRef Ex@28 @27 S3′ [3] Because “the twelve tribes” signified all things of the church, or truths from good in the whole complex:
A breastplate was made for Aaron, which was called the Urim and Thummim, composed of twelve precious stones, on which were the names of the twelve tribes, or of the twelve sons of Israel (Exod. 28:15-30; 39:8-21, 29).
It is known that through this answers were given from heaven, but from what origin has not heretofore been revealed; it shall therefore be told. All light in the angelic heaven proceeds from the Lord as a sun; therefore that light in its essence is Divine truth, from which the angels have all their intelligence and wisdom, and men also in spiritual things. This light in heaven is modified into various colors, in accordance with the truths from good that are received; for this reason colors, from correspondence, signify in the Word truths from good; and consequently answers were given by means of a resplendence from the colors of the stones in the Urim and Thummim, and then at the same time either by a living voice or by a silent perception corresponding to the resplendence. This makes clear that “the twelve tribes,” whose names were engraved on the stones, have a like signification. (But on this see what is said and shown in Arcana Coelestia, namely, that colors in heaven are from the light there, and that they are modifications and variegations of light in accordance with reception, n. 1042, 1043, 1053, 1624, 3993, 4530, 4742, 4922; thus that they are the appearances of truth from good, and signify such things as belong to intelligence and wisdom, n. 4530, 4677, 4922, 9466; that so far as colors are derived from red they signify good, and so far as they are from white they signify truth, n. 9467; that “stones” in general signify truths, n. 643, 1298, 3720, 6426, 8609, 10376; that “precious stones” signify truths from good; thus “the twelve precious stones” all truths from good in the church and in heaven, n. 9863, 9865, 9868, 9873, 9905; that “the breastplate of judgment” which was upon the ephod, and was called the Urim and Thummim, signifies in general truth shining forth from Divine good, n. 9823; that “Urim” means a shining fire, and “Thummim” resplendence in the angelic tongue, but integrity in the Hebrew tongue, n. 9905; that therefore “Urim and Thummim” signifies from correspondence the resplendence of Divine truth from Divine good in ultimates, n. 9905; that answers were there given by variegations of light from the precious stones, and at the same time then by a living voice or by silent perception, n. 3862; that the names of the twelve tribes were engraved thereon, because they signified all Divine truths of heaven and the church, n. 3858, 6335, 6640, 9863, 9865, 9873, 9874, 9905; besides further particulars, n. 9863, 9864, 9866, 9891, 9895.)
sRef Ex@28 @11 S4′ sRef Ex@28 @10 S4′ sRef Ex@28 @9 S4′ sRef Ex@28 @12 S4′ sRef Ex@28 @14 S4′ sRef Ex@28 @13 S4′ [4] Because truths from good, or good through truths, has all power, so:
The names of the twelve tribes were engraved upon the two onyx stones, six names upon each, and they were placed on the two shoulders of the ephod which Aaron wore (Exod. 28:9-14; 39:6, 7).
This signified the power of Divine truth from Divine good, and thus the power that those have who receive Divine truth in the good of love; for the “onyx stones” signified truths from the good of love, the “shoulders” power, and “the twelve tribes” all who are in truths from good. (That Divine truth from Divine good, has all power, and that from it those who receive it have power, may be seen above, n. 209, 333, and in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 228-233; that “shoulders” signify power of every kind, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 4931-4937, 9836.)
sRef Matt@24 @30 S5′ sRef Rev@1 @7 S5′ [5] That “tribes” signify all things of the church can be seen from the following passages. In Matthew:
Then shall appear the sign of the Son of man; and then shall all the tribes of the earth lament; and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and glory (24:30).
And in Revelation:
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 lament over Him (1:7).
This signifies that at the end of the church the Lord is to reveal Himself in the Word by means of the internal sense, and that all who are in truths from good will recognize Him, and that even those who are in falsities from evil will see Him (see above, n. 37-39); that “all the tribes of the earth shall lament” signifies that all truths from good will perish, and falsities from evil will take their place; “the tribes of the earth” meaning all who are of the church, and also all things of the church.
sRef Matt@19 @28 S6′ sRef Luke@22 @30 S6′ [6] In Matthew:
Jesus said to the disciples, Verily I say unto you, that 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 (19:28).
And in Luke:
Ye shall eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and shall sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel (22:30).
This no one can understand unless he knows from the spiritual sense what is meant by “apostles,” by “thrones,” and by “the tribes of Israel.” Who cannot see that the apostles are not to judge, but the Lord alone? For every man is judged according to his life, and no one except the Lord knows the lives of all, the apostles not knowing even the life of a single person. But in the spiritual sense, “the twelve apostles” signify all truths from good; “to sit upon thrones” signifies judgment, and “the twelve tribes of Israel” signify all who are of the church; these words signify, therefore, that the Lord is to judge all from Divine truth, and according to the reception of it in good.
sRef Rev@21 @14 S7′ sRef Rev@21 @12 S7′ [7] This signification of “apostles” and of the “tribes of Israel” is clearly seen in these words in Revelation:
The New Jerusalem had a wall great and high, having twelve gates, and above the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel. And the wall had twelve foundations, and on them the names of the twelve apostles of the lamb (21:12, 14).
“The New Jerusalem” does not mean any new Jerusalem, nor do its “wall and gates” mean a wall and gates, nor do “the twelve tribes and apostles” mean twelve tribes and apostles. Something wholly different is signified by each one of these things, as is evident merely from this, that “the New Jerusalem” means a new church in respect to doctrine; therefore “angels,” “tribes,” and “apostles” signify such things as belong to that new church, all of which have relation to truth and to good and to their conjunction, consequently to truths from good. (But these things will be seen explained in what follows, but they are briefly explained in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 1.)
sRef Ps@122 @3 S8′ sRef Ps@122 @4 S8′ [8] In David:
Jerusalem is builded as a city that is conjoined together; thither the tribes go up, the tribes of Jah, a testimony to Israel, to make confession to the name of Jehovah (Ps. 122:3, 4).
Here, too, “Jerusalem” signifies the church in respect to doctrine, which is said to be “builded as a city that is conjoined together,” when all things of its doctrine are accordant and unanimous, and when the Lord and love to Him from Him are mutually regarded as the beginning and the end. It is said to be “builded as a city,” because a “city” signifies doctrine; the truths of doctrine which thus look to the Lord are signified by “the tribes, the tribes of Jah;” “tribes” signifying truths, and “tribes of Jah” truths from good that are from the Lord; worship therefrom is signified by “making confession to the name of Jehovah.”
[9] Because “Israel” signifies the church that is in truths from good, Israel is called in the Word:
The tribes of inheritance (Isa. 63:17; Jer. 10:16; 51:19; Ps. 74:2).
And as “Egypt” signifies true knowledges (scientifica) which are in the natural man, and upon these are founded truths from good, which are the truths of the spiritual man, Egypt is called:
The cornerstone of the tribes (Isa. 19:13);
the “cornerstone” signifying the foundation (see above, n. 417). And as “the land of Canaan” signifies the church, and “the twelve tribes” all things of the church, and each tribe some universal and essential of the church, that land was divided among the tribes (Num. 26:5-56; 34:17-28; Josh. 15, et seq.). This, too, is clearly evident in Ezekiel, where a new land is treated of, which signifies a new church to be established by the Lord; and it is foretold and described how it is to be distributed for an inheritance according to the twelve tribes of Israel (47:13, 20); and these tribes are enumerated by name (48:1 to end). Evidently it is not there meant that the twelve tribes of Israel are to inherit the land, or any one tribe there named; for eleven of the tribes were scattered, and mingled with the nations everywhere, and yet it is told what portion of the land the tribe of Dan was to inherit, what Asher, Naphtali, Manasseh, Ephraim, Reuben, Judah, Benjamin, Simeon, Issachar, Zebulun, and Gad; from which it is plain that the “land” there means the church, and “the twelve tribes” all things of the church, and each tribe some universal essential of the church. It is similar with the twelve tribes enumerated in this chapter of Revelation, that “twelve thousand were sealed out of each tribe,” and were saved. That “twelve thousand” here signifies all persons and all things may be seen in the preceding article; but what universal essential of the church is signified by each tribe will be told in what follows.
sRef Deut@32 @8 S10′ sRef Deut@32 @7 S10′ [10] Of the church among the ancients, which preceded the Israelitish church, nearly the same is said in Moses:
Remember the days of eternity, consider the years of generation and generation; ask thy father and he will tell thee; thy elders, and they will say it unto thee; when the Most High gave to the nations an inheritance, when He separated the sons of man, He set the bounds of the peoples according to the number of the sons of Israel (Deut. 32:7, 8).
This was said of the churches that preceded the church instituted among the sons of Israel. (Respecting these see The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 247.) The Most Ancient Church, which was before the flood, and was a celestial church, or a church that was in the good of love to the Lord, is meant by “the days of eternity, when the Most High gave to the nations an inheritance, when He separated the sons of man,” “nations” signifying those who are in the good of love (see above, n. 331), and “the sons of man” those who are in truths from good (see also above, n. 63, 151). The Ancient Church, which was after the flood, and was a spiritual church, is meant by “the years of generation and generation, when the Most High set the bounds of the peoples according to the number of the sons of Israel;” “peoples” signifying those who are in spiritual good, which is the good of charity towards the neighbor (see above, n. 331); and “the number of the sons of Israel” having a like signification as “the twelve tribes” according to which the inheritances were given (as above in Ezekiel).
[11] Here two arcana respecting the twelve tribes shall be mentioned:
(1) Their arrangements represented the arrangements of the angelic societies in the heavens; and for this reason they represented all things of the church, for heaven and the church act as one.
(2) The representation of heaven and of the church is determined according to the order in which the tribes are named; and the first name or the first tribe is the guide that determines the things that follow, and accordingly the things of heaven and of the church, with variations.
(1) The arrangements of the twelve tribes of Israel represented the arrangements of the angelic societies in the heavens, and therefore heaven itself, since heaven consists of angelic societies, as can be seen from this, that each tribe represented and thence signified some universal essential of the church, and the twelve tribes taken together represented all things of the church, and the church that was instituted among the sons of Israel was a representative church; consequently the whole nation divided into twelve tribes, represented the church in the whole complex and therefore also heaven; for the same goods and the same truths that make the church make heaven also, or the same that make heaven make the church also (see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 57).
sRef Num@2 @19 S12′ sRef Num@2 @18 S12′ sRef Num@2 @20 S12′ sRef Num@2 @22 S12′ sRef Num@2 @21 S12′ sRef Num@2 @14 S12′ sRef Num@2 @13 S12′ sRef Num@2 @15 S12′ sRef Num@2 @17 S12′ sRef Num@2 @16 S12′ sRef Num@2 @23 S12′ sRef Num@2 @30 S12′ sRef Num@2 @29 S12′ sRef Num@2 @31 S12′ sRef Num@2 @34 S12′ sRef Num@2 @32 S12′ sRef Num@2 @25 S12′ sRef Num@2 @24 S12′ sRef Num@2 @26 S12′ sRef Num@2 @28 S12′ sRef Num@2 @27 S12′ sRef Num@2 @12 S12′ sRef Num@2 @3 S12′ sRef Num@2 @4 S12′ sRef Num@2 @5 S12′ sRef Num@2 @33 S12′ sRef Num@2 @1 S12′ sRef Num@2 @2 S12′ sRef Num@2 @9 S12′ sRef Num@2 @10 S12′ sRef Num@2 @11 S12′ sRef Num@2 @6 S12′ sRef Num@2 @7 S12′ sRef Num@2 @8 S12′ [12] The arrangements of the twelve tribes of Israel according to the arrangements of the angelic societies of heaven, consequently according to the form of heaven, are represented in their encampments, as described in Moses, namely:
To the east the tribes of Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun were encamped; and to the south the tribes of Reuben, Simeon, and Gad; to the west the tribes of Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benjamin; to the north the tribes of Dan, Asher, and Naphtali; and the tribe of Levi in the midst of the camp; and in the same order they went forward (Num. 2:1 to the end).
Anyone that knows who and of what quality those are in heaven who dwell in the eastern quarter, and who and of what quality those are who dwell in the southern, western, and northern quarters, and that knows also who and what those are who are signified by each tribe, is able to know the arcanum involved in the tribes of Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun encamping to the east, the tribes of Reuben, Simeon, and Gad encamping to the south, and so on. For the sake of illustration, only the encampment on the east, of the tribes of Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun will now be explained. “The tribe of Judah” signifies the good of love to the Lord, “the tribe of Issachar” the truth of that good, and “the tribe of Zebulun” the marriage of good and truth, which is also called the celestial marriage; so, too, those who dwell in the eastern quarter of heaven are all in the good of love to the Lord and in truths from that good, and thence in the celestial marriage. The other tribes must be viewed in a similar way. (That all in heaven have dwelling places in the four quarters according to their quality, and that the quarters there are not like the quarters in our solar world, may be seen in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 141-153.)
sRef Num@24 @1 S13′ sRef Num@24 @2 S13′ sRef Num@24 @3 S13′ sRef Num@24 @4 S13′ [13] It was because the encampments of the sons of Israel represented the arrangements of the angelic societies in heaven, that when Balaam saw their encampments he in the spirit saw heaven, as it were, and prophesied and blessed them, respecting which it is said in Moses:
Balaam set his face towards the wilderness, and when he lifted up his eyes, he saw Israel dwelling according to their tribes; and the spirit of God was upon him. And he took up his prophetic enunciation, and said, How good are thy tents, O Jacob, thy habitations, O Israel! As valleys are they planted, as gardens by the river (Num. 24:1-4, et seq.).
Evidently Balaam then saw the encampments of the sons of Israel according to tribes arranged as above described, for it is said that he “set his face toward the wilderness, and saw Israel dwelling according to their tribes;” and because he then saw in them the order of heaven, the spirit of God came upon him, and he prophesied and said, “How good are thy tents, O Jacob, and thy habitations, O Israel!” “tents and habitations” signifying such dwelling places as are in the heavens; “tents” the habitations of those who are in the good of love, and “habitations” the dwelling places of those who are in truths from that good. The fructifications of good and the multiplications of truth and the consequent intelligence and wisdom are signified by “as valleys are they planted, as gardens by the river;” for every good, and thus every truth flows in according to the form of heaven (as can be seen from what is shown in the work on Heaven and Hell, On the Form of Heaven, according to Which are the Consociations and Communications There, n. 200-212).
[14] (2) The representation of heaven and the church is determined according to the order in which the tribes are named, and the first name or the first tribe is the guide that determines all things that follow, and accordingly all things of heaven and of the church, with variations. This arcanum can hardly be comprehended by anyone unless he is in spiritual thought, nevertheless it shall be briefly explained. If, for example, the tribe of Judah is the first tribe that is named, as this tribe signifies the good of love, then from the good of love as the beginning, the significations of the other tribes that follow are determined, and this with variations according to the order in which they are named; for each tribe signifies some universal of the church, and the universal admits into itself specific variations, thus some specific variation derived from the first from which it descends; so in this case, all things in the series derive their specific spiritual sense from the good of love, which is signified by the tribe of Judah. So if the tribe of Reuben, which signifies truth in the light and the understanding of truth, is named first, from this the other tribes that follow derive their significations, agreeing and coinciding with the universal which each signifies. It is comparatively as with colors, that are seen tinged by the primary color which diffuses itself into the other colors and varies their appearance.
[15] When this is understood it can be seen how it was that answers were given in respect to any matter through the Urim and Thummim, for there was a shining forth through the precious stones from the origin of color out of that stone under which was the name of some tribe, from which the determination began. Moreover, the colors of these stones corresponded to the universals signified by the tribes inscribed on them. When anyone knows this, and knows also what the universal is that each tribe signifies, if he is in spiritual illustration he can in some measure perceive what the tribes signify in their sequence, as they are named in the Word; as what they signify in the sequence in which the sons of Jacob were born, in which the order is as follows:
Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, Benjamin (Gen. 29; 30; 35:18);
what they signify in the sequence given in their journeying into Egypt, in which they are named in the following order:
Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Gad, Asher, Joseph, Benjamin, Dan, Naphtali (Gen. 46:9-21);
what they signify in the sequence in which they received the blessing of Israel their father, where they are named in the following order:
Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Zebulun, Issachar, Dan, Gad, Asher, Naphtali, Joseph, Benjamin (Gen. 49);
differently when they were blessed by Moses, in the following order:
Reuben, Judah, Levi, Benjamin, Joseph, Ephraim, Manasseh, Zebulun, Gad, Dan, Naphtali, Asher (Deut. 33);
where Simeon and Issachar are omitted, and Ephraim and Manasseh substituted in their place; also what is signified by these tribes in the sequence in other passages (as in Gen. 35:23-26; Num. 1:5-16; 7:1 to end; 13:4-15; 26:5-56; 34:17-28; Deut. 27:12, 13; Josh. 15-19; Ezek. 48:1 to end). (That the twelve tribes have different significations according to the order in which they are named, and thus signify all the things of heaven with variations, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3862, 3926, 3939, 4603, et seq., 6337, 6640, 10335.) It shall be told in what follows what they signify in the sequence in which they are named in this chapter of Revelation, where they are named in the following order: Judah, Reuben, Gad, Asher, Naphtali, Manasseh, Simeon, Levi, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, Benjamin; and Dan and Ephraim are left out or not named.

sRef Rev@7 @5 S0′ 432. Verse 5. Of the tribe of Judah twelve thousand sealed; of the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand sealed; of the tribe of Gad twelve thousand sealed. 5. “Of the tribe of Judah twelve thousand sealed,” signifies love to the Lord, and that all who are in that love are in heaven, and come into heaven (n. 433); “of the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand sealed,” signifies the light of truth from that good, and that all who are in that light are in heaven and come into heaven (n. 434); “of the tribe of Gad twelve thousand sealed,” signifies the consequent good of life (n. 435, 436).

sRef Rev@7 @5 S0′ sRef Rev@14 @3 S1′ sRef Rev@14 @4 S1′ sRef Rev@14 @1 S1′ 433. Verse 5. Of the tribe of Judah twelve thousand sealed, signifies love to the Lord, and that all who are in that love are in heaven, and come into heaven. This is evident from the representation and consequent signification of “Judah” and his tribe, as being love to the Lord (of which presently); also from the signification of “twelve thousand,” as being all persons and all things (of which see above, n. 430), here all who are in that love; also from the signification of the “sealed,” as being those who are distinguished and separated from such as are in evil; in other words, those who are in good (of which also see above, n. 427). It follows that those who are in heaven and who come into heaven are meant, for these “were sealed in their foreheads,” that is, separated from the evil; for these are the ones of whom it is said:
A Lamb was standing on the Mount Zion, and with Him a hundred and forty-four thousand, having the Father’s name written on their foreheads. These are they who were not defiled with women; for they are virgins, bought from among men, the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb (Rev. 14:1, 3, 4).
“The Mount Zion” signifies the heaven in which there is love to the Lord; for all those signified by “the twelve thousand out of each tribe,” or by “the hundred and forty-four thousand sealed on their foreheads,” are such as acknowledge the Lord and love Him; and for this reason the first tribe named is the tribe of Judah, which tribe signifies love to the Lord; for (as was said above, n. 431) the representation of heaven is determined by the order in which the tribes are named, and the first name, or the tribe first named, is that from which are derived the determinations and significations of those that follow, with variations.
sRef John@14 @20 S2′ sRef John@14 @21 S2′ sRef John@14 @24 S2′ sRef John@14 @23 S2′ [2] Furthermore, no one is admitted into heaven except by the Lord, for the universal heaven is His, consequently no one is in heaven, or comes to it, unless he acknowledges the Lord and loves Him. To love the Lord is not to love Him in respect to person but to live according to His commandments, as the Lord also teaches in plain words in John:
In that day ye shall know that I am in My Father, and ye in Me, and I in you. He that hath My commandments and doeth them, he it is that loveth Me. If anyone loveth Me he will keep 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 (14:20, 21, 23, 24).
Those love the Lord who do and keep His commandments and His words, because His commandments and words signify Divine truths, and all Divine truth proceeds from Him, and that which proceeds from Him is Himself; when, therefore, a man is in that truth in respect to his life the Lord is in him and he in the Lord; this is why it is said “ye in Me and I in you,” and “We will come and make Our abode with him;” this, therefore, is loving Him. To love means also to be conjoined, for love is spiritual conjunction, and conjunction is effected by the reception of Divine truth in doctrine and in life.
sRef John@1 @14 S3′ sRef John@1 @1 S3′ [3] Before showing from the Word that “Judah,” or the tribe named from Judah, signifies love to the Lord, it shall be told what “Judah” signifies in each sense in the Word. In the highest sense “Judah” signifies the Lord in respect to celestial love; in the internal sense the Lord’s celestial kingdom, and the Word; and in the external sense doctrine from the Word belonging to the celestial kingdom. Because in the highest sense the Lord in respect to celestial love is signified, and in the internal sense the celestial kingdom, love to the Lord also is signified, for that is the reciprocal love in man, and reigns in the Lord’s celestial kingdom. There are two kingdoms into which the universal heaven is divided, the celestial kingdom and the spiritual kingdom; the celestial kingdom consists of those who are in love to the Lord, and the spiritual kingdom of those who are in love towards the neighbor; from this can be seen what is meant by celestial love and by spiritual love (on these kingdoms, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 20-28). These two kingdoms the Jews and Israelites represented, the Jews the celestial kingdom and the Israelites the spiritual kingdom. Again, “Judah” signifies the Word because the Lord is the Word, and He took on the Human in that tribe that He might be the Word in respect even to the Human, as it is said in John:
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and God was the Word. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us (1:1, 14).
“The Word” signifies the Lord in respect to Divine truth proceeding from His Divine love; consequently those who love the Divine truth that is in the Word by doing it are in the Lord’s love.
sRef Gen@49 @8 S4′ sRef Gen@49 @9 S4′ sRef Gen@49 @11 S4′ sRef Gen@49 @12 S4′ sRef Gen@49 @10 S4′ [4] That “Judah” signifies the Lord in respect to celestial love, and thus love to the Lord, and also the Word, can be seen from the following passages. In Moses:
Thou art Judah, thy brethren shall praise thee; thy hand shall be on the neck of thine enemies; thy father’s sons shall bow down to thee. Judah is a lion’s whelp; from the prey, my son, art thou gone up; he stooped down, he crouched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up? The scepter shall not be removed from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and the obedience of the peoples shall be to him. He shall bind his young ass to the vine, and the son of his she-ass to the noble vine; he washeth his vesture in wine, and his covering in the blood of grapes; his eyes shall be red from wine, and his teeth white from milk (Gen. 49:8-12).
Here by “Judah” in the spiritual sense the Lord’s celestial kingdom and the Lord Himself in respect to celestial love are described. Celestial love is the Lord’s love received in the celestial kingdom, and spiritual love is the Lord’s love received in the spiritual kingdom. The signification of these words is as follows: “Thy brethren shall praise thee” signifies that the celestial church is eminent above all others; for “the brethren,” or the tribes named from Jacob’s sons, who were Judah’s brethren, signify the church; “thy hand shall be on the neck of thine enemies” signifies that the infernal and devilish crew shall be thrust out and held back, “enemies” meaning those who are from hell; “thy father’s sons shall bow down to thee” signifies the submission of all truths of the church, “to bow down” meaning to submit themselves, and “his father’s sons” all truths of the church; for in those who are in love to the Lord, and thence in the celestial kingdom, all truths of the church are implanted; “Judah is a lion’s whelp” signifies innocence with innate powers; for love to the Lord, viewed in itself, is innocence, and this is signified by “whelp,” and its innate powers are signified by a “lion;” “from the prey, my son, thou art gone up,” signifies the deliverance of many from hell; “he stooped down, he crouched as a lion, and as an old lion,” signifies the good of love and truth therefrom in its power; for “to stoop down,” in reference to a lion, means to put himself into power; “who shall rouse him up?” signifies that this good is safe wherever it is, and that it cannot be moved by the hells.
“The scepter shall not be removed from Judah” signifies that power shall not depart from the good of celestial love; “nor a lawgiver from between his feet” signifies, nor shall the truths of the Word disappear from its ultimate sense; “until Shiloh come” signifies the Lord’s coming and the tranquillity of peace at that time; “the obedience of the peoples shall be to him” signifies truths from Him, and conjunction thereby; “he shall bind his young ass to the vine” signifies the external church and its truths from the Lord; “and the son of his she-ass to the noble vine” signifies the internal church and its truths from the Lord; “he washeth his vesture in wine” signifies the Lord’s external or natural Human, which is Divine truth from His Divine love; “and his covering in the blood of grapes,” signifies the Lord’s internal or rational Human, which is Divine good from His Divine love; “his eyes shall be red from wine” signifies that the internal or rational Human is nothing but good; “and his teeth white from milk” signifies that the external or natural Human is nothing but the good of truth. Thus from each particular in this description it can be seen that “Judah” does not mean Judah, but that it is some preeminently heavenly thing that is thus described. (But the particulars may be seen explained in Arcana Coelestia, n. 6363-6381.)
sRef Ezek@37 @24 S5′ sRef Ezek@37 @22 S5′ sRef Ezek@37 @21 S5′ sRef Ezek@37 @17 S5′ sRef Ezek@37 @19 S5′ sRef Ezek@37 @16 S5′ sRef Ezek@37 @26 S5′ sRef Ezek@37 @27 S5′ sRef Ezek@37 @25 S5′ [5] In Ezekiel:
Thou son of man, take thee one stick and write upon it, For Judah and for the sons of Israel his fellows; then take another stick and write upon it, For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim and of all the house of Israel; and then join them for thee one with another into one stick, that they both may be one in thy* hand. I will take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim and of the tribes of Israel his fellows, and will bring upon it with the stick of Judah, and I will make them one stick. I will take the sons of Israel from among the nations whither they are gone, and will bring them together from round about, and will bring them upon their own land; and will make them into one nation upon the land in the mountains of Israel, and one king shall be to them all for a king, and they shall be no more two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms anymore at all. My servant David shall be king over them, that they all may have one shepherd; and they shall walk in My judgments and keep My statutes, and do them. Then shall they** dwell upon the land that I have given unto Jacob My servant, wherein your fathers dwelt; and they shall dwell upon it, they and their sons and their sons’ sons to eternity; and David My servant shall be their prince to eternity. And I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be a covenant of eternity with them; and I will give them, and multiply them, and I will set My sanctuary in the midst of them forever. So shall My tabernacle be with them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people (Ezek. 37:16, 17, 19, 21, 22, 24-27).
What this signifies no one can know unless he knows what “Judah” and “Israel,” and “Joseph” and “Ephraim” signify. Evidently Judah and Israel are not meant, nor Joseph and Ephraim; for it is said that the tribes of Israel scattered among the nations should be gathered together and brought into the land of Canaan, and that David should be their king and prince, and that they were to dwell with him forever. Who does not know that the tribes of Israel could not be gathered, and that David could no more be king over them? Let it be known, then, what is signified in the spiritual sense by “Judah,” by “the sons of Israel,” by “Joseph” and “Ephraim,” and further what by “David,” and by “the land of Canaan.” “Judah,” in the spiritual sense, signifies the Lord’s celestial kingdom; “the sons of Israel” the Lord’s spiritual kingdom; “Joseph” and “Ephraim,” and “the scattered tribes of Israel that are to be gathered together,” mean those who are below these kingdoms, being neither celestial nor spiritual but natural, and yet are in the good of life according to their religious principle.
sRef John@10 @16 S6′ [6] These are meant also by the Lord in John:
Other sheep also I have, which are not of this fold; them also must I bring, and they shall hear My voice; and there shall be one flock and one Shepherd (10:16);
for these were not in heaven before the Lord’s coming, but were introduced by Him after He had glorified His Human, and for the reason that until then the Divine proceeding could not extend to them. When this is known, and when it is known that “David” means the Lord in respect to Divine truth proceeding from His Divine Human, it can be known what the particulars here mean in series. These things were written upon two sticks, and the two sticks were joined into one stick, because a “stick” (or wood) signifies the good of life, and all conjunction in heaven is effected by means of good and according to it. (That “wood” signifies the good of life see Arcana Coelestia, n. 643, 2784, 3720, 8354.)
sRef Isa@11 @12 S7′ sRef Isa@11 @14 S7′ sRef Isa@11 @13 S7′ [7] In Isaiah:
Then the Lord shall lift up an ensign for the nations, and shall gather together the outcasts of Israel, and shall bring together the scattered of Judah from the four wings of the earth. Then the envy of Ephraim shall depart, and the adversaries of Judah shall be cut off; Ephraim shall not envy Judah, and Judah shall not distress Ephraim; but they shall fly on the shoulder of the Philistines towards the sea (11:12-14).
This is said of the salvation of the Gentiles, which are also signified by “the outcasts of Israel” and “the scattered of Judah,” for it is said that “the Lord shall lift up an ensign for the nations;” “the outcasts of Israel” mean those who are not in truths, but still are in the desire to learn them; and “the scattered of Judah” mean those who are in the good of life, and thereby in love to the Lord; for those who love to do good love the Lord; for the Lord is in such good, since it is from Him. “Ephraim” means the intellectual, here in agreement with the good of love; and that these shall not be at variance with each other is meant by “the envy of Ephraim shall depart;” “Ephraim shall not envy Judah, and Judah shall not distress Ephraim.” That they shall be separated from those who are in faith separate from charity is signified by “they shall fly on the shoulder of the Philistines towards the sea;” “the philistines towards the sea” meaning those who separate faith from charity, that is from the good of life; “the sea” meaning the ultimate of heaven where it comes to an end; and “to fly on the shoulder” meaning to reject, and thus to separate themselves.
sRef Zech@9 @13 S8′ sRef Zech@9 @9 S8′ [8] In Zechariah:
Exult, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem; behold, thy King cometh unto thee; He is just and faithful.*** I will bend Judah for Me, I will fill the bow with Ephraim, and I will stir up thy sons, O Zion (9:9, 13).
This treats of the Lord’s coming and the establishment of the church by Him with those who are in the good of love and in the truths of doctrine therefrom. “The daughter of Zion” and “the daughter of Jerusalem” signify the church with such; “thy King who cometh, just and faithful,” is the Lord, from whom are the good of love and the truth of doctrine; “I will bend Judah for Me, I will fill the bow with Ephraim,” signifies that the church is to be established with such as are in the good of love to the Lord, and in the truths of doctrine therefrom; “Judah” here meaning those who are in the good of love to the Lord, and “Ephraim” the truths of doctrine, for “Ephraim” signifies the intellectual of the church, and “bow” the doctrine of truth (that “bow” signifies doctrine see above, n. 357, where this is also explained); such as these are “sons of Zion.” Evidently the Jewish nation is not here meant by “Judah,” nor Ephraim by “Ephraim;” for the Lord’s church was not established with the Jewish nation, for it was not received by that nation, and the tribe of Ephraim did not then exist.
sRef Zech@10 @6 S9′ sRef Zech@10 @4 S9′ sRef Zech@10 @3 S9′ sRef Zech@10 @7 S9′ [9] In the same:
Jehovah of Hosts shall visit His drove, the house of Judah, and shall set them as the horse of His glory in war. Out of him shall be the corner, out of him the nail, out of him the bow of war. And I will render the house of Judah mighty, and I will save the house of Joseph, and will make them to dwell. Hence they shall be as the mighty Ephraim, and their heart shall be glad as if with wine (Zech. 10:3, 4, 6, 7).
Here, too, “the house of Judah” means the Lord’s celestial kingdom, which consists of those who are in love to Him, and “Ephraim” means those who are in the truths of doctrine from that love; for all who are in the Lord’s celestial kingdom are in the truths of doctrine, since such have truths, as it were, implanted in and inscribed upon their hearts (see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 25, 26. The rest may be seen explained above, n. 355, 376).
sRef Zech@2 @12 S10′ sRef Zech@2 @10 S10′ sRef Zech@2 @11 S10′ [10] In the same:
Sing for joy and be glad, O daughter of Zion; for lo I come that I may dwell in the midst of thee. Then many nations shall conjoin themselves to Jehovah in that day, and shall be to Me for a people. Jehovah shall make Judah an heritage for Himself, His part, in the land of holiness, and shall again choose Jerusalem (Zech. 2:10-12).
Very evidently “Judah” here does not mean the Jewish nation, nor does “Jerusalem” mean Jerusalem; for the Lord’s coming is here treated of, at which time that nation had wholly receded, and afterwards Jerusalem was destroyed; and yet it is said that “Jehovah shall make Judah an heritage for Himself, and His part in the land of holiness, and shall again choose Jerusalem;” therefore “Judah” means those who are in love to the Lord, and “Jerusalem” the church with such in respect to doctrine.
sRef Nahum@1 @15 S11′ [11] In Nahum:
Behold upon the mountains the feet of him that proclaimeth good tidings, that publisheth peace! Celebrate thy feasts, O Judah, render thy vows; for Belial shall never more pass through thee; he is utterly cut off (1:15).
This, too, is said of the Lord; His coming is meant by “Behold upon the mountains the feet of him that proclaimeth good tidings, that publisheth peace!” “To celebrate feasts” and “to render vows” signify to rejoice in His coming and then to worship Him; “Belial shall never more pass through Judah, he is utterly cut off,” signifies that evil shall be no more with them because they are in the Lord. This could not be said of the Jewish nation, but may be said of those who are in love to the Lord; which makes clear that such are meant by “Judah.”
sRef Mal@3 @1 S12′ sRef Mal@3 @4 S12′ [12] In Malachi:
Behold I send My messenger, and he shall prepare the way before Me; and the Lord shall suddenly come to His temple. Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be agreeable unto Jehovah, according to the days of an age, and according to the former years (3:1, 4).
It is known in the church that this is said of the Lord’s coming, and that “the messenger who shall prepare the way before Him” means John the Baptist. “The offering of Judah and Jerusalem shall be agreeable unto Jehovah” signifies that then there will be acceptable worship from the good of love to the Lord, “the offering of Judah” signifying such worship; it is evident that the worship of the Jewish nation and of Jerusalem was not acceptable, for they did not acknowledge the Lord, but utterly rejected Him; “according to the days of an age, and according to former years,” signifies according to the worship in the ancient churches; the Most Ancient Church, that was before the flood, and was in love to the Lord, is signified by “the days of an age,” or of eternity, and the Ancient Church, that was after the flood, and was a spiritual church, is signified by “former years.”
sRef Joel@3 @18 S13′ sRef Joel@3 @19 S13′ sRef Joel@3 @20 S13′ [13] In Joel:
It shall come to pass in that day that the mountains shall drop down must, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the water-courses of Judah shall flow with waters, and a fountain shall go forth out of the house of Jehovah, and shall water the brook of Shittim. Egypt shall be a waste, and Edom shall be a waste wilderness, because of the violence to the sons of Judah, whose innocent blood they have shed in their land. But Judah shall sit to eternity, and Jerusalem to generation and generation (3:18-20).
Here, too, the Lord’s coming and a new heaven and a new earth at that time are treated of. “The mountains shall drop down must” signifies that all truth will be from the good of love (that “mountains” signify the good of love see above, n. 405; and that “wine” and “must” signify truth see also above, n. 376). “The hills shall flow with milk” signifies that spiritual life will be from the good of charity towards the neighbor; and “all the watercourses of Judah shall flow with waters” signifies that from the particulars of the Word there will be truths, through which there will be intelligence; “a fountain shall go forth out of the house of Jehovah, and shall water the brook of Shittim,” signifies that out of heaven from the Lord there will be truth of doctrine that will illustrate those who are in cognitions and knowledges; “Egypt shall be a waste, and Edom shall be a waste wilderness” signifies that false principles, and the evils of the love of self, both from the natural man, will be destroyed; “because of the violence to the sons of Judah, whose innocent blood they have shed in their land,” signifies because of the truths of the Word falsified and its goods adulterated, which they have corrupted and destroyed; “Judah shall sit to eternity, and Jerusalem to generation and generation,” signifies that the Word and the doctrine of genuine truth therefrom will remain to eternity with those who are in love to the Lord. This makes clear that “Judah” does not here mean Judah, nor “Jerusalem” Jerusalem.
sRef Joel@3 @5 S14′ sRef Joel@3 @4 S14′ sRef Joel@3 @6 S14′ [14] In the same:
O Tyre and Zidon, and all the boundaries of the Philistines, I will quickly return a recompense upon your head; because ye have taken My silver and My gold, and the desirable things of My goods ye have 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 boundaries (Joel 3:4-6).
By “Tyre and Zidon” and by “the Philistines” are understood those who have falsified the truths and goods of the Word; “my silver and my gold” signify these truths and goods, and “to bring them into their temples” signifies to falsify and profane them; “to sell the sons of Judah and the sons of Jerusalem to the sons of the Grecians” signifies to pervert and falsify all the truths and goods of the Word; “the sons of Judah” meaning the goods of the Word, “the sons of Jerusalem” its truths, and “the sons of the Grecians” falsities; “to remove them far from their boundaries” signifies far from the truths themselves. One who does not know the spiritual sense of the Word might believe that those who were in Tyre and Zidon and in Philistia sold the sons of Judah and Jerusalem to the Grecians; but this is a prophecy in which the nations which are named signify the things of the church.
sRef Jer@3 @18 S15′ [15] In Jeremiah:
In those days the house of Judah shall go unto**** the house of Israel, and they shall come together out of the land of the north unto the land that I gave for an inheritance unto your fathers (3:18).
This, too, treats of the Lord’s coming and of a new church from Him. His coming is meant by “in those days,” and a new church by “the house of Judah and the house of Israel,” a church from those who are in love to the Lord by “the house of Judah,” and a church from those who are in charity towards the neighbor, which is called a spiritual church, by “the house of Israel.” “They shall come together out of the land of the north unto the land that I gave for an inheritance unto your fathers” signifies that they shall come out of ignorance and falsities, in which they then were, into knowledges and the light of truth of the church; “the land of the north” signifying a state of ignorance and of the falsity of religion and “the land given for an inheritance to their fathers” a church that is in knowledges and the light of truth. These things were said of the nations from whom a new church is to be established. It is well known that the house of Judah and the house of Israel did not then come out of the land of the north, namely at the time when the Lord was in the world; for the Jews were then in the land of Canaan, and the Israelites were dispersed.
sRef Jer@23 @5 S16′ sRef Jer@23 @6 S16′ [16] In the same:
Behold the days come when I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and He shall reign as King, and shall prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the land. In His days shall Judah be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely; and this is His name which they shall call Him, Jehovah our Righteousness (Jer. 23:5, 6; 33:15, 16).
This is plainly said of the Lord; He is “the Branch of David,” He “shall reign as a King, and He shall be called Jehovah our Righteousness.” “In His days Judah shall be saved and Israel shall dwell safely,” signifies that those will be saved who are in love to Him and in charity towards the neighbor (as above). It is evident that Judah was not saved, and that Israel was not recalled, and could not be recalled so as to dwell safely, that is, without infestation from evils and falsities.
sRef Jer@50 @20 S17′ sRef Jer@50 @19 S17′ [17] In the same:
I will bring Israel again to his habitation, that he may feed on Carmel and Bashan, and his soul shall be satisfied upon Mount Ephraim and in Gilead. In those days and in that time the iniquity of Israel shall be sought for, and the sins of Judah, and they shall not be found (Jer. 50:19, 20).
This, too, is said of the establishment by the Lord of a church among the Gentiles that are meant by “Israel,” who is said to be brought back to his habitation, and “Judah” whose sins are not to be found. That these are to be led by the Lord and instructed in the good of charity is meant by “they shall feed on Carmel and Bashan, and upon Mount Ephraim and in Gilead.”
sRef Zech@12 @4 S18′ sRef Zech@12 @7 S18′ sRef Zech@12 @6 S18′ [18] In Zechariah:
In that day I will smite every horse with astonishment, and his rider with madness; and I will open Mine eye upon the house of Judah. In that day will I make the leaders of Judah like a furnace of fire among wood, and like a torch of fire in a sheaf, that they may devour all the peoples round about, on the right and on the left, that Jerusalem may yet dwell in her own place, even in Jerusalem. Jehovah shall save the tents of Judah first (12:4, 6, 7).
This treats of the devastation of the former church and of the establishment of a new church by the Lord; the devastation of the former church is described by “In that day I will smite every horse with astonishment, and his rider with madness,” for “horse” signifies the understanding of truth with man, and “the rider” intelligence (see above, n. 355); “the house of Judah” signifies the church with those who are in the good of love to the Lord; of this it is said that the Lord “will open His eye upon it.” That evils from hell and also falsities will be dispersed by such and with such, is signified by “In that day will I make the leaders of Judah like a furnace of fire among wood, and like a torch of fire in a sheaf, that they may devour all the peoples round about, on the right and on the left.” That that church will be safe from the infestation of evils and falsities is signified by “Jerusalem shall dwell in her own place, even in Jerusalem;” and that the Lord will wholly save those who are in love to Him is signified by “Jehovah shall save the tents of Judah first.”
sRef Isa@2 @1 S19′ sRef Isa@2 @2 S19′ sRef Isa@2 @3 S19′ [19] In Isaiah:
The word of Jehovah respecting Judah and Jerusalem: It shall come to pass in the latter end of days that the mountain of Jehovah shall be firm on the top of the mountains, and shall be lifted up above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it, and many peoples shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of Jehovah, to the house of the God of Jacob; and He will instruct us of His ways, and we will walk in His paths (2:1-3).
This, too, is said of a new church to be established by the Lord; “the mountain of Jehovah that will then be firm on the top of the mountains” means Zion, and signifies the celestial church, and love to the Lord, which those have who are of that church. That this is the primary thing of the church, and that it is to increase and gain strength, is signified by “it shall be on the top of the mountains, and be lifted up above the hills;” that those who are in good will acknowledge the Lord and will draw near to the church is signified by “all nations shall flow unto that mountain,” “nations” signifying those who are in celestial good, which is the good of love to the Lord, and “peoples” those who are in spiritual good, which is the good of charity towards the neighbor; of these latter it is said, “many peoples shall go and say, Come ye and let us go up to the mountain of Jehovah, to the house of the God of Jacob.” (That “nations” signify those who are in celestial good, and “peoples” those who are in spiritual good, see above, n. 331.)
sRef Isa@44 @25 S20′ sRef Isa@44 @24 S20′ sRef Isa@44 @26 S20′ [20] In the same:
Jehovah thy Redeemer, and thy Former from the womb, that establisheth the word of His servant, and performeth the counsel of His messengers, 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 (Isa. 44:24, 26).
This, too, treats of the Lord’s coming, who is “Jehovah thy Redeemer, and thy Former from the womb;” He is called “Redeemer” because He delivered from hell; and “the Former from the womb” because He regenerates man. A prediction by the prophets respecting Him and respecting the salvation of man is meant by “that establisheth the word of His servant, and performeth the counsel of His messengers;” that those who are of His church will be saved, and will be instructed in the truths of celestial doctrine is meant by “saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be inhabited, and to the cities of Judah, Ye shall be built;” “Jerusalem” meaning the church, and “the cities of Judah” the truths of celestial doctrine. That the falsities that destroy the church shall be shaken off is meant by “I will raise up the waste places thereof.” It is not said by the Lord that Jerusalem would be inhabited and the cities of Judah built, but that Jerusalem would be destroyed, which was done as is well known.
sRef Isa@65 @9 S21′ [21] In the same:
And I will bring forth a seed out of Jacob, and out of Judah an Inheri-tor of My mountains; that My chosen may possess it, and My servants dwell there (Isa. 65:9).
Here “Jacob” and “Judah” do not mean a people from Jacob and a nation from Judah, but a church to be established by the Lord; “Jacob” means the church that is in the good of life, and “Judah” the church that is the good of love to the Lord; thus “Jacob” an external church, and “Judah” an internal church. “Seed” means charity and faith, and “mountains” the goods of love. Those who are in charity are called “chosen,” and those who are in truths from the good of love are called “servants,” therefore it is said “that My chosen may possess it, and My servants dwell there.”
sRef Ezek@27 @17 S22′ [22] In Ezekiel:
Judah and the land of Israel were thy traders; they traded in thy market with wheats of Minnith and Pannag, and with honey and oil, and balsam (27:17).
This was said of Tyre, which signifies the church in respect to the knowledges of truth and good, and thus “Tyre” signifies the knowledges of truth and good belonging to the church; its merchandise and tradings are here treated of, which describe how these knowledges are acquired, here such of them as are acquired from Judah and the land of Israel; and as “Judah” signifies the good of love, and “Israel” the truths from that good, its tradings are said to be with “wheats of Minnith and Pannag, and in honey, and oil, and balsam,” because “wheats of Minnith and Pannag” signify truths and goods of the church of all kinds, “honey” signifies the good of love in the natural man, “oil” the good of love in the spiritual man, and “balsam” truths that are grateful from good (see above, n. 375, where this is more fully explained). From the merchandise mentioned in this chapter, when understood in the spiritual sense, what is signified by the different nations there mentioned becomes very evident, thus what is meant by “Judah” and by “Israel,” for the merchandise indicates the spiritual meaning.
[23] That “Judah” does not mean the Jewish nation can be seen in Ezekiel 48, which treats of a new land that was to be distributed among the twelve tribes of Israel, and these tribes are there named, and what part of the land each one was to possess; and much is there said about the tribe of Judah, and that “the sanctuary should be in the midst of it” (verses 8-22); which makes clear that the tribes there mentioned do not mean those tribes, for eleven of them had been scattered, and had become Gentiles, from whom they could not be distinguished, for they had been carried away into perpetual exile. It is evident also that the land there mentioned does not mean a land, but a church, and consequently the tribes there mentioned mean such things as pertain to the church, and “Judah” there means the celestial church, or the church that is in love to the Lord, in which therefore, is the sanctuary.
sRef Ps@114 @2 S24′ [24] The like is meant by “Judah” and “Israel” in David:
Judah became His sanctuary, and Israel His domain (Ps. 114:2).
“Sanctuary” signifies in the highest sense the Lord Himself, and in a relative sense the worship of Him from the good of love; “Israel” signifies the truth of the church from that good; and because truths from good, that is, good by means of truths, have all power, therefore it is said “Israel became His domain.” Because “Judah” signifies the Lord’s celestial kingdom, and “Israel” the Lord’s spiritual kingdom (as was said above), and the celestial kingdom is what constitutes the priesthood of the Lord in heaven, and the spiritual kingdom the royalty of the Lord (see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 24, 226), so in the Word the Lord is called a “King,” and in the Gospels:
King of the Jews (Matt. 2:2; John 18:33, 37; 19:19);
and the Lord as “King of the Jews” means the Lord in respect to Divine truth proceeding from the Divine good of His Divine love; therefore “kings” in the Word signify truths that are from good (see above, n. 31).
sRef Jer@31 @31 S25′ sRef Jer@31 @34 S25′ sRef Jer@31 @27 S25′ sRef Jer@31 @33 S25′ [25] In Jeremiah:
Behold the days come that I will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of man and with the seed of the beast; and in which I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. This is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, I will give My law in the midst of them, and will write it upon their heart; and I will be to them for God, and they shall be to Me for a people (31:27, 31, 33, 34).
Here, too, “the days to come” mean the Lord’s coming; therefore it is not meant that a new covenant would then be made with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, but with a new church to be established by the Lord, which is meant by “the house of Israel and the house of Judah,” in the midst of whom the law should be given, and should be written on the heart. Everyone knows that this was not done with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, for they utterly rejected the covenant with the Lord and likewise do so to this day. “Covenant” signifies conjunction with the Lord through love to Him, from which conjunction there is given the law or Divine truth in them, both in their doctrine and in their life, and this is the law in the midst and written***** on the heart. “To sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of man and with the seed of beast” signifies to reform those who are of the new church through truths and goods that are of intelligence and affection, “seed” meaning truth, “man” intelligence, and “beast” the good of affection. That this is the signification of “beast” will be shown in what follows.
sRef Zech@8 @22 S26′ sRef Zech@8 @23 S26′ [26] In Zechariah:
Many peoples and numerous nations shall come to seek Jehovah of Hosts in Jerusalem, and to entreat the faces of Jehovah. In those days,****** ten men out of all the tongues of the nations shall take hold of the skirt of a man that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you; for we have heard that God is with you (8:22, 23).
One who does not know that a “Jew” means such as are in love to the Lord and in the truths of doctrine therefrom can easily be led to believe that these things are said of the Jews, and of bringing them into the land of Canaan, and that all others who desire to be saved will then take hold of the skirt of their raiment, praying to be allowed to go with them. But when it is known that this is not said of any introduction into the land of Canaan, to Jerusalem there, and that a “Jew” does not mean those who are of that nation, but that “Jerusalem” means a new church to be established by the Lord, and a “Jew” everyone who is in the good of love to the Lord, and “the skirt of a Jew” means truth from that good, then the signification of all things in this chapter and of these words in particular can be known, for this treats of the calling together of the nations and their drawing near to the church, and a “Jew” means those who acknowledge and love the Lord, and “to take hold of his skirt” signifies a longing to know truth from the Lord, and “ten men out of all the tongues of the nations” mean all, of whatever religion, “ten men” signifying all, and “tongues of the nations” their religious principles.
[27] From this it can be seen how far from the truth those have wandered, who believe that at the end of time the Jews will be converted to the Lord and brought back into the land of Canaan. These believe that “land,” “Jerusalem,” “Israel,” and “Judah” mean in the Word the land of Canaan, the city of Jerusalem, the Israelitish people, and the Jewish nation. Those who have hitherto so believed are excusable, because they have known nothing of the spiritual sense of the Word, and therefore have not known that the “land” signifies the church, “Jerusalem” the church in respect to doctrine, “Israel” those who are of the spiritual church, and “Judah” those who are of the celestial church; also that where bringing them into the land of Canaan is treated of in the prophets, bringing the faithful into heaven and into the church is meant. This also took place when the Lord came into the world, for then all those who had lived in the good of charity and had worshiped God under a human form were brought into heaven; these had been preserved under heaven until the Lord came, and when He had glorified His Human they were brought in. These are the ones meant in many passages in the prophetic Word that treat of the captivity of the sons of Israel and Judah, and their being brought back into their land. In these passages those also are meant who were to be brought into the church, and thence into heaven from the earth after the Lord came, not only where the Christian religion is received but everywhere else. Both of these classes are meant in many passages where Israel, Judah and Jerusalem are mentioned, and their being brought into the land is treated of (as in the following: Isa. 10:21, 22; 11:11, 12; 43:5, 6; 49:10-26; 56:8; 60:4; 61:1-5, 9; Jer. 3:12-20; 16:15, 16; 23:7, 8; 30:2-11; 31:1-14, 23-40; 33:6-18; Ezek. 16:60-62; 20:40-42; 34:11-16; 37:21-28; 39:21-29; Hos. 3:5; Joel 2:18-27; 2:32; Amos 9:12-15; and elsewhere).
sRef Isa@66 @22 S28′ sRef Isa@66 @20 S28′ [28] The two following may be taken as examples of passages whereby the Jews have persuaded themselves, and also Christians have come to believe, that the Jewish nation is to return into the land of Canaan, and be saved before others. In Isaiah:
Then shall they bring all your brethren out of all nations, an offering unto Jehovah, upon horses, and upon the chariot, and upon covered wagons, and upon mules, and upon swift beasts, to the mountain of My holiness, Jerusalem. As the new heavens and the new earth which I am about to make shall stand before Me, so shall your seed and your name stand (66:20, 22).
(What this signifies see above, n. 355, 405, where they are explained.) “The new heaven and the new earth” mean the heaven and the church formed of those who were to be saved by the Lord, when He had glorified His Human, as was said above.
sRef Isa@49 @23 S29′ sRef Isa@49 @22 S29′ [29] In the same:
I will lift up My hand towards the nations, and elevate My ensign to the peoples, that they may bring thy sons in the bosom, and carry thy daughters upon the shoulder. Kings shall be thy nourishers, and princesses thy sucklers; with the face to the earth shall they bow down to thee, and lick the dust of thy feet (Isa. 49:22, 23).
This whole chapter treats of the coming of the Lord and the salvation of those who receive Him, as is clearly evident from verses 6-9 in that chapter; consequently it does not treat of the salvation of the Jews, much less of their restoration to the land of Canaan. That the Jewish nation is not meant in the above passages can be seen from the fact that it was the worst nation and at heart idolatrous, and that it was brought back into the land of Canaan not because of any goodness or righteousness of heart, but because of the promise made to their fathers; also that they had no truths and goods of the church, but only falsities and evils, and that for this reason they were rejected and driven out of the land of Canaan; as can be seen from all those passages in the Word in which that nation is described.
sRef Jer@2 @28 S30′ sRef Jer@11 @13 S30′ sRef Deut@32 @27 S30′ sRef Deut@32 @28 S30′ sRef Deut@32 @26 S30′ sRef Deut@32 @24 S30′ sRef Deut@32 @35 S30′ sRef Deut@32 @29 S30′ sRef Deut@32 @33 S30′ sRef Deut@32 @34 S30′ sRef Deut@32 @32 S30′ sRef Deut@32 @30 S30′ sRef Deut@32 @31 S30′ sRef Deut@32 @23 S30′ sRef Deut@32 @21 S30′ sRef Deut@32 @25 S30′ sRef Deut@32 @22 S30′ sRef Deut@32 @20 S30′ [30] Of what quality that nation was, and what it was to become, namely, that it was the very worst, is described by Moses in his song in these words:
I will hide My face from them, I will see what their posterity will be; for they are******* a generation of perversions, sons in whom is no faithfulness. I have said, I will hurl them into the extreme corners, I will make the remembrance of them to cease from man. For they are a nation lost of counsel, neither is there any intelligence in them. Their vine is of the vine of Sodom, and of the fields of Gomorrah; their grapes are grapes of gall, their clusters are of bitternesses. Their wine is the poison of dragons, and the cruel gall of asps. Is this not******** laid up in store with Me, sealed up among My treasures? Mine is vengeance and requital (Deut. 32:20-35).
This describes what the nature of the church is with the Jews, namely that it is in dire falsities from evil. What the church is with them is meant by “their vine is of the vine of Sodom and of the fields of Gomorrah,” “vine” signifying the church. The falsities from evil that they possess are meant by “their grapes are grapes of gall, their clusters are of bitternesses, their wine is the poison of dragons and the cruel gall of asps;” “grapes” signify the goods of the church, but “grapes of gall” and “clusters of bitternesses” signify evils from dire falsities; their falsities themselves are meant by “their wine is the poison of dragons and the cruel gall of asps;” “wine” signifies truth from the Word, but “the poison of dragons” and “the gall of asps” signify the monstrous falsity that springs from the falsified truths of the Word. In like manner is that nation described in other parts of the Word (as in Deuteronomy, in the book of Judges, and in the prophets, as in Jer. 5:20-31; 7:8-34; 9:2-26; 11:6-17; 13:9-27; 19:1-15; 32:30-35; 44:2-24). That this nation was at heart idolatrous is evident from the passages cited, and from many others, as in Jeremiah:
According to the number of thy cities were thy gods, O Judah; and according to the number of the streets of Jerusalem have ye********* set up altars to burn incense unto Baal (2:28; 11:13).
sRef Deut@9 @5 S31′ sRef Deut@9 @6 S31′ [31] That they were not brought into the land of Canaan on account of any goodness or righteousness of heart, but on account of the promise made to their fathers, see in Moses:
Not for thy righteousness nor for the uprightness of thy heart dost thou come to possess the land, but to establish the word that Jehovah sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. Know therefore, that Jehovah thy God giveth thee not this good land to possess it for thy righteousness; for thou art a stiffnecked people (Deut. 9:5, 6).
sRef John@8 @44 S32′ [32] That they had no truths and goods of the church, but only falsities and evils is evident from the Word, where their whoredoms and adulteries are treated of (in Jer. 3:1 to the end; Ezek. 23:1 to the end). “Whoredoms and adulteries” mean in the Word falsifications of truth and adulterations of good (see above, n. 141, 161); consequently the Lord says that they are:
An adulterous generation (Matt. 12:39; Mark 8:38);
Also that they are full of hypocrisy, iniquity, and uncleanness (Matt. 23:27, 28);
Also that they have falsified the Word by their traditions (Matt. 15:1-6; Mark 7:1-14).
And in plain words in John:
Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and stood not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie he speaketh from his own, for he is a liar and the father thereof (8:44).
“A lie” means falsity from evil; “the devil” the extinction of all good; “a murderer” the extinction of all truth; “father” means both those who are from hell and those who lived from that generation back to the earliest times; “to speak from his own” means to speak from what is innate.
sRef Isa@3 @1 S33′ sRef Isa@3 @8 S33′ sRef Isa@3 @2 S33′ [33] That thus everything of the church with them was destroyed, and they were therefore rejected, is evident from Isaiah:
The Lord Jehovih of Hosts doth take away from Jerusalem and from Judah the stay and the staff, the whole stay of bread and the whole stay********** of water, the mighty one and the man of war, the judge and the prophet, and the diviner and the old man. For Jerusalem hath stumbled, and Judah hath fallen; because their tongue and their doings are against Jehovah to rebel against the eyes of His glory (3:1, 2, 8).
“To take away the whole stay of bread and the whole stay of water” signifies to take away all the good of love, and the truth of faith by which there is spiritual life; “bread” meaning the good of love, and “water” the truth of faith, and “stay” and “staff” powers, and from these are all things of spiritual life; “to take away the mighty one and the man of war” signifies to take away all resistance to evils and falsities; “to take away the judge and the prophet” signifies all good and truth of doctrine; “to take away the diviner and the old man” signifies all intelligence and wisdom; “their tongue and their doings are against Jehovah, to rebel against the eyes of His glory” signifies that everything of their doctrine and of their life is utterly opposed to Divine truth; “tongue” meaning doctrine, “doings” life, and “the eyes of Jehovah’s glory” the Divine truth; “to rebel” means to be opposed to it.
sRef Isa@5 @4 S34′ sRef Isa@5 @3 S34′ sRef Isa@5 @5 S34′ sRef Isa@5 @6 S34′ [34] In the same:
What could have been done more to My vineyard? Judge between Me and My vineyard. What could have been done more to My vineyard that I have not done in it? Therefore I expected that it would bring forth grapes, but it brought forth wild grapes. Now I will make known to you what I will do to My vineyard; in taking away its hedge that it may be eaten up, in breaking down its wall that it may be trampled down, I will lay it waste, that there may come up the brier and the bramble; I will even command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it (Isa. 5:3-6).
The “vineyard” here means the church with that nation; “I expected that it would bring forth grapes, but it brought forth wild grapes,” signifies that with that nation in place of the goods of truth of the church there were the evils of falsity; “to take away its hedge that it may be eaten up, to break down the wall that it may be trampled down,” signifies the destruction of the church in respect to goods and truths, so that evils and falsities rush in, which are “the brier and the bramble” that should come up; “I will command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it” signifies that with them there is no more any reception of truth and good through the Word out of heaven.
[35] The destruction of the church with that nation is also treated of in Isaiah (7:17-19, and following verses), in Jeremiah (1:15), and in many other passages. For this reason that nation was driven out of the land of Canaan, first the Israelitish nation and afterwards the Jewish nation; and this because the land of Canaan signifies the heavenly Canaan, which is heaven and the church. The quality of each of these nations is fully described in the internal sense in Exodus 32 and 33, where the golden calf that they made for themselves is treated of, on account of which Jehovah wished to consume them, and to raise up from Moses another generation (all of which may be seen explained in Arcana Coelestia, n. 10393- 10512, and n. 10523-10557).
[36] What the quality of the Jewish nation was is described also in the internal sense of Genesis 38, which treats of their origin, which was from a Canaanitish woman, and from whoredom with a daughter-in-law; for there were three stocks of that nation, one from the Canaanitish woman whom Judah took to himself for a wife, and two from Tamar his daughter-in-law, with whom he lay as with a harlot (for the explanation of which see Arcana Coelestia, n. 4813-4930).
[37] What the quality of that nation was is also described by what is said of Judas Iscariot, for he represented the Jewish nation in respect to the church. For the Lord’s twelve disciples represented the church of the Lord in general, and each one of them some universal essential of it, and Judas Iscariot represented it such as it was with the Jews. (Besides the above, see what has been written respecting that nation in Arcana Coelestia, as follows: a representative church was instituted with the Jewish nation, but in that nation itself there was no church, n. 4899, 4912, 6304.) Consequently in respect to the nation itself, there was a representative of a church, but not a church, n. 4281, 4288, 4311, 4500, 6304, 7048, 9320, 10396, 10526, 10531, 10698. The Israelitish and Jewish nation was not chosen, but was accepted to represent a church, because of the persistency with which their fathers and Moses urged it, n. 4290, 4293, 7051, 7439, 10430, 10535, 10632. Their worship was merely external, without any internal worship, n. 1200, 3147, 3479, 8871. They knew not at all the internals of worship, nor did they wish to know, n. 301-303, 3479, 4429, 4433, 4680, 4844, 4847, 10396, 10401, 10407, 10694, 10701, 10707. How they regard the internal things of worship, of the church, and of the Word, n. 4865. Their interiors, which are of thought and affection, were filthy, full of the loves of self and the world, and of avarice, n. 3480, 9962, 10454-10457, 10462-10466, 10575. Therefore the internals of the church were not disclosed to them, because they would have profaned them, n. 2520, 3398, 3479, 4289. The Word was altogether closed to them, and is yet, n. 3769. They see the Word from without, and not from within, n. 10549-10551. Consequently when they were in worship their internal was closed, n. 8788, 8806, 9320, 9377, 9380, 9962, 10396, 10401, 10407, 10492, 10498, 10500, 10575, 10629, 10694. Still that nation excelled all others in the ability to keep up a holy external, although the internal was closed, n. 4293, 4311, 4903, 9373, 9377, 9380. Their state at that time, n. 4311. They were preserved for the sake of the Word in the original tongue, and because they could be kept in such a state, n. 3479. Their holy external was miraculously raised up into heaven by the Lord, and in this way the interiors of worship, of the church, and of the Word, were there perceived, n. 3480, 4307, 4311, 6304, 8588, 10493, 10499, 10500, 10602. That this might be done they were forced by external means to observe strictly the rituals and statutes in external form, n. 3147, 4281, 10149. Because of their ability to be in a holy external, without the internal, they were able to represent the holy things of heaven and the church, n. 3479, 3881, 4208, 6306, 6589, 9377, 10430, 10500, 10570. Yet they themselves were not affected by the holy things, n. 3479. It does not matter of what quality the person is who represents, since representation has respect to the thing, not to the person, n. 665, 1097, 1361, 3147, 3881, 4208, 4281, 4288, 4292, 4307, 4444, 4500, 6304, 7048, 7439, 8588, 8788, 8806.
That nation was worse than other nations, their quality described from the Word of both Testaments, n. 4314, 4316, 4317, 4444, 4503, 4750, 4751, 4815, 4820, 4832, 5057, 5998, 7248, 8819, 9320, 10454-10457, 10462-10466. The tribe of Judah sank into worse evil than the other tribes, n. 4815. How cruelly from delight they treated the nations, n. 5057, 7248, 9320. That nation was idolatrous in heart, and worshiped other gods more than others, n. 3732, 4208, 4444, 4825, 5998, 6877, 7401, 8301, 8871, 8882. Their worship viewed in regard to the nation itself, was also idolatrous, being external, without any internal, n. 4281, 4825, 8871, 8882. They worshipped Jehovah only in name, n. 6877, 10559-10561, 10566; and solely because of miracles, n. 4299. Those are mistaken who believe that the Jews are to be converted at the end of the church, and brought back into the land of Canaan, n. 4847, 7051, 8301. Many passages cited from the Word concerning this, which must however be understood according to the internal sense, thus not according to the letter, n. 7051. The Word in respect to the external sense was changed because of that nation, but not in respect to the internal sense, n. 10453, 10461, 10603, 10604. Jehovah appeared to them from Mount Sinai according to their quality, in a consuming fire, in a dense cloud, and in smoke as of a furnace, n. 1861, 6832, 8814, 8819, 9434. The Lord appears to everyone according to his quality, as a vivifying and recreating fire to those who are in good, and as a consuming fire to those who are in evil, n. 934, 1861, 6832, 8814, 8819, 9434, 10551. One origin of this nation was from a Canaanite woman, and the other two from whoredom with a daughter-in-law, n. 1167, 4818, 4820, 4825, 4874, 4899, 4913. These origins signified what their conjunction with the church was, namely, that it was like that with a Canaanite woman and by whoredom with a daughter-in-law, n. 4868, 4874, 4899, 4911, 4913. Of their state in another life, n. 939, 940, 5057. Because that nation, although it was such, represented the church, and the Word was written with that nation and respecting it, therefore Divine celestial things were signified by their names, as by Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Ephraim, Joseph, and the rest; “Judah” in the internal sense signifying the Lord in respect to celestial love, and His celestial kingdom, n. 3654, 3881, 5583, 5603, 5782, 6363. The prophesy of Israel respecting Judah (Gen. 49:8-12), in which the Lord is treated of, explained, n. 6362-6381. The tribe of Judah, and Judea, signify the celestial church, n. 3654, 6364. The twelve tribes represented and thus signified all things of love and faith in the complex, n. 3858, 3926, 4060, 6335; consequently also heaven and the church, n. 6337, 6637, 7836, 7891. Their signification is according to the order in which they are named, n. 3862, 3926, 3939, 4603, et seq., 6337, 6640. The twelve tribes were divided into two kingdoms, that the Jews might represent the celestial kingdom, and the Israelites the spiritual kingdom, n. 8770, 9320. “The seed of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,” signifies the goods and truths of the church, n. 3373, 10445.
* Photolithograph has “my,” as also elsewhere in Swedenborg, but Hebrew has “thy.”
** Photolithograph has “I,” but Hebrew has “they,” which we also find in AC n. 9594.
*** This is the Photolithograph, the Hebrew is “saved” or “saving.” The latter translation is found in AE n. 31, 850, and “saved” in AC n. 2781, Lord n. 6.
**** Photolithograph has “and the house of Israel shall go;” the Hebrew has “shall go unto the house of Israel,” which is also found in Lord n. 4 and AC n. 3654.
***** Photolithograph for “written” has “I will write.”
****** Photolithograph has “in that day;” the Hebrew “those days” is found in AE n. 455, 675, etc.
******* Photolithograph has “it is,” the Hebrew “they are” is found in AE n. 412; AC n. 4317, 7051.
******** Photolithograph has “all this is,” the Hebrew “is it not” is found in AC n. 7051, 9320.
********* Photolithograph has “hast thou,” the Hebrew “have ye” is found in AE n. 324, 652.
********** Photolithograph has “staff,” but see AE n. 727.

sRef Rev@7 @5 S0′ 434. Of the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand sealed, signifies the light of truth from that love, and that all who are in that light are in heaven and come into heaven. This is evident from the signification of “the tribe of Reuben,” as being those who are in the light of truth (of which presently); from the signification of “twelve thousand,” as being all things and all persons (of which above, n. 430), here all who are in the light of truth from the good of love to the Lord, which love is signified by “the tribe of Judah” (as was just shown above, n. 433); also from the signification of “the sealed,” as being those who are in heaven and who come into heaven (of which also above, n. 427, 433). It has been said before, that the twelve tribes of Israel represented and thence signify in the Word all things of the church, that each tribe signifies some universal essential of the church, and that “Judah” signifies love to the Lord; but that “Reuben” signifies light from that love will be seen in what follows.
[2] “Reuben,” and thence the tribe named from him, signifies in the highest sense the Lord in respect to foresight or foreknowledge; in the internal sense spiritual faith and the understanding of truth; and in the external sense, sight; and as “Reuben” in the internal sense signifies faith and understanding he also signifies the light of truth, for faith exists from the light of truth, and the understanding is illustrated by it; for where there is the light of truth there is understanding and there is faith.
[3] “Reuben,” or the tribe of Reuben, has the same signification as “Peter” the apostle; for the twelve apostles in a similar manner as the twelve tribes of Israel, represented all things of the church, and each apostle some universal essential of the church; and as Peter had a similar representation with Reuben, therefore was he the first of the apostles, as Reuben was the first of the sons of Jacob. (That “Peter” signifies truth in the light, and faith, see above, n. 9, 411.)
[4] Reuben was the first of the sons of Jacob, and thence the tribe called from him is named in the first place in most passages of the Word, because he was the firstborn; and “firstborn” in the Word signifies truth from good, or what is the same thing, truth in light, and thus faith from charity. For truth and what is of faith appears to man to be first, for it enters by the hearing into the memory and is called forth therefrom into the thought; and that which a man thinks he sees and perceives by interior sight, and that which is first in sight and perception is first, but merely in appearance, not actually. Actually, good is the firstborn, or the first constituent of the church, since truth exists from good, for good forms itself in truths, and by means of truths presents itself to be seen, therefore truth is good in form. This is why truth is said to be from good and faith from charity, for that which is from anything is that thing imaged forth; and [truth] viewed in itself is good formed and born; such therefore is the meaning of “firstborn” in the spiritual sense of the Word. Moreover, with infants the good of innocence is what is first imparted by the Lord, and it is from this that man first becomes a man; and because good is of love, and man does not reflect about his love but about his thought from the memory, and because good has no quality until it is formed into truths, and without quality nothing is perceived, so it is not known that good is first, and is the firstborn; for it is good that is first conceived from the Lord with man, and it is brought forth through truths, in which good is in its own form and effigy.
[5] It is to be noted, furthermore, that the truths that man in his infancy and childhood imbibes from the Word and from doctrine therefrom, and from preaching, although they appear as truths, still they are not truths with him, they are only like shells without kernels, or like the form of the body or of the face without soul and life. These do not become truths until they are received in the will, for thus they are first received by the man and begin to live with him; for the will is the man himself, and all good is of the will, and all truth of the understanding therefrom. From this it can be seen why the tribe of Judah, which signifies the good of love to the Lord, is here named in the first place, and then the tribe of Reuben, which signifies truth in light from that good.
[6] It should be known that all light in which truth is seen is from the light of heaven which is from the Lord; the light of heaven is from the Divine good of the Lord’s Divine love; the light of heaven is Divine good in form. In heaven these two are one, and are received by the angels as one, and should be received by man as one that he may have communion with the angels. (But these things may be seen more fully explained in the Arcana Coelestia, as follows: When man is regenerating, truth is in the first place and good in the second, not actually but apparently, but when he is regenerated, good is in the first place and truth in the second actually and perceptibly, n. 3324, 3325, 3330, 3336, 3494, 3539, 3548, 3556, 3563, 3570, 3576, 3603, 3701, 4243, 4245, 4247, 4337, 4925, 4926, 4928, 4930, 4977, 5351, 6256, 6269, 6273, 8516, 10110; thus good is the first and the last of regeneration, n. 9337. Since truth appears to be in the first place and good in the second when man is regenerating, or what is the same, when he is becoming a church, because of this appearance it was a matter of controversy among the ancients whether the truth of faith or the good of charity is the firstborn of the church, n. 367, 2435. The good of charity is the firstborn of the church actually, and the truth of faith only apparently, n. 3325, 3494, 4925, 4926, 4928, 4930, 8042, 8080. And the “firstborn” in the Word signifies the first constituent of the church, which has priority and superiority, n. 3325. For this reason the Lord is called “the Firstborn,” because in Him and from Him is all the good of love, of charity, and of faith, n. 3325.)
sRef Gen@29 @32 S7′ [7] As truth is apparently in the first place, so Reuben was the firstborn, and was named from sight, as is evident in Moses:
Leah conceived and bare a son, and she called his name Reuben; for she said, Jehovah hath seen my affliction; for now my man will love me (Gen. 29:32).
Although these are historical facts, they nevertheless contain a spiritual sense; for every and each thing that is in the Word is from the spiritual world, because it is from the Lord; when these [spiritual] things are let down out of heaven into the natural world they are clothed with a correspondent natural sense, such as the sense of the letter of the Word is; therefore the nativities of the sons of Jacob signify spiritual nativities, which describe how good and truth are born in man when the Lord is regenerating him. This is why spiritual conception and birth are signified by “Leah conceived and bare a “she called his name Reuben” signifies its quality; “she said, because Jehovah hath seen” signifies in the highest sense foresight, in the internal sense faith, in the interior sense the understanding, and in the external sense sight, here faith from the Lord; “mine affliction” signifies the state of attaining to good; “for now my man will love me” signifies that the good of truth is therefrom. (But this may be seen explained in Arcana Coelestia, n. 3860-3866.)
In the original language Reuben signifies sight, and in the spiritual sense “sight” signifies the understanding of truth and faith, in the highest sense Divine foresight (as can be seen from what is shown respecting the signification of seeing and sight in the Arcana Coelestia, as follows: “sight” in the highest sense, which has reference to the Lord, signifies foresight, n. 2807, 2837, 2839, 3686, 3854, 3863, 10428; “sight” in the internal sense signifies faith, because spiritual sight is sight from faith, and the things that pertain to faith are the objects of sight in the spiritual world, n. 897, 2325, 2807, 3863, 3869, 5400, 10705; also “to see” signifies to understand and perceive truth, n. 2150, 2325, 2807, 3764, 3863, 3869, 10705; the internal sight is the understanding, and this sees through the eyes of the body; and the sight of the understanding is from the light of heaven, n. 1524, 3138, 3167, 4408, 5114, 6608, 8707, 9128, 9399, 10569).
sRef Gen@30 @15 S8′ sRef Gen@30 @18 S8′ sRef Gen@30 @17 S8′ sRef Gen@30 @16 S8′ sRef Gen@30 @14 S8′ [8] That “Reuben” signifies truth from good, or faith from charity, is evident also from the “mandrakes” that he found in the field and gave to his mother, respecting which it is thus written in Moses:
Reuben went in the days of wheat harvest, and found mandrakes in the field, and brought them unto Leah his mother. And Rachel said to Leah, Give me, I pray, of thy son’s mandrakes. And she said unto her, Is it a small matter that thou hast taken away my man? and wilt thou take away my son’s mandrakes also? And Rachel said, Therefore he shall lie with thee tonight for thy son’s mandrakes. And Jacob came from the field in the evening, and Leah went out to meet him, and said, Thou shalt come in unto me; because hiring I have hired thee with my son’s mandrakes. And he lay with her that night. And she conceived, and bare Jacob a son, Issachar (Gen. 30:14-18).
One who does not know what is signified by “mandrakes,” also what was represented by “Reuben,” “Jacob,” “Leah,” and “Rachel,” must be wholly ignorant of why such things occurred, and why they have been recorded in the Word; but it can be seen that there is something Divine in them that is not apparent in the sense of the letter, because they are in the Word, and in it each and everything is Divine. The spiritual sense of these things makes evident the Divine that is contained in them; in that sense “mandrakes” signify the marriage of good and truth; “Reuben” represents truth from good; “Jacob” the church in respect to truth; “Leah” and “Rachel” the church in respect to good, but “Leah” the external church, and “Rachel” the internal church; therefore the “mandrakes” found by Reuben signify the conjugial [conjugiale] of truth with good; and as that conjugial is between truth and good in the internal or spiritual man, which constitutes the internal church, and yet that truth is first given in the external or natural man, which constitutes the external church, therefore the mandrakes were found by Reuben, who represented truth from good, and were first given to Leah his mother, who represented the external church, but still Leah afterwards gave them to Rachel, who represented the internal church, that Leah might be permitted to lie with Jacob. (But this may be seen more fully explained in Arcana Coelestia, n. 3940-3952.)
sRef Gen@37 @21 S9′ sRef Gen@37 @30 S9′ sRef Gen@37 @29 S9′ sRef Gen@37 @22 S9′ [9] Because “Reuben” represented truth from good, or faith from charity:
It was he who exhorted his brethren not to kill Joseph, wishing to deliver him out of their hand; and was greatly grieved when Joseph was not found in the pit (Gen. 37:21, 22, 29, 30).
(This may be seen explained in Arcana Coelestia, n. 4731-4738, and n. 4751-4766.)
sRef Num@2 @11 S10′ sRef Num@2 @10 S10′ sRef Num@2 @14 S10′ sRef Num@2 @13 S10′ sRef Num@2 @12 S10′ sRef Num@2 @15 S10′ sRef Num@2 @16 S10′ [10] Because “Reuben” or his tribe signified truth from good, or faith from charity:
The camp of that tribe in the wilderness was to the south, and the camp to the south was called the camp of Reuben (Num. 2:10-16);
for the encampments of the tribes of Israel represented the arrangements of the angelic societies in heaven, and the angelic societies have their dwelling places in quarters according to their states in respect to good and truth (see above, n. 422), and in the southern quarter there those dwell who are in the light of truth from good; and because the tribe of Reuben represented truth from good or truth in light, it encamped on the south.
[11] Because truth from good, which the tribe of Reuben represented, is in the natural man, to the tribe of Reuben an inheritance beyond Jordan was given (see Num. 32:1 to the end; Deut. 3:12-20; Josh. 13:1 to the end; 18:7); for by “the land of Canaan” the church was represented and thus signified in the Word, that region of it beyond Jordan signifying the external church, the region on this side, Jordan the internal church, and the river Jordan the boundary between them; and it is truth from good, or faith from charity that constitutes the church, truth from good in the natural man constituting the external church; and because the tribe of Reuben represented this constituent of the church, therefore to that tribe an inheritance beyond Jordan was given. Why inheritances beyond Jordan were given also to the tribe of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh will be told in what follows.
sRef Josh@22 @25 S12′ sRef Josh@22 @23 S12′ sRef Josh@22 @24 S12′ sRef Josh@22 @34 S12′ sRef Josh@22 @30 S12′ sRef Josh@22 @27 S12′ sRef Josh@22 @26 S12′ sRef Josh@22 @33 S12′ sRef Josh@22 @28 S12′ sRef Josh@22 @31 S12′ sRef Josh@22 @32 S12′ sRef Josh@22 @22 S12′ sRef Josh@22 @15 S12′ sRef Josh@22 @9 S12′ sRef Josh@22 @17 S12′ sRef Josh@22 @16 S12′ sRef Josh@22 @10 S12′ sRef Josh@22 @11 S12′ sRef Josh@22 @12 S12′ sRef Josh@22 @14 S12′ sRef Josh@22 @13 S12′ sRef Josh@22 @18 S12′ sRef Josh@22 @21 S12′ sRef Josh@22 @20 S12′ sRef Josh@22 @29 S12′ sRef Josh@22 @19 S12′ [12] The conjunction of these two churches, namely, the external and the internal, which is like the conjunction of the natural and the spiritual man, was represented, and in the spiritual sense is described by:
The altar that the sons of Reuben, of Gad, and of Manasseh built beside the Jordan, about which there was a strife between these tribes and the other tribes; but it was said that the altar should be for a witness that although they dwelt beyond Jordan, they nevertheless served Jehovah in common with the rest; therefore they called that altar a witness between us that Jehovah is God (Josh. 22:9 to end).
For “the Jordan” signified the medium between the external and the internal of the church; “the land of Canaan on this side Jordan” signifying the internal church, and “the land beyond Jordan” the external, and this also was represented by the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh, which had their inheritances there; while that altar signified the common worship of the two churches, and thus conjunction thereby.
sRef Judg@5 @15 S13′ sRef Judg@5 @17 S13′ sRef Judg@5 @16 S13′ [13] That “Reuben” signifies truth in the natural man is evident also from the prophecy of Deborah and Barak in the book of Judges:
In the districts of Reuben there was much searching of the heart. Why did you stay among the campfires to hear the whistling for the flocks? In the districts of Reuben there was much searching of heart. Gilead dwelt* beyond the Jordan (5:15-17).
This no one can understand unless he knows what the prophecy treats of, and what is signified by the “districts,” “Reuben,” “the campfires,” “the whistling for the flocks,” and “Gilead.” This treats of the church among the sons of Israel in a state of vastation; and “the districts of Reuben” signify both all truths and all goods that are in the natural man; “the campfires” signify cognitions and knowledges there; “the whistling for the flocks” signify the perceptions and thoughts thereof; and “Gilead” signifies the natural man. When this is known, what these things mean in the spiritual sense becomes evident, namely, that when the church is destroyed the natural man with the things in it is separated from the spiritual man, whereas it ought to be conjoined to it; and when it is conjoined, there are truths there from good, by which truths there is a combat against the falsities from evil, for the natural man must combat against them from the spiritual man. “The statutes of the heart” and “the searchings of the heart” signify the truths from good, which are in the natural man from the spiritual man, “heart” signifying the good of love, and “the statutes and searchings of the heart” all things that are determined and arranged in the natural man from good in the spiritual man. This is said respecting Reuben because his tribe dwelt beyond Jordan in Gilead; and it was not conjoined with Deborah and Barak when they fought against Sisera, but only Issachar and Zebulun, “Sisera” in the spiritual sense meaning the falsity from evil destroying the church.
sRef Deut@33 @6 S14′ [14] “Reuben” signifies the light of truth, and the understanding of the Word therefrom, in Moses:
Let Reuben live and not die; yet his men shall be a number (Deut. 33:6).
Here “Reuben” means the understanding of the Word illustrated by light from heaven; and because there are a few who receive such illustration it is said of Reuben, “Yet his men shall be a number,” “number” signifying fewness and a few.
[15] That “Reuben” signifies truth from good, or faith from charity, is evident also from the contrary sense, in which he is also mentioned. In that sense “Reuben” signifies truth separate from good, or faith separate from charity; and truth without good is not truth except merely in respect to expression and sound, for it is merely a matter of knowledge, having its seat in the memory of the natural man, thus only in the entrance to man, and not within him in his life. The memory of the natural man is merely an entrance to him, and what is in it does not become truth in him until he wills it and does it; then it first enters and receives life; not till then does the light from heaven flow in and illustrate. It is similar with faith separate from charity, for truth is of faith, and good is of charity.
sRef Gen@35 @22 S16′ [16] That “Reuben” in the contrary sense signifies faith separate from charity can be seen from his adultery with Bilhah his father’s concubine, which is thus described in Moses:
It came to pass while Israel dwelt in the land Ephrath Bethlehem, that Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father’s concubine; and Israel heard (Gen. 35:22).
“Ephrath Bethlehem” signifies the spiritual church, which is in truths from good, or in faith from charity; Reuben’s adultery signifies the rejection of the good of charity from the truths of faith, for truth is profaned when it is not conjoined with its own good, which is the good of charity, since it is then conjoined with the love of self and the world, which is adulteration. All adulteries (of which many kinds are enumerated in Lev. 18:6-23) correspond to the adulterations of good and truth. That the adultery committed by Reuben corresponds to faith separate from charity has been made known and testified to me by things heard and seen in the spiritual world, where such a sphere of adultery is perceived to go forth from those who have separated charity from faith in doctrine and life.
sRef Gen@49 @3 S17′ sRef Gen@49 @4 S17′ [17] Because this too was signified by “Reuben,” the birthright was taken away from him by his father and given to Joseph and his sons. That it was taken from Reuben is evident from these words of his father:
Reuben my firstborn, thou art my power and the beginning of my might, excelling in eminence and excelling in strength. Light as water, thou shalt not excel, because thou wentest up to thy father’s bed, then profanedst thou it; he went up to my couch (Gen. 49:3, 4).
“Reuben my firstborn” signifies faith, which is apparently in the first place, or truth born of good; “thou art my power and the beginning of my might” signifies that thereby good has its potency and truth has its first potency; “excelling in eminence and excelling in strength” signifies that from this is glory and power; “light as water” signifies that it is not so with faith separate from charity; “thou shalt not excel” signifies that such faith has neither glory nor power, “because thou wentest up to thy father’s bed” signifies because the truth of faith separated from the good of charity has a filthy conjunction; “then profanedst thou it” signifies conjunction with the love of self and the world and with evil therefrom, which is a profane conjunction; “he went up to my couch” signifies the contamination of spiritual good in the natural. (This is fully explained in Arcana Coelestia, n. 6341-6350.)
sRef 1Chr@5 @2 S18′ sRef Gen@48 @5 S18′ sRef 1Chr@5 @1 S18′ [18] That the birthright was therefore given to the two sons of Joseph, Ephraim and Manasseh, is meant by these words of Israel the father to Joseph:
Now thy two sons born unto thee in the land of Egypt, before I came into Egypt, they are mine; Ephraim and Manasseh, even as Reuben and Simeon, shall be mine (Gen. 48:5).
And in the first book of Chronicles:
Reuben was the firstborn; but because he defiled his father’s bed his birthright was given unto the sons of Joseph the son of Israel (5:1, 2).
For “Ephraim” in the Word has a similar signification with “Reuben,” namely, the understanding of truth, and truth in the light. It is said “Ephraim and Manasseh shall be the sons of Israel, even as Reuben and Simeon,” because “Reuben” signifies the understanding of truth, and “Simeon” the will of truth, similar with “Ephraim” and “Manasseh.” From this it can now be seen what universal essential of the church is signified in the Word by “Reuben.”
* Photolithograph has “thou dwellest,” “dwelling” is found in AC n. 4117, 4255.

sRef Rev@7 @5 S0′ 435. Of the tribe of Gad twelve thousand sealed, signifies the good of life therefrom. This is evident from the representation of “the tribe of Gad,” as being the good of life (of which presently); also from the signification of “twelve thousand sealed,” as being that all such are in heaven and come into heaven (as explained in the two preceding articles). Before showing from the Word what in the church was represented by “Gad” and by the tribe named from him, something shall be said respecting what is meant by the good of life, which is here signified by “the tribe of Gad.” There is the good of life from a celestial origin, from a spiritual origin, and from a natural origin. The good of life from a celestial origin is the good of life that comes from the good of love to the Lord through truths from that good; the good of life is an effect of these. Such good of life is what is here signified by “the tribe of Gad;” therefore it is called “the good of life therefrom,” namely, from the good of love to the Lord, which is signified by “the tribe of Judah,” through truths from that good, which are signified by “the tribe of Reuben.” The good of life from a spiritual origin is the good of life that comes from good of charity towards the neighbor through truths from that good; this good of life is meant by “Manasseh.”
[2] For the twelve tribes of Israel are here divided into four classes, and there are three tribes in each class, and the three in series signify such things as from beginning to end, or from first to last, fully constitute that universal essential of the church that is signified by the first tribe. The three tribes first named, that is, the tribes of Judah, Reuben, and Gad, signify those things that fully constitute celestial good; but the three following tribes, namely, the tribes of Asher, Naphtali, and Manasseh, signify those that fully constitute spiritual good. So it is with the tribes that follow.
[3] Moreover, there are three things which fully constitute and form each universal essential, namely, the good of love, the truth from that good, and the good of life therefrom. The good of life is the effect of the other two; for unless there is a third that is brought forth, the two former can have no existence, that is, unless there is the good of life, the good of love and truth from that good can have no existence. These three are like the final cause, the effecting cause, and the effect. The good of love is the final cause, truth from that good is the effecting cause or that through which good is brought into effect, and the good of life is the effect in which the prior causes have existence; and these have no existence unless there is an effect in which they may exist and subsist. Again, these three are like the pulse of the heart, the respiration of the lungs, and the action of the body; these make a one: for if the body does not act, or does not let itself be put in action, as is the case when man dies, the other two cease. It is the same with the good of love, the truth from that good, and the good of life. The good of love is like the heart, and is also meant by “heart” in the Word; truth from that good is like the lungs, and is also meant by “breath” and “soul” in the Word; and the good of life is like the body in which the others act and live. Three like things are in everything that has existence, and when the three exist together there is full formation.
[4] What is signified by “Gad,” or “the tribe of Gad,” in every sense shall first be explained. In the highest sense “Gad” signifies the Lord in respect to omnipotence and omniscience; in the internal sense the good of truth; and in the external sense works therefrom, which are the good of life. “Gad” signifies such things because in each and every thing of the Word there is an inmost, an internal, and an external sense. In the inmost sense is the Lord alone for it treats of Him, of His glorifying His Human, arranging the heavens in order, subjugating the hells, and establishing the church from Himself; therefore in the inmost sense each tribe signifies the Lord in respect to some attribute and work of His; while in the internal sense heaven and the church are treated of, and doctrine is taught. But the Word in the external sense is such as it is in the sense of the letter. There are three senses in the Word, because there are three heavens; the inmost or celestial sense is for the inmost or third heaven, the internal or spiritual sense is for the middle or second heaven, and the external or spiritual-natural sense is for the first or lowest heaven.
[5] In this passage of Revelation, where the twelve tribes are mentioned, “the tribe of Gad” signifies the good of life, because it follows in order after Judah and Reuben, and “Judah” signifies the good of love, “Reuben” the truth from that good, consequently “Gad” signifies the good of life; for the good of life has existence from the good of love, through truths from that good, the good of life following as the third in order, being the effect of the two former as was said above.
Because the good of life is the good of the natural man, therefore an inheritance was given to the tribe of Gad* beyond Jordan, together with the tribe of Reuben and the half tribe of Manasseh; for the land that was beyond Jordan signified the external church (as was shown in the article above), and the things that go forth from the natural man belong to the external church. The church itself regarded in itself is in the internal or spiritual man; but the external church is in the external or natural man, yet these must act as a one, like cause and effect.
sRef Num@32 @16 S6′ sRef Num@32 @11 S6′ sRef Num@32 @17 S6′ sRef Num@32 @1 S6′ sRef Num@32 @2 S6′ sRef Num@32 @22 S6′ sRef Num@32 @12 S6′ sRef Num@32 @21 S6′ sRef Num@32 @15 S6′ sRef Num@32 @14 S6′ sRef Num@32 @18 S6′ sRef Num@32 @5 S6′ sRef Num@32 @19 S6′ sRef Num@32 @8 S6′ sRef Num@32 @23 S6′ sRef Num@32 @7 S6′ sRef Num@32 @20 S6′ sRef Num@32 @3 S6′ sRef Num@32 @10 S6′ sRef Num@32 @4 S6′ sRef Num@32 @9 S6′ sRef Num@32 @6 S6′ sRef Num@32 @38 S6′ sRef Num@34 @14 S6′ sRef Num@32 @37 S6′ sRef Num@32 @30 S6′ sRef Num@32 @40 S6′ sRef Num@32 @39 S6′ sRef Num@32 @35 S6′ sRef Num@32 @33 S6′ sRef Num@32 @34 S6′ sRef Num@32 @31 S6′ sRef Num@32 @32 S6′ sRef Num@32 @36 S6′ sRef Josh@13 @25 S6′ sRef Josh@13 @24 S6′ sRef Num@32 @25 S6′ sRef Num@32 @13 S6′ sRef Num@32 @24 S6′ sRef Josh@13 @26 S6′ sRef Num@32 @28 S6′ sRef Num@32 @41 S6′ sRef Num@32 @29 S6′ sRef Num@32 @26 S6′ sRef Num@32 @27 S6′ sRef Num@32 @42 S6′ sRef Deut@3 @17 S6′ sRef Deut@3 @16 S6′ [6] That an inheritance beyond Jordan was given to the tribe of Gad is evident in Moses:
To Reuben, Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh an inheritance was given beyond Jordan, which was a place for cattle; and it was given with the condition that they should cross over, armed, with the rest, to take possession of the land of Canaan (Num. 32:1 to the end; 34:14).
Unto the Reubenites and unto the Gadites I gave Gilead even unto the brook of Arnon within the brook and the border, and even unto the brook Jabbok, the border of the sons of Ammon; the plain also, and Jordan, and the border from Chinnereth even unto the sea, the plain, the salt sea, under the springs of Pisgah toward sunrise (Deut. 3:16, 17).
And in Joshua:
Moses gave to the sons of Gad that Jazer should be their border, and all the cities of Gilead, and half the land of the sons of Ammon, even unto Aroer that is before the faces of Rabbah; and from Heshbon unto Ramath of Mispeh, and Betonim (13:24-28).
The signification of “Gad” can be seen not only from the passages in the Word where Gad is mentioned, but also from the lands given to that tribe for an inheritance, where these also are mentioned in the Word, as Heshbon, Jazer, Rabbah, Ramath of Mispeh, the brook of Arnon, Chinnereth, the springs of Pisgah, and many other places. What these lands signify in the spiritual sense no one can know unless he knows the signification of “the tribe of Reuben, of Gad, and of the half tribe of Manasseh,” to whom these lands were given for a possession; for they signify such things as are signified by those tribes in a wide and in a restricted sense.
sRef Jer@49 @1 S7′ sRef Jer@49 @3 S7′ sRef Jer@49 @2 S7′ [7] As in Jeremiah:
Against the sons of Ammon: Hath Israel no sons? Hath he no heir? Why then hath their king inherited Gad, and his people dwelt in the cities thereof? Therefore behold, the days come in which I will cause an alarm of war to be heard against Rabbah of the sons of Ammon; and it shall become a heap of desolation, and her daughters shall be burned with fire, and Israel shall be heir unto them that were his heirs. Howl, O Heshbon, for Ai is devastated; cry out, ye daughters of Rabbah, gird ye with sackcloth; lament, and wander about among the walls, for their king shall go into exile, and his priests and his princes together (49:1-3).
Unless one knows what is signified by “Gad” and by “Israel,” he cannot know what is here signified by “the sons of Ammon,” by “Heshbon,” and by “Rabbah;” for Rabbah, Heshbon, and half of the land of Ammon were given to the tribe of Gad for an inheritance; therefore those lands signify such things in particular as are signified in general by Gad; for it is said “Why then hath the king of the sons of Ammon inherited Gad, and his people dwelt in the cities thereof?” For all names of lands, of regions, of cities, of rivers, and of peoples, in the Word signify the things of the church. “Gad” here signifies the good of life according to the truths of doctrine; “Israel” the church in respect to truth; “the sons of Ammon” signify the falsifications of truth; “Heshbon” signifies the fructification of truth in the natural man; “the daughters of Rabbah” signify the affections of truth in the natural man, and “Ai” the doctrine of truth. When these things are known, the spiritual sense of these words follows in this series: “Against the sons of Ammon” signifies against the falsifications of truth; “hath Israel no sons? hath he no heir?” signifies, are there in the church no knowledges of truth and good? “Israel” meaning the church, “his sons” truths, and “heir” the good of truth; “why then hath their king inherited Gad, and his people dwelt in the cities thereof?” signifies, why hath truth falsified destroyed the good of life, and also perverted the doctrinals according to which is life? “Behold, the days come, in which I will cause an alarm of war to be heard against Rabbah of the sons of Ammon, and it shall become a heap of desolation,” signifies the destruction of that doctrine, that is, of truth falsified, and the destruction of those who are in it; “and her daughters shall be burned with fire,” signifies that the affections of that doctrine shall become lusts of evil; “and Israel shall be heir unto them that were his heirs,” signifies that the church in respect to goods is to perish; “howl, O Heshbon, for Ai is devastated,” signifies that there is no longer any fructification of truth from good, because the doctrine of truth is destroyed; “cry out, ye daughters of Rabbah, gird ye with sackcloth, lament,” signifies that there are no longer any affections of truth; “and wander about among the walls,” signifies thought and life from falsities; “for their king hath gone into exile,” signifies because truth is no more; “and his priests and his princes together,” signifies that both goods and the truths of good are no more. This makes clear that “the lands of the inheritance of Gad” signify similar things in particular as “Gad” does in general, and that the significations of the lands mentioned in the Word can be known from the signification of the tribes to which they were given for inheritance. The lands that it is said would be given for an inheritance to the tribe of Gad, in Ezekiel (48:27), mean something else; evidently the tribe of Gad is not meant, but such a constituent of the church as is signified by “Gad,” for there was then no tribe of Gad, nor will there be.
sRef Deut@33 @20 S8′ sRef Deut@33 @21 S8′ [8] That “Gad” signifies the good of life from the truths of doctrine is evident from the blessing of that tribe by Moses:
To Gad he said, Blessed is he who hath given breadth to Gad; as a lion he dwelleth, and he teareth the arm, yea, the crown of the head, and he seeth the firstfruits for himself; for there is the portion of the hidden lawgiver; whence came the heads of the people; he hath executed the righteousness of Jehovah, and judgments** with Israel (Deut. 33:20, 21).
Here the good of life according to truths from the Word, and the influx of heaven into that good are described by “Gad;” the influx of truth from the Lord into that good is signified by “Blessed is he who hath given breadth to Gad;” “breadth” signifying truth, “Gad” the good of life, and “Blessed” the Lord. To be safe from falsities is signified by “as a lion he dwelleth;” to be nourished by truths external and internal is signified by “he teareth the arm, yea, the crown of the head,” for “the arm” and “the crown of the head” in sacrifices have this signification; that these truths are from things primary is signified by “he seeth the firstfruits for himself;” truths Divine that lie hidden therein are signified by “for there is the portion of the hidden lawgiver;” intelligence therefrom is signified by “whence came the heads of the people;” good works therefrom are signified by “he hath executed the righteousness of Jehovah;” and truths of the church therefrom are signified by “His judgments with Israel.”
sRef Gen@49 @19 S9′ sRef Gen@30 @10 S9′ sRef Gen@30 @11 S9′ sRef Isa@65 @11 S9′ [9] “Gad” signifies the good of life because he was named from the Hebrew word for “troop” (Gen. 30:10, 11), “gad” in the Hebrew meaning troop, and “troop” in the spiritual sense signifies works; and the good of life consists in doing the goods which are works (respecting which see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3934). In the blessing given by Israel his father it is thus said in Moses:
Gad, a troop shall ravage him; and he shall ravage the heel (Gen. 49:19).
What “Gad” here signifies may be seen explained in Arcana Coelestia (n. 6403-6406); also (in n. 6405) what is signified by these words in Isaiah:
Ye are they that forsake Jehovah, that forget the mountain of My holiness, that arrange a table for Gad, and fill a drink-offering for Meni (65:11).
* Photolithograph has “Dan” for “Gad.”
** Photolithograph has “judgment;” but in explanation below with the Hebrew “judgments.”

sRef Rev@7 @5 S0′ 436. From this it can now be seen what the three tribes first named, “Judah, Reuben, and Gad,” signify in particular, as also what the three signify in the complex; for the names of persons and places in the Word signify things, not only each by itself signifying its own thing, but in the complex they signify the thing in series. The thing in series that is signified by these three names, “Judah, Reuben, and Gad,” is that all who are in love to the Lord, and from that in truths, and through truths in the good of life, are in the inmost or third heaven; for such have the three degrees of life opened; the inmost degree is where love to the Lord has its seat, the middle degree is where truths from that good have their seat, and the ultimate degree is where the good of life has its seat. In every man there are three degrees of life; in those who are in the third heaven the inmost degree is open, for this is opened immediately from the Lord with those who are in love to Him, for through love there is conjunction and thus reception; because of this they are in all truths, which they see in themselves, and by means of these they are in the good of life. (That there are three degrees of life in every angel may be seen in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 33, 34; that the third degree is opened with those who are in the third heaven, n. 208, 209; what the quality of the angels of the third heaven is, n. 24-26, 267, 270, 271.)

sRef Rev@7 @6 S0′ 437. Verse 6. Of the tribe of Asher twelve thousand sealed; of the tribe of Naphtali twelve thousand sealed; of the tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand sealed. 6. “Of the tribe of Asher twelve thousand sealed,” signifies charity towards the neighbor, and that all who are in it are in heaven and come into heaven (n. 438), “of the tribe of Naphtali twelve thousand sealed,” signifies regeneration and temptation (n. 439); “of the tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand sealed,” signifies the goods of life therefrom (n. 440). And that all these are in the second heaven, and come into that heaven (n. 441).

sRef Rev@7 @6 S0′ 438. Verse 6. Of the tribe of Asher twelve thousand sealed, signifies charity towards the neighbor, and that all who are in it are in heaven and come into heaven. This is evident from the signification of “the tribe of Asher,” as being the spiritual affection which is charity (of which presently); and from the signification of “twelve thousand sealed,” as being those who are in heaven and who come into heaven (as above, n. 433). That “the tribe of Asher” signifies love towards the neighbor, which is called charity, will be made clear from what follows, and is also clear from this, that the twelve tribes taken together represented heaven and the church, and therefore signify these in the Word, and that each tribe represented, and thence signifies, some universal essential that is a constituent of heaven and the church. Heaven and the church are constituted, in general, of three universal essentials, namely, love to the Lord, charity towards the neighbor, and the obedience of faith; love to the Lord is signified by the first three tribes, Judah, Reuben, and Gad (as was shown above); charity towards the neighbor is signified by these three tribes, Asher, Naphtali, and Manasseh; while the obedience of faith is signified by the three tribes next named, Simeon, Levi, and Issachar; the conjunction of all of these with the Lord is signified by the last three tribes, Zebulun, Joseph, and Benjamin. This, in brief, is the signification of all these tribes named in this order, for their signification is determined by the order in which they are named (as has been said and shown above, n. 431, 435, 436).
[2] Furthermore, the “sealed” mean those who have been separated from the evil and received into heaven; and the first three tribes mean those who have been received into the highest or third heaven, in which all are in love to the Lord; the three tribes next named, which are now under consideration, mean those who have been received into the middle or second heaven, in which all are in charity towards the neighbor; while the three tribes that next follow mean those who have been received into the lowest or first heaven, where those are who are in the obedience that is called the obedience of faith; and the last three tribes mean the reception of all these into the three heavens by the Lord; for there are three heavens, distinguished from one another according to the degrees of the good of love. From all this it can first be seen that this second class of tribes, that is, the three tribes, Asher, Naphtali, and Manasseh, mean those who are in charity towards the neighbor; “the tribe of Asher” meaning charity towards the neighbor; “Naphtali” the regeneration of those who are in that charity, and “Manasseh” their good of life.
[3] But what “Asher” signifies in the Lord’s kingdom, that is, in the church, shall first be told. “Asher” signifies the blessedness of spiritual affections, and thence spiritual affection itself; and as spiritual affection is what is called love towards the neighbor or charity, so “Asher” here signifies charity; consequently the “twelve thousand” of that tribe here signify all who are in charity, and are thus in the second or middle heaven. That Asher was so called from what is blessed or from blessedness is evident both from the meaning of the word in Hebrew and also from what was said of him by Leah the wife of Jacob, when he was born, which is the following:
Zilpah, Leah’s maidservant, bare Jacob a second son. And Leah said, In my blessedness, for the daughters will call me blessed; and she called his name Asher (Gen. 30:12, 13).
“The daughters who should call her blessed” signify the spiritual affections of truth, which constitute the church, from which is every internal blessedness that is heavenly, in which blessedness those are who are in charity towards the neighbor, for charity towards the neighbor is the spiritual affection of truth (as was just said above); and the spiritual affection of truth is to love truth in its essence, that is, to love truth because it is truth; moreover, the neighbor, in the spiritual sense, is nothing else than good and truth, and charity is love for this (as can be seen from what is said and shown in the New Jerusalem and Its Heavenly Doctrine, on Love towards the Neighbor, which is called Charity, n. 84-107. The rest of the passage may be seen explained in Arcana Coelestia, n. 3936-3939).
sRef Gen@30 @12 S4′ sRef Gen@49 @20 S4′ sRef Gen@30 @13 S4′ [4] That “Asher” signified blessedness which is of love and charity is further evident from the blessing of Asher by Israel his father:
From Asher his bread is fat, and he shall yield the delicacies of a king (Gen. 49:20).
“From Asher” signifies from celestial and spiritual affections, which are those of love to the Lord and of charity towards the neighbor; “his bread is fat,” signifies delight from good; “and he shall yield the delicacies of a king” signifies pleasure from truth. (This is further explained in Arcana Coelestia, n. 6408-6410.)
sRef Deut@33 @25 S5′ sRef Deut@33 @24 S5′ [5] “Asher” has a similar significance in Moses’ blessing, namely, the delight of the affection of truth from the Word; the blessing is this:
Of Asher he said, Blessed above sons be Asher; let him be acceptable unto his brethren, and let him dip his foot in oil; thy shoe is iron and brass; and as the days so thy fame (Deut. 33:24, 25).
Moses’ blessing of the sons of Israel contains arcana respecting the Word; and “Asher,” who is the one last mentioned there signifies the spiritual affection of truth from the Word; therefore it is said, “Blessed above sons be Asher, let him be acceptable to his brethren,” “sons” signifying truths, and “brethren” the church from truths; and “blessed” and “acceptable” are predicated of the affection of truths. The good of love, from which are the truths of the Word in the sense of the letter, is signified by “dipping his foot in oil;” “foot” signifies truth in ultimates, which is the truth of the sense of the letter of the Word, and “oil” signifies the good of love. That the ultimate of the Word is natural truth and good is signified by “thy shoe is iron and brass;” natural truth is signified by “iron,” and natural good by “brass,” and the ultimate by “shoe.” That the Word is to endure to eternity is signified by “as the days so thy fame.” (That “iron” signifies natural truth, see above, n. 176; that “brass” signifies natural good, n. 70; and that “shoe” signifies the ultimate of the natural, which is the sensual, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 1748, 2162, 6844.)
sRef Num@2 @28 S6′ sRef Num@2 @29 S6′ sRef Num@2 @30 S6′ sRef Num@2 @31 S6′ sRef Num@2 @26 S6′ sRef Num@2 @25 S6′ sRef Num@2 @27 S6′ [6] Because “Asher” signifies the delight of affections, such as those have who are in truths from the sense of the letter:
That tribe encamped, together with the tribe of Dan and the tribe of Naphtali, to the north (Num. 2:25-31).
The encampments of the sons of Israel in the wilderness represented the arrangements of the angelic societies in the heavens (see above, n. 431), and there to the north are the dwelling places of those who, from the good of charity, are in the affection of spiritual knowledges.
sRef Ezek@48 @34 S7′ sRef Ezek@48 @35 S7′ [7] That “Asher” signifies spiritual blessedness, which is blessedness from love and charity, can be seen in Ezekiel, where the new land and the new city are treated of, and that land is distributed as an inheritance among all the tribes of Israel; and to the city twelve gates are assigned, one for each tribe. The inheritance of Asher is there described in chapter 48:1-3, and the gates in these words:
The corner towards the sea four thousand and five hundred;* the gates of the city three; one gate of Gad, one gate of Asher, one gate of Naphtali. Round about eighteen thousand; and the name of the city from that day, Jehovah-is-there (verses 34, 35).
The “land” that was to be distributed for an inheritance signifies the church; the “sons of Israel” among whom it was to be distributed, signify all truths from good in the complex that belong to the church; the “city” signifies the doctrine of truth from good of love, therefore it is called Jehovah shammah, or “Jehovah-is-there;” the “gates” signify introductory truths, which are doctrinals; the number “four thousand and five hundred” signifies all truths from good, and “eighteen thousand” all the truths of doctrine encompassing and defending. This makes clear not only that each and all things there mentioned, even to the numbers, signify the things of the church, but also that no tribe of Israel is there meant, each tribe named standing for some universal essential of the church. It is evident, moreover, that “Asher” here signifies the spiritual affection of truth, which makes one with charity towards the neighbor. (That “Asher” signifies eternity in the highest sense, in the internal sense the felicity of life from blessedness of affections that are of love and charity, and in the external sense natural delight therefrom, see in Arcana Coelestia, n. 3938, 3939, 6408.)
* Photolithograph has “five hundred and four thousand” for “four thousand and five hundred.”

sRef Rev@7 @6 S0′ sRef Gen@30 @7 S1′ sRef Gen@30 @8 S1′ 439. Of the tribe Naphtali twelve thousand sealed, signifies regeneration and temptation. This is evident from what is represented and thence signified by “Naphtali” and his tribe, as meaning temptation and the state after it; and as temptations occur for the sake of regeneration, regeneration too is signified by “Naphtali.” (That those who are regenerated undergo temptations see in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 187-201.) That “Naphtali” and thence the tribe named from him, signify temptation and the state after it, and accordingly regeneration, can be seen from the words of Rachel, when Bilhah her handmaid bare him, which are these:
And Bilhah, Rachel’s handmaid, conceived again, and bare Jacob a second son. And Rachel said, With wrestlings of God have I wrestled with my sister, and I have prevailed; and she called his name Naphtali (Gen. 30:7, 8).
“Wrestlings of God” signify spiritual temptations; and as Rachel represented the internal church, which is spiritual, and Leah the external church, which is natural, Rachel’s wrestling with her sister and prevailing signifies evidently the combat between the spiritual and the natural, since every temptation is a combat between the spiritual man and the natural; for the spiritual man loves and wills the things that are of heaven, since it is in heaven, while the natural man loves and wills the things that are of the world, since it is in the world; consequently the desires of the two are opposite, which gives rise to collision and combat, and this is called temptation.
sRef Gen@49 @21 S2′ [2] That “Naphtali” signifies temptation and the state after it, and thence regeneration, is further evident from the following passages. From the blessing he received from his father Israel:
Naphtali is a hind let loose; giving sayings of elegance (Gen. 49:21).
“Naphtali” here signifies the state after temptation, which state is full of joy from affection, that the spiritual and the natural, and good and truth, have been conjoined, for these are conjoined by temptations; “a hind let loose” signifies the freedom of the natural affection; “giving sayings of elegance,” signifies gladness of mind. (This is more fully explained in Arcana Coelestia, n. 6412-6414.)
sRef Deut@33 @23 S3′ [3] Again, from the blessing he received from Moses:
And of Naphtali he said, O Naphtali, satisfied with the good pleasure and full of the blessing of Jehovah; possess thou the west and the south (Deut. 33:23).
This, too, describes the state after temptation, in which man is filled with every good of love and with truths therefrom; for after temptations he is filled with joy, and good bears fruit, and truth is multiplied with him; to be filled with the good of love is meant by “satisfied with the good pleasure of Jehovah;” and to be filled with truths therefrom is signified by “full of the blessing of Jehovah;” the consequent affection of truth and illustration are signified by “possess thou the west and the south,” the affection of truth is signified by “the west,” and illustration by “the south.” It is said “possess thou the west and the south,” because those who are raised up into heaven after having been instructed are carried through the west to the south, that is, through the affection of truth into the light of truth.
sRef Judg@5 @18 S4′ [4] “Naphtali” has a similar signification in the song of Deborah and Barak, in the book of Judges:
Zebulun, a people that devoted their soul to death, and Naphtali upon the heights of the field (5:18).
These were the two tribes that fought against Sisera, the captain of the host of Jabin, king of Canaan, and conquered him, the other ten tribes remaining quiet; and this represented the spiritual combat against the evils that infest the church; as is evident also from the prophetic song of Deborah and Barak, of which this is the subject. Only the tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali fought, because “Zebulun” signifies the conjunction of good and truth which constitutes the church, and “Naphtali” the combat against the evils and falsities that infest it and that resist the conjunction of good and truth, consequently the two signify reformation and regeneration; “the heights of the field” signify the interiors of the church, from which combat is maintained. Again “Zebulun and Naphtali” together also signify reformation and regeneration by means of temptations (in Isaiah 8:22; 9:1, 2; also in Matthew 4:12-16).
sRef Ps@68 @30 S5′ sRef Ps@68 @29 S5′ sRef Ps@68 @31 S5′ sRef Ps@68 @25 S5′ sRef Ps@68 @26 S5′ sRef Ps@68 @24 S5′ sRef Ps@68 @28 S5′ sRef Ps@68 @27 S5′ [5] In the highest sense however “Zebulun and Naphtali” signify the uniting of the Divine and the Human in the Lord, for the highest sense treats solely of the Lord, in general of the glorification of His Human, and the subjugation of the hells, and the arranging of the heavens by Him. In this sense Zebulun and Naphtali are mentioned in David:
They have seen Thy goings, O God; the goings of my God, my King in the midst of the sanctuary. The singers went before, the minstrels after, in the midst of the maidens playing on timbrels. Bless ye God in the assemblies, the Lord from the fountain of Israel. There little Benjamin is set over them, the princes of Judah their company, the princes of Zebulun, the princes of Naphtali. Thy God hath commanded thy strength; put on strength, O God; this Thou hast wrought for us out of Thy temple at Jerusalem; kings shall bring oblations to Thee. Rebuke the wild beast of the reed, the congregation of the mighty among the calves of the peoples; trampling upon the plates of silver, He hath scattered the peoples, they desire combats. Those that are fat shall come out of Egypt. Ethiopia shall hasten her hands unto God (Ps. 68:24-31).
This treats in the spiritual sense of the coming of the Lord, of the glorification of His Human, of the subjugation of the hells, and the consequent salvation. Celebration of the Lord because of His coming is described in these words: “They have seen Thy goings, O God, the goings of my God, my King, in the sanctuary. The singers went before, the minstrels after, in the midst of the maidens playing on timbrels. Bless ye God in the assemblies, the Lord from the fountain of Israel.” (What the particulars here signify see explained above, n. 340.) The innocence of the Lord, by which He wrought and accomplished all things, is signified by “there little Benjamin is set over them;” Divine truth from Divine good is signified by “the princes of Judah their company;” His glorification, or the uniting of the Divine and Human by His own power, is signified by “the princes of Zebulun and the princes of Naphtali;” that from this the Lord’s Human has Divine power is signified by “thy God hath commanded thy strength; put on strength, O God; this Thou hast wrought for us out of Thy temple at Jerusalem,” “temple” meaning here the Lord’s Divine Human, and “Jerusalem” the church for which He did this. The subjugation of the hells is signified by “rebuke the wild beast of the reed, the congregation of the mighty, among the calves of the peoples; trampling upon the plates of silver, He hath scattered the peoples, they desire combats;” “the wild beast of the reed and the congregation of the mighty” mean the knowing faculty of the natural man perverting the truths and goods of the church; “the calves of the people” mean the goods of the church; “the plates of silver” mean the truths of the church; “He hath scattered the people, they desire combats,” signifies to pervert truths and reason against them.
[6] The subjugation of the hells means the subjugation of the natural man; for evils from hell are in the natural man, for in it, too, are the delights of the love of self and of the world and the knowledges [scientifica] that confirm these delights; and when these delights are regarded as ends and become dominant they are against the goods and truths of the church. That when the natural man has been subjugated it supplies accordant knowledges [scientifica)], and also cognitions of truth and good, is signified by “those that are fat shall come out of Egypt, Ethiopia shall hasten her hands unto God.” “Egypt” meaning the natural man in respect to knowledges [scientifica], and “Ethiopia” the natural man in respect to cognitions of good and truth. From these few instances the signification of “Naphtali” and his tribe in the Word can be seen, namely, that it signifies in the highest sense the Lord’s own power, by which He subjugated the hells and glorified His Human, in the internal sense temptation and the states after temptation, and in the external sense resistance by the natural man; therefore “Naphtali” signifies also reformation and regeneration, because these are results of temptations.

sRef Rev@7 @6 S0′ 440. Of the tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand sealed, signifies the goods of life therefrom. This is evident from the representation and consequent signification of “the tribe of Manasseh,” as meaning the voluntary [principle] of the church, and the good of life therefrom. It means the good of life because the good of life makes one with the voluntary of the church or of the man of the church, since that which a man wills he does when he can, for doing is nothing but the will acting, as can be seen from the fact that doing stops when the will stops, and doing goes on as long as there is a will; that which the will of a regenerated man does is called the good of life. For this reason, as the voluntary of the church is signified by “Manasseh” and his tribe, so the good of life is also signified. Moreover, the good of life is the outcome of charity towards the neighbor after regeneration, which is signified by “Asher and Naphtali,” like an effect from its cause; for they who are in charity towards the neighbor are regenerated by the Lord, and those who are regenerated are in the good of life, since they act from charity, and all action from charity is good of life.
sRef Gen@41 @51 S2′ sRef Gen@41 @52 S2′ sRef Gen@41 @50 S2′ [2] There are two things that constitute the church, namely, the truth of doctrine and the good of life; both of these must be in a man that he may be a man of the church. “Ephraim and Manasseh” represented and thence signify in the Word these two, “Ephraim” the truth of doctrine, and “Manasseh” the good of life. The truth of doctrine is also called the intellectual of the church, and the good of life is called its voluntary; for truth is of the understanding, and good is of the will; for this reason also “Ephraim and Manasseh” signify the intellectual and the voluntary of the church, “Ephraim” its intellectual, and “Manasseh” its voluntary. That these might be represented and thence signified by “Ephraim and Manasseh” they were born to Joseph in the land of Egypt; for “Joseph” signifies the celestial-spiritual, or the spiritual kingdom itself that is adjoined to the celestial kingdom, and “the land of Egypt” signifies the natural; consequently “Manasseh” signifies the good of the will in the natural born of the celestial-spiritual, and “Ephraim” signifies truth of the understanding in the natural, also born from the same. The nativity of these is thus described in Moses:
And unto Joseph were born two sons before the year of famine came, whom Asenath the daughter of Potiphera priest of On bare unto him. And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh, For God hath made me forget all my toil and all my father’s house. And the name of the second called he Ephraim, For God hath made me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction (Gen. 41:50-52).
The meaning of these words in the spiritual sense can be seen in the Arcana Coelestia (n. 5347-5356), namely, that the name of the firstborn, “Manasseh,” means the new voluntary in the natural and what is its quality; and the name of the second, “Ephraim,” means the new intellectual in the natural, and what is its quality; or what is the same, “Manasseh” means the good of the new natural man, and “Ephraim” its truth (see n. 5351, 5354).
sRef Gen@48 @6 S3′ sRef Gen@48 @5 S3′ [3] That this is the signification of “Manasseh and Ephraim” can be seen from the fact that they were adopted by Jacob as “Reuben and Simeon,” which is thus described in Moses:
And Jacob said unto Joseph, Now thy two sons, born unto thee in the land of Egypt, before I came unto thee into Egypt, they are mine; Ephraim and Manasseh, even as Reuben and Simeon, shall be mine. They shall be called after the name of their brethren in their inheritance (Gen. 48:3, 5, 6).
As “Reuben” signifies truth in the understanding, which is the truth of doctrine, and “Simeon” truth in the will, which is the good of life, therefore Jacob says that “Ephraim and Manasseh should be to him as Reuben and Simeon;” consequently “Ephraim” signifies intellectual truth, and “Manasseh” voluntary good. (But this may be seen more fully explained in Arcana Coelestia, n. 6234-6241.)
sRef Isa@9 @19 S4′ sRef Isa@9 @20 S4′ sRef Isa@9 @21 S4′ sRef Deut@33 @17 S4′ sRef Gen@48 @15 S4′ sRef Gen@48 @16 S4′ [4] The same can be seen from the blessing of Ephraim and Manasseh by Jacob, then Israel, as follows:
Israel blessed Joseph, and said, The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac did walk, the God which fed me from then unto this day, the Angel that hath redeemed me from all evil, bless the boys; and in them shall my name be called, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth (Gen. 48:15-16).
That here, too, “Ephraim” means intellectual truth, and “Manasseh” voluntary good, both in the natural, may be seen in the Arcana Coelestia (n. 6274-6285). And again, in the blessing of Ephraim and Manasseh by Moses, as follows:
Respecting Joseph, In the firstborn of his ox he hath honor, and his horns are the horns of a unicorn; with them he shall push the peoples together to the ends of the earth; and these are the myriads of Ephraim and these the thousands of Manasseh (Deut. 33:17).
This may be seen explained above (n. 316 and 336).
That “Ephraim” signifies the understanding of truth, and “Manasseh” the will of good, both in the natural, can be seen also from the following passages. In Isaiah:
In the fury of Jehovah of Hosts is the land darkened, and the people are become as fuel of the fire; a man shall not pity his brother; and if he shall cut down on the right hand he shall still be hungry, and if he shall eat on the left hand they shall not be satisfied; they shall eat every man the flesh of his own arm, Manasseh Ephraim, and Ephraim Manasseh, they together against Judah* (9:19-21).
“Manasseh shall eat Ephraim, and Ephraim Manasseh,” here signifies that every good and truth of the church is to perish, the good through falsity, and the truth through evil, as may be seen above (n. 386, where the particulars are explained).
sRef Ps@60 @7 S5′ sRef Ps@108 @8 S5′ [5] In David:
Gilead is Mine, and Manasseh is Mine, and Ephraim is the strength of My head; Judah is My lawgiver (Ps. 60:7; 108:8).
“Manasseh” here signifies the good of the church, “Ephraim” its truth, and “Gilead” the natural; and since truth from good in the natural has Divine power it is said, “Ephraim is the strength of My head.” Divine power is through truth from good in the natural, because the natural is the ultimate into which things interior flow, which are spiritual and celestial, and where they are together and subsist; consequently where they are in fullness, and in this and from this is all Divine operation. For this reason the sense of the letter of the Word, because it is natural, has in it Divine power (respecting which see above, n. 346, and Arcana Coelestia, n. 9836); from this it can be seen why Ephraim is said to be “the strength of Jehovah’s head;” Judah is said to be “His lawgiver” because “Judah” signifies internal Divine truth, or the Word in the spiritual sense, and “lawgiver” and “law” have a similar signification.
sRef Ps@80 @1 S6′ sRef Ps@80 @2 S6′ [6] In the same:
Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, Thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; Thou that sittest upon the cherubim, shine forth. Before Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh stir up Thy might and come for salvation to us (Ps. 80:1, 2).
From the spiritual sense it is clear that these words contain a supplication to the Lord to instruct those who are of the church, and to lead them by truths to good, thus to heaven. The Lord is called “the Shepherd of Israel” because He instructs and leads; it is therefore said, “Thou that leadest Joseph like a flock,” “Joseph” meaning those of the church who are in truths from good; “Thou that sittest upon the cherubim” signifies the Lord above the heavens, whence He sends forth the light that illustrates minds, therefore it is said “shine forth.” That the light of truth may penetrate even to those who are in natural truth and good, thus to the lowest in the church, is signified by “before Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh stir up Thy might;” “Ephraim” meaning those who are in natural truth; natural truth is such truth as the truth of the Word is in the sense of the letter; “Manasseh” means those who are in natural good, which is the delight of doing good and learning truth; “Benjamin” means the conjunctive of truth and good, or the conjoining medium in the natural; “to stir up might” means the penetration of light even to that; “come for salvation to us” means that such may be saved.
[7] Because all the good that the natural man has flows in from the Lord through the spiritual, and without that influx there can be no good in the natural, and because “Manasseh” represented and thus signified good in the natural man from a spiritual origin, therefore to that tribe an inheritance was given both beyond or without Jordan and on this side or within Jordan, that is, to half the tribe beyond or without Jordan, and to the other half on this side or within Jordan (see Num. 32:33, 39, 40; Deut. 3:13; Josh. 13:29-31; 17:5-13, 16-18). The land beyond or without Jordan represented and signified the external church, which is with men in the natural man; but the land on this side or within Jordan represented and signified the internal church, which is with men in the spiritual man (on which see above, n. 434). Again, it is good that constitutes the church, and this good flows in immediately out of the spiritual man into the natural, and without this influx the church is not with man; and this is the reason that to the tribe of Manasseh, by which the good of the church was signified, was given an inheritance both within and without Jordan. That spiritual good flows into natural good immediately, but into natural truth mediately, may be seen in the Arcana Coelestia (n. 3314, 3573, 3576, 3616, 3969, 3995, 4563); thus that there is a parallelism between spiritual good and natural good, but not between spiritual truth and natural truth (n. 1831, 1832, 3514, 3564). That “Manasseh” signifies the good of the church, or the good of life, which is the same as the good of the will, can be seen from the representation and consequent signification of “Ephraim,” as being the truth of the church, or the truth of doctrine, which is the same as the truth of the understanding; for these were brethren, and good and truth are called brethren in the Word. (That “Ephraim” signifies the truth of doctrine, and thus the intellectual of the church, may be seen in Arcana Coelestia, n. 5354, where many passages from the Word in which Ephraim is mentioned are cited and explained; see also n. 3969, 6222, 6234, 6238, 6267, 6296.)
* Photolithograph has “Jehovah;” we find the Hebrew “Judah” in AC n. 5354.

sRef Rev@7 @6 S0′ 441. It has been shown that “the tribe of Asher” signifies charity towards the neighbor, which is the spiritual internal itself of those who are in the second or middle heaven, and that “the tribe of Manasseh” signifies the good of life, which is the spiritual external that flows from their spiritual internal; while temptation, which is signified by “the tribe of Naphtali,” is the uniting medium, for the internal and external are united by means of temptations. This makes clear what these three tribes involve in their order. It is to be known, that there must be with man and with angel, that they may be in heaven, both an internal and an external in accord with each other. It is impossible for anyone to be in only one of these and be in heaven; that is, in the internal only or in the external only; for the internal is like the soul, and the external like the body; the soul can effect nothing except by means of the body, nor can the body effect anything except from the soul; so the internal, unless the external corresponds or is correspondently concordant, lies powerless and as it were lifeless, for there must be an external in* and through which the internal must work, as the soul works in and through its body; likewise the external, unless there is an internal corresponding to it, lies as if dead, for there must be an internal from which the external must work. This has been said to make known that “Asher” signifies the internal, and “Manasseh” the corresponding external; as also above, “Judah” signifies the internal, and “Gad” the corresponding external.** It is similar in everything; therefore in man there is an internal and an external, an internal called his spiritual, and an external called his natural, one conjoining itself with the other by correspondences; therefore of what quality the one is such is the other, and everything that does not make one with the other by correspondences is dissipated and perishes.
* Photolithograph has “out of” for “in.”
** Photolithograph has “internal.”

sRef Rev@7 @7 S0′ 442. Verse 7. Of the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand sealed; of the tribe of Levi twelve thousand sealed; of the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand sealed. 7. “Of the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand sealed,” signifies obedience, and that all who are in obedience are in heaven and come into heaven (n. 443); “of the tribe of Levi twelve thousand sealed,” signifies good works (n. 444); “of the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand sealed,” signifies faith and salvation (n. 445).

sRef Rev@7 @7 S0′ 443. Verse 7. Of the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand sealed, signifies obedience, and that all who are in obedience are in heaven, and come into heaven. This is evident, from the representation and consequent signification of “the tribe of Simeon,” as being obedience (of which presently); and from the signification of “twelve thousand sealed,” as being all who are in heaven and who come into heaven (of which above). The tribes of Simeon, Levi, and Issachar, which are now mentioned, and which constitute the third class of the sealed, signify those who are in the first or lowest heaven, and who come into that heaven. For, as was said above, all who are in heaven, and who come into heaven are here treated of; and as there are, three heavens, the third or inmost, the second or middle, and the first or lowest, those who are in the third, in the second, and in the first are separately treated of. Those who are in the third or inmost heaven and who come into that heaven are signified by “Judah, Reuben, and Gad,” these constituting the first class of those sealed; those who are in the second or middle heaven and who come into that heaven are signified by “Asher, Naphtali, and Manasseh,” these, therefore, constituting the second class of those sealed; but those who are in the first or lowest heaven and who come into that heaven are signified by “Simeon, Levi, and Issachar,” these constituting the third class of those sealed.
[2] Those belonging to this first or lowest heaven are all obedient in doing the truths and goods that are commanded in the Word or in the doctrine of the church in which they were born, or that they have heard from some master or religious teacher, from whom they have heard that this or that is true and good, and ought to be done. Most of these are not in truths themselves, but in falsities from ignorance, nevertheless these falsities are accepted by the Lord as truths because they have the good of life for their end, and by this the evils that usually cling to falsities are removed (respecting these falsities, and those who are in them, see in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 21). Such, then, are in the lowest or first heaven. But in the second or middle heaven are all such as are in the spiritual affection of knowing and understanding truth and good, and in the affection of doing it; while in the third or inmost heaven are all such as are in love; but these two classes have already been spoken of above.
sRef Gen@29 @33 S3′ [3] “Simeon” and his tribe signify those who are in obedience, because Simeon, the father of the tribe, was named from the word that means “to hear,” and “to hear” signifies to obey. This can be seen from the words of Leah his mother when she bare him, which are these:
And Leah conceived again and bare a son, and said, Because Jehovah hath heard that I was hated He hath therefore given me this one also; and she called his name Simeon (Gen. 29:33).
(For explanation of these words see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3867-3872; and that “to hear” signifies to obey there, n. 2542, 3869, 4653-4660, 5017, 5471, 5475, 7216, 8361, 8990, 9311, 9397, 9926, 10061; and above, n. 14, 108, 249.) Because “Simeon” signifies obedience he also signifies faith, for faith becomes faith in man when he obeys and does the commandments; before this is done the knowledge of such things as man has drawn from the Word, from the doctrine of the church and from preaching, appears as faith, but this is not faith until man does these things; until then it is merely a matter of thought from the memory, in which there is nothing of the will, consequently nothing of the man, for the will is the man himself; it is therefore when a man does this, that is, obeys, that it enters the will, thus the man himself and becomes faith.
[4] This faith, which is obedience, is signified also by Peter, when he is called “Simon;” and the faith that is the affection of truth is signified by Peter when he is called “Simon son of Jonah” (as in Matt. 16:17-19, et seq.; Mark 1:16-18, 36; 14:37, 38; Luke 5:3-11; 7:40-43; 22:31-33, et seq.; 24:34; John 1:40-42; 21:15-21). Because “Simeon” in the Hebrew signifies hearing and hearkening, and thence obedience, as was said above, and “the son of Jonah” signifies truth from good, but “Peter” truth itself, Peter is called by the Lord sometimes “Peter,” sometimes “Simon Peter,” and sometimes “Simon son of Jonah.” That these names have such a signification anyone can see from Peter’s having been called by the Lord now “Peter,” now “Simon,” now “son of Jonah,” which was not done without cause or meaning. What was said to him at the time makes clear what is meant; thus when he confessed that the Lord was the Son of God, and in consequence the keys of the kingdom of the heavens were given to him, he is called “Simon son of Jonah” (Matt. 16:17, et seq.) and is also called a rock (petra), as the Lord Himself often is in the Prophets. Again, he is called “Simon son of Jonah” when the Lord said to him, “Lovest thou Me,” and he answered, “I love Thee;” but when he presently turned himself away from the Lord and was indignant because John, who signifies the good of charity, was following Jesus, he is called “Peter” (John 21:15-21), “Peter” here signifying truth without good, or faith separate from charity.
[5] From this it can be seen that “Simon,” when Peter is so named, has a similar signification as “Simeon” the son of Jacob, namely, obedience, the faith of charity, the affection of truth, and in general, truth from good; for in the Hebrew Simon means hearing, hearkening, and obedience, and Jonah in the Hebrew means a dove, which signifies in the spiritual sense the good of charity; and “the son of Jonah” signifies the truth of that good, or the faith of charity; while “rock” [petra], from which he is named Peter, signifies truth and faith, and in the contrary sense, falsity and absence of faith (see above, n. 411).
sRef Gen@49 @5 S6′ sRef Gen@49 @6 S6′ sRef Gen@49 @7 S6′ [6] That “Simeon” the son of Jacob, with the tribe named from him, signifies obedience, and truth in the will, and thence faith, can also be seen from the contrary sense, in which he signifies non-obedience, and falsity in the will, and thus faith separate from the will, which is no faith; for most things in the Word have also a contrary sense, in which they signify the opposite things. It is in this sense that Simeon is mentioned by Israel his father in the prophecy respecting his sons, where it is said:
Simeon and Levi are brethren; instruments of violence are their swords; into their secret let not my soul come; in their assembly let not my glory be united. For in their anger they slew a man, and in their good pleasure* they houghed an ox. Accursed be their anger, for it is fierce, and their fury, for it is hard. I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel (Gen. 49:5-7).
“Simeon and Levi are brethren” signifies faith separate from charity; “instruments of violence are their swords” signifies that their doctrinals serve to destroy the works of charity, thus charity itself; “into their secret let not my soul come” signifies that spiritual good does not wish to know the evils of their will; “in their assembly let not my glory be united” signifies that spiritual truth does not wish to know the falsities of their thoughts; “for in their anger they slew a man” signifies that they have wholly turned themselves away from truths, and in their aversion have extinguished faith; “and in their good pleasure they houghed an ox” signifies that from their depraved will they have wholly disabled external good which is of charity; “accursed be their anger, for it is fierce” signifies a grievous aversion from good, and consequent damnation; “and their fury, for it is hard” signifies aversion from truth that is from good; “I will divide them in Jacob” signifies that this faith is to be exterminated from the external church; “and scatter them in Israel” signifies from the internal church also. (For fuller explanation of this see Arcana Coelestia, n. 6351-6361.)
[7] The first three sons, Reuben, Simeon, and Levi, were rejected and condemned by their father Israel because that prophecy describes the establishment of the church, and the church is not established by faith separate from charity, but by truth and good from the Lord; for the church, even at that time, had fallen into the error that merely knowing the Word, and saying that it is holy, is the essential of the church, and not life or charity, and that the God of heaven and earth is some other than the Lord. For this reason in that prophecy the three sons born first, Reuben, Simeon, and Levi, were rejected, because “Reuben” there signifies faith alone, “Simeon” faith without charity, and “Levi” the absence of the good of charity; consequently these three in the series signify no church; for when faith alone is assumed as the essential of salvation, charity is immediately rejected and regarded as nonessential and of no value in respect to salvation; and because these three things were signified by these three sons, therefore they were rejected by Israel their father, who signified the church. Moreover, each of these three destroyed the representative of the church, Reuben:
By lying with Bilhah, the maidservant and concubine of his father (Gen. 35:22).
and Simeon and Levi:
By slaying Hamor, his son Shechem, and the whole city, which was the nation descended from Hamor, for no other reason than that Shechem loved their sister Dinah (Gen. 34:1 to the end).
This deed signifies in the spiritual sense that these two sons of Jacob, in other words, that constituent of the church which they represented, extinguished the truth and good of the Ancient Church, which church yet survived in the nation of Hamor; for this deed signifies in the spiritual sense that every truth and good of the church is extinguished by faith separated from charity. This, therefore, is what is meant in particular by the words of Israel, “into their secret let not my soul come; in their assembly let not my glory be united; for in their anger they slew a man, and in their good pleasure they houghed an ox;” for “man” [vir] signifies in the Word truth and intelligence, and “ox” moral and natural good. (For fuller explanation of this see Arcana Coelestia, n. 4426-4522.)
[8] And for this reason Simeon was passed by in the blessing of Moses (Deut. 33), and instead of him Ephraim and Manasseh are mentioned, by whom the truth and good of the church are signified. But although Simeon and Levi were such, yet elsewhere they signify the faith of charity and charity, “Simeon” the faith of charity, and “Levi” charity. Yea, the tribe of Levi was appointed to the priesthood; for it matters not of what quality the person is who represents, provided he is in external worship according to the laws and statutes; for representation does not regard the person, but only the thing, and nothing is required in the person except the external of worship. (On this see Arcana Coelestia, n. 665, 1097, 1361, 3147, 3670, 3881, 4208, 4281, 4288, 4292, 4309, 4444, 4500, 6304, 7048, 7439, 8588, 8788, 8806, 9229.) For this reason “the tribe of Simeon” in this passage of Revelation and elsewhere in the Word signifies obedience, the faith of charity, the affection of truth, and in general, truth from good, as has been said above. (That “Simeon” and his tribe, when mentioned in a good sense, signify in the highest sense providence, in the internal sense faith in the will, in the interior sense obedience, and in the external sense hearing, may be seen in Arcana Coelestia, n. 3869.)
* Photolithograph has “wrath,” the Hebrew “good pleasure” is found on p. 1117, and in AC.

sRef Rev@7 @7 S0′ 444. Of the tribe of Levi twelve thousand sealed, signifies good works. This is evident from the representation and consequent signification of “Levi” and his tribe, as being spiritual love, which is called charity towards the neighbor. “The tribe of Levi” here signifies good works because spiritual love or charity consists in doing things that are good, and these are good works. Charity, itself, viewed in itself, is the affection of truth and good, and where that affection is, there is a life according to truths and goods, for there is no affection without a life according to the truths and goods for which there is affection. If such affection is thought to be possible and to be present, it is a natural not a spiritual affection. These two kinds of affection differ in this, that natural affection has self and the world for an end; thus the truths and goods by which it is affected are loved* for the sake of reputation, that honors and wealth may be acquired, and then a life according to the doctrinals that have been learned is put on merely from self for the sake of appearance, which is thus a feigned life and inwardly hypocritical; while spiritual affection has the Lord, heaven, and eternal life for an end, and has regard to these in truths and goods; thus it loves truths and goods spiritually. When this affection is with man he loves to think and to will these truths and goods, and consequently to live according to them. To live according to truths and goods is what is meant in the Word by “doing,” and the life itself is meant by “deeds” and “works” which are so often mentioned in the Word; these, therefore, are what were represented and signified by “Levi” and his tribe in the church with the Jews.
[2] Because this affection is the very essential of the church, the tribe of Levi was assigned to the priesthood; this, too, is why Levi’s staff in the tent of meeting blossomed with almonds; and this is why no inheritance was given to that tribe as to the other tribes, but among them all. It is known that the tribe of Levi was appointed to the priesthood; for not only was Aaron made high priest, but also his sons after him, and all the Levites were made ministers to them. That Moses and Aaron were of the tribe of Levi may be seen in Exod. 6:20; Num. 18:2; and that the Levites were made ministers to Aaron and his sons, in Moses:
The tribe of Levi was taken for the priesthood, to keep the charge of the whole congregation before the tent of meeting, to serve the service of the tabernacle. And the Levites were given to Aaron, and accepted in place of all the firstborn; and further respecting their ministries and functions (Num. 3:1 to the end).
sRef Num@3 @35 S3′ sRef Num@3 @38 S3′ sRef Num@3 @36 S3′ sRef Num@3 @37 S3′ sRef Num@3 @29 S3′ sRef Num@3 @30 S3′ sRef Num@3 @28 S3′ sRef Num@3 @26 S3′ sRef Num@3 @27 S3′ sRef Num@3 @33 S3′ sRef Num@3 @34 S3′ sRef Num@3 @8 S3′ sRef Num@3 @31 S3′ sRef Num@3 @39 S3′ sRef Num@3 @46 S3′ sRef Num@3 @45 S3′ sRef Num@3 @44 S3′ sRef Num@3 @47 S3′ sRef Num@3 @50 S3′ sRef Num@3 @51 S3′ sRef Num@3 @48 S3′ sRef Num@3 @49 S3′ sRef Num@3 @40 S3′ sRef Num@3 @43 S3′ sRef Num@3 @42 S3′ sRef Num@3 @41 S3′ sRef Num@3 @9 S3′ sRef Num@3 @7 S3′ sRef Num@3 @11 S3′ sRef Num@3 @32 S3′ sRef Num@3 @10 S3′ sRef Num@3 @6 S3′ sRef Num@3 @2 S3′ sRef Num@3 @1 S3′ sRef Num@3 @5 S3′ sRef Num@3 @4 S3′ sRef Num@3 @3 S3′ sRef Num@3 @12 S3′ sRef Num@3 @18 S3′ sRef Num@3 @19 S3′ sRef Num@3 @17 S3′ sRef Num@3 @15 S3′ sRef Num@3 @16 S3′ sRef Num@3 @20 S3′ sRef Num@3 @24 S3′ sRef Num@3 @25 S3′ sRef Num@3 @23 S3′ sRef Num@3 @21 S3′ sRef Num@3 @22 S3′ sRef Num@3 @14 S3′ sRef Num@3 @13 S3′ [3] The priesthood was given to this tribe because it represented and thence signified love and charity. Love and charity are the spiritual affection of good and truth; since affection is predicated of love in its continuity, for affection is the continuation of love. This, too, is what the priesthood and its ministry signify in the Word, for this affection is the essential of the church, for where it is there the church is, and where it is not there the church is not; for the affection of good and truth is the very spiritual life of man, and when man is affected by good and truth he is in good and truth in respect to his life, and his thought itself is nothing but affection in a different form, for whatever a man thinks he derives from affection; no one can think without affection. This is why the tribe of Levi was appointed to the priesthood. The like is said of the Levites in Ezekiel, where a new land, a new city, and a new temple are treated of (40:46; 43:19; 44:15; 48:11, 12).
sRef Num@17 @2 S4′ sRef Num@17 @3 S4′ sRef Num@17 @8 S4′ sRef Num@17 @9 S4′ sRef Num@17 @11 S4′ sRef Num@17 @10 S4′ sRef Num@17 @5 S4′ sRef Num@17 @4 S4′ sRef Num@17 @7 S4′ sRef Num@17 @6 S4′ [4] Because the tribe of Levi represented and thence signified charity in act, thus the goods of charity, which are good works, therefore:
The rod of Levi, upon which was written the name of Aaron, when placed in the tent of meeting before the testimony, blossomed with almonds (Num. 17:2-11);
“almonds” signifying the goods of charity, since by these all things of the church flourish in man, for when the goods of charity are with man there are also intelligence and faith, for man is then in the affection of understanding what he knows from the Word, and in the will to do according to what he knows. Because the good of charity must be in all things of the church that the church may be in them, and because the affection itself of good and truth, which is charity, is what gives understanding and instruction to all, so not only was the tribe of Levi appointed to the priesthood, but there was no lot and inheritance granted to that tribe like that granted to the other tribes, but was among them all (as is evident in Moses, Num. 35:1 to the end; and in Josh. 21:1 to the end). So it is said in Moses:
Therefore no part or inheritance with his brethren fell to Levi; Jehovah Himself is his inheritance (Deut. 10:9).
sRef Deut@21 @5 S5′ sRef Deut@10 @9 S5′ [5] And because (as has been said) every man acquires knowledge (scientia), intelligence, and wisdom, according to the affection of good and truth that is in him, it is said in Moses:
Jehovah God hath chosen the sons of Levi to minister unto Him and to bless in His name, and according to their mouth shall be every controversy and every stroke (Deut. 21:5).
This signifies in the spiritual sense that the affection of good and truth, which is charity, ministers to the Lord, and teaches those things that are of the church and worship, and discerns between falsities and truths, and between evils and goods; for “the sons of Levi” signify in the spiritual sense the affection of good and truth, which is charity. From this it can be seen that the tribe of Levi was chosen for the priesthood, and an inheritance was given to it among all the tribes, not because that tribe was better than the others, but because it represented charity in act, and good works, which are the effects of all good and truth in man.
sRef Jer@33 @17 S6′ sRef Jer@33 @15 S6′ sRef Jer@33 @22 S6′ sRef Jer@33 @20 S6′ sRef Jer@33 @18 S6′ sRef Jer@33 @16 S6′ sRef Jer@33 @21 S6′ [6] That “the tribe of Levi” signifies in the Word the goods of charity, which are good works, can be seen also from the following passages. In Jeremiah:
In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous shoot to sprout up unto David; and He shall do judgment and righteousness in the land. In those days shall Judah be saved, and Jerusalem** shall dwell safely; and this is the name whereby He shall be called, Jehovah our righteousness. There shall not be cut off from David a man to sit on the throne of the house of Israel, and from the priests the Levites there shall not be cut off a man from before My faces to offer up the burnt-offering and to burn the meal-offering, and to do sacrifice all the days. If ye shall have rendered void My covenant of the day and My covenant of the night, My covenant also with David My servant shall become void that he shall not have a son to reign, and with the Levites, the priests My ministers. As the host of the heavens is not numbered, neither the sand of the sea measured,*** so will I multiply the seed of David My servant and the Levites My ministers (33:15-18, 20-22).
This treats of the coming of the Lord, who is “the shoot of David,” and who shall be called “Jehovah our Righteousness.” “Judah shall then be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely,” signifies that then those who are in love to the Lord shall be saved; “Israel shall dwell safely” signifying that those who are in charity towards the neighbor shall not be infested by evils and falsities; “there shall not be cut off from David a man to sit upon the throne of the house of Israel” signifies that Divine truth proceeding from the Lord is then to reign perpetually in the church, “the throne of the house of Israel” meaning the church wherein Divine truth reigns; “and from the priests the Levites there shall not be cut off a man from before My faces to offer up the burnt-offering and to burn the meal-offering, and to do sacrifice” signifies that then there shall be worship perpetually from the good of love and charity, and from the truths of faith; “Levites” signifying those who are in such worship; “burnt-offering” the worship from the good of love, “meal-offering” worship from the good of charity towards the neighbor; and “sacrifice” worship from the truths of faith.
[7] “If ye shall have rendered void My covenant of the day and My covenant of the night,” signifies if they did not observe the two things, love and faith, that effect conjunction with the Lord; “covenant” meaning conjunction; “covenant of the day” conjunction by love, and “covenant of the night” conjunction by faith; “My covenant also with David My servant shall become void, that he shall not have a son to reign, and with the Levites the priests, My ministers,” signifies that they shall then have neither Divine truth nor Divine good; “Levites, priests, ministers,” are such as are in the good of love to the Lord and in worship therefrom; “as the host of the heavens is not numbered, neither the sand of the sea measured,” signifies the knowledges of truth and good in the spiritual and in the natural man; “host of the heavens” meaning such knowledges in the spiritual man, and “sand of the sea” meaning such knowledges in the natural man; “so will I multiply the seed of David My servant, and the Levites My ministers,” signifies the multiplication of Divine truth, and the fructification of Divine good in those who have conjunction with the Lord; here as elsewhere “the Levites, the priests,” signify those who are in the good of love and charity, and in an abstract sense, that good itself.
sRef Mal@3 @1 S8′ sRef Mal@3 @4 S8′ sRef Mal@3 @2 S8′ sRef Mal@3 @3 S8′ [8] In Malachi:
Behold I send My messenger, and He shall prepare the way before Me; and the Lord whom ye seek shall suddenly come to His temple, even the angel of the covenant, whom ye desire. For He is like a refiner’s fire, and like fuller’s soap; and He shall sit refining and purifying silver, and shall purify the sons of Levi, and shall purge them as gold and silver, that they may bring to Jehovah an offering in righteousness. Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be sweet unto Jehovah; according to the days of an age and according to former years (3:1-4).
What this signifies in the spiritual sense may be seen explained above (n. 242 and**** 433); and that “the sons of Levi” here mean all who are in the good of charity, and thence in the good of faith. This treats of the Lord who was to come; His Divine Human is what is meant by “His temple” to which Jehovah the Lord was to come; that He will purify those who are in the good of charity, and thence in the good of faith, is meant by “He shall purify and purge the sons of Levi.” Evidently the sons of Levi are not meant, for it is said that “He shall then purify and purge them,” and that “the offering of Judah and Jerusalem shall then be sweet unto Jehovah,” and it is known that the Lord did not purify and purge the Levites, and that the offering of Judah and Jerusalem was not sweet to the Lord, for they were utterly opposed to the Lord, and worship by sacrifices and offerings was then abrogated. For “Judah” here means all who are in the good of love to the Lord, and “Jerusalem” the church that is in the truths of doctrine (see above, n. 433).
sRef Deut@33 @9 S9′ sRef Deut@33 @10 S9′ sRef Deut@33 @8 S9′ sRef Deut@33 @11 S9′ [9] In Moses:
Moses said of Levi, Thy Thummim and Thy Urim for Thy holy man, whom thou didst tempt in Massah, with whom thou didst strive at the waters of Meribah; who said to his father and to his mother, I have not seen him;***** and his brethren he did not recognize, and his sons he did not know; they shall keep Thy word and they shall observe Thy covenant. They shall teach Jacob Thy judgments, and Israel Thy law; they shall put incense in Thy nostrils, and whole burnt offering upon Thine altar, and accept the work of his hands; smite through the loins of them that rise against him and of them that hate him, that they rise not again (Deut. 33:8-11).
This is in the blessing of the sons of Israel by Moses, which treats of the Word, because this is signified in the representative sense by “Moses;” and “Urim and Thummin” signify the Divine truth shining forth from Divine good, thus the Word; and “Levi” here means the spiritual affection of truth; the “holy man whom they tempted in Massah and at the waters of Meribah” means the Lord in respect to Divine truth, for the “rock” at which that temptation took place signifies the Lord, and the “waters” from it signify Divine truths; “the father and mother to whom he said I have not seen you” signify the Israelitish church, which did not acknowledge the Lord; the church is called “father” from good, and “mother” from truth; “his brethren whom he did not recognize, and his sons whom he did not know,” mean the goods and truths of the church, which were not with them, “brethren” meaning goods, and “sons” truths.
sRef Matt@13 @45 S10′ sRef Matt@13 @46 S10′ [10] But as “the sons of Levi” signify the goods and truths of the church, and in general the spiritual affection of truth and good, it is said of them “they shall keep Thy Word, they shall observe Thy covenant; they shall teach Jacob Thy judgments, and Israel Thy law,” which signifies that those who are in the spiritual affection of truth do the Word and teach the goods and truths of the church, for the spiritual affection of truth is what does and teaches, since it is into that affection that the Lord flows, doing the good with man and teaching the truth with him; “the Word” here means Divine truth, and “to keep it” means to do it; “covenant” means conjunction thereby with the Lord; “judgments” mean the truths of doctrine from the Word; the “law” means the good of truth; “Jacob and Israel” mean the church; “to put incense in the nostrils” signifies worship from the truths of doctrine, and “to put whole burnt offering upon the altar” signifies worship from the good of love. The dispersion of falsities by truth is signified by “smiting through the loins of them that rise against him;” and the dispersion of evils by “smiting through the loins of them that hate him, that they rise not again.” This is said of Levi, because Divine truth, which is the Word, can only be with those who are in the spiritual affection of truth. The spiritual affection of truth consists in loving the truth itself, and esteeming it above every good of the world, because through it man has eternal life, and the only means by which eternal life is implanted in man are truths, consequently the Word, for through the Word the Lord teaches truths. The spiritual affection of truth, which is to love truths above every good of the world, is thus described by the Lord in Matthew:
The kingdom of the heavens is like unto a man that is a merchant seeking beautiful pearls; who, when he had found one pearl of great price, going away, sold all that he had and bought it (13:45-46);
“pearl” signifying truth. (That man has eternal life from no other source than through truths from good, which is from the Lord, see in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 24 at the end.)
sRef Gen@29 @34 S11′ [11] That “Levi” signifies love and charity is evident from the words of his mother Leah when she bare him, which are these:
Leah conceived again and bare a son, and said, Now this time will my husband (vir) cleave unto me, because I have borne him three sons; therefore she called his name Levi (Gen. 29:34).
“She conceived again and bare a son” signifies spiritual conception and birth; “and said, Now this time will my husband (vir) cleave unto me,” signifies spiritual love, that is charity, by which conjunction is effected; “because I have borne him three sons” signifies what is successive; “therefore she called his name Levi” signifies conjunction by love, and its quality. (For a further explanation of this see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3873-3877.) “Levi” means a cleaving, and “to cleave” signifies conjunction by spiritual love. The three sons of Leah born in succession, “Reuben, Simeon, and Levi” signify in series the first and chief essentials of the church, namely, truth in the understanding, truth in the will, and truth in act; the same as the three disciples of the Lord, “Peter, James, and John,” “Peter” signifying truth in the understanding, “James” truth in the will, and “John” truth in act, which is the good of life or the good of charity. In the original tongue Levi means a cleaving, which signifies conjunction through love and charity. (That this is the signification of “cleaving,” see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3875.)
sRef Mal@2 @4 S12′ sRef Mal@2 @6 S12′ sRef Mal@2 @5 S12′ sRef Mal@2 @8 S12′ sRef Mal@2 @7 S12′ [12] That “Levi” in the highest sense signifies the Lord in relation to love and mercy, is evident in Malachi:
That ye may know that I have sent this commandment unto you, that My covenant may be with Levi. My covenant with him was of life and peace; which I gave to him in fear, that he might fear Me, therefore because of My name he was dismayed. The law of truth was in his mouth, and perversity was not found in his lips; he walked with Me in peace and uprightness, and did turn many away from iniquity. The priest’s lips, they shall seek the law from his mouth, for he is the messenger of Jehovah of Hosts. But ye have turned aside out of the way; ye have caused many to stumble in the law; ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi (2:4-8).
Here “Levi” in the highest sense means the Lord in respect to His Divine Human, for it is said of Levi, that “the law of truth was in his mouth, and perversity was not found in his lips,” and that “the priest’s lips they shall seek the law from his mouth, for he is the messenger of Jehovah of Hosts;” therefore “the covenant of Levi” means conjunction with the Lord through love and charity; “the covenant of life and peace” signifies that conjunction; “fear,” which is also predicated of Him, signifies love. “The priest’s lips they shall seek the law from his mouth” signifies that all truth of doctrine is from the Lord, and is with such as are in love to Him. He is called “the messenger of Jehovah” because of the Divine truth that the Lord teaches in the Word and through the Word; “they turned aside out of the way and caused many to stumble in the law, they corrupted the covenant of Levi,” signifies that the church that was among the Israelites perverted the truths of the Word and the goods of life therefrom, and thus destroyed conjunction with the Lord; “way” signifying the truths of doctrine, “law” its goods, and the “covenant of Levi” conjunction with the Lord. From this what is signified in the representative sense by Levi and his tribe can be seen, namely, the good of charity, which is the good of life, also the spiritual affection of good and truth, and in the highest sense, the Lord in relation to spiritual love.
sRef Gen@49 @5 S13′ sRef Gen@49 @6 S13′ sRef Gen@49 @7 S13′ [13] As most things in the Word have also a contrary sense, so has “Levi” and his tribe; and in this sense “Levi” signifies the evil of falsity, which is the opposite of the good of charity; also life apart from charity, consequently no charity towards the neighbor. This is signified by “Levi” in the prophecy of Israel the father respecting his sons:
Simeon and Levi are brethren; instruments of violence are their swords; into their secret let not my soul come; unto their assembly let not my glory be united; for in their anger they slew a man, and in their good pleasure they houghed an ox. Accursed be their anger, for it is strong, and their fury, for it is hard. I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel (Gen. 49:5-7).
For the explanation of this see the article above (n. 443), where “Simeon” is treated of.
sRef Luke@10 @36 S14′ sRef Luke@10 @32 S14′ sRef Luke@10 @29 S14′ sRef Luke@10 @30 S14′ sRef Luke@10 @34 S14′ sRef Luke@10 @35 S14′ sRef Luke@10 @33 S14′ sRef Luke@10 @37 S14′ sRef Luke@10 @31 S14′ [14] Again, the “Levite” in the Lord’s parable of the man wounded by robbers has this contrary signification; and that parable shall here be explained, because it treats of charity towards the neighbor, and because the Lord there spoke from beginning to end by correspondences, which have heretofore been unknown. In Luke:
The lawyer wishing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbor? And Jesus continuing said, A certain man was going down from Jerusalem into Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who both stripped him and smote him, and departed leaving him half dead. And by chance a certain priest was going down that way; and seeing him he passed by. And in like manner a Levite, when he was at the place, came and saw and passed by. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to him; and when he saw him he was moved with compassion, and coming near he bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and then setting him on his own beast he led him to an inn and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed he took out two denaries and gave them to the host, and said to him, Take care of him, and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come back again I will repay thee. Which now of these three seems to thee to have been a neighbor unto him that fell among the robbers? He said, He that showed mercy unto him. And Jesus said unto him, Go, and do thou likewise (Luke 10:29-37).
This treats of charity towards the neighbor, and of good works by which charity is in its effect and in its fullness.
“Jerusalem” here signifies the church where there is true doctrine, and “Jericho” the church where there are knowledges of truth and good; so the “priest” signifies those who have no love to the Lord, and the “Levite” those who have no charity towards the neighbor, such as those were who were in Jerusalem at that time; but the “Samaritan” signifies the nations that were in the good of charity; the “man going down from Jerusalem to Jericho” signifies those who wished to be instructed in the truths and knowledges of the church; the “robbers among whom he fell” signify those in the perverted church, such as the Jewish church was at that time; “they stripped him and smote him, and left him half dead,” signifies that they deprived him of truths and imbued him with falsities, and thus doing injury to spiritual life to such a degree that scarcely any spiritual life remains; “to strip” signifying in the Word to deprive of truths, “to smite” signifying to injure the mind and spiritual life by falsities, and “to be half dead” signifying to be almost destitute of that life; “to be moved with compassion” signifies mercy and charity from within, mercy and charity also forming a one; “to bind up the wounds and to pour in oil and wine” signifies providing a remedy against the falsities that have injured his life, by instructing him in the good of love and the truth of faith, “oil” in the Word signifying the good of love, and “wine” the good and truth of faith; “to set him on his own beast” signifies according to his understanding so far as he was able, “horse” (in like manner as beast), signifying the understanding; “to lead him to an inn and to take care of him” signifies to lead him to those who are better instructed in the knowledges of good and truth, an “inn” being a place where foods and drinks are bought, which signify the knowledges of good and truth, thence spiritual nourishment which is communicated by instruction; “he gave to the host two denaries, and said to him, Take care of him, and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come back again I will repay thee,” signifies all things of charity in the measure of his ability and capacity. From this it can now be seen what “Levi,” “his tribe,” and “the Levites” signify in each sense. (More respecting what is represented and thence signified by “Levi,” and the tribe named from him, may be seen in Arcana Coelestia, n. 3875-3877, 4497, 4502, 4503, 6352, 10017.)
* Photolithograph has “it is.”
** Photolithograph has “Israel,” the Hebrew has “Jerusalem.”
*** Photolithograph has “numbered.”
**** Photolithograph has “to.”
***** Photolithograph has “you.”

sRef Rev@7 @7 S0′ 445. Of the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand sealed, signifies faith and salvation. This is evident from the representation and consequent signification of “Issachar” and his tribe, as being that which makes heaven and salvation with man, for “Issachar” in the original means reward, and love and faith are what make heaven and salvation with man, consequently both are signified by “the tribe of Issachar.” “Reward” is frequently spoken of in the Word, as “that reward is to be received,” and by it is understood eternal life, salvation, and by many, heavenly joy; and in the nearest sense this is the signification of “reward.” If a man is living according to the Lord’s commandments, it is permissible for him to think of eternal life, salvation, and heavenly joy; but it is not permissible for him to keep his mind intent upon reward, for if he does so he has reward as an end, and easily falls into the thought that by his life he deserves heaven and salvation, and this thought causes him to have regard to self in every particular, and such regard to self removes him from heaven; for so far as man looks to self in what he does, he does not look to heaven. Because of this, “reward” signifies in the Word that in which heaven and salvation are, that is, in general, love and faith, and thence intelligence and wisdom, for in these are salvation and heaven, and consequently heavenly joy, so far as man does not think about reward. From this the signification of “Issachar” and his tribe can be seen.
[2] Here faith is signified, because “the tribe of Simeon” signifies obedience, and “the tribe of Levi” signifies good works, and they who are in good works from obedience are in faith; while such as are in the goods of life from the spiritual affection of truth and good are in charity, and they who are in the goods of life from celestial affection are in love to the Lord. This, too, is the way in which angels are distinguished in the heavens: those who are in the goods of life from a celestial affection are in the inmost or third heaven; those who are in the goods of life from a spiritual affection are in the middle or second heaven; and those who are in good works from obedience are in the lowest or first heaven, and these also are said to have faith, for the things they hear from the sense of the letter of the Word and from preachers they believe according to their apprehension, but they neither see nor perceive whether they are true, therefore their thought about what is to be believed is called faith; for that is properly called faith which is believed without intellectual sight and perception as to its being so, consequently such persons can believe falsity equally with truth. But when what is believed is seen and perceived this is not called faith, but apperception and perception; for the understanding illustrated by the Lord sees, and the will is affected, and action flows from the two.
[3] “Issachar” and his tribe here signify faith, because these three tribes, from each of which were twelve thousand sealed, mean all who are in the lowest or first heaven; and they who are in that heaven are said to be in good works from obedience, and in faith. Moreover, many of these call faith alone the essential of salvation, and yet do not separate faith from good works, for they say that faith is bestowed upon them by the Lord because they are in good works, and that if they were not in good works faith would not be given. But those who separate faith from good works, and declare it to be the sole means of salvation, and that they are saved by it howsoever they live, confirming this by their life, such are not in the lowest heaven but are in hell.
sRef Gen@49 @14 S4′ sRef Gen@49 @15 S4′ [4] Those who have regard to reward on account of the good works they do, and thus place merit in works, are meant by “Issachar” in the prophecy of Israel respecting his sons:
Issachar is a bony ass couching down between the burdens. And he shall see rest that it is good, and the land that it is pleasant; and he shall bow his shoulder to bear burdens, [and shall be one who serves for hire] (Gen. 49:14, 15).
Here “Issachar” signifies reward or recompense on account of works; “a bony ass” signifies the lowest servitude; “couching down between the burdens” signifies life among works; “and he shall see rest that it is good” signifies works of good without recompense full of felicity; “and the land that it is pleasant” signifies that those who are in the Lord’s kingdom are in such felicity; “and he shall bow his shoulder to bear burdens” signifies that they, nevertheless, labor in every work; “and shall be one who serves for hire” signifies with a view to merit. (For further explanation of this see Arcana Coelestia, n. 6387-6394.)
sRef Deut@33 @18 S5′ sRef Deut@33 @19 S5′ [5] But those who do not place merit in the good works they perform, by having regard for reward, but place heaven and the felicity of eternal life in thinking and willing well, and thence in acting well, and are in the spiritual affection of truth and good, which is with those who are in the heavenly marriage, that is, in the marriage of good and truth; such are meant by these words in Moses:
Of Zebulun he said, Be glad, Zebulun, in thy going out; and Issachar in thy tents. They shall call the people unto the mountain; there they shall sacrifice sacrifices of righteousness; for they shall suck the abundance of the seas, and the hidden things of the secret things of the sand (Deut. 33:18, 19).
This is said of those who are in the marriage of good and truth, that is, in truths in respect to the understanding and thought, and in goods in respect to the will and affection. “Zebulun” signifies that marriage, and “Issachar” the affection of truth and good; “to be glad in thy going out” signifies to have delight in all genuine truths and goods, “going out” signifying all things, because it signifies the ultimate, the effect, and the conclusion; “to be glad in the tents” signifies in all worship; “to call the peoples unto the mountain” signifies, because such are in heaven, where there is the good of love; “to sacrifice the sacrifices of righteousness” signifies worship from truths that are from good; “to suck the abundance of the sea” signifies to imbibe the truths of doctrine from the Word, and thus intelligence; and “to suck the hidden things of the secret things of the sand” signifies the spiritual things that lie concealed in the sense of the letter of the Word.
sRef Num@2 @5 S6′ sRef Num@2 @6 S6′ sRef Num@2 @7 S6′ sRef Num@2 @8 S6′ sRef Num@2 @3 S6′ sRef Num@2 @4 S6′ sRef Num@2 @9 S6′ sRef Num@2 @10 S6′ [6] Because “the tribes of Judah, of Issachar, and of Zebulun,” signified the heaven where the good of love is, “the tribe of Judah” that good itself, “the tribe of Issachar” its affection, and “Zebulun” its conjunction with truths:
These three tribes pitched to the east of the tent of meeting (Num. 2:3-9);
for in heaven those dwell to the east who are in the good of love and thus in the affection of good and truth, and in the marriage or conjunction of these, that is, in truths in respect to doctrine and in goods in respect to life.

sRef Rev@7 @8 S0′ 446. Verse 8. Of the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand sealed; of the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand sealed; of the tribe of Benjamin twelve thousand sealed. 8. “Of the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand sealed,” signifies the conjunction with the Lord of those who are in the third heaven (n. 447); “of the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand sealed,” signifies the conjunction with the Lord of those who are in the second heaven (n. 448); “of the tribe of Benjamin twelve thousand sealed,” signifies the conjunction with the Lord of those who are in the lowest heaven (n. 449).

sRef Rev@7 @8 S0′ 447. Verse. 8. Of the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand sealed, signifies the conjunction with the Lord of those who are in the third heaven. This is evident from the representation and consequent signification of “Zebulun” and the tribe named from him, as meaning the conjunction with the Lord of those who are in the third heaven; because “Zebulun” in the Hebrew means cohabitation, and cohabitation signifies in the spiritual sense conjunction, such as exists with those who love each other. Here “Zebulun” signifies the conjunction with the Lord of those who are in the third heaven, because the nine preceding tribes signify all those who are in the heavens and who come into the heavens; and there are three heavens, the inmost, the middle, and the lowest, and no one comes into heaven except those whom the Lord conjoins to Himself; therefore the three tribes last mentioned signify conjunction with the Lord, “the tribe of Zebulun” the conjunction with the Lord of those who are in the third heaven, “the tribe of Joseph” the conjunction with the Lord of those who are in the second heaven, and “the tribe of Benjamin” the conjunction with the Lord of those who are in the lowest heaven.
sRef Gen@30 @19 S2′ sRef Gen@30 @20 S2′ [2] “Zebulun” signifies in the highest sense the union of the Divine Itself and the Divine Human in the Lord, in the internal sense the Lord’s conjunction with heaven and the church; and in particular, the conjunction of good and truth therein, for by this conjunction the conjunction with the Lord of those who are in the three heavens and in the church is effected; for with such the Lord flows in with the good of love and charity, and conjoins that good to the truths that are with them, and thereby conjoins man and angel to Himself. This is what is signified by “cohabitation,” which is the meaning of “Zebulun.” That this is the meaning of “Zebulun” can be seen in the Arcana Coelestia (n. 3960, 3961), where the words of Leah his mother when he was born are explained, which are as follows:
And Leah conceived, and bare a sixth son to Jacob. And Leah said, God hath endowed me with a good dowry; this time will my husband cohabit with me, because I have borne him six sons; and she called his name Zebulun (Gen. 30:19, 20).
sRef Gen@49 @13 S3′ [3] From this signification of “Zebulun” what is signified by him in the following passages can be seen. As in the prophecy of Israel respecting his sons:
Zebulun shall dwell at the haven of the seas; and he shall dwell at a haven of ships; and his side shall be unto Zidon (Gen. 49:13).
Here “Zebulun” signifies the conjunction of good and truth, which is called the heavenly marriage; “to dwell at a haven of the sea” signifies the conjunction of things spiritual with natural truths, “seas” meaning knowledges (scientifica), which are natural truths; “to dwell at a haven of ships” signifies the spiritual conjunction with doctrinals from the Word, “ships” meaning doctrinals and knowledges of all kinds; “his side shall be unto Zidon” signifies extension to the knowledges of good and truth from the celestial kingdom. (For further explanation of this see Arcana Coelestia, n. 6382-6386.)
sRef Judg@5 @19 S4′ sRef Judg@5 @18 S4′ sRef Judg@5 @20 S4′ sRef Judg@5 @14 S4′ [4] The like is meant in the prophecy of Moses respecting the sons of Israel:
Of Zebulun he said, Be glad, Zebulun; in thy going out, and Issachar in thy tents. They shall call the peoples unto the mountain; there they shall sacrifice sacrifices of righteousness; for they shall suck the abundance of the seas, and the hidden things of the secret things of the sand (Deut. 33:18, 19).
Here, too, “Zebulun” signifies the marriage of good and truth, as may be seen in the preceding article (n. 445), where the prophecy is explained. So again in the prophecy of Deborah and Barak in the book of Judges:
Out of Machir shall come down lawgivers, and out of Zebulun they that draw the staff of the scribe. Zebulun was a people that devoted the soul to death, and Naphtali upon the heights of the field. The kings came, they fought, then fought the kings of Canaan in Taanach by the waters of Megiddo; they took no gain of silver. They fought from heaven; the stars from their courses fought with Sisera (5:14, 18-20).
This prophecy treats of the combat of truth from good against falsity from evil; “the king of Canaan” who reigned in Hazor, and “Sisera” the captain of his army who fought against Barak and Deborah, signify the falsity of evil, and “Barak and Deborah” the truth of good; and as “the tribes of Naphtali and Zebulun” signify combat from truth that is from good, “the tribe of Naphtali” combat, and “the tribe of Zebulun” the conjunction of good and truth, therefore these two tribes only, and not the other tribes, were taken to fight (see Judges 4:6). That this was what this combat signified can be seen from the prophecy uttered by Barak and Deborah, which treats in the spiritual sense of the victory of truth from good over falsity from evil, and of the purification and reformation of the church. So here “Out of Machir shall come down lawgivers” signifies that the truths of good shall flow forth from the good of life, for “Machir” has a like signification as “Manasseh,” because Machir was the son of Manasseh (Gen. 50:23; Josh. 13:31); and “lawgivers” signify those who are in the truths of good, and in an abstract sense the truths of good; “and out of Zebulun they that draw the staff of the scribe” signifies intelligence from the conjunction of truth and good, “Zebulun” signifying here, as above, the conjunction of truth and good, and the “staff of the scribe” intelligence. “Zebulun was a people that devoted the soul to death, and Naphtali upon the heights of the field,” signifies combat in the natural man by means of truths from the spiritual man and from its influx and conjunction, “the heights of the field” signifying the interior things that are of the spiritual man, from which the natural man combats; “the kings came, they fought, then fought the kings of Canaan” signifies the falsities of evil against which is combat; “in Taanach by the waters of Megiddo” signifies those falsities and of what quality they are; “they took no gain of silver” signifies that they took and carried away nothing of truth from good, “silver” meaning truth from good; “they fought from heaven, the stars from their courses fought with Sisera” signifies combat by means of the knowledges of truth and good, which are from the Lord through heaven, “stars” meaning such knowledges, and “courses” truths.
sRef Matt@4 @16 S5′ sRef Matt@4 @17 S5′ sRef Matt@4 @15 S5′ sRef Matt@4 @14 S5′ sRef Matt@4 @13 S5′ sRef Deut@33 @18 S5′ sRef Deut@33 @19 S5′ [5] Again, “Zebulun and Naphtali” signify the conjunction of truth and good through combat against falsities and evils, and consequent reformation. In Matthew:
Jesus leaving Nazareth, came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the borders of Zebulun and Naphtali; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying, The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the nations; the people sitting in darkness saw a great light; and to those sitting in the region and shadow of death to them did light spring up. From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent ye, for the kingdom of the heavens hath come nigh (4:13-17; Isa. 9:1, 2).
In Isaiah this was evidently said respecting the Lord, for it is said “that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophet;” therefore “the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and Galilee of the nations,” signify the establishment of the church with the Gentiles that are in the good of life and that receive truths and are thus in the conjunction of good and truth, and in combat against evils and falsities. That this means the establishment of the church and the reformation of such nations is evident also from its being said “beyond Jordan, Galilee of the nations,” and also “the people sitting in darkness saw a great light, and to those sitting in the region and shadow of death did light spring up.”
sRef Num@2 @8 S6′ sRef Num@2 @7 S6′ sRef Num@2 @10 S6′ sRef Num@2 @9 S6′ sRef Num@2 @5 S6′ sRef Num@2 @6 S6′ sRef Num@2 @3 S6′ sRef Num@2 @4 S6′ [6] “Zebulun and Naphtali” signify in the highest sense the union of the Divine Itself and the Lord’s Divine Human by means of temptations admitted into Himself, and victories gained by His own power; as in David, Ps. 68:27-29 (which may be seen explained above, n. 439). Because of this signification of “Zebulun”:
The tribe of Judah, together with the tribe of Issachar and the tribe of Zebulun, pitched to the east about the tent of meeting (Num. 2:3-10);
for the encampments of the sons of Israel about the tent of meeting represent and thence signify the arrangements of the angelic societies in heaven; and to the east in heaven are those who are in conjunction with the Lord through love to Him; for “the tribe of Judah” represented love to the Lord, and “the tribe of Zebulun” conjunction with Him.

sRef Rev@7 @8 S0′ 448. Of the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand sealed, signifies the conjunction with the Lord of those who are in the second heaven. This is evident from the representation and consequent signification of “Joseph” and his tribe, as being the spiritual of the Lord’s kingdom and church; here “Joseph” signifies the conjunction with the Lord of those who are in the second heaven, because “Joseph” signifies the spiritual kingdom of the Lord, and this kingdom constitutes the second heaven. For there are two kingdoms of which heaven consists, the celestial kingdom and the spiritual kingdom; the celestial kingdom consisting of those who are in the third or inmost heaven, and the spiritual kingdom of those who are in the second or middle heaven. The conjunction with the Lord of those who are in this heaven is signified by “Joseph,” because “Joseph” signifies this heaven and because this fourth class of the tribes treats of the conjunction with the Lord of all who are in the heavens and who come into the heavens, and this conjunction is signified by “the tribe of Zebulun,” the first tribe of this class; for the first tribe of each class and series indicates the subject treated of in what follows, and the tribes that follow continue the same subject in general; here, therefore, conjunction. This is why “the tribe of Zebulun” signifies the conjunction with the Lord of those who are in the third heaven, “the tribe of Joseph” the conjunction with the Lord of those who are in the second heaven, and “the tribe of Benjamin” the conjunction with the Lord of those who are in the first heaven.
sRef Gen@37 @9 S2′ [2] That “Joseph” in the Word represented and thence signifies the Lord in relation to the Divine spiritual, and in a relative sense the spiritual kingdom, can be seen from all that is related and told of him in the Word, both in the histories and prophecies. In the historical Word it is said of Joseph:
That he dreamed a dream that eleven sheaves came round about his sheaf, and bowed themselves down to it; also that the sun and the moon and eleven stars bowed themselves down to him (Gen. 37:4-11).
This means in the nearest sense that his brethren and parents were to come into Egypt and there do homage to him as the lord of the land; but in the spiritual sense it signifies that the church which was represented by Jacob and his sons would submit itself to the Lord; for “Joseph,” as was said, represents the Lord in relation to the Divine spiritual, and in a relative sense the Lord’s spiritual kingdom in heaven and on earth. The Lord’s spiritual kingdom on earth is the spiritual church; this church is what is meant in the internal sense by Jacob and his sons when they were in Egypt.
[3] Afterwards by “Joseph” the establishment of a church that was to be represented by the sons of Israel is described; and this also is why Joseph was carried down into Egypt, and obtained dominion over the whole land, and invited thither his father and brethren, and supported them; and so long as he was lord of the land, the land of Egypt represented the spiritual church in the natural, and Jacob and his sons the spiritual church; but the representation of the spiritual church in the natural by Egypt was ended when Moses was born and he began to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. (These things, as they are many and various, are explained in the Arcana Coelestia.)
[4] The representation of the Lord in relation to the Divine spiritual, and thence the representation of the Lord’s spiritual kingdom, is contained in these words in Moses (which may be seen explained in Arcana Coelestia, n. 5306-5329):
And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Shall we find one like this man, in whom the spirit of God is? And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as, God hath made thee to know all this, there is no one so intelligent and wise as thou; thou shalt be over my house, and upon thy mouth shall all my people kiss; only in the throne will I be greater than thou. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt. And Pharaoh took off his ring from upon his hand, and put it upon Joseph’s hand, and clothed him in garments of fine linen, and put a necklace of gold upon his neck; and he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had, and they cried out before him, Bow the knee; and he set him over all the land of Egypt. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I am Pharaoh, besides thee shall no man lift up his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt (Gen. 41:38-44).
[5] Since it is said that “Joseph” in the highest sense represents the Lord in relation to the Divine spiritual, it shall first be told what is meant by the Lord’s Divine spiritual. Heaven is divided into two kingdoms, one of which is called the celestial kingdom, and the other the spiritual kingdom. The Divine Itself proceeding from the Lord makes heaven, and the Divine proceeding from the Lord is Divine good united to Divine truth. All those in heaven who receive more of Divine good than of Divine truth constitute the Lord’s celestial kingdom, while all who receive more of Divine truth than of Divine good constitute the Lord’s spiritual kingdom; therefore the Divine of the Lord that is received by the angels in the Lord’s celestial kingdom is called the Divine celestial, and the Divine of the Lord that is received by the angels in the Lord’s spiritual kingdom is called the Divine spiritual. But it is to be known that the Divine proceeding from the Lord is so called from its reception, and that there are not two Divines, a celestial and a spiritual proceeding; for the Divine good, which from reception is called the Divine celestial, and the Divine truth, which from reception is called the Divine spiritual, proceed so united as to be not two but one. (These things may be seen more fully explained in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 20-28 where The Two Kingdoms into which the Three Heavens are Divided are treated of; also n. 13, 133, 139, which treat of the Divine proceeding, which is the Divine good united to Divine truth, and that they are two only in the recipients.)
sRef Gen@49 @23 S6′ sRef Gen@49 @26 S6′ sRef Gen@49 @24 S6′ sRef Gen@49 @22 S6′ sRef Gen@49 @25 S6′ [6] That the Lord in relation to the Divine spiritual and thence the spiritual kingdom is signified by “Joseph” can be seen also from the following passages. In the blessing of the sons of Israel by their father:
The son of a fruitful one is Joseph, the son of a fruitful one by a fountain; the daughters (she walketh upon a wall), and they shall embitter him and shall shoot at him, the archers shall hate him; and he shall sit in the strength of his bow, and the arms of his hands shall be strengthened by the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob; thence is he the shepherd, the stone of Israel; from the God of thy father, and He shall help thee; and with Shaddai, and He shall bless thee with blessings of heaven from above, with the blessings of the deep that lieth below, with blessings of the breasts and of the womb. The blessings of thy father shall prevail over the blessings of my progenitors, even to the desire of the hills of an age; they shall be for the head of Joseph, and for the crown of the head of the Nazirite of his brethren (Gen. 49:22-26).
“The son of a fruitful one is Joseph” signifies the Lord’s spiritual kingdom and spiritual church, and in the highest sense the Lord in relation to the Divine spiritual; “the son of a fruitful one by a fountain” signifies the fructification by truths from the Word, the “son of a fruitful one” meaning the fructification by truths, and “fountain” the Word; “the daughters (she walketh upon a wall)” signifies to combat by truths that are from good against the falsities that are from evil, a “wall” meaning truth defending; “they shall embitter him” signifies resistance by falsities; “and shall shoot at him” signifies that they will fight from falsities; “and the archers shall hate him” signifies with every hostility from the falsities of doctrine; “darts” and “arrows,” and thence “the throwers of darts” and “archers,” signifying combat from truths against the falsities of doctrine, but here from the falsities of doctrine against truths; “and he shall sit in the strength of his bow” signifies to be kept safe by the truths of doctrine combating against falsities, “bow” meaning doctrine; “and the arms of his hands shall be strengthened” signifies the potency of the powers of combating; “by the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob” signifies by the omnipotence of the Lord’s Divine Human; “thence is he the shepherd, the stone of Israel,” signifies that all spiritual good and truth in the kingdom is therefrom; “from the God of thy father” signifies that he was the God of the ancient church; “and with Shaddai” signifies the Lord as Benefactor after temptations; “and He shall bless thee with the blessings of heaven from above” signifies with goods and truths from within; “with blessings of the deep that lieth below” signifies with the knowledges of truth and good and with corroborating knowledges [scientifica] from without; “with the blessings of the breasts and of the womb” signifies the spiritual affections of these and conjunction; “the blessings of thy father shall prevail above the blessings of my progenitors” signifies that the church that is signified by “Joseph” is from spiritual truth and good; “even to the desire of the hills of an age” signifies from mutual celestial love; “they shall be for the head of Joseph” signifies these things in respect to interiors; “and for the crown of the head of the Nazirite of his brethren” signifies also in respect to exteriors. (For further explanation of this see Arcana Coelestia, n. 6416-6438.)
sRef Deut@33 @15 S7′ sRef Deut@33 @17 S7′ sRef Deut@33 @14 S7′ sRef Deut@33 @13 S7′ sRef Deut@33 @16 S7′ [7] In the blessing of the sons of Israel by Moses:
Of Joseph he said, Blessed of Jehovah be his land, for the precious things of heaven, for the dew, and for the deep that lieth beneath, and for the precious things of the increase of the sun, and for the precious things of the produce of the months, and for the firstfruits of the mountains of the east, and for the precious things of the hills of an age, and for the precious things of the earth and of the fullness thereof; and the good pleasure of him that dwelleth in the bush; they shall come to the head of Joseph, and to the crown of the head of the Nazirite of his brethren (Deut. 33:13-16).

This describes the Lord’s spiritual church with those who are in the doctrine of truth from the Word, and in a life in accordance with it, “the land of Joseph” signifying that church; “to be blessed for the precious things of heaven, for the dew, and for the deep that lieth beneath,” signifies from Divine truths from the Word in the spiritual man, and from the influx of the spiritual man into the natural; “the precious things of heaven” meaning Divine spiritual truths or truths in the spiritual man; “dew” signifying influx therefrom, and “the deep lying beneath” signifying the natural man in which are the knowledges of truth and good for perception, and confirming knowledges; “for the precious things of the increase of the sun, and for the precious things of the produce of the months,” signifies from the truths flowing forth from the Lord’s celestial kingdom, and from the truths flowing forth from the Lord’s spiritual kingdom; “the precious things of the sun” meaning truths from the celestial kingdom; “the precious things of the months” truths from the spiritual kingdom, and “increase” and “produce” the things that flow forth; “for the firstfruits of the mountains of the east and for the precious things of the hills of an age,” signifies genuine truths such as were in the Most Ancient Church, and such as were in the ancient church, “the mountains of the east” signify the Most Ancient Church which was in love to the Lord; that church is described by “the mountains of the east” because “mountain” signifies love, and the “east” the Lord; “the hills of an age” signify the Ancient Church, which was in charity towards the neighbor; that church is described by “the hills of an age” because “hills” signify charity towards the neighbor. (That such is the signification of “mountains” and “hills,” see above, n. 405.) “And for the precious things of the earth and of the fullness thereof” signifies the external spiritual church, which is with those who live according to the knowledges of truth and good; the “earth” meaning that church, and “fullness” the knowledges in the external man; “and the good pleasure of him that dwelleth in the bush,” signifies the Lord in respect to the Divine spiritual, that all these things are from Him; “they shall come to the head of Joseph, and to the crown of the head of the Nazirite of his brethren” signifies in respect both to interiors and to exteriors (as above).
sRef Zech@10 @7 S8′ sRef Zech@10 @6 S8′ [8] In Zechariah:
And I will make the house of Judah mighty, and I will save the house of Joseph; and they shall be as the mighty Ephraim, and their heart shall be glad as if with wine (10:6, 7).
“The house of Judah” here means the church that is in love to the Lord, which is called the celestial church; and “Joseph” means the church that is in the good of charity and in the truths of faith, which is called the spiritual church; because the truths of that church have power from good, it is said, “they shall be as the mighty Ephraim,” for “Ephraim” signifies truth from good in the natural man, which truth has power; the joy of such from truths is signified by “their heart shall be glad as if with wine,” “wine” signifying truth from good.
sRef Ezek@37 @16 S9′ sRef Ezek@37 @17 S9′ sRef Ezek@37 @22 S9′ sRef Ezek@37 @19 S9′ [9] In Ezekiel:
Jehovah said, Son of man, take thee one stick, and write upon it, For Judah and for the sons of Israel, his companions; then take thee one stick, and write upon it, For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and of all the house of Israel; and then join them for thee one to another into one stick, that the two may be one in thy* hand. I will take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and of the tribes of Israel his companions, and I will add them upon the stick of Judah, and will make them into one stick, and they shall be one in My hand. And I will make them into one nation in the land, in the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be for a king to them all; and they shall be no more two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms anymore at all (Ezek. 37:16-22).
Here, too, “Judah” signifies the celestial church which is in the good of love, and “Joseph” and “Ephraim” signify the spiritual church which is in the good of charity and in the truths of faith. That these two churches will be one church with the Lord, as good and truth are one, is meant by “I will make them into one stick, and they shall be one in My hand. And I will make them into one nation in the land; and one king shall be for a king to them all; and they shall be no more two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms anymore.” (But this also may be seen explained above, n. 433.)
sRef Ps@77 @15 S10′ [10] In David:
O God, Thou hast with Thine arm redeemed Thy people, the sons of Jacob and of Joseph (Ps. 77:15).
“The sons of Jacob and of Joseph” mean those who are in the good of life according to their religious principles; for “Jacob” means in the Word the external church which is with those who are in the good of life; and “Joseph” here means Manasseh and Ephraim, for it is said “Thou hast redeemed the sons of Joseph,” by whom those are meant who are in good and truth in respect to the external man, thus in respect to life. (That Manasseh and Ephraim, the “sons of Joseph,” have this signification, see above, n. 440.) “To redeem them with His arm,” signifies to save them by omnipotence, for those who had been such were saved by the Lord through His coming into the world, and could not have been saved otherwise.
sRef Obad@1 @18 S11′ sRef Obad@1 @17 S11′ sRef Obad@1 @8 S11′ [11] In Obadiah:
In Mount Zion there shall be escape, and there shall be holiness; and the house of Jacob shall be heir to their inheritances; and the house of Jacob shall become a fire and the house of Joseph a flame, and the house of Esau for stubble, that they may kindle them and devour them, that there be no residue of the house of Esau (verses 17, 18).
“Esau and his house” mean those who believe themselves to be intelligent and wise not from the Lord but from self; for in the eighth verse of this chapter it is said “I will destroy the wise out of Edom, and the intelligent out of the mount of Esau,” meaning those who from the letter of the Word have confirmed themselves in such things as favor their own loves. “The house of Jacob and the house of Joseph” mean such as are in the good of life according to the truths of doctrine, “the house of Jacob” meaning those who are in the good of life, and “the house of Joseph” those who are in the truths of doctrine; “Mount Zion,” where there will be escape and holiness, signifies love to the Lord, from whom is salvation and from whom is Divine truth; “the house of Jacob shall be heir to the inheritances of the house and mountain of Esau,” and “the house of Jacob shall be to him a fire, and the house of Joseph a flame,” signifies that in place of those meant by “Esau” those will succeed who are in the good of life according to the truths of doctrine. In the spiritual world this so occurs, that those who have been in pride from self-intelligence, and have confirmed themselves from the Word in such things as favor the loves of self and the world, occupy certain tracts and mountains, and make for themselves a semblance of heaven, believing that heaven belongs to them more than to others; but when the time has been fulfilled they are cast out of their places, and those succeed them who are in the good of life according to the truths of doctrine from the Lord. (See respecting this in the small work on The Last Judgment.) This makes clear what is signified in the internal sense by “the house of Jacob shall be heir to their inheritances, and shall be a fire, and the house of Joseph a flame, and the house of Esau for stubble.”
sRef Ps@81 @4 S12′ sRef Ps@81 @2 S12′ sRef Ps@81 @5 S12′ sRef Amos@6 @5 S12′ sRef Ps@81 @3 S12′ sRef Amos@6 @6 S12′ [12] In Amos:
Who play upon the psaltery, and devise for themselves instruments of music like David; who drink out of bowls of wine, and anoint themselves with the firstfruits of the oils, but are not grieved over the breach of Joseph (6:5, 6).
This treats of those who counterfeit good affections in externals, and bring together for confirmation many things from the Word, and yet are interiorly evil. To counterfeit good affections in externals is signified by “playing upon the psaltery, devising for themselves instruments of music, and anointing themselves with the firstfruits of the oils;” to bring forth many things from the Word for the sake of appearance is signified by “drinking out of bowls of wine;” that they have no regard for the truths of doctrine of the church, even though the church should perish by falsities, is signified by “they are not grieved over the breach of Joseph,” “Joseph” meaning the spiritual church, which is with those who are in the truths of doctrine.
sRef Ps@80 @1 S13′ sRef Ps@80 @2 S13′ [13] In David:
Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, Thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; Thou that sittest upon the cherubim, shine forth. Before Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh stir up Thy might, and come for salvation to us (Ps. 80:1, 2).
Here, too, “Joseph” signifies the spiritual church, which is with those who are in truths from good, that is, in the truths of doctrine also as to life. What “Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh,” here mean may be seen above (n. 440).
sRef Amos@5 @4 S14′ sRef Amos@5 @15 S14′ sRef Amos@5 @6 S14′ [14] In Amos:
Thus said Jehovah unto the house of Israel, Seek ye Me, and ye shall live; lest He fall like fire upon** the house of Joseph, and He shall devour and there shall be none to quench. Hate evil, and love good, and place judgment in the gate; it may be that Jehovah the God of Hosts will be gracious unto the remnant of Joseph (5:4, 6, 15).
“The house of Israel” signifies the spiritual church, and “the house of Joseph” that church in respect to the truths of doctrine. That truths of doctrine will perish unless they are in the affection of truth and good and a life according to them, is meant by “lest He fall like fire upon the house of Joseph;” and “Jehovah will be gracious to his remnant” means that He will preserve with them the remaining truths of doctrine, provided they live according to the goods and truths from the Word, which is meant by “hate evil and love good, and place judgment in the gate.”
sRef Ex@1 @8 S15′ [15] In David:
Lift up a psalm, and strike the timbrel, the pleasant harp with the psaltery. Sound with the trumpet in the new moon, in the fixed time at the day of our feast. For this was a statute of Israel. He appointed a testimony for Joseph, in His going out against the land of Egypt; I heard a lip that I knew not (Ps. 81:2-5).
To “lift up a psalm, to strike the timbrel, the pleasant harp with the psaltery,” signifies confession from spiritual and celestial truths and the delights of the affection of truth and good (see above, n. 323, 326); “sound with the trumpet in the new moon, in the fixed time for the day of our feast,” signifies worship from the delight of these affections; “for this was a statute for Israel, and He appointed a testimony for Joseph,” signifies that these things were for the new church instituted among the sons of Israel which was in the truths of doctrine; “in His going out against the land of Egypt; I heard a lip that I knew not” signifies when the old church was destroyed, which had come to be in falsities of doctrine, “a lip that I knew not” signifying falsities of doctrine; for “Egypt,” when Joseph was lord there, represented the church that is in the cognitions of truth and good, and in confirming knowledges (scientiae); but when the sons of Israel began to be hated and ill-treated, “Egypt” represented the church destroyed, in which are mere falsities, for it is said that:
There arose a new king over the Egyptians who knew not Joseph (Exod. 1:8);
and consequently the Egyptians with Pharaoh, who pursued the sons of Israel, were drowned in the Red Sea.
sRef Ps@105 @20 S16′ sRef Ps@105 @19 S16′ sRef Ps@105 @18 S16′ sRef Ps@105 @17 S16′ sRef John@17 @10 S16′ sRef Matt@28 @18 S16′ sRef Ps@105 @21 S16′ sRef Ps@105 @23 S16′ sRef Ps@105 @22 S16′ [16] That “Joseph” means in the highest sense the Lord in respect to the Divine spiritual, is evident also in David:
Joseph was sold for a servant; his foot they hurt with a fetter, his soul came into the iron; until the time that his word came, and the saying of Jehovah explored him. Then the king sent and loosed him; the ruler of the nations let him go free. He set him as a lord to his house and ruler over all his possessions, to bind his princes according to his will, and that he might instruct his elders. Then Israel came into Egypt, and Jacob became a sojourner in the land of Ham (Ps. 105:17-23).
How the Lord was received when He came into the world, and how He was tempted and then became Lord of heaven and earth, and subjugated the hells, reduced the heavens to order and established the church is described by the story of Joseph; how He was received and tempted is described by “he was sold for a servant, his foot they hurt with a fetter, and his soul came into iron;” “he was sold for a servant” signifying that the Lord was held in low esteem; “his foot they hurt with a fetter” signifying that He was as it were bound and in prison because there was no longer any natural good; “his soul came into the iron” signifying that it was so because there was no longer any natural truth but only falsity. The Lord’s conquering the hells through Divine truth from*** His Divine is described by “until the time that his word came, and the saying of Jehovah explored him;” “his word” signifying Divine truth, and “the saying of Jehovah” Divine good from which is Divine truth. That the Lord thus acquired power over all things of heaven and earth for His Human from His Divine is described by “the king sent and loosed him, the ruler of the nations let him go free; he set him as a lord to his house, and ruler over all his possession;” the “king who sent,” and the “ruler of the nations who let him go free,” signifying Divine truth and Divine good which were in Him and from Him, “king” Divine truth, and “ruler” Divine good; for the Lord is called “King” in the Word from Divine truth, and “Lord” and “Ruler” from Divine good.
The “house over which he was set” signifies heaven and the church in respect to good, and “possession” heaven and the church in respect to truth. This has a similar signification as the words of the Lord Himself, that all things of the Father are His and all His are the Father’s; and that all power over heaven and earth was given to Him (John 17:10; Matt. 28:18). That the Lord from His Divine withholds the heavens from falsities and keeps them in truths, and thus gives them intelligence and wisdom, is described by “he bound the princes according to his will, and that he might instruct his elders,” “princes” signifying those who are in truths, and “elders” those who are in intelligence and wisdom. That the Lord then established the church on the earth is meant by “then Israel came into Egypt;” “Israel” signifying the church, for the establishment of the church by the Lord was represented by the sons of Israel coming into Egypt, as also by the Lord’s being carried into Egypt when He was an infant (Matt. 2:14, 15; Hos. 11:1). That all things of the church then perished is meant by “Jacob became a sojourner in the land of Ham;” “Jacob” signifying the church with all who are in the good of life, and “the land of Ham” signifying the church destroyed.
[17] Here and elsewhere in the Word “Israel and Jacob” do not mean the sons of Israel and the posterity of Jacob, but all those with whom is the church, wherever they were and wherever they are; as “Judah” in the Word does not mean the Jewish nation, but the church consisting of such as are in love to the Lord (of which above, n. 433). For with the sons of Israel or the posterity of Jacob there was no church, but the church was merely represented; therefore they signify all who are of the church, and this not only in the prophecies of the Word but also in its histories, as has been shown in what precedes. So, too, “Joseph” and his tribe do not mean Joseph and his tribe, but in the highest sense the Lord in respect to the Divine spiritual, and thence in a relative sense the Lord’s spiritual kingdom in the heavens and on the earths, likewise the things that constitute that kingdom, which are the truths of doctrine.
sRef Ezek@47 @13 S18′ [18] In Ezekiel there is a description of a new spiritual church to be established by the Lord, and this church with its doctrine is meant by “the new city, the new temple, and the new earth,” therefore it is said:
This is the border unto which ye shall inherit the land, according to the twelve tribes of Israel, to Joseph cords [portions] (47:13).
“Joseph” signifies the spiritual church, and “cords” signify conjunction, and preaching from that tribe to the rest, and from the rest to it; and “the twelve tribes of Israel” signify all things of that church.
* Photolithograph has “my,” the Hebrew “thy.”
** Photolithograph has “devour,” the Hebrew “fall upon” (invadat) is found in AC n. 3969.
*** Photolithograph has “and.”

sRef Rev@7 @8 S0′ 449. Of the tribe of Benjamin twelve thousand sealed, signifies the conjunction with the Lord of those who are in the lowest heaven. This is evident from the representation of “Benjamin” and the tribe named from him, as being the spiritual-celestial in the natural man, as “Joseph” represents it in the spiritual. The spiritual-celestial is truth conjoined to good; for truth regarded in itself is spiritual, and good is celestial; therefore by “Benjamin” and his tribe the conjunction of truth and good in the natural is signified, and thus here the conjunction with the Lord of those who are in the lowest heaven; for in the lowest heaven are those who are in natural good and truth from the spiritual and the celestial. Those who are in the lowest heaven are either spiritual-natural or celestial-natural; the spiritual-natural there belong to the Lord’s spiritual kingdom, and the celestial-natural to His celestial kingdom, therefore the spiritual-natural communicate with the second heaven where all are spiritual, while the celestial-natural communicate with the third heaven where all are celestial (as was said in the article above).
[2] From all this the signification in the Word of “Joseph” and of “Benjamin,” who were brothers, can be seen. As “Benjamin” signifies truth conjoined to good in the natural man, and thus truth conjoined to good in those who are in the lowest heaven, so he was born to Jacob last, and was called by him “son of the right hand,” (Benjamin, in the original, means son of the right hand); also he was born in Bethlehem, and that city signifies truth conjoined to good in the natural. (That he was born in Bethlehem, see Gen. 35:16-19.) He was born the last because the natural, consisting of truth conjoined to good, is the ultimate of the church with man. For with man there are three degrees of life, the inmost, the middle, and the ultimate; in the inmost degree are those who are in the inmost or third heaven, in the middle degree are those who are in the middle or second heaven, and in the ultimate degree are those who are in the lowest or first heaven; so those who are in the inmost degree are called celestial, those who are in the middle are called spiritual, and those who are in the ultimate degree are called either spiritual-natural, or celestial-natural, and the conjunction of these in the ultimate degree is signified by “Benjamin.” (Respecting these three degrees of life in man and angel, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 33, 34, 38, 39, 208, 209, 211, 435.) This now is why Benjamin was born the last of the sons of Jacob.
[3] He was called “the son of the right hand” because “son” signifies truth, and “right hand” signifies the power of truth from good, and in the spiritual world truth that is from good in the natural man has all power. All the power the spiritual man has is in this, because the effecting cause is in the spiritual man, and the effect is in the natural, and all the power of the effecting cause puts itself forth through the effect. (That all the power of the spiritual man is in the natural, and through the natural, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 9836.) For this reason he was called “Benjamin,” that is, “the son of the right hand.” And as “Bethlehem” has a like signification, namely, truth conjoined to good in the natural man, David too was born there, and also anointed as king (1 Sam. 16:1-14; 17:12); for David as king represented the Lord in respect to truth from good, and this, too, is signified by “king” (as may be seen above, n. 29, 31, 205). For the same reason the Lord was born in Bethlehem (Matt. 2:1, 5, 6) because He was born a king, and truth conjoined to good was with Him from birth. For every infant is born natural, and the natural, because it is next to the external senses and the world, is first opened, and this with all men is ignorant of truth and desirous of evil; but in the Lord alone the natural had a desire for good and a longing for truth; for the ruling affection in man, which is his soul, is from the father; and with the Lord, the affection or soul from the Father was the Divine Itself, which is the Divine good of the Divine love.
sRef Josh@18 @24 S4′ sRef Josh@18 @25 S4′ sRef Josh@18 @23 S4′ sRef Josh@18 @22 S4′ sRef Josh@18 @21 S4′ sRef Josh@18 @11 S4′ sRef Josh@18 @27 S4′ sRef Josh@18 @26 S4′ sRef Josh@18 @15 S4′ sRef Josh@18 @13 S4′ sRef Josh@18 @28 S4′ sRef Josh@18 @12 S4′ sRef Josh@18 @14 S4′ sRef Josh@18 @17 S4′ sRef Josh@18 @20 S4′ sRef Josh@18 @19 S4′ sRef Josh@18 @16 S4′ sRef Josh@18 @18 S4′ [4] Because “Benjamin” and his tribe signify truth conjoined to good in the natural man:
His lot in the land of Canaan was between the sons of Judah and the sons of Joseph; Jerusalem also, where the Jebusites then were, fell to that tribe for an inheritance (Josh. 18:11-28);
so that the sons of Benjamin dwelt there with the Jews, who afterwards occupied that city. The tribe of Benjamin had its lot among the sons of Joseph, because that tribe represented and thence signified the conjunction of good and truth; for “Judah” signifies the good of the church, and “Joseph” the truth of the church. Jerusalem fell to that tribe because “Jerusalem” signified the church in respect to doctrine and worship, and all doctrine of the church is the doctrine of truth conjoined to good, and all worship is effected according to doctrine through the natural man; for, as was said above, worship is an effect from the effecting cause which is in the spiritual man.
sRef Jer@17 @26 S5′ [5] From this the signification of “Benjamin” in the following passages can be seen. In Jeremiah:
In hallowing the sabbath they shall come from the cities of Judah and from the circuits of Jerusalem and from the land of Benjamin, and from the lowland and from the mountain and from the south, bringing burnt-offering and sacrifice and meal-offering and frankincense (17:26).
This was done for hallowing the sabbath because the “sabbath” signifies the union of the Divine and the Divine Human in the Lord, and in a relative sense the conjunction of His Divine Human with heaven and with the church, and in general the conjunction of good and truth (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 8495, 8510, 10356, 10367, 10370, 10374, 10668, 10730). “The cities of Judah, the circuits of Jerusalem, and the land of Benjamin,” signify truths conjoined to good in the natural man; “the cities of Judah” the truths of good; “the circuits of Jerusalem” the truths of doctrine in the natural man, and “the land of Benjamin” their conjunction; for “cities” signify truths, “Judah” the good of the church, “Jerusalem” the doctrine of truth, “circuits” such things as are round about or below, which are the truths of good in the natural man, and “the land of Benjamin” the church in respect to the conjunction of these in the natural man; “from the lowland, from the mountain, and from the south,” signifies good and truth in the natural man from a celestial origin and from a spiritual origin; “lowland” signifying good and truth in the natural man, because in lowlands, that is, below the mountains and hills, those dwell who are in the lowest heaven, and are called celestial-natural and spiritual-natural, as was said above; “mountains” signifying those who are in celestial good, and “south” those who are in spiritual good, and thence in the light of truth; “to bring burnt-offering and sacrifice, and meal-offering and frankincense,” signifies worship from celestial good and from spiritual good in the natural man; “burnt-offering” signifying worship from celestial good; “sacrifice” worship from spiritual good; “meal-offering and frankincense” good and the truth of good in the natural man. Such is the signification of these words. Why else should it be said that in hallowing the sabbath they should come “from the cities of Judah, from the circuits of Jerusalem, from the land of Benjamin, from the lowland, the mountain, and the south,” and why not from the whole land of Canaan?
sRef Jer@33 @13 S6′ [6] Because all these particulars signify such things as belong to heaven and the church, like things are also mentioned elsewhere in the same Prophet:
In the cities of the mountain, in the cities of the lowland, and in the cities of the south, and in the land of Benjamin, and in the circuits of Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah, shall the flocks pass again under the hands of him that numbereth them (Jer. 33:13).
They shall buy fields with silver, and this by writing in a book, and by causing witnesses to witness, in the land of Benjamin, and in the circuits of Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah, and in the cities of the mountain, and in the cities of the lowland, and in the cities of the south, for I will turn back their captivity (Jer. 32:8, 44).
In these passages “the land of Benjamin, the circuits of Jerusalem, the cities of Judah, the mountain, the lowland, and the south,” have a similar signification as above; thus “Benjamin” signifies the conjunction of truth and good in the natural man, and accordingly the conjunction of truth and good with those who are in the lowest heaven.
sRef Jer@6 @1 S7′ [7] In the same:
Gather yourselves, ye sons of Benjamin, out of the midst of Jerusalem, and sounding sound the trumpet, and upon the house of the vineyard kindle a conflagration, for evil looketh forth from the north, and a great breaking up (Jer. 6:1).
In the spiritual sense this treats of the devastation of the church in respect to truth and good, because it is against Zion and Jerusalem, for “Zion” signifies the good of the church, and “Jerusalem” its truth; and as “the sons of Benjamin” signify the conjunction of good and truth, they are told “to gather themselves out of the midst of Jerusalem, to sound the trumpet, and upon the house of the vineyard to kindle a conflagration;” “to sound the trumpet” signifying combat against that church from truths that are from good; “house of the vineyard” that church itself, and “to kindle a conflagration” its destruction by evil loves; the “north from which the evil looks forth” signifies the falsity of evil, and “a great breaking up” signifies the dispersion of good and truth.
sRef Ps@80 @1 S8′ sRef Ps@80 @2 S8′ [8] In David:
Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, Thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; Thou that sittest upon the cherubim shine forth. Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh stir up Thy might, and come for salvation to us (Ps. 80:1, 2).
“Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh,” do not mean Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh, but those who are in natural truth and good, and with whom there is a conjunction of these (see above, n. 440, where this is explained).
sRef Ps@68 @26 S9′ sRef Ps@68 @27 S9′ [9] In the same:
Bless ye God in the assemblies, the Lord from the fountain of Israel. There little Benjamin is over them, the princes of Judah, the princes of Zebulun, and the princes of Naphtali (Ps. 68:26, 27).
Here Benjamin, the princes of Judah, of Zebulun, and of Naphtali, are not meant, but those things of the church that are signified by these tribes; and “little Benjamin” here signifies the innocence of the natural man; the innocence of the natural man is in the conjunction of good and truth there. (This too may be seen explained above, n. 439.)
sRef Deut@33 @12 S10′ [10] In the blessing of the sons of Israel by Moses:
Of Benjamin he said, The beloved of Jehovah, he shall dwell safely by him. He shall cover him all the day, and he shall dwell between His shoulders (Deut. 33:12).
“Benjamin” here signifies the Word in the ultimate sense, which is natural; for in this blessing by Moses the Word is described, and each tribe signifies something of it; and as the ultimate sense of the Word, which is natural, has in it a marriage of good and truth, as has been shown in many places, therefore Benjamin is called “the beloved of Jehovah,” and it is said “he shall dwell safely by him, and He shall cover him all the day, and he shall dwell between His shoulders,” “to dwell between the shoulders” meaning in safety and in power.
[11] The signification of “Benjamin” in the prophecy of Israel the father respecting his son (Gen. 49:27) has been explained in the Arcana Coelestia (n. 6439-6444). In that prophecy, Benjamin is the last one treated of, because he signifies the ultimate of the church and of heaven; the ultimate is the natural, in which truth is conjoined to good.
sRef Num@2 @20 S12′ sRef Num@2 @24 S12′ sRef Num@2 @21 S12′ sRef Num@2 @23 S12′ sRef Num@2 @22 S12′ sRef Num@2 @18 S12′ sRef Num@2 @19 S12′ [12] Because this is the signification of “Benjamin”:
The tribes of Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benjamin pitched in the wilderness about the tent of meeting, on the west side (Num. 2:18-24);
and these three tribes signify all who are in natural truth and good, and in the conjunction of these, “Ephraim” signifying truth in the natural man, “Manasseh” good there (as has been shown above), and “Benjamin” the conjunction of these. These tribes pitched on the west side, because in heaven those dwell at the west and at the north who are in the obscurity of good and in the obscurity of truth, thus who are in natural good and truth; but those dwell at the east and at the south in heaven who are in clearness of good and truth. (Respecting this see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 141-153.)
[13] From this it can now be seen what “Benjamin” signifies in the Word, namely, the conjunction of good and truth in the natural man, and its conjunction through good with the spiritual; for all good that is good in the natural man flows in from the spiritual man, that is, through the spiritual man from the Lord. Without such influx there is no good in the natural man; therefore “Benjamin” signifies also the conjunction of the spiritual man with the natural, and “Joseph” the conjunction of the celestial man with the spiritual.

sRef Rev@7 @8 S0′ sRef Rev@7 @9 S0′ 450. Among these twelve tribes, out of each of which twelve thousand are said to have been sealed, the tribe of Dan is not mentioned, but in its stead the tribe of Manasseh. The tribe of Dan is not mentioned because that tribe represented and signified such as are treated of in what now follows in this chapter, whom John thus describes, “After these things I saw, and behold a great multitude which no one could number, out of every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palms in their hands” (verse 9 et seq.). For these are such as were not in the very truths of heaven and the church, but in the good of life according to the doctrinals of their religion, and these were for the most part not genuine truths but falsities, and yet these falsities were accepted by the Lord as truths, because such were in the good of life, and on account of this the falsities of their religion were not tainted with evil, but inclined to good. The others were taken in place of the tribe of Dan because the tribe of Dan was the last of the tribes, and therefore signified, in the Lord’s kingdom, the ultimates in which those are who are in the good of life and of faith according to their religion in which there are no genuine truths. (Respecting the tribe of Dan see Arcana Coelestia, n. 1710, 3920, 3923, 6396, 10335.)

sRef Rev@7 @10 S0′ sRef Rev@7 @9 S0′ 451. Verses 9, 10. After these things I saw, and behold a great multitude which no one could number, out of every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palms in their hands. And crying out with a great voice, saying, Salvation unto our God who sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. 9. “After these things I saw, and behold a great multitude,” signifies all those who are in the good of life according to their religion, in which there are no genuine truths (n. 452); “which no one could number,” signifies that the Lord alone knows of what kind and how much of good and truth there is in them (n. 453); “out of every nation and all tribes,” signifies all who are in good in respect to life according to the doctrinals of their religion (n. 454); “and peoples and tongues,” signifies all who are in falsities from ignorance and from various religions (n. 455); “standing before the throne and before the Lamb,” signifies such in the Lord’s kingdom (n. 456); “clothed in white robes,” signifies that they are then in truths and protected against falsities (n. 457); “and palms in their hands,” signifies and in good of life according to truths (n. 458). 10. “And crying out with a great voice,” signifies adoration from the good of truth and from consequent joy of heart (n. 459); “saying, Salvation unto our God who sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb,” signifies confession that eternal life is from the Lord alone (n. 460).

sRef Rev@7 @9 S0′ 452. Verse 9. After these things I saw, and behold a great multitude, signifies all those who are in the good of life according to their religion, in which there are no genuine truths, as is evident from this, that “the twelve thousand sealed” out of each tribe meant those who are of the church in which there are genuine truths; for “the twelve tribes of Israel” mean those who are in genuine goods and truths, and in an abstract sense all goods and truths of the church; therefore these now treated of mean those who are in the good of life according to their religion, in which nevertheless there are no genuine truths. That this is the meaning of “a great multitude” can be seen also from what follows in this chapter, where it is said, “These are they who come out of the great tribulation” (verse 14), which means out of temptations, for those who are in the good of life according to their religion, in which there are no genuine truths, in the other life undergo temptations, by which the falsities of their religion are scattered, and genuine truths implanted in their place (on this more will be said in what follows). From this it can be seen who are meant by “a great multitude” (which is treated of in what follows to the end of the chapter). It is to be known that no one, either within the church where the Word is or outside of that church, is damned who lives a good life according to his religion, for it is not the fault of such that they are ignorant of genuine truths. Moreover, as the good of life holds deep within it the affection of knowing truths, when such come into the other life they easily receive truths and drink them in. It is altogether different with those who have lived an evil life and have made light of religion. (Those who are not in genuine truths, and thus are in falsities from ignorance, and yet in the good of life, have been treated of above, n. 107, 195, 356; and in the work on Heaven and Hell, where the peoples and nations outside of the church who are in heaven are treated of. Also in the Arcana Coelestia, as follows: There may be falsities of religion that agree with good, and falsities that disagree, n. 9258, 9259; falsities of religion, if they do not disagree with good, produce evil only with those who are in evil, n. 8311, 8318; falsities of religion are not imputed to those who are in good, but only to those who are in evil, n. 8051, 8149; truths not genuine, and also falsities, may be consociated with genuine truths with those who are in good, but not with those who are in evil, n. 3470, 3471, 4551, 4552, 7344, 8149, 9298; falsities and truths are consociated by appearances from the sense of the letter of the Word, n. 7344; falsities are made truthlike by good and become soft when they are applied to good and lead to good, and evil is removed, n. 8149; falsities of religion with those who are in good are received by the Lord as truths, n. 4736, 8149; a good that derives its quality from a falsity of religion is accepted by the Lord if there be ignorance, and if there be in it innocence and a good end, n. 7887; the truths that are with man are appearances of truth and good, tinctured with fallacies, and yet the Lord adapts them to genuine truths in the man who lives in good, n. 2053; there are falsities in which there is good with those who are outside of the church and thence in ignorance of truth, also with those within the church where there are falsities of doctrine, n. 2589-2604, 2861, 2863, 3263, 3778, 4189, 4190, 4197, 6700, 9256.)

sRef Rev@7 @9 S0′ 453. Which no one could number, signifies that the Lord alone knows of what quality and how much of good and truth there is in them. This is evident from the signification of “number,” as meaning what is the quality of a thing, so “to number” means to know the quality of a thing, here, the quality of the good and truth with those now treated of. It also signifies that the Lord alone knows this, as is meant by “which no one could number;” for no man and no angel knows the quality of good and truth with another in every series and connection, but only something of it that is apparent in externals; and yet every quality is of infinite extension, for it joins and associates itself with innumerable things that lie concealed within, and that abide without, and that spread out in every direction. All this no one sees but the Lord alone; therefore it is the Lord alone by whom all are arranged and disposed according to their quality, for He sees the quality of everyone, thus what his nature is and what will happen to him to eternity, since the Lord’s sight which is called omniscience, foresight, and providence, is eternal. This is why no one except the Lord alone knows the quality of good and truth with anyone. It may seem strange that “to number” signifies to know the quality of good and truth, for one reading these words and remaining in the meaning of the letter can have no other thought than that it means simply that the multitude was too great to be numbered; yet in the spiritual sense “number” signifies quality, and thus “to number” signifies to know the quality, and to arrange and dispose according to it.
sRef 2Sam@24 @12 S2′ sRef 2Sam@24 @15 S2′ sRef 2Sam@24 @13 S2′ sRef 2Sam@24 @7 S2′ sRef 2Sam@24 @14 S2′ sRef 2Sam@24 @8 S2′ sRef 2Sam@24 @1 S2′ sRef 2Sam@24 @10 S2′ sRef 2Sam@24 @4 S2′ sRef 2Sam@24 @5 S2′ sRef 2Sam@24 @6 S2′ sRef 2Sam@24 @11 S2′ sRef 2Sam@24 @9 S2′ sRef 2Sam@24 @3 S2′ sRef 2Sam@24 @2 S2′ [2] Because of this signification of numbering a punishment was inflicted upon David for numbering the people, which is thus described in the second book of Samuel:
Again the anger of Jehovah glowed against Israel, and He incited David against them saying, Go, number Israel and Judah. And the king said to Joab, Go now to and fro through all the tribes of Israel, from Dan even to Beersheba, and number ye the people, that I may know the number of the people. Joab dissuaded him, but the king’s word prevailed. And David’s heart smote him after that he had numbered the people; and David said, I have sinned exceedingly in that I have done; but now let, O Jehovah, I beseech thee, the iniquity of Thy servant pass away, for I have done very foolishly. So the prophet Gad was sent to David, announcing to him three punishments, and of these David chose the pestilence, of which seventy thousand died (24:1 to the end).
Who does not know that there is no iniquity in numbering a people? Yet here the iniquity was so great that David, on account of it, was threatened with three punishments from which he was to choose one, and of the pestilence which he chose seventy thousand died. But there was a reason for this, namely, that “Israel and Judah” represented, and thence signified, the Lord’s kingdom in the heavens and on the earth, and “to number” signified to know their quality, and to arrange and dispose accordingly, and that this belongs to the Lord alone; which shows that “to number” in the Word has this signification.
sRef Ex@30 @12 S3′ [3] “To number” has a like meaning in Moses:
When thou takest up the sum of the sons of Israel as to the numbering of them, then shall they give every man an expiation for his soul unto Jehovah in numbering them, that there be no plague among them in numbering them (Exod. 30:12).
Here, also, “to number” signifies to know their quality, or the quality of the church with them, and to arrange and dispose according to it; and because this belongs to the Lord alone, it is said, “everyone shall give an expiation for his soul unto Jehovah in numbering them, that there be no plague among them in numbering them.” (For a further explanation of this see Arcana Coelestia, n. 10216-10232.)
sRef Dan@5 @26 S4′ sRef Isa@38 @10 S4′ sRef Dan@5 @5 S4′ sRef Dan@5 @25 S4′ sRef Dan@5 @2 S4′ [4] In Daniel:
Because Belshazzar drank wine out of the vessels of gold and of silver from the temple at Jerusalem, a hand went forth and wrote on the wall, Numbered, thou art numbered, weighed, and divided. God hath numbered thy kingdom and finished it (5:2, 5, 25, 26).
“Numbered, numbered,” signifies here to be seen and explored as to the quality of good and truth; and “hath numbered the kingdom” signifies hath arranged and disposed. (What the rest signifies see above, n. 373.)
[5] In like manner in Isaiah:
By the relinquishment of my days I shall go to the gates of hell [of the grave]; I am numbered, the remainder of my years (38:10).
These are the words of Hezekiah the king when he was sick, and “to be numbered” signifies to be explored and concluded. “To number” and “to be numbered” have a different signification in the spiritual sense of the Word from that which they have in the letter or its natural sense, as is evident from the fact that with angels in heaven, numbers and measures have no place in their spiritual idea, that is, they do not think from numbering or measuring, but from the quality of a thing; but this thought of theirs falls into numbers and measures when it comes down therefrom into the natural sphere; and yet the Word is written equally for angels as for men, consequently angels, in numbers and numbering in the Word, perceive the quality of the thing treated of, while men understand numbers and numbering. This can still further be seen from this, that every number in the Word signifies somewhat of thing or state (of which see above, n. 203, 336, 429, 430).
sRef Isa@13 @4 S6′ [6] As numbering is mentioned in some passages of the Word, and it signifies to know the quality of a thing, and to arrange and to dispose according to it, I will also cite these passages in confirmation. In Isaiah:
A voice of a tumult of the kingdoms of nations gathered together; Jehovah of Hosts numbering the host for war (13:4).
The “kingdoms of nations gathered together” of which there was a tumult, do not mean nations gathered from kingdoms, for this passage is prophetical and not historical; but “kingdoms of nations gathered together” signifies the falsities of evils that have been made to cohere, and “their tumult” signifies their threats and eagerness to fight against truths; for “kingdoms” are predicated of truths, and in the contrary sense of falsities, while “nations” signify goods, and in the contrary sense evils (see above, n. 175, 331); and “tumult” is predicated of the eagerness for fighting, here against truths; “Jehovah of Hosts numbering the host” signifies the arrangement of truths from good by the Lord against the falsities from evil; the Lord is called in the Word “Jehovah of Hosts,” from truths and goods fighting against falsities and evils, for “zebaoth” means hosts, and “hosts” signify the truths and goods of heaven and the church; and “to number” signifies to arrange these, and “war” signifies spiritual combat.
sRef Isa@40 @26 S7′ [7] In the same:
Lift up your eyes on high, and see who hath created these things, who hath led out their host in number, who calleth them all by name (Isa. 40:26).
The “host of the heavens” means in the literal sense, the sun, moon, and stars, for these are called in the Word “the host of Jehovah,” but in the spiritual sense “host” signifies all the goods and truths of heaven and the church in the complex, for the “sun” signifies the good of love, the “moon” the good of faith, and the “stars” signify the knowledges of good and truth; this makes clear the signification of “Lift up your eyes and see who hath created these things.” “To create,” when predicated of goods and truths, signifies to form them with man, and to regenerate him; “to lead out the host in number” signifies to arrange truths and goods according to the quality of those with whom they are; “who calleth them all by name” signifies who knows the quality of all and disposes accordingly, for “name” in the Word signifies the quality of a thing or state.
sRef John@10 @3 S8′ sRef Ps@147 @4 S8′ [8] So, too, in John:
The sheep hear His voice, and He calleth His own sheep by name and leadeth them out (10:3);
where the same expressions, “to lead out” and “to call by name” are used as above in Isaiah, and they have a similar signification. (That “name” signifies the quality of a thing or state, see above, n. 102, 135, 148.) In David:
Jehovah counteth the number of the stars; He called them all by their names (Ps. 147:4).
“To count the number of the stars, and to call them all by their names,” signifies to know all truths and goods, and to dispose them according to their quality in heaven and the church. For what other reason could it be said of Jehovah that “He numbers the stars, and calls them by their names”?
sRef Jer@33 @13 S9′ [9] In Jeremiah:
In the cities of the mountain, in the cities of the lowland, and in the cities of the south, and in the land of Benjamin, and in the circuits of Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah, shall the flocks pass again by the hands of him that numbereth them (33:13).
What “mountain,” “lowland,” “the south,” “the land of Benjamin,” “the circuits of Jerusalem,” and “the cities of Judah,” signify in the spiritual sense may be seen just above (n. 449, where they are explained). “The flocks shall pass by the hands of him that numbereth them” signifies that there will be interior goods and truths in the church according to their order and quality, for “flocks” signify interior goods and truths; “flocks” meaning lambs, sheep, she-goats, rams, and kids, and these signify interior goods and truths, which are spiritual goods and truths, while “herds,” which consist of calves, bullocks, cows, and oxen, signify exterior goods and truths, which are natural truths and goods. (That this is so see Arcana Coelestia, n. 1565, 2566, 5913, 6048, 8937, 10609.)
sRef Ps@48 @12 S10′ sRef Ps@48 @13 S10′ sRef Ps@48 @11 S10′ [10] In David:
Mount Zion shall be glad, the daughters of Judah shall exult, because of Thy judgments. Encompass Zion and encircle her; number her towers, set your heart to the bulwarks, mark ye well her palaces; that ye may tell the generation following (Ps. 48:11-13).
“Mount Zion which shall be glad,” signifies the celestial church, in which are those who are in love to the Lord; “the daughters of Judah who shall exult,” signify the affections of good and truth which those have who are of that church; “because of Thy judgments” signifies because of Divine truths which they have from the Lord; “encompass Zion and encircle her” signifies to embrace the things belonging to that church from love; “to number her towers” signifies to give thought to the higher or interior truths of that church, “to number” meaning to see and give thought to their quality, and “towers” meaning the higher or interior truths; “set your heart to the bulwarks” signifies to love the exterior truths that defend that church against falsities; “mark ye well her palaces” signifies to perceive the goods of truth, for “houses” mean goods, and “palaces” the more noble goods of truth; “that ye may tell the generation following” signifies their permanence to eternity.
sRef Isa@33 @15 S11′ sRef Isa@33 @19 S11′ sRef Isa@33 @17 S11′ sRef Isa@33 @18 S11′ [11] In Isaiah:
He that walketh in righteousness and speaketh uprightness, thine eyes* shall see the king in his beauty; they shall behold the land of wide extent. Thy heart shall meditate terror. Where is the scribe? where is the weigher? where is he that counteth the towers? Thou wilt not see an obstinate people, a people of depths of lip (33:15, 17-19).
“To walk in righteousness and to speak uprightness” signifies to live in the good of love and charity, and to think and perceive truths; for “to walk” signifies to live, “righteousness” is predicated of good, and “uprightness” is truth; “thine eyes shall see the king in his beauty” signifies that they shall attain to wisdom, “king” signifying truth from good, and “beauty” its wisdom, for in wisdom Divine truth is in its beautiful form; “they shall behold the land of wide extent” signifies the extension of wisdom into heaven, “land” signifying the church, and also heaven, and “wide extent” extension there; “thy heart shall meditate terror; where is the scribe? where is the weigher? where is he that counteth the towers?” signifies remembrance of the state of the church, when there is no intelligence, no wisdom, and when interior truths are falsified; “terror” meaning that state, “scribe” intelligence, “weigher” wisdom, “towers” interior truths; to destroy the quality of these by falsifications is here signified by “numbering them;” “thou wilt not see an obstinate people” signifies not seeing those who are in the falsities of evil, or in an abstract sense those falsities themselves; “a people of depths of lip” signifies falsities of doctrine confirmed until they appear as truths, “lip” signifying the truths of doctrine, here falsity that will not be seen.
[12] “To number” signifies also evil arrangement, consequently destruction by falsifications, as is evident in the same:
Ye have seen the breaches of the house of David that they are many; and ye have brought together the waters of the lower pool. And ye have numbered the houses of Jerusalem, that ye might tear down the houses to fortify the wall (Isa. 22:9, 10).
“The house of David” means the church in respect to the truths of doctrine; and “its breaches” signify falsities breaking in; “to bring together the waters of the lower pool” signifies to collect many things from the sense of the letter of the Word and from the natural man; the “pools in Jerusalem” signified such truths as are in the exterior and interior senses of the Word; “the waters of the higher pool” such truths as are in the interior sense of the Word, and “the waters of the lower pool” such as are in the exterior sense of the Word, that is, the sense of the letter, for “waters” mean truths, and the “pools” in Jerusalem have a similar signification as the “lakes” and “seas” outside of Jerusalem, namely, a collection of truths; “to number the houses of Jerusalem” signifies to falsify the goods of truth, “the houses of Jerusalem” signifying the goods of truth of the church, and “to number” signifying wrong apprehension and evil arrangement, which is to interpret falsely or to falsify; “that ye might tear down the houses to fortify the wall” signifies to destroy these goods in order to build up a doctrine consisting of mere falsities, “wall” meaning the truth of doctrine defending, here truth falsified, because without good.
sRef Isa@22 @9 S13′ sRef Isa@22 @10 S13′ sRef Job@14 @16 S13′ sRef Ps@90 @12 S13′ sRef Luke@12 @7 S13′ sRef Job@31 @4 S13′ [13] These things make evident what is signified by “numbering days, steps, and hairs,” as in the following passages. In David:
To number our days (Ps. 90:12).
In Job:
Dost Thou not number** my steps? (16:16).
Doth He not see my ways and number all my steps? (31:4).
In Luke:
The hairs of your head are all numbered (12:7).
Here “to number” signifies to know the quality from least to greatest, and to arrange and dispose according to it, that is, to provide. What “days,” “steps,” and “hairs,” signify has been told and shown elsewhere.
* Photolithograph as “he,” the Hebrew “thine eyes;” see AE n. 152, 304; AC n. 3863.
** Photolithograph has “thou numberest.”

sRef Rev@7 @9 S0′ 454. Out of every nation and all tribes, signifies all who are in good in respect to life according to the doctrinals of their religion. This is evident from the signification of “nation,” as being those who are in the good (on which see above, n. 175, 331), here those who are in the good of life; also from the signification of “tribes,” as being the goods and truths of the church in the whole complex (on which see also above, n. 431). But here, as those who are in the good of life according to their religion are treated of, “tribes” signify the doctrinals of religion that such believe to be truths and goods, and this is what is meant by “tribes” in the Word when such are treated of; while “the tribes of Israel,” which were treated of above mean all who are in the genuine truths and goods of the church, and in an abstract sense those truths and goods. So here, “out of every nation and all tribes” signifies all who are in good in respect to life according to the doctrinals of their religion.

sRef Rev@7 @9 S0′ 455. And peoples and tongues, signifies all who are in falsities from ignorance and from various religions. This is evident from the signification of “peoples,” as being those who are in the truths of doctrine, and in a contrary sense those who are in the falsities of doctrine (of which above, n. 175); but here, those who are in the falsities of doctrine from ignorance; for here are treated of those who are saved, although from the doctrine of their religion they have been in falsities. All those who are in the good of life in accordance with the dogmas of their religion, which they have believed to be true although they are not true, are saved, for falsity is not imputed to anyone who lives well according to the dogmas of his religion, because it is not his fault that he is ignorant of truths. For the good of life in accordance with a religion contains within itself the affection of knowing truths, and these truths are learned and accepted when such persons come into the other life, for every affection remains with man after death, and especially the affection of knowing truths, because this is a spiritual affection; and when man becomes a spirit, he is his affection; consequently the truths that are then desired are imbibed and thus received deeply in the heart. (That when a man lives well falsities of religion are accepted by the Lord as truths, see above, n. 452.) The above is evident from the signification of “tongues,” as meaning their confessions from religion, for “tongues” mean speech, and “speech” signifies confession and religion, because the tongue utters and confesses the things that pertain to religion.
[2] There is frequent mention in the Word of the “lip,” the “mouth,” and the “tongue;” and the “lip” signifies doctrine, the “mouth” thought, and the “tongue” confession. “Lip,” “mouth,” and “tongue,” have this signification because these are the externals of man, by means of which things internal find expression, and it is things internal that are signified in the internal or spiritual sense. For the Word in the letter consists of external things that are manifest before the eyes and are perceived by the senses, therefore the Word in the letter is natural, and this in order that the Divine truth that it contains may be there in what is ultimate and thus in fullness. But these external things, which are natural, include in themselves things internal that are spiritual, and these therefore are the things that are signified.
sRef Isa@66 @18 S3′ [3] That “tongues” signify confessions from religion, and according to the dogmas of religion, can be seen from the following passages. In Isaiah:
The time shall come for bringing together all nations and tongues, that they may come and see My glory (66:18).
This is said of the Lord’s coming; “nations and tongues” signify all who are in the good of life according to their religions; “tongues” signify religions from confessions; it is therefore said “that they may come and see My glory,” “glory” signifying Divine truth, by which the church exists.
sRef Dan@7 @14 S4′ sRef Rev@1 @7 S4′ sRef Dan@7 @13 S4′ [4] In Daniel:
Behold, with the clouds of the heavens one like the Son of man. And there was given Him dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, tongues, and nations might worship Him (7:13, 14).
“The Son of man who was to come in the clouds of the heavens,” evidently means the Lord, and “the clouds of the heavens” mean the Word in the letter, in which it is said that the Lord is to come, for the Word treats of Him, and in the inmost sense of Him alone. Therefore it is said “Son of man,” because the Lord is called “the Son of man” from Divine truth, which is the Word. But respecting this see more above (n. 36) where these words are explained:
Behold, He cometh with the clouds; and every eye shall see Him (Rev. 1:7).
The Lord’s power from Divine good is meant by “dominion,” and from Divine truth by “glory,” and heaven and the church are meant by “kingdom.” “Peoples, tongues, and nations,” signify all those who are in doctrine and in a life according to their religions; those who are in doctrine are called “peoples,” those who are in life “nations,” and “tongues” mean religions.
sRef Zech@8 @23 S5′ [5] In Zechariah:
In those days ten men out of all tongues of the nations shall take hold of the skirt of a man that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you, for we have heard that God is with you (8:23).
The spiritual sense of these words may be seen above (n. 433); namely, that a “Jew” means those who are in love to the Lord and in the truths of doctrine from Him; and that “all tongues of the nations” mean those who are of various religions.
sRef Rev@17 @15 S6′ sRef Gen@10 @31 S6′ sRef Rev@11 @9 S6′ sRef Rev@13 @7 S6′ sRef Rev@14 @6 S6′ sRef Gen@10 @5 S6′ sRef Rev@10 @11 S6′ [6] “Tongues” have a like signification in the following passages. In Moses:
From these were the islands of the nations separated in their lands, every man according to his tongue, according to their families, in their nations. The habitations of the sons of Shem, according to their families, after their tongues, in their lands, after their nations (Gen. 10:5, 31).
In Revelation:
Thou must prophesy again over many peoples and nations and tongues and kings (10:11).
Again:
And they of the peoples and tribes and tongues and nations shall see their bodies three days and a half (11:9).
Again:
And it was given unto the beast to make war with the saints and to overcome them; and there was given him power over every tribe and tongue and nation (13:7).
Again:
I saw an angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting Gospel to proclaim unto those that dwell on the earth, and unto every nation and tribe and tongue and people (14:6).
And again:
The waters which thou sawest, where the harlot sitteth, are peoples and multitudes and nations and tongues (17:15).
“Waters” here signify the truths of the Word, for “waters” in the Word signify truths, and in the contrary sense falsities; therefore here “peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues,” mean those who are in truths falsified, which in themselves are falsities, and are consequently in evils of life.
sRef Luke@16 @24 S7′ [7] In Luke:
The rich man said to Abraham, Have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and may cool my tongue, for I am tortured in this flame (16:24).
In this parable, as in others, the Lord spake by correspondences, as can be seen by this, that the “rich man” does not mean the rich, nor does “Abraham” mean Abraham, nor by “the water with which Lazarus might cool the tongue” are water and tongue meant, nor does the “flame” mean flame, for in hell no one is tortured by flames; but a “rich man” means those who are of the church where the Word is, from which they have spiritual riches, which are truths of doctrine; so the “rich man” here means the Jews, with whom was the Word at that time; “Abraham” means the Lord; the “water into which Lazarus might dip the tip of his finger” signifies truth from the Word; and “tongue” signifies a thirst and eagerness to pervert the truths that are in the Word; and the “flame” the punishment of that eagerness, which is various and manifold. This makes evident what these things signify in the series, and that “to cool the tongue with water” signifies to allay the thirst and the eagerness to pervert truths, and to confirm falsities thereby. Who cannot see that it does not mean that Lazarus should dip the tip of his finger in water to cool the tongue?
sRef Zech@14 @12 S8′ [8] In Zechariah:
This shall be the plague wherewith Jehovah will strike all the peoples that shall fight against Jerusalem; his flesh shall waste away as he stands upon his feet, and his eyes shall waste away in their sockets and his tongue shall waste away in his mouth (14:12).
This is said of those who endeavor to destroy the truths of doctrine by means of falsities; and this is signified by “fighting against Jerusalem,” “Jerusalem” signifying the church in respect to doctrine, and thence the truths of the doctrine of the church; “the flesh shall waste away” signifies that all good of love and of life will perish, for this is what “flesh” signifies; “standing upon his feet” means upon bones without flesh, which signifies that they will be wholly corporeal-natural, “feet” signifying the things that belong to the natural man, here its lowest things; “his eyes shall waste away in their sockets” signifies that all the understanding of truth will perish, “eyes” signifying the understanding; “his tongue shall waste away in his mouth” signifies that all the perception of truth and all the affection of good will perish; “tongue” signifying also the perception of truth and the affection of good, the perception of truth from its speaking, and the affection of good from its power of tasting, for “taste” signifies appetite, desire, and affection.
sRef Judg@7 @7 S9′ sRef Judg@7 @6 S9′ sRef Judg@7 @5 S9′ [9] In the book of Judges:
Jehovah said unto Gideon, Everyone that lappeth the waters with his tongue as a dog lappeth, him shalt thou set by himself; and everyone that boweth down upon his knees to drink. And the number of them that lapped in their hand were three hundred men; and these were led against Midian and smote him (7:5-7).
“Midian” here means those who do not care for truth, because they are merely natural and external; therefore Midian was smitten by those who “lapped the waters in the hand with the tongue like a dog;” these mean such as have an appetite for truths, thus they who from some natural affection seek to know truths, a “dog” signifying appetite and eagerness, “waters” truths, and “lapping them with the tongue” to have an appetite for and eagerly seek. So it was by these that Midian was smitten. Anyone can see that such things would not have been commanded unless they had been significative.
sRef Ps@31 @20 S10′ [10] In David:
Thou hidest them in the hiding place of Thy faces from the pride of man; Thou concealest them in a pavilion from the strife of tongues (Ps. 31:20).
“A hiding place of faces in which Jehovah hides them,” signifies the Divine good of the Divine love, for “the face of Jehovah” signifies the good of love, and “the hiding place” signifies inwardly in man; “the pride of man” signifies the pride of self-intelligence; the “pavilion in which He hides them” signifies Divine truth; and “the strife of tongues” signifies the falsity of religion from which they reason against truths. This makes clear what these things signify in series.
sRef Jer@5 @15 S11′ sRef Jer@5 @16 S11′ sRef Jer@5 @17 S11′ [11] In Jeremiah:
Lo, I will bring upon you a nation, a nation whose tongue thou shalt not know nor shall thou understand what they speak. It shall eat up thy harvest and thy bread (5:15, 17).
This does not mean that a nation of an unknown tongue or of an unintelligible speech should be brought; but an evil nation of an utterly different religion is meant, whose dogmas they shall not know nor understand the reasonings therefrom; and in an abstract sense the falsities of evil which are altogether contrary to the truths of good are signified; for “nation” in an abstract sense means evil, and “tongue” here means the falsity of religion, and “to speak” means to reason therefrom; therefore it is added, “it shall eat up thy harvest and thy bread,” for “harvest” signifies truths by which there is good, “bread” the good therefrom, and “to eat up” to consume and deprive.
sRef Ezek@3 @6 S12′ sRef Ezek@3 @5 S12′ [12] In Ezekiel:
Thou art not sent to a people of deep lip and heavy of tongue, but to the house of Israel; not to great peoples of deep lip and heavy of tongue, whose words thou shalt not hear. If I should send thee to them, will they not hearken unto thee? (3:5, 6).
“Peoples of deep lip and heavy of tongue, whose words are not heard,” signify those who are in an unintelligible doctrine, and thus in an abstruse religion, whose dogmas cannot be comprehended, “lip” signifying doctrine, “tongue” religion, and “words” its dogmas; therefore these peoples mean the nations that do not have the Word, by which Jehovah, that is, the Lord, is known. That these will receive Divine truths when they are instructed is signified by “these would hearken if he should be sent unto them.”
sRef Isa@33 @19 S13′ [13] In Isaiah:
Thou wilt not see an obstinate people, a people of depths of lip that thou canst not hear; barbarous in tongue, without intelligence (33:19).
“A people of depths of lip and barbarous in tongue” has a similar signification here as “peoples of deep lip and heavy of tongue” above. Evidently a people with a speech that cannot be understood is not meant; for it is added, “barbarous in tongue, without intelligence,” for there may be intelligence in the tongue or speech of such, but not in their religion.
sRef Isa@45 @23 S14′ [14] In the same:
I have sworn that unto Me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear (Isa. 45:23).
This is said of the coming of the Lord; and “every knee shall bow” signifies that all who are in natural good from spiritual good will worship Him, the “knee” signifying the conjunction of natural good with spiritual. This shows that bending the knees signifies acknowledgment, thanksgiving, and adoration from spiritual good and delight in the natural; “every tongue shall swear” signifies that all will confess the Lord who are in good from religion, “to swear” signifying to confess, and “tongue” religion according to which one lives.
sRef Ps@71 @24 S15′ sRef Ps@35 @28 S15′ [15] In David:
And my tongue shall meditate of Thy righteousness and of Thy praise all the day (Ps. 35:28).
Here, too, “tongue” signifies confession from the doctrine of the church, for it is said “to meditate of;” “righteousness” is predicated of the good of the church, and “praise” of its truth, as also elsewhere in the Word. So again in the same:
My tongue shall meditate of Thy righteousness all the day (Ps. 71:24).
sRef Ps@140 @9 S16′ sRef Ps@140 @10 S16′ sRef Ps@140 @11 S16′ [16] In the same:
With gall the wicked compass me, the mischief of their lips doth cover them; burning coals overwhelm them; with fire let them be cast into pits, that they rise not again; a man of tongue shall not be established in the earth (Ps. 140:9-11).
“Gall” signifies truth falsified, which in itself is falsity; “the mischief of their lips” signifies the falsity of doctrine therefrom, for “lips” signify doctrine; “burning coal by which they are overwhelmed,” and the “fire with which they are to be cast into pits,” signify the pride from self-intelligence and the love of self, through which they fall into mere falsities, “burning coals” signifying the pride of self-intelligence, “fire” the love of self, and “pits” falsities. Moreover all falsities of doctrine in the church and all falsifications of the Word spring from the pride of self-intelligence and from the love of self. This makes evident what is signified by “a man of tongue shall not be established in the earth,” namely, a false religion.
sRef Ps@57 @4 S17′ [17] In the same:
My soul, I lie in the midst of lions, the sons of man are set on fire, their teeth are spear and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword (Ps. 57:4).
“Lions” signify those who plunder the church of truths, and thus destroy it; the “sons of man who are set on fire,” signify those who are in the truths of the church, and in an abstract sense the truths themselves, which are said to be “set on fire” by the pride of self-intelligence, whence come falsities; “their teeth are spear and arrows” signifies reasonings from external sensuals and thus from the fallacies and falsities of religion, by which truths are destroyed, “teeth” signifying the ultimates of man’s life, which are external sensual things, and here reasoning from these, and “tongue” signifying the falsities of religion; therefore it is said “their tongue a sharp sword,” “sword” signifying the destruction of truth by falsities.
[18] In Job:
Wilt thou draw out leviathan with a fish-hook, and overwhelm his tongue with a cord? (12:1)
In this and the preceding chapter the Behemoth and the leviathan are treated of, and both signify the natural man, the “Behemoth” the natural man in respect to goods which are called the delights of natural love, and the “leviathan” the natural man in respect to truths which are called knowledges and cognitions, from which is natural light. These are both described by pure correspondences according to the ancient style. That reasoning from the light of nature by means of knowledges [scientifica] can be restrained by God only, is described in that chapter and the subsequent one by the “leviathan,” and also by these words, “Wilt thou draw out leviathan with a fish-hook, and overwhelm his tongue with a cord?;” “tongue” signifying reasoning from knowledges [scientifica]. That the “leviathan” signifies the natural man as regards knowledges [scientifica] can be seen from other passages where it is mentioned (as Isaiah 27:1; Psalm 74:14; Psalm 104:26). Also from the fact that the “whale,” by which the leviathan is meant, signifies the natural man in regard to knowledges [scientifica].
sRef Isa@32 @4 S19′ sRef Isa@35 @6 S19′ [19] In Isaiah:
The heart of the hasty shall have intelligence for knowing, and the tongue of the stammerers shall be swift to speak (32:4).
The “hasty” mean those who readily seize upon and believe whatever is said, thus also falsities; of such it is said that “they shall be intelligent and know,” that is, receive truths; “stammerers” mean those who are hardly able to apprehend the truths of the church; that they will confess them from affection is meant by “their tongue shall be swift to speak,” “swiftness” is predicated of affection.
[20] In the same:
Then shall the lame leap as a hart, and the tongue of the dumb shall sing aloud; for waters shall break out in the wilderness, and brooks in the plain of the desert (Isa. 35:6).
This is said of the coming of the Lord; the “lame” signifies those who are in good but not genuine good, because they are in ignorance of truth through which good comes; “to leap as a hart” signifies to have joy from the perception of truth; the “dumb” signifies those who on account of ignorance of truth are unable to confess the Lord and the genuine truths of the church; “he shall sing” signifies joy from the understanding of truth; “waters shall break out in the wilderness” signifies that truths shall be opened where they were not before; and “brooks in the plain of the desert” signify intelligence there, for “waters” signify truths, and “brooks” intelligence.
sRef Mark@7 @33 S21′ sRef Mark@7 @34 S21′ sRef Mark@7 @35 S21′ [21] This makes clear what is signified in the spiritual sense by “the deaf man that had an impediment in his speech” whom the Lord healed, which is thus described in Mark:
Jesus took aside the deaf man who had an impediment in his speech, and put His fingers into his ears, and spitting, touched his tongue; and looking up into heaven, He said to him, Ephphatha, that is, Be opened; and straightway his ears were opened, and the bond of his tongue was loosed, and he spake aright (7:32-35).
The Lord’s miracles, because they are Divine, all involved and signified such things as pertain to heaven and the church, therefore they were healings of the diseases which signified the various healings of the spiritual life, as may be seen in the Arcana Coelestia (n. 7337, 8364, 9031). The “deaf man” signifies those who are without the understanding of truth, and thence in no obedience; “his difficulty in speaking” signifies the difficulty of such in confessing the Lord and the truth of the church; the “ears” opened by the Lord signify the perception of truth and obedience; and the “tongue” whose bond was loosed by the Lord signifies the confession of the Lord and of the truths of the church.
sRef Acts@2 @4 S22′ sRef Mark@16 @17 S22′ sRef Acts@2 @3 S22′ [22] Again, that the apostles and others after the Lord’s resurrection spoke with new tongues signifies also the confession of the Lord and of the truths of the new church. This is thus referred to in Mark:
Jesus said, These signs shall follow them that believe; in My name shall they cast out demons, and they shall speak with new tongues (16:17).
“To cast out demons” signifies to remove and reject the falsities of evil; and “to speak with new tongues” signifies to confess the Lord and the truths of the church from Him. So:
To the apostles there appeared divided tongues like as of fire, which sat on them. And being filled with the Holy Spirit they began to speak with other tongues (Acts 2:3, 4).
The “fire” signified the love of truth, and “filled with the Holy Spirit” signified the reception of Divine truth from the Lord; and “new tongues” signified confessions from the love of truth or zeal; for, as was said above, all Divine miracles, consequently all miracles mentioned in the Word, involved and signified things spiritual and celestial, that is, such things that pertain to heaven and the church: by this Divine miracles are distinguished from miracles not Divine. It is unnecessary to quote more passages from the Word to show that “tongues” do not mean speech in the ordinary sense, but confessions from the truths of the church, and in the contrary sense confessions from the falsities of any religion.

sRef Rev@7 @9 S0′ 456. Standing before the throne and before the Lamb, signifies those in the Lord’s kingdom. This is evident from the signification of “throne,” as being, in reference to the Lord, heaven and the church (of which above, n. 253). That “the Lamb” means the Lord in relation to the Divine Human may also be seen above (n. 314); consequently “standing before the throne and before the Lamb” signifies that they are in the Lord’s kingdom. The Lord’s kingdom is heaven and the church, where the Lord is worshiped, and where the Divine in His Human is acknowledged; all who acknowledge this in heart are in heaven and come into heaven; it is said those who acknowledge this in heart, since no one can acknowledge it unless he is in the good of life, and thence in the truths of doctrine. On the earth many can say this with the mouth, but yet they cannot acknowledge it in heart unless they live well; while after the life in the world only those who are in heaven and are coming into heaven can even say this with the mouth, still less acknowledge it. But more respecting this elsewhere.

sRef Rev@7 @9 S0′ 457. Clothed in white robes, signifies that they are then in truths and protected against falsities. This is evident from the signification of “white robes,” as being the reception of Divine truth, and protection against falsities (of which above, n. 395).

sRef Rev@7 @9 S0′ 458. And palms in their hands, signifies in the good of life according to truths. This is evident from the signification of a “palm,” as being the good of truth, that is, spiritual good (of which presently); also from the signification of “hands” as being power, and thus all ability in man (of which above, n. 72, 79); therefore that “palms were in their hands” signifies that the good of truth was in them, or that they were in good of truth. The good of truth, when it is with anyone, is the good of life, for truth becomes good by a life according to it; before that truth is not good in anyone. For when truth is merely in the memory and in thought therefrom it is not good, but it becomes good when it comes into the will and thence into act; for it is the will that transforms truth into good. This is shown by the fact that whatever a man wills he calls good, and whatever he thinks he calls truth. Man’s interior will, which is the will of his spirit, is the receptacle of his love, for that which a man loves from his spirit he wills, and that which he thence wills he does; therefore the truth that is of his will is also of his love, and that which is of his love he calls good. This makes evident how good is formed in man by means of truths, and that every good that is good in man is the good of life. It is believed that there is good of thought also, although not of the will, since man can have in thought that this or that is good; but yet this is not good, but truth; the thought that there is such a thing as good is a truth; and knowing and thus thinking that a thing is good is regarded as a truth; but when that truth in the thought is so loved as to be willed, and from being willed is done, then, since it belongs to the love, it becomes good.
[2] This may be illustrated by the following example. There were spirits who in the life of the body had believed charity, and not faith alone, to be the essential of the church, and thus essential to salvation; nevertheless they had not lived the life of charity, for this was merely their thought and conclusion. But they were told that merely thinking, and from thought believing, that charity saves, and not willing and acting accordingly, is similar to believing that faith alone saves; therefore they were cast out. This makes evident that merely thinking good, and not willing and doing it, does not constitute good with anyone. The like would be true if a man should gain a knowledge of truths and goods themselves, and from mere thought should bear witness to them, without giving them life by willing and doing them. This has been said to make known that the good of truth, that is, spiritual good, when it is in anyone, is the good of life; and it is this that is signified by “palms in their hands.”
sRef 1Ki@6 @32 S3′ sRef 1Ki@6 @29 S3′ [3] Because “palms” signify spiritual good, therefore in the temple built by Solomon there were, besides other things, palms sculptured on the walls, as described in the first book of Kings:
Solomon carved all the walls of the house round about with openings of cherubim and palm-trees and openings of flowers, within and without. Likewise upon the two doors (6:29, 32).
“The walls of the house” signify the ultimates of heaven and the church, which are effects that go forth from things interior, and the “doors” signify the entrance into heaven and the church; the “cherubim” upon them signify celestial good, which is the good of the inmost heaven; the “palms” spiritual good, which is the good of the second heaven; and “the flowers” spiritual-natural good, which is the good of the lowest heaven: thus these three signify the goods of the three heavens in their order. But in the highest sense, the “cherubim” signify the Lord’s Divine Providence, and also guard; “palms” the Lord’s Divine wisdom; and “flowers” His Divine intelligence; for Divine good united to Divine truth proceeding from the Lord, is received in the third or inmost heaven as Divine Providence, in the second or middle heaven as Divine wisdom; and in the first or lowest heaven as Divine intelligence.
sRef Ezek@41 @19 S4′ sRef Ezek@41 @18 S4′ sRef Ezek@41 @26 S4′ sRef Lev@23 @39 S4′ sRef Ezek@41 @20 S4′ sRef Lev@23 @40 S4′ sRef Ezek@41 @25 S4′ [4] The “cherubim and palms” in the “new temple” have a similar significance in Ezekiel:
In the new temple there were made cherubim and palm-trees, so that a palm-tree was between a cherub and a cherub; and the cherub had two faces; from the ground unto above the door. Cherubim and palm-trees were made on the walls and on the folding doors (41:18-20, 25, 26).
The “new temple” here signifies a new church to be established by the Lord when He came into the world; for this description of a new city, a new temple, and a new earth, signifies all things of a new church, and thence of a new heaven, and these are described by pure correspondences.
Because “the feast of tabernacles” signified the implantation of good by means of truths, it was commanded:
That they should then take the fruit of the tree of honor, leaves of palm-trees, and the boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and should be glad before Jehovah seven days (Lev. 23:39, 40).
“The fruit of the tree of honor” signifies celestial good, “palm-trees” spiritual good, that is, the good of truth, “boughs of thick trees” scientific truth with its good, and “willows of the brook” the lowest truths and goods of the natural man, which belong to external sensual things; thus these four signify all goods and truths in their order, from first to last in man.
sRef John@12 @12 S5′ sRef John@12 @13 S5′ [5] Because “palms” signify spiritual good, and from spiritual good is all joy of the heart, for spiritual good is the affection itself or the love of spiritual truth, therefore formerly by “palms in their hands” men testified their joy of heart, and also that they were acting from good. This is the signification of the following:
Many who came to the feast when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took branches of palm-trees, and went forth to meet Him, and cried out, Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord, the King of Israel (John 12:12, 13).
sRef Ps@92 @12 S6′ sRef Ps@92 @13 S6′ [6] The “palm” signifies also spiritual good, or the good of truth, in the following passages. In David:
The righteous shall flourish as the palm-tree; he shall grow as the cedar in Lebanon. They that are planted in the house of Jehovah shall grow up in the courts of our God (Ps. 92:12, 13).
“The righteous” signifies those who are in good, for by the “righteous” in the Word those who are in the good of love are meant, and by the “holy” those who are in truths from that good (see above, n. 204); consequently it is said of the “righteous” that “he shall flourish as the palm-tree, and grow as the cedar in Lebanon,” for the fructification of good with him is meant by “he shall flourish as the palm-tree,” and the multiplication of truth by “he shall grow as the cedar in Lebanon;” the “palm” signifying spiritual good, the “cedar” the truth of that good, and “Lebanon” the spiritual church. The “house of Jehovah in which they are planted,” and “the courts in which they shall grow up,” signify heaven and the church, “the house of Jehovah” the internal church, and “the courts” the external church; planting is effected in the interiors of man, where the good of love and of charity resides, and growing up takes place in the exteriors of man, where the good of life resides.
sRef Joel@1 @12 S7′ [7] In Joel:
The vine is withered, and the fig-tree languisheth; the pomegranate tree, the palm-tree also, and the apple-tree, all the trees of the field are dried up; joy is dried up from the sons of man (1:12).
This describes the desolating of truth and good in the church, and thence of all joy of heart, that is, of all spiritual joy; for the “vine” signifies the spiritual good and truth of the church, the “fig-tree” the natural good and truth therefrom, and the “pomegranate” sensual truth and good, which is the ultimate of the natural; “palm” signifies joy of heart, from spiritual good, and “apple” the same from natural good derived from spiritual good; the “trees of the field that are dried up,” signify the perceptions of good and the knowledges of truth, that there are none; and because spiritual joy and natural joy therefrom are signified by the “palm-tree” and the “apple-tree,” it is added, “joy is dried up from the sons of man;” “sons of man” meaning in the Word those who are in truths from good, and “joy” signifying spiritual joy, which is solely from good through truths. Who cannot see that vine, fig-tree, pomegranate, palm-tree, apple-tree, and the trees of the field are not here meant? Why should it be said in the Word and of what consequence is it to the church to say that these trees are withered and dried up?
sRef Jer@10 @5 S8′ sRef Jer@10 @3 S8′ sRef Jer@10 @4 S8′ [8] In Jeremiah:
One cutteth wood out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman with the axe. He doth deck it with silver and with gold; he doth fasten them with nails and with hammers, that it move not; they are firm like a palm-tree (x. 3-5).
This describes natural good separate from spiritual, which is good from one’s own (proprium), but this regarded in itself is not good, but the delight of cupidity chiefly from the love of self and the world, which is felt as a good. How man so forms this in himself as to give it the appearance of good, and to induce a persuasion that it is good, is described by “One cutteth wood out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman with the axe;” “wood” signifying good, here such good; “forest” the natural, here the natural separate from the spiritual; “the work of the hands of the workman with the axe” signifies what is from one’s own [proprium] and from self-intelligence; the confirmation of this by means of truths and goods from the Word, which are thereby falsified, is described by “he doth deck it with silver and with gold,” “silver” meaning truth, and “gold” good from the Word; making these to cohere by confirmations from one’s own [proprium] is described by “he doth fasten them with nails and with hammers, that it move not;” their thus appearing as good formed by truths is signified by “they are firm like a palm-tree.”
sRef Ex@15 @27 S9′ [9] In Moses:
They came to Elim, where were twelve fountains of waters and seventy palm-trees; and they encamped there by the waters (Exod. 15:27; Num. 33:9).
This history also contains a spiritual sense, for there is a spiritual sense in all the histories of the Word. Here “they came to Elim” signifies a state of illustration and affection, thus consolation after temptation; “twelve fountains of water” signify that they then had truths in all abundance; “seventy palm-trees” signify that they had goods of truths likewise; “and they encamped by the waters” signifies the arrangement of truth by good after temptation (this may be seen further explained in Arcana Coelestia, n. 8366-8370).
sRef Deut@34 @3 S10′ sRef Judg@3 @13 S10′ sRef Luke@10 @30 S10′ sRef Judg@1 @16 S10′ [10] Because “Jericho” signifies the good of truth:
That city was called the city of palm trees (Deut. 34:3; Judg. 1:16; 3:13);
for all names of places and cities in the Word signify such things as pertain to heaven and the church, which are called spiritual; and “Jericho” signifies the good of truth. Because of this signification of “Jericho,” the Lord in the parable of the Samaritan said:
That he was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho (Luke 10:30);
which signifies by means of truths to good; for “Jerusalem” signifies the truth of doctrine, and “Jericho” the good of truth, which is the good of life, and this he exercised towards the man wounded by robbers.
sRef Josh@5 @13 S11′ sRef Josh@5 @15 S11′ [11] Again, because of this signification of Jericho:
When Joshua was by Jericho he saw a man standing with a drawn sword in his hand, who said to Joshua, Put off thy shoe from off thy foot in the place whereon thou standest, for it is holy. And Joshua did so (Josh. 5:13, 15).
So, too, when the sons of Israel had taken Jericho by carrying the ark round about it, the silver and the gold and the vessels of brass and of iron which they found there they put into the treasury of the house of Jehovah (Josh. 6:24). From the above it is evident why Jericho was called “the city of palm-trees.”
sRef Josh@6 @24 S12′ [12] Furthermore, in the spiritual world, in the paradises where the angels are who are in spiritual good or in the good of truth, palm-trees are seen in great abundance, from which also it is clear that the “palm-tree” signifies the good of truth; for all things that appear in that world are representatives of the state of life and of the affections, thus of the good and truth with angels.

sRef Rev@7 @10 S0′ 459. Verse 10. And crying with a great voice, signifies adoration from the good of truth and from consequent joy of heart. This is evident from the signification of “crying with a great voice,” as being adoration from the good of truth and from consequent joy of heart; for “to cry” signifies interior affection since crying is an effect of such affection; for when man is in interior affection, and from that comes into confession, he cries out; it is from this that “crying” signifies in the Word all spiritual affection, whether of joy or of grief, or some other affection (see above, n. 393, 424). Here adoration from the good of truth is signified, as is evident from what precedes and what follows; from what precedes because it is said “palms in their hands,” which signifies the good of truth in such (as has been shown just above); and from what follows because they cried out, “Salvation unto our God who sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb; and the angels, the elders, and the four animals, fell down before the throne and worshiped God.” Furthermore, all adoration of the Lord, which is confession, is from the good of truth, that is, from good through truths. “A great voice” also signifies truth from good; “voice” signifies truth, and “great” is predicated of good. (That “voice” signifies truth may be seen above, n. 261; and that “great” and “greatness” are predicated of good see also above, n. 336, 337, 424).

sRef Rev@7 @10 S0′ 460. Saying, Salvation unto our God who sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb, signifies confession that eternal life is from the Lord alone. This is evident from the signification of “saying,” as being to confess, for the confession follows; also from the signification of “unto Him who sitteth upon the throne and unto the Lamb,” as being the Lord in relation to Divine good and in relation to Divine truth; that the “one sitting upon the throne” means the Lord in relation to Divine good, and “the Lamb” the Lord in relation to Divine truth may be seen above (n. 134, 253, 297, 314). It is evident also from the signification of “salvation” as being eternal life, for eternal life means in the Word eternal salvation.
sRef Isa@25 @9 S2′ sRef Ps@14 @7 S2′ sRef Isa@49 @6 S2′ sRef Luke@2 @30 S2′ sRef Isa@62 @11 S2′ sRef Luke@2 @31 S2′ sRef Isa@46 @13 S2′ [2] “Salvation unto Him,” signifies that salvation is from Him, since He is salvation; for everything of salvation and of eternal life is from the Lord and is with man and angel; for all the good of love and all the truth of faith with man are the Lord’s with him, and not the man’s; for it is the Divine proceeding, which is the Lord in heaven with the angels and in the church with men, and from the good of love and the truth of faith come salvation and eternal life; so when it is said that salvation is the Lord’s, and that the Lord Himself is salvation, it is clear how this is to be understood, as in the following passages. In Isaiah:
Lo, this is our God; we have waited for Him that He may save us; this is Jehovah; we have waited for Him; let us exult and be glad in His salvation (25:9).
In the same:
My salvation shall not delay; and I will give salvation in Zion, My splendor in Israel (46:13).
In the same:
I have given Thee for a light to the nations, that Thou mayest be My salvation unto the end of the earth (49:6).
In the same:
Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold thy salvation cometh (62:11).
In David:
Jehovah shall give out of* Zion the salvation of Israel, when He shall bring back the captivity of His people (Ps. 14:7; 53:6).
This is said of the Lord, who is here called salvation, from the act of saving, and for the reason that He is salvation with man, for so far as the Lord is with man so far man has salvation. So in Luke:
Simeon said, Mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples (2:30, 31).
Again, this is why the Lord was called “Jesus,” for Jesus means salvation.
sRef Rev@7 @12 S3′ sRef Rev@7 @11 S3′ sRef Rev@7 @17 S3′ sRef Rev@5 @6 S3′ [3] It is said, “who sitteth upon the throne, and the Lamb,” both of these meaning the Lord, “who sitteth upon the throne,” meaning the Lord in relation to Divine good, and “the Lamb” meaning the Lord in relation to Divine truth, both from His Divine Human (as has been shown above in the passages cited). Wherefore, elsewhere, the Lamb alone upon the throne is mentioned, as in Revelation (5:6), “Behold in the midst of the throne a Lamb standing,” also (7:17), “The Lamb who is in the midst of the throne shall feed them;” also in this chapter, the Lamb alone is called God (verses 11, 12), “They fell down before the throne, and worshiped God, saying, Strength unto our God.” The meaning here is similar as when the Lord speaks of “the Father” and “the Son” as if they were two, when yet by “the Father” He meant the Divine in Itself, and by “the Son” His Human from that Divine; this He again clearly teaches when He says that the Father is in Him and He in the Father and that He and the Father are one. The meaning is similar in these words, “who sitteth upon the throne, and the Lamb.” (That also “the Lamb” means the Lord’s Divine Human, and in a relative sense the good of innocence, see above, n. 314.)
* Photolithograph has “in Zion,” the Hebrew “out of Zion” is found in AE n. 811.

sRef Rev@7 @12 S0′ sRef Rev@7 @11 S0′ 461. Verses 11, 12. And all the angels stood around the throne, and the elders and the four animals, and they fell before the throne upon their faces, and worshiped God. Saying, Amen: the blessing, and the glory, and the wisdom, and the thanksgiving, and the honor, and the power, and the strength, be unto our God unto ages of ages: Amen. 11. “And all the angels stood around the throne, and the elders and the four animals,” signifies the conjunction of the Lord with the universal heaven (n. 462); “and they fell before the throne upon their faces, and worshiped God,” signifies thanksgiving from a humble heart that so many have been saved (n. 463). 12. “Saying, Amen,” signifies the Lord in relation to Divine truth from Divine good (n. 464); “the blessing, and the glory, and the wisdom,” signifies that these are from Divine truth that proceeds from the Lord (n. 465); “and the thanksgiving, and the honor,” signifies that these are from the Divine good that proceeds from the Lord (n. 466); “and the power, and the strength,” signifies omnipotence from Divine good through Divine truth (n. 467); “be unto our God unto the ages of ages,” signifies the Lord to eternity (n. 468); “Amen,” signifies confirmation from the Divine (n. 469).

sRef Rev@7 @11 S0′ 462. Verse 11. And all the angels stood around the throne, and the elders, and the four animals, signifies the conjunction of the Lord with the universal heaven. This is evident from the signification of “standing around the throne,” as being conjunction with the Lord; for “who sitteth upon the throne, and the Lamb,” means the Lord alone (as was said just above, n. 460), and “to stand around” signifies conjunction; for in the spiritual world those with whom there is conjunction appear to be present, and those with whom there is no conjunction appear to be absent; also from the signification of “the angels, the elders, and the four animals,” as being those who are in the three heavens, thus who are in the universal heaven, “the angels” meaning those who are in the first or lowest heaven, “the elders” those who are in the second or middle heaven, and “the four animals” those who are in the third or inmost heaven. That “the four and twenty elders” and “the four animals” mean in general the higher heavens, and in particular “the elders” mean those who are in the second or middle heaven, and “the four animals” those who are in the third or inmost heaven, may be seen above (n. 313, 322, 362); from which it follows, that “the angels” here mean the lower heavens. All indeed who are in the heavens are called angels, but those who are in the higher heavens, since they are in greater intelligence and wisdom than the rest, are here called “elders,” and are meant by “the four animals,” so also they stood nearest around the throne, as was seen by John above. It is to be known that John saw a large number of angels, together with “four and twenty elders” and “the cherubim (or four animals),” and not all that are in the heavens, that is, the universal heaven; for this was a prophetic vision, which is such that the things seen are significative; here the few that were seen signified the entire or universal heaven, as “the four and twenty elders” signified the second or middle heaven, and the “four animals,” the third or inmost heaven.

sRef Rev@7 @11 S0′ 463. And they fell before the throne upon their faces, and worshiped God, signifies thanksgiving from a humble heart that so many have been saved by the Lord. This is evident from the signification of “falling upon the face and worshiping,” as being here to give thanks from a humble heart; for “falling upon the face” signifies humiliation of heart, since to fall upon the face corresponds to such humiliation; for all the acts of the body so correspond to the affections of the mind that the two make one by correspondences; thus to fall upon the face before God in worship makes one by correspondence with humiliation of the heart. From this it became a custom with the ancients, and it still continues with many nations, to fall upon the very face in worship; while in the Christian world at present it is the custom simply to fall upon the knees. That “worshiping” signifies thanksgiving that so many have been saved is evident from what precedes and follows; for the salvation of those who have lived in good according to their religions, although they have not had genuine truths, is here treated of; thanksgiving on this account by the universal heaven is what now follows. It is said “they fell upon their faces and worshiped God;” “to fall upon the face” is a testification of humiliation of heart from the good of love, and “to worship God” is a testification of humiliation of heart by truths from that good.

sRef Rev@7 @12 S0′ 464. Verse 12. Saying, Amen, signifies the Lord in relation to Divine truth from Divine good. This is evident from the signification of “Amen,” as being truth; and because the Lord is truth itself (as He teaches in John 14:6), “Amen” in the highest sense signifies the Lord in relation to Divine truth; here this is signified by “Amen” because it is spoken by the angels of the three heavens to the Lord. “Amen” here stands at the beginning of what is said and also at the end to signify that the Lord in relation to Divine truth from Divine good is in things first and in ultimates, or that the Lord Himself is the First and the Last; for Divine truth united to Divine good is the Lord in the heavens, for this is the Divine proceeding from which are all things of heaven, and heaven itself (as may be seen in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 13, 126-140, 275. That to be in things first and in ultimates signifies to be in all things, may be seen above, n. 41, 417, and in Arcana Coelestia, n. 10044, 10329, 10335; and that “Amen” signifies the Lord in relation to Divine truth, see above, n. 228).

sRef John@17 @10 S0′ sRef John@15 @8 S0′ sRef Rev@7 @12 S0′ 465. The blessing, and the glory, and the wisdom, signifies that these are from Divine truth that proceeds from the Lord in the three heavens. This is evident from the signification of “blessing,” as meaning the reception of Divine truth and the fructification from it, whence are felicity and eternal life. (That this is the meaning of “blessing” in the Word, see above, n. 340.) It is evident also from the signification of “glory,” as being the reception of Divine truth in things interior (see above, n. 34, 288, 345); also from the signification of “wisdom” as being the reception of Divine truth in things inmost, for from this is wisdom. These three, “blessing, glory, and wisdom,” are mentioned, because these things are said by the angels of the three heavens (see above, n. 462); and the reception of Divine truth in the lowest or first heaven is called “blessing,” the reception of Divine truth in the middle or second heaven is called “glory,” and the reception of Divine truth in the inmost or third heaven is called “wisdom.” The saying, “The blessing, and the glory, and the wisdom, be unto God unto the ages of ages,” signifies that these are in the heavens from Him, for “blessing, glory, and wisdom,” are said to be “unto God” when they are with those who are in the heavens, for with them are Divine blessing, Divine glory, and Divine wisdom. This the Lord plainly teaches in John:
Herein is My Father glorified, that ye may bear much fruit, and may become My disciples (15:8).
And again:
Father, all Mine are Thine, and all Thine are Mine, and I am glorified in them (17:10).
This is like what is said above, “salvation be unto God” (see above, n. 460). Wherefore it was a custom with the ancients to say, “Blessed be God,” and “Blessing be to God,” likewise, “Glory and wisdom be to God,” by which they did not mean that to Him be blessing, glory, and wisdom, since it is from Him that all blessing, glory, and wisdom come; but they meant that these are from Him with all men. They spoke in this way that the things they had received they might ascribe to God only, and nothing to themselves, and because, speaking thus, they spoke from the Divine, and not from themselves.

sRef Rev@7 @12 S0′ 466. And the thanksgiving, and the honor, signifies that this is from the Divine good that proceeds from the Lord in the three heavens. This is evident from this, that as “blessing, glory, and wisdom,” are predicated of the reception of Divine truth, so “thanksgiving and honor” are predicated of the reception of Divine good; for there are two things that proceed from the Lord, from which are all things in the heavens and on earth, namely, Divine truth and Divine good. Divine truth is the source of all intelligence and wisdom with angels and men, and Divine good is the source of all charity and love with them. These two united proceed from the Lord, so as to be one in their very origin; but with angels and men who receive them they are two, for the reason that there are two receptacles of life with them, which are called the understanding and the will. The understanding is the receptacle of Divine truth, and the will the receptacle of Divine good, or what is the same, the understanding is the receptacle of wisdom from the Lord, and the will is the receptacle of love from the Lord. But so far as these two, Divine truth and Divine good, and thus the understanding and the will, are one with angels and men, so far are they in conjunction with the Lord; but so far as these are not one, angels and men are not in conjunction.
[2] As the Word was given to men in order that by it there may be conjunction of the Lord with angels and with men, therefore in every part of it truth is conjoined to good, and good to truth, since in the Word, especially in the prophecies, there are two expressions, one of them referring to Divine truth, and the other to Divine good; but this conjunction in the Word is seen only by the angels in heaven, and by those on earth to whom it is granted to see the spiritual sense. For there are expressions that have reference to truth, and expressions that have reference to good; so where there are two expressions that have nearly the same meaning, one is significative of such things as belong to truth, and the other of such things as belong to good. There is this union in the Word because the Word is Divine, and from the Divine Divine truth united to Divine good proceeds. (Respecting this union or this marriage of good and truth in the Word, which has been heretofore unknown on earth, see above, n. 238, 288; and in Arcana Coelestia, n. 683, 793, 801, 2516, 2712, 3004, 3005, 3009, 4158, 5138, 5194, 5502, 6343, 7022, 7945, 8339, 9263, 9314.) These things have been said to make known that “blessing, glory, and wisdom,” are predicated of truths from the Divine (as was shown above, n. 465); and that “thanksgiving and honor” are predicated of goods from the Divine. That in the Word “glory” is predicated of truth, and “honor” of good, may be seen above, (n. 288, 345), where it is shown by various passages from the Word. “Thanksgiving” also is here predicated of good, for “blessing” is mentioned above, and blessing is expressed by the mouth by means of truths, while thanksgiving comes from the heart out of good.

sRef Rev@7 @12 S0′ 467. And the power, and the strength, signifies omnipotence from Divine good through Divine truth. This is evident from the signification of “power and strength,” when predicated of the Lord, as being omnipotence; but “power” is predicated of Divine truth, and “strength” of Divine good; thus both “power and strength” signify omnipotence through Divine truth from Divine good. (That “power” [potestas] when predicated of the Lord, means omnipotence, see above, n. 338; and that truths have all power [potentia] from good, or good has all power by means of truths, and that the Lord has omnipotence from Divine good by means of Divine truth, see also above, n. 209, 333; and in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 228-233.) For the sake of the marriage of good and truth in every particular of the Word, mention is made of both “power” and “strength,” otherwise to mention one of them would have been sufficient; this is true also of many other passages.

sRef Ps@103 @17 S0′ sRef Ps@90 @2 S0′ sRef Isa@45 @17 S0′ sRef Isa@26 @4 S0′ sRef Rev@10 @6 S0′ sRef Isa@51 @8 S0′ sRef Rev@11 @15 S0′ sRef Dan@7 @14 S0′ sRef Rev@7 @12 S0′ sRef Rev@5 @14 S0′ sRef Rev@5 @13 S0′ sRef Isa@51 @6 S0′ 468. Be unto our God unto the ages of ages, signifies unto the Lord to eternity; for “our God” means “He who sitteth upon the throne, and the Lamb,” and these two mean the Lord alone; “who sitteth upon the throne” meaning the Lord in relation to Divine good, and “the Lamb,” the Lord in relation to Divine truth (as was said and shown above, n. 460); and “unto the ages of ages” in reference to the Lord signifies eternity. The expression “unto the ages of ages” is used, and not “to eternity,” because “ages of ages” is a natural expression, but “to eternity” a spiritual expression, and the sense of the letter of the Word is natural, while the internal sense is spiritual, and the latter is contained within the former. It is the same elsewhere in the Word. Thus in Daniel:
To the Son of man there was given dominion, and glory, and a Kingdom; His dominion is a dominion of an age, which shall not pass away (7:14).
In Isaiah:
Trust ye in Jehovah, for in Jah Jehovah is the rock of ages (26:4).
In the same:
Israel hath been saved by Jehovah with a salvation of ages; ye shall not be ashamed to the everlasting ages (45:17).
My salvation shall be for an age, and My righteousness shall not be broken. My righteousness shall be for an age, and My salvation for generation and generations (51:6, 8).
In David:
Before the mountains were brought forth, and before the earth and the world were formed, even from age to age, thou art God (Ps. 90:2).
The mercy of Jehovah is from age to age upon them that fear Him (Ps. 103:17).
In Revelation:
To Him be the might unto the ages of the ages. Behold I am alive unto the ages of the ages (1:6, 18).
Again:
Unto Him that sitteth upon the throne and unto the Lamb be the blessing, and the honor, and the glory, and the strength, unto the ages of the ages; and they worshiped Him that liveth unto the ages of the ages (5:13, 14).
Again:
And sware by Him that liveth unto the ages of the ages, who created heaven (10:6).
And again:
The kingdoms of the world are become our Lord’s and His Christ’s; and He shall reign unto the ages of the ages (11:15).
And many other passages. Moreover, “age” in the Word signifies the time from antiquity, as well as time even to the end; it also has a similar signification as world; but these significations of “age” will be treated of elsewhere.

sRef Rev@7 @12 S0′ 469. Amen, signifies confirmation from the Divine, as is evident from the signification of “amen,” as meaning truth, and thence Divine truth, from the Lord (see above, n. 464), but here confirmation from the Divine, because it is the close of the angels’ worship; confirmation from the Divine means that this is Divine truth, and thus that it is so. When anyone speaks Divine truth from the heart the Lord confirms it; confirmation cannot come from any other source. This is the signification of “amen” at the end of prayer. (That “amen” means confirmation from the Divine may be seen above, n. 34.)

sRef Rev@7 @16 S0′ sRef Rev@7 @15 S0′ sRef Rev@7 @14 S0′ sRef Rev@7 @17 S0′ sRef Rev@7 @13 S0′ 470. Verses 13-17. And one of the elders answered, saying to me, These clothed with the white robes, who are they, and whence came they? And I said unto him, Lord, thou knowest. And he said unto me, These are they who come out of the great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and have made their robes white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and they serve Him day and night in His temple; and He that sitteth on the throne shall dwell over them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; neither shall the sun fall on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall guide them unto living fountains of waters; and God shall wipe away every tear from their eyes. 13. “And one of the elders answered, saying to me,” signifies influx out of heaven from the Lord, and perception therefrom (n. 471); “These clothed with the white robes, who are they [and whence came they]?” signifies respecting those who are now in truths, and in the protection of the Lord, of what quality they are and of what they have been (n. 472). 14. “And I said unto him, Lord, thou knowest,” signifies that the Lord alone knows this (n. 473). “And he said unto me, These are they who come out of the great tribulation,” signifies information that these are they that have been in temptations (n. 474); “and have washed their robes,” signifies the removal of falsities by means of temptations (n. 475); “and have made their robes white in the blood of the Lamb,” signifies the implantation of Divine truth from the Lord (n. 476). 15. “Therefore are they before the throne of God,” signifies that for this reason they are conjoined to the Lord (n. 477); “and they serve Him day and night in His temple,” signifies that they are constantly held in truths in heaven (n. 478); “and He that sitteth on the throne shall dwell over them,” signifies the influx of Divine good into truths with them (n. 479). 16. “They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore,” signifies that good and truth shall not fail them, nor consequent felicity (n. 480); “neither shall the sun fall on them, nor any heat,” signifies that evil and falsity from lusts shall not come to them (n. 481). 17. “For the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne shall feed them,” signifies that the Lord will instruct them out of heaven (n. 482); “and shall guide them unto living fountains of waters,” signifies in Divine truths (n. 483); “and God shall wipe away every tear from their eyes,” signifies a state of blessedness from the affection of truth, after falsities have been removed by temptations (n. 484).

sRef Rev@7 @13 S0′ 471. Verse 13. And one of the elders answered, saying to me, signifies influx out of heaven from the Lord, and perception therefrom. This is evident from the signification of “answering and saying,” when predicated of the “elders,” who signify heaven where the Lord is, as being influx and perception, “to answer” meaning influx, and “to say” perception; also from the signification of the “elders,” as being those who are in the second or middle heaven, where those are who are in intelligence, and through whom answers come (of which above, n. 462); and because all influx is from the Lord alone, although through the angels, these words signify influx and perception out of heaven from the Lord. That there is such a meaning in these words may seem strange; but in no other way are these words perceived in heaven. This seems strange because this is said as if it were historical, and historical things conceal the spiritual sense more than those purely prophetical; but all the historical parts of the Word also contain a spiritual meaning, and still more those that are historical-prophetical, which are such as appeared to and were said to the prophets when they were in the vision of the spirit; for all such things are representative and significative; as for instance, “the four and twenty elders” and “four animals” seen by John; this is historical-prophetical, representing and signifying the angels of the higher heavens, as has been shown above; so it follows that “one of the elders speaking to him” was likewise significative, signifying influx and perception out of heaven from the Lord.
sRef Ps@120 @1 S2′ sRef Ps@34 @4 S2′ sRef Ps@13 @3 S2′ sRef Isa@49 @8 S2′ sRef Ps@20 @9 S2′ sRef Ps@4 @1 S2′ sRef Ps@91 @15 S2′ [2] “He answered” does not signify here to answer in the ordinary sense, as can be seen from its being said when there is no question, for to answer implies a question; so here it has reference to thought respecting those who were seen in white robes. Moreover, the expression “to answer” frequently occurs in the Word, and it signifies, in reference to the Lord, influx, inspiration, perception, and information, likewise mercy and aid, as in the following passages. In Isaiah:
In the time of My good pleasure have I answered thee, and in the day of salvation have I helped thee (49:8).
In David:
Save me, O Jehovah; let the king answer us in the day when we call (Ps. 20:9).
In the same:
Answer me when I shall call, O God of my righteousness (Ps. 4:1).
In the same:
Look, answer me, O Jehovah, my God (Ps. 13:3).
In the same:
I call upon Thee, for Thou wilt answer me, O God (Ps. 17:6).
In the same:
I sought Jehovah and He answered me (Ps. 34:4).
In the same:
He calleth* upon Me and I will answer him (Ps. 91:15).
In the same:
In my distress I cried out unto Jehovah, and He answered me (Ps. 120:1);
and elsewhere. In these and other passages, “to answer” means not to answer but to flow into the thought, to give perception, and to give help from compassion; from this it is that “answers,” in reference to the Lord, signify perceptions from influx. It is to be noted that whatever comes from the Lord into the perception is called influx.
* Photolithograph has “call thou,” the Hebrew “he calleth.”

sRef Rev@7 @13 S0′ 472. These clothed with the white robes, who are they, and whence came they? signifies respecting those who are now in truths and in the protection of the Lord, of what quality they are and of what they have been. This is evident from the signification of “clothed with the white robes,” as being those who are now in truths and in the protection of the Lord (of which above, n. 395, 457); also from the signification of “who are these, and whence came they?” as being of what quality they are and of what they have been. “Who are they and whence came they?” signifies of what quality they are and what they have been, because angels in the spiritual world, when they see and meet others, never inquire who they are and whence they come, but of what quality they are; so this is the spiritual idea signified by these words. Angels inquire only respecting the quality of those they see, because the dwelling places of all in the spiritual world are in accordance with the quality of the affections with them, also because asking “who they are” involves person, and “whence they came” involves place; and in the spiritual thought and consequent spiritual speech of the angels there is no idea of person and of place, but in their stead an idea of the thing and of the state in respect to quality; so, too, everyone there is given a name from his quality. (That angels think abstractedly from person and from place, and that their wisdom is from that, see above, n. 99, 100, 270, 325.) From this it can be seen that “Who are they and whence came they?” signifies in the spiritual sense, of what quality they are and of what they have been; their quality is also described in what follows.

sRef Rev@7 @14 S0′ 473. Verse 14. And I said unto him, Lord, thou knowest, signifies that the Lord alone knows this. This is evident from what has been said above (n. 471); namely, that by “one of the elders” who answered, and to whom it is now said “Lord, thou knowest,” is meant out of heaven from the Lord; for whatever in the Word is said to men by angels, is not said by the angels but by the Lord through them, for this reason here and there in the Word the angels that speak are called Jehovah; and for this reason the Word, even where it was spoken by angels, is Divine; for no one of himself, not even an angel, can speak such things as are Divine which are in the Word, nor in fact any truth which is in itself Divine; this the Lord only can do through the angels. This makes clear that “Lord, thou knowest,” signifies that the Lord alone knows it.

sRef Rev@7 @14 S0′ 474. And he said unto me, These are they who come out of the great tribulation, signifies information that these are they that have been in temptations. This is evident from the signification of “he said to me,” as being information; also from the signification of “great tribulation” (or affliction) as being temptations (of which presently). Here something shall first be said about temptations which those in the spiritual world undergo who are in falsities from ignorance, and who are here treated of. In the spiritual world, those only undergo temptations who had lived well in the world according to their religion, in which there were falsities of doctrine which they believed; for by means of temptations falsities are shaken off and truths are implanted, and thus they are prepared for heaven; for all who are to come into heaven must be in truths; therefore so long as they are in falsities they cannot come into heaven. The reason is that Divine truth proceeding from the Lord makes heaven, and makes the life of the angels there; consequently as falsities are the opposites of truths, and opposites destroy, these must first be removed, and they can be removed only by means of temptations. (That temptations perform this use, see in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 187-201, where temptations are treated of.) Such after their life in the body are let into temptations in the spiritual world because they could not be tempted while in the world on account of the falsities of their religion which reigned. Everywhere it is to be noted, that all who are let into temptations are saved; while the evil, who are in falsities from evil, are not tempted, for truths cannot be implanted in them; their evils of life stand in the way; but from these their truths are taken away, and thus they remain in mere falsities, and then they are plunged into hell, to a depth according to the quality of evil from which is falsity. In a word, those who are to come into heaven are vastated in respect to falsities, while those who are to come into hell are vastated in respect to truths; that is, from those who are to come into heaven falsities are taken away, and from those who are to come into hell, truths are taken away; for no one with falsities can enter heaven, and no one with truths can enter hell, since truths from good make heaven, and falsities from evil make hell. The temptations which those undergo with whom falsities are to be scattered are treated of in many passages in the Word, especially in David, and are called “afflictions,” “tribulations,” and “vastations;” but there is no need to cite these passages here, because it can be known without them that “tribulations” and “afflictions,” when predicated of the good, mean in the spiritual sense temptations.

sRef Rev@7 @14 S0′ 475. And have washed their robes, signifies the removal of falsities by means of temptations. This is evident from the signification of “to wash,” as being to purify from falsities and evils, consequently to remove them; for the evils and falsities that are with man, spirit, and angel, are not taken away, but are removed, and when they have been removed the appearance is that they have been taken away (respecting this see in The Doctrine of The New Jerusalem, n. 166, 170) thence “to wash” signifies to remove falsities, and thus to purify. Also from the signification of “robes,” as being protecting truths in general (of which above, n. 395); but “robes” here, before they have been washed and made white, signify falsities from which they have [not yet] been purified; for those who are in falsities from ignorance appear in the spiritual world at first in dusky garments of diverse colors, and while they are in temptations in filthy garments; but when they come out of temptations they appear in white robes, glistening according to their purification from falsities. Each one in the other life appears in garments according to the truths and according to the falsities that are with him;* this is why “garments” signify truths, and in the contrary sense falsities (see above, n. 195, 271). From this the signification of “they have washed their robes and have made them white” can be seen.
sRef 1Ki@7 @23 S2′ sRef 1Ki@7 @29 S2′ sRef 1Ki@7 @32 S2′ sRef 1Ki@7 @28 S2′ sRef 1Ki@7 @35 S2′ sRef 1Ki@7 @36 S2′ sRef 1Ki@7 @33 S2′ sRef 1Ki@7 @34 S2′ sRef 1Ki@7 @37 S2′ sRef 1Ki@7 @30 S2′ sRef 1Ki@7 @39 S2′ sRef 1Ki@7 @38 S2′ sRef 1Ki@7 @31 S2′ sRef 1Ki@7 @25 S2′ sRef Ex@30 @20 S2′ sRef Ex@30 @18 S2′ sRef Ex@30 @19 S2′ sRef 1Ki@7 @24 S2′ sRef 1Ki@7 @27 S2′ sRef 1Ki@7 @26 S2′ [2] In ancient times, when all the externals of the church were representative and significative of things spiritual and celestial, washings were made use of, and they represented purifications from falsities and evils; “washings” had this signification because “waters” signified truths, and “filth” falsities and evils, and all purification from falsities and evils is effected by truths (that “waters” signify truths see above, n. 71). This is why washings were instituted with the sons of Israel by command; for with them there was a representative church, all things of which were significative of things spiritual, and “washings” signified purifications from falsities and evils, and thence regeneration. For this purpose:
A laver of brass was placed at the entrance of the tent of meeting (Exod. 30:18-20);
Also lavers of brass were placed outside of the temple, one great laver which was called the sea of brass, and ten smaller ones (1 Kings 7:23-39).
sRef Ex@29 @4 S3′ [3] Because of this signification of “washings,” when Aaron and his sons were consecrated to the priesthood:
Moses was commanded to wash them with water at the entrance of the tent, and thus to sanctify them (Exod. 29:4; 40:12; Lev. 8:6);
for the priests represented the Lord in relation to Divine good, as kings represented Him in relation to Divine truth, consequently the priests represented also the Divine holiness which is pure without blemish. Aaron and his sons were inducted into this representation by the washing by Moses; therefore it is said that “thus they should be sanctified,” although no sanctity was conferred upon them by the washing.
sRef Ex@30 @21 S4′ sRef Ex@30 @20 S4′ sRef Ex@30 @18 S4′ sRef Ex@30 @19 S4′ [4] It was therefore also commanded that:
Aaron and his sons should wash their hands and feet before entering into the tent of meeting, and before they came near to the altar to minister; and it is said that they were to do this that they die not; and that it should be to them a statute of an age (Exod. 30:18-21; 40:30, 31).
Also that Aaron should wash his flesh before he put on the garments of ministry (Lev. 16:4, 24).
“Washing the hands and feet” signified the purification of the natural man, and “washing the flesh” the purification of the spiritual man. It was therefore commanded also:
That the Levites should be sanctified by being sprinkled with the water of expiation, and by causing a razor to pass over their flesh, and that they should wash their garments (Num. 8:6, 7).
This was done to the Levites because they ministered in the external things of the church under Aaron and his sons, and the purification of the external things of the church was represented by the sprinkling of the water of expiation, by shaving the hairs of the flesh, and by washing the garments.
sRef Lev@15 @11 S5′ sRef Lev@15 @10 S5′ sRef Lev@15 @9 S5′ sRef Lev@15 @6 S5′ sRef Lev@15 @12 S5′ sRef Lev@15 @5 S5′ sRef Lev@15 @7 S5′ sRef Lev@15 @8 S5′ sRef Lev@17 @15 S5′ sRef Lev@14 @9 S5′ sRef Lev@17 @16 S5′ sRef Lev@15 @13 S5′ sRef Lev@14 @8 S5′ sRef Lev@11 @32 S5′ [5] Furthermore, all who were made unclean by touching unclean things also washed themselves and their garments, and were said to be made clean thereby, as:
Those who ate of the dead body of a clean beast, or of what was torn (Lev. 17:15, 16).
One who touched the bed of one who had an issue, or sat upon the vessel that he sat on, or who touched his flesh (Lev. 15:4-12).
It was also commanded that the leper, after his cleansing, should wash his garments, shave off his hair, and wash himself with water (Lev. 14:8, 9).
Also that such vessels as had become unclean by the touch of the unclean, should be passed through water (Lev. 11:32; besides other statutes).
He is much mistaken who supposes that those who washed their flesh or hands and feet, or garments, were cleansed and sanctified, that is, purified from their sins; for sins are not washed away or taken away by water as filth is, but they are washed away, that is, removed, by means of truths and a life according to them, and this alone was what was represented by the washings; for “waters” signify truths, and truths when there is life according to them, purify the man.
sRef Matt@15 @11 S6′ sRef Matt@15 @1 S6′ sRef Matt@15 @2 S6′ sRef Matt@23 @26 S6′ sRef Matt@23 @25 S6′ sRef Matt@15 @18 S6′ sRef Matt@15 @17 S6′ sRef Matt@15 @20 S6′ sRef Matt@15 @19 S6′ [6] That these external things contribute nothing to purification from evils and falsities, is clearly taught by the Lord in Matthew:
Woe unto you Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye cleanse the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first the inside of the cup and of the platter that the outside of them may become clean also (23:25, 26).
Like things were taught by the Lord when the Jews and Pharisees rebuked His disciples for not washing their hands before eating, for He taught:
That by this a man is not rendered unclean, but by every evil that goeth forth from the heart (Matt. 15:1, 2, 19, 20; Mark 7:1-23; Luke 11:38, 39).
From this it can be seen that the Jews by their washings were never sanctified and cleansed from their spiritual defilements, which are the evils going forth from the heart, since these evils reside within; and in the world they have nothing in common with the filth that adheres to the body. It is said that “the inside of the cup and platter must be cleansed that the outside may become clean also;” for the outside with man cannot be cleansed until the inside is cleansed, for the outside is cleansed by means of the inside. “The cup and platter” signify the interiors and exteriors of man, which receive truth and good, for the cup is what contains wine, and the platter is what contains food, and “wine” signifies truth, and “food” has a similar signification as “bread,” namely, good. This makes clear the signification in the spiritual sense of “cleanse first the inside of the cup and of the platter, that the outside may become clean also.”
sRef John@13 @10 S7′ [7] What the Lord says here has a similar meaning as His washing the feet of the disciples, respecting which He thus said to Peter, in John:
He that hath bathed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is wholly clean (13:10).
“He that hath bathed” signifies one who is inwardly clean; and “needeth not save to wash his feet” signifies that then he must be cleansed outwardly, for “the feet” signify the external or natural man (see above, n. 69). More may be seen respecting this arcanum in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 179, 181; and in Arcana Coelestia, where the following are made clear: For a man to be purified, both the internal or spiritual and the external or natural must be purified, and the external by means of the internal, n. 3868, 3870, 3872, 3876, 3877, 3882. The internal man is purified before the external, because the internal is in the light of heaven, and the external in the light of the world, n. 3321, 3325, 3469, 3493, 4353, 8746, 9325. The external or natural man is purified by the Lord through the internal or spiritual, n. 3286, 3288, 3321. A man is not purified until the external or natural man is also purified, n. 8742-8747, 9043, 9046, 9061, 9325, 9334. If the natural man is not purified the spiritual man is closed up, n. 6299; and in respect to the truths and goods of faith and love, it is as it were blind, n. 3493, 3969). The internal man is purified by knowing, understanding, and thinking the truths of the Word, and the external man by willing and doing them. This makes clear how the Lord’s words to Peter must be understood, “He that hath bathed needeth not save to wash his feet;” likewise how the Lord’s words to the Pharisees must be understood, “cleanse first the inside of the cup and of the platter, that the outside may become clean also.”
sRef John@3 @5 S8′ [8] That the internal man is purified by truths which are of faith, and the external by a life according to them, is meant also by these words of the Lord:
Except one be born of water and of the spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God (John 3:5).
“Water” signifying the truths of faith, and “spirit” a life according to them.
sRef Ezek@16 @9 S9′ [9] From this it can now be seen what “washing” signifies in the following passages. In Ezekiel:
I washed thee with waters; yea, I rinsed away thy bloods from upon thee, and I anointed thee with oil (16:9).
This was said of Jerusalem, by which the church is signified; its purification from falsities and from evils is signified by “I washed thee with waters; yea, I rinsed away thy bloods from upon thee,” “to wash with waters” signifying to purify the church by truths, and “to rinse away the bloods” signifying purification from falsities and evils. To imbue the church with the good of love is signified by “I anointed thee with oil,” “oil” meaning the good of love.
sRef Isa@4 @4 S10′ [10] In Isaiah:
When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have washed away the bloods of Jerusalem out of the midst thereof, in the spirit of judgment, and in the spirit of cleansing (4:4).
“To wash away the filth of the daughters of Zion” signifies to purify the affections of those who are of a celestial church from the evils of love of self, “filth” meaning the evil of the love of self,” “daughters” the affection, and “Zion” the church that is in love to the Lord, which is therefore called a celestial church; “to wash away the bloods of Jerusalem” signifies to purify the same affections from the falsities of evil, “bloods” meaning the falsities of evil; “in the spirit of judgment and in the spirit of cleansing” signifies by means of the understanding of truth and the affection of truth, “spirit” meaning the Divine truth proceeding from the Lord, “the spirit of judgment” the understanding of truth therefrom, and “the spirit of cleansing” the spiritual affection of truth, for that is what cleanses.
sRef Job@9 @31 S11′ sRef Job@9 @30 S11′ [11] In Job:
If I shall wash myself in waters of snow, and cleanse my hands with soap, yet wilt thou plunge me into the pit, and mine own garments shall abhor me (9:30, 31).
This means that if one attempts to purify himself by his own efforts, although by means of truths and goods that are or that appear to be genuine, he will yet lead himself into falsities; “to wash oneself” means to purify oneself; “waters of snow” mean truths that are or that appear to be genuine; “soap” means the good from which they come, and “the pit” falsity. That from this come truths falsified is meant by “mine own garments shall abhor me;” “garments” meaning truths, which are said “to abhor one” when they are falsified, and this is done when man from self-intelligence speculates and draws conclusions.
sRef Gen@49 @11 S12′ [12] In Moses:
He washed his vesture in wine, and his covering in the blood of grapes (Gen. 49:11).
This is said of Judah, by whom is here meant the Lord in relation to Divine truth; that He altogether purified this in His Human, when He was in the world, is signified by “he washed his vesture in wine, and his covering in the blood of grapes,” “vesture” and “covering” signifying His Human, and “wine” and “the blood of grapes” Divine truth. (This may be seen explained in Arcana Coelestia, n. 6377, 6378.)
sRef Isa@1 @16 S13′ [13] That “to wash” signifies to purify from falsities and evils is clearly evident in Isaiah:
Wash you, make you pure; put away the evil of your doings from before Mine eyes; cease to do evil (1:16).
Because “to wash” signifies to put away falsities and evils, it is added, “put away the evil of your doings from before Mine eyes; cease to do evil.”
sRef Jer@4 @14 S14′ sRef Ps@51 @7 S14′ sRef Ps@51 @2 S14′ [14] In Jeremiah:
Wash thine heart from wickedness, O Jerusalem, that thou mayest be saved. How long shall the thoughts of thine iniquity lodge in the midst of thee? (4:14).
This has a similar signification. In David:
Wash me from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. Thou shalt purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Thou shalt wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow (Ps. 51:2, 7).
Here “to wash” plainly means to purify from falsities and evils, for it is said, “Wash me from iniquity, and cleanse me from sin,” and afterwards, “Thou shalt wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow;” “to wash from iniquity” means from falsities, and “from sin” means from evils, for “iniquity” is predicated of falsities, and “sin” of evils; and because the water of expiation was prepared from hyssop, it is said, “Thou shalt purge me with hyssop and I shall be clean.”
sRef Jer@2 @22 S15′ [15] In Jeremiah:
Although thou shalt wash thee with niter and take thee** much soap, thine iniquity shall still retain its spots before Me (2:22).
Here, too, it is clear that washings only represented and thence signified spiritual washings, which are purifications from falsities and evils, for it is said, “Although thou shalt wash thee with niter, and take thee much soap, thine iniquity shall still retain its spots.”
sRef Ps@73 @13 S16′ sRef Matt@27 @24 S16′ sRef Ps@73 @14 S16′ [16] Thus also in David:
In vain have I cleansed my heart, and washed my hands in innocence. All the day have I been plagued, and in the mornings was my reproof (Ps. 73:13, 14).
“To wash the hands in innocence” means to bear witness that one is innocent and pure from evils and falsities; for washing the hands was a testification of innocence; as can be seen also from the fact that:
Pilate washed his hands and said, I am innocent of the blood of this righteous person (Matt. 27:24).
sRef John@9 @11 S17′ sRef John@9 @15 S17′ sRef John@9 @6 S17′ sRef John@9 @7 S17′ [17] Because “washings” signified purifications from falsities and evils, and “one blind” signified those who do not see truths, and are therefore in falsities:
The Lord told the blind man whose eyes He anointed with clay made with spittle, to wash himself in the pool of Siloam, and when he had washed himself he came seeing (John 9:6, 7, 11, 15).
The “blind man” here represented those who can see nothing of truth because they are sensual, and see only those things that appear before the external senses, from which come fallacies instead of truths, and to the confirmation of these they apply the sense of the letter of the Word; “the clay made of spittle” signifies sensual truth, such as the Word contains for such persons; “the waters of the lake or pool of Siloam” signify the truths of the Word, for all things, even to the waters in Jerusalem were significative; and “to wash” signifies to purify from fallacies, which in themselves are falsities. From this it can be seen what these things signify in series; for all the miracles and works of the Lord when He was in the world signified Divine celestial and Divine spiritual things, that is, such things as pertain to heaven and the church, and this because they were Divine, and the Divine always operates in ultimates from first things, and thus in fullness; ultimates are such as appear before the eyes in the world. This is why the Lord spoke and the Word was written by means of such things in nature as correspond.
sRef 2Ki@5 @14 S18′ sRef 2Ki@5 @10 S18′ [18] It is similar with the miracle performed on Naaman the leper by command of Elisha, which is thus described in the second book of Kings:
Naaman of Syria, being affected with leprosy, was commanded by a messenger from Elisha to wash himself seven times in the Jordan, and his flesh would come again and he would be clean. At length Naaman went down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan; and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little lad, and he was clean (5:10, 14).
“Naaman a leper of Syria” represented and signified those who falsify the knowledges of truth and good from the Word, for “leprosy” signifies falsifications, and “Syria” the knowledges of truth and good. “The waters of Jordan” signified the truths that introduce into the church, which are the knowledges of truth and good from the Word, for the river Jordan was the first boundary across which the land of Canaan was entered, and “the land of Canaan” signified the church; this is why “the waters of Jordan” signified introductory truths, which are the first knowledges of truth and good from the Word. Because of this signification of “the waters of Jordan,” Naaman was commanded to wash himself in them seven times, which signified purification from falsified truths; “seven times” signifies fully, and is predicated of things holy, such as truths Divine are. Because “seven times” has this signification, it is said that “his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little lad,” the flesh coming again signifying spiritual life, such as those have who are regenerated through Divine truths.
[19] Because “the waters of Jordan” signified the truths that introduce into the church, which are the knowledges of truth and good from the Word, and “washing” therein signified purification from falsities, and consequent reformation and regeneration by the Lord, therefore baptism was instituted, which was first performed in Jordan by John (Matt. 3:11-16; Mark 1:4-13). This rite signified initiation into the knowledges from the Word respecting the Lord, His coming, and salvation by Him; and as man is reformed and regenerated by the Lord by means of truths from the Word, baptism was commanded by the Lord (Matt. 28:19); for it is by means of truths from the Word that man is reformed and regenerated, and it is the Lord who reforms and regenerates. (Respecting this more may be seen in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 202-209.)
sRef Luke@3 @16 S20′ sRef John@1 @33 S20′ [20] It was said by John:
That he baptized with water; but that the Lord would baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire (Luke 3:16; John 1:33).
This means that John only inaugurated them into knowledges from the Word respecting the Lord, and thus prepared them to receive Him, but that the Lord Himself regenerates man by means of Divine truth and Divine good proceeding from Him; for John represented the like as Elijah, namely, the Word; “the waters” with which John baptized signified introductory truths, which are knowledges from the Word respecting the Lord; “the Holy Spirit” signifies Divine truth proceeding from the Lord; and “fire” signifies Divine good proceeding from Him; and “baptism” signifies regeneration by the Lord by means of Divine truths from the Word.
[21] Washings were instituted in the ancient churches, and afterwards baptisms in their place, which nevertheless are only representative and significative rites, in order that heaven might be conjoined with the human race, and in particular with the man of the church; for heaven is conjoined to man when man is in ultimates, that is, in such things as are in the world in regard to his natural man, while he is in such things as are in heaven in regard to his spiritual man; in no other way is conjunction possible. This is why baptism was instituted; also the holy supper; likewise why the Word was written by means of such things as are in the world, while there is in it a spiritual sense, containing such things as are in heaven, that is, that the sense of the letter of the Word is natural, while in it there is a spiritual sense. (That by means of this sense the Word conjoins the angels of heaven with the men of the church, may be seen in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 303-310; and in the small work on The White Horse from beginning to end. That the holy supper likewise conjoins, see in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 210-222, and the same is true of baptism.) But he is much mistaken who believes that baptism contributes anything to a man’s salvation unless he is at the same time in the truths of the church and in a life according to them; for baptism is an external thing, which without an internal contributes nothing to salvation, but it does contribute when the external is conjoined to an internal. The internal of baptism is, that by means of truths from the Word and a life according to them, falsities and evils may be removed by the Lord, and thus man be regenerated, as the Lord teaches (Matt. 23:26, 27), as explained above in this article.
* Photolithograph has “them.”
** Photolithograph has “he take thee.”

sRef Rev@7 @14 S0′ 476. And have made their robes white in the blood of the Lamb, signifies the implantation of Divine truth from the Lord. This is evident from the signification of “making robes white,” as meaning to put off falsities and to put on truths, for “white” and “to be made white,” are predicated of truths, and these are signified by “robes.” (That “white” and “to be made white,” are predicated of truths, see above, n. 196; and that “robes” signify truths in general see above, n. 395.) It is said “made their robes white,” because the garments of those who are in falsities appear in the spiritual world dusky and also spotted, and the garments of those who are in temptations appear filthy; but as soon as they emerge from temptations, as they have then been imbued with Divine truths, white and shining garments without spots appear upon them, as was mentioned just above. This is why “they have made their robes white” signifies that they have put off falsities and put on truths. The above is evident also from the signification of “the blood of the Lamb” as being Divine truth proceeding from the Lord (of which above, n. 329); and because in temptations falsities are shaken off, and truths are implanted, so in general, “they have made their robes white in the blood of the Lamb” signifies the implantation of Divine truth from the Lord. In the sense of the letter of the Word, “the blood of the Lamb” means the passion of the cross, but in the internal or spiritual sense it means Divine truth proceeding from the Lord; for it is by this that man is purified from falsities and evils, that is, his garments are made white. The passion of the cross was the Lord’s last temptation, by which He fully subjugated the hells, and glorified His Human; and when this was accomplished and completed, the Lord sent the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, by which is meant Divine truth proceeding from His glorified Human, as the Lord teaches in John (7:39) and elsewhere. It is by means of Divine truth, when it is received, that man is reformed and regenerated by the Lord and saved, and not by the shedding of blood on the cross. (On this more may be seen in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 293, 294, and in the extracts there from the Arcana Coelestia.) This can be seen from this also, that the garments of angels appear glistening from what is white and bright, not from faith in and thought about the blood of the Lord on the cross, but from Divine truth with them from the Lord; for, as was said above, their garments are all in accord with the truths with them; nor is any angel permitted to think of the Lord’s passion, but only of His glorification, and of the reception by Him of the Divine.

sRef Rev@7 @17 S0′ sRef Rev@7 @15 S0′ 477. Verse 15. Therefore are they before, the throne of God, signifies that for this reason they are conjoined to the Lord. This is evident from the signification of “are before the throne of God,” as being to be conjoined to the Lord. (That conjunction with the Lord is signified by “standing around the throne of God,” may be seen above, n. 462; and the like is signified by “are before the throne of God.”) “Before the throne of God” means before the Lord, for the Lord was upon the throne, as is said in verse 17 following, “The Lamb who is in the midst of the throne shall feed them.”

sRef Rev@7 @15 S0′ 478. And they serve Him day and night in His temple, signifies that they are constantly held in truths in heaven. This is evident from the signification of “serving,” which is said of those who are in truths (of which presently); also from the signification of “day and night,” as being constantly and in every state (of which also presently); also from the signification of “the temple” of God, as being heaven where Divine truth reigns (of which above, n. 220, 391); therefore these words signify that they are constantly held in truths in heaven. This is the signification, because this treats of those who had been during their life in the world in falsities from ignorance, as was shown above; and those who are in falsities from ignorance and yet in good of life according to their religion cannot be saved before the falsities in them have been withdrawn and truths have been implanted in their place; and truths are implanted by means of temptations. When, therefore, these come out of temptations the falsities still remain, although they have been withdrawn by means of truths; for nothing evil and false can be wholly wiped away from man, spirit, or angel, but only withdrawn; for the Lord withholds them from their evils and falsities and holds them in good and truth; and when this is done they seem to themselves to be without evils and falsities. For this reason, unless those who had been in falsities from ignorance in the world were constantly held in truths by the Lord, they would fall back into falsities. This, therefore, is what is meant by “they serve Him day and night in His temple,” “temple” also signifying heaven where truths reign.
[2] Their having been in the good of life according to their religion saves them, indeed, but it does not save so long as they are in falsities, therefore after their life in the world the falsities in them are withdrawn. They cannot be saved before, because good derives its essence from truths; for good is the esse of truth, and truth is the form of good, therefore according to the quality of the truths is the good. From this it is clear that even though one lives well he cannot come into heaven until he is in truths. On this account there are places of instruction for those who are to come into heaven, because no one can come thither until he has been instructed (of this instruction and the places of instruction for those who are to come into heaven, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 512-520).
[3] It is said “they serve Him day and night in His temple,” but this does not mean that they are continually in a temple, or continually in worship and prayers, for this is not done in the heavens. Everyone there, as in the world, is in his vocation and employment, and on occasion, as in the world, in the temple; and yet they are said “to serve God day and night in the temple” when they are constantly in truths; for thus inwardly they constantly serve Him. For every good spirit and angel is his own truth and his own good, for they are the affections of truth and good. Affection or love constitutes the life of everyone; consequently those who are in the affection of truth constantly serve the Lord, even when they are in their vocations, business, and employments, for the affection that is within reigns continually and serves. Moreover, this is the service the Lord desires, but not being constantly in temples and in worship. To be in temples in worship there, and not in truths, is not serving the Lord, but serving the Lord is to be in truths, and to act sincerely and justly in everything; for then the principles of truth, sincerity, and justice, that are with man, serve the Lord. Again, through these, but not through worship alone, a man after his life in the world can be in heaven, for worship without these, consequently without truths, is empty worship, into which no influx enters. In the Word mention is made of “serving” and “ministering,” also of “servants” and “ministers,” and those who are in truths are said to be “servants of the Lord,” and “to serve Him,” while those who are in good are said to be “ministers of the Lord,” and “to minister to Him.” (That those are called “servants” in the Word who are in truths, may be seen above, n. 6; and that those are called “ministers” who are in good, n. 155.)

sRef Rev@7 @15 S0′ 479. And He that sitteth on the throne shall dwell over them, signifies the influx of Divine good into the truths with them. This is evident from the signification of “He that sitteth on the throne,” as being the Lord in relation to Divine good (of which above, n. 297, 343, 460); also from the signification of “dwelling over them,” as being to flow in with good into their truths; for “to dwell” is predicated in the Word of good, thus “dwellers” signify those who are in good; so when “to dwell” is predicated of the Lord, as here, “to dwell over them” signifies the influx of Divine good; this is into truths, because the truths in such are what have just been treated of, also because all who are in the heavens are held in truths by the influx into truths of Divine good from the Lord; for it is only into truths that Divine good can flow, because truths are from good, for they are forms of good; this is why it is necessary for man to be in good, since by it the Lord flows into the truths corresponding to the good.
He is much mistaken who supposes that the Lord flows immediately into truths with man. (This influx is treated of in the Arcana Coelestia, namely, the influx of the Lord is into the good with man, and through the good into the truths that are with him, but not the reverse, n. 5482, 5649, 6027, 8685, 8701, 10153; influx is through good into truths of every kind, but especially into genuine truths, n. 2531, 2554; in good there is a faculty of receiving truths, n. 8321; there is no influx of the Lord into truths separate from good, n. 1831, 1832, 3514, 3564.) From this it can now be seen how the things contained in this and the preceding verses cohere, namely, that those in whom truths from the Lord are implanted by means of temptations, are constantly held in truths by the influx into them of Divine good. (That “to dwell” is predicated in the Word of good, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2268, 2451, 2712, 3613, 8269, 8309, 10153; and that “the dwelling place of the Lord” means heaven and the church in respect to good, consequently the good of heaven and the church, and in reference to man the good with him, n. 8269, 8309.)

sRef Rev@7 @16 S0′ 480. Verse 16. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore, signifies that good and truth shall not fail them, nor consequent felicity. This is evident from the signification of “to hunger,” as being the lack of good, therefore here “they shall not hunger,” means that there will be no lack of good; also from the signification of “to thirst,” as being the lack of truth, therefore here “they shall not thirst” means that there shall be no lack of truth. These same words signify also felicity, because all the felicity and blessedness that angels have in heaven are from and according to the good and truth they receive from the Lord, that is, according to the reception of these. That all heavenly felicity, or all heavenly joy, is in the affection of good and truth, consequently in the marriage of good and truth, in which the angels are, may be seen in the work on Heaven and Hell (n. 395-414). “They shall not hunger” signifies that good shall not fail them, because “bread” signifies the good of love, and “to hunger” is predicated of bread and of food. “They shall not thirst” signifies that truth shall not fail them, because “water” and “wine” signify truth, and “to thirst” is predicated of water and of wine. This is why “to hunger” and “to thirst” are frequently mentioned in the Word, by which are meant not natural hunger and thirst but spiritual hunger and thirst, which are the deprivation, lack, and ignorance of the knowledges of truth and good, together with a desire for them. That this is the signification in the Word of “hungering and thirsting,” or of “hunger and thirst,” may be seen above, (n. 386), where many passages respecting hunger and thirst are cited and explained.

sRef Rev@7 @16 S0′ 481. Neither shall the sun fall on them, nor any heat, signifies that evil and falsity from lusts shall not come to them. This is evident from the signification of “the sun,” as meaning the Lord in relation to Divine love, and with men, spirits, and angels, the good of love to the Lord from the Lord; and as meaning in the contrary sense as here the love of self and evil therefrom out of lusts (of which above, n. 401; and in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 116-125); also from the signification of “heat,” as meaning falsity from that evil, and therefore falsity from lusts; for when man is in heat, that is, when he burns with heat, he craves drink that his heat may be allayed, for he is thirsty; and “to have drink” and “to drink” signifies to imbibe truths, and in the contrary sense, to imbibe falsities, because “water” and “wine,” which are for drink, signify truths.
sRef Jer@17 @7 S2′ sRef Jer@17 @8 S2′ [2] That “heat” signifies falsity from lust or lust for falsity can be seen from the following passages. In Jeremiah:
Blessed is the man that trusteth in Jehovah; and he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, that sendeth out his roots by the river; he shall not see when heat cometh, but his leaf shall be green; therefore he shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall he cease from bearing fruit (17:7, 8).
A man who suffers himself to be led by the Lord is compared to a tree and its growth and fructification, because a “tree” signifies in the Word the knowledge and perception of truth and good, consequently the man in whom these are; “a tree planted by the waters” means a man with whom there are truths from the Lord, “waters” meaning truths; “that sendeth out his roots by the river” signifies the extension of intelligence from the spiritual man into the natural; this is said because a “river” signifies intelligence, and because “roots” are sent forth from the spiritual man into the natural; “he shall not see when heat cometh” signifies not to be affected by the lust of falsity; “but his leaf shall be green” signifies knowledges made alive by truths; “therefore he shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall he cease from bearing fruit” signifies that in a state when there is no truth and no good, there shall be no fear of the loss and deprivation of these, but that even then truths conjoined to good shall be fruitful, “year of drought” signifying a state of loss and deprivation of truth. This is said because with spirits and angels there are alternations of state (respecting which alternations see in the work Heaven and Hell, n. 154-161).
sRef Isa@25 @4 S3′ sRef Isa@25 @5 S3′ [3] In Isaiah:
For Thou art become a stronghold to the poor, a stronghold to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the inundation, a shadow from the heat; for the blast of the violent ones is as an inundation against a wall, as a drought in a dry place; the tumult of strangers shalt Thou humble, the heat by the shadow of a cloud, the branch of the violent ones shall he repress (25:4, 5).
“The poor and needy” signify those who are in the lack of good from the ignorance of truth, and yet have a desire for these; “inundation” and “heat” have reference to evils and falsities that rise up and flow in from the selfhood [proprium] and also from others who are in evil; “the blast of the violent ones” signifies things contrary to the goods and truths of the church; those are called “violent” who endeavor to destroy goods and truths, and “their blast” signifies eagerness to destroy; “the tumult of strangers shalt thou humble” signifies that the Lord will allay and remove the irruption of falsities from evil, “tumult” signifying irruption, “strangers” the falsities from evil, and “to humble” to allay and remove; “he shall repress the heat by the shadow of a cloud” signifies to defend from the lust of falsity, “heat” meaning the lust of falsity, and “the shadow of a cloud” defense from it, for the shadow of a cloud tempers the heat of the sun, and allays its fervor.
sRef Jer@36 @30 S4′ [4] In Jeremiah:
His dead body shall be cast out in the day to the heat, and in the night to the frost (36:30).
This was said of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, after he had burned the scroll written by Jeremiah, which act signifies that the truths of the church will perish by a lust for falsities and a consequent aversion from truths. The kings of Judah represented and thence signified in the Word truths from good, and this king the truth of the church about to perish; “the scroll that he burned” signifies the Word, which is said to be burned when it is falsified and adulterated, and this is done by the lust of falsity from evil; “the dead body” signifies the man of the church without spiritual life, which is had by means of truths from the Word; when this life is extinct, only falsities are desired and truths are avoided, and in consequence man becomes dead, and in the spiritual sense “a dead body.” The lust for falsities is signified by “the heat in the day,” and aversion from the truths by “the frost in the night;” for when the light of heaven, which in its essence is Divine truth, flows in, those who are in falsities from evil become cold with an intensity corresponding to the warmth of the falsity from evil.
sRef Jer@51 @39 S5′ [5] In the same:
When they are heated I will set their banquets and I will make them drunken, that they may triumph, that they may sleep the sleep of an age and not awake (Jer. 51:39).
This is said of Babylon, which signifies the profanation of good and truth. “When they are heated” signifies the warmth and lust of falsifying truths and adulterating goods; “to set their banquets, to make drunken, and to triumph,” signifies to be insane from falsifications to the last degree, “their banquets” signifying the adulterations of good and truth, “drunkenness and rejoicing” insanities in the highest or last degree; “to sleep the sleep of an age and not to awake” signifies not to have perception of truths to eternity.
sRef Hos@7 @7 S6′ [6] In Hosea:
They are all hot as an oven, and devour their judges; all their kings are fallen; not one among them calleth unto Me (7:7).
“To be hot as an oven” signifies their lusting after falsity from the love of it; “they devour judges, and all their kings are fallen” signifies the destruction of all intelligence when the truths that constitute it are lost, “judges” signifying the intelligent, and in an abstract sense the things that belong to intelligence, and “kings” signifying truths; “not one among them calleth unto Me” signifies that no one cares for truths from the Divine.
sRef Job@24 @19 S7′ sRef Job@24 @18 S7′ [7] In Job:
He beholdeth not the way of the vineyards; drought and heat shall seize upon the waters of snow (24:18, 19).
“Not to behold the way of the vineyards” signifies to make the truths of the church of no account; “drought and heat shall seize upon the waters of snow” signifies that the lack of truth, and the consequent lust for falsity will destroy all genuine truths, “the waters of snow” meaning genuine truths.
sRef Isa@49 @9 S8′ sRef Isa@49 @10 S8′ [8] In Isaiah:
He shall say to the bound, Go forth, to them that are in darkness, Reveal yourselves. They shall feed upon the ways, and in all the bare hills shall be their pasture. They shall not hunger nor thirst neither shall the heat or the sun smite them; for He that hath compassion on them shall guide them, even unto springs of waters shall He lead them (49:9, 10).
What the particulars signify need not be explained, for they are similar to those in Revelation now being explained, where it is said “They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore, neither shall the sun fall on them nor any heat smite them; for the Lamb shall feed them and shall guide them unto living fountains of waters.” In Revelation, in like manner as in the prophet, these things are said of the Lord; “the bound, to whom He shall say, Go forth, and those who are in darkness, to whom He shall say, Reveal yourselves,” signify the nations that had lived in good according to their religion, and yet were in falsities from ignorance; these are called “bound” when in temptations; and “darkness” means falsities from ignorance. “The heat shall not smite them” signifies that falsity from lust shall not affect them.
sRef Rev@16 @8 S9′ sRef Rev@16 @9 S9′ [9] In Revelation:
The fourth angel poured out his bowl upon the sun; and it was given unto him to scorch men with fire; and men were heated with great heat, and they blasphemed the name of God (16:8, 9).
These words will be explained hereafter in their proper place. As “the sun” signifies Divine love, so also “heat” signifies an ardent desire for truth, as in Isaiah 18:4; and Zechariah 8:2, where “heat” is attributed to Jehovah, that is, to the Lord. In many passages “anger” and “wrath” are predicated of God, “anger” signifying zeal for good, and “wrath” zeal for truth; for wrath and heat in the original language come from the same word.

sRef Rev@7 @17 S0′ sRef Rev@10 @10 S0′ 482. Verse 17. For the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, signifies that the Lord will instruct them out of heaven. This is evident from the signification of “the Lamb,” as being the Lord in relation to Divine truth (of which see above, n. 297, 343, 464); also from the signification of “throne,” as being heaven (of which also above, n. 253); “in the midst of the throne” signifies in the universal heaven, for “in the midst” signifies in each and every thing, that is, in the whole (see above, n. 213); also from the signification of “to feed” as being to instruct (of which presently). This makes evident that “the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne shall feed them” signifies that the Lord will instruct them out of heaven. It is here said, “the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne shall feed them,” and above, “He who sitteth on the throne shall dwell over them” which makes it very clear that it is the Lord who is meant both by “He who sitteth on the throne,” and by “the Lamb in the midst of the throne,” but “He who sitteth on the throne” means the Lord in relation to Divine good, and “the Lamb in the midst of the throne” means the Lord in relation to Divine truth; for “to dwell,” which is said of Him that sitteth upon the throne, is predicated of good (see above, n. 470); and “to feed,” which is said of the Lamb, is predicated of truths; for “to feed” signifies to instruct in truths.
[2] In the Word of the Old Testament mention is frequently made of “Jehovah” and “God,” also of “Jehovah” and “the Holy One of Israel,” and both mean the Lord alone, “Jehovah” the Lord in relation to Divine good, and “God” and “the Holy One of Israel” the Lord in relation to Divine truth; it is thus said because of the marriage of Divine good and Divine truth in every particular of the Word. That “to feed” signifies to instruct can be seen without further explanation, since it is a custom derived from the Word to call those who teach “pastors” (or feeders), and those who are instructed “a flock;” but why they are so called is not yet known, and shall therefore be told. In heaven where all things that appear before the eyes are representative, representing under a natural appearance the spiritual things that angels think and by which they are affected; thus are their thoughts and affections presented before their eyes in such forms as exist in the world, that is, in forms similar to natural things, and this by virtue of the correspondence that is established by the Lord between spiritual things and natural. (This correspondence has been treated of in many places; also in the work Heaven and Hell, n. 87-102, and 103-115.) It is from this correspondence that in heaven flocks of sheep, lambs, and goats appear feeding in green pastures, and also in gardens; and these appearances spring from the thoughts of those who are in the goods and truths of the church, and who from these think intelligently and wisely. It is from this that mention is so often made in the Word of “flock,” “pasture,” as also of “feeding,” and “feeder” (or shepherd); for the Word in the letter consists of such things as appear in heaven before the eyes, and these signify correspondent spiritual things.
sRef Ps@78 @70 S3′ sRef Isa@40 @11 S3′ sRef Ezek@34 @13 S3′ sRef Jer@23 @2 S3′ sRef Ps@23 @1 S3′ sRef Zeph@3 @13 S3′ sRef Joel@1 @18 S3′ sRef Jer@23 @10 S3′ sRef Ezek@34 @11 S3′ sRef Ps@23 @2 S3′ sRef Isa@30 @23 S3′ sRef Jer@50 @19 S3′ sRef Ps@78 @72 S3′ sRef Ps@78 @71 S3′ sRef Isa@49 @9 S3′ sRef Ps@100 @3 S3′ sRef Ezek@34 @14 S3′ sRef Micah@7 @14 S3′ sRef Micah@5 @4 S3′ sRef Hos@13 @5 S3′ sRef John@21 @15 S3′ sRef Hos@13 @6 S3′ sRef John@21 @16 S3′ sRef Micah@5 @2 S3′ sRef John@21 @17 S3′ [3] As it is known in the church that “to feed” signifies to instruct, “pasture” instruction, and “shepherd” an instructor, a few passages only in which “feeding” and “pasture” are mentioned shall be quoted without further explanation. In Isaiah:
In that day shall thy cattle feed in a broad meadow (30:23).
He shall feed His flock like a shepherd; He shall gather the lambs into His arm, and shall gently lead them that give suck (40:11).
He shall say to the bound, Go forth; to them that are in darkness, Reveal yourselves. They shall feed upon the ways, and in all the bare hills shall be their pasture (49:9).
In Jeremiah:
Against the shepherds that feed My people, ye have scattered My flock. Because of cursing the land mourneth; the pastures of the desert are dried up (23:2, 10).
He shall feed Israel on Carmel and Bashan (50:19).
In Ezekiel:
I will seek My flock and I will search them out. I will feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the watercourses, and in all the inhabited places of the land. I will feed them in a good pasture, and upon the mountains of the height of Israel shall their sheepcote be; there shall they lie down in a good sheepcote, and in a fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel (34:11, 13, 14).
In Hosea:
I did know thee* in the wilderness, in a land of drought; where they had pasture (13:5, 6).
In Joel:
The droves of cattle are perplexed, because they have no pasture; and the droves of sheep are made desolate (1:18).
In Micah:
Out of Bethlehem of Ephrathah shall go forth one who shall stand and feed in the strength of Jehovah (5:2, 4).
Feed Thy people with Thy rod, the flock of Thine heritage; they shall feed in Bashan and Gilead (7:14).
In Zephaniah:
The remnants of Israel shall feed and lie down (3:13).
In David:
Jehovah is my Shepherd, I shall not want; He will make me to lie down in pastures of herbage (Ps. 23:1, 2).
The Lord chose David; from following the ewes giving suck He brought him to feed Jacob His people, and Israel His inheritance; and he fed them in the integrity of his heart (Ps. 78:70-72).
Jehovah hath made us His people, and the flock of His pasture [keri]. Therefore we are His people and the flock of His pasture (Ps. 100:3).
In John:
Jesus said to Peter, Lovest thou Me? He said that he loved Him. He said unto him, Feed My lambs. He said a second time, Feed My sheep. Again He said a third time, Feed My sheep (21:15-17).
Also in many other passages, in which “to feed” signifies to instruct in truths, and “pasture” truths in which they are instructed.
* Photolithograph has “them,” but cf. AE n. 780; AC n. 6078.

sRef Rev@7 @17 S0′ sRef Isa@41 @17 S1′ sRef Isa@41 @18 S1′ 483. And shall guide them unto living fountains of waters, signifies in Divine truths. This is evident from the signification of “living fountains of waters,” as being Divine truths, “living” signifying living from the Divine, “fountain” the Word, and “waters” truths therefrom. “Living waters” are often mentioned in the Word, and by them are meant truths that come from the Lord and are received. These are living, because the Lord is Life itself, as He Himself teaches, and that which comes from Life itself is living; while that which comes from man is dead. That the Lord may give life to truths, He flows into them through good, and good makes alive. The Lord also flows in out of the higher or interior parts, and opens the spiritual mind, and imparts to it the affection of truth; and the spiritual affection of truth is the very life of heaven with man. This life is what the Lord insinuates into man by means of truths. This makes clear what is meant here by “living fountains of waters,” and by “living waters” in the following passages.
[2] In Isaiah:
When the poor and needy seek water and there is none, their tongue faileth for thirst. I will open rivers on the bare heights, and fountains will I place in the midst of the valleys; I will make the wilderness into a pool of waters, and the dry land into springs of waters (41:17, 18).
This treats of the saving of the nations by the Lord, who are called “poor and needy” from the lack and ignorance of truth; their desire to learn truths from those who are in the church, where there were no truths, is described by “they seek waters and there are none, and their tongue faileth for thirst,” “water,” meaning truth, and “thirst” the desire for truth. That the Lord will instruct them is signified by “I will open rivers on the bare heights, and fountains will I place in the midst of the valleys;” “to open rivers” meaning to give intelligence, “on the bare heights” meaning in the interior man, “in the midst of the valleys” in the exterior man, and “to place fountains” to instruct in truths; “to make the wilderness into a pool of waters, and the dry land into springs of waters” signifies abundance of truth with those who before were in the lack and ignorance thereof, “wilderness” meaning where there is no good because there is no truth, and “dry land” where there is no truth and thence no good; a “pool of waters” and “fountains of waters” signify abundance of the knowledges of truth. This makes clear that “waters,” “fountains,” “springs,” “rivers,” and “pools of water,” are not here meant, but the knowledges of truth and intelligence therefrom, whence comes salvation.
sRef Isa@35 @4 S3′ sRef Isa@35 @7 S3′ [3] In the same:
Behold your God will come for vengeance, and will save you. Then the dry place shall become a pool, and the thirsty place springs of water (Isa. 35:4, 7).
This, too, is said of the instruction of the nations in truths, and their reformation by the Lord when He should come into the world; and “the dry place shall became a pool, and the thirsty place springs of waters,” has a similar signification as “the wilderness shall become a pool (or collection) of waters, and the dry land springs of waters,” in the passage above.
sRef Jer@31 @9 S4′ sRef Isa@49 @10 S4′ [4] In Jeremiah:
They shall come with weeping and with supplication will I lead them; I will make them go unto the brooks* of waters in the way of right, they shall not stumble in it (31:9).
This, too, treats of reception of the Lord by the Gentiles; that He would instruct them in genuine truths is signified by “He will lead them unto brooks of waters in the way of right, they shall not stumble in it.” In Isaiah:
They shall not hunger nor thirst, neither shall the heat or the sun smite them; for He that hath compassion on them shall guide them, and unto fountains of waters shall He lead them (49:10).
This also is said of the instruction of the Gentiles by the Lord; instruction in truths is meant by “unto fountains of waters shall He lead them.” (What “to hunger” and “to thirst” signify see above, n. 480; also what “heat” and “sun” signify, n. 481.)
sRef Joel@3 @18 S5′ [5] In Joel:
It shall come to pass in that day that the mountains shall drop down must, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the water-courses of Judah shall flow with waters, and a fountain shall go forth out of the house of Jehovah and shall water the brook of Shittim (3:18).
What is signified by “the mountains shall drop down must, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the water-courses of Judah shall flow with waters,” may be seen explained above (n. 433); and that “a fountain shall go forth out of the house of Jehovah and shall water the brook of Shittim” signifies that there shall be truth out of heaven from the Lord illustrating the knowledges and cognitions that are in the natural man.
sRef Ps@114 @7 S6′ sRef Ps@114 @8 S6′ [6] In David:
Before Thee thou art in travail, O earth, before the God of Jacob; who turned the rock into a pool of waters, the flint into a fountain of waters (Ps. 114:7, 8).
“Pool of waters” and “fountain of waters” here mean truths in abundance, by means of which is the church; for “thou art in travail, O earth,” signifies the commencement of the church, which is said “to be in travail” when truths are brought forth therein, “the earth” meaning the church.
sRef Ps@104 @10 S7′ sRef Ps@104 @11 S7′ sRef Ps@104 @12 S7′ [7] In the same:
Jehovah sendeth forth springs into the brooks; they go between the mountains. They give drink to the wild beast of the fields; the wild asses quench their thirst. By them the fowl of the heavens dwell (Ps. 104:10-12).
“To send forth springs into the brooks” signifies to give intelligence by means of truths from the Word; “they go between the mountains” signifies that truths will be from the good of love; “the springs” meaning truths from the Word, “the brooks” the things that are of intelligence, and “mountains” the good of love. The instruction of those who are in the good of the church is signified by “they give drink to the wild beast of the fields;” the instruction of those in the church who desire truths is signified by “the wild asses quench their thirst;” that the understanding is thus perfected is signified by “the fowl shall dwell by them.” “The wild beast of the fields” mean in the spiritual sense the Gentiles that are in the good of life, “the wild asses” natural truth, “thirst” the desire for truths, and “the fowl of the heavens” thoughts from the understanding.
sRef Jer@2 @13 S8′ [8] In the highest sense, a “fountain” means the Lord in relation to Divine truth or Divine truth from the Lord, consequently the Word, as can be seen from the following passages. In Jeremiah:
My people hath done two evils; they have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, to hew out for themselves cisterns, broken cisterns, that hold no waters (2:13).
Here Jehovah, that is, the Lord, calls Himself “the fountain of living waters,” which signifies the Word, or Divine truth, consequently the Lord Himself, who is the Word; for it is said, “they have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters.” “To hew out for themselves cisterns, broken cisterns, that hold no waters,” signifies to frame for themselves doctrinals from self-intelligence, in which there are no truths, “cisterns” meaning doctrinals, “broken cisterns” doctrinals that do not hold together, “that hold no waters” signifies in which there are no truths. Such are the doctrinals that are not from the Word, that is, from the Lord through the Word (for the Lord teaches through the Word), but are from self-intelligence; that these are not from the Lord through the Word is meant by “they have forsaken the fountain of living waters.”
sRef Jer@17 @13 S9′ [9] In the same:
All that forsake Thee shall be ashamed, and they that depart from Me shall be written on the earth, because they have forsaken the fountain of living waters, Jehovah (Jer. 17:13).
Here in like manner Jehovah, that is, the Lord, calls Himself “the fountain of living waters” from the Divine truth, which is from Him; “to be written on the earth” signifies to be damned (see above, n. 222).
sRef Ps@36 @8 S10′ sRef Ps@36 @9 S10′ [10] In David:
They shall be filled with the fatness of Thy house; and Thou makest them drink of the brook of Thy delights; for with Thee is the fountain of life, in Thy light shall we see light (36:8, 9).
“Fatness” signifies the good of love, and “the brook of delights” truth from that good; “to make to drink” means to teach; “with Thee is the fountain of life” signifies that with the Lord and from Him is Divine truth; because that is what is signified by “the fountain of life” it is added, “in Thy light shall we see light,” for “the light of the Lord” means Divine truth.
sRef Zech@13 @2 S11′ sRef Zech@13 @1 S11′ [11] In Zechariah:
In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for impurity. And in that day I will cut off the names of the idols out of the land; and I will cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to pass out of the land (13:1, 2).
This also treats of the Lord’s coming. That those who are in the Lord’s kingdom will then understand the Word, that is, the Divine truth therein, is signified by “In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem,” “a fountain” signifying the Word, “the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem” the Lord’s spiritual kingdom. The Lord’s spiritual kingdom is with those in the heavens and on the earth who are in Divine truths; “for sin and for impurity” signifies the removal of evils and falsities by means of truths from the Word. Because the Word or the Divine truth therein is meant by a “fountain” it is said, “In that day I will cut off the names of the idols out of the land, and I will cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to pass out of the land;” “idols” signifying a false religion, “prophets” false doctrine, and “the unclean spirit” evils flowing from the falsities of doctrine; for when a man lives according to the falsities of religion and doctrine he becomes an unclean spirit.
sRef John@4 @10 S12′ sRef John@4 @16 S12′ sRef John@4 @17 S12′ sRef John@4 @18 S12′ sRef John@4 @9 S12′ sRef John@4 @12 S12′ sRef John@4 @13 S12′ sRef John@4 @11 S12′ sRef John@4 @15 S12′ sRef John@4 @14 S12′ sRef John@4 @7 S12′ sRef John@4 @5 S12′ sRef John@4 @20 S12′ sRef John@4 @6 S12′ sRef John@4 @8 S12′ sRef John@4 @19 S12′ [12] That Divine truth from the Lord is meant by a “fountain” the Lord Himself teaches in plain words in John:
When the Lord sat by Jacob’s fountain in the field of Samaria, He said to the woman of Samaria, Everyone that drinketh of this water shall thirst again; but whosoever shall drink of the water that I shall give him shall not thirst forever; but the water that I shall give him shall become in him a fountain of water springing up unto everlasting life (4:5-20).
It is clear that the “water” that the Lord gives does not mean water, but Divine truth; for it is said that in drinking of the water the woman of Samaria came to draw, one thirsts again, but not of the water that the Lord gives. That “that water shall become in him a fountain of water springing up unto everlasting life” means that in that truth is life. That there is life in truths when the Lord gives them may be seen in this article above. The Lord said these things to the woman of Samaria, when He sat by Jacob’s fountain, because by the “Samaritans” the Lord meant the Gentiles that were to receive Divine truths from Him; and by the “woman of Samaria” a church constituted of such; and by “Jacob’s fountain” Divine truth from Himself, that is, the Word.
sRef Gen@49 @22 S13′ sRef Ps@87 @7 S13′ sRef Ps@68 @26 S13′ sRef Isa@12 @3 S13′ sRef Deut@33 @28 S13′ sRef Rev@21 @6 S13′ [13] In Moses:
Thus Israel dwelt securely alone by the fountain of Jacob (Deut. 33:28).
This is in the prophecy of Moses respecting the sons of Israel, in the conclusion of that prophecy. Because “Israel” here signifies the church that is in Divine truths from the Word, therefore it is said “by the fountain of Jacob,” which means the Word; so, too, the Lord in relation to the Word, for He is the Word because He is Divine truth, as He Himself teaches in John (1:1-3, 14). This is said at the end of that prophecy, because in that prophecy the Word is treated of. “Fountain” has a similar meaning in the prophecy of Israel the father respecting Joseph:
The son of a fruitful one is Joseph, the son of a fruitful one by the fountain (Gen. 49:22).
“Fountain” here means the fountain of Jacob, for the field that contained that fountain was given to Joseph by his father (John 4:5, 6). What is signified by “Joseph the son of a fruitful one, the son of a fruitful one by the fountain,” may be seen above (n. 448). A “fountain” also means the Word, and “fountains” mean Divine truths from the Word, in David:
Bless ye God in the congregations, the Lord from the fountain of Israel (Ps. 68:26).
In Revelation:
I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely (21:6).
In Isaiah:
Then with gladness shall ye draw waters out of the fountains of salvation (12:3).
In David:
All my fountains are in Thee, Jehovah (Ps. 87:7).
sRef Jer@51 @36 S14′ [14] As most things in the Word have also a contrary sense, so have “fountain” and “fountains,” and in that sense they signify the doctrine of falsities, and falsities of doctrine. Thus in Jeremiah:
I will dry up her sea and make her fountain dry (51:36).
This is said of Babylon; and her “sea” signifies falsities in one complex, and “fountain” the doctrine of falsity.
sRef Hos@13 @15 S15′ [15] In Hosea:
An east wind shall come, the wind of Jehovah, coming up from the wilderness; and his fountain shall become dry, and his spring shall be dried up (13:15).
This is said of Ephraim, and by him is here meant a perverted understanding of the Word which confirms falsities by means of the Word; its destruction is signified by “his fountain shall become dry, and his spring shall be dried up by the east wind, the wind of Jehovah from the wilderness;” “his fountain” meaning the doctrine of falsity thence, “spring” its falsity, and “the east wind from the wilderness” its destruction by fallacies that are from external sensual things; for external sensual things, when they are not illustrated from things internal, destroy man’s understanding, because all fallacies are from that source.
sRef Ps@74 @15 S16′ sRef Ps@74 @14 S16′ sRef Ps@74 @13 S16′ [16] In David:
Thou hast broken up the sea by Thy strength; Thou hast broken the heads of the whales in the waters. Thou hast crushed in the heads of leviathan, and hast given him to be food to the people, for the Ziim. Thou didst cleave fountains and brooks; Thou hast dried up the rivers of strength (Ps. 74:13-15).
Here, too, “fountains” and “brooks” signify false doctrine, which is from self-intelligence; “the rivers of strength” are confirmed principles of falsity therefrom; “the whales” and “leviathan” signify knowledges [scientifica] belonging to the sensual and natural man, from which is all falsity when the spiritual man is closed over them. The sensual and natural man are the seat of what is man’s own [proprium], therefore conclusions drawn from those alone are conclusions from one’s own [proprium] or from self-intelligence; for the Divine flows in through the spiritual man into the natural, and not into the natural when the spiritual is closed over it, but the spiritual man is opened by means of truths and a life according to them. The “people, the Ziim to whom leviathan is to be given for food,” signify those who are in infernal falsities.
* Photolithograph has “fountains,” the Hebrew “brooks.”

sRef Rev@7 @17 S0′ 484. And God shall wipe away every tear from their eyes, signifies a state of blessedness from the affection of truth, after falsities have been removed by temptations. This is evident from the signification of “wiping away tears from the eyes,” as being to take away grief of mind on account of falsities and from falsities; and as blessedness through truths from good follows when that grief ceases after the temptations that have been endured, so this too is signified; for angels have all their blessedness through truths from good, or through the spiritual affection of truth; the spiritual affection of truth is from good, and good constitutes it. This is the source of all blessedness with angels, because Divine truth proceeding from the Lord constitutes heaven in general and in particular, therefore those who are in Divine truths are in the life of heaven, consequently in eternal blessedness.
sRef Isa@25 @8 S2′ [2] A “tear from the eyes” signifies grief of mind on account of falsities and from falsities, because the “eye” signifies the understanding of truth; a “tear” therefore signifies grief because there is no understanding of truth, consequently because of falsities. “Tear” has a similar signification in Isaiah:
He will swallow up death forever, and the Lord Jehovih will wipe away tears from off all faces (25:8).
This signifies that the Lord by His coming will remove evils and falsities with those who live from Him, so that there will be no grief of mind on account of them and from them; “death” signifies evil, because spiritual death is from it; and “tear” is predicated of falsity.
[3] It is to be noted, that both “shedding tears” and “weeping” signify grief on account of falsities and from falsities, but “shedding tears” grief of mind, and “weeping” grief of heart on account of falsities. Grief of mind is grief of the thought and understanding, which pertain to truth, and grief of heart is grief of the affection or will, which pertain to good; and as there is everywhere in the Word a marriage of truth and good, both “weeping” and “tears” are mentioned in the Word when grief is expressed on account of falsities of doctrine or of religion. That “weeping” means grief of heart can be seen from the fact that “weeping” bursts forth from the heart and breaks out into lamentations through the mouth; and that “shedding tears” is grief of mind can be seen from this, that it issues forth from the thought through the eyes. In both weeping and in the shedding of tears water comes forth which is bitter and astringent, and this occurs through an influx into man’s grief from the spiritual world, where bitter water corresponds to the lack of truth because of falsities, and to consequent grief; therefore those who are in truths grieve on account of falsities. From this it can be seen why it is that in the Word, where “tears” are mentioned “weeping” also is mentioned, namely, that it is on account of the marriage of good and truth in every particular of the Word.
sRef Jer@31 @16 S4′ sRef Isa@16 @9 S4′ sRef Jer@9 @18 S4′ sRef Mal@2 @13 S4′ sRef Jer@9 @1 S4′ sRef Lam@1 @2 S4′ sRef Jer@13 @17 S4′ sRef Ps@126 @6 S4′ sRef Ps@126 @5 S4′ sRef Ps@6 @6 S4′ [4] I will only adduce the following passages in evidence of this. In Isaiah:
I will weep with weeping for Jazer, the vine of Sibmah; I will water thee with my tears, O Heshbon and Elealeh (16:9).
In Jeremiah:
In secret places my soul shall weep, and mine eyes shall run down with tears (13:17).
In the same:
Who will give mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I may weep day and night (9:1).
In Lamentations:
In weeping she will weep in the night, and her tears are on her cheeks (1:2).
In Malachi:
Covering the altar of Jehovah with tears, with weeping, and with sighing (2:13).
In David:
They that sow with tears and he that weeping beareth the casting of seed (Ps. 126:5, 6).
In Jeremiah:
Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears (31:16).
In the same:
Let the mourning-women make haste and take up a lamentation over us, that our eyes may flow down with tears (9:18).
Here we have “lamentation” in place of weeping, because it is the voice of weeping. In David:
I am weary with my sighing, all the night do I bathe my bed; with my tears I make my couch to melt (Ps. 6:6).
Here “to bathe the bed” means by weeping, which is of the mouth, because it is said of sighing; while “to drench the couch,” which has a like meaning, has reference to tears. These passages have been cited that from them also it may be known that two like expressions in the Word, especially in the Prophets, are not vain repetitions, but that one has reference to good, and the other to truth.


Revelation 8

1. And when he opened the seventh seal there was silence in heaven as it were for half an hour.
2. And I saw the seven angels who stood before God; and there were given unto them seven trumpets.
3. And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there were given unto him much incense that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which is before the throne.
4. And the smoke of the incense with the prayers of the saints ascended out of the angel’s hand before God.
5. And the angel took the censer, and filled it from the fire of the altar, and cast it unto the earth; and there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings, and an earthquake.
6. And the seven angels having the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.
7. And the first angel sounded, and there was hail and fire mingled with blood; and they were cast unto the earth; and the third part of the trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.
8. And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea; and the third part of the sea became blood.
9. And there died the third part of the creatures in the sea having souls; and the third part of the ships was destroyed.
10. And the third angel sounded, and there fell from heaven a great star, burning as a lamp; and it fell upon a third part of the rivers and upon the fountains of the waters.
11. And the name of the star is called Wormwood; and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were bitter.
12. And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, that the day shone not for the third part of it, and the night likewise.
13. And I saw, and I heard one angel flying in midheaven, saying with a great voice, Woe, woe, woe, to those that dwell on the earth, from the remaining voices of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound.

sRef Rev@8 @2 S0′ sRef Rev@8 @4 S0′ sRef Rev@8 @3 S0′ sRef Rev@8 @1 S0′ 485. EXPOSITION.
Verses 1-4. And when he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven as it were for half an hour. And I saw the seven angels who stood before God; and there were given unto them seven trumpets. And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which is before the throne. And the smoke of the incense with the prayers of the saints ascended out of the angel’s hand before God. 1. “And when he opened the seventh seal,” signifies prediction respecting the last state of the church (n. 486); “there was silence in heaven,” signifies astonishment that the church is such and that its end is at hand (n. 487); “as it were for half an hour,” signifies a time corresponding to, or the delay before, the preparation of all things for undergoing the changes that follow (n. 488). 2. “And I saw the seven angels who stood before God,” signifies all the heavens more interiorly and more closely conjoined to the Lord (n. 489); “and there were given unto them seven trumpets,” signifies influx from them, and consequent changes of state and separations (n. 489). 3. “And another angel came and stood at the altar,” signifies the conjunction of heaven with the Lord through celestial good (n. 490); “having a golden censer,” signifies the conjunction of that good with spiritual good, and thus the conjunction of the higher heavens (n. 491); “and there was given unto him much incense,” signifies truths in abundance (n. 492); “that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which is before the throne,” signifies the conjunction [of the heavens] with those who must be separated from the evil and saved (n. 493). 4. “And the smoke of the incense with the prayers of the saints ascended out of the angel’s hand before God,” signifies the conjunction of all with the Lord (n. 494).

sRef Rev@8 @1 S0′ 486. Verse 1. And when he opened the seventh seal, signifies the prediction respecting the last state of the church. This is evident from the signification of “opening a seal,” as being to foretell and manifest the successive states of the church (as above, n. 352, 361, 369, 378, 390, 399); also from the signification of “seventh,” as being what is full and consummated (of which above, n. 257, 299), thence also the last, for what is full and consummated is also the last. It is the last state of the church when there is no truth because there is no good, or what is the same, when there is no faith because there is no charity (that then is the last state of the church see in the small work on The Last Judgment, n. 33-39); what took place in this state is predicted in what now follows.
[2] That which took place and is here predicted, occurred in the spiritual world before the judgment; for the state of the church in the spiritual world was then similar to that in the natural world, but under another appearance. In the spiritual world there are societies, distinguished according to the affections of good and truth and their varieties, and each one after death comes into one of these according to his affection. It is not so in the natural world. Because of these distinctions in the spiritual world, the church appears there such as it is on the earth, and the church in the two worlds also makes a one by correspondences. When it was the last state of the church in the spiritual world, all the things that are foretold in what now follows were accomplished; some of these shall be related in the following pages, because they were seen.

sRef Rev@8 @1 S0′ 487. There was silence in heaven, signifies astonishment that the church is such and that its end is at hand. This is evident from what follows, which describes the destruction of the church and the damnation of all in whom there was no church; that is, in whom there was no conjunction of truth and good or of faith and charity; for this conjunction makes the church in everyone. As these things, when the seventh seal was opened, were perceived in heaven, and therefore engaged the minds of angels, there was astonishment, and from astonishment silence. “Silence” has many significations; in general it signifies all things that cause it, and among these it is especially induced by astonishment.

sRef Rev@8 @1 S0′ 488. As it were for half an hour, signifies a time corresponding to, or the delay before, the preparation of all things for undergoing the changes that follow. It is said “half an hour” because a “half” signifies as much as is correspondent and as much as is sufficient, and an “hour” signifies a delay. “Hour” is frequently mentioned in the Word, by which duration greater or less is meant, but the period of a certain hour is not thought of; and when a number is added, as when it is said the first, the second, the sixth, the tenth, or the twelfth hour, the duration of state is signified, and then also the quality of state according to the signification of the number added. (Of the signification of “hour” see above, n. 194; and that “half” signifies as much as is correspondent, and as much as is sufficient, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 10255.)

sRef Rev@8 @2 S0′ 489. Verse 2. And I saw the seven angels who stood before God, signifies the heavens more interiorly and more closely conjoined to the Lord. This is evident from the signification of “seven angels,” as meaning all the heavens; “seven” signifying all persons and all things (see above, n. 257, 299), and “angels” signifying the heavens (see also above, n. 90, 302, 307); also from the signification of “standing before God,” as being to be conjoined to the Lord (of which see above, n. 462, 477). Why “the seven angels who stood before God” signify that now all the heavens were more interiorly and more closely conjoined to the Lord, will be explained in the following article.
[2] And there were given unto them seven trumpets, signifies influx from them, and consequent changes of state and separations. This is evident from the signification of “trumpet” or “horn,” as meaning Divine truth that is to be revealed, and is revealed clearly and plainly (of which see above, n. 55, 262), here the influx of Divine good and truth through the heavens from the Lord, for through that influx all changes and separations are effected, which are treated of in what follows; for each time an angel sounded a trumpet, a change is described and a separation was effected; therefore “sounding a trumpet” in what follows, signifies influx.
[3] That all changes of state and separations of the evil from the good, and of the good from the evil, that occurred before the judgment and during the judgment, were effected by an interior influx, more intense or more moderate, of divine good and truth from the Lord out of heaven, has been said and shown above (n. 413, 418, 419, 426); also how it was done, and the kind of effect that followed; this is signified by “the angel filled the censer with the fire of the altar, and cast it unto the earth” (verse 5), and afterwards that “the angels sounded.” As this was done by the Lord through the heavens, therefore the Lord first conjoined the heavens to Himself more interiorly and closely, for otherwise the heavens also would have been endangered; therefore this is signified by “the seven angels stood before God,” “to stand before God” meaning to be conjoined to Him; and when they are conjoined to Him more interiorly and closely, those in whom there is no spiritual good are separated; for it is spiritual good only that conjoins, and not any external or natural good that does not derive its essence, and its existence, from spiritual good. [4] This separation of the evil from the good when the Lord conjoins the angels to Himself more interiorly and closely by a strong influx into their spiritual good, and through this into the interiors of the evil, may be comprehended by those who are in some measure of intelligence; for through such influx the interiors in the evil also who have only feigned goodness in externals are opened, and when their interiors are opened the evils and falsities that lie inwardly concealed are manifested; this is done because they have no spiritual good; and external good without spiritual good is only apparent good, in itself feigned and hypocritical. That it is such is not evident until the interiors are uncovered and laid open. Spiritual good is formed with man by the Lord by means of truths and a life according to them; but external good, separate from internal spiritual good, is formed by a moral life having for its end self and the world, or honors, gain, and the enjoyments of the flesh; and if these alone are considered, Divine truths are regarded as of no account except as means of acquiring reputation; and this has as its sole end the external things above mentioned. (Of internal and external good with the good, and of these with the evil, see in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 36-53.) These things have been mentioned in advance in order that what follows may be understood. (See also what has been said and shown on this subject in the places cited above, n. 413, 418, 419, 426.)

sRef Rev@8 @3 S0′ 490. Verse 3. And another angel came and stood at the altar, signifies the conjunction of heaven with the Lord through celestial good. This is evident from the signification of an “angel,” as being heaven (of which presently); also from the signification of “altar,” as being the good of love to the Lord (of which also presently). An “angel” signifies the angelic heaven because the things seen by John were representative; and as heaven could not be presented to his view, therefore instead of the heavens angels were seen; as also above, “seven angels who stood before God” (n. 488); so also “four and twenty elders and four animals” which represented the heavens (above, n. 313, 332, 362, 462); so here, “the angel who stood at the altar.” The angels seen by John represented heaven, because the whole heaven before the Lord is as one angel-man, likewise each society of heaven; also because the angel derives his angelic form, which is the human form, from the universal heaven. (Respecting this see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 51-58, 59-67, 68-72, 73-77, 78-86, where this arcanum is fully unfolded.) For this reason when an angel appears representatively, he represents either the society of heaven from which he is, or many societies together, or the universal heaven in respect to that in heaven and the church that is treated of. That “angels” in the Word signify entire societies in heaven, and also the whole heaven, may be seen above (n. 90, 302, 307). This angel “who stood at the altar” signifies the inmost or third heaven, because the “altar” signifies the good of love to the Lord, and all who are in the inmost or third heaven are in that good.
[2] An altar was seen in heaven not because any altar exists there such as the Israelitish nation had; but as that altar is frequently mentioned in the Word, and it signifies the good of love to the Lord and worship from that good, so an altar was seen by John, by whom the Word was also written, in order that the Word may be everywhere consistent with itself. For a similar reason he saw a golden altar, which was for the offering of incense, also a censer and incense, which are also presently mentioned; as also the ark of the Covenant (chap. 11:19). For many representatives appear in heaven to those who stand below, which nevertheless do not actually exist there, but are only representative forms of such things as the angels there are thinking from the influx of the Lord; consequently they are all significative of Divine things; as for instance, animals appeared which were cherubim, also a book sealed with seven seals, and at the opening of the first four seals there went forth horses, besides other like things mentioned elsewhere. So here also an altar, a censer, and incense appeared, which were exhibited before John’s sight because these are mentioned in the Word and there signify things Divine, and because the Word in Revelation was to be written by means of similar things. There were two altars in use with the Israelitish nation, one called “the altar of burnt-offering,” the other “the altar of incense,” and because this one was overlaid with gold it was called “the golden altar.” The altar of burnt-offering was a representative of the Lord and of the worship of Him from celestial good; and the altar of incense was a representative of the Lord and of the worship of Him from spiritual good. Celestial good is the good of love to the Lord, and spiritual good is the good of charity towards the neighbor. But what altars represented and signified in general and in particular, may be seen above (n. 391).

sRef Rev@8 @3 S0′ 491. Having a golden censer, signifies the conjunction of celestial good with spiritual good, and thus the conjunction of the higher heavens. This is evident from the signification of a “censer,” as being worship from spiritual good, for such worship was represented by incense from the censers (see above, n. 324). “Having a golden censer” signifies the conjunction of celestial good with spiritual good, because the angel standing at the altar had a censer, and the “altar” signifies worship from celestial good, and “a golden censer” spiritual good from celestial good, “gold” signifying celestial good. The censers that were in use with the Jewish and Israelitish nation were of brass; and the offerings of incense from those censers represented worship from spiritual good, and conjunction at the same time with natural good, for “brass” signifies natural good; so here “a golden censer” signifies the conjunction of celestial good with spiritual good. It also signifies the conjunction of the two higher heavens, because the good of the inmost heaven is celestial good, and the good of the middle heaven is spiritual good; when therefore the conjunction of these goods is mentioned, the conjunction of the heavens is also meant, because the good is what constitutes the heaven. Celestial good is the good of love to the Lord, and it constitutes the highest or inmost heaven; and spiritual good is the good of love towards the neighbor, and it constitutes the heaven next below, which is called the second or middle heaven.
sRef Isa@43 @23 S2′ [2] “Frankincense” in the Word signifies spiritual good, the same as the censer that contained it (where the containant is taken for the content), as can be seen in the following passages. In Isaiah:
I have not made thee to serve by a meal-offering, nor wearied thee by frankincense (43:23).
“A meal-offering and frankincense” are mentioned, because the “meal-offering,” which was made of fine flour and was therefore bread, signifies celestial good, consequently “frankincense” signifies spiritual good. Both are mentioned because in every part of the Word there is a marriage of good and truth, that is, where it treats of good it also treats of truth, and spiritual good in its essence is truth; this shows that “frankincense” means spiritual good, or the truth of celestial good. This can be seen further from other passages in which “meal-offering” and “frankincense” are mentioned together. Thus in Isaiah:
Causing the meal-offering to ascend, offering frankincense (66:3).
sRef Lev@2 @15 S3′ sRef Isa@66 @3 S3′ sRef Jer@17 @26 S3′ sRef Mal@1 @11 S3′ sRef Ps@141 @2 S3′ sRef Lev@2 @2 S3′ sRef Lev@2 @1 S3′ [3] In Jeremiah:
They shall offer the whole burnt-offering and the sacrifice, the meal-offering and frankincense (17:26).
“Burnt-offering” also signifies worship from the good of celestial love, and “sacrifice” worship from the good of spiritual love; these two goods are signified also by “meal-offering and frankincense.” The like is true of “meal-offering and incense-offering,” for the incense-offering was chiefly of frankincense. In Malachi:
In every place incense is offered to My name, and a clean meal-offering (1:11).
In David:
My prayers are accepted as incense before Thee; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening meal-offering (Ps. 141:2).
Therefore:
Oil was poured upon the meal-offering, and frankincense put on it (Lev. 2:1, 2, 15).
This was done that the meal-offering might represent the conjunction of celestial good and spiritual good, for “oil” signified celestial good, and “frankincense” spiritual good.
sRef Lev@24 @7 S4′ [4] So again:
Frankincense was put upon the bread of faces in the tabernacle (Lev. 24:7);
and this was done on account of the conjunction of the two kinds of good, for the “bread” signified celestial good, and “frankincense” spiritual good; so when the frankincense was put upon the bread the conjunction of the two goods was represented. For the sake of representing the conjunction of celestial good and spiritual good, a table for the bread was placed in the tabernacle, and on the other side an altar for incense offerings was placed.
sRef Ezek@16 @18 S5′ sRef Matt@2 @11 S5′ sRef Isa@60 @6 S5′ [5] Where “meal-offering and frankincense” are not mentioned, “oil and frankincense” are mentioned, and “gold and frankincense,” since “oil” and “gold,” in like manner as “meal-offering,” signify celestial good. “Oil and incense” are mentioned in Ezekiel:
Thou hast taken my oil and my incense and hast set them before them (16:18).
“Gold and frankincense” are mentioned in Isaiah:
All they from Sheba shall come; they shall bring gold and frankincense, and they shall proclaim the praises of Jehovah (60:6).
And in Matthew:
The wise men from the east who came to the newborn Christ opened their treasures, and offered unto Him gifts, gold, frankincense, and myrrh (2:11);
“gold” signifying celestial good, “frankincense” spiritual good, and “myrrh” natural good therefrom, thus the three goods of the three heavens. This makes evident the signification of the angel that was seen at the altar having a golden censer, for the “altar” was representative of celestial good, and the censer was representative of spiritual good, and the two together were representative of the conjunction of celestial good with spiritual good, or what is the same, of the conjunction of the higher heavens, or of the heaven where celestial angels are with the heaven where the spiritual angels are.

sRef Rev@8 @3 S0′ 492. And there was given unto him much incense, signifies truths in abundance. This is evident from the signification of “incense,” as being the truths of spiritual good; also from the signification of “much,” as being an abundance of truths, for “multitude” is predicated in the Word of truths, and “magnitude” of good. “Incense” signifies truths, because the offerings of incense represented worship from spiritual good, and “frankincense” signified that good, as was shown in the article above; therefore “incense-offerings” of frankincense represented what proceeds from that good, and truths are what proceed from that good; for truths are what that good, that is, what man from that good, thinks and speaks. Moreover, spiritual good is formed in man by means of truths; for truth becomes spiritual good with man when he lives according to it (see above, n. 458); thus spiritual good is in its essence truth (see also above, n. 376). But offerings of incense and their signification have been further treated of above (n. 324), which see.

sRef Rev@8 @3 S0′ 493. That he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which is before the throne, signifies the conjunction of the heavens with those who are to be separated from the evil and saved. This is evident from the signification of “offering incense with prayers,” as being to conjoin the good of the higher heavens by means of truths with those who are in worship from spiritual good (of which presently); also from the signification of “all the saints,” as being those who are in good by means of truths, thus who are in spiritual good; that these are called “saints” may be seen above (n. 204); again, from the signification of “the golden altar,” as being the heaven where there is spiritual good, for the altar upon which incense was offered was called “the golden altar;” again, from the signification of “before the throne,” as being conjunction with heaven, “to be before the throne” signifies that conjunction, as may be seen above (n. 462, 477, 489).
[2] That these words signify the conjunction of the heavens with those who are to be separated from the evil and saved, can be seen from the series of things in the internal sense, and from the connection of what goes before with what is now said and with what follows, and also from the signification of the words in the internal sense. For this and the following chapters treat of the last state of the church, or its state when its end has come and the judgment is at hand; but before this state is described, the separation of those who were to be saved is treated of, who are all such as are meant by “those sealed on their foreheads,” and by “those clothed in white robes” who were treated of in the preceding chapter. Because these were at that time associated in societies with those who were to be damned, in this chapter the means by which they were separated and saved are described, namely, that the higher heavens were first closely conjoined with the Lord by Divine influx into celestial good, and through that into spiritual good, and afterwards by Divine influx through these goods, conjoined into one, into the lower regions where those who were to be saved and those who were to be damned were together in societies. This influx of the Lord out of the higher heavens was received by those who in the world had lived in good, for that good continued with them, therefore by means of that good they were conjoined to the higher heavens, and thus separated from those who were unable to receive the influx, because they had not lived in good but in evil while they were in the world.
sRef Matt@24 @40 S3′ sRef Matt@24 @41 S3′ [3] This also is what is meant by the Lord’s words in the Gospels:
Then shall two men be in the field, one shall be taken, the other shall be left. Two women shall be grinding, one shall be taken, the other shall be left (Matt. 24:40, 41; Luke 17:34-36).
This is the series of things in the internal sense, and the connection of those that precede with what is now said and with what follows (respecting which see more above, n. 413, 418, 419, 426, 489). From this it can now be seen what the spiritual sense is of these words, “that he should offer the incense with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which is before the throne,” namely, the conjunction of the higher heavens with those who were to be separated from the evil and saved. The “prayers” with which the incense was to be offered do not mean prayers, but truths from good, by means of which prayers are offered; for truths with man are what pray, and man is continually in such prayers when he lives according to truths. (That “prayers” mean in the Word truths from good which are with man, and not prayers of the mouth, may be seen above, n. 325.)

sRef Rev@8 @4 S0′ sRef Deut@33 @10 S0′ 494. Verse 4. And the smoke of the incense with the prayers of the saints ascended out of the angel’s hand before God, signifies the conjunction of all with the Lord. This is evident from the signification of “the smoke of the incense” as being the truths of spiritual good (of which presently); also from the signification of “the prayers of the saints,” as being truths from good with those who were to be separated from the evil and saved (of which above, n. 493); also from the signification of this “angel” as being heaven (as above, n. 490); therefore “out of the hand of the angel” means by means of heaven; also from the signification of “before God,” as being to be conjoined with the Lord (see above, n. 462, 477, 488); therefore “the smoke of the incense with the prayers of the saints ascended out of the angel’s hand before God” signifies the conjunction of all with the Lord effected by means of heaven. “The smoke of the incense” signifies truths from spiritual good, because “frankincense,” from which the smoke came, signified spiritual good, and the “fire” with which the frankincense was kindled signified celestial good; thence the “smoke” ascending therefrom signifies truth from good, for all truth proceeds from good. This is why “smoke” became representative; “the smoke of the incense,” which was agreeable from its fragrance and sweet odor, was a representative of truth from good; for “fragrance and sweet odor” signify what is agreeable and acceptable (see above, n. 324). “Smoke” has a similar signification in Moses:
The sons of Levi put smoke in Thy nostrils, and a whole burnt-offering upon Thine altar (Deut. 33:10).
“The sons of Levi” mean those who are in truths of spiritual good; these truths are signified by “smoke,” and celestial good is signified by “the whole burnt-offering.” The smoke of incense is also called “a cloud of incense” (Ezek. 8:11). Thence also “smoke” in the contrary sense signifies falsity from evil (in Isa. 34:10; Joel 2:30; Nah. 2:13; Ps. 18:8; 37:20), because the fire that makes such smoke signifies the evil of love.

sRef Rev@8 @6 S0′ sRef Rev@8 @5 S0′ 495. Verses 5, 6. And the angel took the censer, and filled it from the fire of the altar, and cast it unto the earth; and there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings, and an earthquake. And the seven angels having the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound. 5. “And the angel took the censer, and filled it from the fire of the altar,” signifies the conjunction of celestial love and spiritual love (n. 496); “and cast it unto the earth,” signifies influx into the lower parts, where those were who were to be separated and removed (n. 497); “and there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings,” signifies reasoning from the disturbance of the affections and of the thoughts therefrom, respecting good and evil and respecting truth and falsity (n. 498); “and an earthquake,” signifies changes of state of the church (n. 499). 6. “And the seven angels having the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound,” signifies changes in their order to arise from the influx out of heaven (n. 500).

sRef Rev@8 @5 S0′ 496. Verse 5. And the angel took the censer and filled it from the fire of the altar, signifies the conjunction of celestial love and spiritual love. This is evident from the signification of a “censer,” as being spiritual good (of which above, n. 491), and therefore also spiritual love, since all good is of love; also from the signification of “the fire of the altar,” as being celestial love, for “fire” signifies in the Word love in both senses, namely, celestial love and infernal love. “The fire of the altar” signifies celestial love, because the altar of burnt-offering, upon which was the fire, was the chief representative of the worship of the Lord from that love (see above, n. 490); and because this love of the Lord is perpetual, therefore it was appointed that a fire should burn continually upon the altar, and that they should take of that fire in the censers for burning incense, which was done to represent the conjunction of celestial love with spiritual love.
sRef Lev@6 @13 S2′ sRef Lev@6 @12 S2′ [2] That a fire should burn continually upon the altar is evident from Moses:
And the fire upon the altar shall be kept burning, and shall not be put out; and the priest shall kindle wood on it every morning, and shall arrange on it the burnt-offering and he shall burn on it the fats of the peace-offerings. The fire shall be kept burning continually upon the altar, it shall not be quenched (Lev. 6:12, 13).
This represented that the Lord’s Divine love is unceasing and eternal.
sRef Lev@16 @13 S3′ sRef Lev@16 @12 S3′ [3] That they should take from the fire of the altar in the censers for burning incense see also in Moses:
Aaron shall take burning coals of fire from off the altar before Jehovah in a censer; and he shall put the incense upon the fire before Jehovah (Lev. 16:12, 13).
And that Aaron took fire from off the altar, and put incense on it, by which expiation was made for the people (Num. 16:46, 47).
This represented that all propitiation and expiation were from the Lord’s Divine love, as also that everything that has that love in it is heard and received by the Lord; and the rising of the smoke of the incense represented also hearing and reception.
sRef Lev@10 @2 S4′ sRef Lev@10 @1 S4′ [4] And because Korah, Dathan, and Abiram and their company, took fire from the altar and burned incense, and thence their censers were sanctified:
It was commanded that after they had been swallowed up by the earth, their censers, which were of brass, should be gathered up, and the fire be scattered yonder, and the censers be beaten into plates for covering the altar (Num. 16:36-39).
This also represented the holiness of the Lord’s Divine love. And as incense-offerings were holy from the fire of the altar, so incense-offerings with strange fire were profane, therefore:
Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, were consumed by fire from heaven, because they offered incense with strange fire (Lev. 10:1, 2).
Incense offering from strange fire represented worship from love other than Divine, and worship from any other love is profane.
[5] These passages have been cited to make known that “the fire of the altar” signifies the Lord’s Divine love, which love in heaven is called Divine celestial love and Divine spiritual love; Divine celestial love is in the Lord’s celestial kingdom, and Divine spiritual love is in the Lord’s spiritual kingdom. For there are two kingdoms, into which all the heavens are divided, the celestial kingdom and the spiritual kingdom; Divine celestial love constitutes the celestial kingdom, and Divine spiritual love the spiritual kingdom. (That all the heavens are divided into these two kingdoms, see in the work on Heaven end Hell n. 20-28; and that these two loves constitute these two kingdoms, or all the heavens, n. 13-19.) But it must be noted that the Lord’s Divine love in the heavens is called celestial and spiritual from its reception by the angels, and not from its being divided in itself; also that spiritual love springs from celestial love as an effect from its effecting cause, and as truth from good; for the good of spiritual love is in its essence the truth of the good of celestial love. For this reason these two kingdoms are conjoined with each other and are one in the Lord’s sight. But this has been said for those who love to search into interior things. That “fire” signifies love in both senses will be seen confirmed from the Word in what follows.

sRef Rev@8 @5 S0′ 497. And cast it unto the earth, signifies influx into the lower parts where those were who were to be separated and removed. This is evident from the signification of “casting down the censer filled with the fire of the altar,” as being the influx of Divine love out of the heavens (of which presently); also from the signification of “the earth,” as being the lower parts, where those were who were to be separated and removed from each other. For in the spiritual world there are lands, hills, and mountains, and these lands, hills, and mountains are inhabited: on the hills and mountains the angels dwell, and these are the heavens; and upon the lands which are below the hills and mountains those who were to be separated from each other dwell; so “lands” (earths) here signify the lower parts. (That the face of things in the spiritual world is similar in this respect as upon our globe is shown in many passages in the work on Heaven and Hell; also in the small work on The Last Judgment; as well as frequently in the above explanations.) From this it can be seen that “he cast the censer filled with the fire of the altar unto the earth” signifies the influx of the Divine love out of the heavens into the lower parts, where those were who were to be separated and removed. For there were societies below upon the lands there, in which the good and the evil were together, and these had to be separated from each other before the Last Judgment could take place; for from the time of the Lord until the time of the Last Judgment, all who could live an external moral life, and thus imitate a spiritual life in appearance were tolerated. (That these were tolerated even until the judgment, and why, see in the small work on The Last Judgment, n. 59, 69, 70; and that “the former heaven” which was destroyed was formed out of these, n. 65-72.) And in the same societies, or “in the former heaven,” there were also the simple good, some associated with the others there, and some elsewhere, but conjoined with the others by a holy and pious external; and yet it was necessary that the good should be separated from the evil before the judgment, in order that the good might be elevated into heaven and the evil be cast into hell; and as this separation was effected by the influx of Divine good and truth out of the heavens into those lower parts where they all were, thence it can be seen that “He cast down the censer filled with the fire of the altar” signifies this influx into the lower parts. (Respecting the operation of this influx with the good and its operation with the evil see above, n. 413, 418, 419, 426, 489, 493.)

sRef Rev@8 @5 S0′ 498. And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings, signifies reasonings from the disturbance of the affections and of the thoughts therefrom respecting good and evil and respecting truth and falsity. This is evident from the signification of “voices,” as being reasonings (of which presently); also from the signification of “thunders and lightnings,” as being conflicts and disturbances of the affections and the thoughts therefrom respecting good and evil and truth and falsity. The cause of such conflicts and disturbances is the closing of the externals with the evil by influx out of the heavens, and the opening of the internals, the externals being that which simulated goods and truths, while the internals thought evil and falsity; when therefore their externals were closed and their internals were opened, there arose a conflict and disturbance of the affections and thoughts respecting good and evil and truth and falsity, and consequent reasonings. Such things are heard in the spiritual world as the voices of a multitude, murmuring, grating, menacing, and combating; and at a distance, where the voices are not heard, they are heard and seen as thunders and lightnings; as thunders from the conflict of the affections, and as lightnings from the conflict of the thoughts therefrom. As these things arise from the flowing down of Divine good and truth out of the higher heavens into the lower parts, therefore the voices, thunders, and lightnings, when heard and seen by the good, signify Divine truth in respect to perception and illustration (on the signification of these, see n. 273, 353); but it is otherwise when these are heard and seen by the evil.

sRef Rev@8 @5 S0′ 499. And an earthquake, signifies changes of state of the church. This is evident from the signification of “earthquakes,” as meaning changes of state of the church (of which above, n. 400). In the same place it is shown that in the spiritual world the lands quake, and the hills and mountains are shaken, when the state of the church there is changed for the worse and evil and falsity begin to rule. Earthquakes occur in the spiritual world for the reason that all the lands there are from a spiritual origin, and are changed with the changing of the church with those there. Where the church is flourishing the country is beautiful, and full of paradises, flower gardens, and lawns; but where the church is perverted, it is unbeautiful, and full of deserts and rocks; and the change is in exact accord with the decline of the church from good and truth into evil and falsity; but this takes place only in the lower parts (on this see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 156, and elsewhere). Such being the origin of the lands there it can be seen that earthquakes occur there from changes in the state of the church.

sRef Rev@8 @6 S0′ 500. Verse 6. And the seven angels having the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound, signifies changes in their order to arise from the influx out of heaven. This is evident from the signification of “the seven angels who stood before God,” as being the heavens conjoined to the Lord more interiorly and closely (of which above, n. 488); also from the signification of “sounding the trumpets,” as being influx, and the consequent changes of state and separations (of which see also above, n. 489); and because what now follows treats in order of the changes of state arising from influxes out of heaven, this is signified by “the seven angels having the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.”

sRef Rev@8 @7 S0′ 501. Verse 7. And the first angel sounded, and there was hail and fire mingled with blood; and they were cast unto the earth; and the third part of the trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up. 7. “And the first angel sounded,” signifies influx out of heaven, and in consequence the first change (n. 502); “and there was hail and fire mingled with blood,” signifies the destroying infernal falsity and evil, mingled with the truths and goods of the Word, to which violence was offered (n. 503, 504); “and they were cast unto the earth,” signifies progression towards the lower parts (n. 505); “and the third part of the trees was burnt up,” signifies that the perceptions and knowledges of truth and good were destroyed by cupidities arising from evil loves (n. 506); “and all green grass was burnt up,” signifies that all true knowledge [scientificum] was destroyed by the cupidities of the same loves (n. 507).

sRef Rev@8 @7 S0′ 502. Verse 7. And the first angel sounded, signifies influx out of heaven, and in consequence the first change. This is evident from the signification of “sounding a trumpet,” as being the influx of Divine truth out of heaven; and as the first change resulting therefrom is now described, this also is what is signified. “To sound a trumpet” signifies the influx of Divine truth out of heaven, because when Divine truth flows down out of heaven it is sometimes heard in the spiritual world as the sound of a horn or as the blast of a trumpet, and also to those who stand below there appear as it were angels having trumpets; but these are representations and appearances, such as exist below the heavens, for it is Divine truth descending or flowing down out of heaven towards the lower parts that is thus represented. This is why “to sound a trumpet” signifies the flowing down of Divine truth out of heaven.
[2] When this flowing down is strong it produces one effect with the good and another with the evil. With the good it illustrates the understanding, joins them more closely with heaven, and thence gladdens and vivifies their minds; but with the evil it disturbs the understanding, separates them from heaven, joins them more closely with hell, induces terror in their minds, and finally brings spiritual death. This makes clear that “sounding a trumpet” signifies, in its effect, the revelation and manifestation of Divine truth (see above, n. 55, 262); and in the contrary sense the deprivation of truth and desolation. Since it is here said that the angels sounded seven times, it is necessary to show from the Word what “to sound” signifies, and thence why it is said “the angel sounded.”
sRef Ex@19 @16 S3′ sRef Ex@19 @20 S3′ sRef Ex@19 @19 S3′ sRef Ex@19 @21 S3′ sRef Ex@19 @18 S3′ sRef Ex@19 @17 S3′ [3] That “to sound trumpets” and “horns” signifies revelation and manifestation of Divine truth, is evident from the sound of a trumpet that was heard when Jehovah descended upon Mount Sinai and promulgated the Law, which is thus described in Moses:
And it came to pass on the third day when it was becoming morning, that there were voices and lightnings, and a heavy cloud upon the mount (Sinai), and the voice of a horn exceeding strong; and all the people that were in the camp trembled; when Jehovah descended upon it in fire. And the voice of the horn went on and became exceeding strong. And Jehovah said unto Moses, Go down, testify to the people lest they break through unto Jehovah to see, and many of them fall (Exod. 19:16-25).
The “Law” that was then promulgated signifies Divine truth; the “voice of a horn” represented its flowing down out of heaven and its manifestation; “the voice of the horn going on and becoming exceeding strong” represented the increase of this influx in approaching the lower parts, for it is said that “the people stood in the lower parts of the mount;” that “the people trembled exceedingly,” and were admonished “not to approach nearer to the mountain lest they perish,” signifies the effect of the flowing down of Divine truth with such as the sons of Jacob were. That interiorly they were utterly evil is evident from their worship of the calf after a month of days; moreover, if they had not stood afar off they would have perished, consequently they were in terror of death.
sRef Num@10 @10 S4′ sRef Num@10 @4 S4′ sRef Num@10 @8 S4′ sRef Num@10 @9 S4′ sRef Num@10 @6 S4′ sRef Num@10 @1 S4′ sRef Num@10 @5 S4′ sRef Num@10 @7 S4′ sRef Num@10 @3 S4′ sRef Num@10 @2 S4′ [4] “To sound horns” and “trumpets” represented and thus signified Divine truth coming down and flowing in out of heaven, as can be seen from the institution and use of trumpets among the sons of Israel. For it was commanded:
That trumpets should be made of silver, and that the sons of Aaron should sound them for convocations, for journeyings, on days of gladness, on feast days, in the beginnings of months, over sacrifices, for a memorial, and for battle (Num. 10:1-10).
They were made of silver, because “silver” signifies truth from good, thus Divine truth. (That “silver” has this signification, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 1551, 1552, 2954, 5658.) The “sons of Aaron sounded them,” because Aaron himself as chief priest represented the Lord in relation to Divine good, and his sons the Lord in relation to Divine truth (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 9806, 9807, 9966, 10017). They were sounded for convocations and journeyings, because Divine truth is what calls together, gathers together, teaches the way, and leads. They were sounded on days of gladness, at feasts, in the beginnings of months, and over sacrifices, because Divine truth coming down out of heaven produces gladness and the holiness of worship. They were sounded for wars and for battle to signify that with the evil, who are the “enemies” in the Word, Divine truth flowing down out of heaven produces the terror of death, puts to flight, and disperses; in this sense, and because of this effect, it is here said that “the seven angels sounded” in their order.
sRef Matt@24 @31 S5′ [5] Because it was commanded that they should sound trumpets for convocations, it is said by the Lord in Malachi:
He shall send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other end (24:31).
Here “angels with a great sound of a trumpet” signify the Divine truth that is to be revealed when the age is consummated, that is, when the church shall come to an end.
sRef Isa@27 @13 S6′ [6] In Isaiah:
In that day a great horn shall sound, and those perishing in the land of Assyria shall come, and the outcasts from the land of Egypt, and shall bow down to Jehovah in the mountain of holiness, at Jerusalem (27:13).
This is said of the Lord’s coming; a convocation to the church and salvation by the Lord are signified by “In that day a great horn shall sound, and those perishing in the land of Assyria shall come, and the outcasts from the land of Egypt;” “to sound a horn” signifies Divine truth calling together and saving; “those perishing in the land of Assyria” mean those who are deceived by false reasonings, and “the outcasts from the land of Egypt” those who are deceived by knowledges (scientifica), thus the Gentiles that were in falsities from ignorance of the truth; that these shall worship the Lord from love and in truth is signified by “they shall bow down to Jehovah in the mountain of holiness, at Jerusalem;” “mountain of holiness” signifying the church in respect to the good of love, consequently also the good of love of the church, and “Jerusalem” signifying the church in respect to the truth of doctrine, consequently the truth of doctrine of the church. From this it is evident that “to sound with a horn” signifies Divine truth coming down out of heaven.
sRef Zeph@3 @14 S7′ sRef Job@38 @7 S7′ sRef Ps@98 @6 S7′ sRef Ps@98 @5 S7′ [7] Because Divine truth coming down from the Lord through the heavens makes the hearts glad and infuses the holiness of worship, and therefore trumpets were sounded on days of gladness and at the feasts, therefore it is said in David:
Sing unto Jehovah with the harp; with the harp and the voice of a psalm, with trumpets and the sound of a horn sound before the King Jehovah (Ps. 98:5, 6).
In Zephaniah:
Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout (sound), O Israel; be glad and exult with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem (3:14).
This is said of the establishment of the church by the Lord; “trumpets,” “sound of the horn,” and “sounding,” signify joy on account of Divine truth coming down out of heaven. In Job:
When the morning stars sang, and all the sons of God shouted [sounded] (38:7).
This is said of the state of the church in its beginning; and “stars” signify the knowledges of truth and good, and “the sons of God” Divine truths; the joy of these, that is, of men because of these, is signified by their “singing and sounding.”
sRef Isa@42 @13 S8′ sRef Joel@2 @2 S8′ sRef Joel@2 @1 S8′ sRef Ps@89 @15 S8′ sRef Ps@150 @3 S8′ [8] In David:
Praise God with the sound of the horn (Ps. 150:3).
In the same:
Blessed is that people who know the trumpet sound; they shall walk, O Jehovah, in the light of Thy face (Ps. 89:15).
“The sound of the horn” signifies Divine truth making the heart glad, therefore it is also said, “in the light of Thy face,” which signifies Divine truth. That “the voices of the horn” and “sounds of trumpets” signify Divine truth coming down out of heaven, and terrifying the evil and dispersing them, as here in Revelation “the trumpets” with which the seven angels sounded, is evident in Isaiah:
Jehovah shall go forth as a hero,* He shall stir up zeal like a man of war, He shall shout [sound] and shall cry out, He shall prevail over His enemies (42:13);
“enemies” meaning the evil. In Joel:
Blow ye with the horn in Zion, and sound in the mountain of My holiness; let all the inhabitants of the land tremble; for the day of Jehovah cometh, a day of darkness and of thick darkness (2:1, 2).
“The day of Jehovah” is the coming of the Lord, when also the Last Judgment takes place on the evil.
sRef Zech@9 @14 S9′ [9] In Zechariah:
Jehovah shall be seen over them, and His arrow shall go forth as lightning; and the Lord Jehovih shall blow the horn, and shall go with the tempests of the south (9:14).
This, too, refers to the Lord’s coming, when the evil are to perish; “to blow the horn” signifies to disperse by means of Divine truth; “the arrow shall go forth as lightning” signifies truth dispersing and destroying. “To blow the horn” has the same signification in Jer. 51:27; Hos. 5:8-9.
[10] Because the evil, where they are gathered together in the spiritual world, are deprived by the influx of Divine good and Divine truth of the truths and goods they have simulated in externals, and are let into their evils and falsities which they have inwardly cherished, and are thus separated from the good and cast down into the hells, and because when this takes place there are heard by those at a distance as it were horns and trumpets sounding, as has been said above repeatedly, so with the horns of Israel it was on this account commanded that they should sound with the trumpets for battle; and we read that this was done by Phinehas and by Gideon, in their combats against the Midianites and also at the taking of Jericho. It is said of Phinehas in Moses:
That Moses sent twelve thousand men armed, a thousand from each tribe, with the vessels of holiness and the trumpets, in the hand of Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, against Midian; and they slew all the males and their kings (Num. 31:1-8).
sRef Judg@7 @19 S11′ sRef Josh@6 @5 S11′ sRef Judg@7 @18 S11′ sRef Josh@6 @6 S11′ sRef Josh@6 @2 S11′ sRef Judg@7 @17 S11′ sRef Judg@7 @16 S11′ sRef Judg@7 @20 S11′ sRef Josh@6 @4 S11′ sRef Num@31 @7 S11′ sRef Num@31 @6 S11′ sRef Num@31 @8 S11′ sRef Josh@6 @3 S11′ sRef Judg@7 @21 S11′ sRef Judg@7 @22 S11′ sRef Josh@6 @16 S11′ sRef Josh@6 @15 S11′ sRef Josh@6 @14 S11′ sRef Josh@6 @17 S11′ sRef Josh@6 @20 S11′ sRef Josh@6 @19 S11′ sRef Josh@6 @18 S11′ sRef Josh@6 @13 S11′ sRef Josh@6 @8 S11′ sRef Josh@6 @1 S11′ sRef Josh@6 @7 S11′ sRef Josh@6 @9 S11′ sRef Josh@6 @12 S11′ sRef Josh@6 @11 S11′ sRef Josh@6 @10 S11′ sRef Num@31 @3 S11′ sRef Num@31 @2 S11′ sRef Num@31 @1 S11′ sRef Num@31 @5 S11′ sRef Num@31 @4 S11′ [11] Of Gideon it is said in the book of Judges:
That he divided the three hundred men into three companies, and put a horn in the hand of everyone, and empty pitchers and torches in the midst of the pitchers; and he said, When I blow the horn, I and all that are with me, blow ye also the horn about the whole camp. And when they blew the horns Jehovah set the sword of a man against his companion and against the whole camp, and the Midianites fled (Judg. 7:16-22).
And of Jericho when it was taken, in Joshua:
It was commanded that seven priests should bear seven jubilee horns before the ark, and should go round the city six days, once each day, and on the seventh day they should go round the city seven times, and blow the horns; and when the people in Jericho heard the voice of the horn and the shoutings of the people, the wall of the city fell down under itself, and the people went up into the city and took it (6:1-20).
These things represented the overcoming of the evil in the spiritual world, which is effected by Divine truth out of heaven, which is heard there when it flows down as a horn sounding, as was said above. All the miracles related in the Word were representative and thence significative of things Divine in the heavens; therefore the effect of the sound of horns against enemies on earth was like the effect against the evil in the spiritual world; for in the Word “enemies” represented and thence signified the evil, “the Midianites” those who are in the falsities of evil, and the city “Jericho” here the falsification of the knowledges of truth.
sRef Jer@50 @15 S12′ [12] From this the signification can be seen of the following in Jeremiah:
Sound against Babylon round about; she hath given her hand; her foundations are fallen, her walls are torn down (50:15).
And in Zephaniah:
A day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and of thick darkness, a day of cloud and of gloominess, a day of the horn and of sounding upon the fenced cities, and upon the high corners (1:15, 16).
From this it can now be seen what is signified by “the seven angels sounded the trumpets,” and that such effects result therefrom as are here described; and thus that “to sound trumpets” signifies influx of Divine truth out of heaven, and the changes thence arising; for this and the following chapters of Revelation treat of the state of the church in the spiritual world before the judgment, and of the dispersion and casting into hell of the evil.
* Photolithograph has “lion,” the Hebrew “hero;” so also AE n. 734;AC n. 1664, 5323, 8273, etc.

sRef Rev@8 @7 S0′ 503. And there was hail and fire mingled with blood, signifies the destroying infernal falsity and evil mingled with the truths and goods of the Word, to which violence was offered. This is evident from the signification of “hail,” as being the destroying infernal falsity (of which presently); from the signification of “fire” as being the destroying infernal evil (of which also presently); and from the signification of “blood,” as being the Divine truth, here that to which violence was offered, consequently Divine truth falsified, because it is said “hail and fire mingled with blood.” That “blood” signifies Divine truth proceeding from the Lord and received by man, and in the contrary sense its destruction by the falsities of evil, and thus violence offered to it, may be seen above (n. 329).
[2] This signification of “hail and fire,” as being destroying falsity and evil, is also from the appearances in the spiritual world when Divine truth flows down there out of heaven and flows into the sphere where those are who are in falsities from evil and who are eager to destroy the truths and goods of the church; to those who stand afar off there is then an appearance of a shower of hail and fire, a shower of hail in consequence of their falsities, and a shower of fire from their evils. The reason of this appearance is that when Divine truth flows into the sphere where falsities and evils are, it is changed into something similar to what is in that sphere; for all influx is changed in the recipient subject according to its quality, as with the light of the sun in black subjects, and the heat of the sun in putrid subjects. So it is with Divine truth (which is the light of heaven) and Divine good (which is the heat of heaven) in evil subjects, which are spirits who are in falsities from evil; thence is this appearance. From this it is that “hail and fire” have these significations in the Word; for the sense of the letter of the Word comes for the most part from appearances in the spiritual world.
sRef Ex@9 @27 S3′ sRef Ex@9 @28 S3′ sRef Ex@9 @29 S3′ sRef Ex@9 @30 S3′ sRef Ex@9 @21 S3′ sRef Ex@9 @32 S3′ sRef Ex@9 @31 S3′ sRef Ex@9 @26 S3′ sRef Ex@9 @20 S3′ sRef Ex@9 @19 S3′ sRef Ex@9 @18 S3′ sRef Ex@9 @22 S3′ sRef Ex@9 @25 S3′ sRef Ex@9 @24 S3′ sRef Ex@9 @23 S3′ [3] That “hail” signifies infernal falsity destroying the truth of the church is evident elsewhere in the Word, where the destruction of truth is described by “hail;” as in Egypt, when Pharaoh would not let the people of Israel go, which is thus described in Moses:
Moses said to Pharaoh that he would cause it to rain a very grievous hail, such as had not been in Egypt. There shall be hail upon man and upon beast, and upon every herb of the field in the land of Egypt. And Moses stretched forth his rod toward heaven; and Jehovah sent voices and hail, and the fire ran along the earth; and Jehovah caused hail to rain upon the land of Egypt; and there was hail, and fire with it, raining in the midst of the very grievous hail. And the hail smote all that was in the field, from man even to beast; and the hail smote every herb of the field, and broke down every tree of the field. Only in the land of Goshen, where the sons of Israel were, was there no hail. And the flax and the barley were smitten; for the barley was a ripening ear, and the flax was a stalk. But the wheat and the spelt were not smitten, for these were covered (Exod. 9:18-35).
“The hail in Egypt” has a similar signification as the “hail” here in Revelation; for this reason many like things are said; as that “the hail and the fire ran together,” and “the hail smote the herb of the field, and broke down the trees.” Many like things are here mentioned, because the plagues of Egypt and the plagues of Revelation that came when the seven angels sounded have a similar signification; for the “Egyptians” signify merely natural men, the “sons of Israel” spiritual men, the “plagues of Egypt” the changes that precede the Last Judgment, the same as here in Revelation; for the drowning of Pharaoh and the Egyptians in the Red Sea represented the Last Judgment and damnation. This makes clear that here, too, “hail and fire” signify falsities and evils destroying the church. (But those things may be seen explained in Arcana Coelestia, n. 7553-7619.)
sRef Ps@78 @49 S4′ sRef Ps@78 @48 S4′ sRef Ps@78 @47 S4′ [4] So “hail” and “coals” (or fire) have a like signification in David:
He smote their vine with hail, and their sycamore trees with a grievous hail; and He shut up their beast to the hail, and their herds to the coals. He sent among them the fierceness of His anger, an incursion of evil angels (Ps. 78:47-49).
Because “hail” signifies falsity destroying the truths of the church it is said “He smote their vine with hail, and their sycamore trees with a grievous hail,” for “vine” signifies the spiritual truth of the church, and “sycamores” its natural truth; and as “coals” signifies the love of evil and its ardor for destroying the goods of the church, it is said, “He shut up their beast to the hail, and their herds to the coals,” “beast” and “herds” signifying the evil affections or cupidities that arise from evil love, and “coals” the cupidity and ardor for destroying; “an incursion of evil angels” signifies the falsity of evil from hell.
sRef Ps@105 @33 S5′ sRef Ps@105 @32 S5′ [5] In the same:
He gave them hail for their rain, a fire of flames in their land; and He smote their vine and their fig tree, and broke down the tree of their border (Ps. 105:32, 33).
This, too, is said of the “hail of Egypt” which signifies infernal falsity destroying the truths of the church; and the “vine” and the “fig tree” here also signify similar things as the “vine” and the “sycamore trees” above, namely, the “vine” spiritual truth, and the “fig tree” natural truth, each belonging to the church; and “tree” signifies the perceptions and knowledges of truth and good.
sRef Josh@10 @11 S6′ [6] “Hail” has a similar signification in Joshua, when Joshua fought against the five kings of the Amorites, of which it is said:
It came to pass when the kings fled before Israel, and they were in the going down to Beth-horon, that Jehovah cast down great hailstones from heaven upon them unto Azekah; and more died from the hailstones than the sons of Israel slew with the sword (10:11).
As the histories of the Word, the same as the prophecies, are representative and contain an internal sense, therefore also does this that is related of the five kings of the Amorites and the battle of the sons of Israel with them; for the “nations” that were driven out of the land of Canaan signified the evil who are to be cast out of the Lord’s kingdom, and the “sons of Israel” signified those to whom it would be granted to possess the kingdom, for the “land of Canaan” signified heaven and the church, thus the Lord’s kingdom; thence the “five kings of the Amorites” signified those who are in the falsities of evil and who wish to destroy the truths of the good of the church; this is why they were slain by “hailstones out of heaven,” that is, were destroyed and perished by their own falsities of evil; for the evil themselves perish in consequence of their evils and falsities, with which they wish to destroy the truths and goods of the church.
sRef Ps@18 @12 S7′ sRef Ps@18 @13 S7′ sRef Ps@18 @14 S7′ [7] In David:
At the brightness before Him His clouds passed, with hail and coals of fire. Jehovah thundered in the heavens, and the Most High uttered His voice, hail and coals of fire. And He sent forth His arrows and scattered them, and many lightnings and discomfited them (Ps. 18:12-14).
Here “hail and fire” have a similar signification as the “hail and fire” in this passage in Revelation, namely, falsities and evils destroying the truths and goods of the church. It is said that such things are from Jehovah, because Divine truth coming down out of heaven is changed with the evil into infernal falsities, as has been said above; and from this change there spring forth many appearances such as the fall of hail and fire; and yet these things are not out of heaven from the Lord, but from those who are in the falsities of evil, who turn the influx of Divine truth and good into the falsity of evil. It has been granted me to perceive these changes, when Divine truth flowed down out of heaven into some hell. On the way it was successively turned into the falsity of evil, like that which was with them; just as it is with the sun’s heat when it falls into dung heaps, or the sun’s light when it falls into subjects that turn its rays into horrid colors; or when the sun’s light and heat produce in fetid marshy lands noxious plants that nourish serpents, while in good lands they produce trees and grasses that nourish men and useful beasts. The cause that such effects are produced in putrid land is not the light and heat of the sun, but the lands themselves which are such, and yet these effects may be ascribed to the sun’s fire and heat. From this it can be seen what the origin is of the appearances of hail and fire in the spiritual world, and why it is said that “Jehovah causes them to rain,” when yet there is nothing from Jehovah but what is good; and when Jehovah, that is, the Lord, renders the influx powerful, it is not that He may destroy the evil but that He may rescue and protect the good, for He thus conjoins the good to Himself more closely and interiorly, and thus they are separated from the evil, and the evil perish; for if the evil were not separated the good would perish and the angelic heaven would fall to ruin.
sRef Isa@30 @30 S8′ sRef Ezek@38 @22 S8′ sRef Isa@28 @1 S8′ sRef Isa@28 @2 S8′ sRef Rev@16 @21 S8′ sRef Rev@11 @19 S8′ sRef Isa@28 @17 S8′ sRef Isa@32 @19 S8′ [8] “Hail” and “the rain of hail” have a similar signification in the following passages. In Isaiah:
Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim. Behold, the Lord strong and mighty, as an inundation of hail, as a tempest of slaughter (28:1, 2).
In the same:
The hail shall overthrow the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place (28:17).
In the same:
Then Jehovah shall cause His glorious voice to be heard, and shall cause His resting arm to be seen in the indignation of anger, and in the flame of a devouring fire, with scattering and inundation, and with hailstones (30:30).
In the same:
It shall hail until the forest shall sink down and the city be laid low in lowliness (32:19).
In Ezekiel:
And I will plead with Gog with pestilence and with blood; and I will rain upon him an overflowing rain, and hailstones, fire and brimstone (38:22).
In Revelation:
Then the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in His temple the ark of the Covenant; and there were lightnings and voices and thunders and an earthquake and great hail (11:19).
And again:
And a great hail as of a talent-weight cometh down out of heaven upon men; and the men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail, for the plague thereof was exceeding great (16:21).
sRef Ezek@13 @11 S9′ [9] So those who are in falsities of evil are called “hailstones” in Ezekiel:
Say unto them that daub on what is unfit, that it shall fall; there shall come an overflowing rain, in which ye, O great hailstones, shall fall (13:11).
Here “them that daub on what is unfit” signify those who confirm falsities to make them appear outwardly as truths; such are called “hailstones” because they thus destroy truths; the dispersion of such falsities is signified by “an overflowing rain.”
sRef Job@38 @24 S10′ sRef Job@38 @22 S10′ sRef Job@38 @23 S10′ [10] In Job:
Hast thou come to the treasuries of the snow, and hast thou seen the treasuries of the hail, which I keep back against the time of battle and war, which is the way in which light is diffused? (38:22-24).
Job is asked by Jehovah about many things, whether he knows them, and the things he is asked about signify such things as belong to heaven and the church; and “Hast thou come to the treasuries of the snow, and hast thou seen the treasuries of the hail?” signifies whether he knows why truth is taken away and is destroyed by the falsities of evil, which in the spiritual world appears like a fall of snow and hail out of the sky there. That there are such appearances when the evil are to be dispersed is signified by “which I keep back against the time of battle and war;” thence it is added, “which is the way in which light is diffused?” This signifies the process by which truth is insinuated, “light” meaning truth.
[11] “Hail” signifies the falsity of evil, and “a storm of hail” the destruction of truth, because hail in itself is cold and cannot bear the heat of heaven, and “coldness” signifies the deprivation of the good of love; the good of love is the heat in the angelic heaven (see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 126-140). Another reason for this meaning is that “stones” in the Word signify truth, and in the contrary sense falsities, and great hail appears to be made up of stones cast down out of heaven, which destroy the crops and herbs of the field, as well as the smaller animals as stones would, and this is why they are called “hailstones.” (That “stones” signify in the Word truths, and in the contrary sense falsities, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 643, 1298, 3720, 6426, 8609, 10376.)

sRef Rev@8 @7 S0′ 504. It has been shown thus far what “hail” signifies; it remains to show what “fire” signifies. “Fire” signifies in the Word the good of celestial love, and “flame” the good of spiritual love; but in the contrary sense “fire” signifies the evil arising from the love of self, and “flame” the evil arising from the love of the world. It is to be noted, that all goods whatsoever derive their existence from celestial love and from spiritual love, and that all evils whatsoever derive their existence from the love of self and the love of the world; and as “fire” signifies in the Word love in both senses, so it signifies every good and every evil that springs from either of these loves. Because “fire” is predicated in the Word both of heaven and of hell, and it has not been known heretofore that “fire” signifies love, some passages shall be cited from the Word to show in clear light that in a good sense “fire” means heavenly love, and in a bad sense infernal love.
sRef Ezek@1 @5 S2′ sRef Ezek@1 @4 S2′ sRef Ezek@1 @26 S2′ sRef Ezek@1 @27 S2′ sRef Ezek@1 @13 S2′ [2] That “fire” signifies in the Word heavenly love is evident first from the signification of “the fire of the altar,” as meaning heavenly love, or love to the Lord (see above, n. 496); and that “fire” not of the altar has a similar signification can be seen from the following passages. In Ezekiel:
I saw, and behold a wind of a tempest came out of the north, a great cloud, and a fire infolding itself in itself and a brightness round about it, and as it were the appearance of a living coal in the midst of the fire. Also out of the midst of it a likeness of four animals. The appearance of the animals was like burning coals of fire, and like the appearance of lamps; the same went between the animals, so that the fire was bright, and out of the fire went forth lightning. Above the firmament that was over their head was the likeness of a throne, upon which was the appearance of a man. And I saw as it were the appearance of a living coal, as the appearance of fire within it round about, from the appearance of his loins and upward; and from the appearance of his loins and downward I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and it had brightness round about (1:4, 5, 13, 26, 27; 8:2).
“The cherubim” that were seen as animals mean the Lord in respect to Divine Providence and guard that He be not approached except through the good of love; and as this guard itself is in the heavens, and especially in the inmost or third heaven, this heaven is also signified by “the cherubim” (see above, n. 152, 277, 313, 322, 362, 462); and as they especially signify the third heaven, and the Lord is above the heavens, so the Lord was seen “upon a throne above the cherubim.” So, too, the “fire that appeared in the midst of the cherubim, that had brightness round about, and out of which went forth lightning;” also “about the throne and from the loins of Him that sat on the throne, upwards and downwards,” signifies evidently Divine celestial love; for the Lord is Himself Divine love, and whatever proceeds from the Lord proceeds from His Divine love; this therefore is the “fire that had brightness round about it.”
sRef Dan@7 @13 S3′ sRef Dan@7 @9 S3′ sRef Dan@7 @10 S3′ [3] Likewise in Daniel:
He came to the Ancient of Days; His vesture is like white snow, and the hair of His head like pure wool. His throne is a flame of fire, His wheels a glowing fire; a stream of fire issues and goes forth from Him (7:9, 10, 13).
“The Ancient of Days” also means the Lord; here “the Son of man” means the Lord in relation to Divine truth, and “the Ancient of Days” the Lord in relation to Divine good or Divine love, and He is called “the Ancient of Days” from that most ancient time when there was a celestial church, which was in love to the Lord. That church and the heaven of those who were from it are meant by “the throne which was like a flame of fire;” but “the wheels which were like a glowing fire” signify the doctrine of celestial love: the Divine love itself proceeding from the Lord is signified by “the fire issuing and going forth from before Him.”
sRef Rev@1 @13 S4′ sRef Dan@10 @6 S4′ sRef Rev@1 @14 S4′ sRef Rev@1 @15 S4′ sRef Rev@1 @16 S4′ sRef Dan@10 @5 S4′ sRef Rev@2 @18 S4′ [4] It is also related by Daniel that he saw:
A man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with gold of Uphaz; His body was also like a tharshish-stone, and His face as the appearance of lightning, and His eyes as torches of fire, and His arms and His feet like the splendor of brass (Dan. 10:5, 6).
That it was the Lord who was thus seen by Daniel is evident from Revelation, where He was represented before John in nearly the same way, of whom it is said:
In the midst of the seven lampstands one like unto the Son of man, girt about at the paps with a golden girdle; and His head and hairs white as white wool, as snow; and His eyes as a flame of fire; and His feet like unto burnished brass, as if made glowing in a furnace. His appearance was like the sun (1:13-16; 2:18).
From this similarity of the description of “the Son of man” seen by John in the midst of the seven lampstands, and of “the man clothed in linen” and “the Ancient of Days” seen by Daniel, it was evidently the Lord whom they both saw. “His face appeared as lightning and His eyes as a flame of fire” to signify the Lord’s Divine love; for with man the face is a representative image of the affection of his love, and especially the eyes, for from these the love shines forth, from which they sparkle as from fire.
sRef Ex@3 @2 S5′ sRef Ex@19 @18 S5′ sRef Rev@19 @12 S5′ [5] Also of the One sitting on the white horse it is said:
His eyes were as a flame of fire (Rev. 19:12).
Evidently it was the Lord in respect to the Word who was there represented as sitting upon a white horse, for it is said that He who sat on the white horse is called “the Word of God,” and that He is “King of kings, and Lord of lords.” Because “fire” signifies the Divine love:
The Lord was seen by Moses on Mount Horeb in fire in a bush (Exod. 3:1-3).
So, too, the Lord was seen “in fire” by Moses and all the Israelitish people when He came down upon Mount Sinai, which is thus described in Moses:
And Mount Sinai was altogether on smoke because Jehovah descended upon it in fire, so that the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace (Exod. 19:18; Deut. 4:36).
Here, too, the “fire” that was seen represented the Divine love.
sRef Lev@24 @4 S6′ sRef Lev@24 @3 S6′ sRef Lev@24 @2 S6′ sRef Rev@4 @5 S6′ [6] Because “fire” signifies in the highest sense the Lord’s Divine love, it was commanded that fire should burn continually on the altar, and that they should take of that fire for the incense-offerings. It was on this account that the Greeks and Romans had a perpetual fire among their religious observances, of which the vestal virgins had charge. That they worshiped fire as holy was derived from the ancient churches that were in Asia, all things of which worship were representative. Because “fire” signifies in the highest sense the Divine love, a lampstand was placed in the Tent of meeting, on which were seven lamps that burned continually, which is thus described in Moses:
Command the sons of Israel that they bring unto thee pure oil of the olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamps to go up continually. Aaron shall order it from evening to morning before Jehovah continually. He shall order the lamps upon the pure lampstand before Jehovah continually (Lev. 24:2-4. Respecting this lampstand itself see Exod. 25:31 to the end; 37:17-24; 40:24, 25; Num. 8:2-4).
The like is signified by the seven lamps of fire burning before the throne of God (Rev. 4:5).
But “the fire of the altar” signified Divine celestial love, and “the fire of the lampstand,” which was a flame, signified Divine spiritual love. From this it is that the “oil,” too, which produced the fire of the flame in the lamps of the lampstand, signifies the Divine love; also the “oil” that the five prudent virgins had in their lamps, and that the five foolish virgins did not have (Matt. 25:1-12).
sRef Matt@3 @11 S7′ [7] Again “fire” signifies the Lord’s Divine love, in the Gospels:
John said, I baptize you with water, but Jesus shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire (Matt. 3:11; Luke 3:16).
“Baptizing with the Holy Spirit and with fire” signifies the regeneration of man by means of the Divine truth and the Divine good of love from the Lord, the “Holy Spirit” meaning the Divine truth proceeding from the Lord, and “fire” the Divine love from which it springs.
sRef Isa@31 @9 S8′ [8] The like that is signified by “fire” is also signified by “a place for fire” in Isaiah:
Jehovah who hath His place for fire in Zion, and His oven in Jerusalem (31:9).
It is said “who hath His place for fire in Zion” because “Zion” signifies the church in which is celestial love; and “His oven in Jerusalem” because “Jerusalem” signifies the church in which is the truth of doctrine; celestial love is comparatively “a place for fire,” and truth of doctrine is like an “oven” in which bread is prepared.
sRef Lev@9 @24 S9′ sRef Judg@6 @21 S9′ sRef Ex@12 @10 S9′ sRef Ex@12 @8 S9′ sRef Ex@12 @9 S9′ sRef 1Ki@18 @38 S9′ [9] Because the good of love is signified by “fire,” and worship from the good of love was represented by “whole burnt-offerings,” sometimes fire was sent down out of heaven and consumed the whole burnt-offering; as when a whole burnt-offering was made for the expiation of the people, which is thus described in Moses:
When the offering was made, fire went forth from before Jehovah and devoured upon the altar the whole burnt-offering and the fat; and all the people saw it, and shouted aloud and fell on their faces (Lev. 9:24).
It is also said:
That fire from heaven devoured the whole burnt-offering of Elijah, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the waters that were round about in the trench (1 Kings 18:38).
This “fire” too, signified Divine love, and thence the acceptance of worship from the good of love:
Likewise the fire that went up out of the rock, and devoured the flesh and the unleavened cakes that Gideon brought to the angel of God (Judg. 6:21).
Again, Divine love was signified by the command:
That the lamb should be roasted with fire, and not sodden with water, and that what remained until the morning should be burnt up with fire (Exod. 12:8-10).
(For the explanation of these verses see Arcana Coelestia, n. 7852-7861.)
sRef Ex@13 @22 S10′ sRef Ex@13 @21 S10′ [10] Again the Lord’s Divine love was signified by the fire in which the Lord went before the sons of Israel in the wilderness, when they were journeying; also by the fire over the Tent of meeting during the night, which is thus described in Moses:
Jehovah went before them by day in a pillar of cloud, to lead them in the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light; neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night departed from before the people (Exod. 13:21, 22; Num. 9:15-23; Deut. 1:33).
The cloud of Jehovah was upon the tabernacle by day, and there was fire in it by night, in the eyes of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys (Exod. 40:38; Ps. 105:32, 39).
The “cloud appearing by day, and the fire by night,” represented the Lord’s protection of heaven and the church; for “the tabernacle” represented heaven and the church, “cloud and fire” protection; for “the day when there was the cloud” signifies Divine truth in light, and the “night” signifies Divine truth in shade. Lest they might be hurt by too much light they were guarded by a cloud, and from being hurt by too much shade they were guarded by a shining fire.
sRef Isa@4 @6 S11′ sRef Isa@4 @5 S11′ [11] That such was represented thereby can be seen in Isaiah:
Jehovah will create over every dwelling place of Mount Zion and over her convocations a cloud by day and a smoke and the brightness of a flame of fire by night; for over all the glory shall be a covering. And there shall be a covert for a shade in the daytime from the heat, and for a shelter and hiding place from inundation and from rain (4:5, 6).
“The dwelling place of Mount Zion” signifies the good of the celestial church, and “her convocations” signify the truths of that good; protection lest it be hurt by too much light and by too much shade is signified by “a cloud by day,” and by “a smoke and the brightness of a flame of fire by night;” therefore it is said “over all the glory shall be a covering,” and that “there shall be a covert for a shade in the daytime from the heat.” Lest falsities should break in because of too much light or too much shade is signified by “it shall be for a shelter and a hiding place from the inundation and from rain,” “inundation and rain” meaning a breaking in of falsities.
sRef 2Ki@6 @17 S12′ sRef 2Ki@2 @11 S12′ sRef Zech@2 @5 S12′ [12] In Zechariah:
I will be unto Jerusalem a wall of fire round about, and in glory I will be in the midst of her (2:5).
“A wall of fire” signifies defense by Divine love, for this the hells cannot assault; “glory in the midst of her” is Divine truth therefrom in light on every side. Because “fire” signifies the Divine love, the whole burnt-offerings were called:
Offerings made by fire to Jehovah, and offerings made by fire for an odor of rest to Jehovah (Exod. 29:18; Lev. 1:9, 13, 17; 2:2, 9, 10, 11; 3:5, 16; 4:35; 5:12; 7:30; 21:6; Num. 28:2; Deut. 18:1); this signifying that they were adopted in order to represent worship from the good of love, “whole burnt-offerings” representing that worship, because in them the entire animals were burned in the fire and consumed.
[13] Because the Word is Divine truth itself united to Divine good, for everywhere in it there is a marriage of good and truth, therefore:
Elijah was seen to ascend up into heaven by a chariot of fire and horses of fire (2 Kings 2:11).
For the same reason the mountain was seen to be full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha (2 Kings 6:17).
For Elijah and Elisha represented the Lord in relation to the Word; therefore the “chariot” signified doctrine from the Word, and “the horses” the understanding of the Word.
sRef Ps@104 @4 S14′ [14] Again, that “fire” signifies love is evident in David:
Jehovah maketh His angels spirits, His ministers a flaming fire (Ps. 104:4).
That “He maketh angels spirits” signifies that He makes them recipients of Divine truths, consequently Divine truths; and that “He makes His ministers a flaming fire” signifies that He makes them recipients of Divine good, consequently Divine goods. (That “angels” mean in the Word the Lord in relation to Divine truth, and in a relative sense, recipients of Divine truth from the Lord, see above, n. 130, 200, 302; and that “ministers” signify recipients of the Divine good which is of Divine love, see also above, n. 155.) From this it is clear that “a flaming fire” signifies the good of love. “Fire” signifies love, because the Lord from Divine love appears in the angelic heaven as a sun, from which sun heat and light proceed; and in the heavens heat from the Lord as a sun is the Divine good of love, and light from the Lord as a sun is the Divine truth; this is why “fire” signifies in the Word the good of love, and “light” truth from good. (That the Lord from Divine love appears in the angelic heaven as a sun may be seen in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 116-125; and that light from that sun is Divine truth, and heat from that sun is Divine good, n. 126-140; also n. 567, 568.) It is from the correspondence between fire and love that in ordinary language, in speaking of the affections that belong to love, the expressions “to grow hot,” “to burn,” “to glow,” “to boil,” “to be on fire,” and others of like meaning are used. Moreover, man grows warm from love of any kind, according to its degree.
[15] So far respecting the signification of “fire” in the Word, when it is attributed to the Lord, or when it is predicated of heaven and the church. But when “fire” is predicated in the Word of the evil and of the hells, it signifies the love of self and of the world, and thence every evil affection and cupidity that torments the wicked after death in the hells. “Fire” has this contrary signification for the reason that Divine love, when it comes down out of heaven and falls into the societies where the evil are, is changed into a love contrary to the Divine love, and thus into various heats of cupidity and of lusts, and so into evils of every kind, and also into torments, because evils carry with them the punishments of evil. From this change of the Divine love into infernal love with the evil, the hells where the love of self and the world and hatreds and revenge prevail, appear to be as if on fire, both within and round about, although the infernal crew that is in them perceive nothing fiery. Indeed, from these loves the crew that is in such hells appear with faces inflamed and reddened as from fire.
sRef Ex@40 @38 S16′ sRef Isa@9 @5 S16′ sRef Isa@9 @19 S16′ sRef Isa@33 @12 S16′ sRef Isa@9 @18 S16′ sRef Isa@33 @11 S16′ sRef Isa@33 @14 S16′ [16] This, therefore, is the signification of “fire” in the following passages. In Isaiah:
Wickedness shall burn as a fire; it shall devour the briars and brambles, and shall kindle the thickets of the forest, that they may roll upward in the elation of smoke. And the people are become as food of the fire; a man shall not pity his brother (9:18, 19).
In the same:
The whole people shall be for the burning, food for fire (9:5).
Ye Assyrians, conceive chaff, bring forth stubble; your spirit, fire shall devour you. So shall the peoples be burnt for lime; thorns cut down which are kindled with fire. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire; who among us shall sojourn with the burnings of eternity (33:11, 12, 14).
“The Assyrians” mean those who from falsities and fallacies reason against the truths and goods of the church from self-intelligence, thus from self-love; these are here described.
sRef Rev@14 @9 S17′ sRef Rev@14 @10 S17′ sRef Isa@47 @14 S17′ sRef Luke@17 @30 S17′ sRef Luke@17 @29 S17′ sRef Matt@25 @41 S17′ sRef Luke@16 @24 S17′ sRef Matt@13 @42 S17′ sRef Isa@50 @11 S17′ sRef Matt@13 @41 S17′ sRef Matt@13 @50 S17′ sRef Isa@34 @10 S17′ sRef Isa@34 @8 S17′ sRef Isa@34 @9 S17′ sRef Ps@140 @10 S17′ sRef Rev@19 @20 S17′ sRef Rev@20 @10 S17′ sRef Rev@20 @14 S17′ sRef Rev@21 @8 S17′ sRef Ezek@21 @31 S17′ sRef Ezek@21 @32 S17′ sRef Ps@21 @9 S17′ sRef Matt@3 @12 S17′ sRef Matt@3 @10 S17′ sRef Isa@66 @24 S17′ sRef Rev@20 @15 S17′ [17] In the same:
In the day of Jehovah’s vengeance, the brooks of the land shall be turned into pitch, and its dust into brimstone, and the land shall become burning pitch; it shall not be quenched night or day, the smoke thereof shall go up forever (Isa. 34:8-10).
They have become as stubble; the fire hath burnt them; they shall deliver not their soul from the hand of the flame (47:14).
Behold, all ye that kindle a fire, that compass yourselves about with sparks; go into the place of your fire, and into the sparks that ye have kindled (50:11).
Their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched (66:24).
In Ezekiel:
I will give thee into the hand of burning men; thou shalt be for food for fire (21:31, 32).
In David:
Thou shalt make them as an oven of fire in the time of Thine anger, and fire shall devour them (Ps. 21:9).
Burning coals shall overwhelm the wicked; fire shall cast them into pits, they shall not rise again (Ps. 140:10).
In Matthew:
Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit shall be hewn down and cast into the fire. He will cleanse His floor, and gather His wheat into the garners, but the chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire (3:10, 12; Luke 3:9, 17).
As the tares are burned with fire, so shall it be in the consummation of the age (13:40).
The Son of man shall send forth His angels, and they shall gather out of His kingdom all things that cause stumbling, and them that do iniquity, and shall cast them into a furnace of fire (13:41, 42, 50).
He said to them on the left hand, Depart from Me, ye cursed, into eternal fire, prepared for the devil and his angels (25:41).
Whosoever shall say to his brother, Thou fool, shall be subject to the hell of fire (5:22; 18:8, 9; Mark 9:45, 47).
In Luke:
The rich man in hell said, Father Abraham, send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am tormented in this flame (16:24).
When Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them; after the same manner shall it be in the day that the Son of man is revealed (17:29, 30).
In Revelation:
If anyone worship the beast he shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone (14:9, 10).
The beast and the false prophet were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone (19:20).
The devil was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone (20:10).
Death and hell were cast into the lake of fire; and if anyone was not found written in the book of life he was cast into the lake of fire (20:14, 15).
The unfaithful, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone (21:8).
In these passages, “fire” signifies all cupidity belonging to the love of evil, and its punishment, which is torment. To this may be added what is presented in the work on Heaven and Hell (n. 566-575), where it is shown what is meant by “infernal fire” and by “the gnashing of teeth.”
[18] In the article above, in which “hail” was treated of, it was said that the Divine, when it comes down out of heaven into the lower sphere where the evil are, presents an effect which is the opposite of its effect in heaven itself; that is, in heaven it vivifies and conjoins, but in the lower parts where the evil are it produces death and disjunction. This is because the Divine influx out of heaven opens, in the good, the spiritual mind, and fits it to receive; but in the evil, who have no spiritual mind, it opens the interiors of their natural mind, where evils and falsities reside, and from this they then have an aversion to every good of heaven, and hatred for truths, and a lust for every crime, and in consequence they are separated from the good, and then damned. This influx with the good, of which we are now speaking, appears in the heavens as a fire vivifying, recreating, and conjoining; but below with the evil, it appears as a devouring and wasting fire.
[19] It is because of this effect of the Divine love flowing down out of heaven, that in the Word anger and wrath are so often attributed to Jehovah, that is, to the Lord, anger from fire, and wrath from the heat of fire; there is also the expression “the fire of His anger,” and that “He is a consuming fire,” with many other like expressions, which do not mean that the fire proceeding from the Lord is such, for in its origin it is Divine love, but that it becomes such with the evil, who by reason of its flowing into them become angry and wrathful. That this is so can be seen from the fire that appeared on Mount Sinai, when the Lord descended upon it and promulgated the law; this fire, although in its origin it was Divine love and the source of Divine truth, appeared to the Israelitish people as a consuming fire, before which they trembled greatly. (Exod. 19:18; 20:18; Deut. 4:11, 12, 15, 33, 36; 5:5, 22-26); this was because the Israelitish people had no spiritual internal but only a natural internal, which swarmed with evils and falsities of every kind, and the appearance of the Lord to everyone is according to his quality. (That the sons of Jacob were such, see The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem. 248.)
sRef Isa@30 @30 S20′ sRef Deut@4 @24 S20′ sRef Isa@66 @16 S20′ sRef Ezek@15 @4 S20′ sRef Ps@18 @13 S20′ sRef Ps@18 @12 S20′ sRef Ezek@15 @6 S20′ sRef Isa@66 @15 S20′ sRef Ezek@15 @7 S20′ sRef Ezek@15 @8 S20′ sRef Ps@11 @6 S20′ sRef Isa@29 @6 S20′ sRef Ps@50 @3 S20′ sRef Ps@18 @8 S20′ [20] This is why Jehovah, that is the Lord, is called in the Word “a consuming fire,” as in the following passages:
Jehovah God is a consuming fire (Deut. 4:24).
In Isaiah:
Behold, Jehovah will come in fire and His chariots like a storm, in flames of fire. For in fire Jehovah will plead, and in His sword with all flesh; and the slain of Jehovah shall be multiplied (66:15, 16).
In the same:
Thou shalt be visited with a flame of devouring fire (29:6).
In the same:
In the indignation of the anger of Jehovah, and in a flame of a devouring fire, in scattering, and inundation, and hailstones (30:30).
In David:
There went up a smoke out of His nostrils, and fire out of His mouth devoured; coals were kindled by it. At the brightness that was before Him the clouds passed, hail and coals of fire. Jehovah thundered out of the heavens, and the Most High gave forth His voice, hail and coals of fire (Ps. 18:8, 12, 13).
Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence; a fire shall devour before Him (Ps. 50:3).
In the same:
Jehovah shall rain upon the wicked snares, fire, and brimstone (Ps. 11:6).
In Ezekiel:
I will set My faces against them, that although they go out from the fire yet the fire shall devour them. And I will make the land a waste, because they have committed trespasses (15:4, 6-8).
In Moses:
A fire has been kindled in Mine anger, and shall burn even unto the lowest hell, and it shall devour the earth and its produce, and shall set on fire the foundations of the mountains (Deut. 32:22).
Such things appear in the spiritual world when Divine good and truth come down out of heaven towards the lower parts where the evil are who are to be separated from the good and dispersed; and these things are said because of these appearances there. And as the fire that comes down out of heaven, which in its origin is Divine love, becomes, when it is received by the evil there, a consuming fire, in the Word such fire is predicated of Jehovah. Infernal fire has no other source than the change of the Divine love into evil loves, and into direful cupidities of doing evil and inflicting injury.
sRef Ex@14 @27 S21′ sRef Ex@14 @24 S21′ sRef Ex@14 @26 S21′ sRef Num@11 @3 S21′ sRef Ex@14 @25 S21′ sRef Num@11 @2 S21′ sRef Gen@19 @24 S21′ sRef Num@11 @1 S21′ [21] This was represented also by:
The fire that fell from heaven and consumed Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 19:24);
And the fire that consumed Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, because they offered incense with strange fire (Lev. 10:1, et seq.).
“Incense offered with strange fire” signifies worship from other love than love to the Lord. Also by:
The fire that consumed the uttermost part of the camp of the sons of Israel, because of their lusts (Num. 11:1-3).
The same was represented by:
The Egyptians that perished in the Red Sea when Jehovah looked out from the pillar of fire and of cloud towards their camp (Exod. 14:24-27).
That this fire was in its origin the Divine love, shining before the sons of Israel in their journeyings and over the tabernacle in the nighttime, has been shown above in this article; and yet Jehovah’s looking out from it threw the camps of the Egyptians into utter disorder and destroyed them.
sRef Deut@32 @22 S22′ sRef Isa@10 @17 S22′ sRef Rev@20 @9 S22′ [22] It is shown in Revelation that fire appeared descending from heaven to consume the evil in the spiritual world, and was seen there by John, for he says that:
Fire came down out of heaven, and consumed Gog and Magog and their crew (20:9; Ezek. 38:22).
“To consume” signifies here to disperse and to cast into hell. So again it is said in Isaiah:
The light of Israel shall be for a fire, and his Holy One for a flame, and it shall burn and consume his briers and brambles in one day (10:17).
“Briers and brambles” signify the evils and falsities of the doctrine of the church; the destruction of these by Divine truth descending out of heaven is signified by “the light of Israel shall be for a fire, and his Holy One for a flame.”
sRef Isa@26 @11 S23′ [23] Because “fire” in the contrary sense, or in respect to the evil, properly signifies the love of self, and “flame” the love of the world, so also “fire” signifies every evil, as enmity, hatred, revenge, and many others, for all evils swarm forth from these two origins (see The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 75); consequently “fire” signifies also the destruction of man in respect to spiritual life, and thus damnation and hell. All these things are signified by “fire” because love is signified by “fire,” as can be seen still further from the following passages. In Isaiah:
The peoples shall behold, and be ashamed* of the hatred; yea, fire shall devour thine enemies (26:11).
The destruction of the evil, who are here meant by “peoples” and “enemies,” is described by “hatred” and “fire.”
sRef Isa@43 @2 S24′ [24] In the same:
When thou passest through the waters I will be with thee, and through the rivers they shall not overflow thee; when thou goest through the fire thou shall not be scorched, neither shall the flame burn thee (Isa. 43:2).
“To pass through waters and through rivers and not be overflowed” signifies that falsities and reasonings from falsities against truths shall not enter and corrupt, “waters” here meaning falsities, and “rivers” reasonings from falsities against truths; “to go through the fire and not be scorched, and not to have the flame burn” signifies that evils and the cupidities arising from them shall do no harm, “fire” signifying evils, and “flame” the cupidities therefrom.
sRef Isa@64 @11 S25′ [25] In the same:
The house of our holiness and our splendor, where our fathers praised Thee, is burned up with fire; and all our desirable things are laid waste (Isa. 64:11).
“The house of holiness and splendor” signifies the celestial and the spiritual church, “the house of holiness” the celestial church, and “splendor” the spiritual church; “where our fathers praised Thee” signifies the worship of the Ancient Church, “to praise” signifying to worship, and “fathers” those who were of the Ancient Church; “to be burned up with fire” signifies that all the goods of that church were turned into evils by which the goods were consumed and destroyed; “and all our desirable things are laid waste” signifies that all truths also were consumed, “desirable things” signifying in the Word the truths of the church.
sRef Isa@1 @31 S26′ sRef Isa@1 @30 S26′ [26] In the same:
Ye shall be as an oak casting its leaves, and as a garden that hath no waters. And the strong one shall be as tow, and his work as a spark, that they may both burn together and no one quench them (Isa. 1:30, 31).
An “oak” signifies the natural man, and “leaves” knowledges and cognitions of truth therein; “garden” signifies the rational man; so “ye shall be as an oak casting its leaves, and as a garden that hath no waters,” signifies that there shall no longer be any true knowledge or rational truth. “The strong one” and “his work” signifies what is hatched out from self-intelligence; he who trusts in himself and his own intelligence is often called “strong” in the Word, for he regards himself and his work that he brings forth as strong; and as man’s own [proprium] drinks in every evil and falsity and thereby destroys every good and truth, it is said, “the strong shall be as tow, and his work as a spark, and they shall both burn together;” “to be burned” signifying to perish by the falsities of evil.
sRef Ezek@19 @14 S27′ sRef Ezek@19 @10 S27′ sRef Ezek@19 @12 S27′ sRef Ezek@19 @13 S27′ [27] In Ezekiel:
Thy mother is like a vine. Now she is planted in the wilderness, in a land of drought and thirst; fire hath gone out from the rod of her branches, it hath devoured them and her fruit (19:10, 12-14).
“The mother who was like a vine” signifies the Ancient Church, which was in the good of life and in the truths therefrom; “now she is planted in the wilderness in a land of drought and thirst,” signifies that the church is now destitute of goods and truths, “a land of drought” meaning the church where there is no good, and “a land of thirst” where there is no truth; “fire hath gone out from the rod of her branches, it hath devoured them and her fruit,” signifies that the evil of falsity has destroyed every truth and good, “fire” means evil, “the rod of the branches” the falsity of doctrine in which is evil, and “to devour them and her fruit” means to destroy truth and good; the evil of falsity is the evil that is from the falsity of doctrine.
sRef Zech@9 @4 S28′ [28] In Zechariah:
The Lord will impoverish Tyre, and smite her wealth in the sea; and she shall be devoured by fire (9:4).
“Tyre” signifies the church in respect to the knowledges of truth and good, thus “Tyre” signifies the knowledges of truth and good that belong to the church; its devastation by falsities and evils is signified by “the Lord shall smite her wealth in the sea, and she shall be devoured by fire.”
[29] In David:
Enemies have set Thy sanctuary on fire, they have profaned the tabernacle of Thy name even to the earth; they have burned all God’s festal places to the earth. There is no more any prophet, neither is there with us anyone that knoweth (Ps. 74:7-9).
That cupidities arising from evil loves have destroyed the truths and goods of the church is signified by “enemies have set the sanctuary on fire, and have profaned the tabernacle of the name of Jehovah;” that they utterly destroyed all things of Divine worship is signified by “they have burned all God’s festal places to the earth;” that there was no longer any doctrine of truth or understanding of truth is signified by “there is no more any prophet, neither is there with us anyone that knoweth.”
sRef Deut@13 @14 S30′ sRef Deut@13 @13 S30′ sRef Deut@13 @15 S30′ sRef Deut@13 @16 S30′ [30] In Moses:
If men of Belial should impel the inhabitants of a city to serve other gods they should all be smitten with the edge of the swords, and the city with all its spoil should be burned with fire (Deut. 13:14-17).
This signifies in the spiritual sense that a doctrine from which is worship that acknowledges any other god than the Lord must be destroyed, because in such doctrine there is nothing but falsities from evil cupidities. This is signified in the spiritual sense by these words, because a “city” in the Word signifies doctrine, and “to serve other gods” signifies to acknowledge and worship some other god than the Lord; “sword” signifies the destruction of truth by falsity, and “fire” the destruction of good by evil.
sRef Luke@12 @52 S31′ sRef Luke@12 @49 S31′ sRef Luke@12 @51 S31′ sRef Luke@12 @53 S31′ [31] In Luke:
The Lord said that He came to send fire on the earth; and what would He if it were already kindled? (12:49);
which signifies hostilities and combats between good and evil, and between truth and falsity; for before the Lord came into the world there were in the church nothing but falsities and evils, consequently there was no combat between these and truths and goods; but when truths and goods had been unveiled by the Lord, then it was possible for combats to exist, and without combats between these there can be no reformation; this therefore is what is meant by the Lord’s “willing that fire be already kindled.” That this is the meaning of these words can be seen from those that follow:
That He had come to give division; for from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided; the father shall be divided against the son and the son against the father, the mother against the daughter and the daughter against the mother (Luke verses 51-53).
“The father against the son and the son against the father” means evil against truth and truth against evil; and “the mother against the daughter and the daughter against the mother” means the cupidity of falsity against the affection of truth, and the affection of truth against the cupidity of falsity; “in one house” means with one man.
sRef Ezek@20 @31 S32′ sRef Jer@49 @2 S32′ sRef Jer@7 @31 S32′ [32] As “sons” signify in the Word the truths of the church, and “daughters” its goods, it can be seen what is signified by “burning sons and daughters” in Jeremiah:
They have built the high places of Topheth, in the valley of Hinnom, for burning their sons and their daughters (7:31).
I will cause an alarm of war to be heard against Rabbah of Ammon; and her daughters shall be burned with fire (49:2).
And in Ezekiel:
When ye offer your gifts, when ye make your sons to pass through the fire (20:31).
“To burn sons and daughters with fire” signifies to destroy the truths and goods of the church by evil cupidities or by evil loves; whether or not such abominations were committed, yet they signify the destruction of the truth and good of the church by filthy abominable lusts, which are confirmed by falsities.
[33] From this the signification of “hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast unto the earth, so that a third part of the trees was burnt up,” can now be seen, namely, influx out of heaven, and thence the first change before the Last Judgment; but what “tree” and “green grass” signify will be told in what follows. Like things are also said in the description of the plagues in Egypt that preceded their final destruction, which was the drowning in the Red Sea, namely:
That hail in which ran fire rained on the land of Egypt, by which every herb of the field was smitten, and every tree of the field was broken down (Exod. 9:18-35).
sRef Joel@2 @3 S34′ sRef Ex@9 @23 S34′ sRef Ex@9 @22 S34′ sRef Ex@9 @25 S34′ sRef Ex@9 @24 S34′ sRef Joel@2 @30 S34′ sRef Joel@2 @31 S34′ sRef Ex@9 @21 S34′ sRef Ex@9 @20 S34′ sRef Ex@9 @30 S34′ sRef Ex@9 @18 S34′ sRef Ex@9 @32 S34′ sRef Ex@9 @31 S34′ sRef Ex@9 @27 S34′ sRef Ex@9 @26 S34′ sRef Ex@9 @29 S34′ sRef Ex@9 @28 S34′ sRef Joel@2 @2 S34′ sRef Joel@1 @19 S34′ sRef Joel@1 @20 S34′ sRef Ex@9 @19 S34′ sRef Joel@2 @1 S34′ [34] That like things are to occur before “the day of Jehovah,” which is the Last Judgment, is predicted in the Prophets. In Joel:
The day of Jehovah, a day of darkness and of thick darkness; a fire devoureth before it, and after it a flame burneth (2:1-3).
In the same:
And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and fearful day of Jehovah cometh (2:30, 31).
In the same:
The fire hath devoured the habitations of the desert, and the flame hath set in flames all the trees of the field (1:19, 20).
In Ezekiel:
Say to the forest of the south, Behold, I will kindle a fire in thee, and it shall devour every green tree in thee; the flame of the grievous flame shall not be quenched; wherefore all the faces from the south even to the north shall be burned therein (20:46, 47).
“The forest of the south” signifies a church that can be in the light of truth from the Word, but that is now in knowledges alone without spiritual light; “the trees that the fire will devour” signify such knowledges; that evil cupidities will deprive such knowledges of all spiritual life, and that there will be no longer any truth in clearness, nor even a remnant of it in obscurity, is signified by “all the faces (of the land) from the south to the north shall be burned therein.” Now that the signification of “fire” in both senses is known, the signification in the Word of “to become warm,” “to be inflamed,” “to glow,” “to boil up,” “to be burned,” “to be burnt up,” also of “warmth,” “flame,” “glow,” “burning,” “conflagration,” “place for fire,” “coals,” and the like, can be seen.
* Photolithograph has “pine away.”

sRef Rev@8 @7 S0′ 505. And they were cast unto the earth, signifies progression towards the lower parts, where the evil were. This is evident from the signification of “being cast unto the earth,” namely, “hail and fire mingled with blood,” which was effected by “the first angel sounding,” as being to advance towards the lower parts, where the evil were consociated, with whom also there were some of the good. This signifies progression towards the lower parts, because the changes and desolations that are signified by “the third part of the trees and all the green grass were burnt up,” were effected progressively towards the lower parts where the evil were, as has been said above. “The earth” means here the lower parts, because these things were seen by John when he was in the spirit, that is, when he was in the spiritual world; for man’s spirit, when it has its sight opened, sees the things that are in the spiritual world and in that world there are mountains, hills, and valleys, and upon the mountains and hills there are the angelic heavens, but in the valleys below are those who have not yet been taken up into heaven; on these, therefore, there were now the evil mixed with the good; wherefore these valleys that were below the mountains and hills are here meant by “the earth” (or land); so “to be cast unto the earth” means out of the heavens towards the lower parts. But when mountains, hills, and valleys taken together are called “the earth,” then “the earth” signifies the church there.

sRef Rev@8 @7 S0′ 506. And the third part of the trees was burnt up, signifies that the perceptions and knowledges of truth and good were destroyed by cupidities arising from evil loves. This is evident from the signification of “a third part,” when predicated of truths, as meaning all (of which presently); also from the signification of “trees,” as being the interiors of man that belong to his mind (of which above, n. 109), and thus the perceptions of truths and goods, and the knowledges of them (see above, n. 420); also from the signification of “to be burnt up,” as being to be destroyed by cupidities arising from evil loves, of which just above (n. 504), where it was shown that these cupidities are signified by “fire,” therefore “to be burnt up” means to be destroyed by these.
sRef Rev@8 @11 S2′ sRef Rev@8 @10 S2′ sRef Rev@8 @12 S2′ sRef Rev@8 @8 S2′ [2] “The third part” signifies all, and thus “the third part of the trees” signifies every perception of truths and goods, and thence every knowledge of them, because the number “three” signifies fullness, the whole, and all, and is predicated of truths; so “the third part” has the like meaning, for “a third” means the same as “three;” moreover, numbers multiplied into themselves and divided by themselves have a similar signification as the integral numbers from which they are derived (see above, n. 430). That “the third part” signifies all and is predicated of truths see also above (n. 384). “The third part” has a similar signification in the following passages:
The third part of the sea became blood (verse 8);
The third part of the creatures that were in the sea died (verse 9);
A burning star fell upon the third part of the rivers (verse 10);
The third part of the waters became wormwood (verse 11);
The third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars (verse 12; likewise 9:15, 18; 12:4).
[3] This describes how all perception of truth and good, and thence the knowledge of them, were first destroyed by the loves of self and the world and the cupidities and pleasures arising therefrom. The perception and knowledge of spiritual truth and good are destroyed by these loves and the cupidities arising therefrom, because these loves are the corporeal and merely natural loves into which man is born and unless these are subdued and ruled by spiritual loves, which are out of heaven from the Lord, they extinguish every perception and thence every knowledge of the truths and goods of heaven and the church; for these loves regarded in themselves are diametrically opposite to the spiritual loves. From this it can be seen that when the church lapses it comes first from an internal spiritual state into a natural state, that consists of loving self and the world above all things; thence then it is in thick darkness in respect to all things of heaven and the church, however much light it may have in respect to the things of the world.
[4] When the perception of spiritual truths and goods perishes, the knowledge of them also perishes, for although man knows them and speaks of them from the Word or from doctrine, still he does not know them when he does not perceive them. The perception of a thing makes the knowledge of it. Knowledge without perception is not living, but dead, and is a knowledge of the mere sense of the words, and not of the thing itself. Such are the knowledges of truth and good from the Word and from the doctrine of the church that those have with whom the loves of self and the world are dominant; however skilled such may be in cleverly and artfully speaking and preaching about them, yet they are mere shells, which seem before the vulgar to have kernels within, and yet they are empty.

sRef Rev@8 @7 S0′ 507. And all green grass was burnt up, signifies that all true knowledge [scientificum] was destroyed by the cupidities of the same loves. This is evident from the signification of “grass,” as being knowledge [scientificum] (of which presently); also from the signification of “green,” as being truth and living from truth, because as green grass serves as food for animals, so true knowledge serves for spiritual nourishment for man; for whatever is produced in fields, in gardens, and in plains, and serves for nourishment either for man or beast, has a correspondence with such things as serve for the nourishment of the spirit and mind, and such nourishment is called spiritual nourishment. Like things appear in the spiritual world, from the correspondence of spiritual things with natural things; and as the Word in the letter is natural, and is written by correspondences, it is here said that “the third part of the trees and all green grass were burnt up,” which means in the spiritual sense that all perception and knowledge of truth and good, as well as all true knowledge [scientificum] are destroyed, by these two corporeal, terrestrial, and merely natural loves.
[2] By true knowledge [scientifica] is meant all knowledge by which spiritual truth is confirmed, and which has life from spiritual good. For by knowledges [scientifica] a man may become wise or he may become insane. A man becomes wise by knowledges when he uses them to confirm the truths and goods of the church, which are spiritual truths and goods; and he becomes insane by knowledges when he uses them to invalidate and refute the truths and goods of the church. When they are used to confirm the truths and goods of the church they are called true knowledges, as also living knowledges; but when they are used to invalidate and refute the truths and goods of the church they are called false knowledges, and also dead knowledges. Knowledges [scientiae] are only means to uses, and they are such as the uses are that spring from them. They are living knowledges when man by means of them acquires for himself intelligence and wisdom. All intelligence and wisdom is from truths that are from heaven; such intelligence and wisdom, because it is from heaven, that is, from the Lord through heaven, is living, because it is the very spiritual life of man; but from falsities there can be no intelligence and wisdom, and if it is supposed to exist in anyone, yet it is dead, because it is from hell.
[3] This has been said to make known that “green grass” signifies true knowledge [scientificum], which is living, but “grass burnt up” signifies false knowledge, which is dead. When truth and good, which come from heaven, find no receptacle in the cognitions and knowledges with man, but evils and falsities which are from hell are received, then knowledges [scientifica] are not living but dead, and correspond to grass withered and burnt up. It is similar with man himself, for a man is such a man as the cognitions and knowledges are alive in him; for from living knowledges [scientiae] he has intelligence, but from knowledges not living he has no intelligence; and if they are dead in consequence of the confirmation of falsities by them there is insanity and folly.
sRef Isa@37 @27 S4′ sRef Ps@103 @15 S4′ sRef Isa@40 @7 S4′ sRef Ps@37 @2 S4′ sRef Isa@40 @8 S4′ sRef Ps@129 @6 S4′ sRef Isa@40 @6 S4′ sRef Isa@40 @5 S4′ [4] Such a man, from correspondence, is compared in the Word to “grass,” and is also called “grass” in the following passages. In Isaiah:
The inhabitants have become as the herb of the field, as the greenness of the tender herb, as the grass of the housetops and as a field scorched before it is grown up (37:27; 2 Kings 19:26).
In David:
The wicked are cut down in haste as the grass, and wither as the greenness of the herb (Ps. 37:2).
In the same:
As for man, his days are as grass; as a flower of the field so he flourisheth (Ps. 103:15).
In the same:
The haters of Zion shall be as the grass of the housetops, which withereth before it is plucked up (Ps. 129:6).
In Isaiah:
The glory of Jehovah shall be revealed, and they shall see. The voice said, Cry; and he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all its holiness is as the flower of the field; the grass hath dried up and the flower hath fallen off because the breath of Jehovah hath blown upon it. Surely the people is grass. The grass hath dried up, the flower hath fallen off; but the Word of our God shall stand up forever (40:5-8).
This is said of the Lord’s coming, and of the revelation of Divine truth from Him at that time, which is meant by “the glory of Jehovah shall be revealed, and they shall see.” That there will then be no true knowledge [scientificum] and no spiritual truth with men, is signified by “all flesh is grass, all its holiness is as the flower of the field; the grass hath dried up, the flower hath fallen off,” “grass” meaning true knowledge, and “the flower of the field” spiritual truth. That man is such is meant by “all flesh is grass,” and by “surely the people is grass; the grass is dried up;” “all flesh” meaning every man, and “people” those who are in truths, here those who are in falsities.
sRef Isa@51 @12 S5′ sRef Isa@44 @4 S5′ sRef Isa@44 @3 S5′ [5] In the same:
I am He that comforteth you; who art thou, that thou fearest man that dieth, and a son of man that is given for grass? (Isa. 51:12).
These words signify that all things are from the Lord, and nothing from self-wisdom and self-intelligence. “Man” means man in respect to wisdom, and the “son of man” the same in respect to intelligence; that this latter is mere knowledge [scientifia] is meant by “is given for grass.”
[6] In the same:
I will pour out My spirit upon thy seed, and My blessing upon thine offspring; and they shall spring up in the midst of the grass (Isa. 44:3, 4).
The “spirit of Jehovah” signifies the Divine truth, and “blessing” signifies its multiplication and fructification; intelligence thence through true knowledges (scientifica) is signified by “springing up in the midst of the grass.”
sRef Deut@32 @2 S7′ sRef Ps@147 @9 S7′ sRef Ps@147 @8 S7′ sRef Ps@104 @14 S7′ sRef Ps@104 @15 S7′ [7] In David:
Jehovah who causeth the grass to spring forth for the beast, and herb for the service of man (Ps. 104:14).
In the same:
Jehovah who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to spring forth upon the mountains, who giveth to the beast his food (Ps. 147:8, 9).
In Moses:
My doctrine shall flow down as the rain, My Word shall drop as the dew, as the mist on the grass, and as the drops on the herb (Deut. 32:2).
In these passages “grass” signifies true knowledge [scientificum], and “the herb of the field” spiritual truth; for “the herb of the field” means what springs up in a field at first, that is, when it has just been plowed, therefore it is called “herb for the service of man.” It is said “grass for the beast,” and “as food for the beast,” because “beast” signifies in the Word the affection of the natural man, and to this, true knowledge is for food and nourishment.
sRef Job@40 @15 S8′ [8] In Job:
Behold the Behemoth, which I made with thee; he eateth grass as an ox (40:15).
“Behemoth” has the same meaning as “beast” in the Word, namely, the natural affections that belong to man, therefore it is said, “behold, the Behemoth, which I have made with thee.” His spiritual pasture is true knowledge; this is meant by “he eateth grass as an ox.”
[9] That “green” signifies what is living can be seen without further explanation; for any vegetable subject while it is growing, that is, while it lives as it were, is green, but when it is no longer growing, or is as it were dying, its greenness perishes; therefore “green” or “to be green” signifies living or to be living; as can be seen also from the following passages (Jer. 11:16; 17:8; Ezek. 17:24; 20:47; Hos. 14:8; Ps. 37:35; 52:8; 92:10) and elsewhere.

sRef Rev@8 @8 S0′ sRef Rev@8 @9 S0′ 508. Verses 8, 9. And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea; and the third part of the sea became blood. And there died the third part of the creatures in the sea having souls; and the third part of the ships was destroyed. 8. “And the second angel sounded” signifies influx out of heaven, and the second consequent change with the evil (n. 509); “and as it were a great mountain burning with fire,” signifies the love of self and of self-intelligence therefrom (n. 510); “was cast into the sea,” signifies into the natural man (n. 511); “and the third part of the sea became blood,” signifies that in consequence everything therein became falsity of evil (n. 512). 9. “And there died the third part of the creatures in the sea having souls,” signifies that in consequence every living knowledge [scientificum] in the natural man perished (n. 513); “and the third part of the ships was destroyed,” signifies that all knowledge of truth and good from the Word and from doctrines from the Word also perished (n. 514).

sRef Rev@8 @8 S0′ 509. Verse 8. And the second angel sounded, signifies influx out of heaven, and the second consequent change with the evil, as is evident from what has been said and shown above (n. 502).

sRef Rev@8 @8 S0′ 510. And as it were a great mountain burning with fire, signifies the love of self, and of self-intelligence therefrom. This is evident from the signification of “a mountain burning with fire,” as being the love of self and the love of self-intelligence therefrom. This love is signified by such a mountain, because a “mountain” in the Word signifies love in both senses, namely heavenly love and infernal love (see above, n. 405); likewise “fire” (see also above, n. 504); and here the evil who are to be separated from the good and cast into hell are treated of, and with such every truth is turned by that love into falsity. This effect, arising from “casting that mountain into the sea,” is described in what follows; for “that mountain cast into the sea, so that the third part of the sea became blood,” signifies that everything in the natural man became falsity of evil. From this it can be seen that “a great mountain burning with fire” signifies the love of self and the love of self-intelligence therefrom. All self-intelligence is from the love of self.
[2] “Mountain” means love in both senses, because the angels of the third heaven, who are in celestial love, dwell upon mountains in the spiritual world; so when a “mountain” is mentioned, that heaven is meant, and according to the ideas of angelic thought, which are abstracted from persons and places, that which constitutes heaven is meant, that is, celestial love. But in the contrary sense “mountain” signifies the love of self, because they who are in the love of self have a constant desire to go up mountains, to make themselves equal to those who are in the third heaven. Because they dwell upon this in their fancy, it is also the object of their endeavor when they are out of the hells; this is why a “mountain” in the contrary sense signifies the love of self. In a word, those who are in the love of self are always aspiring after high things, so after death, when all the states of the love are changed into things correspondent, in their fancy they mount aloft, believing themselves, while in the fancy, to be upon high mountains, and yet bodily they are in the hells. This is why those who are of Babylon, who are in such love of self as to wish to rule not only over all the earth but also over the heavens, are called “mountains,” and are said “to sit upon a mountain” and “to ascend above the heights of the cloud.” As in Jeremiah:
Behold, I am against thee, O destroying mountain, destroying the whole earth; and I will stretch out My hand against thee, to roll thee down from the rocks and make thee a mountain of burning (51:25).
In Isaiah:
Thou hast said in thy heart, I will ascend into the heavens, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; and I will sit on the mount of the congregation; I will ascend above the heights of the cloud; I will become like the Most High: yet thou shalt be cast down to hell (14:13-15).
This is said of Babylon.

sRef Rev@8 @8 S0′ 511. Was cast into the sea, signifies into the natural man. This is evident from the signification of the “sea,” as being the knowledge [scientificum] in general which is in the natural man, consequently the natural man in respect to its knowledge there (see above n. 270, 342). This is the signification of “sea,” because “water” signifies truth, and truth in the natural man is called knowledge [scientificum]; but truth itself is in itself spiritual, and in the spiritual man makes one with the affection of truth, for it is a form of affection there; consequently so far as this affection with its form is therefrom in the knowledges that are in the natural man, so far the knowledges contain in themselves truths, and are true knowledges; for the knowledges of the natural man, viewed in themselves, are not truths, but only containing vessels of truth, therefore “vessels” in the Word signify knowledges.
[2] That the “sea” signifies the natural man can be seen from passages in the Word cited above (n. 275, 342), which makes clear that the “sea” in reference to its water signifies knowledge [scientificum] in general, while the “sea” in reference to its waves signifies disputation and reasoning, which are maintained by knowledges; and as both knowledges and reasoning are in the natural man, therefore the “sea” signifies the natural man itself. But the state of the natural man is wholly in accordance with the affection of man’s love. When spiritual affection, that is, affection of good and truth for the sake of good and truth, is dominant in man, and when this affection flows in through the spiritual into the natural man, then the natural man is a spiritual-natural man, for it is subordinate and subject to the spiritual, and as they thus act as a one, both are in heaven. But so long as a merely natural affection is dominant in man, there is in the natural man no truth, but everything therein is knowledge [scientificum] not true, it is dead knowledge and false knowledge, for the reason that the knowledges therein then conjoin themselves with affections merely natural, all of which spring from the loves of self and of the world, while truths themselves, because in themselves they are spiritual, conjoin themselves only with spiritual affections, as has been said above. When truths conjoin themselves with affections merely natural, they are no longer truths but falsities, for affection merely natural falsifies truths. Conjunctions of truth with affections merely natural correspond to whoredoms and adulteries of various kinds, and in the spiritual sense are meant in the Word by various kinds of whoredoms and adulteries. There are conjunctions of the truths of the Word with the love of self and the world that correspond to these.
[3] That the “sea” signifies the natural man with the things that are in it is also from correspondence; for in the spiritual world seas appear in various places, especially about the outmost boundaries where spiritual societies or heaven itself ends. There are seas there because in the boundaries of heaven and beyond them those dwell who have been merely natural men, and these appear there in deep places, where they have their abodes; the natural men there, however, are not evil, but the evil natural men are in the hells. The seas there seen also make evident what those are who are in them, especially from the color of the waters, as verging towards darkness or clearness; if towards darkness those therein are sensual spirits, who are the lowest natural, and if towards clearness those therein are the interior natural. But the waters of the seas that are over the hells are dense, black, and sometimes ruddy; and the infernal crew therein appear like snakes and serpents, and like such monsters as are in seas.

sRef Rev@8 @8 S0′ 512. And the third part of the sea became blood, signifies that in consequence everything therein became the falsity of evil. This is evident from the signification of the “third part,” as being all (see above, n. 506); also from the signification of the “sea,” as being the natural man (see just above, n. 511); therefore “the third part of the sea” signifies the whole natural man and everything therein; also from the signification of “blood,” as being falsity of evil (see also above, n. 329). From this the spiritual sense of this verse can be seen, namely, that “the great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea, and the third part of the sea became blood,” signifies that the love of self, when it enters into and occupies the natural man, turns every knowledge [scientificum] into the falsity of evil.
[2] The love of self is a love purely corporeal, springing from the rising up and fermenting of worn out parts and the titillation caused by these inwardly in the body; in consequence of which the perceptive faculty of the mind, which requires a pure atmosphere, not only becomes dull and gross, but even perishes. That this is the origin of the love of self can be seen from its correspondence with human dung; for those who have been corroded by this love, when they come into the other life love above all things stercoraceous filth, and its stench is grateful to them, which proves that the effluvium therefrom pleasantly affects the sensory of their smell, as it had before affected the general sensory, which is extended by interior cuticles in every direction. From this alone it can be seen that the love of self is more gross and foully corporeal than any other love, and consequently that it takes away all spiritual perception, which is a perception of the truth and good of heaven and the church. Moreover, it shuts up the spiritual mind and fixes its seat entirely in the natural and sensual man, which communicates most closely with the body and has no communication with heaven. From this again it comes to pass that all those in whom the love of self is dominant are sensual, and do not see the things that belong to heaven and the church except in the densest darkness; and furthermore they reject and deny these whenever they are alone and are thinking with themselves. From this the signification of “the third part of the sea became blood, in consequence of the great mountain burning with fire that was cast into it,” can now be seen.

sRef Rev@8 @9 S0′ 513. Verse 9. And there died the third part of the creatures in the sea having souls, signifies that in consequence every living knowledge [scientificum] in the natural man perished. This is evident from the signification of “dying,” as being to perish spiritually, that is, in respect to the life of heaven; also from the signification of the “third part,” as being all (see above, n. 506); also from the signification of the “creatures in the sea” (or fishes), as being knowledges [scientifica] (of which presently); also from the signification of “having souls,” as being to be alive; consequently “there died the third part of the creatures in the sea having souls” signifies that in consequence every living knowledge perished. A living knowledge means a knowledge that derives life from spiritual affection; for that affection gives life to truths, and thus gives life to knowledges, for knowledges are containants of spiritual truths (see above, n. 506, 507, 511).
sRef Isa@50 @2 S2′ [2] “The creatures of the sea” (or fishes) signify knowledges, because the “sea” signifies the natural man, and thus “fishes in the sea” signify the knowledges themselves that are in the natural man. This signification of “fishes” also is from correspondence, for the spirits that are not in spiritual truths, but only in natural truths, which are knowledges, appear in the spiritual world in seas, and when viewed by those who are above, as fishes; for the thoughts that spring from the knowledges with such present that appearance. For all the ideas of the thought of angels and spirits are turned into various representatives outside of them; when turned into such things as are of the vegetable kingdom they are turned into trees and shrubs of various kinds; and when into such things as are of the animal kingdom they are turned into land animals and flying things of various kinds; when the ideas of the angels of heaven are turned into land animals they are turned into lambs, sheep, goats, bullocks, horses, mules, and other like animals; but when into flying things they are turned into turtle doves, pigeons, and various kinds of beautiful birds. But the ideas of thought of those who are natural and who think from mere knowledges are turned into the forms of fishes. Consequently in the seas various kinds of fishes appear, and this it has often been granted me to see.
[3] It is from this that in the Word “fishes” signify knowledges, as in the following passages. In Isaiah:
At My rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers into a wilderness; their fish shall rot because there is no water, and shall die of thirst (50:2).
“The rebuke of Jehovah” means the ruin of the church, which takes place when there is no knowledge of truth and good, that is, no living knowledge, because there is no perception; “dry up the sea” signifies to deprive the natural man of true knowledges [scientifica], and thus of natural life from the spiritual; “to make the rivers into a wilderness” signifies a similar deprivation in the rational man whence there is no intelligence; “their fish shall rot because there is no water, and shall die of thirst,” signifies that there is no longer any living knowledge [scientificum], because there is no truth, “fish” meaning knowledge, “water” truth, and “to rot” meaning to perish in respect to spiritual life.
sRef Ex@7 @18 S4′ sRef Ex@7 @20 S4′ sRef Ex@7 @19 S4′ sRef Ex@7 @17 S4′ sRef Ex@7 @22 S4′ sRef Ex@7 @24 S4′ sRef Ex@7 @25 S4′ sRef Ex@7 @21 S4′ sRef Ps@105 @29 S4′ sRef Ex@7 @23 S4′ [4] The like that is here said of the sea, that “a third part of it became blood, and thence the third part of the creatures in it died,” is said also of Egypt, that its river and all its waters became blood, and consequently the fish died, in Moses:
Moses said to Pharaoh that the waters of the river should be turned into blood, and that consequently the fish should die, and the river should stink, and that the Egyptians would loathe to drink the waters of the river; and this was also done in respect to all the water in Egypt (Exod. 7:17-25).
It is said of this in David:
He turned their waters into blood, and slew their fish (Ps. 105:29).
The like was done in Egypt, because “Egypt” signifies the natural man in respect to its knowledge [scientificum], or the knowledge belonging to the natural man; “the river of Egypt” signifies intelligence acquired by means of knowledges; “the river becoming blood” signifies intelligence from mere falsities; “the fish dying” signifies that true knowledges were destroyed by falsities, for knowledges live by truths but are destroyed by falsities, for the reason that all spiritual truth is living, and from it is all the life, or as it were the soul, in the knowledges; therefore without spiritual truth knowledge is dead.
sRef Ezek@29 @5 S5′ sRef Ezek@29 @3 S5′ sRef Ezek@29 @4 S5′ [5] In Ezekiel:
I am against thee, Pharaoh, king of Egypt, the great whale that lieth in the midst of his rivers, that hath said, My river is mine own, and I have made myself. Therefore I will put hooks in thy jaws, and I will cause the fish of thy rivers to stick unto thy scales, and I will bring thee up out of the midst of thy rivers, that all the fish of thy rivers may stick unto thy scales. And I will abandon thee in the wilderness, thee and all the fish of thy rivers (29:3-5).
“Pharaoh” has a similar signification as “Egypt,” for the king and the people have a similar signification, namely, the natural man and knowledge therein; therefore he is called “a great whale;” “whale (or sea-monster)” signifying knowledge in general; therefore it is said that “he shall be drawn out of the river,” and that then “the fish shall stick to his scales,” which signifies that all intelligence is to perish, and that knowledge (scientia) which will take its place will be in the sensual man without life. In the sensual man, which is the lowest natural, standing out nearest to the world, there are fallacies and falsities therefrom, and this is signified by “the fish sticking to the scales” of the whale. That the natural man and the knowledge therein will be without life from any intelligence is signified by “I will abandon thee in the wilderness, thee and all the fish of thy rivers.” That such things would come to pass because the natural man attributes all intelligence to itself, is signified by “that hath said, My river is mine own, I have made myself,” “river” meaning intelligence.
sRef Num@11 @31 S6′ sRef Num@11 @34 S6′ sRef Num@11 @6 S6′ sRef Num@11 @33 S6′ sRef Num@11 @5 S6′ [6] In Moses:
The sons of Israel said in the wilderness, We remember the fish that we did eat in Egypt freely, and the cucumbers and the melons, and the leeks and the onions and the garlic; now our soul is dried up; there is nothing at all except this manna before our eyes. Afterwards there went forth a wind from Jehovah, and snatched quails from the sea, and let them fall over the camp. But because of this lust Jehovah smote the people with a very great plague; consequently the name of that place was called the Graves of Lust (Num. 11:5, 6, 31, 33, 34).
This signified that the sons of Israel were averse from things spiritual and hungered after natural things; indeed, they were not spiritual but merely natural, only representing a spiritual church by external things. That they were averse from spiritual things is signified by “our soul is dried up, there is nothing at all except this manna before our eyes,” “manna” signifying spiritual food, which is knowledge (scientia), intelligence, and wisdom. That they hungered after natural things is signified by “their lusting after the fish in Egypt, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic,” all which signify such things as belong to the lowest natural, that is, the sensual-corporeal man; and because they rejected things spiritual, and coveted merely natural things instead, “they were smitten with a great plague, and the name given to the place was the Graves of Lust.”
sRef Ezek@47 @1 S7′ sRef Ezek@47 @9 S7′ sRef Ezek@47 @8 S7′ sRef Ezek@47 @10 S7′ sRef Ezek@47 @11 S7′ [7] In Ezekiel:
He said to me, These waters go forth toward the eastern boundary, and go down 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 creeps, whithersoever the brooks come, shall live; whence there is exceeding much fish. Therefore it shall come to pass that the fishers shall stand upon it from En-gedi even unto En-eglaim; with the spreading of nets are they there; their fish shall be according to their kind, as the fish of the great sea, exceeding many. But the miry places and the marshes thereof which are not healed shall be given to salt (47:8-11).
This treats of the house of God, which signifies heaven and the church; and “the waters that go forth out of the house of God towards the east” signify Divine truth reforming and regenerating; the “plain” and the “sea” into which the waters go down, signify the ultimate things of heaven and the church, which with the men of the church are the things that belong to the natural and sensual man, the “plain” signifying the interior things thereof, and the “sea” the exterior things thereof; that both cognitions from the Word and confirming knowledges receive spiritual life through this Divine truth is signified by “the waters of the sea are healed thereby,” and by “every soul that creepeth shall live,” and by “there shall be exceeding much fish;” that there are in consequence true and living knowledges of every kind is signified by “their fish shall be according to their kind, as the fish of the great sea, exceeding many.” Those who are reformed, and thence become intelligent, are meant by “the fishers from En-gedi even to En-eglaim.” Those who cannot be reformed because they are in the falsities of evil are signified by “the miry places and marshes that are not healed, but are given to salt.” Everyone can see that this does not mean that fishes are multiplied by the waters going forth out of the house of God, but that “fishes” mean such things in man as can be reformed, since “the house of God” means heaven and the church, and the “waters going forth therefrom” mean Divine truth reforming.
sRef Job@12 @8 S8′ sRef Hos@4 @1 S8′ sRef Ezek@38 @20 S8′ sRef Ezek@38 @19 S8′ sRef Job@12 @9 S8′ sRef Ezek@38 @18 S8′ sRef Hos@4 @3 S8′ sRef Job@12 @7 S8′ sRef Zeph@1 @3 S8′ [8] In the Word here and there mention is made of “the beast of the earth,” “the fowl of heaven,” and “the fish of the sea,” and he who does not know that the “beast of the earth” (or of the field) means man’s voluntary faculty, “the fowl of heaven” his intellectual faculty, and “the fish of the sea” his knowing faculty, cannot know at all the meaning of these passages, as in the following. In Hosea:
Jehovah hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land. Therefore the land shall mourn, and everyone that dwelleth therein shall languish, among the beasts of the field, and among the fowl of the heavens; and also the fishes of the sea shall be gathered up (4:1, 3).
In Zephaniah:
I will consume man and beast, I will consume the fowl of the heavens, and the fishes of the sea, and the stumbling blocks with the wicked (1:3).
In Ezekiel:
In the day that Gog shall come upon the land of Israel, there shall be a great earthquake over the land of Israel, and the fishes of the sea, and the fowl of the heavens, and the beast of the field, shall quake before Me (38:18-20).
In Job:
Ask the beasts and they shall teach thee, or the fowl of heaven and they shall tell thee, or the shrub of the earth and it shall teach thee, and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee. Who doth not know by all these things that the hand of Jehovah doeth this? (12:7-9).
In these passages “the beast of the field” means man’s voluntary faculty, “the fowl of heaven” his intellectual faculty, and “the fish of the sea” his knowing faculty; otherwise how could it be said “the beasts shall teach thee, the fowl of heaven shall tell thee, and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee, that the hand of Jehovah doeth this”? Also it is said, “Who doth not know by all these things?”
sRef Ps@8 @7 S9′ sRef Ps@8 @8 S9′ sRef Ps@8 @6 S9′ [9] Likewise in David:
Thou madest him to rule over the works of Thy hands; Thou hast put all things under his feet, the flock and all herds, the beasts of the fields, the fowl of heaven, and the fish of the sea, whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas (Ps. 8:6-8).
This is said of the Lord and His dominion. That He has dominion over angels in the heavens and over men on the earth is known from the Word, for He says that unto Him “all power in heaven and in earth has been given” (Matt. 28:18); but that dominion was given to Him over animals, fowl, and fishes, is not a matter of sufficient importance to be mentioned in the Word, where each and every thing has reference to heaven and the church. It is therefore evident that “flock and herds, the beasts of the fields, the fowl of heaven, and the fish of the sea,” mean such things as belong to heaven with angels and to the church with man, “the flock and the herds” signifying, in general, things spiritual and natural, the “flock” things spiritual, and “herds” things natural that are with man, or that belong to the spiritual mind and to the natural mind with him. “The beasts of the fields” signify things voluntary, which belong to the affections; “the fowl of heaven” signify things intellectual, which belong to the thoughts; and “the fishes of the sea” signify knowledges (scientifica) which belong to the natural man.
sRef Gen@1 @28 S10′ sRef Gen@1 @26 S10′ [10] Like things are signified by these words in the first chapter of Genesis:
And God said, We will make man in Our image, after Our likeness; that he may have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of heaven, and over every animal that creepeth upon the earth (verses 26, 28).
This chapter treats in the internal spiritual sense of the establishment of the Most Ancient Church, thus of the new creation or regeneration of the men of that church. That it was given to them to perceive all things of their affection which belong to the will, and to see all things of their thought which belong to the understanding, and to so rule over them as not to wander away into the lusts of evil and into falsities, is meant by “that he may have dominion over the fish of the sea, and the fowl of heaven, and every animal of the earth;” and man has dominion over these things when the Lord has dominion over man, for man of himself does not have dominion over anything in himself. “The fish of the sea, the fowl of heaven, and the beast of the field,” have this signification because of their correspondence. The correspondences of the interior things of man with these things stand forth so as to be clearly seen in the spiritual world; for there beasts of every kind, and birds, and fishes in the seas, are seen, which nevertheless are nothing else than the ideas of thought that flow forth from affections, and these are presented under such forms because they are correspondences.
sRef Isa@19 @8 S11′ [11] Because “fishes” signify the knowledges and cognitions belonging to the natural man that serve the spiritual man as means for becoming wise, so “fishers” mean in the Word those who are merely in knowledges, also those who are acquiring knowledges for themselves, also those who teach others and by means of knowledges reform them. The works of such are meant by “the casting and spreading of nets,” as in the following passages. In Isaiah:
The fishers shall moan, and all they that cast the hook into the river shall mourn, and they that spread the net upon the faces of the waters shall languish (19:8).
“The fishers that cast the hook into the river and they that spread the net” mean those who wish to acquire for themselves knowledges and through these intelligence, here that they are unable to do this because there are no knowledges of truth anywhere.
sRef Jer@16 @15 S12′ sRef Jer@16 @16 S12′ [12] In Jeremiah:
I will bring back the sons of Israel again upon their land; I will send to many fishers who shall fish them; then I will send to many hunters, who shall hunt them from upon every mountain and from upon every hill, and out of the clefts of the cliffs (16:15, 16).
“To send to fishers who shall fish them, and to hunters who shall hunt them,” means to call together and establish the church with those who are in natural good and in spiritual good, as may be seen above (n. 405).
sRef Hab@1 @15 S13′ sRef Hab@1 @17 S13′ sRef Hab@1 @14 S13′ [13] In Habakkuk:
Wherefore dost Thou make man as the fishes of the sea, as the creeping thing that hath no ruler? Let him draw up all with the hook, and gather him into his net. Shall he therefore empty his net, and not pity to slay the nations continually? (1:14, 15, 17).
This was said of the Chaldean nation wasting and destroying the church; and the Chaldean nation signifies the profanation of truth, and the vastation of the church. “To make men as the fishes of the sea, and as the creeping thing that hath no ruler,” signifies to make man so natural that his knowledges (scientifica) are devoid of spiritual truth, and his delights are devoid of spiritual good; for in the natural man there are knowledges by which come thoughts, and delights by which come affections; and if the spiritual is not dominant over these, both thoughts and affections are wandering, and thus man is destitute of the intelligence that should lead and rule. That then every falsity and every evil has power to draw them over to their side, and thus wholly destroy them, is signified by “Let him draw out all with the hook, and gather into his net, and afterwards slay,” “to draw out” meaning out of truth and good, “into his net” meaning into falsity and evil, and “to slay” meaning to destroy.
sRef Amos@4 @2 S14′ [14] In Amos:
The days will come in which they shall draw you out with hooks, and your posterity with fish hooks (4:2).
This signifies leading away and alienating from truths by means of acute reasonings from falsities and fallacies; it is said of those who abound in knowledges because they have the Word and the prophets; such are here meant by “the kine of Bashan in the mountain of Samaria.”
sRef Matt@4 @18 S15′ sRef Luke@5 @3 S15′ sRef Matt@4 @19 S15′ sRef Luke@5 @5 S15′ sRef Luke@5 @6 S15′ sRef Luke@5 @8 S15′ sRef Luke@5 @7 S15′ sRef Luke@5 @10 S15′ sRef Luke@5 @4 S15′ sRef Luke@5 @9 S15′ [15] From this the meaning of “fishermen,” “fishes” and “nets,” so often mentioned in the New Testament, can be seen, as in the following passages:
Jesus saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishers. And He said unto them, Come ye after Me, and I will make you fishers of men (Matt. 4:18, 19: Mark 1:16, 17).
Jesus entered into Simon’s boat and was teaching the multitude. After that He told Simon to let out his nets for a draught, and they inclosed a great multitude of fishes, so that the boats were filled, and in danger of sinking. And amazement seized them all, because of the draught of fishes; and He said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men (Luke 5:3-10).
In this also there is a spiritual sense, like that in the rest of the Word; the Lord’s choosing these fishermen and saying that “they should become fishers of men,” signified that they should gather to the church; “the nets which they let out, and in which they inclosed a great multitude of fishes, so that the ships were in danger of sinking,” signified the reformation of the church through them, for “fishes” here signify the knowledges of truth and good by means of which reformation is effected, likewise the multitude of men who are to be reformed.
sRef John@21 @13 S16′ sRef John@21 @8 S16′ sRef John@21 @10 S16′ sRef John@21 @11 S16′ sRef John@21 @9 S16′ sRef John@21 @6 S16′ sRef John@21 @4 S16′ sRef John@21 @5 S16′ sRef John@21 @7 S16′ sRef John@21 @3 S16′ sRef John@21 @12 S16′ sRef John@21 @2 S16′ [16] The draught of fishes by the disciples after the Lord’s resurrection has a like signification; it is thus described in John:
When Jesus manifested Himself to the disciples, who were fishing, He told them to cast the net on the right side of the boat. And they took so many that they were not able to draw the net for the multitude of fishes. When they descended upon the land they saw a fire built, and a little fish lying thereon, and bread. And Jesus gave them the bread, and the little fish likewise (21:2-13).
The Lord manifested Himself while they were fishing, because “to fish” signified to teach the knowledges of truth and good, and thus to reform. His commanding them “to cast the net on the right side of the boat” signified that all things should be from the good of love and charity, “the right side” signifying that good from which all things should come, for so far as knowledges are derived from good, so far they live and are multiplied. They said that “they had labored all the night and had taken nothing,” which signified that from self or from one’s own (proprium) nothing comes, but that all things are from the Lord; and the like was signified by the “fire” on which was the little fish, and by the “bread;” for the “bread” signified the Lord and the good of love from Him, and “the fish on the fire” the knowledge of truth from good, the “fish” the knowledge of truth, and the “fire” good. At that time there were no spiritual men, because the church was wholly vastated, but all were natural, and their reformation was represented by this fishing, and also by the fish on the fire. He who believes that the fish on the fire and the bread that were given to the disciples to eat were not significative of something higher is very much mistaken, for the least things done by the Lord and said by Him were significative of Divine celestial things, which become evident only through the spiritual sense. That this “fire of coals” and “fire” mean the good of love, and that “bread” means the Lord in relation to that good, has been shown above; and that a “fish” means the knowledge of truth and the knowing faculty of the natural man is clear from what has been said and shown in this article.
sRef Matt@13 @47 S17′ sRef Matt@13 @48 S17′ sRef Matt@13 @49 S17′ [17] It is also said by the Lord that:
The kingdom of the heavens is like unto a net cast into the sea bringing together every kind of fish, which when it was full they drew upon the beach, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. So shall it be in the consummation of the age (Matt. 13:47-49).
The separation of the good and the evil is here likened to “a net cast into the sea bringing together every kind of fish,” for the reason that “fishes” signify natural men in respect to knowledges and cognitions, and in “the consummation of the age,” or at the time of the Last Judgment, such are separated from one another; for there are good natural men and bad natural men; and the separation of these in the spiritual world has the appearance of a net or drag-net cast into the sea, bringing together the fish, and drawing them to the shore, and this appearance is also from correspondence. This is why the Lord likens the kingdom of the heavens to “a net bringing together the fish.” That the separation of the good from the evil presents this appearance it has been granted me to see.
sRef Luke@24 @38 S18′ sRef Luke@24 @40 S18′ sRef Matt@17 @24 S18′ sRef Luke@24 @42 S18′ sRef Luke@24 @43 S18′ sRef Matt@17 @25 S18′ sRef Luke@24 @41 S18′ sRef Luke@24 @39 S18′ sRef Matt@17 @26 S18′ sRef Matt@17 @27 S18′ [18] That natural men are signified by “fish” is clear from this miracle of the Lord:
Those who received the half-shekel came. Jesus said to Simon, The kings of the earth, from whom do they receive tribute or toll? from their sons or from strangers? Peter said unto Him, From strangers. Jesus said unto him, Therefore are the sons free. But lest we cause them to stumble, go thou to the sea and cast a hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up, and open its mouth and thou shalt find a shekel; that take and give unto them for Me and thee (Matt. 17:24-27).
“To pay tribute and toll,” signified to be subject and to serve, therefore tribute was imposed on strangers, who were not of the sons of Israel, as is evident from the histories of the Word. “The sons of Israel,” with whom was the church, signified the spiritual, and “strangers” the natural; and what is natural is subject to what is spiritual and serves it, for the spiritual man is like a lord, and the natural man like a servant; and as the natural are servants, and are therefore meant by those who pay tribute, so it was brought about that neither the Lord nor Peter, but the “fish,” which signified the natural man, should furnish the tribute.
[19] The Lord’s glorification of His Human, even to its ultimate, which is called natural and sensual, is signified by the following:
Jesus, having appeared to the disciples, said, See My hands and My feet, that it is I myself; feel of Me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones as ye behold Me having. And He showed them the hands and feet. And He said unto them, Have ye here anything to eat? They gave Him a piece of a broiled fish and of a honeycomb. And He took it and did eat before them (Luke 24:38-43).
That the Lord glorified His Human even to its ultimate, which is called the natural and sensual, He made manifest by showing the hands and feet, and by the disciples feeling them, and by His saying that “a spirit hath not flesh and bones as He had;” and by His eating of the broiled fish and honeycomb. “Hands and feet” signify the ultimates of man, likewise “flesh and bones;” and “broiled fish” signifies the natural in respect to truth from good, and “honey” the natural in respect to the good from which is truth. Because these corresponded to the natural man, and thence signified it, they were eaten in the presence of the disciples; for a “fish,” as has been shown in this article, signifies from correspondence the natural in respect to knowing [scientificum]; wherefore also “a fish” signifies in the Word knowledge and the knowing faculty [scientificum et cognitivum] which belong to the natural man, and a “broiled fish” signifies knowledge that is from natural good; but with the Lord it signifies the Divine natural in respect to truth from good (that “honey” signifies natural good may be seen in Arcana Coelestia, n. 5620, 6857, 10137, 10530). One who does not know that in each particular of the Word there is a spiritual sense, and that the sense of the letter, which is the natural sense, consists of correspondences with things spiritual, cannot know this arcanum, namely, why the Lord ate of the broiled fish and honeycomb in the presence of His disciples, nor why, as here, He gave broiled fish and bread to His disciples; and yet each and every thing that the Lord said and did was Divine, and these Divine things lie hidden in each thing written in the Word.
[20] From this the signification of “there died the third part of the creatures in the sea having souls” can now be seen, namely, that every living knowledge in the natural man perished; or, what is the same, that the natural man in respect to knowledges therein died. The natural man is said to be dead when it is not made alive from the spiritual man, that is, by influx out of heaven from the Lord through the spiritual man, for the Lord flows in through the spiritual man into the natural. When, therefore, no truth of heaven is any longer acknowledged, and no good of heaven affects man, the spiritual mind, which is called the spiritual man, is closed up, and the natural mind receives mere falsities from evil, and falsities from evil are spiritually dead, since truths from good are what are spiritually alive.
sRef Mark@16 @15 S21′ sRef Rev@5 @13 S21′ [21] It is said “the third part of the creatures,” because “creatures” and “animals” signified in the Word the affections and thoughts therefrom in man; consequently they mean men themselves in respect to affections and thoughts. Such is the signification of “creatures” in Mark:
Jesus said to the disciples, Going into all the world, preach ye the Gospel to every creature (16:15).
Also above in Revelation:
And every creature that is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth, and those that are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Unto Him that sitteth upon the throne and unto the Lamb be the blessing, and the honor, and the glory, and the strength, unto the ages of the ages (5:13).
It is evident that here “every creature” means both angels and men, for it is said that “he heard them saying.” (See above, n. 342-346, where this is explained.)

sRef Rev@8 @9 S0′ 514. And the third part of the ships was destroyed, signifies that also all the knowledges from the Word, and from doctrines from the Word perished. This is evident from the signification of “the third part,” as being everything, here all, because it is predicated of the knowledges of truth and good; also from the signification of “ships,” as being the knowledges of truth and good, also doctrinals. “Ships” have this signification because they carry riches over the sea for traffic, and “riches” signify in the Word the knowledges of truth and good, which also are doctrinals. “Ships,” in a strict sense, as being containing vessels, signify the Word and doctrine from the Word, because the Word and doctrine therefrom contain the knowledges of truth and good, as ships contain riches; and “trading,” which is chiefly done by ships, signifies acquiring knowledges for oneself and communicating them to others. But when the contents rather than the contained are meant, “ships” signify the knowledges from the Word and from doctrine from the Word.
sRef Ezek@27 @4 S2′ sRef Ezek@27 @25 S2′ sRef Ezek@27 @6 S2′ sRef Ezek@27 @5 S2′ sRef Ezek@27 @9 S2′ sRef Ezek@27 @8 S2′ [2] This signification of “ships” is evident from the passages where they are mentioned in the Word. Thus in Ezekiel:
O Tyre, thy borders are in the heart of the seas, thy builders have perfected thy beauty. They have built for thee all thy planks of fir-trees from Senir; they have taken a cedar from Lebanon to make a mast for thee. Of the oaks of Bashan have they made thine oars; they have made thy benches of ivory, a daughter of steps from the isles of Kittim. The inhabitants of Zidon and Arvad were thy rowers; thy wise men, O Tyre, that were in thee, they were thy ship-masters. The elders of Gebal and the wise men thereof were in thee caulking thy breaches; all the ships of the sea with their mariners were in thee to trade in thy merchandise. The ships of Tarshish served as carriers for thy wares. Thou wast filled and glorified exceedingly in the heart of the seas (27:4-6, 8, 9, 25).
In this chapter Tyre is treated of; and as “Tyre” signifies the knowledges of truth and good, therefore her trading is treated of, and the various wares by which she was enriched. For “her trading with various wares by which she was enriched” signifies the acquisition of such knowledges and spiritual opulence there from; therefore a ship is here described with all its furniture, its planks, oars, mast, its pilots, rowers, mariners, and in the preceding and following verses, its wares. But it would take too much space to explain here what all these particulars signify in the spiritual sense; it is enough to say that it is evident from this that a “ship” signifies doctrine from the Word, and that its “planks,” “oars,” and “mast” signify the various things of which doctrine consists; also that those who teach, lead, and rule, are meant by “pilot” “ship-masters,” “rowers,” and “mariners,” and the doctrinals themselves by its “wares,” and the acquisition of spiritual wealth and spiritual riches, which are the knowledges of truth and good, through which wisdom is gained, by “trading.” It is therefore said, “thy wise men, O Tyre, were in thee, they were thy ship-masters.”
sRef Ezek@28 @5 S3′ sRef Ezek@28 @3 S3′ sRef Ezek@28 @4 S3′ [3] Again in the following chapter, which also treats of Tyre:
Behold, thou art wiser than Daniel; there is no secret that they can hide from thee; in thy wisdom and in thine understanding thou hast made to thyself wealth, and hast made gold and silver in thy treasures; by the abundance of thy wisdom in thy trading thou hast increased to thyself wealth (Ezek. 28:3-5).
From these passages it is clear that “Tyre” and her “tradings” mean the knowledges of truth and good through which wisdom is gained; what other reason could there be for saying so much about her wares and her merchandise if spiritual things were not meant? (That “Tyre” means the church in respect to the knowledges of truth and good, consequently the knowledges of truth and good that belong to the church, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 1201.)
sRef Ezek@27 @30 S4′ sRef Ezek@27 @29 S4′ sRef Ezek@27 @28 S4′ [4] The vastation of the church in respect to the knowledges of truth and good is treated of in the same chapter, and is described in these words:
At the voice of the cry of thy ship-masters the suburbs shall quake. And all that hold the oar shall come down from their ship, all the ship masters of the sea, and shall cry out bitterly over thee (27:18-30).
“Ship-masters” signify those who are wise by means of knowledges from the Word; “those that hold the oar” signify those who are intelligent; the vastation of wisdom and intelligence is signified by “the voice of the cry of the ship-masters,” and by “those who hold the oar shall come down from the ships.”
sRef Isa@23 @14 S5′ sRef Isa@23 @2 S5′ sRef Isa@23 @1 S5′ [5] That “ships” in the Word mean the knowledges of truth and good and also doctrinals from the Word, when the cargo is meant by the “ship,” that is, the contents for the containant, is further evident from these passages. In Isaiah:
Howl, ye ships of Tarshish, for Tyre is devastated. The inhabitants of the island are still, the merchant of Zidon passing over the sea, they have filled thee. Howl, ye ships of Tarshish, for your stronghold is devastated (23:1, 2, 14).
“The ships of Tarshish” mean doctrinals from the Word, for those ships carried gold and silver, which signify goods and truths and the knowledges of these from the Word; and as “Tyre” signifies the church in respect to the knowledges of truth and good, here the church vastated, therefore it is said, “Howl, ye ships of Tarshish, for Tyre is devastated;” “the inhabitants of the island” mean those who are in the goods of life according to their doctrinals; “the merchants of Zidon” signify those who are in truths from the Word, of whom it is said, “they have filled thee;” “your stronghold” signifies doctrine from the Word defending; and “it is devastated” signifies that there is no perception of it and thence no truth; for the same doctrinals from the Word apart from spiritual perception are not truths, for they are falsified by incorrect ideas respecting them.
sRef Isa@60 @9 S6′ [6] In the same:
The isles shall trust in Me, and the ships of Tarshish in the beginning, to bring thy sons from far, their silver and their gold with them (60:9).
“The ships of Tarshish in the beginning” mean the knowledges of truth and good, such as those who are reformed have in the beginning, as may be seen above (n. 406), where this is explained. For the ships of Tarshish in the beginning brought gold and silver in great abundance, which signified the goods of life and the truths of doctrine.
sRef 1Ki@9 @28 S7′ sRef 1Ki@9 @26 S7′ sRef 1Ki@9 @27 S7′ sRef 1Ki@10 @22 S7′ sRef 1Ki@22 @48 S7′ sRef 1Ki@10 @23 S7′ [7] Of the ships of Tarshish it is said in the first book of Kings:
Solomon made a ship in Ezion-geber, which is beside Eloth, on the shore of the Sea Suph, in the land of Edom. And Hiram sent his servants, shipmen that had knowledge of the sea, with the servants of Solomon. They came to Ophir and took gold, four hundred and twenty talents, and brought it to King Solomon (9:26-28).
And again:
The king had at sea a ship of Tarshish with the ship of Hiram; once in three years came the ship of Tarshish, bringing gold and silver, ivory and apes and peacocks (10:22).
and again in the same book:
King Jehoshaphat built ships of Tarshish to go to Ophir for gold; but they went not, for the ships were broken at Ezion-geber (22:48).
Although these are historical facts they contain a spiritual sense as well as the prophecies; “the ships made in Ezion-geber, at the shore of the Sea Suph in the land of Edom,” signified the knowledges of the natural man, for these contain in themselves, and as it were carry, spiritual wealth, as ships carry worldly wealth; for “the Sea Suph” and “the land of Edom,” where Ezion-geber was, were the outmost border of the land of Canaan, and the “outmost borders of the land of Canaan” signify the ultimates of the church, which are knowledges (scientiae), including the cognitions [cognitiones] of truth and good. “Gold and silver” signify the goods and truths of the internal church; “ivory, apes, and peacocks,” signify the truths and goods of the external church; knowledges (scientia) here meaning such knowledges as the ancients had, namely, the knowledges of correspondences, of representations, and of influxes, and respecting heaven and hell, which especially included and were serviceable to the cognitions of truth and good of the church; “Hiram” signifies the nations that are out of the church with whom also there are cognitions of good and truth; and that the “ships” under king Jehoshaphat “were broken” signifies the devastation of the church in respect to its truths and goods.
sRef Ps@48 @7 S8′ [8] From these considerations it can be seen what is signified in particular by “the ships of Tarshish” in the preceding passages, and also in David:
By the east wind Thou breakest the ships of Tarshish (Ps. 48:7);
“the east wind” signifying devastation and desolation; for the wind that comes from the east in the spiritual world overturns from their foundations the abodes of the evil, and they, with the treasures upon which they had set their hearts, are cast out into the hells (respecting this wind, see in the small work on The Last Judgment, n. 61). “The ships of Tarshish” here signify false doctrines.
sRef Isa@2 @17 S9′ sRef Isa@2 @14 S9′ sRef Isa@2 @16 S9′ sRef Isa@2 @12 S9′ sRef Isa@2 @15 S9′ sRef Isa@2 @13 S9′ [9] Also in Isaiah:
The day of Jehovah of Hosts upon all the cedars of Lebanon that are exalted and lifted up, and upon all the oaks of Bashan, and upon all the exalted mountains, and upon all the hills that are lifted up, and upon every lofty tower, and upon every fenced wall, and upon all the ships of Tarshish, and upon all images of desire, that the haughtiness of man [homo] may bow down, and the exaltation of men [viri] be brought low, and Jehovah alone be exalted in that day (2:12-17).
“The day of Jehovah” means the Lord’s coming, when The Last Judgment was accomplished by Him. (That a Last Judgment was accomplished by the Lord when He was in the world may be seen in the small work on The Last Judgment, n. 46.) Those within the church upon whom the judgment was wrought are here recounted; “the cedars of Lebanon exalted and lifted up” signifying those who are boastful from self-intelligence, and “the oaks of Bashan” those who are boastful from knowledge [scientia], for “cedars” in the Word are predicated of the rational man, and “oaks” of the natural man, and intelligence belongs to the rational man, and knowledge to the natural man. “The exalted mountains and hills lifted up” signify those who are in the love of self and in the love of the world (see above, n. 405); “lofty tower” and “fenced wall” signify confirmed principles of falsity, and thus also such as are in them; “the ships of Tarshish and the images of desire” signify the false doctrine favoring the delights of earthly loves. The destruction of the arrogance that springs from self-intelligence and knowledge is meant by “that the haughtiness of man [homo] may bow down, and the exaltation of men [viri] be brought low;” that all intelligence and knowledge are from the Lord is signified by “that Jehovah alone may be exalted in that day.” It is believed that knowledge is from man; but so far as knowledge is serviceable to intelligence, in which is the perception of truth, it is from the Lord alone.
sRef Isa@33 @21 S10′ [10] In Isaiah:
In Zion and in Jerusalem will the glorious Jehovah be unto us a place of rivers, of streams, of breadth of spaces; no ship of oar shall go therein, and no magnificent ship shall pass through it (33:21).
“Zion and Jerusalem” mean the Lord’s church, “Zion” the church where the good of love rules, and “Jerusalem” the church where the truth of doctrine rules. Jehovah is called “glorious” (or magnificent) when men of the church are such as to be recipients of Divine good and truth from the Lord; and Zion and Jerusalem are called “a place of rivers, of streams, and of breadth of spaces,” when all their wisdom and intelligence, and good and truth, are from the Lord, “rivers” signifying wisdom, “streams” intelligence, and “breadth of spaces” truths from good in multitude and extension; “no ship of oar shall go therein, and no magnificent ship shall pass through it,” signifies that in the church there shall be no intelligence and wisdom from one’s own [proprium]; “a ship of oar” meaning intelligence from one’s own [proprium], because it is moved by men by means of oars, and a “magnificent ship” wisdom from one’s own [proprium], because man is boastful and proud by reason of that wisdom; for when a ship is passing through and crossing the sea, thus bearing its cargo on its course, it signifies intelligence and wisdom. Here evidently no ship is meant, for this is said of Zion and Jerusalem.
sRef Ps@104 @25 S11′ sRef Ps@104 @24 S11′ sRef Ps@104 @26 S11′ sRef Ps@104 @27 S11′ [11] In David:
How many are Thy works, O Jehovah; this sea great and wide in spaces, wherein is the creeping thing without number, small animals with the great. There go the ships; there is leviathan, which Thou hast formed to play therein. All these wait upon Thee, that Thou mayest give them their food in its time (Ps. 104:24-27).
Here the sea is not meant, nor creeping things, nor animals, nor leviathan (or a whale), nor ship, but such things as are with the men of the church, for these are what “wait upon Jehovah.” “The sea great and wide” signifies the external or natural man, which receives goods and truths as knowledge, “great” is predicated of the good therein, and “wide” of truth therein. “Creeping things” signify living knowledges [scientifica]; “animals great and small” the knowledges of good and truth of all kinds higher and lower, also in general and in particular (as in the preceding article, n. 513). “Ships” mean doctrinals, the “leviathan” (or whale) all things of the natural man in the complex; this is said “to play in the sea” because of the delight of knowing and thus of becoming wise. Since man by virtue of these things is actuated by a desire to know and understand, it is said, “All these wait upon Thee, that Thou mayest give them their food in its time,” “to wait upon” signifying to desire, and “food” knowledge and intelligence; for man does not desire these from himself, but from those things that are with him from the Lord; consequently these are what desire with man, although it appears as if man desired from himself.
sRef Ps@107 @24 S12′ sRef Ps@107 @23 S12′ [12] In the same:
They that go down to the sea in ships, that do work in many waters; these see the deeds of Jehovah and His wonders in the deep (107:23, 24).
“They that go down to the sea in ships, that do work in many waters,” signify those who intensely study the doctrine of truth from the Word; “these see the deeds of Jehovah and His wonders in the deep,” signifies that they understand the truths and goods of heaven and the church, and the hidden things thereof, “the deeds of Jehovah” meaning all things of the Word that perfect man, all which have reference to truth and good, and “the wonders in the deep” meaning the hidden things of intelligence and wisdom.
[13] In Isaiah:
Thus saith Jehovah your* Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, For your sakes I have sent to Babylon, and I will cast down all the bars, and the Chaldeans, in whose ships there is a cry (43:14).
This treats of the deliverance of the faithful from the oppression of those who lay waste the church; those who lay waste the church are meant by “Babylon,” and they lay it waste by withholding all from the knowledges of truth and good, affirming that they alone know and must be believed, and yet they know nothing of truth; thus they keep others with themselves in dense ignorance, and turn them away from the worship of the Lord, that they themselves may be worshiped. “To cast down their bars” signifies their principles of falsity and the falsities devastating truths, “bars” meaning the principles of falsity, and “the Chaldeans” those who devastate by falsities; for “Babylon” means those who destroy goods by means of evils, and the “Chaldeans” those who destroy truths by means of falsities. “In whose ships there is a cry” signifies the destruction of their doctrinals.
sRef Dan@11 @40 S14′ sRef Rev@18 @19 S14′ sRef Rev@18 @17 S14′ [14] This destruction is further described by “ships” in Revelation:
For in one hour so great riches was made desolate. And every ship master, and everyone concerned with the ships, and the sailors, and all who trade by sea, stood afar off, and cast dust upon their heads, and cried out weeping and mourning, saying, Woe, woe, the great city Babylon, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea, by reason of her preciousness; for in one hour has she been made desolate (18:17, 19).
This passage will be explained further on. In Daniel:
And at the time of the end shall the king of the south come into collision with him; and the king of the north shall rush upon him like a tempest, with chariot and with horsemen and with many ships; and he shall enter into the land and shall overflow and pass through (11:40).
“The time of the end” signifies the last time of the church, when there is no truth because there is no good; “the king of the south” means truth in light, which is truth from good; “the king of the north” means no truth because there is no good, consequently falsity, for where there is no truth there is falsity, since man then turns himself away from heaven to the world, and from the Lord to self; and when nothing flows in out of heaven from the Lord, nothing flows in from the world and from self except falsity from evil. The combats between good from truth and falsity from evil in the last times of the church are described in this chapter by the combats between the king of the south and the king of the north; that falsities will then rush in and destroy truths is meant by “the king of the north shall rush upon the king of the south with chariot, with horsemen, and with many ships,” “chariot” meaning the doctrine of falsity, “horsemen” the reasonings therefrom, and “ships” the falsities and falsifications of truth of every kind; that “he shall enter into the land, and overflow and pass through,” signifies that falsities will destroy all things of the church, both exterior and interior.
sRef Deut@28 @68 S15′ [15] In Moses:
And Jehovah shall bring thee back into Egypt in ships, by the way whereof I said unto thee, Thou shalt see it no more again; where ye shall be sold unto your enemies for menservants and for maidservants and there shall be no buyer (Deut. 28:68).
This treats of the desolation of the church in respect to truth, when the life is not according to the Lord’s precepts in the Word; “the sons of Israel,” to whom this was said, represented and thence signified the church where the Word is, and truths of doctrine therefrom, thus spiritual men; but the “Egyptians” signified merely natural men. “Jehovah shall bring them back into Egypt in ships” signifies that they will be merely natural in consequence of doctrinals of falsity, “ships” meaning doctrinals of falsity; “by the way whereof I said unto thee, Thou shalt see it no more again,” signifies from being a spiritual man into being a merely natural man, for the man of the church from being a natural man becomes spiritual; but when he does not live according to the commandments from the Word, from being a spiritual man he becomes merely natural; “where ye shall be sold unto your enemies for menservants and maidservants,” signifies that falsities and evils shall become dominant; “and there shall be no buyer” signifies to become utterly vile.
sRef Job@9 @25 S16′ sRef Job@9 @26 S16′ [16] In Job:
My days are swifter than a runner; they flee away; they see no good; they pass by with the ships of desire, as the eagle flieth to its food (9:25, 26).
“Ships of desire, with which the days pass by,” signify the natural affections and delights of every kind, which are merely of the world and of the body; and because these are more eagerly desired and imbibed than spiritual things, it is said, “as the eagle flieth to its food.”
sRef Gen@49 @13 S17′ [17] In Moses:
Zebulun shall dwell at the haven of the seas, and he shall dwell at the haven of ships, and his side shall be unto Zidon (Gen. 49:13).
“Zebulun” signifies the conjunction of good and truth; “he shall dwell at the haven of the seas” signifies the life of truth; “and he shall dwell at the haven of ships” signifies according to doctrinals from the Word; “and his side shall be unto Zidon” signifies the extension on the one part to knowledges of good. (But this may be seen explained in Arcana Coelestia, n. 6382-6386.)
sRef Num@24 @24 S18′ [18] In the same:
When there shall be ships from the place of the Kittim, and they shall afflict Asshur and shall afflict Eber, and he also even to him that is perishing (Num. 24:24).
This is from the prophecy of Balaam. “Ships from the place of the Kittim” signify the knowledges of truth and good, which those had who were of the Ancient Church; “Asshur, whom they shall afflict,” signifies reasonings from falsities; and “Eber, whom also they shall afflict,” signifies the externals of worship, such as existed among the sons of Jacob; their vastation in respect to truth and good is signified by “he also even to him that is perishing.”
sRef Judg@5 @17 S19′ [19] In the book of Judges:
Gilead, why dwellest thou in the crossing of Jordan? And why will Dan fear ships? (5:17).
“Gilead” has a similar meaning with “Manasseh,” and “Manasseh” signifies the good of the natural man; and because the tribe of Manasseh did not fight in company with Deborah and Barak against the enemies, it is said, “Gilead, why dwellest thou in the passage of Jordan?” which signifies, why livest thou in externals only, which are of the natural man? The external of the church was signified by the regions beyond Jordan, and its internal by the regions on this side Jordan. The external of the church is with those who are more natural than spiritual. And because the tribe of Dan was not joined with Deborah and Barak in the battle with the enemies it is said, “why will Dan fear ships?” signifying, why does not one reject falsities and the doctrinals of falsity?
sRef Matt@13 @2 S20′ sRef Matt@13 @1 S20′ sRef Luke@5 @2 S20′ sRef Luke@5 @1 S20′ sRef Luke@5 @3 S20′ [20] As all things in the Old Testament contain in themselves a spiritual sense, so do all things in the New Testament which are in the Gospels and in Revelation. Moreover, all the Lord’s words and doings and miracles signify Divine celestial things, because the Lord spoke from the Divine, and did His works and miracles from the Divine, therefore from things first through things last, and thus in fullness. From this it can be seen that the Lord’s teaching from boats was significative; also that it was significative that He chose certain of His disciples from boats while they were fishing; and that He walked upon the sea to the boat in which the disciples were, and thence calmed the wind.
Respecting the Lord’s teaching from a boat it is said in the Gospels:
Jesus sat by the seaside. And there were gathered unto Him great multitudes, so that He entered into a boat and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the beach. And He spake to them many things in parables (Matt. 13:1, 2, et seq.; Mark 4:1, 2, et seq.).
Jesus, standing by the shore of Gennesaret, saw two boats standing by the lake. Then He entered into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down, and taught the throng out of the ship (Luke 5:1-9).
In all these particulars also, that “He sat by the seaside” and “on the shore of Gennesaret,” then “that He entered into Simon’s boat, and taught the throng therefrom,” there is a spiritual sense. This was done because the “sea” and the “lake of Gennesaret” signify, in reference to the Lord, the knowledges of good and truth in the whole complex, and “Simon’s boat” signifies the doctrinals of faith; so “His teaching from a boat” signifies that it was from doctrine.
sRef John@6 @19 S21′ sRef John@6 @20 S21′ sRef John@6 @21 S21′ sRef John@6 @18 S21′ sRef John@6 @17 S21′ sRef John@6 @16 S21′ sRef Matt@14 @30 S21′ sRef Matt@14 @25 S21′ sRef Matt@14 @27 S21′ sRef Matt@14 @29 S21′ sRef Matt@14 @24 S21′ sRef Matt@14 @28 S21′ sRef Matt@14 @32 S21′ sRef Matt@14 @33 S21′ sRef Matt@14 @26 S21′ sRef Matt@14 @31 S21′ [21] Respecting the Lord’s walking on the sea to the boat in which the disciples were, it is said in the Gospels:
The boat containing the Lord’s disciples was in the midst of the sea, tossed by the wind. In the fourth watch of the night, Jesus came unto them, walking on the sea. And Peter said, Bid me come unto Thee upon the water. And He said, Come. Therefore Peter, going down, walked upon the water to come to Jesus. But beginning to sink, he was afraid. Jesus stretching forth His hand, took hold of him, and said, O man of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? And when they were come into the boat the wind ceased. And they that were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God (Matt. 14:24-33; Mark 6:48-52).
And again:
When evening came His disciples went down unto the sea; and when they had entered into a boat they went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, but Jesus was not come to them. And the sea was moved by a great wind that blew. When they had gone on about twenty-five or thirty stadia, they beheld Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the boat; and they were afraid. But He said, It is I; be not afraid. Then they were willing to receive Jesus into the boat; and immediately the boat was at the land whither they were going (John 6:16-21, et seq.).
Here, too, the particulars signify Divine spiritual things, which nevertheless do not appear in the letter; as the sea, the Lord’s walking upon it, the fourth watch in which He came to the disciples, and the ship, His entering into it, and from it restraining the wind and the waves of the sea, and other things besides. But there is no need singly to explain here the spiritual things signified; let it be said only that the “sea” signifies the ultimate of heaven and the church, since there are seas in the outmost borders of the heavens; the Lord’s walking upon the sea signifies the Lord’s presence and His influx even into these, and consequent life from the Divine to those who are in the ultimates of heaven; their life from the Divine was represented by the Lord’s walking upon the sea; and their obscure and wavering faith was represented by Peter’s walking upon the sea and beginning to sink, but being saved when the Lord took hold of him, “to walk” signifying in the Word to live. This was done “in the fourth watch” to signify the first state of the church, when it is daybreak and morning is at hand, for then good begins to act through truth, and then the Lord comes; that the sea in the meanwhile was moved by the wind, and that the Lord restrained it, signifies the natural state of life that precedes, which is an unpeaceful and as it were tempestuous state; but with the state that is nearest to morning, which is the first state of the church with man, because the Lord is then present in the good of love, there comes tranquillity of mind.
sRef Matt@8 @25 S22′ sRef Matt@8 @23 S22′ sRef Matt@8 @24 S22′ sRef Matt@8 @26 S22′ [22] The like is signified by the Lord’s calming the wind and the waves of the sea, as described in the Gospels:
When Jesus had entered into a boat His disciples followed Him. And behold, there arose a great commotion in the sea, so that the boat was covered by the waves; but He was asleep. Therefore the disciples, coming to Him awoke Him, saying, Lord, save us; we perish. Then He arose and rebuked the wind; and there was a great calm (Matt. 8:23-26; Mark 4:36-40; Luke 8:23, 24).
This represented the state of men of the church when they are in what is natural and not yet in what is spiritual, in which state the natural affections, which are various cupidities springing from the loves of self and the world, rise up and produce various commotions of the mind. In this state the Lord appears as it were absent; this apparent absence is signified by His being asleep; but when they come out of a natural into a spiritual state these commotions cease, and there comes tranquillity of mind; for the Lord calms the tempestuous commotions of the natural man when the spiritual mind is opened, and through it the Lord flows into the natural. Since the affections that are of the love of self and of the world, and the consequent thoughts and reasonings, are from hell, for they are lusts of every kind that rise up therefrom into the natural man, these, too, are signified by “the wind and the waves of the sea,” and hell itself is signified by the “sea” in the spiritual sense.
[23] This can be seen, too, from its being said that “the Lord rebuked the wind,” as also in Mark:
Jesus awoke and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Be quiet, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm (4:39).
This could not have been said to the wind and to the sea unless hell had been meant thereby, from which arise the tempestuous emotions of the mind from various cupidities. That the hells also are signified by “seas” may be seen above (n. 342).
* Photolithograph has “our” the Hebrew “your,” as also AR n. 786; AC n. 1368, 6385; Lord n. 34, 38, 40.

sRef Rev@8 @11 S0′ sRef Rev@8 @10 S0′ 515. Verses 10, 11. And the third angel sounded, and there fell from heaven a great star burning as a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers and upon the fountains of the waters. And the name of the star is called Wormwood; and the third part of the waters became wormwood, and many men died of the waters because they were made bitter. 10. “And the third angel sounded,” signifies influx out of heaven, and the consequent third change with the evil (n. 516); “and there fell from heaven a great star burning as a lamp,” signifies the truth of the Word falsified by self-love (n. 517); “and it fell upon the third part of the rivers and upon the fountains of the waters,” signifies that consequently all the understanding of truth perished, and thereby the doctrine of the church (n. 518). 11. “And the name of the star is called Wormwood,” signifies truth mixed with the falsity of evil (n. 519); “and the third part [of the waters] became wormwood,” signifies that every truth became such in the understanding and in doctrine (n. 520); “and many men died of the waters,” signifies that all who were such were destroyed by the falsities into which the truths of the Word were changed (n. 521); “because they were made bitter,” signifies because the truths of the Word were falsified (n. 522).

sRef Rev@8 @10 S0′ 516. Verse 10. And the third angel sounded, signifies influx out of heaven, and the consequent third change with the evil, as is evident from what has been said and shown above (n. 502).

sRef Rev@8 @10 S0′ 517. And there fell from heaven a great star burning as a lamp, signifies the truth of the Word falsified by self-love. This is evident from the signification of “stars,” as being the knowledges of truth and good, likewise the truths and goods of knowledges from the Word (see above, n. 72, 402); also from the signification of “burning as a lamp,” as being to be falsified by self-love; “to burn” is predicated of self-love because this love is signified by “fire” (see above, n. 504), and a “lamp” signifies the truth of the Word, of doctrine, and of faith (see also above, n. 274). From this it can be seen that “there fell from heaven a great star burning as a lamp” signifies the truth of the Word falsified by self-love.
[2] It is to be noted that all those who are in the love of self, if they study the Word, falsify its truths, for the reason that all truth is out of heaven from the Lord, and nothing of it from what is man’s own [proprium], and those who are in the love of self are immersed in what is their own [proprium], and from that they obtain every idea of thought respecting the truths of the Word. In consequence of this they falsify these truths, not in respect to the sense of the letter of the Word, but in respect to the understanding of the truth that is in it; for to understand words otherwise than according to their true sense is to falsify them.
[3] There are two states of man’s thoughts, one when from the Lord he is in thought respecting truths, the other when from himself. When from the Lord he is in thought respecting truths his mind is elevated even into the light of heaven, from which he has illustration and right perception of truth; but when from himself he is in thought respecting truths, his mind falls into the light of the world; and that light, in respect to things spiritual, or the things of heaven and the church, is thick darkness, in which man sees only such things as shine from the fire or the love of self and of the world, and these in themselves are falsities that are opposites of truths.

sRef Rev@8 @10 S0′ 518. And it fell upon the third part of the rivers and upon the fountains of the waters, signifies that consequently all understanding of truth perished and thereby the doctrine of the church. This is evident from the signification of “falling” from heaven, as being, in reference to stars, to perish (of which presently); also from the signification of “the third part,” as being everything (of which above, n. 506), here all, because it is said of the understanding of truth and of doctrine, which are signified by “rivers” and “fountains of waters;” also from the signification of “rivers,” as being the understanding of truth (of which presently); and from the signification of “fountains of waters,” as being the Word and doctrine from the Word, thus “fountains” mean the truths of the Word and doctrinals (of which above, n. 483).
[2] When “to fall” is predicated of stars, which mean the knowledges of truth and good from the Word (as above), it signifies to perish, because when Divine truth in the spiritual world falls out of heaven to the earth there, where the evil are, it is turned into falsity, and when Divine truth becomes falsity it perishes. This is signified also by:
The stars shall fall from heaven (Matt. 24:29; Mark 13:25);
namely, that in the last time of the church the knowledges of truth and good will perish. That when Divine truth in the spiritual world falls out of heaven to the earth there, where the evil are, it is changed into falsity and thus perishes, may be seen above (n. 413, 418, 419, 489); for Divine truth is changed into falsity of the same character as the evil belonging to those into whom it flows. This becomes evident from the following experience: It has been granted me to observe carefully how Divine truth was changed into falsity while it was passing down deep into hell, and it was perceived that it was changed successively as it flowed down, at length even into what was most false.
sRef Matt@24 @29 S3′ [3] “Rivers” signify the understanding of truth, likewise intelligence, because “waters” signify truths, and the understanding is the receptacle and complex of truths, as a river is of waters, and because thought from the understanding, which is intelligence, is like a stream of truth. From the same origin, namely, from the signification of “waters” as being truths, a “fountain” signifies the Word and the doctrine of truth, and “pools,” “lakes,” and “seas,” signify the knowledges of truth in the complex. That “waters” signify truths, and “living waters” truths from the Lord, may be seen above (n. 71, 483); and also in the following passages in this article.
sRef Isa@35 @6 S4′ [4] That “rivers” and “streams” signify the understanding of truth and intelligence can be seen from the Word where “rivers” and “streams” are mentioned. Thus in Isaiah:
Then shall the lame leap as a hart, and the tongue of the dumb shall sing; for waters shall break out in the wilderness, and brooks in the plain of the desert (35:6).
This is said of the Lord, also of the reformation of the Gentiles, and of the establishment of the church among them. “The lame who shall leap as a hart” signifies one who is not in genuine good because he is not in the knowledges of truth and good; “the tongue of the dumb which shall sing” signifies confession of the Lord by those who are in ignorance of the truth; “waters shall break out in the wilderness” signifies that there shall be truths where there were none before; “and brooks in the plain of the desert” signifies that there shall be intelligence where there was none before, “wilderness” meaning where there is no truth, and “plain of the desert” where there is no intelligence; “waters” mean truths, and “brooks” intelligence.
sRef Isa@41 @18 S5′ [5] In the same:
I will open rivers on the heights, and fountains will I place in the midst of the valleys, I will make the wilderness into a pool of waters, and the dry land into springs of waters (Isa. 41:18).
This is said of the salvation of the Gentiles by the Lord; “to open rivers on the heights” means to bestow interior intelligence; and “to place fountains in the midst of valleys” means to instruct the external man in truths. (The rest may be seen explained in n. 483.)
sRef Isa@43 @20 S6′ sRef Isa@43 @19 S6′ [6] In the same:
Behold I am doing a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even place a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. The wild beast of the field shall honor Me, the dragons and the daughters of the owl; because I will give waters in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert, to give drink to My people, My chosen (Isa. 43:19, 20).
This treats of the Lord and of a new church to be established by Him, which is meant by “Behold I am doing a new thing; now it shall spring forth;” “to place a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert” signifies that there shall be truth and the understanding of truth where there were none before, “way” meaning truth leading to heaven, and “rivers” understanding; “to give drink to the people” signifies to instruct those who desire it; “the wild beast of the field, the dragons, and the daughters of the owl” signify those who know truths and goods merely from memory, and do not understand and perceive them; these speak about truth with no idea of truth, depending solely upon others.
sRef Isa@44 @3 S7′ [7] In the same:
I will pour out waters upon him that is thirsty, and streams upon the dry ground; I will pour out My spirit upon thy seed, and My blessing upon thine offspring (Isa. 44:3).
“To pour out waters upon him that is thirsty” signifies to instruct in truths those who are in the affection of truth; “to pour streams upon the dry land” signifies to give intelligence to those who are in a desire for truth from good; the like is signified by “pouring out the spirit and the blessing;” for God’s “spirit” signifies Divine truth, and “blessing” its multiplication and fructification, thus intelligence. Who does not see that here and above, waters and streams, wilderness and desert, are not meant, but such things as pertain to the church? Therefore it is here added, “I will pour out My spirit upon thy seed, and My blessing upon thine offspring.”
sRef Deut@8 @7 S8′ [8] In Moses:
For Jehovah leadeth thee to a land of brooks of water, of fountains, of depths flowing forth in valley and mountain (Deut. 8:7).
The land of Canaan, to which Jehovah was to lead them, signifies the church, therefore “brooks of water, fountains, and depths flowing forth in valley and mountain,” signify such things as belong to the church; “brooks of water” signifying the understanding of truth, “fountains” doctrinals from the Word, and “depths flowing forth in valley and mountain” the knowledges of truth and good in the natural and in the spiritual man.
sRef Isa@33 @21 S9′ sRef Isa@33 @20 S9′ [9] In Isaiah:
Look upon Zion and Jerusalem, where the glorious Jehovah will be with us a place of rivers, of streams, of breadth of spaces; no ship of oar shall go therein, and no magnificent ship shall pass through it (33:20, 21).
Here, too, “a place of rivers and streams” signifies wisdom and intelligence (the signification of the rest is explained above, n. 514).
sRef Joel@3 @18 S10′ [10] In Joel:
In that day the mountains shall drop down must, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the watercourses of Judah shall flow with waters, and a fountain shall go forth out of the house of Jehovah and shall water the brook of Shittim (3:18).
(This also has been explained above, n. 433, 483.) “The fountain that shall go forth out of the house of Jehovah” signifies the truth of doctrine out of heaven from the Lord; and “the brook of Shittim that it shall water,” signifies the illustration of the understanding.
sRef Ezek@47 @4 S11′ sRef Ezek@47 @8 S11′ sRef Ezek@47 @5 S11′ sRef Ezek@47 @3 S11′ sRef Ezek@47 @10 S11′ sRef Ezek@47 @1 S11′ sRef Ezek@47 @2 S11′ sRef Ezek@47 @9 S11′ sRef Ezek@47 @7 S11′ sRef Ezek@47 @6 S11′ sRef Ezek@47 @12 S11′ sRef Ezek@47 @11 S11′ [11] In Ezekiel:
The waters issued out from under the threshold of the house of God towards the east. The man led me and brought me back upon the bank of the river. When I returned, behold upon the bank of the river very many trees on the one side and on the other. He said, Every living soul that creepeth, whithersoever the rivers shall come, shall live; whence there are exceeding many fish, because these waters come thither and are healed, that everything may live whither the river cometh. And by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, cometh up every tree for food, whose leaf falleth not, neither is the fruit thereof consumed; it is renewed in its months, because its waters flow out of the sanctuary (47:1-12).
This, too, has been explained above (n. 422, 513), which makes evident that “the waters flowing out of the house of God towards the east” signify Divine truth proceeding from the Lord and flowing in with those who are in the good of love; and that “the river, upon the bank of which was every tree for food, and by the waters of which every soul that creepeth lived, whence there were many fish,” signifies intelligence from the reception of Divine truth, from which all things with man, his affections and perceptions, as well as his cognitions and knowledges and the thoughts therefrom acquire spiritual life.
sRef Jer@17 @8 S12′ sRef Jer@17 @7 S12′ [12] In Jeremiah:
Blessed is the man that trusteth in Jehovah; He shall be like a tree planted by the waters and that sendeth forth his roots by the stream, and he shall not see when the heat shall come, his leaf shall be green (17:7, 8).
“The tree planted by the waters” means a man with whom there are truths from the Lord; “he sendeth forth his roots by the stream” means the extension of intelligence from the spiritual man into the natural. (The rest may be seen explained above, n. 481.)
Where trees and gardens are treated of in the Word, waters and rivers to water them are also mentioned, for the reason that “trees” signify perceptions and knowledges, and “waters” and “rivers” truths and understanding therefrom; for without the understanding of truths man is like a garden where there is no water, whose trees wither away.
sRef Num@24 @7 S13′ sRef Num@24 @6 S13′ [13] As in Moses:
As the valleys are they planted, as gardens by the river, as lign aloes which Jehovah hath planted, and as cedar-trees beside the waters (Num. 24:6).
This is said of the sons of Israel, by whom the church is signified which was then to be planted. This church is compared to valleys which are planted, and to a garden by the river, because “valleys” signify the intelligence of the natural man, and a “garden” the intelligence of the spiritual man, and it is compared to lign aloes and cedar-trees, because “lign aloes” signify the things of the natural man, and “cedar-trees” the things of the rational man; since these all live from the influx of Divine truth from the Lord they are said to be planted “by the river and beside the waters,” which signifies Divine truth flowing in, from which is intelligence.
sRef Gen@2 @10 S14′ [14] As “the garden in Eden” or “paradise” means the wisdom and intelligence that the most ancient people had who lived before the flood, so where their wisdom is described, the influx of Divine truth, and of intelligence thence, is also described in these words:
A river went forth from Eden to water the garden, and from thence it was parted and was in four heads (Gen. 2:10, et seq.). “A river from Eden” signifies wisdom from love, which is Eden; “to water the garden” means to bestow intelligence; intelligence is described by the four rivers there treated of. (This may be seen explained in Arcana Coelestia, n. 107-121.)
sRef Ezek@31 @3 S15′ sRef Ezek@31 @4 S15′ [15] In Ezekiel:
Asshur, a cedar in Lebanon. The waters made it grow, the abyss made it high, so that with its rivers it went round about its plant, and sent out its conduits unto all the trees of the field (31:3, 4).
“Asshur” signifies the rational man, or the rational of man, likewise “the cedar in Lebanon;” and because the genuine rational is perfected by the knowledges of truth and good it is said that “the waters made it grow, and the abyss made it high,” “waters” meaning truths, and “the abyss” the knowledges of truth in the natural man; the increase of intelligence is signified by “with its rivers it went round about its plant;” and the multiplication of the knowledges of truth by “it sent out its conduits unto all the trees of the field.”
sRef Ps@80 @8 S16′ sRef Ps@80 @11 S16′ [16] In David:
Thou hast caused a vine to go forth out of Egypt. Thou hast sent out its boughs unto the sea, and its shoots unto the river (Ps. 80:8, 11).
“A vine out of Egypt” means the sons of Israel, who are called a “vine” because they represented the spiritual church, which is what “vine” signifies in the Word; their tarrying in Egypt represented their first initiation into the things of the church, for “Egypt” signified the knowledges [scientifica] subservient to the things of the church when, therefore, “the vine” signifies the church, and “Egypt” the knowledge serving it, it is evident what is signified in the spiritual sense by “Thou hast caused a vine to go forth out of Egypt.” The extension of the intelligence of the church even to things known and things rational is signified by “Thou hast sent out its boughs unto the sea, and its shoots unto the river;” “to send out boughs and shoots” meaning multiplication and extension, the “sea” knowledge []scientificum]; and the “river,” which here is the Euphrates, the rational. The extension of the church and the multiplication of its truths and of intelligence therefrom are described by the extension of the land of Canaan to the Sea Suph, to the sea of the Philistines, and to the river Euphrates.
sRef Ex@23 @31 S17′ [17] In Moses:
And I will set thy border from the Sea Suph even to the sea of the Philistines, and from the wilderness even to the river (Exod. 23:31).
“The borders of the land of Canaan” signify the ultimates of the church, which are true knowledges [scientifica vera], cognitions of truth and good from the Word, and things rational. “The Sea Suph” signifies true knowledge; “the sea of the Philistines,” where Tyre and Sidon were, signifies the knowledges of truth and good from the sense of the letter of the Word; and “the river Euphrates” signifies the rational; for knowledges [scientifica] serve the cognitions of truth and good from the Word, and both these serve the rational, and the rational serves intelligence, which is given by means of spiritual truths joined to spiritual good.
sRef Ps@89 @25 S18′ sRef Zech@9 @10 S18′ [18] The like that is here said of the church and its extension is said of the Lord’s power over all things of heaven and the church, in David:
I will set his hand in the sea, and his right hand in the rivers (Ps. 89:25).
This is said of David, by whom is here meant the Lord; the Lord’s power, even to the ultimates of heaven and the church, thus over the whole heaven, and over everything of the church, is signified by “setting the hand in the sea, and the right hand in the rivers,” “hand” and “right hand” signify power, and the “sea” and “rivers” the ultimates of heaven and the church. The ultimates of heaven are seas and rivers, as has been several times said above. These were represented by the two seas and by the two rivers that formed the boundaries of the land of Canaan. The two seas were the sea of Egypt and the sea of the Philistines, where were Tyre and Sidon; and the two rivers were the Euphrates and the Jordan. But the Jordan was the boundary between the interior land of Canaan and the exterior; in the exterior were the tribes of Reuben and Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh. Likewise in Zechariah:
His dominion shall be from sea even to sea, and from the river even to the ends of the earth (9:10).
This, too, is said of the Lord, and has a like meaning; His dominion even to the ultimates of heaven and the church means over all things of heaven and the church, for the ultimates are the boundaries.
sRef Ps@93 @4 S19′ sRef Ps@93 @3 S19′ sRef Ps@93 @2 S19′ [19] In David:
Thy throne is established from then; Thou art from everlasting. The rivers have lifted up, O Jehovah, the rivers have lifted up their voice; the rivers have lifted up their roaring. More than the voices of many glorious waters, more than the waves of the sea, Jehovah is glorious (Ps. 93:2-4).
This, too, is said of the Lord; His dominion from eternity to eternity over heaven and earth is signified by “Thy throne is established from then; Thou art from everlasting.” The glorification of the Lord because of His coming and because of the consequent salvation of mankind is signified by “the rivers have lifted up their voice (and their roaring);” for “rivers,” here three times mentioned, signify all things of man’s intelligence, both in the internal and in the external man. Divine truth from the Lord, through which there is power and through which there is salvation, is signified by “more than the voices of many glorious waters, more than the waves of the sea,” “waters” meaning truths, and “the voices of many glorious waters” Divine truths.
sRef Ps@98 @7 S20′ sRef Ps@98 @8 S20′ [20] The glorification and celebration of the Lord from joy of heart are thus described elsewhere in David:
Let the sea and the fullness thereof give forth a sound, the world and they that dwell therein. Let the rivers clap their hands; let the mountains sing aloud together (Ps. 98:7, 8).
The glorification of the Lord by the universal heaven is signified by these words. The glorification from its ultimates is signified by “Let the sea and the fullness thereof give forth a sound;” the glorification from the whole heaven is signified by “let the world and they that dwell therein give forth a sound,” “the world” signifying the universal heaven in respect to its truths, and “they that dwell therein” signifying the universal heaven in respect to its goods; for “inhabitants” signify in the Word those who are in the goods of heaven and the church, and thus the goods of such. The glorification of the Lord by the truths of intelligence and by the goods of love, is signified by “let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing aloud together,” “rivers” meaning the truths of intelligence, and “mountains” the goods of love.
sRef Ps@78 @16 S21′ sRef Ps@105 @41 S21′ sRef Ps@78 @15 S21′ sRef Ps@78 @20 S21′ [21] Divine truth from the Lord, the reception of which is the source of intelligence, is signified by “the waters from the rock in Horeb” (Exod. 17:6), thus spoken of in David:
He clave the rocks in the wilderness, and made them to drink out of the great abysses, and He brought flowing waters out of the rock, and made the waters to run down like rivers. He smote the rock, so that the waters gushed out and the brooks overflowed (Ps. 78:15, 16, 20).
And again:
He opened the rock that the waters might flow; the rivers ran in the dry places (Ps. 105:41).
The “rock” here means the Lord; and the “waters that flowed out therefrom” mean Divine truth from Him; and the “rivers” signify intelligence and wisdom therefrom; “to drink of the great abysses” signifies to imbibe and perceive the arcana of wisdom.
sRef John@7 @37 S22′ sRef John@7 @38 S22′ sRef John@7 @39 S22′ [22] In John:
Jesus said, If anyone thirst, let him come unto Me and drink. He that cometh unto Me, as the Scripture saith, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. This saith He of the Spirit, which they that believe on Him were to receive (7:37-39).
“To come to the Lord and drink” signifies to receive from Him the truths of doctrine and belief therein; that spiritual intelligence is therefrom is signified by “out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water,” “living water” being Divine truth which is from the Lord alone, “rivers” the things belonging to intelligence, and the “belly” thought from memory, for to this the belly corresponds; and as “rivers of living water” signify intelligence through Divine truth from the Lord it is added, “this saith He of the spirit which they that believe on Him were to receive,” “the spirit that they were to receive from the Lord,” meaning Divine truth and intelligence therefrom; so, too, the Lord called the spirit that they received “the spirit of truth” (John 14:16-18; 16:7-15).
sRef Ps@24 @2 S23′ [23] In David:
Jehovah hath founded the world upon the seas, and established it upon the rivers (Ps. 24:2).
The “world” signifies heaven and the church in the whole complex, the “seas” signify cognitions and knowledges which are the ultimates of the church, and in particular, the cognitions of truth and good, such as are in the sense of the letter of the Word; “rivers” signify introduction through knowledges into heavenly intelligence. This makes clear the meaning of these words in the spiritual sense, namely, that the interior things of heaven and the church, which are called celestial and spiritual, are founded upon the cognitions of truth and good which are in the sense of the letter of the Word rationally understood. It is said, “He hath founded the world upon the seas and established it upon the rivers,” because there are seas and rivers in the boundaries of heaven, represented by the Sea Suph, the sea of the Philistines, the river Euphrates, and the river Jordan, which were the boundaries of the land of Canaan; and because what is ultimate means in the Word what is lowest, it is said that Jehovah “founded” and “established” upon these. Evidently the earth is not founded upon seas and rivers.
sRef Ps@110 @5 S24′ sRef Ps@110 @7 S24′ sRef Ps@110 @6 S24′ [24] In the same:
The Lord at thy right hand hath stricken through kings in the day of His anger, He hath judged among the nations, He hath filled with dead bodies, He hath stricken through the head over many a land. He drinketh out of the brook in the way; therefore shall He exalt the head (Ps. 110:5-7).
This is said of the Lord, and of His combat against falsities and evils from the hells, and of their subjugation. “Kings” mean falsities from hell, and “nations” evils therefrom. The Lord’s Divine power is meant by “the Lord at the right hand;” “He hath stricken through them in the day of His anger, He hath judged among the nations, and He hath filled with dead bodies,” signifies the subjugation and destruction of evils and falsities from the hells; “the head that He hath stricken through in many a land,” means the love of self, which is the source of all evils and falsities; “to strike through in many a land” signifies total destruction and damnation; “the brook out of which the head drinketh,” and because of which “it shall be exalted,” signifies the Word in the letter, “to drink out of it” meaning to learn something from it, and “to lift up the head” meaning to resist for a time; for all those who are in falsities from evil cannot be cast down into hell until the things that they know from the Word are taken away from them, since all things of the Word communicate with heaven, by which communication they exalt the head; but when these are taken away they are cast down into hell. This is the meaning of these words, which no one can see except by means of the spiritual sense and a knowledge of the quality of the Word.
sRef Hab@3 @8 S25′ [25] In Habakkuk:
Was Jehovah displeased with the rivers? Was Thine anger against the rivers? Was Thy wrath against the sea? Because Thou ridest upon Thy horses, Thy chariots are salvation (3:8).
This is a supplication that the church may be guarded and not perish; the “rivers” and the “sea” signify all things of the church, because they are its ultimates (as above); “to ride upon horses,” in reference to Jehovah, that is, the Lord, signifies the Divine wisdom which is in the Word; and “chariots” signify doctrinals therefrom.
sRef Ps@46 @3 S26′ sRef Ps@46 @4 S26′ sRef Ps@46 @2 S26′ sRef Ps@46 @5 S26′ [26] In David:
We will not fear when the earth shall be changed, and when the mountains shall be moved from* the heart of the seas; the waters thereof shall be in tumult, shall be made turbid, the mountains shall quake in the pride thereof. There is a river the streams whereof shall make glad the holy city of God, the dwelling places of the Most High; God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved (Ps. 46:2-5).
This involves in the spiritual sense, that although the church and all things thereof perish, still the Word and the Divine truth it contains shall not perish; for the “earth” signifies the church; “mountains” signify the goods of love; “waters” truths; and “to be changed,” “to be moved,” “to be in tumult” “to be made turbid” and “to quake” signify the states of these when they perish, and falsities and evils enter in their place, consequently the states of the church when it is vastated in respect to goods and desolated in respect to truths (see above, n. 304, 405, where this is more completely explained). That the Word or Divine truth for the church is not to perish is signified by “There is a river the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God; she shall not be changed;” “river” signifying here the like as “fountain,” namely, the Word, because “streams” are predicated of it, by which are signified truths; the “city of God” signifies the church in respect to doctrine; “to make glad” signifies influx and reception from joy of heart, and “not to be changed” signifies not to perish in any respect.
sRef Isa@19 @7 S27′ sRef Isa@19 @6 S27′ sRef Isa@19 @5 S27′ [27] In Isaiah:
Then the waters shall fail in** the sea, and the river shall dry up and become dry, and the rivers shall recede; the rivers of Egypt shall be minished and dried up, the reed and flag shall wither; the paper reeds by the stream near the mouth of the stream, and all seed of the stream shall become dry, be driven away, and be no more (19:5-7).
This is said of Egypt, which signifies the knowing faculty [scientificum] of the natural man, and its “stream” the cognition and apperception of truth, and in the contrary sense the apperception of falsity; that these are to perish is signified by “the stream shall dry up and become dry;” that thus there would be no longer truths, not even natural and sensual truths, which are the lowest, is signified by “the reed and flag shall wither, the paper reeds by the stream, and all the seed of the stream shall become dry, be driven away, and be no more.”
sRef Isa@37 @25 S28′ [28] In the same:
I have digged and have drunk waters; and with the sole of my steps have I dried up all the streams of Egypt (Isa. 37:25).
These are the words of Senacherib, the king of Assyria, by whom the perverted rational destroying all knowledge and apperception of truth is signified; this is signified by his “drying up with the sole of his steps all the streams of Egypt.” The “streams of Egypt” signify knowledges and apperceptions of truth, because “Egypt” signifies the natural man in respect to knowledges (scientifica), and cognition and apperception belong to the natural man, as intelligence does to the spiritual man.
sRef Ezek@30 @11 S29′ sRef Ezek@30 @12 S29′ [29] In Ezekiel:
They shall draw out their swords against Egypt, to fill the land with the slain. Then will I make the rivers dry land, and will sell the land into the hand of evil ones; and I will make the land waste, and the fullness thereof, by the hand of strangers (30:11, 12).
“Egypt” signifies the knowing faculty [scientificum] of the natural man serving the intelligence of the rational and spiritual man. The destruction of true knowledges [scientifica] by falsities is signified by “They shall draw out their swords against Egypt,” “swords” signifying falsities destroying truths; the “slain” signify those who are destroyed by falsities; “to make the rivers dry land” signifies that there shall no longer be any cognition or apperception of truth; “to sell the land into the hand of evil ones and to make it waste by the hand of strangers,” signifies to destroy by evils and by falsities, “strangers” signifying falsities.
sRef Zech@10 @11 S30′ [30] In Zechariah:
All the depths of the river shall be dried up, and the pride of Assyria shall be cast down, and the staff of Egypt shall depart away (10:11).
“All the depths of the river (namely, the Euphrates) shall be dried up” signifies that all the acute reasonings from self-intelligence shall perish; the “pride of Assyria” signifies the self-intelligence of the perverted rational; “the staff of Egypt shall depart away” signifies that the knowledges [scientifica] that serve such reasonings shall be of no avail.
sRef Isa@42 @15 S31′ [31] In Isaiah:
I will lay waste mountains and hills, and dry up all their herb; and I will make the rivers islands, and I will dry up the pools (42:15).
“I will lay waste mountains and hills” signifies that the goods of love and charity will perish; “and dry up all their herb” signifies that the truths that are from those goods will perish; “I will make the rivers islands, and I will dry up the pools,” signifies that intelligence and knowledge of truth will perish.
sRef Job@14 @10 S32′ sRef Nahum@1 @4 S32′ sRef Job@14 @11 S32′ sRef Isa@50 @2 S32′ sRef Ps@107 @33 S32′ [32] In the same:
Behold, at My rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers into a wilderness; their fish shall rot because there is no water, and shall die (Isa. 50:2).
(See above, n. 342, where this is explained.) In Nahum:
He rebuketh the sea and maketh it dry, and drieth up all the rivers (1:4).
In David:
Jehovah maketh rivers into a wilderness, and water springs into dry ground (Ps. 107:33).
In Job:
A man giveth up the ghost, and where is he? The waters depart from the sea, and the river drieth up and becometh dry (14:10, 11).
sRef Isa@18 @2 S33′ sRef Isa@43 @2 S33′ [33] It has been shown thus far that “rivers” signify the understanding of truth and intelligence. In the contrary sense “rivers” signify the understanding of falsity and reasoning from self-intelligence which is in favor of falsities and opposes truths, as is evident from the following passages. In Isaiah:
He shall send ambassadors by the sea to a nation meted out and trodden down, whose land the rivers have spoiled (18:2).
“Rivers” here signify the falsities of self-intelligence that destroy. (What the rest signifies see explained above, n. 304, 331.) In the same:
When thou shalt pass through the waters I will be with thee; and through the rivers they shall not overflow thee (Isa. 43:2).
“To pass through waters and through rivers and not be overflowed” signifies that falsities and reasonings from falsities against truths shall not corrupt.
sRef Jer@47 @2 S34′ [34] In Jeremiah:
Behold waters rising up out of the north, which like*** an overflowing stream shall overflow the land and its fullness (47:2).
“Waters out of the north” signify the falsities of doctrine from self-intelligence; these are compared to “a stream overflowing the land,” because a “stream” signifies reasoning from falsities, the “land” the church, and “its overflow by a stream” its destruction by falsities.
sRef Ps@124 @5 S35′ sRef Ps@124 @4 S35′ sRef Ps@124 @2 S35′ [35] In David:
Unless Jehovah were for us when man rises up against us, then the waters had overflowed us, the river had gone over our soul; then the waters of the proud had gone over our soul (Ps. 124:2, 4, 5).
The “waters of the proud” here mentioned, signify falsities favoring the love of self and confirming it, also the falsities of doctrine from self-intelligence; the “river” signifies reasoning from falsities against truths; this makes clear what is meant by “Unless Jehovah were for us, when man rises up against us,” namely, when man from himself, from self-love, and from self-intelligence, rises up and endeavors to destroy the truths of the church; for this treats of Israel, by whom the church is signified; the “waters that had overflowed them,” and the “rivers that had gone over their soul,” signify falsities and reasonings from falsities, and the consequent destruction of the spiritual life that man has through truths and through a life according to them; “waters” signify falsities, “rivers” reasonings from them, and “overflowing and going over the soul” signifies the destruction of spiritual life.
sRef Isa@8 @7 S36′ sRef Isa@8 @8 S36′ [36] In Isaiah:
Behold, the Lord will make to go up upon them the waters of the river, strong and many, the king of Assyria and all his glory; and he shall go up over all his channels, and shall go over all his banks; and he shall go through Judah, and shall overflow (8:7, 8).
“Assyria” and its king signify in the Word the rational, here the rational perverted; so “his river” which was the Euphrates, means reasoning, and “the waters of the river” mean falsities confirmed by reasonings; these therefore are signified by “the waters of the river, strong and many,” which are called “strong” from cupidity, and “many” from falsity; the abundance of falsities from evil destroying the truths of the good of the church is signified by “the waters of the river shall go up over all his channels, and over all his banks,” also “he shall go through Judah, and shall overflow,” “Judah” signifying the church where the Word is.
sRef Jer@2 @18 S37′ [37] In Jeremiah:
What hast thou to do with the way of Egypt, to drink the waters of Sihor? Or what hast thou to do with the way of Assyria, to drink the waters of the river? (2:18).
The “waters of Sihor,” or of Egypt, signify false knowledges, or knowledges confirming falsities, and “the waters of the river” signify false reasonings from these, thus such as are from self-intelligence; that such falsities and reasonings must not be imbibed is what these words signify.
sRef Jer@46 @8 S38′ sRef Matt@7 @27 S38′ sRef Matt@7 @25 S38′ sRef Jer@46 @6 S38′ sRef Jer@46 @7 S38′ sRef Luke@6 @48 S38′ sRef Ps@18 @4 S38′ sRef Jonah@2 @3 S38′ [38] In the same:
Towards the north, by the bank of the river Euphrates, have they stumbled and fallen. Who is this that cometh up like a stream, whose waters are tossed like the streams? Egypt cometh up like a stream, and his waters are tossed like streams; for he saith, I will come up, I will cover the earth, I will destroy the city and those that dwell in it (Jer. 46:6-8).
This signifies the destruction of the church and of its truths by false reasonings from confirming knowledges [scientifica]; the “north” signifies those in whom and from whom there is falsity, the “river Euphrates” false reasonings, “Egypt” confirming knowledges, the “waters that are tossed” falsities themselves, and “to come up, to cover the earth, to destroy the city and those that dwell in it,” signifies the destruction of the church and of its doctrine, the “earth” meaning the church, the “city” doctrine of truth, and “those that dwell in it” its goods. Like things are signified by the Nile, “the river of Egypt,” and by the Euphrates, “the river of Assyria,” elsewhere in the Word (as in Isa. 7:18, 19; 11:15, 16; Ezek. 29:3-5, 10; 31:15; 32:2; Ps. 74:14, 15; 78:44; Exod. 7:17-21); also by “the rivers of Babylon” (Ps. 137:1). As all spiritual temptations come through falsities that break into the thoughts and infest the interior mind, thus through reasonings from falsities, so temptations are signified by the inundations of waters and by the irruptions of rivers and torrents. As in Jonah:
Thou hadst cast me into the depths, even into the heart of the seas; and the river was round about me; all Thy waves and Thy billows passed over me (2:3).
In David:
The cords of death compassed me, and the brooks of Belial terrified me (Ps. 18:4).
In Matthew:
And the rain descended, and the rivers came, and the winds blew and beat upon that house; yet it fell not, for it was founded upon a rock (7:25, 27).
In Luke:
When a flood arose, the stream dashed against that house and could not shake it; for it had been founded upon a rock (6:48, 49).
* Latin “from,” the Hebrew has “in,” which we also find in AE n. 394, 405, 538, etc.
** Latin “in,” Hebrew “out of,” as we also find in AE n. 275; AC n. 28, 2588, 9755.
*** Latin “like,” Hebrew “become,” as we also find in AE n. 223; AC n. 705, 2240, 6297.

sRef Rev@8 @11 S0′ 519. Verse 11. And the name of the star is called Wormwood, signifies truth mixed with the falsity of evil. This is evident from the signification of “name,” as meaning what the state is, and what the thing is (see above, n. 148); from the signification of “star,” here “a great star burning as a lamp,” as being the truth of the Word falsified by self-love; and from the signification of “wormwood,” as being truth mixed with the falsity of evil. This is signified by “wormwood” because of its bitterness, and bitterness springs from what is sweet mixed with the opposite unsweet; therefore “bitterness” like that of wormwood and gall means in the spiritual sense truth mixed with the falsity that is the opposite of truth, which is the falsity of evil; for savor and taste signify the affection of knowing and of becoming wise, therefore what is savory signifies the delightfulness and pleasantness of wisdom; and “delicacies,” because they are savory, signify the truths of wisdom. (That this is from correspondence see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3502, 3536, 3589, 4791-4805.) That “wormwood” and “gall” from their bitterness, signify truth mixed with the falsity of evil is evident also from what follows in this verse; for it is said that “many men died of the waters because they were made bitter,” which signifies that through truths falsified all such perished in respect to spiritual life; for truths are what make the spiritual life, while falsities of evil extinguish it; and when truths are mixed with falsities of evil they are no longer true but falsified; and truths falsified are in themselves falsities.
sRef Matt@27 @34 S2′ sRef Matt@27 @38 S2′ sRef John@19 @30 S2′ sRef John@19 @28 S2′ sRef John@19 @29 S2′ [2] Such falsities were with the Jewish nation; but among the upright Gentiles they were falsities of another kind; these falsities are signified by the “vinegar,” but the former by “the gall and wine mingled with myrrh,” in the Gospels:
When they were come unto a place called Golgotha, they gave Jesus vinegar mingled with gall; but when He had tasted He would not drink. When He had been crucified, one of them running and taking a sponge and filling it with vinegar, and putting it on a reed gave Him to drink (Matt. 27:33, 34, 48; Mark 15:23, 36).
After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now finished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled said, I thirst. And there had been placed a vessel full of vinegar; and they filled a sponge and placed it upon hyssop and put it to His mouth. And when He had received the vinegar He said, It is finished (John 19:28-30).
Each and every thing that is related in the Gospels respecting the Lord’s passion, signifies in the spiritual sense, the state of the church at that time in relation to the Lord and the Word; for the Lord was the Word because He was Divine truth; and as the Jews had treated the Word, or Divine truth, so they treated the Lord (respecting which see above, n. 64, 195). Their giving to the Lord “vinegar mingled with gall,” which was also called “wine mingled with myrrh,” signified the quality of the Divine truth from the Word with the Jewish nation, namely, that it was mingled with the falsity of evil, and thus altogether falsified and adulterated, therefore He would not drink it. But that afterwards “they gave the Lord vinegar in a sponge and placed it upon hyssop” signified the kind of falsity there was among the upright Gentiles, which was falsity from ignorance of the truth, in which there was something good and useful; because this falsity is accepted by the Lord He drank this vinegar; the “hyssop” upon which they placed it signifies the purification of the falsity; that the Lord said “I thirst,” signifies Divine spiritual thirst, which is for Divine truth and good in the church, by which the human race is saved. (Respecting the falsity of evil, what it was with the Jewish nation, and the falsity of ignorance in which there is good, what this was with the upright Gentiles, see The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 21.)
sRef Ps@69 @22 S3′ sRef Ps@69 @21 S3′ sRef Ps@69 @23 S3′ [3] “Gall” and “vinegar” have a like signification in David:
They gave me gall for My food; and in my thirst they gave Me vinegar to drink. Let their table before them become a snare; and for retributions let there be a lure. Let their eyes be darkened that they see not; and make their loins continually to falter (Ps. 69:21-23).
Here “gall,” “vinegar,” and “thirst,” have a similar signification as above, since this is said of the Lord; the “table that shall be to them for a snare,” signifies going astray in respect to every truth of doctrine from the Word, for “table” has reference to all spiritual food, and spiritual food is everything of doctrine from the Word; the “eyes that will be darkened that they see not,” signify the understanding of truth; the “loins that will be made to falter,” signify the will of good, and its marriage with the understanding of truth; “loins” have the same signification in other parts of the Word.
sRef Lam@3 @18 S4′ sRef Lam@3 @19 S4′ sRef Lam@3 @15 S4′ [4] In Lamentations:
He hath filled me with bitterness, he hath made me drunken with wormwood. Therefore I said, My victory hath perished, and my hope from Jehovah. Remember my misery and my lament, the wormwood and the hemlock (3:15, 18, 19).
This, too, is said of the Lord. That the Lord found nothing but falsities and falsified truths in the church that then existed among the Jews is signified by “He hath filled me with bitterness, and hath made me drunken with wormwood,” “wormwood” meaning the falsity of evil mixed with truths, thus what is falsified; the Lord’s combat with the hells, and His hopelessness of ever bringing back the Jewish nation to a reception and acknowledgment of truths is signified by “My victory hath perished, and my hope from Jehovah; remember my misery and my lament, the wormwood and the hemlock;” for the spirits who are in the falsities of evil and yet in truths from the sense of the letter of the Word make longer resistance before they are subjugated and cast down into hell, and for the reason that through truths they have communication with heaven, and this communication and consequent conjunction must be broken and removed before they are cast down; this involves despair as to victory, such as the Lord experienced upon the cross when He said “I thirst,” and they gave Him vinegar.
sRef Jer@8 @14 S5′ sRef Jer@9 @15 S5′ sRef Jer@23 @15 S5′ sRef Jer@9 @16 S5′ [5] In Jeremiah:
Jehovah our God hath cut us off and hath given us waters of gall to drink (8:14).
In the same:
Behold, I will feed them, this people, with wormwood, and make them to drink waters of gall; and I will scatter them among the nations; and I will send the sword after them until I shall have consumed them (9:15, 16).
In the same:
Behold, I will feed them with wormwood, and make them drink waters of gall; for from the prophets of Jerusalem hypocrisy hath gone forth into all the land (23:15).
This, too, is said of the Jewish nation, which in a thousand ways perverted the Word, falsified its truth, and adulterated its good; “wormwood” signifies the evil of falsity, and “waters of gall” the falsity of evil, both mixed with the truths and goods of the Word. That from themselves and from their heart they were in evils and falsities from evils is signified by “Jehovah will feed them with wormwood, and make them to drink waters of gall;” for evil and falsity are attributed to Jehovah, that is, to the Lord, as in many passages elsewhere, and yet they are of man himself; the reasons for this have often been given above. “The hypocrisy that went forth from the prophets of Jerusalem” signifies such mingling of falsity and truth, for they spoke truths while they taught falsities; they spoke truths when they spoke from the Word, and they taught falsities when they taught from themselves and their doctrine; their destruction by the evils of falsity and by the falsities of evil is signified by “I will scatter them among the nations, and I will send the sword after them;” “to scatter among the nations” signifying to destroy by the evils of falsity, and “to send the sword after them” signifying to destroy by the falsities of evil. (That “nations” signify evils see above, n. 175, 331; and that “sword” signifies the combat of truth against falsity, and the combat of falsity against truth, and its destruction, see also above, n. 131, 367.)
sRef Amos@6 @12 S6′ sRef Amos@6 @11 S6′ sRef Amos@5 @7 S6′ [6] In Amos:
Behold, Jehovah will smite the great house with gaps and the little house with clefts. Shall horses run upon the rock? Shall one plow with oxen? For ye have turned judgment into gall, and the fruit of righteousness into wormwood (6:11, 12).
In the same:
They turn judgment into wormwood, and thrust down righteousness to the earth (5:7).
“Jehovah will smite the great house with gaps, and the little house with clefts,” signifies much perversion and falsification of truth with the learned, and some with the unlearned, a “great house” signifying a learned man, and a “little house” an unlearned man; “gaps” signify truths destroyed by falsities, and “clefts” the same, but in a less degree; that the understanding of truth and the will of good are not possible where there is the falsity of evil, is signified by “Shall horses run upon the rock? Shall one plow with oxen?;” “horses running” meaning the understanding of truth, and “plowing with oxen” the will of good. That this is because truths were falsified and the goods of the Word were adulterated is signified by, “For ye have turned judgment into gall, and the fruit of righteousness into wormwood,” “judgment” signifying the truth of the Word, and “the fruit of righteousness” its good.
sRef Deut@32 @33 S7′ sRef Deut@32 @32 S7′ [7] That the quality of the sons of Jacob, who were called Israelites and Jews, was such, is plainly declared by Moses in his song, in which they are described in these words:
Their vine is of the vine of Sodom and of the fields of Gomorrah; their grapes are grapes of gall, they have clusters of bitterness. Their wine is the poison of dragons, and the cruel gall of asps (Deut. 32:32, 33).
“Vine” signifies the church, and this is said to be “of the vine of Sodom and of the fields of Gomorrah” because “Sodom” signifies all evils springing from the love of self, and “Gomorrah” all the falsities of those evils; “grapes” signify the goods of the church, and “clusters” the truths of the church. That instead of the goods of the church they had the worst evils and falsities mingled with truths is signified by “their grapes are grapes of gall, they have clusters of bitterness;” “wine” signifies the truth and good of faith; that this with them was external, in which was evil from the interior, is signified by “their wine is the poison of dragons, and the cruel gall of asps.” (That the sons of Jacob were such, although there was a church among them, may be seen in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 248.)
sRef Deut@29 @18 S8′ [8] That “gall” and “wormwood” signify evil and falsity mingled with good and truth, is further evident from these words in Moses:
Lest there be among you man or woman, or family or tribe, whose heart looketh back this day from with Jehovah our God, to go to serve the gods of the nations; lest there be among you a root bearing gall and wormwood (Deut. 29:18).
Here, too, “gall” and “wormwood” signify the mingling of good and truth with evil and falsity, which is done when other gods are worshiped with the heart, and Jehovah only with the lips; then the external sounds like good and appears like truth, but the internal is evil and falsity; and when the interiors are evils and falsities, and the exteriors are goods and truths, there is a mingling of the two, and then the good becomes gall, and the truth becomes wormwood. It is similar when man in his heart hates the neighbor and denies the truths of the church, and yet outwardly avows charity towards the neighbor and professes the truths of the church; there is then in him “a root bearing gall and wormwood,” for he lets in evils and falsities from the interior, and mixes them with the goods and truths that he displays in the externals.
sRef Job@20 @15 S9′ sRef Job@20 @12 S9′ sRef Job@20 @16 S9′ sRef Job@20 @14 S9′ sRef Job@20 @13 S9′ [9] In Job:
Though evil shall have been sweet in his mouth, though he shall have hidden it under his tongue; though he shall have spared it and not forsaken it but shall keep it within his mouth, his bread in his bowels shall be changed, it shall be the gall of asps in the midst of him; he hath swallowed riches and he shall vomit them up again, God shall cast them out of his belly. He shall suck the poison of asps, the viper’s tongue shall slay him (20:12-16).
Thus is described the hypocrisy from which man speaks things holy and stimulates good affections, while inwardly he denies and blasphemes. What is within is described by “he hides evil under his tongue, and keeps it within his mouth.” That consequently good is infected with evil and is cast out, is signified by “his bread in his bowels shall be changed, it shall be the gall of asps in the midst;” “bread” meaning the good of love, “in the bowels” is inwardly, and “the gall of asps” means good mingled with evil. That truth also is cast out by falsity is signified by “he hath swallowed riches and he shall vomit them up again, God shall cast them out of his belly;” this falsity is meant by “the poison of asps.”
[10] It is to be known that good and evil, and the truth of good and the falsity of evil, are mingled when evil and falsity are in man’s spirit while good and truth are in the deeds and speech of his body. But what is in the spirit of man, that is, what is interior, acts into that which belongs to the body or what is exterior; for it flows in and causes the exterior, which appears to be good and true, nevertheless to be bitter like gall and wormwood, although before men it seems to be sweet. And because the good and truth of their mouth and speech are such, therefore when man after death becomes a spirit the good is separated from the evil and the falsity from the truth, and good and truth are taken away, and thus the spirit becomes his own evil and falsity. But it must be known that this mingling of good and evil and of truth and falsity is not the profanation of good and truth; profanation occurs only with those who have first received truth and good in heart and faith, and afterwards in heart and faith deny them.

sRef Rev@8 @11 S0′ 520. And the third part [of the waters] became wormwood, signifies that every truth in the understanding and in doctrine became such. This is evident from the signification of “the third part,” as being all, here every truth in the understanding and in doctrine, because it is predicated of “the rivers” and “the fountains of waters,” which signify the understanding of truth, and doctrine from the Word (that “the third part” signifies all, see above, n. 506); also from the signification of “wormwood,” as being truth mixed with the falsity of evil (as was explained in the preceding article). This makes evident that “the third part became wormwood” signifies that every truth in the understanding and in doctrine was mixed with the falsity of evil. Truth is mixed with the falsity of evil when evils of life, which are adulteries, whoredoms, murders, hatreds of various kinds, enmities, injustices for the sake of gain, artful and clandestine thefts and robberies, cunning, deceit, and other like evils are confirmed by the sense of the letter of the Word, so, too, when falsities of religion are upheld by such means by those who are in the love of self, and thus in the pride of self-intelligence. Truths are then mixed with the falsities of evil, because all things of the Word are truths, but when they are applied and wrested to confirm evils of life and false principles of religion, the truths of the Word are mingled with the falsities of evil, and in this way truths themselves come to be no longer truths, but truths falsified, and these in themselves are falsities. The truths of the sense of the letter of the Word, that they may remain truths, must be applied to the confirmation of goods of life and true principles of religion; if they are drawn aside and diverted from this application as their end they are no longer truths, since there is no perception of truth in them. The perception of truth comes from good, not from evil.
[2] For in every part of the Word there is a marriage of good and truth; consequently if good is not in the truths of the Word, as they are perceived, truths are without their consort, and may be applied to any evil cupidities and to any false principles whatsoever, and thus become the falsities of evil. In this way the truths of the Word are falsified by all those who from self-love are in the pride of self-intelligence; for inwardly, evils of every kind from love of self, and thence falsities of every kind from the pride of self-intelligence, have rule, while outwardly, in speech and in preaching, there are truths from the Word which sound like truths to those who are in simple good, but within with the one speaking or preaching these swarm with falsities of every kind. With such the truth of the Word is like a vessel pure and shining, in which are filthy waters that are not seen through the vessel by those who are in simple good, but are plainly seen by the angels of heaven.

sRef Rev@8 @11 S0′ 521. And many men died of the waters, signifies that all who were such were destroyed by the falsities into which the truths of the Word were changed. This is evident from the signification of “many” in the Word, as being all who are such; also from the signification of “to die” as being to perish in respect to spiritual life and to be damned (of which above, n. 78, 186, 383, 487). Also from the signification of “waters,” as being falsities, here falsities of evil, because “they became wormwood.” For all spiritual life, which in the Word is called “life,” and “eternal life,” man has by means of truths, and all spiritual death, which is damnation, man has by means of the falsities of evil; especially the falsities of evil into which he changes the truths of the Word. This makes clear the meaning of “many men died of the waters that became wormwood.”

sRef Rev@8 @11 S0′ 522. Because they were made bitter, signifies because the truths of the Word were falsified. This is evident from the signification of “the waters in the rivers and in the fountains,” as being the truths of the understanding and the truths of doctrine (of which above, n. 518); also from the signification of “bitter” and “bitterness,” as being what is falsified by the mingling of truth with the falsities of evil; for “bitter” here means the bitter of wormwood, and “wormwood” by reason of its bitterness signifies truth mixed with the falsity of evil, thus truth falsified (of which above, n. 519). “Bitter” signifies in the Word what is undelightful, but one kind of undelightfulness is signified by the bitter from wormwood, another by the bitter from gall, another by the bitter of hemlock, another by the bitter from unripe fruit, another by the bitter that is neither from herbs nor fruit; this bitter signifies grief of mind and anxiety from various causes.
sRef Num@5 @21 S2′ sRef Num@5 @23 S2′ sRef Rev@10 @10 S2′ sRef Rev@10 @9 S2′ sRef Num@5 @20 S2′ sRef Num@5 @22 S2′ sRef Num@5 @19 S2′ sRef Num@5 @29 S2′ sRef Isa@24 @7 S2′ sRef Num@5 @27 S2′ sRef Num@5 @28 S2′ sRef Ex@12 @8 S2′ sRef Num@5 @25 S2′ sRef Num@5 @24 S2′ sRef Isa@24 @9 S2′ sRef Num@5 @26 S2′ sRef Num@5 @15 S2′ sRef Ex@15 @25 S2′ sRef Num@5 @18 S2′ sRef Num@5 @17 S2′ sRef Num@5 @16 S2′ sRef Ex@15 @24 S2′ sRef Num@9 @11 S2′ sRef Num@5 @14 S2′ sRef Ex@15 @23 S2′ sRef Num@5 @12 S2′ sRef Num@5 @13 S2′ [2] This makes evident the signification of “bitterness” in the following passages. In Isaiah:
Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter. Woe unto the mighty in drinking wine, and unto men of strength in mingling strong drink (5:20, 22).
In the same:
The new wine shall mourn, the vine shall languish, all the glad of heart shall sigh. They shall not drink wine with a song; strong drink shall be bitter to them that drink it (24:7, 9).
In Moses:
That the waters in Marah, which they were not able to drink because of their bitterness, were healed by the wood that was cast into them (Exod. 15:23-25);
That at the time of the Passover they ate unleavened bread with bitter herbs (Exod. 12:8; Num. 9:11).
In the same:
That the waters of the curse should be given to a wife accused by her husband of adultery, and if she was guilty these waters would become bitternesses in her, and her belly would swell and her thigh would fall in (Num. 5:12-29).
In Revelation:
The little book that the prophet ate by command was in his mouth sweet like honey, but the belly was made bitter by it (10:9, 10).
So in other passages. But here, where it is said that “many men died of the waters because they were made bitter,” the bitter of wormwood is meant, and the signification of this bitterness has been explained just before.

sRef Rev@8 @12 S0′ 523. Verse 12. And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; and the third part of them was darkened, that the day should not shine for the third part of it, and the night likewise. 12. “And the fourth angel sounded,” signifies influx out of heaven, and the fourth consequent change (n. 524); “and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars,” signifies that all good of love, all good and truth of faith, and all knowledge of good and truth, perished (n. 525); “and the third part of them was darkened,” signifies that all these were changed into falsities of evil and into evils of falsity (n. 526); “that the day should not shine for the third part of it, and the night likewise,” signifies that the spiritual light of truth and the natural light of truth were completely extinguished (n. 527).

sRef Rev@8 @12 S0′ 524. Verse 12. And the fourth angel sounded, signifies influx out of heaven, and the fourth consequent change (see above, n. 502, and what follows).

sRef Rev@8 @12 S0′ 525. And the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars, signifies that all good of love, all good and truth of faith, and all knowledge of good and truth, perished. This is evident from the signification of “the third part,” as being all (see above, n. 506); from the signification of the “sun,” as being the good of love from the Lord; from the signification of the “moon,” as being the good and truth of faith from the Lord (see above, n. 401); from the signification of “stars,” as being the knowledges of good and truth, also from the Lord (see above, n. 72, 402); and from the signification of “to be smitten,” in reference to the goods of love and faith, and the knowledges of good and truth, as being to perish. This makes evident that “the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars,” signifies that all good of love, all good and truth of faith, and all knowledge of good and truth perished. By “the sun, moon, and stars,” are not meant here the sun, moon, and stars that appear before the eyes of men in our solar world, but the sun, moon, and stars that appear before the eyes of angels in the spiritual world; for the Lord appears there as a sun before those who are in the good of love to Him from Him, and as a moon before those who are in the good and truth of faith; and this is why the “sun” signifies the good of love, and the “moon” the good and truth of faith. Evidently it was that sun, that moon, and those stars that appeared to John, since he was in the spirit when he saw them. (That the Lord appears as a sun and as a moon in the angelic heavens may be seen in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 116-125.) It is from appearance that these are said to have been smitten, for when the good of love and the good and truth of faith are no longer with man, the appearance to him is that they no longer exist, and that they have perished; and the Word in the sense of the letter is written according to appearances.

sRef Rev@8 @12 S0′ 526. And the third part of them was darkened, signifies that all these were changed into the falsities of evil and into the evils of falsity. This is evident from the signification of “darkness,” as being falsities, and thus “to be darkened” means to be changed into falsities. It means a change both into the falsities of evil and into the evils of falsity, because it is said that “the third part of the sun was darkened, the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars,” and the “sun” signifies the good of love, the “moon” the good and truth of faith, and the “stars” the knowledges of good and truth; therefore “the third part of the sun was darkened” signifies that the good of love was changed into evil and into falsity from evil, which is the falsity of evil; for good is changed into evil and into falsity therefrom, but the truth of faith, which is signified by the “moon,” is changed into falsity and into evil therefrom, which is the evil of falsity. The evil of falsity is the falsity of doctrine out of which comes evil of life, and the falsity of evil is the evil of life out of which comes the falsity of doctrine.
[2] Darkness signifies falsity because light signifies truth, and falsity is the opposite of truth as darkness is of light; moreover, when the light of life, which is the Divine truth, is not with man, the shadow of death is with him, which is falsity; for man from what is his own (proprium) is in every evil and in falsity from the evil, and he is removed from these only by means of the truths of the church; consequently where there are no truths there are the falsities of evil. (That it is only by means of truths that man is removed from evils, is purified, and is reformed, see in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 24.)
sRef Joel@2 @31 S3′ [3] That “darkness” signifies in the Word falsities of various kinds can be seen from the following passages. In Joel:
The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of Jehovah cometh (2:31).
“The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood,” has a similar signification as “the third part of the sun and the third part of the moon were darkened,” namely, that at the end of the church there will be the falsity of evil in the place of the good of love, and evil of falsity in the place of truth of faith.
sRef Ezek@32 @8 S4′ sRef Joel@2 @2 S4′ sRef Joel@2 @1 S4′ sRef Isa@13 @10 S4′ sRef Ezek@32 @7 S4′ sRef Joel@2 @10 S4′ sRef Joel@3 @15 S4′ sRef Matt@24 @29 S4′ sRef Joel@3 @14 S4′ [4] Elsewhere in the Word where the darkening of the sun and moon is spoken of there is a like meaning, as in Isaiah:
For the stars of the heavens and the constellations thereof shall not make their light to shine; the sun shall be darkened in its rising, and the moon shall not make bright her light (13:10; 24:21, 23).
In Ezekiel:
When I shall extinguish thee I will cover the heavens and make the stars thereof dark; I will cover the sun with a cloud, and the moon shall not make her light to shine; all luminaries of light in the heavens will I make dark over thee, and I will set darkness upon thy land (32:7, 8).
In Joel:
The day of Jehovah is near in the valley of decision; the sun and the moon have been darkened, and the stars have withdrawn their brightness (3:14, 15).
In the same:
The day of Jehovah cometh, a day of darkness and of thick darkness, a day of cloud and obscurity. Before Him the earth trembled, the sun and the moon were darkened, and the stars withdrew their brightness (2:1-2, 10).
In the Gospels:
Immediately after the affliction of those days the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven (Matt. 24:29; Mark 13:24, 25).
This is said of the last time of the church, when there is no longer any spiritual good or truth, or the good and truth of heaven and the church, but evil and falsity. That the goods and truths of the church, which are called the goods of love and the truths of faith are changed into evils and falsities, is signified by “the sun and moon shall be obscured and darkened, and the stars shall not give their light;” the Last Judgment that then follows is meant by “the day of Jehovah great and terrible;” and as this comes when the church is in darkness and in thick darkness, that day is also called “a day of darkness and thick darkness,” and also “a day of cloud and obscurity,” as also in the following passages.
sRef Amos@5 @18 S5′ sRef Isa@8 @22 S5′ sRef Zeph@1 @14 S5′ sRef Zeph@1 @15 S5′ sRef Isa@5 @30 S5′ sRef Isa@60 @2 S5′ sRef Amos@5 @20 S5′ sRef Jer@13 @16 S5′ [5] In Amos:
Woe unto you that desire the day of Jehovah. What to you is the day of Jehovah? It is darkness, and not light. Shall not the day of Jehovah be darkness, and not light? Even thick darkness, and no brightness to it? (5:18, 20).
In Zephaniah:
The day of Jehovah, a day of wasteness and devastation, a day of darkness and thick darkness, a day of clouds and of gloominess (1:14, 15).
In Isaiah:
In that day he shall look upon the land, which behold is darkness and distress, and the light shall grow dark in its ruins (5:30).
In the same:
He shall look unto the earth, and behold distress and darkness dimmed with straitness and driven with thick darkness (8:22).
In the same:
Behold, darkness covereth the earth, and thick darkness the peoples (60:2).
In Jeremiah:
Give glory to Jehovah your God before He causeth darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the mountains of twilight; then shall ye look for light, but He will turn it into the shadow of death, He will make it thick darkness (13:16).
This is said of the last time of the church, when the Lord is to come into the world, and judgment is to be accomplished; because there will then be no longer any good of love or truth of faith, but the evil of falsity and the falsity of evil, that day is called “a day of darkness and of thick darkness.”
sRef Matt@27 @45 S6′ [6] The same is signified by:
The darkness that came over all the land from the sixth hour to the ninth hour when the Lord was crucified (Matt. 27:45; Mark 15:33; Luke 23:44-49).
“The darkness over all the land” represented that in the whole church there was nothing but evil and falsity therefrom, and falsity and evil therefrom; moreover, the three hours signify what is full and complete; for each and all things related in the Gospels respecting the Lord’s passion have stored up in them arcana of heaven, and signify Divine celestial things, which can be laid open only by means of the internal spiritual sense.
sRef Isa@5 @20 S7′ [7] That “darkness” signifies falsity is further evident from the following passages. In Isaiah:
Woe unto them that call evil good and good evil, that put darkness for light and light for darkness (5:20).
“To put darkness for light and light for darkness” signifies to call falsity truth and truth falsity; it is clear that “darkness” means falsity and “light” truth, for good and evil are first spoken of, therefore what follows must be respecting truth and falsity.
sRef John@3 @19 S8′ [8] In John:
This is the judgment, that the Light hath come into the world, and men have loved the darkness rather than the light, because their works were evil (3:19).
The Lord here calls Himself the Light because He was the Divine truth itself when in the world; therefore “the Light” signifies the Lord in relation to Divine truth, also Divine truth from the Lord; and as darkness is opposed to light, “the darkness that men loved rather than the light” signifies infernal falsity, which is the falsity of evil. That the falsity of evil is here signified by “darkness” is evident from its being said, “because their works were evil.” The falsity of evil springs from evil works, or the evils of life; for as good joins to itself truth, so evil joins to itself falsity; for the one belongs to the other.
sRef John@8 @12 S9′ sRef John@1 @5 S9′ sRef John@1 @4 S9′ sRef John@12 @46 S9′ sRef John@12 @35 S9′ [9] “Light” and “darkness” have a similar signification in the following passages in John:
In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. And the light appeareth in the darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not (1:4, 5).
In the same:
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 (8:12).
In the same:
Jesus said, Walk while ye have the Light, that darkness overtake you not; for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. I have come a Light into the world, that whosoever believeth on Me may not abide in darkness (12:35, 46).
In these passages “darkness” signifies infernal falsity; for the “light” to which darkness is opposed, signifies Divine truth. “Light” signifies Divine truth because light in the heavens is in its essence Divine truth proceeding from the Lord (see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 116-140). Now as Divine truth is the light in the heavens, it follows that the falsity of evil, which is the falsity in the hells, is darkness. This darkness is not indeed darkness to those who are in the hells, for they see one another; but the light by which they see is like the lumen from burning coal, and this lumen, when the light of heaven flows into it, becomes mere darkness. For this reason also the caverns and dens in which they are appear to those in heaven like gloomy caves.
sRef Ps@143 @3 S10′ sRef Matt@8 @12 S10′ [10] From this it can be seen why “darkness” signifies the falsities of evil, and why the Lord says:
That those who are in hell are to be cast into outer darkness (Matt. 8:12; 22:13; 25:30).
In David:
The enemy pursueth my soul; he hath crushed my life down to the earth; he hath made me to sit in darkness, like the dead of the world (Ps. 143:3).
“The enemy who pursueth his soul” signifies in the spiritual sense evil; consequently “to make me to sit in darkness” signifies falsities.
sRef Isa@59 @9 S11′ [11] In Isaiah:
Judgment is far from us, and righteousness doth not overtake us; we wait for light, but behold darkness; for brightness, but we walk in thick darkness (59:9).
“Judgment is far from us” signifies that there is no understanding of truth; “righteousness doth not overtake us” signifies that there is no good of life; “we wait for light, but behold darkness,” signifies waiting for truth, but behold falsity; “for brightness, but we walk in thick darkness,” signifies waiting for goods through truths, but behold a life of falsity from evils; for “brightness” signifies the goods of truth, because “light” signifies truth, and truth is bright from good; “thick darkness” signifies the falsities of evil, and “to walk” signifies to live.
sRef Luke@22 @53 S12′ [12] In Luke:
But this is your hour and the power of darkness (22:53).
The Lord said this to the chief priests, the captains of the temple, and the elders, who seized Him by the aid of Judas. The power to do this wickedness the Lord calls “the power of darkness,” because they were in the falsities of evil, in falsities respecting the Lord and in evils against Him; here also “darkness” means hell, because such falsities of evil are there.
sRef Luke@11 @34 S13′ sRef Luke@11 @36 S13′ sRef Luke@11 @35 S13′ [13] In the same:
The lamp of the body is the eye; when therefore thine eye is pure thy whole body also shall be light; but when the eye is evil thy body also shall be dark. Take heed, therefore, that the light that is in thee be not darkness. If thy whole body therefore be light, having no part dark, the whole shall be light, as when a lamp by its flashing doth give thee light (Luke 11:34-36; Matt. 6:22, 23).
The “eye” here signifies the understanding, and the “pure (or single) eye” the understanding of truth from good; but the “evil eye” signifies the understanding of falsity from evil; the “body” that is either light or dark, means the whole man. From this the signification of these words in series can be concluded, namely, that the whole man is such as is his understanding from the will; for every man is his truth and his good, because he is his love or affection; therefore he is throughout wholly such as he is in respect to his understanding from his will; for all truth is of the understanding, and all good is of the will; for the body is a mere obedience, since it is the effect of an effecting cause, and the effecting cause is the understanding from the will; therefore such as is the quality of the one such is that of the other, for the effect has its all from its effecting cause. That heed must be taken that truth once perceived in the understanding and received into the will be not turned into falsity, which is done from evil, is meant by “take heed, therefore, that the light that is in thee be not darkness,” for from this falsities become worse; therefore in Matthew, in the passages just referred to, it is said:
If, therefore, the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is the darkness! (verse 23).
sRef Ex@10 @22 S14′ sRef Ex@10 @21 S14′ sRef Isa@47 @5 S14′ sRef Ex@10 @23 S14′ [14] “Darkness” signifies the falsities of evil also in Isaiah:
Sit thou silent and enter into darkness, O daughter of the Chaldeans; for they shall no longer call thee the mistress of kingdoms (47:5).
“The daughter of the Chaldeans” signifies the falsification of truth, therefore “darkness” signifies the falsities of evil, since evil falsifies truth:
The thick darkness of darkness that was over all the land of Egypt for three days, while in the dwellings of the sons of Israel there was light (Exod. 10:21-23);
signifies also the falsity of evil. Likewise the “darkness” in Genesis (15:17), and in many other passages.
sRef Luke@1 @78 S15′ sRef Isa@9 @2 S15′ sRef Luke@1 @79 S15′ sRef Matt@4 @16 S15′ sRef Isa@42 @16 S15′ sRef Isa@58 @10 S15′ sRef Isa@49 @9 S15′ sRef Isa@29 @18 S15′ sRef Micah@7 @8 S15′ [15] It has been shown thus far that “darkness” signifies in the Word the falsities of evil. “Darkness” signifies also falsities not of evil, such as were the falsities of religion among the upright Gentiles, which falsities were with them because of their ignorance of the truth; that these falsities were also called “darkness” is evident from the following passages:
This people walking in darkness have seen a great light; those dwelling in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light become bright (Isa. 9:2).
In Matthew:
A people sitting in darkness saw a great light; and to those sitting in the region and shadow of death a light hath arisen (4:16).
In Luke:
The dayspring from on high appeared to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death (1:78, 79).
In Isaiah:
If thou shalt draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul, thy light shall arise in the darkness, and thy thick darkness be as the noonday (58:10).
In the same:
He shall say to the bound, Go forth; to them that are in darkness, Be revealed (49:9).
In the same:
In that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of thick darkness and in* darkness (29:18).
In the same:
And I will lead the blind in a way that they have not known. I will make darkness into light before them, and crooked things into straightness (42:16).
In Micah:
When I sit in darkness Jehovah shall be a Light unto me (7:8).
In these passages “darkness” signifies the falsities of ignorance, such as existed, and as exist at this day among the upright Gentiles. These falsities are altogether distinct from the falsities of evil, which have evil stored up in them because they are from evil, while the former have good stored up in them because they have good as an end. Those, therefore, who are in these falsities can be instructed in truths, and they also when instructed receive truths in the heart, for the reason that good, which is in their falsities, loves truth, and also conjoins itself to truth when it is heard. It is otherwise with the falsities of evil; these are averse to all truth and cast it off because it is truth, and thus is not in agreement with evil.
[16] Again, “darkness” signifies in the Word mere ignorance from lack of truth (as in David, Ps. 18:29; 139:11, 12). “Darkness” signifies also natural lumen, for this in comparison with spiritual light is like darkness; therefore also when angels look down into man’s natural lumen, such as is in man’s natural cognition, they regard it as darkness, and the things that are in it as in darkness; this light is signified by “darkness” in Genesis (1:2-5). And as the sense of the letter of the Word is natural, that sense also is called in the Word “a cloud,” and also “darkness,” in comparison with the internal spiritual sense, which is the light of heaven, and is called “glory.”
* Latin “in,” Hebrew “out of,” which we also find in AE n. 152, 239; AC n. 212, 897, 2393.

sRef Rev@8 @12 S0′ 527. That the day should not shine for the third part of it, and the night likewise, signifies that the spiritual light of truth and the natural light of truth were completely extinguished. This is evident from the signification of “day,” as being spiritual light, and from the signification of “night,” as being natural light. This is the signification, since it was said above that “the third part of the sun, the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars, were darkened;” and “day” means the light of the sun, and “night” the light of the moon and stars, since the sun gives light during the day, and the moon and the stars give light at night. In the first place, let something be said respecting light from the sun, which is called the light of the day, and respecting light from the moon and the stars, which is called “the light of the night.”
[2] By light from the sun, which is called “the light of the day” and by “day,” spiritual light is meant, such as the angels have who see the Lord as a sun; and by light from the moon and stars, which is called “the light of the night” and by “night,” natural light is meant, such as the angels have who behold the Lord as a moon. (That the Lord appears to the angels both as a sun and as a moon, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, 116-125.) Those heavens behold the Lord as a sun that are in the spiritual affection of truth, that is, that love truth because it is truth. Because this is spiritual, therefore the light that is from the Lord as a sun is spiritual. But those heavens behold the Lord as a moon that are in the natural affection of truth, that is, that love truth that they may be learned and may instruct others. These love truth because of its usefulness to themselves, and not for the truth’s own sake; therefore they are in a light that proceeds from the Lord as a moon. This light differs from the light that goes forth from the Lord as a sun, as the light of day from the sun differs from the light of night from the moon and stars in our world; and in like manner as the lights differ with them do truths differ, since Divine truth proceeding from the Lord produces all light in the heavens (see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 126-140).
[3] Those, therefore, who are in spiritual light are in genuine truths, and also when they hear truths that they had not before known, they immediately acknowledge them and see that they are truths. It is otherwise with those who are in natural light. When such hear truths they receive them, not because they see or perceive them, but because they are told them by men of reputation in whom they have confidence; the faith, therefore, of most of such is from others, and yet they are in a life according to faith. Into these heavens all come who have lived well, although they have been in falsities of doctrine; nevertheless the falsities are there continually purified, until at length they appear as truths. This makes evident what is signified by “that the day should not shine for the third part of it, and the night likewise.” (That “the third part” signifies all, fullness, and wholly, see above, n. 506.)
sRef Gen@1 @14 S4′ sRef Gen@1 @15 S4′ sRef Gen@1 @17 S4′ sRef Gen@1 @5 S4′ sRef Gen@1 @3 S4′ sRef Gen@1 @4 S4′ sRef Gen@1 @16 S4′ sRef Gen@1 @19 S4′ sRef Gen@1 @18 S4′ [4] “Day and night” here have a similar signification as “day and night” in the first chapter of Genesis, where it is said:
God said, Let there be light; and there was light. And God saw the light that it was good; and God divided between the light and the darkness. And God called the light day, and the darkness He called night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day (1:3-5).
And afterwards:
And God said, Let there be luminaries in the expanse of the heavens, to divide between the day and the night; and let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days and years. And God made two great luminaries; the great luminary to rule by day, and the lesser luminary to rule by night, and the stars. And God set them in the expanse of the heavens to give light upon the earth, and to rule by day and by night, and to divide between the light and the darkness. And there was evening and there was morning, the fourth day (1:14-19).
The “light” that came the first day signifies the Divine light, that in itself and in its essence is Divine truth, thus spiritual light that enlightens the understanding. This chapter in the internal sense treats of the establishment of a church by the Lord with the most ancient people; and as the first thing is to have the understanding enlightened, for until that is enlightened by the Lord there is no reformation, thus no church with man, therefore first of all light is spoken of, or it is said that “light” was made on the first day. That “God saw the light that it was good” signifies that illustration and reception with them were good. But “darkness” signifies the lumen that is in the natural man, which is called natural lumen, because this lumen in comparison with spiritual light is like darkness, consequently this is meant by “darkness.” For every man has a lower or exterior mind, and a higher or interior mind; the lower or exterior mind is the natural mind, which is called the natural man, while the higher or interior mind is the spiritual mind, and is called the spiritual man. The mind is called a man, for the reason that man is man because of his mind. These two minds, the higher and the lower, are altogether distinct; by the lower mind man is in the natural world, together with the men there, but by the higher mind he is in the spiritual world with the angels there.
These two minds are so distinct that while man is living in the world he does not know what is going on in himself in his higher mind; and when he becomes a spirit, as he does immediately after death, he does not know what is going on in his lower mind; therefore it is said “God divided between the light and the darkness, and He called the light day, and the darkness night.” This makes evident that “day” signifies spiritual light, and “darkness” natural light. Because all the heavens are so divided that those who are in spiritual light are in light from the Lord as a sun, and those who are in spiritual-natural light are in light from the Lord as a moon (as was just said in this article), it is said, “Let there be two luminaries in the expanse of the heavens to divide between the day and the night, and to rule by day and by night, and to divide between the light and the darkness.” From this, therefore, it is evident that “day” here means spiritual light, and “night” natural light, which in heaven is called spiritual-natural light.
sRef Jer@33 @25 S5′ sRef Jer@33 @21 S5′ sRef Jer@33 @26 S5′ sRef Jer@33 @20 S5′ sRef Ps@74 @16 S5′ sRef Jer@31 @35 S5′ sRef Ps@136 @7 S5′ sRef Ps@136 @6 S5′ sRef Ps@136 @8 S5′ sRef Ps@136 @5 S5′ sRef Ps@136 @9 S5′ [5] Day and night have a similar signification in the following passages. In David:
Jehovah who hath made the heavens by His intelligence, who hath spread out the earth above the waters; who hath made great luminaries, the sun for rule by day, the moon and stars for rule by night (Ps. 136:5-9).
In Jeremiah:
Jehovah giveth the sun for the light of the day, and the statutes of the moon and stars for the light of the night (31:35).
In David:
Jehovah, the day is Thine, the night also is Thine; Thou hast prepared the light and the sun (Ps. 74:16).
In Jeremiah:
If ye have rendered void My covenant of the day and My covenant of the night, that there be no day and night in their time, My covenant also with David My servant shall become void, that he shall not have a son to reign upon his throne, and with the Levites the priests, My ministers. If I shall not have set* My covenant of day and night, the statutes of heaven and earth, then I reject also the seed of Jacob and David (33:20, 21, 25, 26).
“The covenants of the day and of the night” mean all the statutes of the church prescribed unto the sons of Israel in the Word, by which they had conjunction with heaven and through heaven with the Lord. These are called “the covenant of the day and of the night,” because they are for heaven and also for the church, the spiritual things that are represented and signified are for heaven, and the natural things that represent and signify are for the church; therefore “the covenants of the day and of the night” are here called “the statutes of heaven and earth,” and “the covenant of the night” is called “the statutes of the moon and stars;” “to render void” signifies not to keep. That unless these are kept there could be no conjunction with the Lord through Divine truth or through Divine good is signified by “My covenant with David shall become void, that he shall not have a son to reign upon his throne, and with the Levites the priests, My ministers,” “the covenant with David” meaning conjunction with the Lord through Divine truth; “no son upon his throne” signifying no reception of Divine truth by anyone, and “the covenant with the Levites the priests, My ministers,” meaning conjunction with the Lord through Divine good.
sRef Ps@139 @12 S6′ sRef Ps@139 @11 S6′ sRef Isa@30 @26 S6′ [6] In David:
If I shall say, Surely the darkness shall overwhelm me, even the night shall be light for me. Even the darkness shall not make darkness before Thee; but the night shall be light as the day; as the darkness so shall be the light (Ps. 139:11, 12).
This signifies that the natural man as well as the spiritual is enlightened by the Lord. Natural light is signified by “darkness” and “night,” and spiritual light by “light” and “day.” “The night shall be light as the day, and as the darkness so shall be the light,” has the same signification as in Isaiah:
The light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun (30:26).
These things have been cited to make known that spiritual light is signified by “the day should not shine for the third part of it,” and natural light by “the night likewise;” thus that these expressions have a similar signification as “light from the sun and light from the moon.”
* Latin “shall have set,” Hebrew “shall not have set,” which we also find in AE n. 610, 768; AC n. 37; AR n. 414.

sRef Rev@8 @13 S0′ 528. Verse 13. And I saw, and I heard one angel flying in midheaven, saying with a great voice, Woe, woe, woe, to those that dwell on the earth, from the remaining voices of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound. 13. “And I saw, and I heard one angel flying in midheaven,” signifies the Lord enlightening all in the heavens respecting the state of the church at its end (n. 529); “saying with a great voice,” signifies manifestation (n. 530); “Woe, woe, woe, to those that dwell on the earth, from the remaining voices of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound,” signifies grievous lamentation over the changes of state of the church, on account of the aversion from good and truth, and consequent damnation (n. 531, 532).

sRef Rev@8 @13 S0′ 529. Verse 13. And I saw, and I heard one angel flying in midheaven, signifies the Lord enlightening all in the heavens respecting the state of the church at its end. This is evident from the signification of “to see and to hear,” as being to open the understanding to perceive (of which presently); and from the signification of “angel,” as being the Lord. That “angels” in the Word mean Divine truth proceeding from the Lord, thus the Lord Himself in relation to Divine truth, may be seen above (n. 130, 200, 302), here the Lord manifesting what the church is to be in the last times in respect to the reception of Divine truth. Also from the signification of “to fly,” as being to enlighten and give understanding (of which presently); also from the signification of “in midheaven,” as being in the whole heaven, or all who are in the heavens (that “in the midst” signifies in the whole and thus all, see above, n. 213). From this it can be seen that “I saw, and I heard one angel flying in midheaven,” signifies the enlightenment of all who are in the heavens respecting the state of the church at its end. Enlightenment respecting the state of the church at its end is meant, because this is what is treated of in what follows. “To see and to hear” signifies to open the understanding to perceive, because “to see” signifies to understand, and “to hear” to perceive (that “to see” signifies to understand, see above, n. 260; and that “to hear” signifies to perceive, also above n. 14, 108).
sRef 2Sam@22 @11 S2′ sRef Ps@18 @10 S2′ [2] “To fly” signifies, in reference to the Lord, to enlighten, because “to fly” is said of the understanding, and of the extension of its vision round about, therefore in reference to the Lord, “to fly” signifies the enlightenment of the understanding. That in reference to the Lord, “to fly” signifies omnipresence, may be seen above (n. 282); consequently it signifies also enlightenment, for where the Lord is present there is enlightenment. “To fly” has the same signification in David:
God rode upon a cherub, He did fly, and was borne upon the wings of the wind (Ps. 18:10; 2 Sam. 22:11).
A “cherub” signifies the inmost heaven, “to ride” signifies to give understanding and to enlighten; “to fly” and “to be borne upon the wings of the wind” have a like meaning; but “to ride” here signifies to give understanding to and to enlighten here the inmost heaven, which is signified by a “cherub;” “to fly” also signifies to give understanding to and to enlighten the middle heaven; while “to be borne upon the wings of the wind” signifies to give understanding to and to enlighten the ultimate heaven. (That “to ride” signifies to give understanding, see above, n. 355, 364; and that a “cherub,” signifies the inmost heaven, n. 313, 322, 362, 462.) “To fly” signifies to enlighten the middle heaven, because that heaven is the spiritual heaven, and spiritual things in the Word are signified by various birds, and by their wings and flights. “To be borne upon the wings of the wind” signifies to enlighten the ultimate heaven, because “wings” are for flight, and here signify enlightenment, and “wind” signifies the spiritual of that heaven; thus all this describes the omnipresence of the Lord in the heavens, thence also the enlightenment of the understanding; for as was said above, where the Lord is present there is enlightenment.

sRef Rev@8 @13 S0′ 530. Saying with a great voice, signifies manifestation. This is evident from the signification of “saying with a great voice,” as being manifestation, here respecting the coming state of the church near its end, which is foretold in what follows. It is said “a great voice” because it has reference to the Lord and to the universal heaven (as has been said just above).

sRef Rev@8 @13 S0′ 531. Woe, woe, woe, to those that dwell on the earth, from the remaining voices of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound, signifies grievous lamentation over the changes of state of the church at its end, on account of the aversion from good and truth, and consequent damnation. This is evident from the signification of “woe,” as being lamentation over the aversion from good and truth, and consequent damnation; and as “woe” is said three times, grievous lamentation is meant (of which presently); also from the signification of “those that dwell on the earth,” as being those who are of the church (the “earth” means the church, as may be seen above, n. 29, 304, 417); also from the signification of “the voices of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound,” as being the changes of state of the church; for “the angels sounding the trumpets” signify changes from influx out of heaven (see above, n. 502). That “three” signifies what is complete even to the end will be seen in the following article. From this it can be seen that “Woe, woe, woe, to those that dwell on the earth, from the voices of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound,” signifies grievous lamentation over the changes of state of the church at its end, on account of the aversion from good and truth, and consequent damnation.
sRef Rev@9 @12 S2′ sRef Rev@11 @14 S2′ sRef Luke@17 @1 S2′ sRef Luke@22 @22 S2′ [2] That “woe” signifies lamentation over calamity, danger, hardship, destruction can be seen from passages in the Word where it occurs; but here it means lamentation over the aversion from good and truth, and consequent damnation, because this is what is treated of in what follows; and as the aversion from good and truth becomes successively more grievous in the church even to its end, it is said three times, each one standing for the successively increasing grievousness of the evil. This can be seen from the following, where it is said:
The first woe is past; behold there come yet two woes hereafter (Rev. 9:12).
And afterwards:
The second woe is past, behold the third woe cometh quickly (Rev. 11:14).
sRef Isa@5 @22 S3′ sRef Isa@5 @18 S3′ sRef Isa@29 @1 S3′ sRef Isa@5 @20 S3′ sRef Isa@5 @21 S3′ sRef Matt@23 @15 S3′ sRef Matt@23 @14 S3′ sRef Matt@23 @23 S3′ sRef Matt@23 @16 S3′ sRef Isa@5 @11 S3′ sRef Isa@5 @8 S3′ sRef Matt@23 @13 S3′ sRef Isa@29 @15 S3′ sRef Matt@23 @29 S3′ sRef Matt@23 @25 S3′ sRef Matt@23 @27 S3′ [3] That “woe” signifies in the Word lamentation over various occurrences, especially over the evils that devastate the church, can be seen from many passages therein. As in Matthew:
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! (23:13, 14, 16, 23, 25, 27, 29).
In Luke:
Woe unto that man through whom the Son of man is betrayed! (22:22).
In the same:
Woe unto him through whom occasions for stumbling come! (17:1).
In Isaiah:
Woe unto them that join house to house! (5:8).
Woe unto them that rise early in the morning that they may follow strong drink! (5:11).
Woe unto them that draw iniquity! (5:18).
Woe unto them that call evil good! (5:20).
Woe unto the wise in their own eyes! (5:21).
Woe unto the mighty in drinking wine! (5:22).
(See in many other passages, as in Isa. 3:11; 10:1; 17:12; 18:1; 29:1, 15; 30:1; 31:1; 33:1; 45:9, 10, etc.; Jer. 22:13; Ezek. 13:3; Rev. 18:16, 19).

sRef Rev@8 @13 S0′ 532. As all numbers in the Word signify things and states, and the composite numbers derive their signification from the simple numbers of which they are composed, and the simple numbers are chiefly two, three, five, and seven, it is important to show what these numbers signify in the word, and here what “three” signifies because it is said, “Woe, woe, woe, from the voices of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound!” (That all numbers in the Word signify somewhat of thing and state may be seen above, n. 203, 429; and that the greater and composite numbers have a similar signification as the simple numbers from which they arise by multiplication, and that the simple numbers are two, three, five, and seven, may also be seen above, n. 430.)
sRef Isa@16 @14 S2′ [2] That “three” signifies in the Word what is full and complete, and thence an entire period, greater or less, from beginning to end, can be seen from the following passages. In Isaiah:
Within three years, as the years of an hireling, the glory of Moab shall grow vile with all that great multitude; and the remnant shall be very small and not strong (16:14).
“Moab” means those who are in falsities from evil; “his glory” and “his great multitude” mean such falsities; the “three years within which his glory shall grow vile” signify what is complete and finished; therefore it is said, “then the remnant shall be very small,” which signifies that it shall be no more; “three years” are mentioned, by which is meant what is finished, thus from beginning to end. It is to be known that “three years” has a similar signification as “three months,” “three weeks,” “three days,” and “three hours,” since in the spiritual sense, times signify states, and “three times,” whether greater or less, a full state.
sRef Isa@20 @3 S3′ sRef Isa@20 @4 S3′ [3] In the same:
Like as my servant Isaiah hath gone naked and barefoot three years, a sign and wonder upon Egypt and upon Cush, so shall the king of Assyria lead the captivity of Egypt and the crowd of Cush that is to be carried away, boys and old men, naked and barefoot (Isa. 20:3, 4).
By “Egypt” and “Cush,” Egypt and Cush are not meant, but “Egypt” means the external or natural in respect to knowledge, and “Cush” the external or natural in respect to worship, and when this natural has no internal spiritual, it also has no truth or good, for all the truth and all the good belonging to the natural or external man is from influx through the spiritual man from the Lord; and when the natural or external man has no truth or good it is like, in respect to the things in it, a man “naked and barefoot.” That there will then be only reasonings from falsities, and that these will destroy, is signified by “the king of Assyria shall lead the captivity of Egypt and the crowd of Cush that is to be carried away, naked and barefoot.” That all innocence and all wisdom will perish is signified by “the boys and old men whom the king of Assyria shall lead away;” their total and complete destruction was represented by the prophet’s going “three years naked and barefoot,” “three years” signifying an entire period from beginning to end, consequently total destruction.
[4] In Hosea:
Jehovah after two days will revive us; on the third day He will raise us up (6:2).
“To revive after two days, and to raise up on the third day,” signifies to reform and restore the church; “on the third day” signifying full reformation and restoration, therefore it is said that then “He will raise up.” Evidently neither two days nor the third day is meant.
sRef Num@19 @21 S5′ sRef Mark@12 @6 S5′ sRef Mark@12 @5 S5′ sRef Num@19 @20 S5′ sRef Num@19 @11 S5′ sRef Mark@12 @4 S5′ sRef Num@19 @22 S5′ sRef Josh@1 @11 S5′ sRef Ex@19 @18 S5′ sRef Lev@7 @17 S5′ sRef Lev@7 @16 S5′ sRef 1Ki@18 @34 S5′ sRef Num@19 @16 S5′ sRef Mark@15 @25 S5′ sRef Luke@13 @33 S5′ sRef Num@19 @14 S5′ sRef Num@19 @15 S5′ sRef Dan@10 @3 S5′ sRef Num@19 @18 S5′ sRef Dan@10 @4 S5′ sRef Dan@10 @2 S5′ sRef Josh@3 @2 S5′ sRef Num@19 @17 S5′ sRef Num@19 @12 S5′ sRef Ex@10 @23 S5′ sRef Ex@10 @22 S5′ sRef Num@19 @19 S5′ sRef 1Ki@17 @21 S5′ sRef Num@19 @13 S5′ sRef Luke@13 @32 S5′ sRef Lev@7 @18 S5′ sRef Matt@13 @33 S5′ sRef Lev@19 @24 S5′ sRef Lev@19 @25 S5′ sRef Matt@28 @1 S5′ sRef 1Sam@3 @2 S5′ sRef Lev@19 @23 S5′ sRef Deut@26 @12 S5′ sRef Matt@27 @45 S5′ sRef 1Sam@3 @8 S5′ sRef John@21 @17 S5′ sRef Matt@27 @50 S5′ sRef 2Sam@24 @11 S5′ sRef Ex@3 @18 S5′ sRef Matt@12 @40 S5′ sRef 1Sam@3 @7 S5′ sRef 1Sam@3 @6 S5′ sRef 1Sam@3 @5 S5′ sRef 1Sam@3 @3 S5′ sRef Ex@19 @1 S5′ sRef 2Sam@24 @12 S5′ sRef 2Sam@24 @13 S5′ sRef 1Sam@3 @4 S5′ sRef 1Sam@20 @12 S5′ sRef Matt@26 @61 S5′ sRef Num@31 @23 S5′ sRef Num@31 @24 S5′ sRef Matt@26 @69 S5′ sRef Num@31 @22 S5′ sRef Num@31 @21 S5′ sRef Jonah@1 @17 S5′ sRef 1Sam@20 @19 S5′ sRef Matt@16 @21 S5′ sRef Matt@26 @34 S5′ sRef Ex@19 @11 S5′ sRef 1Sam@20 @5 S5′ sRef Ex@19 @16 S5′ sRef 1Sam@3 @1 S5′ sRef Ex@19 @15 S5′ sRef Num@31 @20 S5′ sRef Matt@26 @71 S5′ sRef John@21 @15 S5′ sRef John@21 @16 S5′ sRef 1Sam@20 @41 S5′ sRef Matt@26 @70 S5′ sRef Matt@26 @72 S5′ sRef Matt@26 @74 S5′ sRef Matt@26 @75 S5′ sRef Matt@26 @73 S5′ sRef Num@31 @19 S5′ sRef 1Sam@20 @35 S5′ sRef 1Sam@20 @20 S5′ sRef 1Sam@20 @36 S5′ [5] As the number three signified what is complete even to the end, that number was adopted and employed in the representative church, whenever something complete was to be represented, as can be seen from these things in the Word:
They were to go a journey of three days and sacrifice (Exod. 3:18; 5:3).
In the third month after going out from Egypt they came to Mount Sinai (Exod. 19:1).
They were commanded to be ready against the third day, for on the third day Jehovah would come down upon Mount Sinai (Exod. 19:11, 15, 16, 18).
For three days there was darkness in the land of Egypt (Exod. 10:22, 23).
For three years the fruits of the trees planted in the land of Canaan should be uncircumcised (Lev. 19:23-25).
No part of the flesh of the sacrifice should be left to the third day (Lev. 7:16-18; 19:6, 7).
The water of separation should be sprinkled upon the unclean on the third day and on the seventh day (Num. 19:11-22).
They who touched any slain should be purified on the third day and on the seventh day (Num. 31:19-25).
Joshua commanded the people that within three days they should pass over Jordan (Josh. 1:11; 3:2).
Jehovah called Samuel three times, and three times Samuel ran to Eli; and the third time Eli perceived that Jehovah had called Samuel (1 Sam. 3:1-8).
Jonathan said to David that he should hide himself in a field unto the third evening, and afterwards Jonathan should shoot three arrows to the side of the stone, and after that David bowed himself three times to the earth before Jonathan (1 Sam. 20:5, 12, 19, 20, 35, 36, 41).
Three things were offered to David, of which he should choose one, that a famine of seven years should come, or that he should flee three months before his foes, or that a pestilence should be in the land three days (2 Sam. 24:11-13).
Elijah measured himself upon the son of the widow three times (1 Kings 17:21).
Elijah told them to pour water upon the burnt offering and upon the wood three times, and they poured it three times (1 Kings 18:34).
Jonah was in the belly of the whale three days and three nights (Jon. 1:17; Matt. 12:40).
Daniel was mourning three weeks (Dan. 10:2-4).
The third year was the year of tithing (Deut. 26:12).
The Lord said of the man who planted a vineyard, that he sent his servants three times, and afterwards his son (Mark 12:2, 4-6; Luke 20:12, 13).
The Lord said to Peter that before the cock crowed twice he would deny Him thrice (Matt. 26:34, 69 to the end; Luke 22:34, 57-61; John 13:38).
The Lord said three times to Peter, Lovest thou Me, and Feed My lambs and My sheep; and the third time Peter was grieved (John 21:15-17).
The Lord said that the kingdom of the heavens is like unto leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till it was all leavened (Matt. 13:33; Luke 13:21).
The Lord said, I perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I am perfected* (Luke 13:32, 33).
The Lord said that He would be in the heart of the earth three days and three nights (Matt. 12:40).
He said that He would be raised up the third day (Matt. 16:21; 17:22, 23; 20:18, 19; Luke 18:32, 33; 24:46).
He said that he would destroy the temple of God, and build it in three days (Matt. 26:61; 27:40; John 2:19, 20).
Jesus in Gethsemane prayed three times (Matt. 26:39, 42, 44).
Jesus was crucified at the third hour (Mark 15:25).
Then there was darkness over all the land three hours, from the sixth hour to the ninth, when He said, It is finished, and expired (Matt. 27:45; Mark 15:33, 37; John 19:30).
The Lord rose again on the third day (Matt. 28:1; Mark 16:2; Luke 24:1; John 20:1).
[6] From this it can be seen that the number “three” signifies what is finished or complete to the end, consequently an entire period, greater or less, from beginning to end. From this simple number many composite numbers derive their significations, as 6, 9, 12, 60, 72, which, from three, signify all truths and goods in the complex; in like manner the numbers 30, 300, 3000; for, as said above in this article, the composite numbers derive their significations from the simple numbers of which they are composed. Moreover, it is to be known that in the Word the number “three” is predicated of truths, and “two” and “four” of goods; for the reason that “two” and “four” signify conjunction, while “three” signifies fullness, and spiritual conjunction is love, and all good is of love; while spiritual fullness is formed by truths. One who does not know that all numbers in the Word are significative, when the numbers “two and three” or “three and four” are mentioned in the Word, has no other thought or belief than that two or three, or a few, are meant, instead of all who are in good and truth, as in the following passages.
sRef Isa@17 @6 S7′ [7] In Isaiah:
There shall be left in it gleanings, as in the shaking of an olive-tree, two three berries in the top of the bough, four five in the branches of the fruitful one (17:6).
This treats of the vastation of the church, and is said of the few remaining who are in good and truth; comparison is made with the shaking of an olive-tree, because an “olive-tree” signifies the church in respect to the good of love, and “branches” the truths therefrom; “two three” signifies the few that are in good and in truths therefrom, “two” meaning good, and “three” truths; and “four five” signifies the few who are in good, “four” meaning those who are good, and “five” a few. Because “four five” signifies the few who are in good, it is said, “four five in the branches of the fruitful one,” “a fruitful olive” signifying those in the church who are in good in respect to life. Because of this signification of these numbers, therefore it is said “two three,” “four five,” and not two and three, four and five.
sRef Amos@4 @8 S8′ [8] In Amos:
Two three cities wandered unto one city to drink waters, yet they were not satisfied (4:8).
This treats of the lack of truth at the end of the church, when those who desire truth from spiritual affection will not find any truth in the doctrines, wherever they may search, and therefore it is said, “two three cities wandered unto one city to drink waters, yet they were not satisfied;” “two three cities” signifying those who are in the affection of truth from good, “city” signifying the truth of doctrine; “to draw waters” signifies to learn truths; “to wander” signifies to search; and “not to be satisfied” signifies not to find truth which in itself is truth; it is said “two three cities,” because “two three” signifies those who are in good and in truths therefrom.
sRef Zech@13 @8 S9′ sRef Zech@13 @9 S9′ [9] In Zechariah:
It shall come to pass in all the land, two parts therein shall be cut off, shall expire, but the third shall remain therein. Yet I will lead the third part through the fire, and will prove them (13:8, 9).
This, in like manner, treats of the vastation of the church in respect to good; that every good will perish is meant by “in all the land two parts therein shall be cut off and shall expire,” “in all the land” meaning in all the church, and “two parts” signifying every good. That something of truth would remain, but scarcely any genuine truth, is signified by “the third part shall be left therein; yet I will lead the third part through the fire and will prove them,” “the third part” signifying the remaining truths; these must be proved whether they be genuine, which is signified by “they shall be led through the fire;” “to prove by fire” means by affection which is of love; if truth is not in accord with this it is not genuine truth, “fire” in the Word signifying love. When the good of love perishes in the church, truth becomes not truth, because all truth derives its essence from good.
sRef Matt@18 @20 S10′ [10] This makes evident what is signified by the Lord’s words in Matthew:
Where two and three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them (18:20).
Here two and three are not meant, but those who are in good and in truths therefrom; neither does the Lord’s “name” mean His name, but all the good of love and truth of faith by which He is worshiped (see above, n. 102, 135).
sRef Luke@12 @0 S11′ sRef Luke@12 @52 S11′ sRef Luke@12 @53 S11′ [11] This makes clear what is signified by the Lord’s words in Luke:
From henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three (12:52).
This means that after the Lord’s coming, when He has become known, and the interiors of the Word have been revealed by Him and with Him, both in the church in general and in the man of the church in particular, there will be dissension between good and truth and between truth and good; this is meant by “there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three;” “house” meaning the church in general, and in particular with the man of the church, “three” meaning truths, and “two” goods; its being said that “five shall be divided” signifies that there will be such dissension with those who are reformed, consequently it is added:
The father shall be divided against the son and the son against the father, the mother against the daughter and the daughter against the mother (12:53).
“Father” signifies the good of the church, “son” the truth of the church, “mother” the truth of the church, and “daughter” the good of the church. Who cannot see that the numbers five, two, and three, would not have been used here unless they had been significative? In the Word, when “two” and “three” follow, “five” signifies all such; but when “ten” or “twenty” precedes or follows, “five” signifies some and few.
sRef Amos@1 @11 S12′ sRef Amos@1 @9 S12′ sRef Amos@1 @3 S12′ sRef Amos@1 @13 S12′ sRef Amos@1 @6 S12′ sRef Ex@20 @5 S12′ sRef Deut@24 @16 S12′ sRef Num@14 @18 S12′ sRef Ezek@18 @20 S12′ [12] Like things are meant in the commandment of the Decalogue by:
The third and fourth generation (or sons, thirds and fourths) upon whom God is to visit the iniquity of the parents (Exod. 20:5; Num. 14:18; Deut. 5:9, 10).
“The third and fourth generation” signifies all who are in falsities from evil, “the third generation” those who are in the falsities of evil and “the fourth generation” those who are in the evils of falsity; “three” in the contrary sense signifying falsities, and “four” evils. Who does not see that it would be contrary to the Divine justice to visit the iniquity of the parents upon the sons even to the third and fourth generation? For the Lord teaches:
The soul that sinneth, it shall die; the son shall not bear the iniquity of the parent, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son; the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him (Ezek. 18:20; Deut. 24:16; 2 Kings 14:6).
This makes evident that “the third and fourth generation” does not mean the third and fourth generation, but that which these numbers signify. Like things are signified by “three and four transgressions” in Amos (1:3, 6, 9, 11, 13; 2:1, 4, 6). From this it can be seen how great arcana lie hidden in the Word merely in its numbers, which no one can know without the internal spiritual sense.
* Latin “consumed,” Greek “perfected.”

Revelation 9

1. And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star from heaven fallen unto the earth; and there was given unto him the key of the pit of the abyss.
2. And he opened the pit of the abyss; and there went up a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke* of a great furnace; and the sun was darkened, and the air, by the smoke of the pit.
3. And out of the smoke there went forth locusts on the earth; and there was given unto them power as the scorpions of the earth have power.
4. And it was said to them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, nor any green thing, nor any tree, but the men only that have not the seal of God on their foreheads.
5. And it was given to them that they should not kill them, but that they should torment them five months; and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion when it striketh a man.
6. And in those days shall men seek death and shall not find it; and they shall long to die and death shall flee from them.
7. And the likenesses of the locusts were like unto horses prepared for battle; and upon their heads as it were crowns like gold, and their faces as men’s faces.
8. And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as those of lions.
9. And they had breastplates as iron breastplates; and the voice of their wings was as the voice of chariots of many horses running into battle.
10. And they had tails like scorpions, and stings were in their tails; and their power was to hurt men five months.
11. And they had over them a king, the angel of the abyss; his name in Hebrew Abaddon, and in Greek he hath the name Apollyon.
12. One woe is past; behold there come yet two woes after this.
13. And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God.
14. Saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, Loose the four angels bound at the great river Euphrates.
15. And the four angels were loosed that had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year, that they should kill the third part of men.
16. And the number of the armies of the horsemen was two myriads of myriads; and I heard the number of them.
17. And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and those that sat on them, having breastplates fiery and hyacinthine and brimstone-like; and the heads of the horses as the beads of lions; and out of their mouths proceeded fire and smoke and brimstone.
18. By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire and by the smoke and by the brimstone that proceeded out of their mouths.
19. For their power was in their mouth, for their tails were like serpents and had heads, and with them do they hurt.
20. And the rest of men who were not killed in these plagues, and repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not adore demons and idols of gold and of silver and of brass and of stone and of wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk.
21. And repented not of their murders nor of their enchantments nor of their whoredoms nor of their thefts.
* Latin “pit,” Greek “smoke,” as we find just above, as also in AE n. 539.

sRef Rev@9 @1 S0′ sRef Rev@9 @2 S0′ 533. EXPOSITION.
Verses 1, 2. And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star from heaven fallen unto the earth; and there was given unto him the key of the pit of the abyss. And he opened the pit of the abyss; and there went up a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun was darkened and the air by the smoke of the pit. 1. “And the fifth angel sounded” signifies influx out of heaven manifesting the state of the church, that it was wholly changed (n. 534); “and I saw a star from heaven fallen unto the earth,” signifies the knowledges of truth falsified, and thus turned into falsities (n. 535); “and there was given unto him the key of the pit of the abyss,” signifies communication and conjunction with the hells (n. 536). 2. “And he opened the pit of the abyss,” signifies communication and conjunction with the hells, where and from which are such falsities (n. 537, 538); “and there went up a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace,” signifies dense falsities therefrom out of the evils of earthly and corporeal loves (n. 539, 540); “and the sun was darkened and the air by the smoke of the pit,” signifies that the light of truth from the Lord was made thick darkness by infernal falsities (n. 541).

sRef Rev@9 @1 S0′ 534. Verse 1. And the fifth angel sounded, signifies influx out of heaven manifesting the state of the church, that it was wholly changed. This is evident from the signification of “sounding with a trumpet,” as being influx out of heaven, and a change of the state of the church (of which above, n. 502); here that the state of the church was wholly changed, since it was said just above respecting these last three times the angels sounded, “Woe, woe, woe, to those that dwell on the earth, from the remaining voices* of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound.” The change described in what now follows is that all truth was destroyed, and that the falsity that took its place opened the hells, from which falsities flow forth.
* Latin “times,” Greek “voices,’ as in all other passages.

sRef Rev@9 @1 S0′ 535. And I saw a star from heaven fallen unto the earth, signifies the knowledges of truth falsified, and thus turned into falsities. This is evident from the signification of “stars,” as being the knowledges of good and truth (of which above, n. 72, 402); and from the signification of “gliding” and “falling from heaven,” as being to perish; and the knowledges of truth perish when denied and when falsified, here when falsified; for this book does not treat of those who deny truths, but of those who falsify them. For those who deny truths are not among those who are in “the former heaven,” and who are cast down therefrom into hell at the day of the Last Judgment, for such are cast down thither immediately after death. But in this book those who, for various reasons, falsify truths are treated of, for such made for themselves a heaven that was afterwards destroyed. Those falsify the knowledges of truth and good from the Word who acknowledge the Word but apply it to favor their loves and to favor principles that are from self-intelligence, thus they turn the truths of the Word into falsities, and thus the knowledges of good and truth with them perish. From this it can be seen that “a star from heaven fallen unto the earth” signifies that the knowledges of truth are falsified, and thus turned into falsities (see above, n. 517).
sRef Rev@12 @4 S2′ sRef Rev@12 @8 S2′ sRef Luke@10 @18 S2′ sRef Matt@24 @29 S2′ sRef Dan@8 @10 S2′ sRef Rev@12 @9 S2′ sRef Rev@6 @13 S2′ [2] “To fall down” or “to fall from heaven unto the earth” signifies to perish, that is, to have no longer any place in heaven but to be cast down therefrom and conjoined with hell, as is evident from what follows, where it is said “there was given unto him the key of the pit of the abyss, and he opened it,” “the pit of the abyss” signifying the hell where and from which are the falsities of evil. “To fall from heaven unto the earth” has a similar signification above in Revelation:
And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth (6:13).
The dragon with his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth (12:4).
In Daniel:
The horn of the he-goat waxed great, even to the host of heaven; and some of the host and of the stars it cast down to the ground and trampled upon them (8:10).
In Matthew:
Immediately after the affliction of those days the sun shall be darkened, and the stars shall fall from heaven (24:29).
The like is signified by the Lord’s words in Luke:
Jesus said, I held Satan as lightning falling from heaven (10:18).
“Satan” means every falsity that destroys truth, for the hells where and from which are such falsities are called “Satan,” while the hells where and from which are the evils that destroy goods, are called the “devil,” therefore “Satan as lightning falling from heaven” means that every falsity that destroyed the truth of the Word was cast down out of heaven. So in Revelation:
The great dragon was cast down to the earth, and his angels with him, and their place was not found anymore in heaven (12:8, 9).
From this it can be seen that “to glide down,” “to fall” and “to be cast down out of heaven to the earth” signify to have place no more in heaven, but in hell, thus to perish, the “earth” here also signifying what is cursed (as was shown above at the end of n. 304).
[3] Because heaven is conjoined with man by means of the Word, those who falsify the truths of the Word by interpretations to confirm evils of life avert themselves from heaven and turn themselves to hell. For heaven is in the spiritual sense of the Word, and man is in its natural sense; consequently heaven is conjoined with the world by means of the Word. For this reason the Word is also called a “covenant” and a covenant is a conjunction. This is why those who apply the Word to evils of life and to the false principles that are from self-intelligence cannot be conjoined with heaven; and those who are not conjoined with heaven are conjoined with hell; for man must be either in heaven or in hell; it is not permitted him to hang between the two. But those who apply the Word to such falsities as do not disagree with the good of life, such as exist with the upright Gentiles that do not have the Word and with the simple in the church who believe in the Lord and lead a good life, because from their falsities they look to good, have such falsities applied by the Lord to good, and are turned towards heaven; for the essential thing in heaven is the good of life, which is the same as the good of love to the Lord and the good of charity towards the neighbor; for in heaven everyone has perception of truth, intelligence, and wisdom, in accordance with that good. This makes clear what is meant by falsifying the truth from the Word, which is here signified by “a star from heaven fallen unto the earth.”

sRef Rev@9 @1 S0′ 536. And there was given unto him the key of the pit of the abyss, signifies communication and conjunction with the hells. This is evident from the signification of “key,” which is opening (of which presently); and from the signification of “the pit of the abyss,” as meaning the hells where and from which are the falsities of evil (of which in the following articles). It is said that the key of the pit of the abyss was given to “the star from heaven fallen unto the earth,” because the “star” signifies the knowledges of truth from the Word falsified by application to evils and falsities therefrom; and the evils of falsity and the falsities of evil that are with man open the hells where there are like evils and falsities. But what is meant by opening the hells will also be explained in the following article, for immediately it is said, “and he opened the pit of the abyss.”
[2] It is from the appearance in the spiritual world that a “key” signifies opening; in that world there are houses and chambers, there are doors through which there is entrance, and locks and keys by which they are opened, and every one of these things signifies such things as are with man. The house itself corresponds to the interiors of his disposition and mind; likewise the chambers; and the doors correspond to the communication between the interior things of the mind and disposition; and a “key” corresponds to the admission and opening from one part into another; in a word, each particular thing in a house in which angels and spirits dwell corresponds to the particular things within them. Few of the spirits know this, because few know anything about correspondences, for being in them they do not reflect upon them. It is the same as it is with men in the world; few of whom know what their affections and thoughts are, because being in them they thence do not reflect upon them, and yet they are innumerable, as can be seen from the results of mental analysis set forth by many of the learned, all which are operations of the mind. This makes clear why a “key” is mentioned, and that it signifies admission and opening.
sRef Rev@20 @2 S3′ sRef Rev@3 @7 S3′ sRef Luke@11 @52 S3′ sRef Rev@20 @1 S3′ sRef Rev@1 @18 S3′ [3] So elsewhere in the Word, as in Matthew:
Jesus said to Peter, I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of the heavens (16:19).
(This may be seen explained above, n. 206.) Also in Isaiah (22:20, 22), where the like is said of Eliakim (this, too, is explained above, n. 206). Also in Revelation:
I have the keys of hell and of death (1:18).
(Respecting this see above, n. 86.) Again:
These things saith the Holy, the True, He that hath the key of David, He that openeth and no one shutteth, and shutteth and no one openeth (Rev. 3:7).
(See above, n. 205, 206.) And again:
I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key of the abyss, and a great chain upon his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, and bound him a thousand years (20:1, 2).
(This will be explained hereafter.) And in Luke:
Woe unto you lawyers! For* ye take away the keys of heaven;** ye enter not in yourselves, and those entering in ye hinder (11:52).
Those were called “lawyers” who searched the Scriptures and taught how their contents must be understood; and as it is by means of the Sacred Scripture or the Word that there is communication and consequent conjunction with heaven, as was said in the article just above, and as truths are what open the communication, and the goods of truth are what constitute conjunction, while truths falsified, which in themselves are the falsities of evil, are what cause disjunction, so they are said “to take away the keys of heaven,” that is, that they are able by means of truths to open communication with heaven to those whom they teach; but because they perverted the Word by applications to their loves and to false principles therefrom, therefore it is said, “Ye enter not in yourselves, and those entering in ye hinder.” From this it can be seen that “the key that opened the pit” signifies communication and conjunction with the hells by means of the falsities into which the truths of the Word are turned by those who falsify them by applying them to the evils of life and to the false principles derived therefrom.
* Latin “who,” Greek “for.”
** Latin “heaven,” Greek “knowledge.”

sRef Rev@9 @2 S0′ 537. Verse 2. And he opened the pit of the abyss, signifies communication and conjunction with the hells where and from which are such falsities. This is evident from the signification of “to open” as here being to communicate and conjoin (of which presently); and from the signification of “the pit of the abyss” as being the hell where and from which are such falsities. These are called in the Word “pits [or wells] of the abyss” because a “pit” [or well] signifies the Word in the sense of the letter and the truth of doctrine therefrom, but in the contrary sense the Word falsified and the falsity of doctrine therefrom; and the “abyss” (or depth of the sea) signifies hell. This signifies the hell where those are who have falsified the truths of the Word by applying its truths to the evils of life, because such hells appear to those who are above like seas, and those who are in them appear to be in their depths. These seas or hells I have also seen, and also those who are in their depths; but those who spoke with me therefrom declared that they were not in waters, but on dry ground. This shows that the waters of these seas are appearances corresponding to the falsities in which those are who are in them. The waters of these seas are grosser and denser according to the falsifications, and the depths also differ in accordance with the evils that have been falsified.
[2] What “abyss” signifies in the Word will be told below. “To open the pit of the abyss” signifies communication and conjunction with such hells, because the hells are not opened except when evil spirits enter, which takes place when they have fulfilled their time in the world of spirits; for it is not allowed to any evil spirit to go out from hell when he has been once cast into it; if he goes out he nevertheless immediately falls back into it. But every man is conjoined with spirits who are in the world of spirits, who are such as he himself is; consequently a man who falsifies the Word by applying it to evils of life and to falsities confirming those evils, is conjoined with like spirits, and by them with the hells that are in like falsities. Every man after death becomes a spirit, and he then becomes at once attached either with infernal or with heavenly societies, according to his life in the world; and all spirits, before they are cast down into hell or raised up into heaven, are first in the world of spirits, and they are then with men who are living in the world, evil spirits with the evil, and good spirits with the good. Through these man has communication and conjunction either with the hells or with the heavens. This makes clear that “to open the pit” does not signify to open hell, but to have communication, and by communication conjunction with hell. From everyone of the hells falsities of evil exhale in great abundance, and in these falsities are the spirits who are in the world of spirits, and at the same time the men who are in like falsities in our world. No spirit or man can be anywhere else than where the love of his life is, for that which a man loves, that he wills, that he thinks, and that he breathes. (What the world of spirits is, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 421-431, et seq.)
sRef Num@21 @16 S3′ sRef Num@21 @17 S3′ sRef Num@21 @18 S3′ [3] A “pit” [or well] signifies the Word and the truth of doctrine, and in the contrary sense the Word falsified and the falsity of doctrine therefrom, because “pits” contain waters, and “waters” signify truths, and in the contrary sense falsities (as shown above, n. 71, 483, 518). That a “pit” [or well] has these two meanings can be seen from the following passages in the Word. In Moses:
They journeyed to Beer; this is the well whereof Jehovah said unto Moses, Gather the people together, and I will give it* waters. Then Israel sang this song, Come up, O well; answer ye from it; the princes digged the well, the willing ones of the people delved it, through the lawgiver, with their staves (Num. 21:16-18).
That this “well” signifies the truth of doctrine from the Word is evident from the song that Israel sang respecting it: “Come up, O well, answer ye from it,” signifies that doctrine from the Word should teach truth and that they should receive it, “Come up, O well,” signifying the calling forth of truth, and “answer ye from it” reception and instruction; “the princes digged the well, the willing ones of the people delved it, through the lawgiver, with their staves,” signifies that those who are in truths and in the goods of truths are enlightened by the Lord, and from Him by means of the Word search out and collect doctrine; “princes” signifying those who are in truths; “the willing ones of the people” those who are in the goods of truth; “to dig” to search out and gather up; “lawgiver” the Lord in respect to the Word and the doctrine from the Word, and “staves” the potency and powers of the mind, here from the Lord by means of the Word, because it is said, “by the lawgiver.” This makes clear what “well” here signifies. “Israel sang a song” respecting it, because “Beer,” in the original, means a well, and in the spiritual sense “a well” signifies the Word, and doctrine from the Word; likewise “Beersheba,” which is often mentioned in the historical parts of the Word.
sRef John@4 @15 S4′ sRef John@4 @10 S4′ sRef John@4 @8 S4′ sRef John@4 @13 S4′ sRef John@4 @12 S4′ sRef John@4 @11 S4′ sRef John@4 @14 S4′ sRef John@4 @9 S4′ sRef John@4 @6 S4′ sRef John@4 @7 S4′ [4] The same is meant by:
Jacob’s well, at which the Lord sat and spoke with the Samaritan woman, and said, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith unto thee, thou wouldest ask water of Him, and He would give thee living water; and this should become a fountain of water springing up unto everlasting life (John 4:6-15).
The Lord spoke with the Samaritan woman at that well, because “the Samaritan woman” meant the church to be established with the Gentiles, and “the Samaritans” who are also mentioned in other passages, mean the Gentiles that were to receive doctrine from the Lord and respecting the Lord. This “well” signifies doctrine from the Word, the “water” the truth of doctrine, and “the Lord sitting at that well” the Word or Divine truth. That salvation is from the Lord by means of Divine truth from the Word is signified by “the water which He would give should become a fountain of water springing up unto everlasting life.”
sRef Gen@26 @22 S5′ sRef Gen@26 @21 S5′ sRef Gen@26 @25 S5′ sRef Isa@51 @14 S5′ sRef Gen@26 @19 S5′ sRef Gen@26 @18 S5′ sRef Gen@26 @32 S5′ sRef Gen@26 @20 S5′ sRef Gen@26 @15 S5′ sRef Gen@21 @25 S5′ [5] Something similar to what is signified by “the well of Jacob” is signified also by:
The wells that the servants of Abraham and the servants of Isaac dug, respecting which they strove with the servants of Abimelech (Gen. 21:25; 26:15, 18-22, 25, 32).
The wells that the servants of Abraham and the servants of Isaac dug signify the truths of doctrine, because by “Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,” in the Word, the Lord is meant; but “Abimelech” king of Gerar, or of the Philistines, means those who place salvation in truths alone without the good of life, as those do at the present day who are in faith alone. And as every truth is from good, or everything of faith from charity, and as those who separate and exclude good from truth, or charity from faith, possess no genuine truth of doctrine, but every truth of the Word with them is like the meaning of the mere words with no perception of the thing, thus like a shell without a kernel, so they dispute about the truths of faith; this was represented and signified by the strifes of the servants of Abimelech with the servants of Abraham and of Isaac respecting the wells. There is an internal spiritual sense in the historical parts as well as in the prophetical parts of the Word, as can be seen from the Arcana Coelestia, where the histories that are contained in Genesis and Exodus are explained in respect to the internal spiritual sense; so, too, what is said about the wells of Abraham and Isaac, as may be seen. Why else should there be historical statements respecting wells in the Word?
sRef Luke@14 @5 S6′ [6] In Luke:
Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a well; and will not straightway draw him out on a Sabbath day? (14:5).
This was a statute with the Israelitish and Jewish nation, because of the spiritual sense contained in it; for all the statutes, judgments, and commandments given to the sons of Israel signified spiritual things belonging to heaven and to the church; so this statute signified that if anyone falls into falsity or into evil, he must be led out of it by means of the truth that is taught from the Lord on the Sabbath day. The “well” here means falsity and the evil of falsity; “an ass and an ox” signify the truth and good of the natural man; “to fall into a well” signifies into falsity and into the evil of falsity; “to be drawn out on a Sabbath day” signifies to be instructed and thus led out of these; for “the Sabbath day” signifies here the Lord in relation to instruction and doctrine, therefore He calls Himself “Lord of the Sabbath.” (That an “ass” signifies the truth of the natural man, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2781, 5741; and that an “ox” signifies the good of the natural man, n. 2180, 2566, 9134.)
sRef Matt@15 @14 S7′ sRef Ex@21 @34 S7′ sRef Ex@21 @33 S7′ [7] Nearly the same spiritual sense is contained in these words in Moses:
When a man shall open a pit, or when a man shall dig a pit, and not cover it, and an ox or an ass fall into it, the owner of the pit shall requite and shall return silver unto the owner** of it; and the dead beast shall be his (Exod. 21:33, 34).
“When a man shall open a pit” signifies when one shall proclaim any falsity that he has; or “when a man shall dig a pit” signifies when he shall frame or hatch out a falsity; “and an ox or an ass fall therein” signifies the perversion of good and truth in the natural belonging to another; “the owner of the pit shall requite” signifies that he from whom is the falsity shall make amend; “and return silver to the owner of it” signifies by means of truth with him whose truth and good in the natural has been perverted; “and the dead beast shall be his” signifies that the evil or the falsity shall remain with him (but this may be seen more fully explained in Arcana Coelestia, n. 9084-9089). Here “pit” has the same signification as well.
[8] So in Matthew:
Blind leaders of the blind. When the blind leads the blind, both fall into the pit (15:14; Luke 6:39).
This the Lord said to the scribes and Pharisees, who understood nothing of truth, although they had the Word, in which are all Divine truths; and because they taught falsities and their falsities were also believed by the people, they are called “blind leaders of the blind;” those are called in the Word “blind” who do not understand truth; and because “pit” signifies falsity, it is said that “they both fall into it.”
sRef Ps@69 @15 S9′ sRef Ps@69 @14 S9′ [9] In David:
Deliver me out of the mire, and let me not sink; let me be delivered from them that hate me, and out of the depths of waters. Let not the billows of waters overwhelm me, neither let the abyss swallow me up, and let not the pit shut her mouth upon me (Ps. 69:14, 15).
Here very evidently the “pit” signifies the hell where and from which are falsities, for it is said, “let not the pit shut her mouth upon me,” that is, let not the hell from which are falsities, or falsities from hell, wholly possess me, that I may not escape; “deliver me out of the mire, and let me not sink,” means out of the evil of falsity, lest I perish; “let me be delivered from them that hate me, and out of the depths of waters,” signifies to be delivered from evils and falsities that are from the hells, “them that hate” meaning evils therefrom, and “depths of waters” falsities therefrom; “neither let the abyss swallow me up” signifies, let not the hell where are the falsities of evil, or the falsities of evil from hell, do this.
sRef Ps@55 @23 S10′ [10] In the same:
They make their mouth smooth as butter, and when one’s heart draweth near, his words are softer than oil, yet are they drawn swords. But Thou, O God, wilt cast them down into the well of the pit (Ps. 55:21, 23).
This is said of those who simulate good affections when they utter falsities by which they lead astray; “to make the mouth smooth as butter” signifies a simulation of good by means of affections, “butter” signifying the good of external affection. “Their words are softer than oil” has a like signification, “oil” meaning the good of internal affection; “yet are they drawn swords” signifies, and yet they are falsities destroying good and truth, “drawn swords” meaning falsities destroying; “but Thou, O God, wilt cast them down into the well of the pit,” signifies into the hell where there are destructive falsities of that kind.
sRef Jer@14 @3 S11′ [11] As “pits” have nearly the same signification in the Word as “wells,” for they are like wells, I will also quote some passages respecting them. In Jeremiah:
Their nobles have sent their little ones to the waters; they came to the pits, they found no waters; they returned with their vessels empty (14:3).
“Nobles” mean those who lead and teach others, “little ones” those who are led and taught, and “waters” truths; this makes evident what is signified by “Their nobles have sent their little ones to the waters;” “the pits in which there were no waters” signify doctrinals in which there are no truths; this makes evident what is signified by “they came to the pits, they found no waters;” that they had no knowledge [scientia] or understanding of truth is signified by “they returned with their vessels empty,” “vessels” signifying in the Word things recipient of truth, and thus things of knowledge and understanding.
sRef Zech@9 @11 S12′ [12] In Zechariah:
By the blood of thy covenant I will send forth the bound out of the pit wherein is no water (9:11).
This is said of the deliverance of the faithful by the Lord, who were detained in the lower earth until His coming; and also of the enlightenment of the Gentiles who were in falsities from ignorance. “The blood of thy covenant” signifies Divine truth proceeding from the Lord, thus the Word, which is called a covenant because it is the means of conjunction, “covenant” signifying conjunction. “The bound in the pit in which there is no water” mean those who are in falsities from ignorance, “pit” here meaning doctrine not of truth, and also the lower earth where those who were in falsities from ignorance were detained until the Lord came, “wherein is no water” means where there is no truth; they are called “bound” because they could not be delivered from falsities except by the Lord.
sRef Jer@2 @13 S13′ [13] In Jeremiah:
My people have committed two evils; they have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, to hew out for themselves pits, broken pits, that cannot hold waters (2:13).
“To hew out pits, broken pits, that hold no waters,” signifies to hatch out doctrinals from self-intelligence, which are false because they are from man’s own (proprium), for man’s own is nothing but evil, and because it is evil, falsity is brought forth from it, for evil can bring forth nothing but falsity. (But this may be seen explained above, n. 483.)
sRef Jer@2 @6 S14′ [14] In the same:
Jehovah, who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, who led us in the wilderness, in a land of the desert and the pit, in a land of drought and of dense shade, through a land that no man [vir] passed through, and where no man [homo] dwelt (Jer. 2:6).
It has been shown in the Arcana Coelestia, where Exodus is explained, that “the wilderness in which the sons of Israel were led,” represented and signified the first state of the church that is to be established with those who are in mere ignorance of good and truth; and as that state was represented and signified by their wanderings in the wilderness, it is said that “Jehovah led them in a land of the desert and the pit, in a land of drought and of dense shade;” “a land of the desert and of drought” means here, as elsewhere in the Word, a state of non-perception of good, and “a land of the pit and of dense shade” means a state of ignorance of truth, and thus of falsity; “that no man passed through, and where no man dwelt,” signifies where there is no understanding of truth nor perception of good, “man” [vir] in the Word meaning the understanding of truth, and “man” [homo] the perception of good, and the absence of both meaning no church either in respect to truth or to good.
[15] In Isaiah:
He that leadeth forth shall hasten that it may be opened, that he may not die in the pit, and that his bread fail not (51:14).
This is said of the Lord. His coming is meant by “he that leadeth forth shall hasten;” deliverance from the falsities of ignorance is signified by “that he die not in the pit,” thus “pit” here has a similar signification as “the pit in which were the bound,” above; that spiritual instruction and nourishment shall not fail is signified by “that his bread fail not,” for “bread” means all spiritual food, and spiritual food means instruction in truths and goods, from which come intelligence and wisdom.
sRef Ezek@28 @7 S16′ sRef Ezek@28 @8 S16′ [16] In Ezekiel:
Behold, I bring strangers upon thee, the violent of the nations; and they shall draw their swords upon the beauty of thy wisdom, and they shall profane thy radiance; they shall bring thee down into the pit, and thou shalt die the deaths of them that are slain in the heart of the seas (28:7, 8).
This is said of the prince of Tyre, by whom are meant those who hatch out falsities from self-intelligence, which destroy the knowledges of truth and good; their destruction by their own falsities is signified by “Behold, I bring strangers upon thee, the violent of the nations,” “strangers” signifying the falsities that destroy truths, and “the violent of the nations” the evils that destroy goods; that such will be destroyed by their falsities that are from self-intelligence is signified by “they shall draw their swords upon the beauty of thy wisdom, and they shall profane thy radiance,” “swords” meaning falsities destroying truths; “they shall bring thee down into the pit, and thou shalt die the deaths of them that are slain in the heart of the seas,” [signifies their immersion in falsities and destruction and damnation by falsities from hell,]*** “pit,” in like manner as “well,” signifying infernal falsity; “them that are slain” those who perish by falsities, and “the heart of the seas,” in like manner as “abyss,” the hell where and from which are such falsities.
sRef Jer@38 @11 S17′ sRef Jer@38 @6 S17′ sRef Jer@38 @13 S17′ sRef Jer@38 @10 S17′ sRef Jer@38 @9 S17′ sRef Jer@38 @7 S17′ sRef Jer@38 @8 S17′ sRef Jer@38 @12 S17′ [17] The “pit:”
Into which they let down Jeremiah the prophet, and out of which Ebed-melech and the men with him drew Jeremiah by means of old cast off and old worn out things (Jer. 38:6-13);
signifies the truth of doctrine falsified, the “prophet” signifying the truth of doctrine, and “to let down into the pit” signifying to be falsified; the “old castoff and old worn out things by which he was drawn out” signify the vindication and restitution of the truth of doctrine by means of such goods and truths of the sense of the letter of the Word as had not been perceived and understood, and therefore had been neglected and rejected; this is the signification of these old things; why otherwise would it be mentioned in the Divine Word that the prophet was drawn out by means of such things? From these few passages it can be seen what “well” and “pit” signify in the Word, namely, the Word and the truth of doctrine, and in the contrary sense the Word falsified and the falsity of doctrine therefrom. In some passages “well” and “pit” have a similar signification as “fountain,” respecting the signification of which in both senses see above (n. 483).
* Latin “it,” Hebrew “them,” as we also find in AC n. 2702, 2781.
** Latin “the owner,” Hebrew “to the owner,” as we also find in AC n. 9064, 9088.
*** The words in brackets are supplied essentially from AE n. 315.

sRef Rev@9 @2 S0′ 538. The “abyss” signifies the hells where and from which are falsities, because those hells where the falsities of evil have rule appear like seas, in the depths of which is the infernal crew, which is in the falsities of evil. These hells appear like seas because falsities continually flow out from them, and falsities appear like waters; this is why “waters” in the Word also signify falsities. Moreover, from the waters themselves the quality of the falsity there is known, for falsities are of many kinds, as many as there are evils. Falsities that are from grievous evils appear over those hells like dense and black waters, and falsities from the evil of the love of self like ruddy waters, the density and color making evident the kind of falsity. It must be remembered that in the spiritual world truths also appear like waters, but like limpid and pure waters. This is because there are three degrees of man’s life, as there are three heavens. Those in whom the third degree is opened are in an atmosphere pure like ether; those who are in the third or inmost heaven are in such an atmosphere; those in whom only the second degree is opened are in an atmosphere as it were aerial; those who are in the second or middle heaven are in such an atmosphere: but those in whom the first degree only is opened are in a kind of watery, rare, and pure atmosphere; those who are in the first or ultimate heaven are in such an atmosphere. This is because interior perceptions and thoughts, as being more perfect, correspond to a purity of atmosphere like that in which they are, for they pour themselves forth from every angel and still more from every angelic society, and present a corresponding sphere, which sphere is manifested in a purity like that of the perceptions and thoughts of the angels, that is, of their intelligence and wisdom. This sphere appears, as has been said, like an atmosphere, like an ethereal atmosphere in the inmost heaven, like an aerial atmosphere in the middle heaven, and like a rare watery atmosphere in the ultimate heaven. This makes evident that a kind of watery atmosphere corresponds to natural thought and perception, but a rare watery atmosphere corresponds to spiritual-natural thought and perception in which are the angels of the ultimate heaven; but a dense watery atmosphere, approaching either to black or ruddy, corresponds to natural thought in which there is nothing spiritual, and natural thought in which there is nothing spiritual those have who are in the hells where falsities prevail, for all who are there are merely natural and sensual. (That man has three degrees of life, like the three heavens, and that they differ in purity, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 33, 34, 208, 209, 211.) This makes evident why such hells are called in the Word “seas” and “abysses,” “seas” because they appear like seas, and “abysses” from their depth.
sRef Ex@15 @8 S2′ sRef Ex@15 @4 S2′ sRef Ex@15 @5 S2′ [2] That “seas,” “depths,” and “abysses” signify the hells where and from which are the falsities of evil, can be seen in the following passages of the Word. In Moses:
Pharaoh’s chariots and his army hath He cast into the sea. The abysses have covered them; they went down into the depths like a stone. From the wind of Thy nostrils the waters were piled up, the floods stood upright as a heap, and the abysses were congealed in the heart of the sea (Exod. 15:4, 5, 8).
This is from the song of Moses respecting Pharaoh and his army after they were drowned in the Sea Suph. “Pharaoh and his army” signifying those who are in falsities from evil, and the “Sea Suph” the hell where those falsities are; from which it is evident that “the abysses covered them” signifies that the hells covered them. (What the rest signifies in the spiritual sense, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 8272-8279, and 8286-8289, where it is explained.)
sRef Isa@51 @10 S3′ sRef Ps@106 @9 S3′ sRef Ps@106 @11 S3′ sRef Isa@63 @13 S3′ sRef Isa@63 @12 S3′ sRef Isa@51 @15 S3′ [3] These things have a like signification in David:
He rebuked the Sea Suph that it might be dried up, and He led them through the abysses as in the wilderness. The waters covered his* adversaries (Ps. 106:9, 11).
In Isaiah:
Art Thou not He who dried up the sea, the waters of the great abyss; who made the depths of the sea for a way that the redeemed might pass over? (51:10, 15).
Who divided the waters before them, who led them through the abysses like a horse in the wilderness; they stumbled not (63:12, 13).
The “sons of Israel” before whom the Sea Suph was dried up, and through which, when dried up, they passed safely, mean all who are in truths from good, whom the Lord protects, lest the falsities of evil that continually rise up from the hells should harm them; this is the meaning of “He dried up the sea, the waters of the great abyss,” and of “He made its depths for way that the redeemed might pass over,” also of “He led them through the abysses;” for falsities that are exhaled from the hells, consequently the hells, continually surround man (for it is the same whether you say falsities from the hells, or the hells), but the Lord continually disperses them with those who are in truths from good from Him; so this is what is signified by “drying up the sea,” and “leading them through the abysses.” Those who are in truths from good from the Lord are meant by the “redeemed.”
sRef Isa@44 @26 S4′ sRef Isa@44 @27 S4′ [4] “To dry up the abyss” and “to make dry the rivers” have the same signification in Isaiah:
Jehovah saith 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; saying to the abyss, Be dry; and I will make dry thy rivers (44:26, 27).
“Jerusalem” signifies the Lord’s church, and “the cities of Judah” signify the goods and truths of doctrine; the restoration of the church and of doctrine is signified by “to be inhabited” and “to be built;” the dispersion of evils and falsities that are from the hells and protection from them, are signified by “drying up the abyss and making dry the rivers” (as above).
sRef Zech@10 @11 S5′ [5] The same is signified in Zechariah:
Israel shall pass through the sea of distress, and shall smite the waves in the sea, and all the depths of the river shall be dried up; and the pride of Assyria shall be cast down, and the staff of Egypt shall depart (10:11).
That those who are protected by the Lord in truths from good shall live, although falsities from the hells encompass them, is signified by “Israel shall pass through the sea and shall smite the waves in the sea, and all the depths of the river shall be dried up,” for “Israel” means those who are in truths from good; the “sea” signifies hell and all falsity therefrom; the “waves of the sea” signify reasonings from falsities against truths; “to dry up all the depths of the river” signifies to disperse all the falsities of evil, even the deeper, the “river Nile” signifying false knowledge [scientificum]; therefore it follows “the pride of Assyria shall be cast down, and the staff of Egypt shall depart,” “Assyria” signifying reasoning from falsities against truths, and “Egypt” knowledge applied to confirm falsities; “the pride of Assyria which shall be cast down” signifies self-intelligence from which comes reasoning; and “the staff of Egypt which shall depart” signifies the power that is added to reasoning by knowledges that are applied for confirmation.
sRef Ezek@31 @15 S6′ [6] In Ezekiel:
In the day when he shall go down into hell, I will cause to mourn, I will cover the abyss over him (31:15).
This is said of Pharaoh and Assyria; and “Pharaoh” has a similar signification as “Egypt,” namely, knowledge destroying the truth of the church by application to falsities, and “Assyria” signifies reasoning from falsities; that those who are such are cast down into hell, where such falsities and reasonings from falsities are, is signified by “he shall go down into hell, and shall be covered with the abyss;” from which it is evident that the “abyss” means the hell where and from which are the falsities of evil.
sRef Micah@7 @19 S7′ [7] In Micah:
God will turn back, He will have compassion upon us, He will subdue our iniquities, and He will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea (7:19).
Because “the depths of the sea,” the same as “abysses,” mean the hells where and from which are evils and falsities, it is said, “He will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.”
sRef Ezek@26 @19 S8′ sRef Ezek@26 @20 S8′ [8] In Ezekiel:
When I shall make thee a desolate city like the cities that are not inhabited; when I shall make the abyss to come up against thee, and many waters shall cover thee; then will I make thee to go down with them that go down into the pit, to the people of an age, and I will make thee to dwell in the land of the lower parts, in the desolations from an age, with them that go down into the pit, that thou have no habitation (26:19, 20).
This is said of Tyre, which signifies the church in respect to the knowledges of truth and good, or in respect to the truths of the natural man, for the truths of the natural man are the knowledges of truth and good; this treats of the vastation of the church in respect to these; to make Tyre “a desolate city, like the cities that are not inhabited,” signifies its doctrine without truths, and like the doctrines that are without good, for the truths of doctrine without good are not truths, since all truths are of good; “to make the abyss to come up against Tyre, that many waters may cover her,” signifies immersion in falsities from hell in great abundance, the “abyss” meaning hell, and “many waters” falsities in great abundance; “with them that go down into the pit, to the people of an age,” signifies to those in hell who were there from the most ancient church just before the flood; these are called “the people of an age, because they were from ancient time, and were, above others, in direful falsities. This shows what is signified by “making to dwell in the land of the lower parts, in the desolations from an age, with them that go down into the pit, that thou have no habitation,” “to have no habitation” signifying here not to be in any truths, because not in good, for such do not dwell in houses but in pits.
sRef Zech@9 @4 S9′ [9] Like things are signified in Zechariah:
Behold, Jehovah** will impoverish Tyre, and smite her wealth in the sea; and she herself shall be devoured by fire (9:4).
“To smite her wealth in the sea” signifies to cast falsities into hell, “the sea” meaning the hell in which are the falsities of evil, and “wealth” meaning the falsities themselves.
sRef Ezek@27 @27 S10′ sRef Ezek@27 @26 S10′ [10] In Ezekiel:
Those that despise thee have brought thee into many waters; the east wind hath broken thee in the heart of the seas. Thy riches, thy tradings, thy merchandise, thy mariners, and thy pilots, they that caulked thy chinks, and they who trade thy trading, and all thy men of war that are in thee, and in all thine assembly which is in the midst of thee, shall fall into the heart of the seas in the day of thy fall (27:26, 27).
This treats of Tyre, and is said of her ships, which signify the knowledges of good and truth, or the truths of the natural man that they acquire and trade in, but here they mean falsities; “the heart of the seas in which the east wind hath broken her, and into which they shall fall in the day of her fall,” has a similar signification as the “abyss,” namely, the hell from which are the falsities of doctrine; “the east wind” meaning influx out of heaven, and the “day of her fall” the Last Judgment. “Riches” signify falsities; “tradings and merchandise” the acquisition and communication of falsities; “mariners” signify those who minister, and “pilots” the religious leaders who lead and teach; “men of war” those who defend, and “the assembly” false doctrinals.
sRef Jonah@2 @5 S11′ sRef Jonah@2 @3 S11′ sRef Jonah@2 @2 S11′ sRef Jonah@2 @6 S11′ [11] In Jonah:
Out of the belly of hell have I cried; Thou hast heard my voice. Thou hadst cast me into the depth, even into the heart of the seas; and the river was round about me; all Thy billows and Thy waves passed over me. The waters enclosed me about even to the soul; the abyss encompassed me round about, the sedge was wrapped about my head. I went down to the cuttings off of the mountains; the bars of the earth are upon me forever; yet Thou hast made my life to come up out of the pit (2:2, 3, 5, 6). The Lord teaches in Matthew (12:39, 40; 16:4; Luke 11:29, 30), that Jonah’s being in the whale three days and three nights represented that the Lord would thus be in the heart of the earth; and these words of Jonah describe the Lord’s direful temptations. And because it is by the overflow of evils and falsities that come up out of hell, and as it were overwhelm, that temptations exist, it is said that “out of the belly of hell he cried,” and that “he was cast into the depth, even into the heart of the seas,” which signifies hell; “the river and the waters that enclosed him,” and “the billows and waves that passed over,” signify the evils and falsities from hell; “the abyss that encompassed round about,” signifies the hells where and from which are the falsities; “the cuttings off of the mountains to which he went down,” signify the hells where and from which are evils; that the Lord was as it were bound by these is signified by “the sedge wrapped about the head,” and “the bars of the earth that were upon him,” “wrapped by sedge” signifying to be bound as it were by falsities, and “the bars of the earth” signifying to be bound as it were by evils; victory over these from His own power is signified by “yet hast Thou made my life to come up out of the pit.” It is said, “Thou hast made to come up,” but in reference to the Lord this means that He made Himself to come up by His Divine, that is, by His own power.
sRef Ps@42 @7 S12′ sRef Ps@69 @15 S12′ sRef Ps@69 @2 S12′ sRef Ps@69 @1 S12′ sRef Ps@69 @14 S12′ sRef Ps@88 @6 S12′ sRef Ps@71 @20 S12′ sRef Ps@88 @5 S12′ sRef Ps@88 @4 S12′ [12] The following passages in David have a like signification:
Abyss calleth unto abyss at the voice of Thy waterspouts; all Thy breakers and Thy waves have passed over me (Ps. 42:7).
The waters are come even to my soul. I have sunk in mire of depths, there is no standing; I have come into depths of waters, and the billow overwhelms me. Deliver me out of the mire, and let me not sink; let me be delivered from them that hate me, and out of the depths of waters. Let not the flood of waters overwhelm me, and let not the pit shut her mouth upon me (Ps. 69:1, 2, 14, 15).
In the same:
Return, quicken me; return and make me to come up out of the depths of the earth (Ps. 71:20).
In the same:
I have been counted with them that go down into the pit; neglected among the dead, like the slain that lie down in the grave, whom Thou rememberest no more; and from Thy hand they are cut off. Thou hast laid me in the pit of the lower parts, in dark places, in the depths (Ps. 88:4-6).
These passages in David describe the Lord’s temptations when He was in the world, by which He subjugated the hells and glorified His Human; “waves” and “billows” signify evils and falsities; and “abysses” and “depths of the sea,” likewise “the pit” signify the hells where and from which are evils and falsities; for as was said above, temptations are like immersions in the hells and obsessions by evils and falsities. This is signified by the lamentations in David in many places, and also in the Prophets; for in the spiritual sense of the Word there is much that treats of the Lord’s temptations by which He subjugated the hells and arranged all things in order in the heavens and in the hells, and by which He glorified His Human; these things are especially meant in Luke (24:44) by the things predicted “in the Prophets and in the Psalms of David,” respecting the Lord, and fulfilled by Him.
sRef Luke@8 @33 S13′ sRef Matt@18 @6 S13′ sRef Jer@51 @42 S13′ sRef Ps@77 @16 S13′ sRef Amos@7 @4 S13′ sRef Rev@17 @8 S13′ sRef Job@38 @17 S13′ sRef Job@38 @16 S13′ sRef Job@28 @14 S13′ sRef Gen@8 @2 S13′ sRef Gen@7 @11 S13′ sRef Rev@11 @7 S13′ sRef Jer@49 @30 S13′ sRef Job@28 @13 S13′ sRef Job@28 @12 S13′ sRef Jer@49 @8 S13′ sRef Rev@20 @3 S13′ sRef Rev@20 @1 S13′ sRef Luke@8 @32 S13′ sRef Luke@8 @31 S13′ sRef Ps@46 @2 S13′ sRef Ps@46 @3 S13′ [13] “The abyss” and “the sea” and “its depths” also signify the hells in the following passages. In Jeremiah:
Flee ye, they have turned themselves away, they have cast themselves down into the deep, the inhabitants of Dedan, and of Hazor (49:8, 30).
In the same:
The sea has come up upon Babylon; she is covered with the multitude of the waves thereof (51:42).
In Amos:
The Lord Jehovih hath made me to see; and behold, the Lord Jehovih calleth to devour*** by fire; it hath devoured the great abyss (7:4).
In David:
The waters saw Thee, O God, the waters saw Thee, they were afraid; the abysses also trembled (Ps. 77:16).
In the same:
We will not fear when the earth shall be changed, and when the mountains shall be moved in the heart of the sea; the waters thereof shall be in tumult, shall be made turbid (Ps. 46:2, 3).
In Moses:
On the same day were all the fountains of the great abyss broken up, and the floodgates of heaven were opened (Gen. 7:11).
And again:
The fountains also of the abyss and the flood gates of heaven were stopped (Gen. 8:2).
In Job:
Where shall wisdom be found? and where is the place of intelligence? Man knoweth not the price thereof. The abyss saith, It is not in me; and the sea saith, It is not with me (28:12-14).
In the same:
Hast thou entered into the weepings of the sea, and hast thou walked in search of the abyss? Have the gates of death been revealed unto thee, and hast thou seen the gates of the shadow of death? (38:16, 17).
In the Gospels:
Whoso shall cause one of these little ones that believe in Me to stumble, it is profitable for him that an ass-millstone be hanged about his neck, and that he be sunk in the depths of the sea (Matt. 18:6; Mark 9:42; Luke 17:2).
The demons that had possession of the man besought Jesus that He would not command them to depart into the abyss, therefore He suffered them to enter into the swine (Luke 8:31, 33; Matt. 8:31, 32).
And in the following passages of Revelation:
The beast that came up out of the abyss and made war (11:7).
The beast that thou sawest was and is not, and is about to come up out of the abyss (17:8).
I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key of the abyss, and a great chain upon his hand. And he bound the dragon a thousand years, and cast him into the abyss (20:1-3).
In these passages, also, “the abyss” and “the depth of the sea” signify the hell where and from which are the falsities of evil; for the reason that the evil spirits who are there, and who while they lived as men in the world were in the falsities of evil, seem to dwell as it were in the bottom of the seas, and this the more deeply according to the grievousness of the evil from which was their falsity.
[14] As “abysses” signify the hells, where and from which are falsities, so “abysses” signify also the ultimates of heaven, where and from which are the knowledges of truth, which are the truths of the natural man. This is because the ultimates of heaven appear to be in waters, but such as are limpid and clear; for, as was said above, the atmosphere of the highest heaven is like an ethereal atmosphere, that of the middle heaven like an aerial atmosphere, and that of the lowest heaven like a watery atmosphere; this is like a watery atmosphere because the truths with those who are in it are truths of the natural man, and the atmosphere of the natural man is as it were watery. This is what gives rise to the appearances of rivers, lakes, and seas, in the spiritual world; consequently “seas” signify also cognitions and knowledges [cognitiones et scientifica] in general, or in the whole complex (see above, n. 275, 342).
sRef Ps@104 @6 S15′ sRef Ps@148 @7 S15′ sRef Ps@33 @6 S15′ sRef Ps@33 @7 S15′ sRef Gen@49 @25 S15′ sRef Ps@36 @6 S15′ sRef Deut@8 @7 S15′ [15] “Abysses” also have a like signification in the following passages. In Moses:
Jehovah thy God bringeth thee to a good land, a land of rivers of waters, of fountains and abysses going forth from valley and mountain (Deut. 8:7).
(This may be seen explained above, n. 518.) In the same:
God will bless Joseph with the blessings of heaven from above, with the blessings of the abyss that coucheth below (Gen. 49:25; Deut. 33:13).
(This, too, is explained above, n. 448.) In David:
By the word of Jehovah were the heavens made; and all the hosts**** of them by the breath of His mouth. He gathered the waters of the sea together as a heap; He giveth the abysses in storehouses (Ps. 33:6, 7).
(See above, n. 275, where this is explained.) In the same:
Thou hast covered the earth with the abyss as with a garment (Ps. 104:6).
(See above, n. 275.) In the same:
Praise Jehovah from the earth, ye whales and all abysses (Ps. 148:7).
“Abysses” in these passages signify the ultimates of heaven, in which are spiritual-natural angels. In Ezekiel:
The waters made thee***** to grow, the abyss made it high (31:4).
(See also above, n. 518.)
sRef Ezek@31 @4 S16′ sRef Ps@78 @15 S16′ [16] Furthermore “abysses” signify Divine truths in abundance and the arcana of Divine wisdom. Thus in David:
He clave the rock in the desert, and made them to drink out of great abysses (Ps. 78:15).
In the same:
Jehovah, Thy righteousness is like a great abyss (Ps. 36:6; also elsewhere).
* Latin “his,” Hebrew “their,” as we also find in AC n. 756.
** Latin “Jehovah,” Hebrew “Lord,” as we also find in AE n. 236, 504; AC n. 10227.
*** Latin “devour,” Hebrew “contend.”
**** Latin “all the hosts, Hebrew “all the host,” as we also find in AE n. 275, 573; AC n. 97, 2702.
***** Latin “thee,” Hebrew “it,” as we also find in AE n. 518; AC n. 108, 2588, 2702.

sRef Rev@9 @2 S0′ 539. And there went up a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace, signifies dense falsities therefrom out of the evils of earthly and corporeal loves. This is evident from the signification of “smoke,” as being the falsity of evil (of which presently); from the signification of “the pit of the abyss,” as being the hell where those are who have falsified the Word (respecting which see above, n. 537); and from the signification of “a great furnace,” as being the evils of earthly and corporeal loves out of which such falsities break forth (of which in the following article). “Smoke” signifies the falsity of evil, because it proceeds from fire, and “fire” signifies the loves of self and the world and thence all evils; consequently the hells that are in falsities from the evils of those loves, and still more the hells where those are who have falsified the Word by adapting it to favor those loves, appear in a fire like that of a great furnace, from which a dense smoke mingled with fire goes up. I have also seen those hells, and it was evident that it was the loves with those who were in them that presented the appearance of such a fire, and the falsities flowing forth from those loves that presented the appearance of the fiery smoke. But there is no such appearance to those who are therein, for they are in these loves and in the falsities therefrom, their life is in them, and it is by these that they are tormented in many ways, and not by such fire and smoke as are in our natural world. (This can be seen better in the chapter in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 566-575, which treats of Infernal Fire and the Gnashing of Teeth.)
sRef Gen@19 @28 S2′ [2] That “smoke” signifies the dense falsity that flows forth from evil can be seen from the following passages. In Moses:
Abraham looked upon the faces of Sodom and Gomorrah, and upon all the faces of the land of the plain, and he saw, and lo, the smoke of the land went up as the smoke of a furnace (Gen. 19:28).
“Sodom and Gomorrah” in the spiritual sense mean those who are altogether in the loves of self; therefore the smoke that Abraham saw rising from their land after the burning, signifies the dense falsity pertaining to those who are altogether in the love of self; for those who love themselves supremely are in the thickest darkness in respect to things spiritual and celestial, for they are merely natural and sensual, and are wholly separated from heaven; and then they not only deny Divine things, but they think out falsities by which to destroy them. These falsities are what are signified by the “smoke” seen rising from Sodom and Gomorrah.
sRef Gen@15 @17 S3′ [3] In the same:
And the sun went down, and there was dense darkness, and behold a furnace of smoke, and a torch of fire that passed through between those pieces (Gen. 15:17).
This was said of Abraham’s posterity from Jacob, as can be seen from what precedes in that chapter; “the sun went down” signifies the last time, when consummation takes place; “and there was dense darkness” signifies when evil takes the place of good and falsity the place of truth; “behold a furnace of smoke” signifies the densest falsity from evils; “a torch of fire” signifies the heat of cupidities; “it passed through between the pieces” signifies that these separated them from the Lord. (But this may be seen more fully explained in Arcana Coelestia, n. 1858-1862.)
sRef Ex@19 @17 S4′ sRef Ex@19 @18 S4′ sRef Ex@20 @19 S4′ sRef Ex@20 @18 S4′ [4] In the same:
Moses made the people to go forth from the camp to meet God; and they stood in the lower parts of the mount. And Mount Sinai smoked, the whole of it, because Jehovah descended upon it in fire; and the smoke ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked exceedingly (Exod. 19:17, 18);
And all the people saw the voices and the torches, and the voice of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking; and the people saw, and they were moved and stood afar off. And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us and we will hear, but let not God speak with us lest we die (Exod. 20:18, 19).
This represented the quality of that people; for Jehovah, that is, the Lord, appears to everyone according to his quality; to those who are in truths from good He appears as a serene light, but to those who are in falsities from evil as smoke from fire. And because that people was in earthly and corporeal loves, and in falsities of evil therefrom, the Lord appeared to them from Mount Sinai as a devouring fire, and as the smoke of a furnace. (That the sons of Jacob were such has been shown in many places in the Arcana Coelestia, as may be seen from what is brought together in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 248; and that the Lord appears to everyone according to his quality, as a vivifying and recreating fire to those who are in good, and as a consuming fire to those who are in evil, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 934, 1861, 6832, 8814, 8819, 9434, 10551; what the other particulars in the passages cited signify may be seen in the same work where the book of Exodus is explained.)
sRef 2Sam@22 @9 S5′ sRef 2Sam@22 @8 S5′ sRef Ps@18 @9 S5′ sRef Ps@18 @8 S5′ sRef Ps@18 @7 S5′ [5] “Smoke and fire” have a like signification in David:
Because He was wroth there went up a smoke out of His nostrils, and fire out of His mouth devoured, coals burned from Him; He bowed heaven also and came down; and gross darkness was under His feet (Ps. 18:7-9; 2 Sam. 22:8, 9).
This does not mean that smoke and a devouring fire went up from Jehovah, for there is no anger in Him; but it is so said because the Lord so appears to those who are in falsities and evils, for they regard Him from their falsities and evils.
sRef Ps@104 @32 S6′ sRef Ps@144 @5 S6′ sRef Isa@14 @31 S6′ [6] The like is signified by the following in the same:
He looketh on the earth and it trembleth; He toucheth the mountains and they smoke (Ps. 104:32).
In the same:
Bow Thy heavens, O Jehovah, and come down; touch the mountains, that they may smoke (Ps. 144:5).
In Isaiah:
Howl, O gate; cry, O city; thou whole Philistia art dissolved; for from the north cometh a smoke (14:31).
“Gate” signifies truth introducing into the church, “city” doctrine, “Philistia” faith; therefore “Howl, O gate, cry, O city, thou whole Philistia art dissolved,” signifies the vastation of the church in respect to the truth of doctrine, and thence in respect to faith. The “north” signifies the hell where and from which are the falsities of doctrine and the falsities of faith, and “smoke” such falsities; therefore “from the north cometh smoke” signifies devastating falsity out of the hells.
sRef Nahum@2 @13 S7′ [7] In Nahum:
Behold, I will burn her chariot with smoke, and the sword shall devour thy young lions (2:13).
This, too, treats of the devastation of the church; and “to burn a chariot with smoke” signifies to pervert all truths of doctrine into falsities, “smoke” meaning falsities, and “chariot” doctrine; and “the sword shall devour thy young lions” signifies that falsities will destroy the chief truths of the church, “young lions” meaning the chief and protecting truths of the church, and “sword” meaning falsity destroying truth.
sRef Joel@2 @30 S8′ [8] In Joel:
I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth; blood and fire and columns of smoke (2:30).
This is said of the Last Judgment; and “blood, fire, and columns of smoke,” signify the truth of the Word falsified, its good adulterated, and mere falsities resulting therefrom, “blood” meaning the truth of the Word falsified, “fire” its good adulterated, and “columns of smoke” mere and dense falsities therefrom.
sRef Ps@37 @20 S9′ [9] In David:
The wicked shall perish, and the enemies of Jehovah as the glory of lambs shall be consumed, in smoke shall they be consumed (Ps. 37:20).
“The wicked and the enemies of Jehovah shall be consumed in smoke” signifies that they shall be destroyed by the falsities of evil; those are called “wicked” who are in falsities, and “enemies” who are in evils, and “smoke” means the falsity of evil.
sRef Ps@68 @2 S10′ [10] In the same:
As smoke is driven away Thou wilt drive away; as wax melteth before the fire the wicked shall perish before God (Ps. 68:2).
The destruction of the wicked is compared to smoke driven away by the wind, and to wax that melts before the fire, because “smoke” signifies falsities, and “fire” evils.
sRef Isa@51 @6 S11′ [11] In Isaiah:
The heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment (51:6).
“Smoke” here signifies falsity, by which those who were in the former heaven would be destroyed; and “the garment waxing old” signifies truth destroyed by the falsities of evil. Comparison is made with smoke vanishing away, and with a garment waxing old, because comparisons in the Word are also correspondences, and in like manner significative.
sRef Hos@13 @3 S12′ sRef Hos@13 @2 S12′ [12] In Hosea:
They sin more and more, and make them a molten image of their silver, idols in their understanding, all of it the work of the artificers; therefore they shall be as a morning cloud, and as the dew falling early and going away, it is driven by a whirlwind out of the threshing-floor, and like smoke out of a chimney (13:2, 3).
This describes the doctrinals that are from self-intelligence, in which are the evils of falsity and the falsities of evil. Such doctrinals are signified by “molten images of silver,” and by “idols;” their “silver” signifies what is from self-intelligence, and the “work of the artificers” that intelligence; it is therefore added “in their understanding they have made them idols, all of it the work of the artificers.” That such doctrinals, being falsities, would pass away, is signified by “they shall pass away like smoke out of a chimney.” It is also said “as a morning cloud, and as the dew falling early, and as [chaff] out of the threshing-floor,” because the church in its beginning is like a morning cloud, like dew falling early, and like corn in the threshing-floor, by which are signified the truths of good and the goods of truths, which nevertheless successively pass away and are changed into the falsities of evil and into the evils of falsity.
sRef Rev@9 @17 S13′ sRef Rev@9 @18 S13′ sRef Rev@14 @10 S13′ sRef Rev@14 @11 S13′ sRef Rev@19 @3 S13′ [13] “Smoke” also signifies falsity in other passages in Revelation, as in the following:
Out of the mouth of the horses went forth fire and smoke and brimstone; and by these was the third part of men slain, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone (9:17, 18).
The smoke of their torment goeth up unto the ages of the ages (14:11).
And again:
The smoke of Babylon goeth up unto the ages of the ages (19:3).
sRef Isa@6 @4 S14′ sRef Rev@15 @8 S14′ sRef Rev@8 @4 S14′ sRef Isa@4 @5 S14′ [14] Because “fire” signifies love in both senses, both celestial love and infernal love, and therefore “smoke” signifies that which flows forth from love-falsity, which is from infernal love, and truth, which is from heavenly love-therefore “smoke” signifies in a good sense holy truth. This is what “smoke from the fire of the incense-offerings” signifies, as may be seen above (n. 494), as also in the following passages. In Isaiah:
Jehovah will create over every dwelling place of Mount Zion, and over her convocations, a cloud by day and a smoke and the brightness of a flame of fire by night; for over all the glory shall be a veiling (4:5).
(This may be seen explained above, n. 294, 504.) In the same:
The posts of the thresholds were moved at the voice of the crying seraphim, and the house was filled with smoke (Isa. 6:4).
In Revelation:
The temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from His power (15:8).
And again:
The smoke of the incense-offerings with the prayers of the saints ascended out of the angel’s hand before God (8:4).

sRef Rev@9 @2 S0′ 540. Since it is said that “there went up a smoke out of the pit as the smoke of a great furnace,” and it has so far been shown that “smoke” signifies dense falsity, it is important also to show that a “furnace” signifies the evils of earthly and corporeal loves, and thus that “smoke as the smoke of a great furnace” signifies dense falsities from those loves. It is also from appearances in the spiritual world that a “furnace” signifies such loves; for when the hells in which those loves prevail are looked into, they appear like furnaces glowing with fire; and over them smoke appears, such as goes up from furnaces and is seen in conflagrations. From this it is that “furnaces” signify in the Word either the hells, or a company of men, or the man himself, in whom such loves and cupidities reign, or what is the same, where the evils that flow forth from these prevail.
sRef Matt@13 @41 S2′ sRef Matt@13 @50 S2′ sRef Matt@13 @49 S2′ sRef Matt@13 @42 S2′ [2] Such is the signification of “furnaces” [fornaces et camini] and “ovens” [furni et clibani] in the following passages. In Matthew:
The Son of man shall send forth His angels, and they shall gather out of His kingdom all things that cause stumbling, and them that do iniquity; and shall send them into the furnace of fire. In the consummation of the age the angels shall come forth, and shall sever the wicked from the midst of the righteous, and shall cast them into the furnace of fire; there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth (13:41, 42, 49, 50).
Evidently here “a furnace (caminus seu fornax) of fire,” means the hells; “the consummation of the age” is the last time of the church, when judgment takes place. That the evil must then be separated from the good and be cast into hell is signified by “the angels shall gather all things that cause stumbling, and them that do iniquity,” and “they shall sever the wicked from the midst of the righteous, and shall cast them into the furnace of fire.” Hell is called “the furnace of fire,” because it appears to be on fire from the loves of self and of the world. That “infernal fire” signifies torment from these loves may be seen in the work on Heaven and Hell (n. 566-575).
sRef Mal@4 @1 S3′ [3] In Malachi:
Behold, the day cometh burning as an oven, in which all that sin presumptuously, and every worker of wickedness shall be stubble, and the day that cometh shall set them on fire (4:1).
This, too, was said of the last time of the church, and the Last Judgment at that time; both these are signified by “the day that cometh.” The “oven” means the hell where those are who confirm themselves in falsities by doctrine, and confirm themselves in evils from earthly and corporeal loves by their life; that such on account of their own loves will perish is meant by “all who sin presumptuously, and every worker of wickedness shall be stubble, and the oven shall set them on fire,” “all who sin presumptuously” meaning those who by doctrine confirm themselves in falsities, and “the worker of wickedness” those who by life confirm themselves in evil.
sRef Hos@7 @6 S4′ sRef Hos@7 @5 S4′ sRef Hos@7 @8 S4′ sRef Hos@7 @7 S4′ sRef Hos@7 @4 S4′ sRef Hos@7 @3 S4′ [4] In Hosea:
By their evil they make glad the king, and by their lies the princes. They are all adulterers, like an oven kindled by the baker; the raiser ceaseth from kneading the dough until it be fermented. For they have turned their mind like an oven while they lie in wait; their baker sleepeth all the night, in the morning he burneth as a fire of flame. They are all hot as an oven, and they will devour their judges; all their kings will fall; not one among them calleth unto Me. Ephraim is a cake not turned (7:3-8).
In the spiritual sense this describes the sons of Jacob, that from the love of self and of the world they turned every good into evil, and thence every truth into falsity; “the king whom they make glad by wickedness,” signifies all falsity from evil, for a “king” signifies truth from good, and in the contrary sense falsity from evil; and the “princes whom they make glad by lies” signify the chief falsities. That from their loves they perverted goods and truths is signified by “they are all adulterers, like an oven kindled by the baker,” “to adulterate” signifying to pervert good and thence truth; this is compared to “an oven kindled by the baker,” because they bring together falsities favoring their loves as into a mass of dough; and because evils and falsities are not separated from the goods and truths which are from the sense of the letter of the Word, but they cling together, it is said, “the raiser ceaseth from kneading the dough until it be fermented,” “fermentation” signifying separation, here that they are not separated, since it is said, “he ceaseth from kneading the dough until it be fermented.” The like is signified by “Ephraim is a cake not turned,” “Ephraim” meaning the understanding of truth. That consequently there will be nothing but the evils of those loves that falsities favor is signified by, “the baker sleepeth all the night; in the morning he burneth as a fire of flame, they are all hot as an oven.” Such are compared to a “baker” and an “oven,” because they form doctrine out of falsities as a baker makes loaves and cakes in an oven. That they thus destroy all goods and truths that they have from the Word is signified by, “they will devour their judges, and all their kings will fall,” “judges” signifying the goods of truth, and “kings” the truths themselves; that such is the result because they wish to be wise of themselves and not from the Lord, is signified by “not one among them that called unto Me.” That these words have some such meaning can be seen merely from common intuition, but that the particulars signify and describe such things, that is, that “kings,” “princes,” “judges,” and “adulterers,” also an “oven” and a “baker” mean what has just been said, can be seen only from the internal sense. Moreover, those who bring together truths or falsities so that they cohere appear in the spiritual world as bakers kneading dough, with an oven also near them.
sRef Lam@5 @10 S5′ [5] In Lamentations:
Our skins are black like an oven because of the tempests of famine (5:10).
This is a lamentation over the loss of truth and inundation of falsity; “famine” signifies a loss and lack of truth (see above, n. 386); and “a tempest of famine,” complete lack, and also an inundation of falsities, for where there are no truths there will be falsities; “tempests” have a similar signification in the Word as inundation. “Our skins are black like an oven” signifies that the natural man is without the light of truth, and thence in the darkness of falsity; here, too, an “oven” signifies the framing of doctrine out of falsities and not out of truths (but see above, n. 386, where this is more fully explained).
sRef Ezek@22 @21 S6′ sRef Ezek@22 @20 S6′ sRef Ezek@22 @19 S6′ sRef Ezek@22 @22 S6′ sRef Ezek@22 @18 S6′ [6] In Ezekiel:
The house of Israel has become as dross unto Me; all of them are brass and tin and iron and lead in the midst of a furnace; they have become the dross of silver. Behold, I gather you into the midst of Jerusalem, a gathering of silver and brass and iron and lead and tin will I gather you, into the midst of the furnace, to blow fire upon it to melt it; so will I bring you together in Mine anger and in My wrath, and I will leave you there and melt you. Like a casting of silver in the midst of the furnace, so shall ye be melted in the midst thereof (22:18-22).

This describes the false doctrinals which the Jews and Israelites brought together from the sense of the letter of the Word, which they adapted merely to themselves and to their loves; these are called the “dross of silver,” because “silver” signifies the truth of the Word, and “dross” nothing of truth, or what is abstracted from truth, which is rejected. The things of the sense of the letter of the Word are signified by “brass, tin, iron, and lead,” because these signify the goods and truths of the natural man; and the things of the Word that are contained in the sense of its letter are for the natural man. And because from this sense they framed their false doctrinals, which were traditions, it is said “they shall be melted together;” and because they were adapted to their loves, which were loves of self and of the world, it is said that “He would gather them into the midst of the furnace, to blow fire upon it to melt it,” “fire” signifying those loves. And because their doctrinals are meant, it is said that “He would gather them into the midst of Jerusalem,” “Jerusalem” signifying the church in respect to doctrine, thus also the doctrine of the church.
sRef Gen@15 @17 S7′ [7] In Moses:
The sun went down and it was dense darkness, and behold an oven of smoke and a torch of fire that passed through between the pieces (Gen. 15:17).
Falsities of evil and evils of falsity, swarming out of the filthy loves of the Jewish and Israelitish nation, are here meant by “an oven of smoke,” and “a torch of fire that passed through between the pieces,” as can be seen in the article above. For Abraham was eager that his posterity should rule over the whole land of Canaan, and because the Lord foresaw that the church would be instituted in that nation, He made a covenant with Abraham. Nevertheless what they were to be is predicted in this that was seen.
sRef Nahum@3 @15 S8′ sRef Nahum@3 @14 S8′ [8] In Nahum:
Draw thee waters for the siege, strengthen thy fortresses; go into the mire, and tread the pitch, repair the brick kiln [fornax]. There shall the fire devour thee, the sword shall cut thee off (3:14, 15).
This describes the destruction of truth by the falsities of evil; the “waters for the siege” mean the falsities by which they endeavor to destroy truths; “to strengthen the fortresses” signifies to fortify falsities by such things as appear like truths; “to go into the mire and tread the pitch” signifies to make them appear to cling together, “pitch” meaning falsity from evil conjoining; “to repair the brick kiln” signifies to repair the doctrine framed out of falsified truths and fictions, “bricks” signifying the falsities that are fabricated and do not cohere with truths; “fire shall devour thee” signifies that they will be destroyed by the evils of their loves, and “the sword shall cut thee off” signifies that they will be destroyed by falsities.
sRef Jer@43 @11 S9′ sRef Jer@43 @10 S9′ sRef Jer@43 @12 S9′ sRef Jer@43 @9 S9′ [9] In Jeremiah:
Take great stones in thy hand, and hide them in the brick kiln which is near the entrance of Pharaoh’s house. I will take the king of Babylon, and I will set his throne upon these stones that thou hast hid,* and he shall come and smite the land of Egypt; and I will kindle a fire in the houses [of the gods] of Egypt; and finally he shall array himself with the land of Egypt, as a shepherd arrayeth himself in his garment (43:9-12).
This represented the profanation of truth by reasonings from knowledges falsely applied. “The great stones hidden in the brick kiln” signify the truths of the Word falsified by fictions that are from self-intelligence, “stones” meaning the truths of the Word, and “brick kiln” the doctrine framed out of fictions; “the house of Pharaoh” signifies the natural man in respect to knowledges there; “entrance” means sensual knowledge, through which there is entrance into the natural man; it is by this that falsifications are made; “the king of Babylon” signifies the profanation of truth; “He will set his throne upon these stones, and will smite Egypt, and kindle a fire in the houses thereof,” signifies that through the knowledges of the natural man all the truths of doctrine will be perverted and profaned. That he will subject to himself the natural man in respect to all things therein, which is done by confirmations of falsities from knowledges, is signified by “he will array himself with the land of Egypt, as a shepherd arrayeth himself in his garment.” That thus all things of the natural man will be destroyed by the evils of earthly and corporeal loves is signified by “I will kindle a fire in the houses of Egypt.”
sRef Jer@11 @4 S10′ sRef Ps@81 @6 S10′ sRef 1Ki@8 @51 S10′ sRef Deut@4 @20 S10′ [10] Because “Egypt” signifies the natural man in respect to knowledge there, and a “furnace of iron” has a similar signification, therefore Egypt in the Word is called “a furnace of iron.” As in Jeremiah:
In the day that I brought you** forth out of Egypt, out of the furnace of iron (11:4).
In Moses:
He hath brought them*** forth out of the furnace of iron, out of Egypt (Deut. 4:20).
In the first book of Kings:
Which He brought forth**** out of Egypt, from the midst of the furnace of iron (8:51).
In David:
I removed the shoulder of Israel from the burden of Egypt; his hands have passed away from the furnace (Ps. 81:6).
The natural man in respect to knowledge is signified by the “furnace of iron,” “furnace” meaning the natural man, and “iron” knowledge, here false knowledge, because it is said that “they were brought out;” for the natural man, unless he is led by the spiritual man, is in falsities and evils, because he has no light from heaven, for light from heaven flows in through the spiritual man into the natural, and enlightens, teaches, and leads; it is the direct opposite when the natural man does not think and act under the auspices of the spiritual man; then also he is in bondage, for he thinks and acts from falsities and evils that are from hell; this is what is signified when it is said that “they were brought out of the house of bondage” when they were brought out of Egypt. For all freedom of thinking and acting is from the spiritual man, because the spiritual man thinks and wills out of heaven from the Lord, and to be led of the Lord is freedom. From this it can be seen why Egypt is called “a furnace of iron,” and “a house of bondage;” this bondage is signified also by “I removed the shoulder of Israel from the burden of Egypt.” (That “iron” signifies knowledge [scientificum] belonging to the natural man, may be seen above, n. 176.)
sRef Rev@1 @15 S11′ sRef Lev@2 @7 S11′ sRef Lev@2 @5 S11′ sRef Isa@31 @9 S11′ sRef Lev@2 @4 S11′ [11] As most things in the Word have also a contrary sense, so does “oven.” As in Isaiah:
Saith Jehovah, who has His hearth in Zion, and His oven in Jerusalem (31:9).
“Hearth” signifies the good of love, and “oven” truth from that good, thus the truth of doctrine; “Zion and Jerusalem” have a like signification, “Zion” signifying the church in respect to the good of love, and “Jerusalem” the church in respect to truth of doctrine. “Oven” has a similar meaning in Moses, where it is said:
That the meal-offering must be prepared either in an oven, or in a plate, or in a frying pan (Lev. 2:4, 5, 7).
(This is explained in the Arcana Coelestia.) “Furnace” has a similar meaning above in Revelation:
The feet of the Son of man were like unto burnished brass, as if glowing in a furnace (1:15).
Of which above, n. 69.
* Latin has “thou hast hid,” Hebrew “I have hid,” so also in AC n. 7519.
** Latin has “you,” Hebrew “them.”
*** Latin “them,” Hebrew “you.”
**** Latin “He brought forth,” Hebrew “Thou hast brought forth.”

sRef Ps@36 @5 S0′ sRef Rev@9 @2 S0′ 541. And the sun was darkened, and the air, by the smoke of the pit, signifies that the light of truth from the Lord was made thick darkness by infernal falsities. This is evident from the signification of “the sun and the air darkened,” as being the light of truth from the Lord being made thick darkness (of which presently) and from the signification of “by the smoke of the pit,” as being by dense falsities from hell, thus by infernal falsities. (That “smoke” signifies dense falsities, and “the pit of the abyss” the hells where and from which are falsities, see above, n. 536-539.) “The sun and the air darkened” signifies that the light of truth from the Lord was made thick darkness, for the Lord in the angelic heaven is a sun, and Divine truth proceeding from the Lord as a sun produces all the light there, and illuminates both the sight and the understanding of angels; when therefore that sun is darkened there, the light of truth, which is from the Lord, is made thick darkness; it is darkened by falsities from hell. All denial of the Divine and of Divine things by those who are merely natural comes from falsities of evil making the light of heaven thick darkness; for such look at Divine things in thick darkness, and therefore they see them as thick darkness, and in consequence deny them. Moreover, the light of heaven when it flows in with those who are in the falsities of evil actually becomes in the spiritual world thick darkness. From this it is that the evil not only do not see or understand spiritual things, that is, the things that belong to heaven and the church, but in heart they deny them. (That the Lord appears in the angelic heaven as a sun, and that Divine truth proceeding from the Lord as a sun produces all the light of heaven, thus all the intelligence and wisdom the angels have, may be seen in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 116-125, and 126-140.) It is said also that the “air” was darkened, meaning the light of truth, for the air gives light from the sun. “Skies” [aetheres] have a similar signification in David:
Thy mercy O Jehovah, is in the heavens; and Thy truth is even unto the skies (Ps. 36:5; 57:10; 108:4).
“Mercy” signifies the Divine good of Divine love, and “truth” Divine truth; and as Divine truth is the light of heaven, as has just been said, it is said, “Thy truth is even unto the skies;” thus “skies” in the plural signify Divine light even to the highest heaven, where it is in the highest degree. (“Skies” have a similar signification in Ps. 77:17; Ps. 78:23, 24.)

sRef Rev@9 @5 S0′ sRef Rev@9 @12 S0′ sRef Rev@9 @3 S0′ sRef Rev@9 @4 S0′ sRef Rev@9 @7 S0′ sRef Rev@9 @6 S0′ sRef Rev@9 @11 S0′ sRef Rev@9 @9 S0′ sRef Rev@9 @8 S0′ sRef Rev@9 @10 S0′ 542. Verses 3-12. And out of the smoke there went forth locusts on the earth; and there was given unto them power as the scorpions of the earth have power. And it was said to them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, nor any green thing, nor any tree, but the men only that have not the seal of God on their foreheads. And it was given to them that they should not kill them, but that they should torment them five months; and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion when it striketh a man. And in those days shall men seek death and shall not find it, and they shall long to die and death shall flee from them. And the likenesses of the locusts were like unto horses prepared for battle; and upon their heads as it were crowns like gold, and their faces as men’s faces. And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as those of lions. And they had breastplates as iron breastplates; and the voice of their wings was as the voice of chariots of many horses running into battle. And they had tails like scorpions, and stings were in their tails; and their power was to hurt men five months. And they had over them a king, the angel of the abyss, his name in Hebrew Abaddon, and in Greek he hath the name Apollyon. One woe is past; behold there come yet two woes after this.
3. “And out of the smoke there went forth locusts on the earth,” signifies that from infernal falsities they became corporeal sensual in the church (n. 543); “and there was given unto them power as the scorpions of the earth have power,” signifies their ability to persuade, and its effect and power (n. 544). 4. “And it was said to them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, nor any green thing, nor any tree,” signifies that they should do no harm to any true and living knowledge [scientificum] from the sense of the letter of the Word, nor to any knowledge of truth and good therein (n. 545); “but the men only that have not the seal of God on their foreheads” signifies but only to the understanding of truth and the perception of good in those who are not in truths from good from the Lord (n. 546). 5. “And it was given* to them that they should not kill them,” signifies that they should not be deprived of the faculty to understand truth and perceive good (n. 547); “but that they should torment them five months,” signifies that the understanding would be darkened and drawn away by the falsities of evil from seeing truth so long as they are in that state (n. 548); “and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion when it striketh a man,” signifies that the darkening and drawing away from seeing the truth is caused by the persuasion with which the mind is infatuated (n. 549). 6. “And in those days shall men seek death and shall not find it,” signifies that they then wish to destroy the faculty to understand truth, but are not able (n. 550); “and they shall long to die and death shall flee from them,” signifies that they wish to destroy the faculty to perceive good, which is of spiritual life, but in vain (n. 551).
7. “And the likenesses of the locusts were like unto horses prepared for battle,” signifies that when man has become sensual he reasons like one who reasons from the understanding of truth (n. 552); “and upon their heads as it were crowns like gold,” signifies that they seem to themselves when they reason as if they were wise and victorious (n. 553); “and their faces as men’s faces,” signifies that they seem to themselves as it were spiritual affections for truth (n. 554). 8. “And they had hair as the hair of women,” signifies that they seem to themselves to be as it were affections of natural** truth (n. 555); “and their teeth were as those of lions,” signifies that the sensual things which are the ultimates of the intellectual life seem to them to have power over all things (n. 556). 9. “And they had breastplates as iron breastplates,” signifies the persuasions with which they gird themselves for combats, against which the truths of the rational spiritual man prevail not (n. 557); “and the voice of their wings was as the voice of chariots of many horses running into battle,” signifies reasonings as if from the truths of doctrine from the Word which are understood, for which they must fight ardently (n. 558). 10. “And they had tails like scorpions,” signifies sensual knowledges [scientifica] that are persuasive (n. 559); “and stings were in their tails,” signifies craftiness in deceiving by means of them (n. 560); “and their power was to hurt the men five months,” signifies that while in that state they induce a stupor in the understanding of truth and in the perception of good (n. 561). 11. “And they had over them a king, the angel of the abyss,” signifies that they received influx from the hell where those are who are in the falsities of evil and are merely sensual (n. 562); “his name in Hebrew Abaddon, and in Greek he hath the name Apollyon,” signifies its quality, that it is destructive of all truth and good (n. 563). 12. “One woe is past; behold, there come yet two woes after this,” signifies one lamentation over the devastation of the church, and that a lamentation over its further devastation follows (n. 564).
* Latin has “and,” Greek has “given,” as also below, AE n. 547, at the end.
** Latin has “of natural truth,” but see below, AE n. 555.

sRef Rev@9 @3 S0′ 543. Verse 3. And out of the smoke there went forth locusts upon the earth, signifies that from infernal falsities they became corporeal-sensual in the church. This is evident from the signification of “smoke,” as being infernal falsity (see above, n. 539). Infernal falsity is what is here signified by “smoke,” because it has just been said that this smoke “went up out of the pit of the abyss,” and “the pit of the abyss” signifies the hell where and from which are the falsities of evil that falsify the truths of the Word. The above is evident also from the signification of “locusts,” as being man’s ultimate sensual, which is in the falsity of evil (of which presently); also from the signification of “to go forth upon the earth,” as being upon the church, for the “earth” signifies the church; moreover, the things contained in Revelation are predictions respecting the church and its state.
[2] That “locusts” signify man’s ultimate sensual which is in the falsity of evil, can be seen from each and all the particulars related in this chapter to verse 12, in the explanation of which it is shown that “locusts” have no other meaning. But here it shall first be told what is meant by man’s ultimate sensual. It does not mean the sensual of sight, of hearing, of smell, of taste, and of touch, for these things are proper to the body, but the ultimate of thought and affection, which is the first to be opened with infants, and which is such that they think of nothing else and are affected by no other objects than what make one with the senses just named. For infants learn to think by means of the senses, and to be affected by objects that are in accord with the things that are pleasing to the senses; consequently the first internal that is opened with them is the sensual that is called man’s ultimate sensual, or the corporeal-sensual. But afterwards, as the infant grows older and becomes a boy, a more interior sensual is opened, from which he thinks naturally, and is also affected naturally. Later, in youth and early manhood, a still more interior sensual is opened, from which he thinks rationally, and if he is in the good of charity and faith, he thinks spiritually, and is also affected rationally and spiritually. This thought and affection is what is called the rational and spiritual man, while the former is called the natural man, and the first the sensual man.
[3] With every man the interiors that are of his thought and affection are opened successively, and this by a continuous influx out of heaven from the Lord. By this influx the sensual that most nearly adheres to the body is first formed, and from this man becomes sensual; afterwards the natural from which he becomes natural; and after this the rational and with it the spiritual, from which he becomes a rational and spiritual man; but this he becomes only so far as he thinks about God and about the Divine things that are from God, and this is formed and perfected so far as he is affected by these things, that is, so far as he wills and lives according to them. If he does not do this the spiritual man is opened in a general way, but is not formed, still less perfected. By the general opening of his spiritual man, man has the faculty of thinking, and from thought of speaking rationally; this is the general effect of the influx of heaven with every man. This makes clear that man’s thoughts and affections may be spiritual, or natural, or also sensual; and that spiritual thoughts and affections are with those who think from God respecting God and Divine things; while there are only natural thoughts and affections with those who do not think from God respecting God and Divine things, but think only from themselves or from the world respecting themselves or the world. But it should be known that to think from self or from the world is to think not from these but from hell; for whoever does not think from God thinks from hell; no one can think from both at the same time. But those who deny God, and thence the Divine things of heaven and the church, and confirm themselves against these, all become sensual men more or less, according to confirmations; when they are thinking about spiritual things they think falsities only, and are affected by evils; and if they think any truths, whether spiritual, moral, or civil, it is only from the knowledge (scientia) of such things as are in the memory; and they see nothing beyond the nearest causes which they also are able to prove; and if they are affected by goods, it is only from a delight for the sake of self or the world, thus from a cupidity belonging to the love of self or the love of the world. The thought of the sensual man is what is called material thought, and its affection is what is called corporeal affection, which is cupidity.
[4] Furthermore, it is to be known that all the evils that man derives from his parents, which are called hereditary evils, have their seat in his natural and sensual man, but not in the spiritual; consequently the natural man, and especially the sensual man, is the opposite of the spiritual. For the spiritual man from infancy is closed, and is opened and formed only by Divine truths received by the understanding and will; and so far in extent and quality as the spiritual man is opened and formed, the evils of the natural and sensual man are removed, and goods are implanted in place of them. As all evils have their seat in the natural and sensual man it follows that falsities do also, because all falsities are of evil; for when man lusts and wills from evil he thinks and speaks from falsity. For the evil of the will, when it so forms itself in thought that it is manifest to others or to oneself as to its quality, is called falsity; thus falsity is the form of evil, as truth is the form of good. From this it can be seen who and of what quality the man is who is called a sensual man; also that a man becomes sensual when he follows out in act the evils into which he is born, and adds more to them from himself. So far as he does this and confirms himself in these evils, so far the spiritual man is kept closed; and when it is closed the natural and sensual man denies the Divine things that belong to heaven and the church, and acknowledges such things only as belong to the world and nature; and indeed, the sensual man is then so blind as to believe nothing but what he sees with his eyes and touches with his hands. Such are many of the learned, however intelligent and wise they may be thought to be from their ability of speaking from the knowledges [scientia] that are in the memory, and this apparently as the rational man speaks, since the spiritual mind is opened with them, as it is in every man in a general way, as has been said above.
[5] Because in what now follows in this chapter the locust is much treated of, and by it the sensual, which is the ultimate or extreme of the natural man, is signified, it is important that what the sensual is and what its quality is should be fully known, and thus who and what the sensual man is. I will therefore present here what is said and shown respecting it in the Arcana Coelestia, as follows: The sensual is the ultimate of man’s life, adhering to and inhering in his corporeal, n. 5077, 5767, 9212, 9216, 9331, 9730. He is called a sensual man who judges all things from the senses of the body, and who believes nothing but what he can see with his eyes and touch with his hands, saying that this is something, and rejecting everything else, n. 5094, 7693. Such a man thinks in what is ultimate, and not interiorly from any spiritual light, n. 5089, 5094, 6564, 7693.
The interiors of his mind, which sees from the light of heaven, are closed, so that he sees there nothing of the truth of heaven and the church, n. 6564, 6844, 6845. In a word, he is in a gross natural light, and thus perceives nothing that is from the light of heaven, n. 6201, 6310, 6564, 6844, 6845, 6598, 6612, 6614, 6622, 6624. Thence interiorly he is against the things of heaven and the church, n. 6201, 6317, 6844, 6845, 6948, 6949. The learned who have confirmed themselves against the truths of the church are sensual, n. 6316. Sensual men reason acutely and readily, because their thought is so near their speech as to be almost in it, and because they place all intelligence in speaking merely from the memory, n. 195, 196, 5700, 10236. But they reason from the fallacies of the senses, by which the common herd are captivated, n. 5084, 6948, 6949, 7693. Sensual men are more crafty and malicious than others, n. 7693, 10236. The covetous, adulterers, the voluptuous, and the deceitful, are especially sensual, n. 6310. Their interiors are foul and filthy, n. 6201. Through their interiors they communicate with the hells, n. 6311. Those who are in the hells are sensual, and this in proportion to the depth of their hells, n. 4623, 6311. The sphere of infernal spirits conjoins itself with the sensual of man from behind, n. 6312. Those who reasoned from the sensual, and thence against the genuine truths of faith, were called by the ancients “serpents of the tree of knowledge [scientia],” n. 195, 196, 197, 6398, 6949, 10313. The sensual of man and the sensual man are further described, n. 10236; and the extension of the sensual principle in man, n. 9731. Sensual things ought to be in the last place and not in the first, and with a wise and intelligent man they are in the last place, and are subject to things interior, but with an unwise man they are in the first place, and are dominant, and these are such as are properly called sensual, n. 5077, 5125, 5128, 7645. If sensual things are in the last place, through them a way is opened to the understanding, and truths are disengaged by a kind of extraction, n. 5580. These sensual things of man stand next to the world, and admit the things that flow from the world, and as it were sift them, n. 9726.
Through these the external or natural man communicates with the world, and through rational things with heaven, n. 4009. Sensual things thus supply such things as are serviceable to the interiors belonging to the mind, n. 5077, 5081. There are sensual things that minister to the intellectual part, and others that minister to the will part, n. 5077. Unless the thought is elevated from sensual things, man has but little wisdom, n. 5089. A wise man thinks above the sensual, n. 5089, 5094. When a man’s thought is elevated above sensual things he comes into a clearer light, and at length into heavenly light, n. 6183, 6313, 6315, 9407, 9730, 9922. Elevation above sensual things and withdrawal from them were known to the ancients, n. 6313. Man in his spirit is able to see things that are in the spiritual world if he can be withdrawn from the sensual things which are from the body and be elevated into the light of heaven by the Lord, n. 4622. The reason is that it is not the body that thinks, but the spirit of man in the body, and so far as man thinks in the body so far he thinks grossly and obscurely, thus in darkness, but so far as he does not think in the body he thinks clearly and in light, n. 4622, 6614, 6622. The ultimate of the understanding is sensual knowledge, and the ultimate of the will is sensual delight, concerning which see n. 9996. The difference between the sensual things that man has in common with the beasts and those not in common with them, n. 10236. There are sensual persons not evil because their interiors are not shut in the manner above referred to; the state of such in the other life, n. 6311.
sRef Ex@10 @14 S6′ sRef Ex@10 @13 S6′ sRef Ex@10 @4 S6′ sRef Ex@10 @6 S6′ sRef Ex@10 @15 S6′ [6] That the “locust” signifies nothing else but this sensual of man that has now been described can be seen also from other passages in the Word where the locust is mentioned. As in Moses:
Moses stretched forth his staff over the land of Egypt, and Jehovah brought along an east wind all the day, and all the night; and when it was morning, the east wind brought the locust. And the locust went up over all the land of Egypt, and rested in all the border of Egypt, very grievous; before it there was no such locust, nor after it shall there be such. And they covered the surface of the whole earth, so that the land was darkened; and they did eat every herb of the land, and all the fruit of the trees which the hail had left remaining; so that there remained not any green thing in the tree or in the herb of the field, in all Egypt. And the locust filled the house of Pharaoh, and the house of all his servants, and the house of all the Egyptians (Exod. 10:13-15, 6).
All the miracles in Egypt, like all other miracles recorded in the Word, involve and signify spiritual things pertaining to heaven and the church, thus the Egyptian plagues signify spiritual plagues; this plague of the locusts signifies the destruction of the whole natural man by the breaking in of evil and falsity from the sensual; “Egypt” signifies the natural man in respect to knowledge [scientificum] and to what is pleasurable in it, and “the locust” the falsity and evil of the sensual man laying waste the natural man, that is, driving out from it or destroying there all the truth and good of the church; it is therefore said, “and the locust went up over all the land of Egypt, and rested in all its border,” “the land of Egypt” signifying the natural with the men of the church, and “its border” the sensual with them, for the sensual is the ultimate or most external of the natural, consequently its border; the “locust” means falsity and evil there. Because the falsity and the evil of the sensual man are the most grievous, for they are corporeal and earthly, it is said that the locust was “very grievous, and that before it there was no such locust, nor after it shall there be such;” and this for the reason that the Egyptians had a knowledge of correspondences, and from that a knowledge of the spiritual things which belong to heaven; but these they turned into magic. Because the falsity and the evil of the sensual man, when they break into the natural man, entirely lay it waste by destroying every truth and every good therein, it is said that “the locust covered the whole surface of the earth so that the land was darkened, and did eat every herb of the land,* and all the fruit of the tree,” “the land of Egypt” meaning the natural with the men of the church, “the herb of the land” the truth there, and “the fruit of the tree” the good there. “The locust filling the house of Pharaoh, and of his servants, and of all the Egyptians,” has a similar meaning, for “the house of Pharaoh, of his servants, and of all the Egyptians,” signifies the natural mind in its whole extent, “house” in the Word signifying the interiors of man which belong to his mind and disposition, here the things of his natural mind.
[7] It is said that here “the locust going up over all the land of Egypt” signifies the breaking in of falsity and evil out of the sensual man into the natural; and yet the natural man is interior and the sensual exterior, and there is no breaking in or influx from the exterior into the interior, but only from the interior into the exterior. It should be known, therefore, that the breaking in or influx of the sensual man into the natural means the blocking up of the natural man until it becomes like the sensual, whereby evil and falsity become more widely extended, and the natural and the sensual become alike corporeal and earthly. In other cases, man learns from infancy to separate the sensual man from the natural, by speaking truth and doing good, even while his thoughts from the sensual man are false, and his will is evil; and this he continues to do until they are entirely separated, which is done when man is reformed and regenerated by the Lord. But if these are not separated man can think and will no otherwise than insanely, and thus speak** and act insanely.
sRef Ps@78 @46 S8′ sRef Ps@105 @35 S8′ sRef Ps@78 @45 S8′ sRef Ps@105 @34 S8′ [8] Because the “locust” here signifies the sensual in respect to falsity and evil, or, what is the same, the falsity and evil of the sensual man, the “locust” and the “caterpillar” have the same signification in David:
He sent among them a swarm that devoured them, and the frog that destroyed them. He also gave their increase unto the caterpillar, and their labor unto the locust (Ps. 78:45, 46).
And in the same:
He spake, and the locust came, and the caterpillar without number, which did eat up every herb in the land, and did eat up the fruit of their land (Ps. 105:34, 35).
But here the “locust” signifies the falsity of the sensual man, and the “caterpillar” its evil, or the falsity and evil in the sensual man and from it. The latter is signified by “caterpillar,” and the former by “locust,” because the caterpillar is also a locust, as is evident from this fact that this was said by David respecting the locusts in Egypt, and yet in Moses the locust only is mentioned, and not the caterpillar.
sRef Joel@2 @25 S9′ sRef Joel@2 @24 S9′ sRef Joel@1 @5 S9′ sRef Joel@1 @4 S9′ [9] The “locust” and the “caterpillar” have a similar signification in Joel:
That which the palmerworm hath left hath the locust eaten; and that which the locust hath left hath the cankerworm eaten; and that which the cankerworm hath left hath the caterpillar eaten. Awake, ye drunkards, and weep; and howl, all ye drinkers of wine, because of the new wine which has been cut off from your mouth (1:4, 5).
And elsewhere in the same:
The floors shall be full of pure grain, and the vats shall overflow with new wine and oil. And I will recompense to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpillar, and the palmerworm, My great army which I sent among you (2:24, 25).
Evidently these noxious little animals signify falsities and evils devastating or consuming truths and goods with the man of the church, since it is said that “all drinkers of wine should howl because of the new wine which is cut off from your mouth,” “wine” and “new wine” signifying the truth of the church; likewise because it is said that “the floors shall be full of grain, and the presses shall overflow with new wine and oil,” the “floor” signifying the doctrine of the church, “grain” and “oil” its goods, and “new wine” its truths.
sRef Nahum@3 @15 S10′ sRef Nahum@3 @17 S10′ sRef Nahum@3 @16 S10′ [10] So in Nahum:
The fire shall devour thee; the sword shall cut thee off, it shall devour thee like the caterpillar; make thyself many as the caterpillar; make thyself many as the locust. Thou hast multiplied thy merchants above the stars of the heavens; the caterpillar spreadeth itself abroad and flieth away. Thy crowned are as the locusts, and thy commanders as the locust of locusts, which encamp in the walls in the day of cold; when the sun ariseth they fly away, and their place is not known where they are (3:15-17).
This is said of “the city of bloods,” which signifies doctrine fabricated out of falsified truths, thus out of falsities; the destruction of those who are in a faith and life according to that doctrine is signified by “the fire shall devour thee; the sword shall cut thee off,” “the fire that shall devour” signifying evil destroying good, and “the sword” falsity destroying truth; and because evil and falsity from the sensual man are meant it is said, “the caterpillar shall devour thee; make thyself many as the caterpillar; make thyself many as the locust; thou hast multiplied thy merchants above the stars of the heavens.” Multiplication like that of the caterpillar and of the locust is mentioned because falsifications of the Word are made in the greatest abundance by those who are sensual, thus by the sensual man, for the sensual man is signified here by the “caterpillar and locust” as has been said above. The sensual man falsifies the Word more than others, because the ultimate sense of the Word, which is the sense of its letter, is for the natural and sensual man, while the interior sense is for the spiritual man; consequently when man is not a spiritual man, but is natural and sensual, and is in evil and in falsities therefrom, he does not see the truths and goods in the Word, but applies its ultimate sense to confirm his falsities and evils. “Merchants” signify those who falsify and who communicate and who offer for sale. “Thy crowned are as the locust, and thy commanders as the locust of locusts,” signifies that the primary and chief things of doctrine, that is, “a city of bloods,” are the falsities of evil, and from these again come the falsities of evil; “which sit in the walls in the day of cold” signifies in the truths of the Word that do not appear to be truths, because they have become falsified, and are from evil, “walls” meaning truths that do not appear because they are falsified, and “the day of cold” meaning a state of the love of evil; “the sun ariseth, they fly away, and their place is not known where they are,” signifies that they consume every truth and good, so that there is nothing left. “Multiplying as the locust” has a similar signification in Jeremiah 46:20, 22, 23; also in the book of Judges 6:5; 7:12.
sRef Deut@28 @38 S11′ [11] The “locust” signifies also falsity in the most external things, or the densest falsity, in Moses:
Thou shalt carry out much seed into the field, but shall gather but little; for the locust shall consume it (Deut. 28:38);

which is one of the curses if they did not keep and do the commandments of Jehovah. “The seed of the field” means the truth of the Word, and the “locust” dense falsity from the sensual man that consumes and destroys it. “Locust” has a similar signification in Amos 7:1, 2; Isaiah 33:3, 4; and in David Ps. 109:22, 23.
sRef Isa@40 @22 S12′ [12] Because the sensual of man is the ultimate and lowest of the life of man’s thought and affection (as has been said above) and because the lowest, when viewed by those who are in a higher or more eminent place, is little, for this reason it is compared to locusts. As in Isaiah:
Jehovah who dwelleth above the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as locusts (40:22).
This signifies that men in respect to intelligence are in things lowest, and the Lord in things highest.
sRef Num@13 @33 S13′ [13] In like manner, men viewed by those who are in the persuasion of their superiority over others are compared to locusts, in Moses:
The spies of the land of Canaan said, We saw the Nephilim, the sons of Anak which come of the Nephilim; and we were in our own eyes as locusts, and so we were in their eyes (Num. 13:33).
The “Nephilim” and the “Anakim” signify in the Word those who are in the strongest persuasion of their being more eminent and wise than others; and in the abstract sense they signify direful persuasions (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 311, 567, 581, 1268, 1270, 1271, 1673, 3686, 7686). That the spies appeared to these and also to themselves like locusts, is in agreement with the appearances in the spiritual world, for there, when those who are in a persuasion of their own superiority look at others, they see them as little and vile, and these then also appear such to themselves.
sRef Matt@3 @4 S14′ [14] As the “locust” signifies the sensual, which is the ultimate of the life of man’s thought, or the ultimate in which the understanding closes, and upon which it rests, so this ultimate is like a base and foundation upon which interior or higher things stand, which belong to man’s understanding and will, likewise the interior and higher things in the Word that are called spiritual and celestial. And as all things, to continue and to subsist, must have a foundation, so the sense of the letter of the Word, which is its ultimate and base, is natural and sensual; and this in a good sense, and, consequently, its truth and good, are meant by the “locust.” This is why John the Baptist ate locusts, and why the sons of Israel were allowed to eat them. Of John the Baptist it is said:
That he had his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey (Matt. 3:4; Mark 1:6).
John the Baptist was so clothed because like Elijah he represented the Word; and by “his raiment of camel’s hair, and leathern girdle, and eating locusts and wild honey,” he represented the ultimate sense of the Word, which, as was said, is sensual-natural, because it is for the sensual-natural man. “Raiment” signifies truth clothing good; “camel’s hair” the ultimate of the natural man, which is the sensual; the “locusts and wild honey” also signify that ultimate or the sensual as regards appropriation; the “locust” the sensual in respect to truth, “wild honey” the sensual in respect to good, and “eating” appropriation. It is to be known that in ancient times, when the churches were representative churches, all who were in ministries were clothed and also ate according to what they represented.
sRef Lev@11 @22 S15′ sRef Lev@11 @21 S15′ sRef Lev@11 @20 S15′ [15] That the sons of Israel were permitted to eat locusts is evident from these words in Moses:
Every winged thing that creeps, that walks on four feet, shall be an abomination unto you, but that which walks upon four, which has legs above its feet to leap withal upon the earth, ye shall eat; and among these the locust is mentioned (Lev. 11:20-22).
To eat locusts was permitted on account of their having legs above the feet to leap with, because “legs” signify natural good conjoined to spiritual good, and “feet” natural truth from that good; and every truth that is from good ought to be appropriated and conjoined to man, but not truth that is not from good, for such truth is conjoined with some evil; therefore it is said that “every winged thing that creeps, that walks upon four, that had no legs above its feet, shall be an abomination.” It is said also “to leap upon the earth,” because “leaping,” in reference to flying things, signifies to live, the same as “walking” in reference to the animals of the earth; and spiritual living comes from truths that are from good, which are signified by “leaping with the feet, above which are legs;” but spiritual dying comes from truths conjoined to evil, which is signified by “walking upon four feet, above which are no legs;” therefore to eat such is said to be “an abomination.”
sRef Job@39 @20 S16′ sRef Job@39 @19 S16′ [16] As a “horse” signifies the intellectual, and a “locust” the sensual, which is the ultimate of the intellectual, and the intellect lives when it is in its ultimate, the ancients spoke of horses as leaping and jumping like locusts. Thus in Job:
Dost thou give the horse might? Dost thou clothe his neck with shaking? Dost thou make him to leap as a locust? The glory of his nostril is terror (39:19, 20).
The understanding is here described by a horse, namely, that like a horse it is mighty, it shakes and curves the neck, and leaps as it goes; and as the ultimate of the understanding is the sensual, and this is signified by the “locust,” and the life of the understanding in this ultimate is signified by “jumping and leaping as it goes,” therefore the horse is said “to leap as a locust.” The most ancient books, among which is Job, were written by pure correspondences; for a knowledge [scientia] of correspondences was then the knowledge of knowledges; and those writers were held in highest esteem who were able to compose books abounding in the most numerous and significant correspondences. Such is the book of Job; but the spiritual sense therein collected from correspondences does not treat of the holy things of heaven and the church, as the spiritual sense in the Prophets does; consequently that book is not among the books of the Word; but yet passages are quoted from it on account of the correspondences of which it is full.
* Latin “land,” the Hebrew in the passage quoted has “field.”
** Latin is “will.”

sRef Rev@9 @3 S0′ 544. And there was given unto them power as the scorpions of the earth have power, signifies their ability to persuade, and its effect and might. This is evident from the signification of a “scorpion,” as being an infatuating and suffocating persuasiveness (of which presently); and from the signification of “power,” as being might and effect, here the might of the sensual man from his persuasiveness, and the effect which is infatuating and suffocating. Just what and of what quality this persuasiveness is which is signified by a “scorpion” scarcely anyone in the world yet knows, because it is the persuasiveness of the spirit of the sensual man, which he has when he becomes a spirit, but does not have while he is living as a man in the world. The reason is that a man in the world rarely speaks out what his spirit thinks and inmostly loves, for he is taught from infancy to utter such things as pertain to civil and moral life, and even such as pertain to the spiritual life, although his spirit, which thinks and wills inwardly, is differently inclined. So long as man’s spirit remains in the body it makes a show of such things before the world, because in no other way can it captivate minds so that his spirit may accomplish the ends it aims at, which are chiefly honors and gain, and name and reputation on account of them.
This is why it is unknown in the world just what and of what quality this infatuating and suffocating persuasiveness is that is signified by a “scorpion;” and yet with the spirits in whom it is, it is such as to infuse itself into the mind and disposition of another, and to benumb and almost extinguish his rational and intellectual faculties, making it impossible for him to know otherwise than that what is spoken is truth, although it be most false. Those who are in such persuasiveness do not speak from any reason, but from blind faith without reason, because they speak from the lowest sensual, and in this there is no reason, but only a persuasive faith from such things as ascend from the body and flow in from the world, inspired by the fire of self-love; it is this fire that breathes into, draws out, and pours into another. Consequently those are more especially in this persuasiveness who have imbued themselves with falsities from the love of self, and believe themselves to be wiser than others. This persuasiveness is said to be infatuating because it induces a stupor in the understanding, and is called suffocating because it takes away the free breathing of another; for everyone breathes in harmony with the thought of his mind. But inasmuch as this persuasiveness is most noxious and pernicious, including a kind of swoon on the mind of another, so that he can see nothing rationally, spirits are strictly forbidden to make use of it; and those who do make use of it are separated from the others, and are either punished or sent down into hell; for in the spiritual world everyone is allowed to confirm the opinions of his mind, whether they be true or false, by things rational and intellectual, but not by any persuasive fascination. (More respecting this persuasiveness may be seen in the Arcana Coelestia: as, That those who are constrained by it are inwardly bound, n. 5095. Those who make use of it shut up the rational of others, and as it were suffocate them, n. 3895, 5128. The Nephilim, Anakim, and Rephaim, mentioned in the Word, were, more than others, in direful persuasions of falsity, n. 581, 1268, 1270, 1271, 1673, 7686. These, before the Lord’s coming, infested all in the other life through their direful persuasions, and almost extinguished their spiritual life, n. 7686. They were cast into hell by the Lord when He was in the world, and that hell still appears under a kind of misty crag, and those who draw near it fall into a swoon, n. 311, 581, 1268, 1270, 7686; my own experience with some of the devils from that hell who were permitted to flow into me, n. 1268-1271. How hurtful the persuasion of falsity is, n. 794, 806. There are many kinds of the persuasions of falsity, n. 1673, 1675 at the end.) This deadly persuasiveness is signified by a “scorpion,” because a scorpion when it stings a man induces* a like swooning of the mind and thence death, if there is no cure.
sRef Luke@10 @19 S2′ sRef Luke@10 @18 S2′ [2] Murderous persuasions are signified by “scorpions” also in the following passages. In Luke:
Jesus said to the seventy whom He sent out, I held Satan as lightning falling from heaven. Behold, I give you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; that nothing may by any means hurt you (10:18, 19).
Evidently “serpents and scorpions” do not mean here serpents and scorpions, for the Lord says that “He saw Satan as lightning falling from heaven,” and that He “gives them authority over all the power of the enemy;” therefore “serpents and scorpions” signify in the internal sense the crew of Satan, who were in craftiness and direful persuasiveness of falsity, by which men after death are spiritually murdered, unless they are defended by the Lord. The antediluvians, who were called the “Nephilim,” were in such persuasiveness more than others, and unless the Lord when He was in the world had subjugated them and cast them into hell and had closed it up, no mortal could have been saved; for they were infesting and almost murdering whomsoever they met in the spiritual world. That the Lord delivered the spiritual world from these and like spirits is meant by His “seeing Satan falling from heaven,” and by His giving to those who are in truths from good from Him “authority to tread on serpents and scorpions.”
sRef Ezek@2 @4 S3′ sRef Ezek@2 @6 S3′ [3] This direful persuasiveness is also signified by “scorpions” in Ezekiel:
Son of man, be not afraid of them nor of their words, though the stubborn and thorny be with thee, and thou dwellest among scorpions; be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their faces. They are hard of face, and obdurate in heart (2:6, 4).
“To dwell among scorpions” means among those who have persuaded themselves, and strongly persuade others, of falsities, and who do not admit any truth; therefore they are called “stubborn and thorny,” also “hard of face and obdurate in heart.” Moreover, in those who are in a strong persuasion of falsity the interiors which belong to the rational mind are closed up, consequently they think and speak from the lowest sensual only, and when this sensual is enkindled by the fire of self-love it is hard and obdurate, and also hardens and makes obdurate the interiors of others whom it addresses. For in the spiritual world there is a communication of minds, that is, of the thoughts and affections; and from those who are in such persuasiveness there is a pouring in, from which come the effects above mentioned.
sRef Deut@8 @15 S4′ [4] In Moses:
Jehovah God, who led thee through the great and fearful wilderness, of the serpent, the fiery serpent, and the scorpion (Deut. 8:15).
The journeys and wanderings of the sons of Israel forty years in the wilderness represented and signified the temptations of the faithful, and as these come from the injections and persuasions of falsities by evil spirits, they were said to have been led “through a fearful wilderness, of the serpent, the fiery serpent, and the scorpion.” Moreover, “serpents” in general signify the lowest sensual of man, and the various species of serpents the various states of that sensual in respect to evils and falsities; for sensual men are more crafty and malicious than others, and themselves believe, and induce others to believe, that they excel in genius, intellect, and judgment; but I can assert that they have nothing of understanding or judgment, but that they are as stupid in such things as are the essentials of faith and life as they are clever in scheming evils and persuading to falsities; and cunning, as is well known, is not wisdom, for wisdom is of truth from good, while cunning is of falsity from evil; and falsity from evil destroys truth from good, because they are opposites, and what is opposite destroys.
* Latin is “may induce.”

sRef Rev@9 @4 S0′ 545. Verse 4. And it was said to them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, nor any green thing, nor any tree, signifies that they should do no harm to any true and living knowledge [scientificum] from the sense of the letter of the Word, nor to any cognitions of truth and good therein. This is evident from the signification of “not to hurt,” as being not to do harm to; from the signification of “grass,” as being true knowledge [scientificum]; and from the signification of “green thing,” as being living knowledge [scientificum] (of which see above, n. 507); and as every true and living knowledge is from the Word, “not to hurt the grass of the earth nor any green thing” signifies not to do harm to true and living knowledge from the Word. It is evident also from the signification of “trees,” as being the cognitions of truth and good, also from the Word (see above, n. 109, 420).
[2] Knowledges [scientifica] from the Word mean all things of the sense of its letter there in which doctrine does not appear, while cognitions of truth and good mean all things of the sense of the letter of the Word in which and from which is doctrine. That harm should not be done to any true and living knowledge [scientificum], nor to the cognitions of truth and good from the Word, means that the sensual man by his persuasiveness must not pervert any meaning of the letter of the Word by denying it to be true; for if he does this all is lost with him, for there is then no hope of his reformation, nor has he any faculty of understanding the truth of the church. For he who denies that the Word is Divine in the entire sense of the letter, breaks off his connection with heaven, because it is through the Word that man has conjunction with heaven (see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 303-310).
[3] This describes what the state of the man of the church is when it is near its end, namely, that from internal or spiritual he becomes external and sensual; but yet lest he should wholly perish the Lord provides and takes care that he does not do injury to anything in the sense of the letter of the Word by denying it to be true and living, that is, Divine, although by means of the sense of the letter he confirms his falsities and evils; for so long as he does not deny the Divine in the Word he still reads it or listens to it, and is thereby in some conjunction with heaven. This makes clear that these words signify that this much of the church will still remain; but what follows, namely, that they should hurt “those men only that have not the seal of God on their foreheads” signifies that this ultimate sensual should do harm only to the understanding of truth with those who are not in truths from good from the Lord.

sRef Rev@9 @4 S0′ 546. But the men only that have not the seal of God on their foreheads, signifies but only to the understanding of truth and the perception of good in those who are not in truths from good from the Lord. This is evident from the signification of “man,” as being the affection of truth, and intelligence and wisdom therefrom (see above, n. 280), here the understanding of truth and the perception of good (of which presently); also from the signification of “having the seal of God on their foreheads,” as being to be in truths from good from the Lord (see above, n. 427).
[2] “Man” signifies the understanding of truth and the perception of good, because it is by virtue of these that man is man, therefore when “man” is mentioned in the Word it means in the spiritual sense that by virtue of which man is man, for this is his spiritual [part]. Man has two faculties of which his whole life is made up, namely, understanding and will; therefore such as is the quality of his understanding and will such is the man. If he has the understanding of truth and the will of good he is truly a man, for truth and good are from the Lord, and it is from the Lord alone that man is man (as can be seen from what has been shown in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 59-102). But if he has not the understanding of truth and the will of good, but falsity in the place of truth and evil in the place of good, he is still called a man, yet he is not a man except from this alone, that he has the faculty of understanding truth and perceiving good (of which in the following article). From this it can be seen that in the Word by “men” such things as constitute them men are meant, and here the understanding of truth and the perception of good.
[3] That the understanding of truth and the perception of good are here meant by “men” can be seen from its being said that the locusts might “hurt men,” but not “the grass of the earth, nor the green thing, nor the trees;” and a “locust” signifies the ultimate of man’s life which is called the sensual; and when this, while man is reading or listening to the Word, is in the persuasion of falsity, it still does not hurt or do harm to anything of the Word in the sense of its letter, for this sense is for the sensual-natural man; he believes it, although he applies it to confirm his falsities; but it does hurt and do harm to the understanding of truth and the perception of good; for the sensual man is unable to raise his thought above the sense of the letter of the Word, and if he tries to do so he either falls into falsity or his persuasive faith respecting the Word perishes. From this it can now be known what is meant by these words, that the locusts should “not hurt the grass of the earth, nor any green thing, nor any tree, but those men only that have not the seal of God on their foreheads.”

sRef Rev@9 @5 S0′ 547. Verse 5. And it was given* to them that they should not kill them, signifies that they should not be deprived of the faculty of understanding truth and perceiving good. This is evident from the signification of “men,” as being the understanding of truth and the perception of good (see above, n. 546); and from the signification of “killing them,” as being to destroy as regards the spiritual life (of which above, n. 315); but here to deprive of the faculty of understanding truth and perceiving good. This is the signification of “killing men,” because every man is born into the faculty to understand truth and perceive good; for this faculty is the spiritual itself by which every man is distinguished from the beasts. This faculty man never destroys, for if he should destroy it he would be no longer a man but a beast. It appears as if the sensual man who is in the falsities of evil had destroyed it, because he neither understands truth nor perceives good when reading the Word or hearing it from others, but yet he has not destroyed the faculty itself to understand and perceive, but only the understanding of truth and the perception of good, so long as he is in the falsities in which he has confirmed himself from evil; for then he is averse to listen to truth, and this appears like an inability to understand it; but if the persuasion of falsity which obstructs is removed, he then understands and perceives that truth is truth and that good is good, just as a spiritual-rational man does.
[2] That this is so it has been given me to know by much experience; for there were many of the infernal crew who had confirmed themselves in falsities against truths and in evils against goods, who thence had become such that they were not willing to hear anything of truth, still less to understand it; and respecting these, therefore, others entertained the opinion that they were unable to understand truth; but the same spirits, when the persuasion of falsity was removed from them, came into the same power and faculty to understand truth as those had who were in the understanding of truth and the perception of good; but immediately upon their falling back into their former state they again appeared to be unable to understand truth, and indeed, were exceedingly indignant at having understood, declaring then that still it was not truth. For it is affection which belongs to the will that makes all the understanding there is with man; from affection is the life itself of the understanding. Consider whether anyone thinks without affection, and whether affection is not the life itself of thought, consequently the life of the understanding. We say an affection and mean the affection that is of love, or love in its continuity. This makes clear that man can indeed destroy the understanding of truth and the perception of good, which is done by means of the falsities of evil; and yet he does not on that account destroy the faculty to understand truth and perceive good; if he did he would no longer be a man, for the human itself consists in that faculty; from this it is that man lives after death, and appears then as a man; for with that faculty the Divine is conjoined. For this reason although a man in respect to his two lives, which are the life of his understanding and the life of his will, may have turned away from the Divine, yet by his ability to understand truth and to perceive good he has conjunction with the Divine, and consequently lives to eternity. From this it can now be seen that “it was given to the locusts that they should not kill men” signifies that still they should not be deprived of the faculty to understand truth and perceive good.
* Latin has “said,” but in the end of the number it is “given,” with the Greek.

sRef Rev@9 @5 S0′ 548. But that they should torment them five months, signifies that the understanding would be darkened and drawn away by the falsities of evil from seeing truth, so long as they were in that state. This is evident from the signification of “to torment,” as being to have the understanding darkened and withdrawn from seeing truth (of which presently); also from the signification of “five months,” as being so long as they are in that state. “To torment” here signifies to have the understanding darkened and drawn away from seeing truth, because this is said of the locusts and their power to hurt like scorpions, and “locusts” mean the ultimate of man’s life, which is called the sensual, and the power to hurt like scorpions signifies a persuasiveness that can take away from the understanding the light of truth and induce infernal darkness; therefore it now follows that “their torment was as the torment of a scorpion when it striketh a man,” for a “scorpion” signifies such persuasiveness (see above, n. 544). This is said “to torment,” because it is said above that “the locusts should hurt men, but should not kill them;” and that which hurts but does not kill, torments; and the persuasiveness also, which is of the sensual man that is in the falsities of evil, hurts the understanding by darkening it and drawing it away from seeing truth, although it does not deprive it of the faculty to understand and perceive; and because it is compared with the pain from a scorpion “when it striketh a man,” it is said “to torment.”
[2] “Five months” signify so long as men are in that state, because a “month” signifies a state, and “five” signifies somewhat, and thus so long as “months” signify states, because all times in the Word, as “ages,” “years,” “weeks,” “days,” and “hours,” signify the states of life (see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 162-169), so likewise “months.” That “five” signifies somewhat can be seen from the passages in the Word where that number occurs; for the numbers ten, one hundred, one thousand, signify much and all, therefore “five” signifies somewhat; for the numbers that signify much arise from the number five, which signifies somewhat, and composite and derived numbers take their signification from the simple numbers of which by multiplication they are composed, and from which they are derived (see above, n. 429, 430). “Five” also signifies so long as, because it is said “five months,” and “months” here signify a state of duration. This signification of “five months” seems remote, because so long as man lives in the world he is in natural thought, and natural thought derives its ideas from spaces and times and also from numbers and measures; for these are proper to nature, because all things in nature are determined by them; while spiritual thought is without any determinate idea of space, time, number, and measure. For this reason it seems remote and strange to a man in the world, that “five months” should signify so long as that state, that is, a state of the persuasion of falsity continues, for so long the understanding is darkened and drawn away from seeing truth; but when the persuasion of falsity is removed man comes into the faculty to see truth if he wishes to see it, for every man has this faculty.
sRef Matt@25 @2 S3′ sRef Matt@25 @1 S3′ [3] That “five” signifies in the Word somewhat and some, likewise all such, and like things, can be seen from the following passages. In Matthew:
Jesus said that the kingdom of heaven is like ten virgins, five of whom were prudent, and five foolish (25:1, 2).
The Lord compared the kingdom of the heavens to ten virgins, because “the kingdom of the heavens” signifies the church, as does a “virgin;” and “ten virgins” signify all who are of the church; it is said that “five were prudent and five foolish,” because “five” signifies some of them, or all who are such on the one part. That a “virgin” signifies the church can be seen from many passages in the Word where mention is made of “the virgin of Zion,” “the virgin of Jerusalem,” “the virgin of Israel,” by whom the church is signified.
sRef Luke@19 @15 S4′ sRef Luke@19 @17 S4′ sRef Luke@19 @19 S4′ sRef Luke@19 @18 S4′ sRef Luke@19 @13 S4′ sRef Luke@19 @14 S4′ sRef Luke@19 @16 S4′ [4] “Ten” and “five” have a like signification in the Lord’s parable of the nobleman who gave to his servants pounds to trade with:
And one from a pound gained ten pounds; and another from a pound gained five pounds; and they were therefore to have authority over so many cities (Luke 19:13-20).
The numbers “ten” and “five” are mentioned by the Lord, because “ten” signifies much, and “five” somewhat; while “their trading” signifies gaining or purchasing heavenly intelligence; and “authority over cities” signifies intelligence and wisdom, for “city” in the Word signifies doctrine, and “to have authority over it” signifies to be intelligent and wise; and “over ten cities” signifies much, and “over five” some.
sRef Luke@14 @19 S5′ sRef Luke@16 @28 S5′ sRef Luke@16 @27 S5′ [5] Again, some and all who are such, are signified by “five” in the Lord’s parable of the rich man and Lazarus:
That the rich man told Abraham that he had five brethren, and asked that Lazarus might be sent to them (Luke 16:27, 28).
The rich man said that he had “five brethren” because “five” signifies all who are such. Likewise in the Lord’s parable of those who were invited to the great supper:
That one excused himself because he had bought five yoke of oxen, and must go to prove them (Luke 14:19).
“Oxen” signify in the Word natural affections, and “five yoke of oxen” signify all those affections or desires that lead away from heaven; heaven and the church in regard to spiritual nourishment or instruction are signified by “the great supper” to which they were invited. Who cannot see that the number “five” in these four parables involves an arcanum, since it was employed by the Lord?
sRef Isa@19 @19 S6′ sRef Isa@19 @18 S6′ [6] Likewise in Isaiah:
In that day there shall be five cities in the land of Egypt that speak with the lips of Canaan, and that swear to Jehovah of Hosts. In that day there shall be an altar to Jehovah in the midst of the land of Egypt (19:18, 19).
“In that day” signifies the Lord’s coming; and “five cities in the land of Egypt speaking with the lips of Canaan” signifies that then some who are natural will become spiritual, and will acknowledge the truths of genuine doctrine, and will worship the Lord from the good of charity (this may be seen particularly explained above, n. 223). So here it is said “five cities,” to mean some at that time, and also some truths of doctrine.
sRef Ex@22 @1 S7′ sRef Luke@12 @52 S7′ sRef Isa@17 @6 S7′ [7] In the same:
There shall be left in it gleanings, as in the shaking of an olive-tree, two three berries in the top of the bough, four five in the branches of the fruitful one (Isa. 17:6).
And in Luke:
Jesus said, From henceforth there shall be five in one house divided three against two, and two against three (12:52).
That in these passages “five” signifies some, and all who are such, may be seen above (n. 532), where these passages are explained. There was a law given with the sons of Israel:
That whoever had stolen an ox, and had either killed it or sold it, should pay back five oxen (Exod. 22:1).
Here an “ox” means in the spiritual sense the good of the natural man; “to pay back five oxen for an ox” signifies that one should make sufficient amends for what he had perverted and extinguished; “to steal” means to take away, “to kill” to extinguish, and “to sell” to pervert.
sRef Gen@41 @34 S8′ sRef 2Sam@2 @23 S8′ [8] “The fifth part” also signifies as much as is sufficient, in Leviticus 5:16; 6:5; 22:14; 27:13, 15, 19, 27, 31; Numbers 5:6-8. Likewise:
The fifth part that Pharaoh took from the land of Egypt during the seven years of plenty (Gen. 41:34; 47:24).
Likewise:
At the fifth [rib] at which Abner smote Asahel with the hinder end of his spear (2 Sam. 2:23);
“at the fifth” signifying as much as was sufficient for death; for the same number that signifies somewhat, and all on the one part, signifies also as much as is sufficient, when it is predicated of quantity, and so long as, when it is predicated of time.
sRef Matt@14 @15 S9′ sRef Isa@30 @17 S9′ sRef Matt@14 @17 S9′ sRef Luke@9 @13 S9′ sRef Matt@14 @21 S9′ sRef Matt@14 @20 S9′ sRef Luke@9 @15 S9′ sRef Luke@9 @16 S9′ sRef Luke@9 @14 S9′ sRef Matt@14 @16 S9′ sRef Matt@14 @19 S9′ sRef Matt@14 @18 S9′ sRef Mark@6 @39 S9′ sRef Mark@6 @40 S9′ sRef Mark@6 @41 S9′ sRef Mark@6 @43 S9′ sRef John@6 @9 S9′ sRef Mark@6 @38 S9′ sRef John@6 @11 S9′ sRef John@6 @12 S9′ sRef Mark@6 @42 S9′ sRef John@6 @10 S9′ sRef John@6 @13 S9′ sRef Lev@26 @8 S9′ [9] As this number signifies somewhat, and all of one part, so it signifies also a little and a few whenever a great quantity that is also designated by numbers follows or precedes; for then all of one part is relatively a few. Thus in Isaiah:
One thousand shall flee at the rebuke of one; at the rebuke of five shall ye flee (30:17).
And in Moses:
Among the curses it was said that five should chase an hundred, and an hundred, ten thousand (Lev. 26:8).
And in the Gospels:
That the Lord fed five thousand men with five loaves and two fishes (Matt. 14:15-22; Mark 6:38-43; Luke 9:13-16; John 6:9-13).
That they then took up “twelve baskets of fragments” signifies fullness, thus full instruction and full blessing.
sRef Ex@26 @3 S10′ sRef Luke@12 @7 S10′ sRef Luke@12 @6 S10′ sRef Ex@26 @1 S10′ [10] Again, “five” signifies few in Luke:
Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings? Yet not one of them is forgotten before God. Fear not, therefore, ye are better than many sparrows (Luke 12:6, 7).
It is said “five sparrows” because fewness and what is of little value in comparison with men are meant, for it is afterwards said, “Ye are better than many sparrows.” Anyone can see that this number would not have been mentioned so often by the Lord unless it had been significative. Because “five” signifies all of one part, it was commanded:
That over the tabernacle they should make ten curtains, and the five curtains should be coupled together one to another, and the other five curtains should be coupled one to another (Exod. 26:1, 3).
That “ten” signifies all in the whole complex, and “five” all of one and of the other part, may be seen in the Arcana Coelestia (n. 9595, 9604).

sRef Rev@9 @5 S0′ 549. And their torment was as the torment of a scorpion when it striketh a man, signifies that the darkening and drawing away from seeing the truth is caused by the persuasion with which the mind is infatuated. This is evident from the signification of “torment,” as being the darkening of the mind and drawing it away from seeing truth (see just above, n. 548); also from the signification of a “scorpion,” as being persuasiveness infatuating and suffocating (concerning which see also above, n. 544). “Their torment was as the torment of a scorpion when he striketh a man” signifies, therefore, that the darkening and drawing away from seeing truth is caused by the persuasion with which the mind is infatuated. Of the persuasiveness that infatuates and as it were suffocates, of what quality it is and whence it is, has been told above (n. 544). This persuasiveness is said to be infatuating, because it takes away the use of reason, even to the extent that the reason or the rational mind sees nothing except that which is said by the one who has this persuasiveness; for it at once calls up everything that agrees, and obscures everything that disagrees; and in consequence the mind is infatuated by being darkened and drawn away from seeing the truth. This persuasiveness is said to be suffocating because it deprives the understanding of the faculty to think freely and to extend its sight in every direction, as every rational man does, and when this is the case breathing becomes difficult; for everything of voluntary breathing is derived from the understanding, and consequently it adapts itself to the thought of the understanding, just as everything of the motion of the heart is derived from the will, and adapts itself to the affection of the will. That the breathing of the lungs corresponds to the understanding and its thought, and the motion of the heart to the will and its affection, may be seen in the Arcana Coelestia (n. 1119, 3883-3896, 9281). That a strong persuasiveness has not only the power of infatuating but also of suffocating has been given me to know by real experience.

sRef Rev@9 @6 S0′ 550. Verse 6. And in those days shall the men seek death, and shall not find it, signifies that they then wish to destroy the faculty to understand truth, but still are not able. This is evident from the signification of “in those days,” as being then, namely, when the man of the church from internal becomes external, or from rational becomes sensual; also from the signification of “to seek death,” as being a wish to destroy the faculty to understand truth (of which presently); also from the signification of “not to find it,” as being not to be able to destroy. That “to seek death” here signifies a wish to destroy the faculty to understand truth, is evident from what precedes, because it is consequent upon it; for it was said that “the locusts should hurt the men only that have not the seal of God on their foreheads,” and afterwards, that “it was given to them that they should not kill them, but that they should torment them,” which signifies that they should do harm to the understanding of truth and the perception of good in those only who are not in truths from good from the Lord, but yet that these should not be deprived of the faculty to understand truth and perceive good (as may be seen above, n. 546, 547). From this it now follows, that the “death” which they seek and which they desire signifies the deprivation of the faculty to understand truth and perceive good, for the destruction of these is the destruction of the life properly human; for man would then be no longer a man but a beast, as has been said above; evidently then it is the loss of this life that is signified by “death.” Such wish to destroy the two faculties of the truly human life, because sensual men, from the persuasion of the falsities of evil in which they are, have no wish to understand truth or perceive good, for they find delight in their falsities of evil, and thus in thinking from the enjoyment of falsity, and willing from the enjoyment of evil, and consequently they turn themselves away from truth and good because these are the opposites; by these some are made sad, some are made sick, and some reject them with anger, each according to the quality and amount of falsity of which he has persuaded himself; in a word,* such a sensual man does not admit reasons from the understanding against the falsities of evil in which he is, thus he has no wish to understand and become rational, although he can become so because he is a man. This, therefore, is what is signified by “they shall seek death and shall not find it.”
* Latin has “persuaded himself from the Word.”

sRef Rev@9 @6 S0′ 551. And they shall long to die, and death shall flee from them, signifies that they wish to destroy the faculty to perceive good, which is of spiritual life, but in vain. This is evident from the signification of “to die,” as being here to destroy the faculty to perceive good (of which presently); also from the signification of “death shall flee from them,” as being that they are unable to destroy, thus that they wish in vain. Here “to die” signifies to destroy the faculty to perceive good, but above “to die” signifies to destroy the faculty to understand truth, because every man has two lives, the life of the understanding, and the life of the will; the life of the understanding is the faculty to understand truth, and the life of the will is the faculty to perceive good; thence “death” means the loss of the one or the other. In the first instance “death” signifies the loss of the faculty to understand truth, and in the second instance the deprivation of the faculty to perceive good, because in what precedes both these lives are treated of, and in the Word, where truth is treated of, good also is treated of, because of the marriage of good and truth in every particular of the Word (on which see above, n. 238, 288, 484). This makes evident that “death” here signifies the deprivation of the faculty to perceive good. This is why two expressions nearly alike are made use of, and why “to seek death” is predicated of what belongs to the understanding, and “to long for death” of what belongs to the will; and because the spiritual life proper to man consists of these faculties, so their wish to destroy spiritual life is also signified. Moreover, the faculty to perceive good, like the faculty to understand truth, is given to every man, for truth loves good and good loves truth; these, therefore, constantly wish to be conjoined, and they are conjoined like the will and the understanding, or like affection and thought. When they are conjoined then the understanding thinks truth from the affection of thinking it, and then the understanding also sees the truth and the will perceives it. To perceive truth from the affection of the will is to perceive good, for truth is changed into good when man wills it or is affected by it, that is, when he loves it; and for this reason everything that is loved is called good.

sRef Rev@9 @7 S0′ 552. Verse 7. And the likenesses of the locusts were like unto horses prepared for battle, signifies that when man has become sensual he reasons as if from the understanding of truth. This is evident from the signification of the “locusts” as being the men of the church who have become sensual through falsities that are from evil (of which above, n. 543); also from the signification of “horses prepared for battle,” as being reasonings, here as if from the understanding of truth, because it is said that they were “like unto” them. (That “horses” signify the understanding, see above, n. 355, 364; and all understanding is of truth.) And because “battle” signifies in the Word spiritual combat, which is a combat of falsity against truth and of truth against falsity, therefore “horses prepared for battle” signify reasonings, here as if from the understanding of truth, for it is by reasonings that spiritual combats are waged. What now follows, even to verse 12, treats of the sensual man who is in falsities from evil, what is his quality in respect to understanding and will; and he is described by “locusts” and their various appearances; for in the spiritual world all man’s affections and thoughts therefrom are represented by various beasts of the earth and by birds, and these are presented to view in such forms as correspond; and the beasts, there represented in accordance with the affections of the spirits from which they are, appear like the beasts in our world, but sometimes with successive change and variety, approaching to forms composed of other beasts, besides also having their heads and bodies clothed and decorated with various insignia. Such have frequently been seen by me; and the qualities of their affections and inclinations were thus made manifest to me. Because affections and thoughts therefrom are represented in the spiritual world by beasts and birds, so “beasts and birds” have a similar signification in the Word.
[2] It has been shown above (n. 543) that sensual men, who are in falsities from evil, are represented and thence signified by “locusts;” of what quality such men are is here described by the various forms and various insignia of the locusts; as that they were “like unto horses prepared for battle;” that “upon their heads were as it were crowns like gold;” that “their faces were as men’s faces;” that “they had hair as the hair of women,” and “teeth as those of lions;” that they had “breast-plates;” and many other things, all of which are representatives such as exist in the spiritual world corresponding to the falsities from evil, and to the persuasiveness of the sensual man; yet no one can know what these mean without a knowledge of correspondences, neither of the quality of the sensual man, nor of his persuasiveness. The sensual man, who is in falsities from evil, reasons as if from an understanding of truth, because he is in the persuasion that falsity is truth and that evil is good; and so long as he is in that persuasion he can see nothing rationally and intellectually; but whatever he has persuaded himself of, he believes to be a matter of the highest reason and most eminent understanding; for the rational and intellectual in him is closed up, and thus he is in a persuasive belief respecting the things he thinks and speaks. That the sensual man reasons acutely and readily, because his thought is so near his speech as to be almost in it, and because he places all intelligence in discoursing merely from the memory, may be seen in the Arcana Coelestia (n. 195, 196, 5700, 10236).

sRef Rev@9 @7 S0′ 553. And upon their heads as it were crowns like gold, signifies that they seem to themselves, when they reason, as if they were wise and victorious. This is evident from the signification of “head” as being wisdom and intelligence (of which presently); and from the signification of “a crown of gold,” as being a reward of victory (of which above, n. 358). “A crown like gold,” signifies the reward of victory, because kings in ancient times, when they were in combats with their enemies wore crowns of gold upon their heads, besides various insignia that then belonged to kings. This was because kings represented the Lord in relation to Divine truth, and Divine truth combats from Divine good; so this was represented by “a crown of gold,” and wisdom and intelligence itself by the head upon which was the crown. This is why the martyrs had crowns, for they fought from Divine truth against the falsities from evil that are from hell, and came off victors, because they fought even unto death, which they did not fear. From this it can be seen that “upon their heads as it were crowns like gold” signifies that those who are sensual men seem to themselves, from the persuasion of the falsity in which they are, to be wise and victorious.
[2] As the locusts are described in respect to their heads, their faces, their breasts upon which were breast plates, and as to their tails, and hair, and teeth, it is important to know what their heads signify, and afterwards what the other things signify. The “head” signifies in the Word wisdom and intelligence, because these have their seat in the head; but when those who are in no wisdom or intelligence because they are in falsities from evil are treated of, the “head” signifies folly and insanity, because falsities and evils are therein and therefrom. So here, where those who are sensual and in the persuasion of falsity are treated of, the “head” properly signifies folly and insanity, for such see falsities as truths and evils as goods, for they constantly see what they see from fallacies. Of such, therefore, it is said that “upon their heads were as it were crowns like gold, and their faces as men’s faces,” and other things follow, all of which were appearances from the fantasy with them, therefore it is said “as it were” crowns, and “like” gold, which shows that these appearances were not real but fallacious. For in the heavens all appearances that exist are real, because they are correspondences; for the interiors belonging to the affections and thoughts therefrom of the angels, when they pass to the sight of their eyes, are clothed in such forms as are manifest in the heavens; they are called appearances because they are visible, and they are said to be correspondences and are real because they spring from creation. But it is otherwise with the appearances in some of the hells, where those are who are in the persuasions of falsity from evil; from these persuasions fantastic visions spring, in which there is inwardly nothing real, and for this reason they also vanish if a single ray from the light of heaven flows in. Such are the appearances that are here described in reference to the “locusts.” (But of appearances in the spiritual world, both those that are real and those that are not real, see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 170-176; and above, in the explanation, n. 369, 395.)

sRef Rev@9 @7 S0′ 554. And their faces as men’s faces, signifies that they seem to themselves to be spiritual affections of truth. This is evident from the signification of “faces,” as being the interiors of the mind and affection (of which above, n. 412); and from the signification of “man,” as being the spiritual affection of truth, and thus intelligence and wisdom (of which above, n. 280); and as the face is a type of man’s interiors, “faces” have the same signification as the men themselves, namely, the affections of truth, but here that they seem to themselves to be affections of truth, and thus intelligent and wise, because it is said of the locusts that their faces appeared “as men’s faces.”
[2] The locusts appeared with such a face because of the strong persuasiveness in which sensual men are who are in falsities from evil, and who are signified by “locusts;” the persuasiveness itself presents such an appearance, but only before themselves and before such others as are also in falsities from evil, but not before the angels of heaven; and for the reason that angels are in the light of heaven, and whatever they see they see from that light, and the light of heaven, being Divine truth, dissipates everything fantastic that comes from persuasiveness. Sensual men appear thus to themselves because sensual men persuade themselves that they are more in truths from good than others are, although they are in falsities from evil; for they are unable to look inwardly from heaven at anything, but only outwardly from the world; those who see from the world alone see only from a delusive light, from which they suppose themselves to be more intelligent and wiser than others, not knowing what intelligence and wisdom are, or what they are from. From this persuasive faith is their belief that they are in the spiritual affection of truth; this therefore is signified by “the faces of the locusts seemed to be as men’s faces.”
[3] But this must be illustrated by experience in the spiritual world. All who are in the heavens are men in respect both to the face and to the rest of the body, for they are in the spiritual affection of truth, and the spiritual affection of truth is itself a man in form, because that affection is from the Lord, who alone is Man, and because from Him the universal heaven conspires to the human form; consequently angels are forms of their affections, and these also are apparent in their faces. (But these things are fully explained in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 59-102.) But those who are in hell, where all are external and sensual, because they are in falsities from evil, while they also appear to themselves in respect to the face to be men, so appear only amongst their own; but when they are looked at in the light of heaven they appear like monsters of direful face, and sometimes in place of the face only something hairy, or with a horrible grate-like set of teeth, and sometimes lurid like something dead, in which there is nothing living and human; for such are the forms of hatred, revenge, and cruelty, wherein is spiritual death, because they are in opposition to the life that is from the Lord. That among themselves they appear with a face like men is from fantasy and consequent persuasion. (But respecting these appearances see also in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 553.)

sRef Rev@9 @8 S0′ 555. Verse 8. And they had hair as the hair of women, signifies that they seem to themselves to be also natural affections of truth. This is evident from the signification of “hair,” as being the things of the natural man, and in particular the true knowledges [scientifica] there (of which above, n. 66); and from the signification of “women,” as being affections (of which presently). “Hair” signifies the things of the natural man because the “head” signifies the things of the spiritual man, and all things of the natural man invest all things of the spiritual man, as the hair invests the head; the head also corresponds to things spiritual, and the hair to things natural, thence also that is what they signify. It is from this correspondence that angels are seen with beautiful hair, and from the orderly arrangement, grace, and gloss of their locks it may be known how the natural man in them corresponds with the spiritual. Now as “women” signify affections, it can be seen that “they had hair as the hair of women” signifies that they seem to themselves to be natural affections of truth. That this is what is signified is evident also from the series; for “faces as men’s faces” signify the appearance as if they were spiritual affections of truth; thence now it follows that “hair as the hair of women” signifies there seeming to be natural affection of truth; it is said immediately, too, of their teeth, that they were “as lion’s teeth,” and these signify the ultimates of the natural man in respect to knowledge and power. In the prophetic Word the terms “woman,” and also “daughter” and “virgin” often occur; but it has heretofore been unknown what they signify. It is very evident that a woman, a daughter, or a virgin is not meant, since where these are mentioned the church is treated of; but what they signify can be seen from the connection of the subjects treated of in the spiritual sense.
sRef Jer@44 @7 S2′ sRef Ezek@9 @6 S2′ sRef Lam@5 @12 S2′ sRef Lam@5 @11 S2′ sRef Jer@51 @22 S2′ [2] That “woman” signifies the church as regards the affection of truth, thus the affection of the truth of the church, can be seen from the following passages in the Word. In Jeremiah:
Wherefore commit ye evil against your souls, to cut off from you man and woman, babe, and suckling, out of Jerusalem?* (44:7).
In the same:
I will scatter man and woman; I will scatter the old man and the lad; I will scatter the young man and the virgin (51:22).
In Ezekiel:
Slay to destruction the old man and the young man and the virgin and the infant and the women (9:6).
In Lamentations:
They ravished the women in Zion, the virgins in the cities of Judah; princes were hanged up by their hand; the faces of elders were not honored (5:11, 12).
In these passages “man and woman,” “old man and babe,” “youth and virgin,” do not mean man, woman, old man, babe, youth, and virgin, but all things of the church; “man and woman” signify truth and its affection, “old man and babe” wisdom and innocence, “youth and virgin” the understanding of truth and the affection for good. That such is the signification is made evident from this that these chapters treat of the church and its desolation in respect to truth and good; therefore these terms signify such things as belong to the church. For the Word is inwardly spiritual, because it is Divine; but if man and woman, old man and babe, youth and virgin meant such persons, the Word would not be spiritual but natural; but it becomes spiritual when “man and woman” mean the church in respect to truth and its affection, “old man and babe” the church in respect to wisdom and innocence, and “young man and virgin” the church in respect to intelligence and its affection. Moreover, man is man because the church is in him, and where the church is, there is heaven. When, therefore, man as “old,” “young,” an “infant,” a “male,” also “woman” and “virgin” are mentioned, that with them pertaining to the church that corresponds in age, sex, inclination, affection, intelligence, and wisdom, is meant.
sRef Isa@4 @2 S3′ sRef Isa@3 @25 S3′ sRef Isa@4 @1 S3′ [3] That “woman” signifies the church in respect to the affection of truth, or the affection of the truth of the church, can be seen also from these words in Isaiah:
Then seven women shall take hold of one man in that day, saying, We will eat our own bread, and we will clothe ourselves with our own raiment; only let thy name be called upon us; gather thou up our reproach (4:1).
This treats of the end of the church, when there is no longer any truth, for these words precede:
Thy men shall fall by the sword, and thy strength in the war (3:25);
which signify that the understanding of truth will be destroyed by falsities, so that there will be no more resistance in combats; and it is added:
In that day shall the shoot of Jehovah be for splendor and glory (4:2);
which signifies that truth will spring up anew in the church; for this is said of the Lord’s coming. “Seven women shall take hold of one man” signifies that truth will be desired and sought from affection but will not be found; “man” signifying truth, “women” affections or longings for truth, and “seven” holiness. That instruction in genuine truths, and thus spiritual nourishment would not be found, is signified by saying “we will eat our own bread, and we will clothe ourselves with our own raiment;” “bread” signifying instruction and spiritual nourishment, and “raiment” truth clothing good; that truth only can be applied and by application conjoined is signified by “only let thy name be called upon us;” and as all esteem is from the spiritual affection of truth and conjunction therefrom, and otherwise there is no esteem, it is said, “gather thou up or take away our reproach.”
sRef Jer@31 @21 S4′ sRef Jer@31 @22 S4′ [4] In Jeremiah:
Return, O virgin of Israel, return to thy cities. How long wilt thou go about? For Jehovah hath created a new thing in the earth; a woman shall compass a man (31:21, 22).
This treats of the spiritual captivity in which the church was before the Lord’s coming. The church is said to be in spiritual captivity when there is no truth, and yet truth is desired; in such captivity were the Gentiles with whom the church was established. “Return, O virgin of Israel, return to thy cities,” signifies that they shall return to the truths of doctrine; “virgin of Israel” being the church, and “her cities” the truths of doctrine. “For Jehovah hath created a new thing in the earth, a woman shall compass a man,” signifies that a new church is to be established in which truth will be conjoined to its affection; “to create a new thing in the earth” meaning to establish that new thing; “woman” being the church in respect to the affection of truth, “man” truth, and “to compass” to be conjoined.
sRef Isa@54 @6 S5′ sRef Isa@54 @7 S5′ [5] In Isaiah:
As a woman forsaken and afflicted in spirit Jehovah hath called thee, and a woman of youth when rejected, said thy God. For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great compassions will I gather thee (54:6, 7).
Here, too, “a woman forsaken and afflicted in spirit” means the church that is not in truths and yet is in the affection or longing for them, “woman” meaning the church, which is said to be “forsaken” when it is not in truths, and to be “afflicted in spirit” when in grief from the affection or longing for truths. “A woman of youth” means the Ancient Church, which was in truths from affection; and “one rejected” means the Jewish church, which was not in truths from any spiritual affection; that the church is to be established by the Lord, and delivered from spiritual captivity, is meant by “for a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great compassions will I gather thee.”
sRef Jer@9 @21 S6′ sRef Jer@9 @20 S6′ [6] In Jeremiah:
Hear the word of Jehovah, O ye women, and let your ear perceive the word of His mouth, that ye may teach your sons** wailing, and a woman her companion lamentation. For death hath come up through the windows, it hath come into our palaces, to cut off the babe from the street, the young man from the broad ways (9:20, 21).
It was said to women that they should hear and perceive, because “women” signify the church from the affection and reception of truth; “sons whom the women should teach wailing,” and the “companion whom a woman should teach lamentation,” signify all who are of the church, “sons” signifying those who are in the truths of the church, “companion” they who are in the good of the church; “wailing and lamentation” signify because of the church vastated in respect to truths and goods; “death hath come up through the windows, it hath come into our palaces” signifies infernal falsity entering into the understanding, and thence into all things of thought and affection, “windows” signifying the understanding, and “palaces” all things of the thought and affection; “to cut off the babe from the street, and the young man from the broad ways,” signifies the vastation of nascent truth and of truth born; the “babe in the street” meaning nascent truth, and “the young man in the broad ways” truth born.
sRef Ezek@23 @3 S7′ sRef Ezek@23 @2 S7′ sRef Ezek@23 @4 S7′ [7] In Ezekiel:
Two women, the daughters of one mother, who committed whoredoms in Egypt; they committed whoredoms in their youth; the name of the elder was Oholah, and the name of her sister Oholibah; and they bare sons and daughter. Samaria is Oholah, and Jerusalem Oholibah (23:2-4).
As “Samaria,” the metropolis of the Israelites, signifies in the Word the spiritual church, and “Jerusalem,” the metropolis of the Jews, the celestial church, each in respect to doctrine; so these are called “women;” and as these two churches act as one, they are called “daughters of one mother,” “mother” also signifying the church, as do “Oholah and Oholibah,” that is, “the tent or habitation of God,” for this signifies heaven where Divine truth and Divine good are, and so, too, the church, for the church is the Lord’s heaven on earth; “their committing whoredom in Egypt in their youth” signifies that they were then in no truths but in falsities, for in Egypt they had not the Word; that was given to them afterwards through Moses and the prophets, and it was thus that the church was instituted among them. “To commit whoredom in Egypt” signifies to falsify truths by knowledges of the natural man, and to falsify truths there means to turn holy things into magic, as the Egyptians did; “the sons and daughters whom they bore” signify the falsities and evils of the church.
sRef Micah@2 @9 S8′ sRef Micah@2 @8 S8′ [8] In Micah:
Ye draw off the robe from them that pass by securely, returning from war. The women of my people ye drive out from the house of their delights (2:8, 9).
“To draw off the robe from them that pass by securely, returning from war,” signifies to deprive of truths all who are in truths, and who have fought against falsities; “who pass by securely” signifies all who are in truths; “returning from war” those who have been in temptations, and who have fought against falsities. “To drive out the women of my people from the house of their delights” signifies to destroy the affections of truth, and thus the pleasantnesses and felicities of heaven, “the women of my people” meaning the affections of truth, and “house of delights” the pleasantnesses and felicities of heaven, for these are the affections of good and truth.
sRef Zech@14 @2 S9′ [9] In Zechariah:
I will gather all nations to Jerusalem to battle, and the city shall be captured and the house*** plundered, and the women shall be ravished (14:2).
“All nations” signify evils and falsities of every kind; “Jerusalem” signifies the church, “city” doctrine, “house” everything holy of the church, “women” the affections of truth, and “their being ravished” that truths will be perverted, and that thus the affections of truth will perish.
sRef Zech@12 @13 S10′ sRef Zech@12 @14 S10′ sRef Zech@12 @11 S10′ sRef Zech@12 @12 S10′ [10] In the same:
In that day shall the lamentation in Jerusalem increase, and the land shall lament and every family apart; the family of the house of David apart, and their women apart; the family of the house of Nathan apart, and their women apart; the family of the house of Levi apart, and their women apart; the family of the house of Simeon apart, and their women apart; all the families that are left, every family apart, and their women apart (Zech. 12:11-14).
What “David” and his house, likewise what “Levi,” and “Simeon,” and their houses signify, has been shown in the explanations above, namely, that “David” signifies Divine truth, “Nathan” the doctrine of truth, “Levi” the good of charity, and “Simeon” truth and good in respect to perception and obedience. It is said “the families shall lament apart, and their women apart,” because “families” signify the truths of the church, and “women” the affections of truth; and these “lament apart” when truth laments because there is no affection of it, and affection laments because it has no truth. This is said of the lamentation over each and all things of the church because they are vastated and destroyed; for each and all things of the church are signified by “all the families that are left,” which mean the tribes. That “the twelve tribes” signify all things of the church in the complex may be seen above (n. 430, 431). “Jerusalem” signifies the church and its doctrine.
sRef Matt@24 @41 S11′ sRef Matt@24 @40 S11′ [11] In Matthew:
Then shall two be in the field, one shall be taken and the other left. Two shall be grinding at the mill, one shall be taken and the other left (24:40, 41).
By the first two are meant men, and women by the last two; and “men” signify those who are in truths, and “women” those who are in good from the affection of truth; here, however, “men” mean those who are in falsities, and “women” those who are in evils from the affection of falsity, for it is said that “one shall be taken and the other shall be left;” meaning that those shall be saved who are in truths from affection, and those shall be condemned who are in evils from affection. “Field” signifies the church; “to grind” signifies to acquire for themselves truths of doctrine from the Word; those who apply these truths to good are signified by those who “shall be taken,” and those who apply them to evil are signified by those who “shall be left.” (But this may be seen explained in the Arcana Coelestia, n. 4334, 4335.)
sRef Lev@26 @26 S12′ [12] In Moses:
I will break for you the staff of bread, that ten women may bake your bread in one oven, and they shall bring back your bread by weight; and ye shall eat and not be satisfied (Lev. 26:26).
This means, in the spiritual sense, that truth from good, which is spiritual nourishment, shall fail, “bread” signifying all spiritual food by which the man of the church is nourished, and “women” those of the church who are in the affection of truth. “Ten women shall bake bread in one oven” signifies that the truth which may be conjoined to good will be sought for but very little will be found; for “to bake” signifies to prepare and conjoin that it may serve for the use of life; “to bring back the bread by weight” signifies that it is scarce; and “to eat and not be satisfied” signifies because truth from good is so scanty and scarce as to yield hardly any nourishment to the soul.
sRef Deut@22 @5 S13′ sRef Gen@5 @2 S13′ sRef Gen@1 @27 S13′ [13] In Moses:
A man’s garment shall not be upon a woman, neither shall a man put on a woman’s garment; for whosoever doeth these things is an abomination unto Jehovah thy God (Deut. 22:5).
“Man and his garment” signifies truth, and “woman and her garment” signifies the affection of truth. These in every man are as distinct as understanding and will are, or as thought which is of the understanding, and affection which is of the will are; and unless they were distinct, the sexes would be confounded, and there would be no marriage, for in marriage man is the truth which is of the thought, and woman is affection.
That man and woman were both so created that they may be two and yet one, is evident from the book of Genesis in which it is said of the creation of the two:
And God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him;**** male and female created He them (Gen. 1:27; 5:2).
sRef Gen@2 @23 S14′ sRef Gen@2 @24 S14′ [14] And afterwards:
The man said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh; for this she shall be called wife, because she was taken out of man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife; and they shall be one flesh (Gen. 2:23, 24; Mark 10:6-9).
Man here means the church in general and in particular. The church in particular is the man of the church, or the man in whom the church is. “God created man in His own image” signifies in the image of heaven; for “God,” that is, Elohim, in the plural, signifies the Divine proceeding that makes heaven, and the man who is a church is a heaven in the least form, for he corresponds to all things of heaven (see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 7-12, 51-58). “Male” signifies here, as above, the truth which is of the understanding, and “female” the good which is of the will; the wife is said to be “bone of man’s bones, and flesh of his flesh,” to signify that good, which is the wife, is from truth, which is the man, “bone” signifying truth before it is vivified, that is, conjoined to good, such as is the truth of the memory with man; and because all good is formed from truths it is said, “because she was taken out of man.” That “the man shall leave his father and mother and shall cleave unto his wife” signifies that truth must be of good, and that thus both must become one good; this is signified by “they shall be one flesh,” “flesh” signifying good, and also a human being. But the things here said cannot enter the understanding of man, except with few, unless it is known that the first two chapters of Genesis treat of the new creation, that is, of the regeneration of the men of the church, the first chapter of their regeneration, the second of their intelligence and wisdom; and “male and female,” or “man and wife,” mean in the spiritual sense the conjunction of truth and good, which is called the heavenly marriage, into which marriage man comes when he is regenerated and becomes a church; and man has been regenerated and has become a church when he is in good and in truths therefrom, which is meant by “the man shall leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife, and they shall be as one flesh.” (But a still clearer idea of these things may be had from what is said in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, On Good and Truth, n. 11-19; On the Will and Understanding, n. 28-33; On Regeneration, n. 173-182; also respecting the good from which are truths, n. 24.)
sRef Num@31 @18 S15′ sRef Num@31 @17 S15′ sRef Num@31 @16 S15′ [15] Because “man and woman” signify the conjunction of truth and good:
When Moses saw that the sons of Israel took to themselves the female captives of the Midianites, their enemies, he said that they should kill every woman that had known man by lying with a male; but that they should keep alive the women that had not known man (Num. 31:17, 18).
These things were commanded because a “woman not conjoined to a man” signified the church in respect to the affection for truth or for conjunction with truth; but “a woman conjoined to a man of Midian” signified good adulterated; for the Midianites represented, and thence signified, truth that is not truth because it is not from good, thus is falsity. This was why the women who had known man were to be killed, but those who had not known man were to be kept alive. “The women of Midian” signified the defilement of good by falsities, and thus good adulterated and profaned, which is filthy adultery, as is evident from what is related respecting “the whoredom of the sons of Israel with the women of the Midianites” (Num. 25).
sRef Rev@12 @1 S16′ sRef Rev@12 @2 S16′ sRef Rev@12 @5 S16′ sRef Rev@12 @6 S16′ sRef Rev@12 @16 S16′ sRef Rev@12 @15 S16′ sRef Rev@12 @13 S16′ sRef Rev@12 @7 S16′ sRef Rev@12 @8 S16′ sRef Rev@12 @12 S16′ sRef Rev@12 @11 S16′ sRef Rev@12 @17 S16′ sRef Rev@12 @3 S16′ sRef Rev@12 @4 S16′ sRef Rev@12 @10 S16′ sRef Rev@12 @18 S16′ sRef Rev@12 @14 S16′ sRef Deut@21 @12 S16′ sRef Deut@21 @11 S16′ sRef Deut@21 @13 S16′ sRef Rev@12 @9 S16′ [16] Whoever does not know that “woman” signifies the spiritual affection of truth, also that the evils and falsities that everyone has are in the natural man, and none of them in the spiritual man, cannot know what is signified by the following respecting a woman captive in Moses:
If thou shalt see in captivity a woman beautiful in form of the enemy, and hast a desire unto her for a wife, thou shalt bring her into the midst of thy house; where she shall shave her head and pare her nails; then she shall put away the raiment of her captivity from off her, and shall weep for her father and her mother a month of days, and after that thou shalt go in unto her and know her, and she shall be thy wife (Deut. 21:11-13).
A “woman” signifies the church in respect to the spiritual affection of truth, or the spiritual affection of truth which a man of the church has, but “a woman captive beautiful in form” signifies the religious principles with the Gentiles in whom is a longing or affection for truth; that “she is to be brought into the midst of the house, and there is to shave her head, pare her nails, and afterwards put away the raiment of her captivity” signifies that she should be led into the interior or spiritual things of the church, and by means of them reject the evils and falsities of the natural and sensual man; “the midst of the house” signifies things interior which are spiritual; “the hair of the head which must be shaved” signifies the falsities and evils of the natural man; “the nails which must be pared,” signify the falsities and evils of the sensual man; and “the raiment of captivity” signifies the falsity of religion in which one who from affection longs for truth is held as it were captive; all these, therefore, must be rejected because they are in the natural and sensual man, as has been said above; that she shall “weep for her father and her mother a month of days” signifies that the evils and falsities of one’s religion must be consigned to oblivion; “after that the man should go in unto her and know her, and she should be his wife,” signifies that thus truth, which is the “man,” can be conjoined with its affection, which is the “wife.” Why this statute was given no one can know unless he knows from the spiritual sense what is signified by “a woman taken captive from the enemy,” by “the midst or inmost of the house,” by “hair,” “nails,” and “the raiment of captivity,” and unless he knows something about the conjunction of truth and good, for on this conjunction all the precepts in the Word concerning marriages are founded. The church in respect to the affection of truth is signified also by:
The woman encompassed with the sun, and in labor, before whom the dragon stood when she should bring forth a man child; and who afterwards fled into the wilderness (Rev. 12:1, et seq.).
Here the “woman” signifies the church, and the “man child” whom she brought forth, the doctrine of truth, as will be seen in the explanation further on.
sRef Jer@7 @17 S17′ sRef Jer@7 @18 S17′ [17] As “woman” signifies the church in respect to the affection of truth from good, or the affection of truth from good of the man of the church, so in the contrary sense a “woman” signifies the cupidity of falsity from evil; for most things in the Word have also an opposite signification. A “woman” (and women) signify this in the following passages. In Jeremiah:
Seest thou not what they do in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem? The sons gather wood and the fathers kindle the fire and the women knead the dough, to make cakes to the queen of the heavens, and also to pour out libations unto other gods (7:17, 18)
What this prophecy involves cannot be known unless it is known what “the cities of Judah,” “the streets of Jerusalem,” what the “sons,” “fathers,” and “women” signify, also what “gathering wood,” “kindling a fire,” “kneading the dough,” “cakes,” “the queen of the heavens,” and “libations” signify. But when it is known what these signify, and the signification is taken in place of the things named, there results therefrom the spiritual meaning that is involved in this prophecy. “The cities of Judah” signify the doctrinals of the church; “the streets of Jerusalem” the truths of these, but here falsities; “sons” mean those who are in the truths of doctrine, but here those who are in falsities, who are said “to gather wood” when they acquire for themselves falsities from evils; “fathers” mean those who are in the goods of the church, but here those who are in evils, who are said “to kindle a fire” when from the love of evil they favor and excite evils; “women” mean the affections of truth from good, but here the cupidities of falsity from evil; these are said “to knead the dough” when from falsities and according to them they frame doctrine; “to make cakes to the queen of the heavens” signifies to worship infernal evils of every kind, “to make cakes” meaning to worship from evils, and “the queen of the heavens” meaning all evils in the complex, for “the queen of the heavens” has a similar signification as “the host of the heavens;” “to pour out libations unto other gods” signifies to worship from falsities, “other gods” meaning infernal falsities; for “God” signifies, in a good sense, Divine truth proceeding, but “other gods” signify infernal falsities, which are falsities from evil.
sRef Isa@3 @12 S18′ [18] In Isaiah:
As for My people, babes are their oppressors, and women rule over it.***** O My people, thy leaders cause thee to err, and have blotted out the way of thy paths (3:12).
“Oppressors,” “babes,” and “women,” signify those who violate, are ignorant of, and pervert truths, “oppressors” meaning those who violate truths; “babes” those who are ignorant of them, and “women” the cupidities that pervert them; “leaders that cause thee to err” signify those who teach; “to blot out the way of thy paths” signifies that the truth which leads is not known.
sRef Isa@27 @11 S19′ [19] In the same:
When the harvest withereth, breaking in pieces, the women coming shall set it on fire; for this is a people of no intelligence (Isa. 27:11).
This is said of the church vastated; “the harvest withering” signifies the truths of good destroyed by evil loves; “the women who set it on fire” signify the cupidities of falsity which altogether consume.
sRef Isa@32 @9 S20′ sRef Isa@32 @10 S20′ [20] In the same:
Rise up, ye women that are at ease, hear my voice; ye confident sons****** give ear to my speech; the vintage shall be consumed, the ingathering shall not come (Isa. 32:9, 10).
“Women that are at ease” signify the cupidities of those who are wholly unconcerned about the vastation of the church; “the confident sons” signify the falsities of those who trust in self-intelligence; “women and sons” signify all in the church who are such, whether men or women; “the vintage that shall be consumed, and the ingathering that shall not come” signify that there shall no longer be any truth of the church, for “vintage” has a similar signification as “wine,” namely, the truth of the church; and this makes evident what is signified by its “ingathering.”
sRef Ezek@18 @6 S21′ sRef Ezek@18 @5 S21′ [21] In Ezekiel:
But if a man be just, and hath not eaten upon the mountains, neither hath lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, neither hath defiled the wife of his companion, neither come near to a menstruous woman (18:5, 6).
“The just man” is described as one “who hath not eaten upon the mountains,” which signifies whose worship is not from infernal loves, for this is the signification of “sacrificing upon mountains,” and “eating of the sacrifices;” “who hath not lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel” signifies whose worship is not from the falsities of doctrine, for “idols” signify the falsities of doctrine, and “the house of Israel” means the perverted church in which such falsities are; “who hath not defiled the wife of his companion” signifies who does not adulterate the good of the church and of the Word; “who cometh not near to a menstruous woman” signifies who does not defile truths by the cupidities of falsity.
sRef Lam@4 @10 S22′ [22] In Lamentations:
The hands of the compassionate women have sodden their own children that they might become food for them, in the breach of the daughter of My people (4:10).
This signifies the destruction by falsities of the truth and good of doctrine from the Word, and the appropriation of the falsities, with the consequent vastation of the church. “The compassionate women” signify the affections of falsity as if it were truth; “their having sodden children” signifies to destroy by falsities the truths and goods of doctrine from the Word; “to become food for them” signifies to appropriate falsities; and “the breach of the daughter of my people” signifies the vastation of the church. “Women” signify also evil cupidities in Revelation (14:4; 17:3, of which in the explanation further on).
* Latin has “Jerusalem,” the Hebrew “Judah,” as we also find in AC n. 430, 3183, 5608.
** Latin has “sons,” Hebrew “daughters.”
*** Latin has “house,” Hebrew “houses.”
**** Latin has “them,” Hebrew “him,” which is also found in AE n. 725; AC n. 53; CL n. 132.
***** Latin has “it,” Hebrew “them.”
****** Latin has “sons,” Hebrew “daughters,” as we find in AE n. 919;AC n. 6432.

sRef Rev@9 @8 S0′ 556. And their teeth were as those of lions, signifies that sensual things, which are the ultimates of the intellectual life, seem to them to have power over all things. This is evident from the signification of “teeth,” as being the sensual things which are the ultimates of the natural life in respect to the understanding (of which presently); and from the signification of “lions,” as being the truths of the church in respect to power, but here falsities destroying truths, thus also these in respect to power (of which above, n. 278). Here falsities are meant, because “locusts” signify the corporeal-sensual who are in the falsities of evil. These seem to themselves to have understanding, and thereby power over all things, because that persuasiveness which has been treated of above has its seat in the sensual, which is the ultimate of the natural life; for this sensual, or the sensual man, is in self-confidence, and in the belief that he is wiser than all others, for he is unable to weigh and explore himself, because he does not think interiorly; and when he has persuaded himself of this, then such confidence and belief are in all things that he speaks. And because his speech takes its tone from these, it fascinates and infatuates the minds of others, for the tone of confidence and belief produces such an effect; and this is especially manifest in the spiritual world, where man speaks from his spirit; for the affection of self-confidence and of the consequent belief that a thing is so is in man’s spirit, and a man’s spirit speaks from his affection. In the natural world it is different. There man’s spirit discourses by means of the body, and for the sake of the world brings forth such things as are not of the affection of his spirit, which he rarely exhibits, that its character may not be known. For this reason it is unknown in the world that there is such an infatuating and suffocating persuasiveness as exists in the spirit of the sensual man, who believes himself to be wiser than others. From this it can be seen why “their teeth were as those of lions” signifies that sensual men seem to themselves to have understanding, and thereby power over all things. That “teeth” signify sensual things, which are the ultimates of the natural life in respect to knowledge [scientia] can be seen from the correspondence of “teeth,” as described in the work on Heaven and Hell (n. 575), and in the Arcana Coelestia (n. 5565-5568).
sRef Ps@57 @4 S2′ [2] That “teeth” have this signification can be seen from the following passages in the Word. In David:
My soul, I lie in the midst of lions; their teeth are spear and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword (Ps. 57:4).
“Lions” signify those who by means of falsities destroy the truths of the church; “their teeth which are spear and arrows” signify the knowledges that are applied to confirm falsities and evils, and thus to destroy the truths and goods of the church; “their tongue a sharp sword” signifies crafty reasonings from falsities, which are called “a sharp sword” because a “sword” signifies falsity destroying truth.
sRef Ps@58 @6 S3′ [3] In the same:
O God, break off their teeth in their mouth; remove* the jaw teeth of the young lions (Ps. 58:6).
“Teeth in their mouth” signify the knowledges from which they produce falsities; “the jaw teeth of the young lions,” signify the truths of the Word falsified, which in themselves are falsities, and which are especially effective in destroying the truths of the church.
sRef Joel@1 @7 S4′ sRef Joel@1 @6 S4′ [4] In Joel:
A nation cometh up upon my land, vigorous and without number; its teeth are the teeth of a lion, and it hath the jaw teeth of an immense lion. It maketh** my vine to a waste, and my fig tree to froth (1:6, 7).
“A nation that cometh up upon the land” signifies evil devastating the church, “nation” meaning evil, and “land” the church; “vigorous and without number” signifies powerful and manifold; “vigorous” is predicated of the power of evil, and “without number” of the power of falsity; “its teeth are the teeth of a lion” signifying destroying falsities; “the jaw teeth of an immense lion” signify truths falsified; “it reduceth the vine to a waste, and the fig tree to froth,” signifies the destruction of spiritual and natural truths; spiritual truths are those of the spiritual sense of the Word, and natural truths those of the sense of its letter (see also above, n. 403, where this is explained). The “teeth of lions” in these passages have a similar signification as “teeth as those of lions” here in Revelation. “Teeth” properly signify such things as are merely in the memory and are brought forth therefrom, for the things that are in the memory of the sensual man correspond to bones and teeth.
sRef Dan@7 @5 S5′ sRef Dan@7 @7 S5′ [5] In Daniel:
There came up out of the sea a second beast like to a bear; three ribs were in its mouth between its teeth; and they said unto it, Arise, devour much flesh. After this there came up a fourth beast, dreadful, and terrible, and exceedingly strong, and it had great teeth of iron; it devoured and crushed, and trampled the remnant with its feet (Dan. 7:5, 7).
“A beast from the sea” means the love of dominion, to which holy things serve as means, and the “four beasts” signify its successive increase; this “second beast like to a bear” signifies the second state, when such dominion is confirmed by means of the Word; those who do this appear in the spiritual world like bears. “Three ribs in the mouth between the teeth” signify all things of the Word which they apply, and which they understand merely according to the letter, “three ribs” meaning all things of the Word, “in the mouth” meaning, which they apply in teaching; “between the teeth” meaning which they understand merely according to the letter, that is, as the sensual man does; “they said unto it, Arise, devour much flesh,” signifies that they applied many things and thereby destroyed the genuine sense of the Word; “the fourth beast that came up out of the sea, dreadful, and terrible, and exceedingly strong,” signifies the fourth and last state, when by holy things as means they established for themselves dominion over heaven and earth; because this state is profane and powerful it is called “dreadful, and terrible, and exceedingly strong;” “it had great teeth of iron” signifies falsities from the sensual man hard against the truths and goods of the church; “it devoured and crushed” signifies that it perverted and destroyed; “and trampled the remnant with its feet” signifies that what they could not pervert and destroy they defiled and blotted out by the evils of natural and corporeal loves. (The rest respecting these beasts may be seen explained above, n. 316.)
sRef Deut@32 @24 S6′ [6] In Moses:
The tooth of beasts I will send upon them, with the poison of the creeping things of the earth (Deut. 32:24).
This evil, among others, was denounced upon the Israelitish and Jewish people if they did not keep and do the statutes and commandments; “the tooth of beasts” signifies falsities from evils of every kind, and “the poison of the creeping things of the earth” signifies the things that destroy and utterly extinguish spiritual life; “beasts” signify in the Word such things as belong to the natural man, and “the creeping things of the earth” the things belonging to the sensual man; both these when separated from the spiritual man are mere falsities from evils, because they are merely such things as belong to the body to which they adhere, and as belong to the world to which they stand nearest; and from the body and the world all thick darkness in spiritual things arises.
sRef Ps@3 @7 S7′ [7] In David:
Arise, O Jehovah; save me, O my God; for Thou smitest all mine enemies upon the cheek; Thou breakest the teeth of the wicked (Ps. 3:7).
“To smite the enemies upon the cheek” signifies to destroy interior falsities with those who are opposed to the goods and truths of the church; such persons and their falsities of evil are meant in the Word by “enemies;” “to break the teeth of the wicked” signifies to destroy exterior falsities, which are such as are based on the fallacies of the senses and are confirmed by them.
sRef Matt@7 @12 S8′ sRef Matt@5 @42 S8′ sRef Matt@5 @41 S8′ sRef Matt@5 @40 S8′ sRef Matt@5 @38 S8′ sRef Matt@5 @39 S8′ [8] As the expressions in David, “to smite the cheek” and “to break the teeth” signify the destruction of interior and exterior falsities, it can be seen what is meant by “smiting on the cheek” in Matthew:
Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth; but I say unto you, Resist not evil; but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek turn to him the other also. And if any man wisheth to sue thee at the law and to take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also; and whosoever shall compel thee to go one mile, go with him two. Give to everyone that asketh thee, and from him that wisheth to borrow of thee turn not thou away (5:38-42).
That these words are not to be understood according to the letter is evident to everyone; for who is bound by Christian love to turn the left cheek to him who smites the right, or to give the cloak to him who would take away the coat? In a word, who is there to whom it is not allowable to resist evil? But as all things that the Lord said were in themselves Divine-celestial, it can be seen that these words, as well as the others which the Lord spoke, contain a heavenly sense. The sons of Israel had this law that they should give “an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth” (Exod. 21:23, 24; Lev. 24:20; Deut. 19:21), because they were external men, and thus were only in the representatives of heavenly things, and not in heavenly things themselves, thence not in charity, in mercy, in patience, nor in any spiritual good; consequently they were under the law of retaliation; for the heavenly law and thence the Christian law is that which the Lord taught in the Gospels:
All things whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, even so do ye to them; this is the Law and the Prophets (Matt. 7:12; Luke 6:31).
Because this is the law in heaven, and from heaven in the church, therefore every evil carries with it a corresponding punishment, which is called the punishment of evil, and is in the evil as if joined with it; and from this springs the punishment of retaliation which was prescribed for the sons of Israel, because they were external and not internal men. Internal men, as the angels of heaven are, do not wish the retaliation of evil for evil, but from heavenly charity they forgive freely; for they know that the Lord protects from the evil all who are in good, and that He protects according to the good with them, and that He would not protect if on account of the evil done to them they should burn with enmity, hatred, and revenge, for these drive away protection.
[9] These things, therefore, are involved in what the Lord here said; but their signification shall be given in order: “An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth,” signifies that so far as anyone takes away from another the understanding of truth and the sense of truth, so far are they taken away from him, the “eye” signifying the understanding of truth, and “tooth” the sense of truth, for a “tooth” means truth or falsity such as the sensual man has. That one who is in Christian good will permit an evil person to take these away as far as he can, is described by what the Lord says in reply on the same subject. “Resist not him that is in evil” signifies that there should be no fighting back of retaliation; for angels do not fight with the evil, much less do they return evil for evil, but they allow it to be done, since they are protected by the Lord, and therefore no evil from hell can do them harm. “Whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek turn to him the other also” signifies if anyone wishes to do harm to the perception and understanding of interior truth, it may be allowed to the extent of the effort; “the cheek” signifies the perception and understanding of interior truth, the “right cheek” affection for it and consequent perception of it, and the “left cheek” understanding of it, and as the “cheek” is mentioned, so is “smiting,” which means doing harm to; for all things pertaining to the mouth, as the throat, the mouth itself, the lips, the cheeks, the teeth, signify such things as belong to the perception and understanding of truth, because they correspond to them, therefore by these objects in the sense of the letter of the Word, which consists of pure correspondences, these things are expressed; “if any man wisheth to sue thee at the law and to take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also,” signifies if anyone wishes to take away truth interiorly with thee, it may be allowed him to take away also exterior truth, “coat” signifying interior truth, and “cloak” exterior truth. This also is what angels do when they are with the evil, for the evil can take away nothing of good and truth from angels, but they can from those who on that account burn with enmity, hatred, and revenge, for these evils avert and repel protection by the Lord; “whosoever shall compel thee to go one mile, go with him two,” signifies whoever wishes to lead away from truth to falsity and from good to evil, since he cannot do it, may be left unopposed, a “mile” having a similar signification as a “way,” namely, that which leads away or leads; “give to everyone that asketh thee” signifies that it is to be permitted; “and from him that wisheth to borrow of thee turn thou not away” signifies that if anyone wishes to be instructed he may be instructed, for the evil desire this that they may pervert and take away, and yet they cannot. This is the spiritual sense of these words, in which are stored up the hidden things that have now been said, which are especially for the angels; who perceive the Word only according to its spiritual sense; they are also for men in the world who are in good, when the evil are trying to lead them astray. That the opposition of the evil to those whom the Lord protects is such it has been granted me to know by much experience; for they have continually striven in every way and with all their might to take away from me truths and goods, but in vain. From what has been presented it can also in some degree be seen that a “tooth” signifies truth or falsity in the sensual, which is the ultimate of the intellectual life with man; that this is the signification of “tooth” is evident from the Lord’s reply, in which the perception and understanding of truth are treated of, which the evil strive to take away from the good.
sRef Jer@31 @30 S10′ sRef Jer@31 @29 S10′ [10] That this is the signification of “teeth” can be seen further from the following passages. In Jeremiah:
In those days they shall say no more, The fathers have eaten a sour grape, and the teeth of the sons are set on edge. But every man shall die in his own iniquity; every man that eateth the sour grape, his teeth shall be set on edge (31:29, 30; Ezek. 18:2-4).
This involves evidently that the sons and descendants shall not incur punishment on account of the evils of parents, but everyone on account of his own evil; “to eat the sour grape” signifies to appropriate to oneself the falsity of evil, for a “sour grape,” which is a bitter and bad grape, signifies the falsity of evil, and “to eat” signifies to appropriate to oneself; and “the teeth set on edge” signifies to be in the falsity of evil therefrom, for “teeth” here as above signify falsities in ultimates or in the sensual man, in which the evils of parents, which are called hereditary evils, especially lie hidden in children, and “to be set on edge” signifies the appropriation of falsity from evil; for a man is not punished on account of hereditary evils but on account of his own and so far as he makes hereditary evils actual in himself; therefore it is said that “everyone shall die in his own iniquity; and every man that eateth the sour grape, his teeth shall be set on edge.”
sRef Job@19 @19 S11′ sRef Job@19 @20 S11′ [11] In Job:
All men abhor me; my bone cleaveth to my skin and to my flesh; I have escaped with the skin of my teeth (19:19, 20).
In the sense of the letter this means that he became thus lank and lean; but in the spiritual sense it signifies that temptations so suppressed the interiors of his mind that he became sensual, and thought only in things most external, and yet that he thought truths and not falsities; this is signified by “I have escaped with the skin of my teeth,” “teeth” without skin signifying falsities, but with skin not falsities, since they are still in some degree clothed.
sRef Amos@4 @6 S12′ [12] In Amos:
I have given to you emptiness of teeth in all your cities, and want of bread in all your places (4:6).
“Emptiness of teeth in the cities” stands for a scarcity of truth in doctrines, and “want of bread in all places” for scarcity of good from doctrines in the life.
sRef Zech@9 @7 S13′ [13] In Zechariah:
I will take away his bloods out of his mouth, and his abominations from between his teeth (9:7).
This is said of Tyre and Sidon, which signify the knowledges of truth and good, here these falsified; “bloods out of the mouth” signify the falsifications of the knowledges of truths; and “the abominations from between the teeth” signify the adulterations of the knowledges of good; the knowledges of good are also truths, for to know goods is from the understanding, and the understanding is of truth.
sRef Ps@124 @4 S14′ sRef Ps@124 @5 S14′ sRef Ps@124 @6 S14′ [14] In David:
The waters had overwhelmed us, the presumptuous waters had passed over our soul. Blessed be Jehovah, who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth (Ps. 124:4-6).
The “waters that had overwhelmed” signify falsities that flow in, and as it were overwhelm man when he is in temptations; therefore it is said, “Blessed be Jehovah, who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth,” that is, to the hells that destroy truths by falsities, thus to destructive falsities.
sRef Job@29 @17 S15′ [15] In Job:
I brake the jaw teeth of the wicked, and plucked the prey out of his teeth (29:17).
This Job says of himself. “I brake the jaw teeth of the wicked” signifies that he fought against falsities and conquered them, “jaw teeth” signifying knowledges [scientifica] from the sense of the letter of the Word, adapted to confirm the falsities by which truths are destroyed; and “I plucked the prey out of his teeth” signifies that he delivered others from falsities by instructing them.
sRef Mark@9 @25 S16′ sRef Lam@2 @16 S16′ sRef Job@16 @9 S16′ sRef Mark@9 @18 S16′ sRef Ps@37 @12 S16′ sRef Mark@9 @17 S16′ sRef Micah@3 @5 S16′ sRef Ps@35 @15 S16′ sRef Ps@35 @16 S16′ sRef Ps@112 @10 S16′ [16] Because the “teeth” signify falsities in things most external, “gnashing of teeth” signifies to fight with vehemence and anger from falsities against truths, in the following passages. In Job:
He teareth me in his wrath, and hateth me; mine enemy gnasheth upon me with his teeth, he sharpeneth his eyes against me (16:9).
In David:
The halt whom I know not gather themselves together against me, they rend, nor are they silent. They gnash upon me with their teeth (Ps. 35:15, 16).
In the same:
The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth (Ps. 37:12).
In the same:
The wicked shall see and be provoked; he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt*** away (Ps. 112:10).
In Micah:
Against the prophets that lead the people astray, that bite with their teeth (3:5).
In Lamentations:
All thine enemies opened their mouth against thee, O daughter of Jerusalem, they hissed and gnashed the teeth (2:16).
In Mark:
One said to Jesus, I have brought unto thee my son, who hath an evil**** spirit; and wheresoever it taketh him it teareth him; and he foameth and grindeth his teeth, and pineth away; and I spake to Thy disciples that they should cast it out, but they were not able. And Jesus said unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I command thee come out of him, and enter no more into him (9:17, 18, 25).
One who is ignorant of the spiritual sense of the Word might suppose that they are said “to gnash the teeth” merely because they were angry and intent on evil, since men then press the teeth together; but they are said “to gnash the teeth” because the endeavor to destroy and the act of destroying truths by means of falsities are meant by it; this is said in the Word because “teeth” signify falsities in things most external, and “gnashing” signifies vehemence in fighting for them; this effort and act are also from correspondence.
[17] Moreover, such was the deaf and dumb spirit that the Lord cast out; for all spirits are from the human race; this spirit was from that kind of men who had vehemently fought for falsities against truths; consequently the one obsessed by him “foamed and gnashed his teeth.” He is called by the Lord “deaf and dumb” because he was unwilling to perceive and understand the truth, for such are signified by “the deaf and the dumb.” And because this spirit was determined and obstinate against truths, and had confirmed himself in falsities, the disciples were not able to cast him out, for the falsities for which he had fought they were not yet able to dispel because they had not yet reached the proper state, and it was for this also that the disciples were rebuked by the Lord. That this spirit was such, and the one obsessed by him was not such, is signified by “the spirit tearing him,” and the obsessed “pining away;” and the Lord’s commanding the spirit “to enter no more into him.”
sRef Luke@13 @28 S18′ [18] All this makes clear what is signified by:
Gnashing of teeth (Matt. 8:12; 13:42, 50; 22:13; 24:51; 25:30; Luke 13:28).
“Gnashing of teeth” in the hells means continual disputation and combat of falsities with each other and against truths, and thus of those who are in falsities, joined with contempt of others, enmity, jeering, derision, blaspheming, and these also burst forth into attempts to tear each other in pieces, for everyone fights for his own falsity from love of self, of learning, and of fame. These disputations and contests are heard outside of these hells as gnashings of teeth, and are also turned into gnashings of teeth when truths flow in thither out of heaven. (But more on this subject may be seen in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 575.)
[19] Because with the evil the teeth correspond to the falsities they have in the ultimates of their intellectual life, which are called corporeal-sensual, therefore the spirits who are such appear deformed in the face, the greater part of which is made up of the teeth standing widely apart like gratings, and in a broad grin, and this because such gaping of teeth corresponds to the love and eagerness for fighting for falsities against truths.
[20] Because the teeth correspond to the ultimates of man’s intellectual life, which are called sensual, and these when separated from the truths of the interior understanding, which are called spiritual, are in the falsities of evil, but the same when not separated correspond to the truths of good in the sensual, so “teeth” in the Word signify also ultimate truths (as in Job 19:19, 20; Amos 4:6, which may be seen explained above).
sRef Gen@49 @12 S21′ [21] And because the Lord glorified His entire Human, that is, made it Divine, therefore it is said of Him in Moses:
His eyes shall be red with wine, and His teeth white with milk (Gen. 49:12).
“Eyes red with wine” signifies that His intellectual was Divine truth from Divine good; and “teeth white with milk” signifies that His sensual was likewise Divine truth from Divine good; for “Shiloh” here (verse 10) means the Lord.
[22] Because “teeth” correspond to the ultimates of the intellectual life, which are called sensual, good spirits and angels have teeth the same as men, but with them the teeth correspond to truths in the ultimate sensual, for with them the sensual is not separated from the truths of the interior understanding which are called spiritual.
* Latin has “remove,” the Hebrew “tear out.”
** Latin has “maketh,” the Hebrew “made,” as also found in AE n. 403; AC n. 5113, 9052.
*** Latin has “melteth,” Hebrew “shall melt.”
**** Latin has “evil,” Greek “mute,” as in AE n. 815.

sRef Rev@9 @9 S0′ 557. Verse 9. And they had breastplates as iron breastplates, signifies the persuasions with which they gird themselves for combats, against which the truths of the rational-spiritual man prevail not. This is evident from the signification of “breastplates” (or coats of mail), as being defenses against evils and falsities in combats, but here defenses of evils and falsities against goods and truths, because this treats of those who are in the falsities of evil in opposition to truths. Here “breastplates” signify persuasions, because sensual men who are in the falsities of evil, who are here described, do not fight against truths from reason, for they do not see truths, but falsities only, and are therefore in the persuasion that falsities are truths, consequently they fight solely from the persuasion of falsity, and with them this persuasion is such that the truths brought forth by the spiritual-rational man are of no avail, for they are repelled as a sword is from a breastplate or coat of mail. So “breastplates as iron breastplates” signify persuasions against which truths are of no avail. That the persuasiveness with such is so infatuating and suffocating that the spiritual-rational is of no avail against it may be seen above (n. 544, 549, 556). Moreover, breastplates or coats of mail, cover that part of the body called the breast or thorax, and this signifies the spiritual affection of truth; also all affection is contained in the sound which comes forth from the breast with the speech. But those who are here signified by “locusts,” who are such sensual men as are in falsities, have no other affection than that of the love of self, and because that affection is full of self-confidence and full of the persuasion that their falsity is truth, and because that affection is in the sound which comes forth from the breast with the speech, so the locusts appeared in “breastplates which were as iron breastplates.” Moreover, “iron” signifies truth in ultimates, and likewise falsity there, and at the same time what is hard; and the persuasiveness that they have causes the falsity to be so hard that the truths opposed to it rebound, as if they were of no account or avail. Because the persuasion of sensual men who are in falsities from self-confidence is such, and with spirits is so powerful that it suffocates and extinguishes the rational of other spirits with whom they converse in the world of spirits, it is severely prohibited, and those who make use of it are sent among spirits where they are distressed even to swooning by other spirits by means of still stronger persuasions, and this until they desist.
sRef Jer@46 @4 S2′ [2] Because breastplates or coats of mail were in use in wars, and to put them on signified to gird oneself for war and thus to fight, therefore in the Word those who were girt for fighting are said to have put on coats of mail. Thus in Jeremiah:
Harness the horses, and go up, ye horsemen; and stand ye forth in helmets; furbish the spears, and put on the coats of mail (46:4).
These words do not mean the combat of one army against another, but the combat of the spiritual-rational man against the natural man who, from knowledges [scientifica] falsely applied, fights against truths and goods. For this is said of the army of Pharaoh king of Egypt, whom the king of Babylon smote, and “Pharaoh king of Egypt” means such a natural man, and “the king of Babylon,” near the Euphrates, means the spiritual-rational man, therefore “Harness the horses, go up, ye horsemen, and stand ye forth in helmets; furbish the spears, and put on the coats of mail,” signifies such things as relate to the combat of the spiritual-rational man against the natural man who is in falsities; “horses” mean the things of the understanding, “chariots to which they were harnessed” the things of doctrine, “horsemen” the intelligent, “helmets” the things of reason, “spears” truths combating, and “coats of mail” force and strength in fighting and resisting. A “coat of mail” has this meaning because it girds the breast, and from the breast through the arms is all the strength in fighting and resisting.
sRef Isa@59 @17 S3′ sRef Jer@51 @3 S3′ [3] In the same:
Against Babylon let him bend, let him that bendeth bend his bow; against her he shall lift himself up in his coat of mail (Jer. 51:3).
Here, too, “coat of mail” stands for the power to fight and resist. In Isaiah:
He put on righteousness as a coat of mail, and the helmet of salvation upon His head (Isa. 59:17).
This treats of the Lord, and of the subjugation of the hells by Him; and “righteousness as a coat of mail” signifies the zeal for rescuing the faithful from hell and the Divine love of saving the human race; and as it was from the zeal of Divine love and power therefrom that the Lord fought and conquered, so righteousness is called a “coat of mail;” while the “helmet of salvation” signifies Divine truth from Divine good, by means of which is salvation, for a “helmet” has a similar signification as the head, because it is worn on the head; that the “head” in reference to the Lord signifies Divine truth and Divine wisdom will be seen in what follows.

sRef Rev@9 @9 S0′ 558. And the voice of their wings was as the voice of the chariots of many horses running to battle, signifies reasonings seemingly from the truths of doctrine from the Word that are understood, and for which they must fight ardently. This is evident from the signification of “the voice of wings,” as being reasonings (of which presently); also from the signification of “the voice of chariots,” as being the doctrinals or truths of doctrine from the Word (of which also presently); also from the signification of “horses,” as meaning the understanding of the Word (of which above, n. 355, 364, 372, 373, 381, 382); also from the signification of “running to battle,” as being the ardor in fighting, for “battle” signifies spiritual combat, and “to run” ardor for it. From this it can be seen that “the voice of their wings was as the voice of the chariots of many horses running to battle” signifies reasonings seemingly from the truths of the doctrine from the Word that are understood, and for which they must fight ardently. That this may be understood, it needs to be said that spiritual combats, which are combats for truths against falsities, are maintained from the Word, and are confirmed by a series of arguments and conclusions, whereby the enlightened mind is fully convinced; this therefore is what is signified by “the voice of their wings was as the voice of the chariots of many horses running to battle.” The reasonings of the sensual man from falsities and in behalf of falsities appear quite similar in external form to the reasonings of the spiritual man, but in the internal form they are wholly unlike; for they have no series of arguments and conclusions, but merely persuasions from sensual knowledges [scientifica] with which the mind is infatuated but not convinced; of what quality these knowledges are will be told in the following article. (That “wings” signify spiritual truths, and therefore “the voice of wings” signifies discussions from them, consequently reasonings, and in the highest sense the Divine spiritual, which is Divine truth, may be seen above, n. 283; that “chariots” signify doctrinals or truths of doctrine, was shown above, n. 355, in treating of the signification of “horse,” as meaning the understanding, and where the Word is treated of, as being the understanding of the Word.)

sRef Rev@9 @10 S0′ 559. Verse 10. And they had tails like scorpions, signifies sensual knowledges [scientifica] that are persuasive. This is evident from the signification of “tails,” as meaning sensual knowledges [scientifica] (of which presently); and from the signification of “scorpions,” as being an infatuating and suffocating persuasiveness (of which see above, n. 544); therefore “tails like scorpions” signify sensual knowledges which are persuasive. “Tails” signify sensual knowledges because the tails that protrude outwardly from animals of the earth are the continuations of the spinal cord, which is called the spinal marrow, and this is a continuation of the brain, and the “brain” in like manner as the “head,” signifies intelligence and wisdom, because intelligence and wisdom in their beginnings have their seat there; and as tails are the ultimates of the brain they signify sensual knowledges, since these are the ultimates of intelligence and wisdom.
[2] Sensual knowledges are such knowledges as enter from the world through the five bodily senses, and thence viewed in themselves are more material, corporeal, and worldly than those that are interior. All who are in the love of self and have confirmed themselves against Divine and spiritual things are sensual men, and when they are left to themselves and think in their spirit, they think about Divine and spiritual things from sensual knowledges, and consequently they reject Divine and spiritual things as not to be believed, because they do not see them with their eyes or touch them with their hands; and they apply their knowledges, which they have made sensual and material, to the destruction of these. For example, men who are learned in this kind of knowledge, who are skilled in physics, anatomy, botany, and other branches of human learning, when they see the wonderful things in the animal and vegetable kingdoms say in their hearts that all these things are from nature, and not from the Divine, and this because they believe in nothing that they do not see with their eyes and touch with their hands; for they are unable to elevate their minds upward so as to see these things from the light of heaven, for that light is thick darkness to them; but they detain their minds in earthly things, much the same as the animals of the earth do, with which indeed they compare themselves. In a word, with such all knowledges [scientiae] are made sensual; for such as the man himself is, such are all things of his understanding and will; if the man is spiritual all things become spiritual; if he is merely natural all things become natural and not spiritual; if the man is sensual all things become sensual, and this however learned and erudite he may seem to the world to be. But as every man has the faculty to understand truths and perceive goods, such men are able from that faculty to talk about these things like those who are spiritual-rational, although in respect to their spirit they are sensual; for when such men speak before others they do not speak from the spirit but from the bodily memory.
[3] All this has been said to make known what sensual knowledges are. These are what especially persuade, or are especially persuasive, because they are the ultimates of the understanding; for into these as into its ultimates the understanding closes, and these captivate the common people because they are appearances drawn from such things as they see in the world with their eyes; and so long as the thought clings to these it is impossible to dispose the mind to think interiorly or above them until they are put away; for the interior things of the mind all close into ultimates and rest upon them, as a house upon its foundation; consequently these are especially persuasive, but only with those whose minds cannot be elevated above sensual things; and the mind is elevated above them with those who are in the light of heaven from the Lord, for the light of heaven dissipates them. For this reason spiritual men rarely think from things sensual, for they think from things rational and intellectual; but sensual men, who have confirmed themselves in falsities against Divine and spiritual things, when they are left to themselves think only from sensual things.
sRef Isa@9 @14 S4′ sRef Isa@9 @15 S4′ [4] That “tails” signify sensual knowledges [scientifica] can be seen from the following passages. In Isaiah:
Jehovah will cut off from Israel head and tail, branch and rush. The old man and the honorable, he is the head; but the prophet, the teacher of lies, he is the tail (9:14, 15).
This means that all intelligence and wisdom and all knowledge [scientia] of truth will perish; the “head” signifies intelligence and wisdom, wherefore it is said “the old man and the honorable, he is the head,” for the “old man” signifies the understanding of truth, and the “honorable” the wisdom of good; but the “tail” signifies sensual knowledge [scientificum], which is the ultimate of intelligence and wisdom; when this is not joined to spiritual intelligence it becomes false knowledge, or knowledge applied to confirm falsities, which is sensual knowledge, like that of the sensual man who sees nothing from the understanding. This is why “the prophet who teacheth lies” is called the “tail,” a “prophet” signifying the doctrine of truth, and thence the knowledge of truth, but here doctrine and the knowledge of falsity, for a “lie” signifies falsity, and the “teacher of a lie” one who teaches falsity by applying knowledges from the sense of the letter of the Word to confirm falsities.
sRef Isa@19 @15 S5′ [5] In the same:
Neither shall there be for Egypt any work that may make head or tail, branch or rush (Isa. 19:15).
“Egypt” signifies knowledge [scientia] both of spiritual and of natural things; “no work for it that may make head or tail” signifies that it has no spiritual things, neither natural things by which spiritual things are confirmed, the “head” signifies here the cognitions of spiritual things which are means of intelligence, and the “tail” natural knowledges [scientifica] which are serviceable to things spiritual for intelligence; “branch and rush” have a similar signification, “branch” being spiritual truth, and “rush” sensual knowledge, which is ultimate truth; for if what is prior and what is posterior, or what is first and what is last, do not make one in man, he has no “head and tail.”
sRef Deut@28 @13 S6′ [6] In Moses:
Thus Jehovah shall make thee as the head, and not as the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath, if thou shalt hearken unto the commandments of thy God (Deut. 28:13).
“To make as the head” means to make spiritual and intelligent, and thus to elevate out of the light of the world into the light of heaven; and “to make as the tail” means to make sensual and foolish, so as not to look to heaven but only to the world; therefore it is said “and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath,” “to be above” meaning to be elevated by the Lord so as to look to heaven, and “to be beneath” meaning not to be elevated by the Lord, but by self, and man by self looks only to the world. For man’s interiors which belong to his thought and affection are elevated to heaven by the Lord when man is in the good of life and thence in the truths of doctrine; but when he is in the evil of life and thence in falsities, his lower things look downward, thus only to his body and to such things as are in the world, and thus to hell. Thus man puts off his truly human nature and puts on a beastly nature, for beasts look downward and to such things only as are met with in the world and upon the earth. Elevation into the light of heaven by the Lord is an actual elevation of man’s interiors to the Lord; and a depression or casting down to such things as are below and outside the eyes is an actual depression and casting down of the interiors, and when this takes place, all the thought of the spirit is immersed in the ultimate sensual.
sRef Deut@28 @43 S7′ sRef Deut@28 @44 S7′ [7] In Moses:
The sojourner who is in the midst of thee shall ascend above thee higher and higher, but thou shalt come down lower and lower. He shall lend to thee, and thou shalt not lend to him; he shall be as the head, and thou shalt be as the tail (Deut. 28:43, 44).
This must have a like meaning; “to be as the head” signifying to be spiritual and intelligent, and “to be as the tail” to be sensual and stupid; therefore it is added “he shall lend to thee, and thou shalt not lend to him,” which signifies that he shall teach thee truths, but thou shalt not teach him.
sRef Isa@7 @4 S8′ [8] In Isaiah:
Say unto him, Take heed, and be quiet; fear not, neither let thine heart be soft because of the two tails of smoking firebrands, for the glowing anger of Rezin and Syria, and of the son of Remaliah (7:4).
“Rezin and Syria” signify the perverted rational, and “the son of Remaliah,” king of Israel, who is also called “Ephraim,” signifies the perverted intellectual; it is the intellectual in respect to the Word that is signified by “the king of Israel” and “Ephraim;” and it is the rational in respect to the knowledges [scientiae] that confirm that is signified by “Rezin and Syria,” for a man in order to have an understanding of the Word must have a rational, and when these two are perverted they look only downward to the earth, and outward to the world, as sensual men do who are in the falsities of evil; therefore they are called “tails.” A “smoking firebrand” signifies the lust of falsity and consequent wrath against the truths and goods of the church.
sRef Rev@12 @4 S9′ sRef Ex@4 @4 S9′ sRef Ex@4 @3 S9′ sRef Rev@9 @19 S9′ sRef Lev@3 @9 S9′ [9] In Moses:
Jehovah said unto Moses, Put forth thine hand and take hold of the tail of the serpent. And he put forth his hand and took hold of it, and it became a staff in his hand (Exod. 4:4).
That here, too, “tail” means the sensual which is the ultimate of the natural may be seen in the Arcana Coelestia (n. 6951-6955). Because “tails” signify the ultimates of intelligence and wisdom, which are sensual knowledges [scientifica], and because all the processes attending the sacrifices signified Divine celestial and spiritual things, therefore:
It was commanded that they should take away the tail hard by the backbone, and should sacrifice it with the other parts there mentioned (Lev. 3:9; 8:25; 9:19; Exod. 29:22).
(That the burnt-offerings and sacrifices signified Divine celestial and spiritual things, which are the internals of the church, of which worship consists, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2180, 2805, 2807, 3830, 3519, 6905, 8936.) Because “tails” signify sensual knowledges [scientifica], and when these knowledges are separated from things interior which are spiritual, and in consequence do not with things interior look inward and upward but look outward and downward, they signify falsities confirmed by knowledges. Therefore also in what follows in Revelation, where falsities from that origin are treated of, it is said:
That the tails of the horses seen in vision were like unto serpents, and that they had heads with which they did hurt (9:19).
And afterwards:
That the dragon with his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and cast them to the earth (Rev. 12:3, 4);
which things may be seen explained below.

sRef Rev@9 @10 S0′ 560. And stings were in their tails, signifies craftiness in deceiving by means of them. This is evident from the signification of “stings,” as being craftiness and shrewdness in persuading as to falsities; it follows therefore that they had in them the power to hurt men, for one who deceives craftily and shrewdly is especially harmful. The stings were “in their tails,” because they deceive by means of knowledges [scientifica] sensually perceived, knowledges both from the Word and from the world, which are what human learning consists of; they deceive by knowledges from the Word by explaining it sensually according to the letter, and not according to its interior sense; they deceive by knowledges from the world by using them for confirmation. It is to be known that sensual men are more crafty and shrewd than others, and thus in acutely deceiving; for as spiritual men possess intelligence and prudence, so those who are sensual and in falsities possess malice and craftiness, for all malice has its seat in evil, as all intelligence has its seat in good.
[2] It is believed in the world that those who are crafty and shrewd are also prudent and intelligent; but craftiness and malice are not prudence and intelligence, but viewed in themselves are insanity and folly; for such remove themselves from eternal happiness and cast themselves into eternal misery, and this is not the part of the prudent and intelligent but of the insane and foolish. Moreover, with such all things of heavenly and angelic wisdom are in dense darkness, and where that wisdom is thick darkness there is folly. That sensual men are crafty and shrewd can be seen from those who are in the hells, where all are merely natural and sensual; it can hardly be believed by anyone how much craftiness and shrewdness these possess (see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 576-581, where the malice and wicked devices of the infernal spirits are treated of).
[3] That “stings” signify craftiness can be seen without confirmation from the Word, for in common discourse the craftiness in speech by which men are deceived are called sharp points, and the talk itself is called sharp. But “stings” signify particularly interior falsities, which are such as cannot be dispelled, because they are from the knowledges and fallacies of the senses. That such falsities are signified by “stings” (or sharp points) can be seen from representatives in the spiritual world, where interior falsities are represented in various ways by sharp things, like the points of swords, the points of arrows, and things pointed in various forms, and this when they are intended to hurt; for this reason it is also forbidden there to exhibit such things to view, for spirits when they see them become furious to inflict injury.
sRef Amos@4 @2 S4′ [4] These falsities are signified by “sharp instruments” in Amos:
Behold the days will come upon you in which they will draw you out with barbs, and your posterity with fishhooks (4:2).
“To draw out with barbs” signifies to lead away from truths by knowledges [scientifica] from the Word and from the world falsely applied; and “to draw out with fishhooks” signifies to lead away from truths by the fallacies of the senses, from which the sensual man reasons.
sRef Num@33 @55 S5′ [5] And in Moses:
If ye will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then those whom ye let remain of them shall be thorns in your eyes and pricks in your sides (Num. 33:55).
The “inhabitants of the land whom they were to drive out,” signify the evils and falsities of religion and of doctrine; for these were signified in an abstract sense by the nations of the land of Canaan. Therefore “they shall be thorns in your eyes” signifies the harm that will be done by malignant falsities to the truths of the church, and “pricks in your sides” signify the harm that will be done by malignant falsities to the goods of the church, “eyes” signifying in the Word the understanding of truth, and “sides” the things of charity, consequently goods.

sRef Rev@9 @10 S0′ 561. And their power was to hurt men five months, signifies that while in that state they induced a stupor on the understanding of truth and on the perception of good. This is evident from the signification of “to hurt,” as being to do harm, here to induce a stupor (of which presently); also from the signification of “men,” as being those who have an understanding of truth and a perception of good, and in an abstract sense the understanding of truth and the perception of good, because from these man is a man (see above, n. 546); also from the signification of “five months,” as being while in that state (see above, n. 548). “To hurt” signifies here to induce a stupor, because it is said above that “their tails were like scorpions,” and “scorpions” signify a persuasiveness that infatuates and suffocates, and thus also induces a stupor; for this persuasiveness, as has been said above, is such with spirits as to stupefy the rational and intellectual, and thus to induce a stupor.

sRef Rev@9 @11 S0′ 562. Verse 11. And they had over them a king, the angel of the abyss, signifies that they received influx from the hell where those are who are in the falsities of evil and are merely sensual. This is evident from the signification of a “king,” as being truth from good, and in the contrary sense, as here, falsity from evil (see above, n. 31); and from the signification of “the angel of the abyss,” as being the hell in which there are the falsities of evil; for “angel” here does not mean a single angel, but the hell in which such are. That an “angel” means in the Word entire angelic societies which are in like good, may be seen above (n. 90, 302, 307); therefore also an “angel” in the contrary sense signifies the infernal societies which are in like evil. The hells where those are who are in the falsities of evil and who are merely sensual are here meant, because the angel is called “the angel of the abyss,” the “abyss” meaning the hell where such are (see above, n. 538), also because this is said of the “locusts,” which signify men who have become merely sensual through infernal falsities (see above, n. 543). “To have this angel as a king over them” signifies to receive influx from hell, because all evils and all falsities therefrom are from hell, and because all who are in evils and in falsities therefrom are ruled and led by the hells, therefore hell is to such as a king who rules over them, and to whom they yield obedience; and because this, while they are living in the world, is effected by influx, and efflux from hell is what leads; thence “to have a king over them” signifies to receive influx.

sRef Rev@9 @11 S0′ 563. His name in the Hebrew Abaddon, and in the Greek he hath the name Apollyon, signifies the quality of that influx, that it is destructive of all truth and good. This is evident from the signification of “name”* as meaning the quality of a state and of a thing (see above, n. 148); also from the meaning of Abaddon in the Hebrew, which is destruction; Apollyon has the like meaning in the Greek; consequently the destruction of truth and good is meant, because these are treated of. The sensual of man, which is the ultimate of his intellectual life, is destructive of all spiritual truth and good, which is the truth and good of the church, because that sensual stands nearest to the world and clings most closely to the body; and from both these it has affections and consequent thoughts, which viewed in themselves are diametrically contrary to spiritual affections and the consequent thoughts, which are from heaven. For man from that sensual loves himself and the world above all things, and so far as these loves are dominant, so far evils and falsities from them are dominant, for evils and falsities swarm forth and flow out from these loves as from their origins. In such loves are all who have become merely sensual through evils of life and falsities therefrom.
This anyone can see from the faculty to understand that everyone possesses; for if that which stands nearest to the world and clings most closely to the body is dominant it follows that the world itself and the body itself, with all their pleasures and lusts, which are called pleasures “of the eye and of the flesh,” will be dominant, and that man in order that he may come into spiritual affections and thoughts therefrom must be entirely withdrawn and elevated from these sensual things. This withdrawing and elevation are effected by the Lord alone, so far as man suffers himself, of the Lord, to be led to the Lord, and thus to heaven, by the laws of order which are the truths and goods of the church. When this takes place, as often as man is in a spiritual state he withdraws from this ultimate sensual and is kept elevated above it; and this also for the reason that this sensual in men is altogether corrupted, for in it is what is one’s own (proprium) into which everyone is born, which in itself is nothing but evil. From this it can be seen why this sensual is called destruction, that is, “Abaddon” and “Apollyon.”
[2] It is to be known, that there are three degrees of life with every man, an inmost, a middle, and an ultimate; and that man becomes more perfect, that is, wiser, as he becomes more interior, because he thus comes so much the more interiorly into the light of heaven; also that man becomes more imperfect, that is, less wise, as he becomes more exterior, because he thus draws so much nearer to the light of the world and so much farther away from the light of heaven. From this it can be seen what is the quality of the merely sensual man who sees nothing from the light of heaven but solely from the light of the world, namely, that all things belonging to the world are to him in light and splendor, and all things belonging to heaven are in darkness and thick darkness; and when these are in darkness and in thick darkness, and the former in light and splendor, it follows that the only fire of life or the only love that incites and leads is the love of self, and the consequent love of all evils, and that the only light of life that touches and instructs the sight of the thought is that which favors the evils that are loved, and such are the falsities of evil. From this it can be seen of what quality the merely sensual man is, which is treated of thus far in this chapter.
* Latin has “man,” the Greek and the Latin just before has “name.”

sRef Rev@9 @12 S0′ 564. Verse 12. One woe is past, behold there come yet two woes after this, signifies one lamentation over the devastation of the church, and that a lamentation over its further devastation follows. This is evident from the signification of “woe,” as being a lamentation over the evils and the falsities therefrom that devastate the church (see above, n. 531).

sRef Rev@9 @14 S0′ sRef Rev@9 @18 S0′ sRef Rev@9 @19 S0′ sRef Rev@9 @17 S0′ sRef Rev@9 @13 S0′ sRef Rev@9 @15 S0′ sRef Rev@9 @16 S0′ 565. Verses 13-19. And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, Loose the four angels bound at the great river Euphrates. And the four angels were loosed, that had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year, that they should kill the third part of men. And the number of the armies of the horsemen was two myriads of myriads; and I heard the number of them. And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and those that sat on them, having breastplates fiery and hyacinthine and brimstone-like; and the heads of the horses as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths proceeded fire, and smoke, and brimstone. By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, that proceeded out of their mouths. For their power was in their mouth; for their tails were like serpents, and had heads, and with them do they hurt. 13. “And the sixth angel sounded,” signifies influx out of heaven manifesting the state of the church at its end, that it is utterly perverted (n. 566); “and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God,” signifies revelation from the Lord out of the spiritual heaven (n. 567). 14. “Saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet,” signifies respecting the perverted state of the church at its very end (n. 568); “Loose the four angels bound at the great river Euphrates,” signifies reasonings from the fallacies pertaining to the sensual man, not before received (n. 569); 15. “And the four angels were loosed,” signifies license to reason from fallacies (n. 570); “that had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year,” signifies continually in the state (n. 571); “that they should kill the third part of men,” signifies of depriving themselves of all understanding of truth, and thus of spiritual life (n. 572). 16. “And the number of the armies of the horsemen was two myriads of myriads,” signifies that the falsities of evil, from which and in favor of which they reason, that conspire against truths of good, are innumerable (n. 573); “and I heard the number of them,” signifies their quality perceived (n. 574). 17. “And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and those that sat on them,” signifies the falsifications of the Word by reasonings from fallacies (n. 575); “having breastplates fiery and hyacinthine and brimstone-like,” signifies reasonings combating from the cupidities of the love of self and of the love of the world and from falsities therefrom (n. 576); “and the heads of the horses as the heads of lions,” signifies knowledge [scientia] and thought therefrom destructive of truth (n. 577); “and out of their mouths proceeded fire, and smoke, and brimstone,” signifies thoughts and consequent reasonings springing from the love of evil, from the love of falsity, and from the lust of destroying truths and goods by falsities of evil (n. 578). 18. “By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, that proceeded out of their mouths,” signifies that all the understanding of truth and the spiritual life therefrom were extinguished by them (n. 579). 19. “For their power was in their mouth,” signifies sensual thoughts and reasonings therefrom that have most power with them (n. 580); “for their tails were like serpents, and had heads,” signifies that from sensual knowledges [scientifica] which are fallacies, they reason craftily (n. 581); “and with them do they hurt,” signifies that they thus pervert the truths and goods of the church (n. 582).

sRef Rev@9 @13 S0′ 566. Verse 13. And the sixth angel sounded, signifies influx out of heaven manifesting the state of the church at its end, that it is utterly perverted. This is evident from the signification of “sounding a trumpet” as being influx out of heaven, from which changes are effected in the lower parts, which manifest what the state of the church is (see above, n. 502); here what it is at its end, because it is the “sixth angel” that sounded; for the successive changes of the state of the church are described by the seven angels that sounded trumpets, and here its change near its end is described by the sixth angel sounding, for the end itself, which is when the Last Judgment is at hand, is described by the sounding of the seventh angel; and because at its end the state of the church is utterly perverted, this too is signified by these words.

sRef Rev@9 @13 S0′ 567. And I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, signifies revelation from the Lord out of the spiritual heaven. This is evident from the signification of “to hear a voice,” as being revelation, because what was revealed by this voice follows; also from the signification of “the golden altar which is before God,” as being the Divine spiritual (of which presently); also from the signification of “its four horns,” as being the Divine spiritual in its ultimates; for the horns were in the ultimates of both altars, both the altar of burnt-offering and the altar of incense which is the golden altar; and as the horns were the ultimates of these altars they signified the Divine in respect to power, for all power is in ultimates; from this it is that “the horns of the altars” signified the Divine in relation to omnipotence (respecting which signification see above, n. 316). That “the altar of burnt-offering” signifies the Divine celestial, which is Divine good, may be seen above (n. 391, 490, 496); while the “altar of incense” (or the golden altar) represented and thence signified the Divine spiritual, which is Divine truth proceeding from the Lord, as is evident from its description, which will be found below.
[2] It shall first be told here why the voice was heard “from the four horns of the altar.” The “horns” that projected and stood out at the ultimate parts of the above-named altars signified all things belonging to them in respect to power, as can be seen from what has been shown above (n. 346, 417), and also from what has been said and shown respecting ultimates in the Arcana Coelestia, as that interiors flow in successively into externals, even into things extreme or ultimate, and that there they exist and subsist (n. 634, 6239, 6465, 9215, 9216); that they not only flow in successively, but also form in the ultimate what is simultaneous, in what order (n. 5897, 6451, 8603, 10099); that thus strength and power are in ultimates (n. 9836); and that thence responses and revelations were given in ultimates (n. 9905, 10548). Since responses and revelations were made from ultimates, it is evident why “the voice was heard from the four horns of the golden altar,” namely, because the “golden altar” signifies the Divine spiritual, which is Divine truth which reveals, and because the “horns” signify its ultimates, through which revelation is made. The “golden altar” upon which incense was offered signifies the Divine spiritual, which is Divine truth proceeding from the Lord, because the “incense” that was offered upon the altar signified worship from spiritual good, and the hearing and acceptance of it by the Lord (see above, n. 324, 491, 492, 494).
sRef Ex@30 @1 S3′ sRef Ex@30 @7 S3′ sRef Ex@30 @4 S3′ sRef Ex@30 @8 S3′ sRef Ex@30 @2 S3′ sRef Ex@30 @6 S3′ sRef Ex@30 @10 S3′ sRef Ex@30 @9 S3′ sRef Ex@30 @5 S3′ sRef Ex@30 @3 S3′ [3] That “the altar of incense” signified the Divine spiritual, and that “offering incense” upon it signified worship from spiritual good, and the grateful hearing and acceptance of such worship by the Lord, is evident from the construction of that altar, every particular in which represented and signified these things. Its construction is thus described in Moses:
Thou shalt make an altar to burn incense upon; of shittim wood shalt thou make it. A cubit shall be the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof; foursquare shall it be; and two cubits shall be the height of it; its horns shall be from it. And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, its roof, and its walls round about, and its horns; and thou shall make for it a rim of gold round about. And two rings shalt thou make for it from under its rim, upon the two ribs thereof, upon the two sides of it shalt thou make them; and they shall be for places for the staves with which to bear it. And thou shalt make the staves of shittim wood, and overlay them with gold. And thou shalt put it before the veil that is over the ark of the Testimony, before the mercy-seat that is over the Testimony, where I will meet with thee. And Aaron shall burn thereon incense of spices in the morning; in the morning, when dressing the lamps he shall burn it; and when Aaron maketh the lamps to ascend between the evenings he shall burn it, a perpetual incense before Jehovah in your generations. Ye shall make no strange incense to ascend upon it, nor burnt-sacrifice, nor meal-offering; nor shall ye pour drink-offering upon it. And Aaron shall make expiation upon the horns of it once in the year of the blood of the expiations of sin; once in the year shall he make expiation upon it in your generations: this is the holy of holies unto Jehovah (Exod. 30:1-10).
That these particulars respecting that altar signify in the internal sense worship from spiritual good, which is the good of charity towards the neighbor, as also the grateful hearing and acceptance by the Lord, may be seen in the Arcana Coelestia (n. 10176-10213), where they are explained in series.

sRef Rev@9 @14 S0′ 568. Verse 14. Saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, signifies respecting the perverted state of the church at its very end. This is evident from the signification of “saying,” as being those things that have been revealed from heaven, and that now follow; and from the signification of “the sixth angel who had the trumpet,” as being respecting the perverted state of the church at its very end. (That these things are signified by “the sixth angel sounding,” can be seen from what has been said above, n. 566.)

sRef Rev@9 @14 S0′ 569. Loose the four angels bound at the great river Euphrates, signifies the reasonings from fallacies pertaining to the sensual man, not before accepted. This is evident from the signification of “the angels at the river Euphrates,” as being reasonings from the fallacies pertaining to the sensual man (of which presently); and because reasonings from such fallacies were not before accepted in the church these angels are said to be “bound” at that river, and they are said to be “four” because of the conjunction of falsity with evil, for this number signifies in the Word the conjunction of good and truth, and in the contrary sense, as here, the conjunction of evil and falsity (see above, n. 283, 384, 532). What precedes treats of the sensual man who is in the falsities of evil, and of the effect of the persuasions in which the sensual man is; therefore what now follows treats of the reasonings from the sensual. And because the sensual reasons only from such things as stand forth before the senses in the world, whenever it reasons respecting spiritual things, that is, the things of heaven and of the church, it reasons from fallacies, which are called the fallacies of the senses; therefore it is said here reasonings from the fallacies pertaining to the sensual man. But respecting these fallacies and reasoning from them more will be said in what follows.
[2] Here the state of the church at its very end is treated of, which is the state when the men of the church, having become sensual, reason from the fallacies of the senses; and when they reason from these respecting the things of heaven and the church they believe nothing at all because they understand nothing. It is known in the church that the natural man does not perceive the things of heaven unless the Lord flows in and enlightens, which influx is through the spiritual man; much less does the sensual man perceive these, for the sensual is the ultimate natural, to which the things of heaven, which are called spiritual things, are altogether in thick darkness. Genuine reasonings respecting spiritual things spring from the influx of heaven into the spiritual man, and thence through the rational into the knowledges and cognitions which are in the natural man, by means of which the spiritual man confirms himself. This way of reasoning respecting spiritual things is according to order. But reasonings about spiritual things that come from the natural man, and still more those that come from the sensual man, are entirely contrary to order; for the natural man cannot flow into the spiritual man and see anything there from itself, still less can the sensual man, since there is no physical influx; but the spiritual man can flow into the natural and from that into the sensual, since there is spiritual influx. (But on this see further in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 51, 277, 278.)
[3] From this what is meant by the things that now follow can be seen, namely, that at the very end of the church man speaks and reasons respecting spiritual things, or the things of heaven and the church, from the corporeal-sensual and thus from the fallacies of the senses; although therefore man then speaks in favor of Divine things he does not think in favor of them; for a man is able to speak in one way from the body while thinking in another way in his spirit; and while the spirit which thinks from the corporeal-sensual is unable to think in any other way than against Divine things, nevertheless from the corporeal-sensual it is able to speak in favor of them, and this especially for the reason that Divine things are to him the means of acquiring honor and gain. Every man has two memories, a natural memory and a spiritual memory, and he is able to think from either, from the natural memory when he is speaking with men in the world, but from the spiritual memory when he is speaking from the spirit; but man rarely speaks from the spirit with another, from the spirit he speaks only with himself, which is thinking. They who are sensual men are unable to speak with themselves from their spirit, or to think, in any other way than in favor of nature, consequently in favor of things corporeal and worldly, for the sensual man thinks from the sensual, and not from the spiritual; indeed, he is wholly ignorant of what the spiritual is, because he has closed the spiritual mind in himself, into which heaven flows with its light.
[4] But let us go on to explain these words, that “a voice was heard from the horns of the golden altar, saying to the sixth angel that he should loose the four angels bound at the river Euphrates.” “The river Euphrates” signifies the rational, and thence also reasoning; this is the signification of this river because it divided Assyria from the land of Canaan, and “Assyria” or “Asshur” signifies the rational, and “the land of Canaan” the spiritual. There were three rivers, besides the sea, that were boundaries of the land of Canaan, namely, the river of Egypt, the river Euphrates, and the river Jordan. “The river of Egypt” signified the knowledge [scientia] of the natural man; “the river Euphrates” signified the rational which is in man from knowledges and cognitions; and “the river Jordan” signifies entrance into the internal or spiritual church; for “the regions beyond Jordan,” where the tribes of Reuben and Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh had their inheritances allotted them, signified the external or natural church, and because that river was between those regions and the land of Canaan, and through it was the passage from one to the other, it signified entrance from the external church, which is natural, into the internal church which is spiritual. It was for this reason that baptism was there instituted, for baptism represented the regeneration of man, whereby the natural man is introduced into the church and becomes spiritual.
[5] This explains what these three rivers signify in the Word. All those places also outside of the land of Canaan signified such things as belong to the natural man, while those within the land of Canaan signified such things as belong to the spiritual man, thus the things of heaven and the church. Therefore the two rivers, “the river of Egypt” (or the Nile), and “the river of Assyria” (or the Euphrates), signified the terminations of the church, and also the introductions into the church. Moreover, cognitions and knowledges which are signified by “the river of Egypt,” are what introduce, for without cognitions and knowledges no one can be introduced into the church nor perceive the things that belong to the church; for the spiritual man sees its spiritual things in knowledges [scientiae] by means of the rational, as man sees himself in a mirror, and recognizes himself in them, that is, its truths and goods, and moreover confirms its spiritual things by means of cognitions and knowledges, both those known from the Word and those known from the world.
[6] But “the river of Assyria” (or the Euphrates) signifies the rational, because man by the rational is introduced into the church. By the rational is meant the thought of the natural man from cognitions and knowledges, for a man who is imbued with knowledges [scientiae] is able to see things in series, that is, from first and mediate things to see the last, which is called the conclusion, and can therefore analytically arrange, turn over, separate, conjoin, and at length conclude things, even to a further end, and at length to the final end; which is the use that he loves. This, then, is the rational which is given to every man according to uses, which are the ends that he loves. Since everyone’s rational comes into accord with the uses of his love, therefore it is the interior thought of the natural man from the influx of the light of heaven; and as man through rational thought is introduced into spiritual thought and becomes a church, so that river signifies the natural* which introduces.
[7] It is one thing to be rational, and another to be spiritual; every spiritual man is also rational, but the rational man is not always spiritual, since the rational is in the natural man, that is, is its thought, while the spiritual is above the rational, and through the rational passes into the natural, into the cognitions and knowledges of its memory.
[8] But it is to be known that the rational does not introduce anyone into the spiritual, but it is only said to do so because such is the appearance; for the spiritual flows into the natural through the rational as a medium, and in this way it introduces. For the spiritual is the inflowing Divine, since it is the light of heaven, which is the Divine truth proceeding, and this light through the higher mind, which is called the spiritual mind, flows into the lower mind, which is called the natural mind, and conjoins this to itself, and through that conjunction causes the natural mind to make one with the spiritual; thus introduction is effected. Since it is contrary to Divine order for man to enter through his rational into the spiritual, therefore in the spiritual world there are angel guards to prevent this from taking place. This makes evident the signification of “the four angels bound at the river Euphrates,” and afterwards the signification of “loosing” them. “The angels bound at the river Euphrates” signify the guard against man’s natural entering into the spiritual things of heaven and the church, for thence would result nothing but errors and heresies, and at length denial.
[9] Moreover, in the spiritual world there are ways that lead to hell and ways that lead to heaven; also ways that lead from spiritual things to natural and thus to sensual things; and in those ways there are also guards lest anyone should go in the opposite direction, for thus he would fall into heresies and errors, as has just been said. These guards are set by the Lord at the beginning of the establishment of a church, and are also maintained, lest the man of the church from his own reason or his own understanding should invade the Divine things of the Word and thence of the church. But at the end, when the men of the church are no longer spiritual but are natural, and many are merely sensual, and thus there is no way open with the man of the church from the spiritual man into the natural, then these guards are removed and the ways are opened, and in these opened ways they advance in a contrary order, which is done by reasonings from fallacies. Thus** it is that the man of the church speaks in favor of Divine things with the mouth, while in heart he thinks against them, that is, he is in favor of Divine things from the body and against them from the spirit; for reasoning respecting Divine things from the natural and sensual man has this effect. From this then the signification of “the four angels bound at the river Euphrates,” and their being “loosed” can now be seen.
sRef Gen@15 @18 S10′ [10] That “the river Euphrates” signifies the rational, through which there is a way from the spiritual man into the natural, can be seen from the following passages in the Word. In Moses:
Jehovah made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed I will give this land, from the river of Egypt even to the great river, the river Euphrates (Gen. 15:18).
In the sense of the letter this describes the extension of the land of Canaan, but in the internal sense it describes the extension of the church from its first boundary to its last; its first boundary is the knowing faculty [scientificum] which is of the natural man, the other boundary is the rational which is of the thought; the first, namely, the knowing faculty, which is of the natural man, is signified by “the river of Egypt,” the Nile; while the rational, which is of the thought, is signified by “the river of Assyria,” the Euphrates; to these two the spiritual church, which is signified by “the land of Canaan,” extends itself, so too does the spiritual mind which is with the man of the church. Both these, the knowing faculty and the rational, are in the natural man, the one limit of which is the knowing and cognitive faculty, and the other is the intuitive and thinking faculty, and into these limits the spiritual man flows when it flows into the natural man; the conjunction of the Lord with the church by means of these is signified by the “covenant” that Jehovah made with Abram. Such is the signification of these words in the internal sense, while in the highest sense, they mean the union of the Divine Essence with the Lord’s Human; according to this sense these words are explained in the Arcana Coelestia (n. 1863-1866).
sRef Zech@9 @10 S11′ [11] In Zechariah:
His dominion shall be from sea even to sea, and from the river even to the ends of the earth (9:10; also in Ps. 72:8).
This was said of the Lord and of His dominion over heaven and earth; and the “dominion from sea even to sea” signifies the extension of natural things, and “the dominion from the river even to the ends of the earth” signifies the extension of rational and spiritual things (see also above, n. 518).
sRef Josh@1 @4 S12′ sRef Deut@1 @7 S12′ sRef Deut@1 @8 S12′ sRef Deut@11 @24 S12′ [12] In Moses:
The land of the Canaanites and Lebanon, even to the great river, the river Euphrates, behold I have given the land before you; go in and possess it by inheritance (Deut. 1:7, 8).
In the same:
Every place whereon the sole of your foot shall tread shall be yours from the wilderness and Lebanon, from the river, the river Euphrates even unto the hinder sea shall your border be (Deut. 11:24).
And in Joshua:
From the wilderness and this Lebanon, even to the great river, the river Euphrates, the whole land of the Hittites, and even to the great sea, the going down of the sun, shall be your border (1:4).
In these passages the extension of the church from one limit to the other is described; one of its limits, which is the cognitive and knowing faculty, is signified by “Lebanon” and “the sea;” and the other limit, which is the intuitive and thinking faculty, is signified by “the river Euphrates;” the extension of the land of Canaan means the extension of the church, for in the Word “the land of Canaan” signifies the church. “River” is twice mentioned, namely, “the great river, the river Euphrates,” because “the great river” signifies the influx of spiritual things into rational, and “the river Euphrates” the influx of rational things into natural, thus the two signify the influx of spiritual things through the rational into natural things.
sRef Micah@7 @12 S13′ [13] In Micah:
This is the day in which they shall even come to thee from Assyria, and to the cities of Egypt, and thence from Egypt even to the river, and from sea to sea, and from mountain to mountain (7:12).
This describes the establishment of the church by the Lord among the Gentiles, “this day” signifying the Lord’s coming; the extension of the church among them from one limit to the other is signified by “they shall come from Assyria to the cities of Egypt and from Egypt to the river;” the extension of truth from one limit to the other is signified by “from sea to sea,” and the extension of good by “from mountain to mountain.”
sRef Ps@80 @11 S14′ sRef Ps@80 @8 S14′ sRef Gen@2 @14 S14′ [14] In David:
Thou hast caused a vine to go forth out of Egypt; Thou didst drive out the nations and didst plant it. Thou hast sent out its boughs even unto the sea, and its shoots unto the river (Ps. 80:8, 11).
The “vine that God caused to go forth out of Egypt” means the sons of Israel, and signifies the church, for a “vine” signifies the spiritual church, and this was signified also by “the sons of Israel;” and because the church is called a “vine,” it is said, “Thou didst plant it, Thou hast sent out its boughs even unto the sea, and its shoots unto the river,” which describes the extension of the spiritual things of the church, the “sea” meaning one of its limits, and the “river,” by which is meant the Euphrates, the other. The Euphrates:
As the fourth river that went out of Eden (Gen. 2:14);
also signifies the rational, for “the garden of Eden” (or Paradise) signifies wisdom. The signification of the other three rivers may be seen in the Arcana Coelestia (n. 107-121).
[15] As “the river Euphrates” signifies the rational, so in the contrary sense it signifies reasoning; reasoning here means thinking and arguing from fallacies and falsities, while the rational means thinking and arguing from knowledges (scientiae) and from truths; for the rational is cultivated always by knowledges, and is formed by truths, therefore one who is led by truths or whom truths lead, is called a rational man; but a man who is not rational has the ability to reason, for by various reasonings he is able to confirm falsities, and also to induce the simple to believe them, which is done mainly by means of the fallacies of the senses (of which below).
sRef Jer@2 @18 S16′ [16] Such reasoning is signified by “the river Euphrates” in the following passages. In Jeremiah:
What hast thou to do with the way of Egypt, to drink the waters of Sihor? And what hast thou to do with the way of Assyria, to drink the waters of the river? (2:18)
This signifies that spiritual things must not be searched into by means of the knowledges [scientifica] of the natural man, nor by means of reasonings therefrom, but by the means of the Word, thus out of heaven from the Lord; for those who are in spiritual affection, and in spiritual thought therefrom, see the knowledges [scientifica] of the natural man and reasonings therefrom as below them, but from these no one can see spiritual things; from above one can look down on lower things on every side, but not the reverse. To search into spiritual things by means of the knowledges of the natural man is signified by “What hast thou to do with the way of Egypt, to drink the waters of Sihor?” and by means of reasonings therefrom is signified by “what hast thou to do with the way of Assyria, to drink the waters of the river?” “Egypt and its river” signify the knowledges of the natural man, and “Assyria and its river” signify the reasonings from them.
sRef Isa@7 @20 S17′ [17] In Isaiah:
In that day shall the Lord shave with a razor that is hired in the crossings of the river, by means of the King of Assyria, the head and the hairs of the feet, and shall also consume the beard (7:20).
This treats of the state of the church at its end, when the Lord is about to come; that reasonings from falsities will then deprive the men of the church of all spiritual wisdom and intelligence is described by these words. The reasonings by which this is done are signified by “the king of Assyria, in the crossings of the river,” namely, the Euphrates. The deprivation of spiritual wisdom and of spiritual intelligence therefrom is signified by “the hairs of the head and of the feet shall be shaven with a razor that is hired, and the beard shall be consumed;” for “hairs” signify natural things upon which spiritual things operate and into which they close; therefore “hairs” signify in the Word the ultimates of wisdom and intelligence, “the hair of the head” signifying the ultimates of wisdom, the “beard” the ultimates of intelligence, and “the hair of the feet” the ultimates of knowledge [scientia]. When these ultimates are not, there are no prior things, as when there is no base for the column, nor foundation for the house. Those who have deprived themselves of intelligence by means of reasonings from fallacies and from falsities appear bald in the spiritual world (see above, n. 66).
sRef Jer@46 @10 S18′ sRef Jer@46 @2 S18′ sRef Jer@46 @6 S18′ sRef Isa@8 @7 S18′ sRef Isa@8 @8 S18′ [18] In the same:
Behold the Lord hath made to go up upon them the waters of the river strong and many, the king of Assyria and all his glory; and he shall go up over all his channels, and shall go over all his banks; he shall go through Judah, he shall overflow and pass over (Isa. 8:7, 8).
These words signify that each and every thing of the Word is to be falsified in the church by means of reasonings from fallacies and falsities; “the waters of the river strong and many, the king of Assyria,” signifies reasonings from mere fallacies and falsities; “he shall go up over all his channels and over all his banks” signifies that by these each and every thing of the Word will be falsified; “Judah, which he will overflow and pass over,” signifies the church where the Word is, and thus the Word.
[19] In Jeremiah:
Against the army of Pharaoh king of Egypt, which was by the river Euphrates which Nebuchadnezzar smote. Towards the north by the bank of the river Euphrates they stumbled and fell (46:2, 6, 10).
This signifies the destruction of the church, and of its truths by false reasonings from knowledges [scientifica]; “the river Euphrates” signifies false reasonings; “Egypt and its army” confirming knowledges [scientifica]; “the north where they stumbled and fell,” signifies the source of these falsities. (On this see above, n. 518.)
sRef Jer@13 @11 S20′ sRef Jer@13 @2 S20′ sRef Jer@13 @1 S20′ sRef Jer@13 @3 S20′ sRef Jer@13 @6 S20′ sRef Jer@13 @7 S20′ sRef Jer@13 @4 S20′ sRef Jer@13 @5 S20′ [20] In the same:
Jehovah told the prophet to buy a linen girdle, and to put it upon the loins, but not to draw it through water; and then to go to the Euphrates, and hide the girdle there in a hole of the rock. And he went and hid it by the Euphrates. Afterwards, at the end of many days, Jehovah said, Arise, go to the Euphrates, and take the girdle from thence. And he went and took it, and behold, the girdle was marred, it was profitable for nothing. Thus as the girdle cleaveth to the loins of a man, so have I made to cleave unto Me the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah, that they might be unto Me for a name, and for a praise, and for a splendor; but they would not hearken (Jer. 13:1-7, 11).
This represented of what quality the Israelitish and Jewish Church was and what it became; the “linen girdle which the prophet put upon his loins” signifies the conjunction of the church with the Lord by means of the Word; for the “prophet” signifies doctrine from the Word, and the “girdle upon the prophet’s loins” signifies conjunction. Falsifications of the Word by evils of life and falsities of doctrine, and thence reasonings that favor these, are signified by “the girdle was marred in the hole of the rock by the Euphrates.” For by means of the Word there is conjunction of the Lord with the church, and when the Word is perverted by reasonings that favor evils and falsities there is no longer any conjunction, and this also is what is meant by “the girdle was profitable for nothing.” That this was done by the Jews is evident from the Word both of the Old and New Testaments. From the Word of the New Testament it is evident that they perverted all things written in the Word respecting the Lord, and all the essentials of the church, and that they falsified these by their traditions.
sRef Jer@51 @64 S21′ sRef Jer@51 @63 S21′ [21] In the same:
When thou hast made an end of reading this book thou shalt bind a stone to it and cast it into the midst of the Euphrates; and thou shalt say, Thus shall Babylon sink, and shall not rise again (Jer. 51:63, 64).
The prophet’s “book” which he read, means in particular the Word that was in that book, but in general the whole Word; “he cast it into the midst of the Euphrates” signifies that in process of time the Word was falsified through reasonings that favor evils by those who are meant by “Babylon,” who are such as adulterate the Word.
sRef Isa@11 @15 S22′ sRef Isa@11 @16 S22′ sRef Rev@16 @12 S22′ [22] In Isaiah:
And Jehovah shall make utterly accursed the tongue of the sea of Egypt; and with the vehemence of His wind shall He shake His hand over the river Euphrates, and shall smite it into seven brooks, to make a way with shoes. Then there shall be a highway for the remnant of His people which shall be left from Assyria; like as there was to Israel when he came up out of the land of Egypt (11:15, 16).
This signifies that before those who are in truths from good from the Lord, that is, who are of the church, all falsities and reasonings from them shall be dispersed, and that they shall pass safely as it were through the midst of them; this is so in the spiritual world with those whom the Lord protects. This has a similar meaning as “the drying up of the Sea Suph before the sons of Israel.” Those who will pass through under the Lord’s protection are signified by “the remnant of the people which shall be left from Assyria,” “those left from Assyria” signifying those who have not perished by reasonings from falsities. The following in Revelation has a similar signification:
And the sixth angel poured out of his bowl upon the river Euphrates, and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings who are from the rising of the sun might be made ready (16:12).
This will be more fully explained below in its place.
[23] From this it can now be seen that “the river Euphrates” signifies the rational by means of which the spiritual mind enters into the natural, and that in the contrary sense it signifies reasoning from fallacies and from falsities. But it is to be known that reasonings are in a like degree as the thoughts are, since they descend from the thoughts; thus there are reasonings from the spiritual man which might better be called conclusions from reasons and from truths; there are reasonings from the natural man, and there are reasonings from the sensual man. Reasonings from the spiritual man are rational, and therefore might better be called conclusions from reasons and from truths, because they are from the interior and from the light of heaven; but reasonings from the natural man respecting spiritual things are not rational, however rational they may be in things moral and civil, which are evident before the eyes, because they are from natural light alone; but reasonings from the sensual man respecting spiritual things are irrational, because they are from fallacies and thus from ideas that are false; these are the reasonings here treated of in Revelation.
* Latin has “natural,” though the “rational” seems to be intended.
** Latin has “but thus.”

sRef Rev@9 @15 S0′ 570. Verse 15. And the four angels were loosed, signifies license to reason from fallacies. This is evident from the signification of “the four angels bound at the river Euphrates,” as being reasonings from fallacies which are of the sensual man, not accepted before (see above n. 569); from this it follows that “they were loosed” signifies license to reason now from fallacies. This license was now granted because the sensual man only reasons from such things as he sees in the world with his eyes, while the things that are within and above these he declares cannot be, since he does not see them; this is why the things that belong to heaven and the church, because they are above his thoughts, he either denies or does not believe, but ascribes all things to nature. Thus the sensual man thinks by himself or in his spirit, but otherwise before the world, for before the world he speaks from his memory, even about spiritual things from the Word or from the doctrine of the church; and what he says has a similar sound as when a spiritual man says it. Such is the state of men of the church at its end; and although they fit together words which they speak or preach seemingly from a spiritual origin, they nevertheless flow from the ultimate sensual in which their spirit is, and this when left to itself reasons against them, because it reasons from fallacies, consequently from falsities.

sRef Rev@9 @15 S0′ 571. That had been prepared for the hour, and day, and month, and year, signifies continually in the state. This is evident from the signification of “being prepared for the hour and day and month and year,” as being to be continually in the state, that is, of depriving themselves of all understanding of truth, and thence of spiritual life, which is signified by what follows, namely, “that they should kill the third part of men;” for “hours,” “days,” “months,” and “years,” signify in the Word the states of life in particular and in general, therefore “to be prepared for” these periods signifies to be continually in that state. “Hours,” “days,” “months,” and “years,” do not mean hours, days, months, and years, because in the spiritual world times are not divided into such intervals, for the sun from which the angelic heaven has its light and its heat is not carried around as the sun in the natural world is apparently, therefore it does not cause years, months, days, or hours; but times in the spiritual world, although they succeed each other as times do in the natural world, are distinguished by the states of life. (What these are may be seen in the work on Heaven and Hell, under the head, The Sun in Heaven, n. 116-125; Changes of the State of the Angels in Heaven, n. 154-161; Time in Heaven, n. 162-169.) From this it can he seen that the angels “had been prepared for the hour, day, month, and year,” signifies to be continually in the state that is treated of in what follows. That an “hour,” signifies state, so also a “day,” a “month,” and a “year,” in like manner, is evident from the passages in the Word in which they are mentioned, but to quote those passages here would be too lengthy. (This, however, can be seen from what is shown respecting Time in the work on Heaven and Hell; also Arcana Coelestia, that “times” do not signify in the Word times, but states of life, n. 2788, 2837, 3254, 3356, 4814, 4901, 4916, 7218, 8070, 10133, 10605.) “Times” signify states for the reason that in the spiritual world there are no stated times of the day called morning, noon, evening, and night, nor stated times of the year called spring, summer, autumn, and winter; nor are there changes of light and shade, of heat and cold, as in our world, but instead of these there are changes of state in respect to love and faith; and from these no idea can be had of the intervals into which our times are divided, although times have progression there as in the natural world (as to this see Arcana Coelestia, n. 1274, 1382, 3356, 4882, 6110, 7218). And as the sun of the angelic heaven, which is the Lord, is continually in its rising, and makes no revolutions as the sun of our world apparently does, but there are instead merely changes of state with the angels and spirits according to their reception of the good of love and the truth of faith, therefore times correspond to changes of state and signify them (Arcana Coelestia, n. 4901, 7381). Therefore angels and spirits think apart from any idea of time, which man cannot do (Arcana Coelestia, n. 3404).

sRef Rev@9 @15 S0′ 572. That they should kill the third part of men, signifies of depriving themselves of all understanding of truth, and thus of spiritual life. This is evident from the signification of “to kill,” as being to deprive of spiritual life (see above, n. 547); and from the signification of “men,” as being the understanding of truth (see also above, n. 546, 547); “the third part,” in reference to truths, means all (see above, n. 506); so here “to kill the third part of men” signifies the deprivation of all understanding of truth. It means to deprive themselves, because those who become sensual through evils of life and falsities of doctrine deprive* themselves, by reasonings from fallacies, of the understanding of truth, but not others, except such as are sensual. They thus deprive themselves of spiritual life, because man has spiritual life through his understanding, for he becomes a spiritual man in the measure in which his understanding is opened and permits itself to be enlightened by means of truths. But it is by means of truths from good that the understanding is opened, not by means of truths without good; for man thinks truth so far as he lives in the good of love and charity. Truth indeed is the form of good, and all good with man is of his will, and all truth is of his understanding; therefore the good of the will presents its form in the understanding, and the form itself is thought from the understanding which is from the will.
* Latin has “may deprive.”

sRef Rev@9 @16 S0′ 573. Verse 16. And the number of the armies of the horsemen was two myriads of myriads, signifies that the falsities of evil from which and in favor of which they reason and which conspire against the truths of good, are innumerable. This is evident from the signification of “armies,” as meaning the falsities of evil (of which presently); and from the signification of “horsemen,” as being the reasonings therefrom, for “horses” signify the understanding of truth, and in the contrary sense the understanding perverted and destroyed (see above, n. 355, 364, 372, 373, 381, 382); so “horsemen” in this sense signify the reasonings from falsities, since reasonings from falsities are from the understanding perverted and destroyed, for truths constitute the understanding, but falsities destroy it. The above is evident also from the signification of “two myriads of myriads,” as being innumerable falsities conspiring against truths of good (that “myriads” signify things innumerable, and are predicated of truths, see above, n. 336), and it is said “two myriads of myriads” because this signifies things innumerable that are conjoined and conspire; for the number “two” signifies conjunction, concord, and conspiracy (see above, n. 283, 384). It means against the truths of good, because what follows treats of the destruction of truths by the armies of such horsemen. From this it can be seen that “the number of the armies of the horsemen was two myriads of myriads” signifies that the falsities of evil from which and in favor of which they reason, and which conspire against the truths of good, are innumerable.
[2] “Armies” (or hosts) are frequently mentioned in the Word, and the Lord is called “Jehovah of Hosts or Zebaoth,” and “armies” there signify truths from good fighting against the falsities from evil, and in the contrary sense falsities from evil fighting against truths from good. Such is the signification of “armies” in the Word, because “wars” in the Word, both in the histories and prophecies, signify, in the internal sense spiritual wars, which are waged against hell and against the diabolical crew there, and such wars have relation to truths and goods opposing falsities and evils; this is why “armies” signify all truths from good, and in the contrary sense all falsities from evil. That “armies” signify all truths from good is evident from the sun, moon, stars, and also the angels, being called “the armies of Jehovah,” because they signify all truths from good in the complex; also from the sons of Israel being called “armies,” because they signified the truths and goods of the church. And as all truths and goods are from the Lord, and the Lord alone fights for all in heaven and for all in the church against the falsities and evils which are from hell, so He is called “Jehovah Zebaoth,” that is, “Jehovah of Hosts.”
sRef Isa@40 @26 S3′ sRef Isa@45 @12 S3′ sRef Ps@148 @2 S3′ sRef Jer@33 @22 S3′ sRef Gen@2 @1 S3′ sRef Ps@33 @6 S3′ sRef Isa@34 @4 S3′ sRef Ps@148 @3 S3′ [3] That the sun, the moon, and the stars, are called “hosts” is evident from the following passages. In Moses:
Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them (Gen. 2:1).
In David:
By the word of Jehovah were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth (Ps. 33:6).
In the same:
Praise ye Jehovah, all His angels; praise ye Him, all His hosts; praise ye Him, sun and moon; praise Him, all ye stars of light (Ps. 148:2, 3).
In Isaiah:
And all the host of the heavens shall waste away, and the heavens shall be rolled up as a scroll; and all their hosts shall fall down, as the leaf falleth off from the vine, and as that which falleth from the fig-tree (34:4).
I have made the earth, and created man upon it; My hands have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded (45:12).
In the same:
Lift up your eyes on high, and see who hath created these, who leadeth out their host in number, who calleth them all by name (40:26).
In Jeremiah:
As the host of the heavens is not numbered, and the sand of the sea is not measured (33:22).
In these passages, the sun, moon, and stars, are called a “host” because the “sun” signifies the good of love, the “moon,” truth from good, and the “stars” the knowledges of truth and good, consequently they signify goods and truths in the whole complex, and these are called a “host” because they resist evils and falsities, and perpetually conquer them as enemies.
sRef Dan@8 @11 S4′ sRef Dan@8 @12 S4′ sRef Dan@8 @13 S4′ sRef Dan@8 @14 S4′ sRef Dan@8 @10 S4′ [4] In Daniel:
One horn of the he-goat waxed great even to the host of the heavens; and some of the host and of the stars it cast down to the earth, and trampled upon them. Yea, it magnified itself even to the Prince of the Host; and the continual offering was taken away from him, and the dwelling place of his sanctuary was cast down. And the host was given to the continual offering for transgression, because it cast down the truth to the earth. Then one holy one said, How long shall be the vision, the continual offering, and the wasting transgression, that the holy place and the host be given to be trodden down? And he said, Even to the evening, the morning (Dan. 8:10-14).
What is here signified by the “he-goat,” “his horns,” and this “horn that waxed great even to the host of the heavens,” may be seen above (n. 316, 336, 535). “The host of the heavens, some of which it cast down to the earth,” means the truths and goods of heaven; for the last state of the church, when the truths and goods of heaven are esteemed as of no account, and rejected, is here treated of, and this is signified by “treading them down;” therefore it is added, “it cast down truth to the earth.” “The Prince of the Host” means the Lord, who is also called “Jehovah God Zebaoth” (or of Hosts). That all worship from the good of love and from the truths of faith would perish is signified by “the continual offering was taken away from him, and the dwelling place of his sanctuary was cast down.” That this would come to pass in the end of the church, when the Lord would come into the world, is signified by “even to the evening, the morning,” “evening” signifying the last time of the old church, and “morning” the first time of the new church.
sRef Rev@19 @19 S5′ sRef 1Ki@22 @19 S5′ sRef Joel@2 @11 S5′ sRef 1Ki@22 @20 S5′ sRef Ps@103 @21 S5′ sRef Rev@19 @14 S5′ sRef Zech@9 @8 S5′ [5] That the angels are called “hosts” is evident from the following passages. In Joel:
Jehovah uttered His voice before His host; for His camp was very great (2:11).
In Zechariah:
I will set a camp for my house from my host, because of him that passeth away and of him that returneth, that no exactor may again pass through over them (9:8).
In David:
Bless ye Jehovah, all ye His hosts, ye ministers of His that do His will (Ps. 103:21).
In the first book of Kings:
Micaiah the prophet said to the king, I saw Jehovah sitting on His throne, and the whole host of the heavens standing beside Him on His right hand and on His left. And one said in this manner, and another said in that manner (22:19, 20).
In Revelation:
His hosts in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean (19:14).
And again:
I saw the beast and the kings of the earth, and their hosts gathered together to make war with Him that sat on the white horse, and with His hosts (19:19).
The angels gathered together, or a company of them, is called “a host,” because “the angels,” the same as “hosts” signify Divine truths and goods, because they are recipients of these from the Lord (about which see above, n. 130, 200, 302).
sRef Num@2 @3 S6′ sRef Num@4 @30 S6′ sRef Num@4 @39 S6′ sRef Ex@12 @41 S6′ sRef Ex@7 @4 S6′ sRef Num@1 @3 S6′ sRef Num@4 @3 S6′ sRef Num@2 @9 S6′ sRef Ex@6 @26 S6′ sRef Num@4 @23 S6′ sRef Num@2 @24 S6′ [6] For the same reason the sons of Israel, because they signify the truths and goods of the church, are called “hosts,” as in the following passages. In Moses:
Jehovah said, Bring out the sons of Israel from the land of Egypt according to their hosts (Exod. 6:26).
In the same:
I will bring forth My host, My people, the sons of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great judgments (Exod. 7:4; 12:17).
In the same:
It came to pass on that very day that all the hosts of Jehovah went forth from the land of Egypt (Exod. 12:41).
In the same:
Thou shalt number all that go forth into the host (Num. 1:3, et seq.).
They were to pitch about the Tent of meeting, and were also to go forth according to their hosts (Num. 2:3, 9, 16, 24).
The Levites were to be taken to perform the warfare, to do the work in the Tent of meeting (Num. 4:3, 23, 30, 39).
The sons of Israel were called the “hosts of Jehovah” because they represented the church, and signified all its truths and goods (as can be seen in Arcana Coelestia, n. 5414, 5801, 5803, 5806, 5812, 5817, 5819, 5826, 5833, 5879, 5951, 6637, 6862, 6868, 7035, 7062, 7198, 7201, 7215, 7223, 7957, 8234, 8805, 9340). They were called “hosts,” in the plural, because each tribe was called a “host,” as can be seen in Moses, when it was commanded him to number them all according to their hosts, and they were numbered according to their tribes (Num. 1, 3, et seq.); likewise when the camp was pitched about the Tent of meeting according to the tribes, it is said “according to their hosts” (Num. 2:3, 9, et seq.). The tribes were called “hosts” because the twelve tribes taken together represented all the truths and goods of the church, and each tribe some universal essential of the church (see above, n. 431).
sRef Isa@29 @6 S7′ [7] From this it can be seen that the truths and goods of heaven and the church are meant in the Word by “hosts;” which makes clear why it is that Jehovah is called in the Word “Jehovah Zebaoth,” and “Jehovah God Zebaoth,” that is, “of hosts” (as in Isa. 1:9, 24; 2:12; 3:1, 15; 5:7, 9, 16, 24; 6:3, 5; 8:13, 18; 14:22, 23, 24, 27; 17:3; 25:6; 28:5, 22, 29; 29:6; 31:4, 5; 37:16; Jer. 5:14; 38:17; 44:7; Amos 5:16; Hag. 1:9, 14; 2:4, 8, 23; Zech. 1:3; Mal. 2:12, and various other places).
sRef Jer@19 @13 S8′ sRef Jer@8 @2 S8′ sRef Deut@4 @19 S8′ sRef Zeph@1 @5 S8′ [8] From this it is now evident that “hosts” signify the truths and goods of heaven and the church in the whole complex; and as most things in the Word have also a contrary sense, so do “hosts,” and in that sense they signify falsities and evils in their whole complex, as in the following passages in Jeremiah:
Upon the roofs of the houses they have burned incense unto all the host of the heavens, and have poured out drink-offerings unto other gods (19:13).
In Zephaniah:
They worship upon the roofs the host of the heavens (1:5).
In Moses:
Lest thou bow thyself down to and serve the sun and the moon and the stars, and all the host of the heavens (Deut. 4:19; 17:3).
In Jeremiah:
They shall spread out the bones taken from the graves before the sun and the moon and all the host of the heavens, whom they have loved and whom they have served (8:2).
Here “the host of the heavens” means the sun, moon, and stars, because these signify all goods and truths in the complex, but here all evils and falsities in the complex; for the “sun” in the contrary sense, as here, signifies all the evil flowing from the love of self, the “moon” the falsity of faith, and the “stars” falsities in general (that the “sun, moon, and stars,” in the natural world, when they are worshiped instead of the sun and moon of the angelic heaven, signify direful evils and falsities, may be seen in the work Heaven and Hell, n. 122, 123; as also above, n. 401, 402, 525); and because truths from good fight against the falsities from evil, and reversely the falsities from evil fight against the truths from good, they are called “hosts;” for there is continual combat; evils and falsities continually exhale from the hells, and endeavor to destroy the truths from good that are in heaven and from heaven, and these continually resist. For everywhere in the spiritual world there is an equilibrium between heaven and hell; and where there is an equilibrium, there two forces continually act against each other; one acts and the other reacts, and continual action and reaction is continual combat; but equilibrium is provided by the Lord (on this see the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 589-596, and n. 597-603). And as there is such continual combat between Heaven and Hell, therefore as all things of heaven are called “hosts,” so are all things of hell; all things of heaven have reference to goods and truths, and all things of hell to evils and falsities.
sRef Isa@34 @2 S9′ [9] This then is why “hosts” in the following passages signify the falsities of evil. In Isaiah:
The anger of Jehovah is against all nations, and His wrath against all their host; He hath devoted them, He hath given them to the slaughter (34:2).
“Nations” signify evils, and “host” the falsities from evil; their total destruction is signified by “He hath devoted and hath given to the slaughter.”
sRef Isa@13 @4 S10′ [10] In the same:
The voice of the multitude in the mountains like as of a great people; the voice of a tumult of the kingdoms of the nations gathered together; Jehovah of Hosts leadeth the host (Isa. 13:4).
“The voice of a multitude in the mountains” signifies falsities from evils, “the multitude” meaning falsities, and “the mountains” evils; “like as of a great people” signifies appearing to be truth from good, “like as” meaning appearance, “people” those who are in truths, thus truths, and “great” is predicated of good; “the voice of a tumult of the kingdoms of the nations gathered together” signifies discord in the church arising from evils and falsities therefrom, “the voice of a tumult” signifying discord, “kingdoms” the churches in respect to truths and as to falsities, and “nations gathered together” in respect to evils and falsities therefrom conspiring against the truths and goods of the church; “Jehovah of Hosts leadeth the host” signifies that the Lord does this, for this is attributed to the Lord, as is evident from the next verse, the fifth, where it is said, “Jehovah cometh with the weapons of His anger to destroy the whole land.” This is attributed to the Lord just as evil, the punishment of evil, and the destruction of the church are attributed to Him elsewhere, because such is the appearance, and the sense of the letter of the Word is in accordance with appearances; but in the spiritual sense this means that the man of the church himself does this.
sRef Jer@51 @3 S11′ sRef Ex@14 @28 S11′ [11] In Jeremiah:
Spare ye not her young men; give to the curse all her host (51:3).
This is said of Babylon; and “Spare not her young men” signifies the destruction of confirmed falsities; “give to the curse all her host” signifies the total destruction of falsities from the evils that are in her, thus the destruction of Babylon. The falsities from evil are signified also by:
The army of the Chaldeans, and the army of Pharaoh (Jer. 37:7, 10, 11, et seq.);
and in Moses:
The waters returned and covered the chariots and the horsemen, with the whole army of Pharaoh (Exod. 14:28; 15:4).
(This may be seen explained above, n. 355; and in Arcana Coelestia, n. 8230, 8275.)
sRef Dan@11 @15 S12′ sRef Dan@11 @25 S12′ sRef Dan@11 @13 S12′ [12] In Daniel:
The king of the north shall return and shall set forth a multitude greater than the former, and at the end of the times of the years he shall come with a great army and with great riches. And he shall stir up his powers and his heart against the king of the south with a great army; and the king of the south shall engage in battle with an exceeding great and mighty army, but he shall not stand (11:13, 25).
This chapter treats of the war between the king of the north and the king of the south, and “the king of the north” means those within the church who are in the falsities of evil, and “the king of the south” those who are in the truths of good; collision and combat at the end of the church are described in the spiritual sense by their war; therefore “the army of the king of the north” means falsities of every kind, and “the army of the king of the south” truths of every kind.
sRef Luke@21 @20 S13′ [13] In Luke:
When ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that her devastation is nigh (21:20).
In this chapter the Lord speaks of the consummation of the age, which means the last time of the church; “Jerusalem” means the church in respect to doctrine; and “compassed with armies” means the church taken possession of by falsities; that then comes its destruction, and presently the Last Judgment, is signified by “then her devastation is nigh.” It is believed that this was said of the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans, but from the particulars of the chapter it is clear that it treats of the destruction of the church at its end; as also does Matthew, chap. 24 from the first verse to the last (all things of which are explained in the Arcana Coelestia). But this does not preclude the application of the sense of the letter of these words to the destruction of Jerusalem, that destruction representing and thence signifying the destruction of the church at its end; this is confirmed by all the particulars in the chapter regarded in the spiritual sense.
sRef Ps@44 @9 S14′ sRef Ps@44 @10 S14′ [14] In David:
God hath cast us off and confounded us; He hath not gone forth in our armies. He hath made us to turn back from the adversary (Ps. 44:9, 10).
“God hath not gone forth in our armies” signifies that He did not defend them, because they were in the falsities of evil, for “armies” mean the falsities of evil; therefore it is also said “He hath cast us off and confounded us, and hath made us to turn back from the adversary,” “the adversary” meaning evil which is from hell.
sRef Joel@2 @25 S15′ [15] In Joel:
I will recompense to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the canker-worm and the caterpillar and the palmer-worm, My great army which I sent among you (2:25).
That an “army” signifies falsities and evils of every kind is plainly evident, since these noxious little animals, “the locust, the cankerworm, the caterpillar, and the palmerworm,” signify falsities and evils that devastate or consume the truths and goods of the church (see above, n. 543, where this passage is explained, and it is shown that the “locust and caterpillar” signify the falsities [and evils] of the sensual man.) This makes clear what “army” signifies in the Word in both senses. “Army” has the same signification in the histories of the Word, for these contain a spiritual sense as well as the prophecies, but it shines forth from them less clearly, because the mind, when intent on the historical meaning, cannot easily be raised above the worldly things in the history and see the spiritual things that are stored up in them.

sRef Rev@9 @16 S0′ 574. And I heard the number of them, signifies their quality perceived. This is evident from the signification of “to hear,” as being to perceive (see above, n. 14, 529); also from the signification of “number,” as being the quality of the thing treated of (see above, n. 429); here the quality of the falsities of evil conspiring against the truths of good, from which falsities and in favor of which are the reasonings of the sensual man, which are signified by “the number of the armies of the horsemen” (of which just above). But the quality of these is further described in the next verse in these words, “And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and those that sat on them, having breast-plates fiery, and hyacinthine, and brimstone-like; and the heads of the horses as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths proceeded fire, and smoke, and brimstone.” These words describe the quality here signified by “number.” Something of number may seem to be meant here by “number,” but in the spiritual world there are no numbers, for spaces and times there are not measured and determined by numbers as in the natural world, therefore all numbers in the Word signify things, and the number itself signifies the quality of the thing (see above, n. 203, 336, 429, 430; and in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 263).

sRef Rev@9 @17 S0′ 575. Verse 17. And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and those that sat on them, signifies the falsifications of the Word by reasonings from fallacies. This is evident from the signification of “horses,” as being the understanding of the Word (see above, n. 355, 364, 372, 373, 381, 382); here its falsifications, because it is said that “he saw the horses in vision” (of which presently); also from the signification of “those that sat on them,” as being those who understand the Word (respecting which see the passages above cited), but here it means reasonings from fallacies respecting the meaning of the Word, because the sensual man and its reasoning from fallacies are treated of (see above, n. 569), and because it is said that he saw them “in vision,” and not as before “in the spirit;” to see “in vision” signifying here to see from fallacies.
[2] Visions, which and from which a man or the spirit of man sees, are of a twofold kind; there are real visions and visions that are not real; real visions are visions of such things as really appear in the spiritual world, corresponding altogether with the thoughts and affections of angels, consequently they are real correspondences. Such were the visions that the prophets had who prophesied truths; such also were the visions that appeared to John, and that are described throughout Revelation. But visions that are not real have the same appearance in the external form as real visions, but not in the internal form; they are produced by spirits by means of phantasies. Such visions those prophets had who prophesied vain things or lies. All such visions, because they are not real are fallacies, and thus they also signify fallacies. And as “the horses and those that sat on them” were seen by John in such visions, they signify reasonings from fallacies, and thence falsifications of the Word.
[3] As the prophets, by whom the Word was written, had real visions, and others who were also called prophets had visions that were not real, but their visions were vain and are called “lies,” it is important that it should be known what visions are. All things that really appear in the spiritual world are correspondences, for they correspond to the interiors of angels, which are the things of their minds, that is, of their affection and of their thought therefrom, and therefore such things are signified by them. For the spiritual, which is of the affection and the consequent thought of the angels, clothes itself with such forms as appear in the three kingdoms of the natural world, the animal, the vegetable, and the mineral, and all these forms are correspondences, such as appeared to the prophets, and which signify the things to which they corresponded. But in the spiritual world there can be appearances also that are not correspondences; and these are produced by spirits, especially evil spirits, by means of phantasies, for by means of phantasies such spirits can present to the view palaces, and houses full of decorations, also decorated garments; they can also induce upon themselves beautiful faces, and other like appearances; but as soon as the phantasy ceases all these things vanish, because they are external in which there is nothing internal. As such visions are from phantasies they signify fallacies because they deceive the senses and fallaciously present to view things like real things. Because such fallacies are here signified, it is said, “I saw horses in vision.” As reasonings from fallacies are here treated of, what fallacies are is to be told.
[4] There are many fallacies in natural, in civil, in moral, and in spiritual affairs; but as fallacies in spiritual things are the fallacies here meant, I wish to show by some examples what and of what nature fallacies in spiritual things are. The sensual man is in fallacies, because all the ideas of his thought are from the world and enter through the bodily senses; from these, therefore, he thinks and draws conclusions respecting spiritual things. Moreover, the sensual man does not know what the spiritual is, and believes that there can be nothing above nature, or if there is, that it is natural and material. He cannot at all comprehend that anything can exist in the spiritual world like the objects in the natural world, that is, that there can appear there paradises, shrubberies, flower beds, grass plots, palaces, houses. Sensual men declare that such things are phantasies, although they know that like things were seen by the prophets when they were in the spirit. They do not believe that such things exist in the spiritual world, because they suppose anything that cannot be seen with the eyes or perceived by some sense of the body is a nonentity.
[5] Those who judge from fallacies cannot at all apprehend that man after death has a complete human form, and that angels have that form; they deny therefore that men after death are human forms; they say that they are something breathlike, without eyes, ears, or mouth, consequently without sight, hearing, or speech, flitting about in the air, and waiting for the resurrection of the body, that they may see, hear, and speak. This they say and believe because they think from the fallacies of the bodily senses. They who reason and draw conclusions from the fallacies of the senses attribute all things to nature, and scarcely anything to the Divine; if they attribute creation to the Divine, they imagine, nevertheless, that all things were transferred into nature, and that all the effects that appear flow from nature alone, and nothing from the spiritual world; as when they see the wonderful things that pertain to silk-worms, butterflies, bees, the wonderful things in the generation of all animals from eggs, and innumerable other like things, they imagine nature to be the sole artificer of these things, and are unable to think at all about the spiritual world and its influx into the natural, and about the existence and subsistence of such wonderful things as being from that source; and yet the truth is that the Divine flows in continually through the spiritual world into the natural, and produces such things, and that nature was created to serve for the clothing of these things that proceed and flow in from the spiritual world. But to specify all the fallacies in respect to spiritual things pertaining to the sensual man of the church, would be too lengthy; some of them may be seen mentioned in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem (n. 53).

sRef Rev@9 @17 S0′ 576. Having breastplates fiery, hyacinthine, and brimstone-like, signifies reasonings combating from the cupidities of the love of self and of the world, and from the falsities therefrom. This is evident from the signification of breastplates, as being armor for war, and in particular, defenses in combats (of which above, n. 557); also from the signification of “fire or fiery,” as being the cupidity of the love of self, and thence of all evil (see above, n. 504); also from the signification of “hyacinth or hyacinthine,” as being the cupidity of the love of the world and thus of all falsity (of which presently); and from the signification of “brimstone or brimstone-like,” as being the lust of destroying the goods and truths of the church by falsities of evil (see below, n. 578), here meaning falsity burning from these two loves. From this it can be seen that “breastplates fiery, hyacinthine, and brimstone-like,” signify reasonings combating from the cupidities of the loves of self and of the world, and from the falsities from those loves.
[2] In regard to “hyacinthine,” it signifies in the spiritual sense the heavenly love of truth, but in the contrary sense the diabolical love of falsity, and also love of the world; as can be seen from its being of the color of heaven, and that color signifies truth from a heavenly origin, so in the contrary sense, falsity from a diabolical origin. In the spiritual world the choicest colors appear; and these have their origin in good and truth; for colors there are modifications of heavenly light, thus of the intelligence and wisdom, that are with the angels in heaven. This is why hyacinthine, purple, and scarlet double-dyed were interwoven in the curtains of the tabernacle and in the garments of Aaron; for the tabernacle represented the heaven of the Lord, and the garments of Aaron the Divine truth of heaven and the church, and those things of which the tabernacle was constructed, and of which the garments of Aaron were woven, represented celestial and spiritual things, which are of Divine good and Divine truth.
sRef Num@4 @8 S3′ sRef Num@4 @6 S3′ sRef Num@4 @7 S3′ sRef Ex@26 @4 S3′ sRef Num@4 @12 S3′ sRef Ex@28 @6 S3′ sRef Ex@26 @31 S3′ sRef Num@4 @11 S3′ sRef Ex@27 @16 S3′ sRef Ex@26 @36 S3′ sRef Num@4 @9 S3′ sRef Ex@28 @15 S3′ [3] Thus:
The veil before the ark was of hyacinthine, purple, and scarlet double-dyed, and fine twined linen (see Exod. 26:31).
Likewise the screen for the door of the tent (verse 36).
And the screen for the entrance of the court (Exod. 27:16).
The loops on the edge of the curtain of the tent were hyacinthine (Exod. 26:4);
The ephod was of gold, hyacinthine, purple, and scarlet double-dyed interwoven (Exod. 28:6);
And also the breastplate of judgment (verse 15);
When the camp set forward in the wilderness, Aaron and his sons spread a cloth of hyacinthine over the ark, over the table of faces, over the lampstand and the lamps, over the golden altar, and over all the vessels of ministry (Num. 4:6, 7, 9, 11, 12).
This is because Divine truth proceeding from Divine love, which is signified by “the cloth of hyacinthine,” embraces and protects all the holy things of heaven and the church, which the things covered represent.
sRef Num@15 @38 S4′ sRef Num@15 @39 S4′ [4] Because “hyacinthine” signified the celestial love of truth, it was commanded:
That the sons of Israel should make for themselves a fringe in the borders of their garments, and should put on it a cord of hyacinthine, that in looking upon it they might remember all the commandments of Jehovah and do them (Num. 15:38, 39).
Here “the cord of hyacinthine” stands evidently for the remembrance of the commandments of Jehovah; the commandments of Jehovah are the essential truths of heaven and the church, and these are remembered only by such as are in a celestial love of truth.
sRef Ezek@27 @7 S5′ sRef Ezek@27 @24 S5′ [5] That “hyacinthine” signifies the love of truth can be seen from the following in Ezekiel:
Fine linen in broidered work from Egypt was thy spreading forth, to be for thy ensign; hyacinthine and purple from the isles of Elishah was thy covering. These were thy traffickers with choice wares, with bales of hyacinthine and broidered work, and with treasures of precious garments (27:7, 24).
This is said of Tyre, which signifies the church in respect to the knowledges of truth; so, too, it signifies the knowledges of truth belonging to the church, and her “merchandise and tradings” mentioned in this chapter describe the acquisition of intelligence by means of such knowledges; “broidered work from Egypt” signifies the knowledge [scientia] of such things as are of the church; and because this has a lower place, and is thus round about or without, it is called “a spreading forth,” and is said to be “for an ensign.” “Hyacinthine and purple from the isles of Elishah” signify the spiritual affection of truth and good; therefore these are said to be “for a covering,” a “covering” signifying truth. “Bales of hyacinthine and broidered work” signify all truths, spiritual and natural, and these together with the knowledges from the Word are meant by “the treasures of precious garments.”
sRef Ezek@23 @2 S6′ sRef Ezek@23 @4 S6′ sRef Ezek@23 @3 S6′ sRef Ezek@23 @6 S6′ sRef Ezek@23 @5 S6′ [6] As “hyacinthine” signifies the heavenly love of truth, so in the contrary sense it signifies the diabolical love of falsity; and in that sense also “hyacinthine” is mentioned in the Word. Thus in Ezekiel:
Two women, the daughters of one mother, committed whoredom in Egypt in their youth. Oholah which is Samaria, and Oholibah which is Jerusalem. And Oholah committed whoredom while under me, and she doted on her lovers, the Assyrians her neighbors, which were clothed in hyacinthine, governors and rulers, all of them young men of desire, horsemen riding upon horses (23:2-6).
Here “Samaria” and “Jerusalem” signify the church, “Samaria” the spiritual church, and “Jerusalem” the celestial church, which are called “Oholah” and “Oholibah” because these names mean a “tent,” and a “tent” signifies the church in respect to worship; “woman” also in the Word signifies the church; “they committed whoredom in Egypt” signifies the falsification of the truths of the church by the knowledges [scientifica] of the natural man; “she doted on the Assyrians” signifies the falsification by reasonings from those knowledges [scientifica]; “Asshur and Assyria” signify reasonings; they are said to be “clothed in hyacinthine” by reason of fallacies and falsities, which in external form appear to be truths because they are from the sense of the letter of the Word wrongly applied. And because of this same appearance they are also called “governors and rulers, young men of desire, riding upon horses,” for those who reason from self-intelligence appear to themselves and to others of like character to be intelligent and wise, and the things they speak to be truths of intelligence and goods of wisdom, when yet they are falsities which they love because they are from what is their own [proprium]; “governors and rulers” signify principal truths, and “those riding upon horses” signify the intelligent.
sRef Jer@10 @9 S7′ [7] In Jeremiah:
Silver spread into plates is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz, the work of the workman and of the hands of the refiner; their garments* are hyacinthine and purple; all are the work of the wise (10:9).
This treats of the idols of the house of Israel, which signify doctrinals that are false, because they are from self-intelligence; therefore they are called “the work of the workman and of the hands of the refiner, and all the work of the wise,” and this because these doctrinals appear to them to be truths and goods; “silver from Tarshish and gold from Uphaz,” signifies what appears in external form to be truth and good, because from the sense of the letter of the Word. From this it can be seen that “hyacinthine” signifies the love of what is false because it is from self [proprium] or from self-intelligence. “Hyacinthine” also signifies the love of the world, because the love of the world corresponds to the love of falsity, as the love of self, which is signified by “fire,” corresponds to the love of evil; for all evil is from the love of self, and all falsity is from the love of the world which has its origin in the love of self; for spiritual evil, which is meant by the love of the world, is in its essence falsity, as spiritual good is in its essence truth (see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 15).
* Latin has “raiments,” the Hebrew “raiment,” as found in AE n. 585, 587, 1186.

sRef Rev@9 @17 S0′ 577. And the heads of the horses as the heads of lions, signifies knowledge (scientia) and thought therefrom destructive of truth. This is evident from the signification of “the heads of horses,” as being knowledge [scientia] and thought therefrom (of which presently); and from the signification of “the heads of lions,” as being the consequent destruction of truth. “The heads of lions” signify here the destruction of truth, because a “lion” in the highest sense signifies Divine truth in respect to power, and in the contrary sense falsity destroying truth, consequently the destruction of truth, and “the head of a lion” signifies the powers of the mind through which it destroys, which are reasonings from falsities. (That a “lion” signifies Divine truth in respect to power, and in the contrary sense falsity destroying truth, may be seen above, n. 278.) The “heads of horses” signify knowledge [scientia] and thought therefrom, because “head” signifies intelligence, and “the horse” the understanding; and as the sensual man and here his reasoning from falsities are treated of, and the sensual man who reasons from falsities has no intelligence, but only knowledge [scientia] and thought therefrom, therefore these are here signified by “the heads of the horses.” (That those who are in falsities have no intelligence, but instead of intelligence only knowledge, may be seen in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 33.)
[2] The “head” signifies intelligence, because the understanding and the will of man have their seat in the interiors of his head; consequently in the front part of the head, which is the face, are the senses of sight, hearing, smell, and taste, into which the understanding and the will flow from the interior and vivify them, and also cause them to enjoy their sensations; this is why the “head” signifies in the Word intelligence. But as those only who receive influx from heaven are intelligent, for all intelligence and wisdom flow in out of heaven from the Lord, it follows that they who are in the falsities of evil have no intelligence; for in them the higher and spiritual mind is closed, and only the lower mind, which is called the natural mind, is opened; and when the higher mind is closed the lower receives nothing of truth and good, consequently no intelligence from heaven, but only from the world. Such, therefore, in place of intelligence have mere knowledge [scientia] and thought from it, and from this proceeds reasoning, and by means of it the confirmation of falsity and evil against truth and good.
sRef Ezek@16 @12 S3′ [3] That the “head” signifies in the Word intelligence and wisdom, and in the contrary sense knowledge [scientia] and fatuous thought therefrom, can be seen from the following passages in the Word. In Ezekiel:
I put a jewel upon thy nose, and ear-rings in thine ears, and a crown of adorning upon thy head (16:12).
This is said of Jerusalem, which signifies the church, here such as it was in the beginning; “a jewel upon the nose” signifies the perception of truth from good; “the ear-rings in the ears” signify hearkening and obedience, and “a crown upon the head” signifies wisdom; for intelligence, which is from Divine truth, becomes wisdom from the good of love, and this is signified by “a crown of gold.”
sRef Rev@12 @1 S4′ sRef Matt@27 @30 S4′ sRef Matt@27 @29 S4′ [4] In Revelation:
A woman encompassed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars (12:1).
The “head” upon which was a crown of twelve stars, signifies intelligence, as will be seen in the explanation hereafter.
That the Jews placed a crown of thorns upon the Lord’s head, and that they smote His head (Matt. 27:29, 30; Mark 15:17, 19; John 19:2);
signifies that they treated with such contumely Divine truth itself and Divine wisdom; for they falsified the Word, which is Divine truth and in which is Divine wisdom, and adulterated it by their traditions and by applying it to themselves; thus they desired a king who would exalt them over all in the whole earth. And as the Lord’s kingdom was not earthly but heavenly, they perverted everything that was said respecting Him in the Word, and mocked at what was foretold of Him. This is what was represented by “their placing a crown of thorns upon His head, and smiting His head.”
sRef Dan@2 @33 S5′ sRef Ps@66 @12 S5′ sRef Ps@66 @11 S5′ sRef Dan@2 @32 S5′ [5] Where the statue of Nebuchadnezzar seen in a dream is described, it is said in Daniel:
Its head was of pure gold, its breast and arms of silver, its belly and thighs of brass, its legs of iron, its feet part of iron and part of clay (2:32, 33).
That statue represented the successive states of the church; “the head of gold” represented and signified the Most Ancient Church, which was in celestial wisdom, and thus in intelligence above the churches that followed; this wisdom and its intelligence are meant by the “head of gold.” That the other parts of that statue signified the states of subsequent churches may be seen above (176, 411). In David:
Thou hast brought us into the net; thou hast laid oppressions* upon our loins. Thou hast caused man to ride over our head (Ps. 66:11, 12).
“To cause man to ride over our head” signifies that there is no intelligence (see above, n. 355, where this is more fully explained).
sRef Deut@1 @13 S6′ sRef Gen@49 @26 S6′ [6] In Moses:
These blessings shall come upon the head of Joseph, and upon the crown of the head of the Nazirite of his brethren (Gen. 49:26; Deut. 33:13-16).
That “blessings shall come upon the head of Joseph” signifies that all the things that had just been mentioned, that are blessings of heaven, should take place in the interiors of his mind, which are the lives of the understanding and will, for these are the interiors of the mind. That they shall come upon “the crown of the head of the Nazirite of his brethren” signifies that they should also take place in the exteriors of his natural mind, for the “Naziriteship” signifies the exteriors of the natural mind, since it means the hairs, or the hair of the head. (But these words may be seen further explained above, n. 448; and in the Arcana Coelestia, n. 6437, 6438.) In the same:
Take you wise men and intelligent, and I will put them as your heads (Deut. 1:13).
It is said “as your heads” because wisdom and intelligence, in which they should excel all others, are meant; therefore it is said, “Take you wise men and intelligent.”
sRef Isa@29 @10 S7′ [7] In Isaiah:
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 (29:10).
“Prophets” signify those who teach truths and are intelligent, and in an abstract sense, the doctrine of truth and intelligence; therefore it is said, “Jehovah hath closed your eyes, the prophets, and your heads, the seers,” where the prophets are called “eyes,” and the seers “heads,” because “eyes” signify the understanding of truth in respect to doctrine, and “seers” like as “heads” signify intelligence.
sRef Isa@9 @14 S8′ sRef Isa@19 @15 S8′ sRef Isa@9 @15 S8′ sRef Isa@7 @20 S8′ [8] In the same:
Jehovah will cut off from Israel** head and tail, branch and rush. The old man and the honorable will make the head, and the prophet, the teacher of lies the tail (Isa. 9:14, 15).
In the same:
Neither shall there be for Egypt any work which will make the head or tail, branch or rush (19:15).
“He will cut off from Israel head and tail,” and “neither shall there be for Egypt head or tail,” signify that all the intelligence and knowledge [scientia] of truth they have shall perish (as may be seen above, n. 559, where these passages are more fully explained). In the same:
In that day shall the Lord shave with a razor that is hired in the crossings of the river, by the King of Assyria, the head and the hairs of the feet; and shall also consume the beard (Isa. 7:20).
That this signifies that reasonings from falsities will deprive the men of the church of all wisdom and spiritual intelligence, may be seen above (n. 569), where this is explained in particular; it is said “in the crossings of the river,” because “the river Euphrates” signifies the reasonings from falsities, therefore here attack by these upon the truths of the church which are destroyed by reasoning from falsities.
sRef Ezek@5 @2 S9′ sRef Ezek@5 @1 S9′ [9] In Ezekiel:
Son of man, take thee a sharp sword, a barber’s razor, and cause it to pass over*** the head and over the beard; a third part thou shalt burn with fire, a third part thou shalt smite with the sword, and a third part thou shalt disperse in the wind (5:1, 2).
Here also “to cause a razor to pass over the head” signifies to deprive of all intelligence of truth; for the reason that intelligence perishes when there are no ultimates of intelligence, which are signified by “the hairs of the head, which should be shaved with a razor by causing it to pass over the head;” for when ultimates are taken away it is as when the base is taken away from a column, or the foundation from a house. This is why it was unlawful in the Jewish Church, which was a representative church, to shave the hairs of the head and induce baldness, in like manner the beard; so also those who are without intelligence appear bald in the spiritual world.
sRef Ezek@7 @18 S10′ sRef Lev@10 @6 S10′ sRef Lev@21 @5 S10′ sRef Ezek@29 @18 S10′ sRef Isa@15 @2 S10′ [10] From all this the signification of “a bald head” and “baldness” in the following passages can be seen. In Isaiah:
On all their heads is baldness, every beard is cut off (15:2);
in other words, there is no intelligence. In Ezekiel:
Shame shall be upon all faces, and baldness upon all heads (7:18).
In the same:
Every head was made bald, and every shoulder was peeled (29:18).
These words have a similar meaning. So Aaron and his sons were forbidden to shave their heads and the corner of the beard, of which it is said in Moses:
That Aaron and his sons shall not shave their heads nor rend their clothes, lest they die, and lest Jehovah be angry in consequence with the whole congregation (Lev. 10:5).
And in the same:
That the sons of Aaron should not make baldness upon their head, nor shave the corner of the beard (21:6).
The “beard” signifies the ultimate of the rational man, and “not shaving the beard” signifies not to be deprived of the rational, by taking away its ultimate; for, as was said above, when the ultimate is taken away the interior also perishes. What is meant by:
When a woman taken captive from the enemy is desired for a wife she must shave her head and pare her nails (Deut. 21:11, 12);
may be seen explained above (n. 555).
sRef Deut@21 @12 S11′ sRef Jer@2 @37 S11′ sRef Ezek@27 @30 S11′ sRef Deut@21 @11 S11′ sRef Jer@2 @36 S11′ sRef Jer@14 @4 S11′ sRef Lam@2 @10 S11′ sRef 2Sam@13 @19 S11′ sRef Jer@14 @3 S11′ [11] Because shame was represented by the hands upon the head, it is said in Jeremiah:
Thou shalt be ashamed of Egypt also, as thou wast ashamed of Assyria. From her also thou shalt go forth with thy hands upon thy head (2:36, 37).
And in the same:
They were ashamed and put to confusion and covered their heads (14:3, 4).
Because this was a representative of shame:
Tamar, after she had been ravished by her brother Amnon, put her hand on her head, and went weeping**** and crying (2 Sam. 13:19).
To “put the hand upon the head” signified that no intelligence remained. Also grief for sin in having acted insanely and foolishly was represented by sprinkling dust upon the head, and by bowing the head down even to the earth; and by this cursing also was signified. As in Ezekiel:
They shall cast up dust upon thy head, they shall roll thee in ashes (27:30).
In Lamentations:
The elders of the daughter of Zion sit on the earth, they keep silence; they have cast up dust upon their head; they have girded themselves with sackcloth; the virgins of Jerusalem have made their head to hang down to the ground (2:10).
sRef Ps@68 @21 S12′ sRef Gen@3 @15 S12′ sRef Ps@110 @5 S12′ sRef Ps@110 @6 S12′ sRef Ezek@9 @10 S12′ sRef Rev@12 @3 S12′ sRef Ps@110 @7 S12′ [12] But in the contrary sense the “head” signifies the craftiness that those have who are in the love of ruling. This is meant by the “head” in Moses:
The seed of the woman shall trample upon the head of the serpent, and the serpent shall hurt the heel (Gen. 3:15).
In David:
The Lord at thy right hand hath stricken through kings in the day of His anger; He hath judged among the nations; He hath filled with dead bodies; He hath stricken through the head over many a land; He shall drink out of the brook in the way; therefore shall He exalt the head (Ps. 110:5-7).
(This passage may be seen explained above, n. 518.) In the same:
God shall strike through the head of His enemies, the hairy scalp of such as go on in guilt (Ps. 68:21).
That the craftiness by which they purpose and contrive evil against others returns upon themselves is signified by:
Bringing their way upon their own head (Ezek. 9:10; 11:21; 16:43; 17:19; 22:31; Joel 3:4, 7).
What is signified in Revelation by:
The seven heads upon which were seven diadems (12:3; 13:1, 3; 17:3, 7, 9);
will be seen hereafter. Moreover, the “head,” as what is highest and primary in man, has also many other meanings; as the peak of a mountain, the top of anything, what is primary, the beginning of a way, of a street, of a month, and the like.
* Latin has “oppressions,” the Hebrew “oppression,” as found in AE n. 355.
** Latin has “Abraham,” the passage quoted just before has “Israel,” as in AE n. 559, 624.
*** Latin has “through,” the passage, as cited before, has “over,” with the Hebrew.
**** Latin has “weeping,” the Hebrew “going.”

sRef Rev@9 @17 S0′ 578. Out of their mouths went out fire, and smoke, and brimstone, signifies thoughts and consequent reasonings springing from the love of evil and from the love of falsity, and from the lust for destroying truths and goods by the falsities of evil. This is evident from the signification of the “mouth,” as being thought and consequent reasoning (respecting which see in the explanation of verse 19); from the signification of “fire,” as being the love of self and the love of evil therefrom (see above, n. 504, 539); from the signification of “smoke,” as being the dense falsity springing from the love of evil (see also above, n. 494, 539); and from the signification of “brimstone,” as being the lust of destroying the truths and goods of the church by the falsities of evil.
sRef Luke@17 @29 S2′ sRef Gen@19 @24 S2′ sRef Luke@17 @30 S2′ [2] That this is the signification of “brimstone” can be seen from passages of the Word where it is mentioned. Thus in Moses:
Jehovah made brimstone and fire to rain upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah (Gen. 19:24).
In Luke:
In the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. After the same manner shall it be in the day that the Son of man is revealed (17:29, 30).
Those who were in Sodom and Gomorrah mean those who are in the falsities of evil from the love of self; and since the falsities of evil from that love destroyed them, it rained brimstone and fire, “brimstone” because of the lust of destroying the church by the falsities of evil, and “fire” because that lust burst forth from the love of self. That it should be thus “when the Son of man should be revealed,” signifies that then, too, falsities of evil from the love of self will destroy the church. Such rain appears in the spiritual world when the evil who are in falsities from that love are cast down into hell.
sRef Deut@29 @23 S3′ sRef Deut@29 @22 S3′ [3] In Moses:
What shall your sons say, and the alien, when they shall see the plagues of that land, and its sicknesses. The whole land is brimstone and salt, and a conflagration; it is not sown, it doth not spring up, nor doth any herb grow upon it, like the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah, Admah and Zeboiim (Deut. 29:22, 23).
These were the curses with which the sons of Israel were threatened if they did not keep the commandments and statutes, and if they worshiped other gods; and because the church is thus laid waste and destroyed by the falsities of evil and the evils of falsity it is said that “the whole land is then brimstone, and salt, and conflagration,” the “land” signifying the church; and “it will not be sown, nor spring up, nor any herb grow upon it,” signifies that no longer will any truth from good be received or brought forth.
sRef Isa@30 @33 S4′ [4] In Isaiah:
Topheth is prepared of old; yea, for the king it is prepared; he shall go down into a deep and wide place; the pile thereof is fire and much wood; the breath of Jehovah like a stream of brimstone doth kindle it (30:33).
“Topheth” signifies the hell in which the direful and cruel love of destroying all the truths and goods of the church reigns, especially the cruel lust for destroying the goods of innocence; that this direful hell is from the falsities of evil is signified by “he shall go down into a deep and wide place;” the “king for whom it is prepared” signifies infernal falsity itself; “the pile thereof is fire and wood,” signifies evils of every kind belonging to that love; and because that hell burns with a lust for destroying, it is said, “the breath of Jehovah like a stream of brimstone doth kindle it;” for there, as soon as they hear from anyone the truths of the church and perceive its goods, they are inflamed with a frenzy for destroying and extinguishing them.
sRef Isa@34 @10 S5′ sRef Isa@34 @9 S5′ sRef Isa@34 @8 S5′ [5] In Isaiah:
The day of Jehovah’s vengeance, and the year of retribution for the controversy of Zion, and the brooks thereof shall be turned into pitch, and its dust into brimstone, and its land shall become burning pitch; it shall not be quenched night or day, the smoke thereof shall go up forever (34:8-10).
“The day of Jehovah’s vengeance, and the year of retribution for the controversy of Zion” signifies the Lord’s coming, and the Last Judgment then accomplished by Him; “the brooks shall be turned into pitch, and the dust into brimstone,” signifies the hell into which those are cast, who are in the falsities of evil, and in the evils of falsity; the evil of infernal love and its punishment are signified by “the burning pitch shall not be quenched night or day;” and the direful falsity from that evil is signified by “the smoke shall go up forever.”
sRef Ezek@38 @22 S6′ [6] In Ezekiel:
And I will plead with Gog with pestilence and with blood; and I will rain upon him an overflowing rain and hailstones, fire and brimstone (38:22).
By “Gog” is meant those who place all worship in a holy and pious external, and not in what is internal, and yet the quality of external worship is the same as the quality of its internal. It is said, “Jehovah shall rain upon them an overflowing rain, hailstones, fire, and brimstone,” which signifies falsities and evils destroying all the truths and goods of the church; “fire and brimstone” mean the evils of falsity and the falsities of evil, both of which are diabolical.
sRef Ps@11 @6 S7′ sRef Job@18 @15 S7′ [7] In David:
Jehovah shall rain upon the wicked snares, fire, and brimstone; and a wind of storms shall be the portion of their cup (Ps. 11:6).
This signifies that the wicked will be destroyed by their own evils of falsity and their own falsities of evil, which will destroy with them all truths of the church; “snares, fire, and brimstone,” mean the evils of falsity and the falsities of evil; “the wind of storms which shall be the portion of their cup,” signifies the destruction of all truth. Evidently it is not meant that Jehovah will rain fire and brimstone upon the wicked, for it is also said that “He will rain snares” upon them; therefore “fire and brimstone” signify such things as totally destroy the truths and goods of the church.
sRef Rev@19 @20 S8′ sRef Rev@14 @9 S8′ sRef Rev@14 @10 S8′ sRef Rev@21 @8 S8′ sRef Rev@20 @10 S8′ [8] Likewise in Job:
Brimstone shall be scattered upon the habitation of the wicked one (18:15).
“Brimstone” means such falsity of evil as destroys everything of the church with man; this is falsity from the evil of the love of self, such as those were in who dwelt in Sodom and Gomorrah, respecting which is said:
That it overthrew not only the cities and inhabitants, but also the plain and that which springeth up in the field (Gen. 19:25);
“that which springeth up in the field” signifies the truths of the church springing up. “Fire and brimstone” have a like signification in the following passages in Revelation:
If anyone worship the beast and his image he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone (14:9, 10).
The beast and the false prophet were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone (19:20).
The devil was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where are the beast and the false prophet (20:10).
The murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone (21:8).

sRef Rev@9 @18 S0′ 579. Verse 18. By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, going out of their mouths, signifies that all the understanding of truth, and the spiritual life therefrom, were extinguished by them. This is evident from the signification of “the third part of men,” as being all intelligence, or the understanding of truth, and as spiritual life is from this, that also is involved; from the signification of “to be killed,” as being to be extinguished, for when the understanding of truth is extinguished man is spiritually killed (see above, n. 315); the “third part,” in reference to truths, means all (see above, n. 506); and “man” means the understanding of truth and the perception of good (n. 280, 546); also from the signification of “fire, smoke, and brimstone going out of their mouths,” as being the thoughts and reasonings therefrom springing from the love of evil, from the love of falsity, and from the lust of destroying truths and goods by the falsities of evil (see above, n. 578). From this the signification of these words can be seen. This is said of the horses seen in vision, namely, that “out of their mouths went out fire, smoke, and brimstone;” and as the “horses” seen in vision signify the falsifications of the Word by reasonings from fallacies, it is evident that “fire, smoke, and brimstone,” signify the things that cause falsification, which are the loves of evil and falsity, and the lusts for destroying the truths and goods of the church. This is effected by the thoughts and by reasonings from fallacies about the sense and understanding of the Word. For when a man thinks from mere fallacies he thinks solely from such things as stand forth at first sight in the sense of the letter, and not from any interior literal sense; consequently he forms the most gross and harsh ideas respecting every doctrine he derives from the Word, as that God is angry, that He punishes, casts men into hell, tempts them, that He repents, and many like things; moreover, he thinks corporeally and materially, and not at all spiritually, about everything he reads in the Word; for this reason his thought is merely sensual, and when it is merely sensual it is solely from the love of self and of the world, and when it is from these it is solely from evils and falsities. When such a man, therefore, is left to himself and thinks from his spirit, he thinks from the affection of these loves, which he conjoins to the things that are in the Word; and when the Divine things of the Word are conjoined to such loves all things therein are adulterated and falsified, for the Divine things of the Word can never be conjoined to anything but celestial love, or with spiritual affection; if conjoined to any other love or any other affection, the higher mind, which is called the spiritual mind, is closed, and the lower mind only, which is called the natural mind, is opened; yea, with those who conjoin the truths of the Word to the affection of the love of self, the natural mind also is closed, and only the ultimate of this mind is opened, which is called the sensual, which clings most closely to the body, and stands forth nearest to the world. Thus does man’s spirit become corporeal, and then it can have no lot with the angels, who are spiritual.

sRef Rev@9 @19 S0′ 580. Verse 19. For their power was in their mouth, signifies sensual thoughts and reasonings therefrom that have most power with them. This is evident from the signification of “their power,” as being to have power, here to have most power; and from the signification of the “mouth,” as being the sensual thought and reasonings therefrom. For the “mouth” and the things belonging to the mouth signify the things of the understanding and of thought and speech therefrom, for these correspond to the mouth. For all the organs that are included in the one term “mouth,” as the larynx, the glottis, the throat, the tongue, the mouth, the lips, are organs that serve the understanding for utterance and for speech, and this is why the “mouth” signifies the thought and reasoning therefrom. But as man’s thought is interior and exterior, that is spiritual, natural, and sensual, so the “mouth” signifies such thought as pertains to the man treated of, here sensual thought, because it is the man who is made sensual by falsities of evil who is treated of; sensual thought is the lowest thought of all, and is material and corporeal; in such thought are all who are in evils with respect to life, and in consequent falsities in respect to doctrine, however learned and accomplished they may be believed to be, and whatever ability they may have to fit together their falsities in a beautiful order, and to embellish them with elegant and eloquent discourse.
sRef Matt@15 @11 S2′ sRef Matt@15 @19 S2′ sRef Matt@15 @17 S2′ sRef Ps@37 @30 S2′ sRef Luke@21 @15 S2′ sRef Matt@15 @18 S2′ [2] That the “mouth” from correspondence, thus in the spiritual sense, signifies thought, but in the natural sense utterance, can be seen from the following passages. In David:
The mouth of the righteous meditateth wisdom (Ps. 37:30).
The “mouth” here signifies thought from affection, for man from that meditates wisdom, but not from the mouth and its speech. In Luke:
Jesus said, I will give you a mouth and wisdom which they will not be able to oppose (21:15).
Here the mouth evidently stands for speech from the understanding, thus for the thought from which man speaks. In Matthew:
Not that which entereth into the mouth maketh the man unclean, but that which cometh out of the mouth, this maketh the man unclean. Whatsoever goeth into the mouth passeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught. But the things that proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart. Out of the heart go forth evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false testimonies, blasphemies (15:11, 17-19).
“That which entereth into the mouth” means in the literal sense food of every kind, which, after its use in the body, goes out through the belly into the draught; but in the spiritual sense, “that which entereth into the mouth” signifies all things that enter into the thought from the memory, and also from the world, and these also correspond to food; while the things that enter into the thought, and not also into the will, do not render a man unclean; for the memory, and thought therefrom, are to man only as a way of entrance to him, since the will is the man himself. The things that merely enter the thought and go no further are cast out as it were through the belly into the draught, “the belly” signifying from correspondence the world of spirits, from which thoughts flow in with man, and the “draught” signifying hell.
[3] It must be known that man cannot be purified from evils and the consequent falsities, unless the unclean things that are in him come forth as far as into the thought, and are there seen, recognized, discerned, and put away. This makes evident that “that which entereth into the mouth” signifies in the spiritual sense what enters into the thought from the memory and from the world; while “that which cometh out of the mouth” signifies in the spiritual sense thought from the will or from love; for the “heart,” from which thought goes forth into the mouth and from the mouth, signifies man’s will and love; and as the love and will constitute the whole man, for the man is such as his love is, so the things that go forth therefrom into the mouth and out of the mouth are what make the man unclean. That these are evils of every kind is evident from the things enumerated. Such is the meaning of these words of the Lord in the heavens. (That the “heart” signifies the will and love see above, n. 167.)
sRef Isa@6 @7 S4′ sRef Isa@6 @6 S4′ [4] In Isaiah:
Then flew one of the seraphim unto me, in whose hand was a burning coal from the altar; and he touched my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; therefore thine iniquity is taken away and thy sin is expiated (6:6, 7).
“One of the seraphim touching the mouth and lips of the prophet with a burning coal from the altar” signifies his interior purification, which is that of the understanding and will, and thus inauguration into the gift of teaching; “the burning coal from the altar” signifies the Divine love, from which is all purification, and “the mouth and lips” signify thought and affection, or what is the same, the understanding and the will; when these are purified man is withdrawn from iniquity and sin; consequently it is said, “therefore thine iniquity is taken away and thy sin is expiated.” Anyone can see that iniquity is not taken away by a burning coal applied to the mouth and lips. (That the things belonging to the mouth correspond to things intellectual, because from them the voice and speech proceed, may be seen in Arcana Coelestia, n. 8068, 9384. That “from the mouth and from the heart” means from the understanding and from the will, n. 3313, 8068.)

sRef Rev@9 @19 S0′ 581. For their tails were like serpents, and had heads, signifies that from sensual knowledges [scientifica] which are fallacies, they reason craftily. This is evident from the signification of “tails,” here, the tails of horses, as being knowledges [scientifica] which are called sensual because they are the ultimates of the understanding (see above, n. 559); from the signification of “serpent,” as being the craftiness of the sensual man (of which presently); and from the signification of “having heads,” as meaning to reason by means of such knowledges; for the “head” signifies intelligence, therefore “to have a head” signifies to be intelligent. To reason by means of such knowledges is meant, because the “head,” in reference to the sensual man, signifies knowledge [scientia] and fatuous thought therefrom (see above, n. 577), and accordingly also reasonings by means of sensual knowledges. From this it can be seen that “the tails of the horses were like serpents, and had heads,” signifies that from sensual knowledges which are fallacies they reason craftily. These are called fallacies because sensual knowledges become fallacies when man reasons from them concerning spiritual things; as for example, that dignities and wealth are real blessings; that glory, such as belongs to the great in the world, is that in which heavenly blessedness consists; and that the Lord desires adoration from man for His own glory, and other like things; these are fallacies when applied to things spiritual, since the sensual man thinks in this way, and cannot know otherwise because he is not endowed with intelligence.
sRef Gen@3 @1 S2′ [2] That “serpents” signify in the Word the sensual man in respect to craftiness and in respect to prudence, can be seen from the following passages. In Moses:
The serpent was more crafty than any wild beast of the field which Jehovah God had made (Gen. 3:1).
“Serpent” here does not mean a serpent, but the sensual man, and in a general sense the sensual itself, which is the ultimate of the human understanding; “the man and his wife” signify the Most Ancient Church, which fell away when the men of that church began to reason from sensual knowledges [scientifica] respecting Divine things, which is signified by “eating of the tree of knowledge;” their craftiness in reasoning respecting Divine things from the sensual is described by the reasoning of the serpent with Adam’s wife, by which they were deceived. The serpent is said to have been “more crafty than any wild beast of the field,” because it is poisonous and its bite is therefore deadly, and because it hides itself in lurking places. “Poison” signifies craft and deceit, and therefore the “bite” of the serpent signifies deadly hurt; and the lurking places from which it bites, and in which it conceals itself, signify craftiness.
[3] It is to be known that all beasts signify affections such as are in man, and “serpents” signify the affections of the sensual man, for the reason that they creep on the belly upon the ground as does the sensual of man, for this is in the lowest place, and creeps as it were upon the ground beneath all the other faculties. Moreover, sensual men in the spiritual world dwell in the lower parts, and cannot be elevated towards the higher parts, since they are in externals, and from these they judge and form conclusions respecting everything. Again, the evil who are in the hells are mostly sensual, and many of them crafty; when, therefore, they are looked at from the light of heaven they appear like serpents of various kinds; and this is why the devil is called a “serpent.” The infernals are also crafty because evil conceals in itself all craftiness and malice, as good does all prudence and wisdom. (On this see the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 576-581, where The Malice and Wicked Arts of Infernal Spirits are treated of.)
sRef Job@20 @16 S4′ sRef Rev@12 @14 S4′ sRef Rev@12 @15 S4′ sRef Ps@140 @3 S4′ sRef Ps@58 @4 S4′ sRef Rev@12 @9 S4′ sRef Isa@59 @5 S4′ [4] This, then, is why the devil or hell is called “a serpent” in the following passages. In Revelation:
The dragon, the old serpent, the devil and Satan, which seduceth the whole world (12:9, 14, 15; 20:2).
In David:
They have sharpened their tongue like a serpent; adder’s poison is under their lips (Ps. 40:3);
which signifies their crafty and delusive deception. In the same:
Their poison is like the poison of a serpent (Ps. 58:4).
In Job:
He shall suck the poison of asps; the viper’s tongue shall slay him (20:16)
And in Isaiah:
They hatched adder’s eggs, and wove spider’s webs; he that eateth of their eggs dieth, and when one is crushed there breaketh out a viper (59:5).
This is said of evil men, who by deceit and craft seduce others in spiritual things; the hidden evils to which they allure by their craftiness are signified by “adder’s eggs, which they are said to hatch;” their deceitful falsities are signified by “the spider’s webs which they weave;” the deadly hurt when they are received is signified by “he that eateth of their eggs dieth, and when one is crushed there breaketh out a viper.”
sRef Isa@11 @8 S5′ [5] Because the Pharisees were such they are called by the Lord:
Serpents, a generation of vipers (Matt. 23:33).
That the craftiness and malice of such can do no harm to those whom the Lord protects is signified by the following in Isaiah:
The suckling shall play on the hole of the adder, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the basilisk’s den (11:8).
The “suckling” and the “weaned child” signify those who are in the good of innocence, that is, those who are in love to the Lord; and “the hole of the adder” and the “basilisk’s den” mean the hells in which are deceitful and crafty spirits, and the entrances into these appear like gloomy holes, and within they are like dens.
sRef Luke@10 @19 S6′ sRef Mark@16 @18 S6′ [6] That the craft and malice of infernal spirits can do no harm to those whom the Lord protects is signified also by these words of the Lord:
That the disciples would have power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy (Luke 10:19).
Also that they would have power to take up serpents, and to drink any deadly thing, and it would not hurt them (Mark 16:18).
“To tread on serpents” signifies to despise and make light of the deceits, craft, and wicked arts of the infernal crew; therefore it is added, “and over all the power of the enemy;” “the enemy” is that crew, and “his power” its craftiness.
sRef Deut@8 @15 S7′ [7] The malice and craftiness of infernal spirits, who, taken together, are called “the devil” and “Satan,” are also meant by “serpents” in the following passages. In Moses:
Jehovah God led thee through the great and fearful wilderness of the serpent, the fiery serpent, and the scorpion (Deut. 8:15).
The journeyings of the sons of Israel in the wilderness represented and thence signified the temptations of the faithful; the infestations at such times from the hells by evil spirits and genii are signified by “serpents, fiery serpents, and scorpions.”
sRef Isa@27 @1 S8′ sRef Isa@14 @29 S8′ sRef Amos@9 @3 S8′ sRef Jer@8 @17 S8′ sRef Jer@46 @23 S8′ sRef Jer@46 @22 S8′ [8] In Isaiah:
Rejoice not, O Philistia, all of thee, because the rod that smiteth thee is broken; for from the serpent’s root shall come forth a basilisk, whose fruit shall be a fiery flying serpent (14:29).
“Philistia” signifies faith separate from charity; the misleading of many by the sophistries by which that faith is confirmed is signified by “from the serpent’s root shall come forth a basilisk, whose fruit shall be a fiery flying serpent.” In Jeremiah:
Behold I send among you serpents, basilisks, against which there shall be no charm, and they shall bite you (8:17).
The voice thereof shall go like that of a serpent (46:22).
In Amos:
Although they hide themselves* before My eyes in the bottom of the sea, thence will I command the serpent to bite them (9:3).
Craftiness is signified also in Isaiah by:
Leviathan the crooked serpent (27:1).
sRef Matt@10 @16 S9′ [9] That “serpents” signify craftiness, and also the prudence with sensual men, is evident from the words of the Lord in Matthew:
Be ye prudent as serpents and simple as doves (10:16).
Those who are in good are called “prudent,” and those who are in evil are called “crafty,” for prudence is of truth from good, and craftiness is of falsity from evil; and as this was said to those who were in good, “serpents” here mean prudence.
sRef Gen@3 @14 S10′ sRef Micah@7 @17 S10′ sRef Isa@65 @25 S10′ [10] Because the craftiness of the evil is diabolical those who are in it are said “to eat the dust.” In Moses:
It was said to the serpent, Be thou accursed above all beasts, and above all the wild beasts of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life (Gen. 3:14).
In Isaiah:
Dust shall be the serpent’s bread (65:25).
And in Micah:
They shall lick the dust like a serpent (7:17);
“dust” signifying what is damned, and “to go upon the belly” signifying the sensual, which is the ultimate of life in man; and as this is the ultimate of life, it is in no intelligence or wisdom, but in craftiness and cunning, which are contrary to intelligence and wisdom.
sRef Gen@49 @17 S11′ [11] In Moses:
Dan shall be a serpent upon the way, an arrow serpent on the path, biting the horse’s heels, and his rider** shall fall backwards (Gen. 49:17).
What this prophecy respecting Dan signifies no one can know unless he knows what is signified by a “horse” and its “heels,” also by a “serpent;” a “horse” signifies the understanding of truth, and a “rider” intelligence; a “serpent” signifies the sensual, which is the ultimate of the intellectual life; “the heels of a horse” signify truths in ultimates, which are sensual knowledges; that the sensual by means of reasonings from fallacies, does harm to and leads astray the understanding is signified by “the serpent biteth the horse’s heels and his rider shall fall backwards.” This is said of Dan, because the tribe named from him was the last of the tribes, and thence signified the last things (ultimates) of truth and good, consequently the ultimates of the church (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 1710, 3923, 6396, 10335, where this prophecy is explained).
sRef Luke@24 @40 S12′ sRef Num@21 @7 S12′ sRef Num@21 @8 S12′ sRef Num@21 @5 S12′ sRef Luke@24 @39 S12′ sRef Num@21 @6 S12′ sRef Num@21 @9 S12′ sRef Ex@4 @3 S12′ sRef John@3 @15 S12′ sRef John@3 @14 S12′ sRef Ex@4 @4 S12′ [12] The sensual, which is the ultimate of the intellectual life, is signified also by:
The stretched serpent (Isa. 27:1; Job 26:13);
also by:
The serpent into which the rod of Moses was changed (Exod. 4:3, 4; 7:9-12).
(See Arcana Coelestia, n. 6949, 7293.) Again, sensual things which are the ultimates of man’s life are signified by:
The fiery serpents sent among the people who wished to return to Egypt (Num. 21:6);
while the healing of the bite of such serpents by the Lord’s Divine sensual is signified by:
The brazen serpent set upon a standard, by looking upon which they revived (Num. 21:5-9).
The expression, the Lord’s Divine sensual, is used, because the Lord when He was in the world glorified, that is, made Divine, His whole Human even to its ultimates, as can be seen from the fact that He left nothing in the sepulcher, and that He said to the disciples:
That He hath bones and flesh, which a spirit doth not have (Luke 24:39, 40).
The ultimate sensual, which was also glorified or made Divine by the Lord, is signified by that “brazen serpent” set upon a standard, respecting which the Lord Himself thus spake in John:
As Moses lifted up the serpent, even so must the Son of man be lifted up; that whosoever believeth in Him may not perish, but may have eternal life (3:14, 15).
The Lord was represented before the Israelitish and Jewish people by such a sign, because they were merely sensual, and the sensual man in looking to the Lord is unable to elevate his thought beyond and above the sensual; for everyone looks to the Lord according to the elevation of his understanding, the spiritual man looking to the Divine rational, and so on. This makes evident that “the brazen serpent” signifies also the sensual, but the glorified or Divine sensual of the Lord.
* Latin has “thou hide thyself,” the Hebrew “they hide themselves.”
** Latin has “horse,” the Hebrew “rider,” as in AC n. 259, 1984, 2761, 6395, 6401.

sRef Rev@9 @19 S0′ 582. And with them do they hurt, signifies that thus they pervert the truths and goods of the church. This is evident from the signification of “to hurt,” as being to pervert the truths and goods of the church by means of crafty reasonings from sensual knowledges [scientifica] or fallacies; for the “horses” in the vision, about whose tails this is said, signify the falsifications of the Word by reasonings from fallacies (see above, n. 575). From the way these horses appeared to John, what the representative appearances in heaven are can be seen, namely, that affections there, when represented by animals, are presented in the forms of such animals as appear in our world, and yet everywhere with variety in respect to their parts, especially the face, the particulars of which from correspondence signify various things of the affection so represented; as here there were seen “horses, whose heads were as the heads of lions, and their tails like serpents, and had heads,” and those who sat upon the horses had “breastplates, fiery, hyacinthine and brimstone-like.”
[2] Animals of various forms appear daily in the spiritual world, and also I have often seen them; and by a knowledge of correspondences, it is there known what the particulars signify. For all the affections that flow from the minds of angels are imaged before their eyes by animals of all kinds that exist on the earth, in the air, or in the sea; likewise by the subjects of all things that are in the vegetable kingdom of the earth, and by the subjects of all things that are in the mineral kingdom of the earth. This is why such things in our world have been made representative of celestial and spiritual things. Such representatives exist in the spiritual world, because in that world there are spiritual things interior and exterior; interior spiritual things are all such as belong to affection, and to thought therefrom, or to the understanding of truth and the wisdom of good; and exterior spiritual things are so created by the Lord as to clothe or invest interior spiritual things; and when these are clothed and invested, there come into existence such forms as are in the natural world, and thus into these forms interior spiritual things finally close, and in them have their ultimate existence.

sRef Rev@9 @20 S0′ sRef Rev@9 @21 S0′ 583. Verses 20, 21. And the rest of the men who were not killed in these plagues, and repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not adore demons, and idols of gold and of silver and of brass and of stone and of wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk; and repented not of their murders, nor of their enchantments, nor of their whoredoms, nor of their thefts. 20. “And the rest of the men who were not killed in these plagues,” signifies who did not perish by the cupidities above mentioned (n. 584); “and repented not of the works of their hands,” signifies who did not actually turn themselves away from such things as are from self [proprium] (n. 585); “that they should not adore demons,” signifies that they should not worship their own cupidities (n. 586); “and idols of gold and of silver and of brass and of stone and of wood,” signifies the false doctrinals that are from self-intelligence, and that favor the bodily and worldly loves and the principles derived therefrom (n. 587); “which can neither see nor hear nor walk,” signifies in which and from which there is nothing of the understanding of truth or the perception of good, and thus nothing of spiritual life (n. 588). 21. “And repented not of their murders,” signifies who have not actually turned themselves away from extinguishing the things that pertain to the understanding of truth, the will of good, and spiritual life therefrom (n. 589); “nor of their enchantments, nor of their whoredoms,” signifies nor from perverting good and falsifying truth (n. 590); “nor of their thefts,” signifies nor from taking away the knowledges of truth and good, and thus the means of acquiring for themselves spiritual life (n. 591).

sRef Rev@9 @20 S0′ 584. Verse 20. And the rest of the men who were not killed in these plagues, signifies who did not perish by the cupidities above mentioned. This is evident from the signification of “the rest of the men who were not killed,” as being all those who did not perish. “To be killed” signifies in the Word to be killed spiritually, which is to perish in eternal death (see above, n. 547, 572). Also from the signification of “these plagues,” as being the cupidities above mentioned, namely, those signified by “fire, smoke, and brimstone going out of the mouth of the horses,” which signify the cupidities that arise from the love of evil and the love of falsity, also the lusts of destroying the truths and goods of the church by the falsities of evil (as may be seen above, n. 578). These are called “plagues,” because “plagues” signify in the Word such things as destroy the spiritual life, consequently the church in men, and which therefore induce death understood in the spiritual sense. These in brief have reference to the cupidities springing from the loves of self and of the world; for these loves are the roots from which evils and falsities of every genus and species spring up and grow.
sRef Rev@15 @6 S2′ sRef Rev@11 @6 S2′ sRef Rev@18 @8 S2′ sRef Rev@15 @8 S2′ sRef Rev@15 @1 S2′ sRef Rev@16 @21 S2′ [2] Such also is the signification of “plagues” in the following passages in Revelation:
The two witnesses have power over the waters, to turn them into blood, and to smite the earth with every plague as often as they will (11:6).
Again:
Men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail, for the plague thereof was exceeding great (16:21).
Again:
In one day shall the plagues of Babylon come, death and mourning and famine (18:8).
And again:
I saw seven angels having the seven last plagues, through which is to be finished the wrath of God (15:1, 6, 8). That “plagues” mean such things as induce upon man spiritual death, consequently that wholly destroy and devastate the church with men in particular and thus in general, will be seen in the explanation of the passages that follow, where “plagues” are mentioned, and especially where “the seven last plagues” are treated of.
sRef Jer@49 @17 S3′ sRef Jer@50 @13 S3′ sRef Deut@28 @8 S3′ sRef Isa@30 @26 S3′ sRef Jer@30 @12 S3′ sRef Jer@30 @17 S3′ sRef Deut@28 @59 S3′ sRef Jer@30 @14 S3′ sRef Deut@28 @61 S3′ [3] “Plagues” have a like meaning in the following passages in the prophets. In Isaiah:
The light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun shall be sevenfold, in the day that Jehovah shall bind up the breach of His people, and shall heal the wound of their plague (30:26).
In Jeremiah:
It is desperate for thy bruise, thy plague is sore. I have smitten thee with the plague of an enemy. I will make health to ascend upon thee; I will heal thee of thy plague (30:12, 14, 17).
In the same:
Everyone that passeth by Edom shall hiss at all the plagues thereof (49:17).
In the same:
Everyone that passeth by Babylon shall hiss at all her plagues (50:13).
In Moses:
If they will* not take heed to do all the words of the law, Jehovah will make thy plagues wonderful, great plagues and lasting, and evil and lasting diseases. Also every disease and every plague which is not written in the book of this law will Jehovah secretly send upon thee until thou be destroyed (Deut. 28:58, 59, 61).
“Plagues” here signify spiritual plagues, which destroy the soul, not the body, and which are enumerated in this chapter of Deuteronomy (verses 20-68).
sRef Zech@14 @12 S4′ sRef Zech@14 @15 S4′ [4] What “plagues” signify in the spiritual sense is described by correspondences in Zechariah:
This shall be the plague wherewith Jehovah will plague all the peoples that shall wage war against Jerusalem; his flesh shall waste away as he standeth upon his feet, and his eyes shall waste away in their sockets, and his tongue shall waste away in his mouth. So shall be the plague of the horse, of the mule, of the camel, of the ass, and of every beast that shall be in those camps, as this plague (14:12, 15).
This is said of those who endeavor to destroy the truths of the church by falsities; “Jerusalem” signifies the church in respect to the truths of doctrine, and “to wage war against it” means to endeavor to destroy these truths by falsities. That “one’s flesh shall waste away as he standeth upon his feet” signifies that with those who attempt this, all the will of good will perish, and that they will thus become merely corporeal-natural, for “flesh” signifies the will and its good or evil; “feet” signify the things of the natural man, therefore “to stand upon the feet” signifies to live from such things only; “his eyes shall waste away in their sockets” signifies that all understanding of truth will perish, “eyes” signifying that understanding; “his tongue shall waste away in his mouth” signifies that all perception of truth and affection of good will perish. (This prophecy is explained above, n. 455.) Almost the same things are signified by “the plagues of the horse, the mule, the camel, the ass, and every beast,” for the “plague” of these signifies the loss of all understanding of truth, as well spiritual as natural; and “the plague of the beast” signifies the loss of all affection for good.
sRef Luke@10 @30 S5′ sRef Luke@7 @21 S5′ [5] In Luke:
In the same hour in which John sent unto Him, Jesus cured many of diseases and plagues of evil spirits; and on many that were blind He bestowed sight (Luke 7:21).
“The plagues of evil spirits” mean the obsessions and calamitous conditions then inflicted upon men by evil spirits, all of which however signify correspondent spiritual states; for all the healings of diseases performed by the Lord signified spiritual healings, and from this the miracles of the Lord were Divine; as this, that “on many that were blind He bestowed sight,” which signified that to those who were in ignorance of truth He gave the understanding of the truths of doctrine:
The wounds [plagas] that the robbers inflicted on the man who went down from Jerusalem to Jericho (Luke 10:30);
also signifies spiritual wounds, which were the falsities and evils infused into sojourners and Gentiles by the scribes and Pharisees. (See above, n. 444, where this parable is explained in its spiritual sense.)
* Latin has “they will,” the Hebrew “thou whilt,” as also in AE n. 696; AC n. 2826, 6752.

sRef Rev@9 @20 S0′ 585. And repented not of the works of their hands, signifies who did not actually turn themselves away from such things as are from self [proprium]. This is evident from the signification of “to repent,” as being to turn oneself away actually from evil (of which presently) and from the signification of “the works of their hands,” as being such things as man thinks, wills, and does, from self [proprium]. That this is the signification of “the works of their hands,” will appear from the passages in the Word that follow, also from this, that works are things of the will, and of the understanding therefrom, or of love and of faith therefrom (see above, n. 98); also that “hands” signify power, and “their hands” self-power, thus whatever with man comes forth from self.
[2] In respect to man’s self it is to be known that it is nothing but evil and falsity therefrom; the voluntary self [proprium voluntarium] is evil, and the intellectual self therefrom [proprium intellectuale] is falsity. This self man derives mainly from parents, grandfathers, and great-grandfathers, in a long series back, so that at length the hereditary, which is his self, is nothing but evil gradually heaped up and condensed. For every man is born into two diabolical loves, the love of self and the love of the world, from which loves all evils and all falsities therefrom pour forth as from their own fountains; and as man is born into these loves he is also born into evils of every kind (respecting which more may be seen in the New Jerusalem and Its Heavenly Doctrine, n. 65-83).
[3] Because man, in respect to his self is such, means have been given by the Divine mercy of the Lord, by which man can be withdrawn from his self; these means are given in the Word; and when man cooperates with these means, that is, when he thinks and speaks, wills and acts, from the Divine Word, he is kept by the Lord in things Divine, and is thus withheld from self; and when this continues there is formed with man by the Lord as it were a new self, both voluntary and intellectual, which is wholly separated from man’s self; thus man becomes as it were created anew, and this is what is called his reformation and regeneration by truths from the Word, and by a life according to them. (Respecting this see also the New Jerusalem and Its Heavenly Doctrine, in the article on Remission of Sins, n. 159-172; and on Regeneration, n. 173-186.) To repent is to actually turn oneself away from evils, because every man is such as his life is, and the life of man consists mainly in willing and consequent doing; and from this it follows that repentance which is merely of the thought and of the lips, and not at the same time of the will and of action therefrom, is not repentance, for then the life remains the same afterwards as it was before. This makes evident that to repent is to actually turn oneself away from evils, and to enter upon a new life (on this see the New Jerusalem and Its Heavenly Doctrine, n. 159-172).
sRef Jer@25 @7 S4′ sRef Jer@25 @6 S4′ sRef Jer@25 @14 S4′ [4] That “the works of the hands” signify such things as man thinks, wills, and does from self, can be seen from the following passages in the Word. In Jeremiah:
Provoke Me not to anger by the work of your hands, that I may not do evil to you; yet ye have not hearkened unto Me, that ye might provoke Me to anger by the work of your hands, for evil to you. Many nations and great kings shall make them to serve; that I may recompense them according to their work and according to the doing of their hands (25:6, 7, 14).
“The work and doing of the hands” means in the nearest sense their molten images and idols; but in the spiritual sense the “work of the hands” signifies all the evil and falsity that are from self-love and self-intelligence. “Molten images and idols” which are called “the work of the hands” have a like signification, as will be seen in what follows, where the signification of “idols” is given. As man’s self [proprium] is nothing but evil, thus is opposed to the Divine, it is said, “Provoke Me not to anger by the work of your hands, that I may not do evil to you;” “to provoke God to anger” signifies to be opposed to Him, which is the source of evil to man; and because all evils and falsities are from man’s self [proprium], it is said, “Many nations and great kings make them to serve,” which signifies that evils from which are falsities, and falsities from which are evils, will take possession of them; “many nations” meaning evils from which are falsities, and “great kings” falsities from which are evils.
sRef Jer@44 @8 S5′ sRef Jer@32 @30 S5′ [5] In the same:
The sons of Israel have provoked Me to anger by the work of their hands (Jer. 32:30).
And in the same:
Ye provoke Me to anger by the works of your hands, burning incense unto other gods in the land of Egypt (44:8).
“The works of their hands” mean here in the spiritual sense worship from falsities of doctrine which are from self-intelligence; such worship is signified by “burning incense to other gods in the land of Egypt;” for “to burn incense” signifies worship; “other gods” signify falsities of doctrine, and the “land of Egypt” signifies the natural in which man’s self [proprium] has its seat, and thus whence self-intelligence comes. Thus is this Word understood in heaven.
sRef Jer@1 @16 S6′ [6] In the same:
I will speak with them My judgments upon all their wickedness, that they have forsaken Me and have burned incense to other gods, and have bowed themselves down to the works of their own hands (Jer. 1:16).
Here also “to burn incense to other gods” signifies worship from the falsities of doctrine, and “to bow themselves down to the works of their own hands” signifies worship from such things as are from self-intelligence; that this is from self [proprium] and not from the Divine is signified by “that they have forsaken Me.”
sRef Isa@17 @7 S7′ sRef Isa@17 @8 S7′ [7] In Isaiah:
In that day shall a man look to his Maker, and his eyes shall see the Holy One of Israel, and he shall not look to the altars, the work of his hands, and he shall not see that which his fingers have made (17:7, 8).
This is said of the Lord’s coming and of a new church at that time. “The Maker to whom a man shall then look” means the Lord in relation to Divine good, and “the Holy One of Israel whom his eyes shall see” means the Lord in relation to Divine truth. The “altars, which are the work of hands, and which the fingers have made, to which a man shall not look,” signify worship from evils and the consequent falsities of doctrine that are from self-intelligence. So these words mean that everything of doctrine will be from the Lord and not from man’s self [proprium], which is the case when man is in the spiritual affection of truth, that is, when he loves truth itself because it is truth, and not for the most part because it gives him reputation and a name.
sRef Isa@37 @19 S8′ [8] In the same:
Jehovah gave the gods of the kings of Assyria to the fire; for they were no gods, but the work of man’s hands, wood and stone (Isa. 37:19).
“The gods of the kings of Assyria” signify the reasonings from falsities and evils, which are in accord with man’s self [proprium]; wherefore they are called “the work of man’s hands;” “wood and stone,” that is, idols of wood and stone, signify the evils and falsities of religion and of doctrine that are from self [proprium].
sRef Isa@31 @8 S9′ sRef Isa@31 @7 S9′ [9] In the same:
In that day they shall reject everyone the idols of his silver and the idols of his gold, which your hands have made for you, a sin; and then shall the Assyrian fall (Isa. 31:7, 8).
This describes the establishment of the church; and the “idols of silver and the idols of gold, which in that day they shall reject” signify the falsities and evils of religion and of worship which they call truths and goods; and because the falsities and evils of religion and of worship are from self-intelligence it is said, “which your hands have made for you;” that there shall then be no reasonings from such things is signified by “then shall the Assyrian fall.”
sRef Jer@10 @9 S10′ [10] In Jeremiah:
Silver spread into plates is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz, the work of the workman and of the hands of the refiner; his* garment is hyacinthine and purple; they are all the work of the wise (10:9).
This describes the falsity and evil of religion and of worship which are confirmed by the sense of the letter of the Word. “Silver spread into plates from Tarshish” signifies the truths of the Word in that sense; and “gold from Uphaz” signifies the good of the Word in that sense; and because those falsities and evils are from self-intelligence they are called “the work of the workman and of the hands of the refiner;” the truth of good also and the good of truth from the sense of the letter of the Word, by which the falsities of evil and the evils of falsity, which are from self-intelligence, are confirmed and as it were invested, are signified by “his garment is hyacinthine and purple, they are all the work of the wise.”
sRef Josh@8 @30 S11′ sRef Ex@20 @25 S11′ sRef Josh@8 @31 S11′ sRef 1Ki@6 @7 S11′ [11] Moreover, the work of the workman, the artificer, and the mechanic,” signifies in the Word whatever of doctrine, religion, and worship is from self-intelligence. This is why the altar, and also the temple, were built, by command, of whole stones, and not hewn by any workman or artificer. Respecting the altar it is thus said in Moses:
If thou makest to Me an altar of stones thou shalt not build it of hewn stones, for if thou move a tool upon it thou wilt profane it (Exod. 20:25).
And in Joshua:
Joshua built an altar unto the God of Israel in Mount Ebal, an altar of whole stones, on which no one had moved iron (8:30, 31).
And respecting the temple, in the first book of Kings:
The temple at Jerusalem was built of stone, whole as it was brought; for there was neither hammer, nor axe, nor any tool of iron heard in the house while it was building (6:7).
The altar, and afterwards the temple, were the chief representatives of the Lord in relation to Divine good and Divine truth, therefore “the stones of which they were built” signified the truths of doctrine, of religion and of worship; “stones” signifying in the Word truths. That nothing of self-intelligence must approach the truths of doctrine and thus worship, and consequently be in it, was represented by the stones of which the temple and the altar were built, being whole, and not hewn; for such is the signification of “the work of the workman and of the artificer;” “tool,” also “hammer” and “axe” and “iron,” in general, signify truth in its ultimate, and such truth is falsified chiefly by man’s self, for this truth is the same as the truth of the sense of the letter of the Word.
sRef Isa@64 @8 S12′ sRef Ps@138 @8 S12′ sRef Isa@45 @11 S12′ sRef Isa@60 @21 S12′ sRef Ps@111 @7 S12′ sRef Isa@45 @9 S12′ [12] Thus much respecting the signification of “the works of man’s hands;” but where “works of the hands” are attributed in the Word to Jehovah, that is, to the Lord, they signify the reformed or regenerated man, also the church, and in particular the doctrine of truth and good of the church. This is the signification of “the works of the hands” in the following passages. In David:
The works of the hands of Jehovah are verity and judgment (Ps. 111:7).
In the same:
Jehovah will perfect for me; O Jehovah, Thy mercy is forever; neglect not the works of Thine own hands (Ps. 138:8).
In Isaiah:
Thy people shall be all righteous; they shall possess the land forever, the shoot of My plants, the work of My hands, that I may be glorified (60:21).
In the same:
O Jehovah, Thou art our Father; we are the clay and Thou our Potter; and we all are the work of Thy hands (64:8).
In the same:
Woe unto him that striveth with his Former! A potsherd with the potsherds of the earth! Shall the clay say to its potter, What makest thou? or thy work, Hath he no hands? Thus saith Jehovah, the Holy One of Israel, and thy** Former, They have asked Me signs respecting My sons, and respecting the work of My hands they command Me (45:9, 11).
That here “Jehovah, the Holy One of Israel, the Former,” means the Lord, is evident from what follows in verse 13; and “the work of His hands” means a man regenerated by Him, thus the man of the church.
sRef Isa@19 @25 S13′ sRef Deut@33 @11 S13′ [13] In the same:
Jehovah of Hosts shall bless, saying, Blessed be Egypt My people, and Assyria the work of My hands, and Israel Mine inheritance (Isa. 19:25).
“Egypt” here signifies the natural, “Assyria” the rational, and “Israel” the spiritual; and “Assyria” is called “the work of Jehovah’s hands” because the rational is what is reformed in man, for it is the rational that receives truths and goods, and from this the natural; the spiritual is what regenerates, that is, the Lord by spiritual influx; in a word, the rational is the medium between the spiritual and the natural, and the spiritual, which regenerates, flows in through the rational into the natural, and thus the natural is regenerated. In Moses:
Bless, O Jehovah, his strength, and accept the work of his hands (Deut. 33:11).
This is said of Levi, who signifies the good of charity, and in the highest sense the Lord in respect to that good; reformation by means of it is meant by “the work of his hands.”
* Latin has “his,” the Hebrew “their,” as also found in AE n. 587; AC n. 1551, 9466.
** Latin has “thy,” the Hebrew “his,” as also found in AE n. 706; AC n. 88, 878.

sRef Rev@9 @20 S0′ 586. That they should not adore demons, signifies that they should not worship their own cupidities. This is evident from the signification of “to adore,” as being to worship, and from the signification of “demons,” as being evil cupidities. “Demons” are evil cupidities because by demons infernal spirits are meant, and all spirits that are in the hells are nothing but evil cupidities; for all spirits that are in the hells, as well as all angels in the heavens, are from the human race; and every man after death becomes such as his life has been in the world, consequently such as his affection has been; therefore after death man is wholly his affection, a good man the affection of good and truth, and an evil man the affection of evil and falsity. Moreover, every man after death thinks, wills, speaks, and acts in accordance with his affection. The affection of evil and falsity is what is called cupidity, and is what is signified by “demon.”
[2] But what is meant by “worshiping demons” shall also be told briefly. Every man is associated with spirits; without association and conjunction with them no one can live; and the spirits with man are such as his affections or cupidities are; therefore when man in his worship does not look to the Lord or to the neighbor, but looks to himself and to the world, that is, when he worships God for the sole end of being carried to honors, and of gaining wealth, or of being able to do injury to others, then he worships demons; for then the Lord is not present in his worship, but infernal spirits are present, who are closely associated with him. These spirits are so insane as to believe that they are gods, and that they are to be worshiped; for every spirit, as well as every man, who is in the love of self, is eager to be worshiped as a god; consequently this insane cupidity continues with men after death, when they become demon-spirits; and this is what is signified by “adoring demons.”
sRef Lev@17 @7 S3′ sRef Lev@17 @6 S3′ sRef Deut@32 @16 S3′ sRef Deut@32 @17 S3′ [3] This worship is meant also by “sacrificing to demons.” In Moses:
They provoked Him to jealousy with strange gods, with abominations they made Him angry. They sacrificed to demons that were not God, to gods that they knew not (Deut. 32:16, 17).
The sons of Israel shall sacrifice at the entrance of the tent, and they shall no more sacrifice their sacrifices unto demons, after whom they go whoring (Lev. 17:7).
The sacrifices that were offered at the entrance of the tent represented the worship of the Lord, because the altar, and also the tabernacle, represented heaven where the Lord is present; but the sacrifices that were offered elsewhere represented worship where the Lord is not present, thus the worship of demons; this was because all things at that time were representative.
sRef Ps@106 @37 S4′ [4] In David:
They sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto demons (Ps. 106:37).
This was altogether infernal; but in the spiritual sense “to sacrifice sons and daughters” signified to pervert and destroy the truths and goods of the church by evil cupidities; “sons” signifying the truths of the church, and “daughters” its goods.
sRef Isa@13 @21 S5′ sRef Isa@34 @14 S5′ [5] In Isaiah:
The tziim shall encounter the ijim, and the demon of the wood shall meet his fellow, the night-monster shall also settle there and find for itself rest (34:14).
This treats of the total devastation of the church by corporeal and merely natural lusts, from which flow forth falsities and evils of every kind; such lusts are signified by “the tziim and the ijim,” also by “the night-monster, and the demon of the wood” (or satyr).
sRef Rev@18 @2 S6′ [6] So elsewhere in the same:
The tziim shall sing* there, and their houses shall be full of ochim, and the daughters of the owl shall dwell there, and the demons of the wood shall dance there (Isa. 13:21).
This is said of Babylon; that there are such corporeal and purely natural lusts with those who are meant by Babylon, and that these constitute the life of their mind is signified by “their houses shall be full of such things,” and “they shall dwell and dance there.” “House” signifies the mind or disposition of man, with the things therein; “daughters of the owl” signify falsities, and “demons of the wood” (or satyrs) cupidities merely corporeal. Like things are said of Babylon in Revelation:
Babylon is become a habitation of demons, and a hold of every unclean spirit, and a hold of every unclean and hateful bird (18:2).
The demons cast out by the Lord, by which many were then obsessed, signify falsities of every kind by which the church was infested, and from which it was delivered by the Lord (as in Matt. 8:16, 28; 9:32, 33; 10:8; 12:22; 15:22; Mark 1:32-34; Luke 4:33-38, 41; 8:2, 26-40; 9:1, 37-44, 49, 50; 13:32; and elsewhere).
* Latin has “sing,” the Hebrew “lie,” as also in AE n. 1029; AR n. 548, 757.

sRef Rev@9 @20 S0′ 587. And idols of gold and of silver and of brass and of stone and of wood, signifies false doctrinals that are from self-intelligence, that favor the loves of the body and of the world, and principles derived therefrom. This is evident from the signification of “idols,” as being the falsities of doctrine, of religion, and of worship, which are from self-intelligence. But what “idols of gold, of silver, of brass, of stone, and of wood,” signify in particular can be seen from the signification of “gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood;” “gold” signifies spiritual good, “silver” spiritual truth, “brass” natural good, “stone” natural truth, and “wood” sensual good. All these goods and truths enter into genuine doctrine, because such doctrine is both from the spiritual and from the natural sense of the Word. When a false doctrinal is confirmed by the spiritual things of the Word it becomes an idol of gold and an idol of silver; but when it is confirmed by the natural things of the Word, such as belong to the sense of its letter, it becomes an idol of brass and stone; and when it is confirmed by the mere sense of the letter it becomes an idol of wood; for both the interior or spiritual and the exterior or natural senses of the Word can be applied to confirm falsities, as can be seen from innumerable heresies which are all confirmed thereby.
[2] Falsities become confirmed when the genuine sense of the Word is not understood, and for the reason that self-loves and the principles derived therefrom are dominant, and when these are dominant man sees nothing from the light of heaven, but whatever he sees is from the light of the world separated from the light of heaven; and when the light of the world is separated from the light of heaven there is thick darkness in things spiritual. It is to be known that the sons of Israel took from Egypt and also from the nations round about the foul custom of worshiping idols; and as they were merely external men they also had that worship implanted in them from natural inclination, as can be seen from the idolatries of so many of the kings of Judah and Israel related in the Word, and also from Solomon himself who was the wisest of them; but still these idols which they made for themselves and worshiped, when they are mentioned in the Word, signify in the spiritual sense false doctrinals from self-intelligence, from which and according to which is worship.
[3] This signification of idols, too, has its cause from the spiritual world; there evil spirits who have framed for themselves falsities of doctrine are seen fashioning idols and marking them in various ways until they appear to be in a human form; they also make selections from various representatives and fit them together so as to cohere, and thus counterfeit that form in externals. It has been permitted me to witness the formation of such idols by leaders of the church, who have persuaded themselves that falsities are truths; and as they excelled in ingenuity they knew how to join the particulars together assiduously, and afterwards to clothe them. Such an idol I have seen made by the English, by which they represented that faith alone is the essential of salvation, and that it produces the goods of charity without any cooperation from man. Idols are formed in the spiritual world by those who are in falsities of doctrine that are from self-intelligence, because Divine truths, from which is the genuine doctrine of the church, induce upon angels the human form; for this reason also angels signify in the Word Divine truths; and for this reason falsities of doctrine that are confirmed from the Word are presented as idols in the human form; truths of the Word that are falsified and that are used as confirmations induce that form, but because the truths are falsified an idol is presented that has no life.
sRef Isa@40 @19 S4′ sRef Isa@40 @20 S4′ [4] That “idols, graven images, and molten images,” signify the falsities of doctrine, of religion, and of worship, can be seen from the following passages in the Word. In Isaiah:
The artificer casteth a graven image, and the refiner spreadeth it over with gold and casteth chains of silver. He that is too impoverished for an oblation chooseth wood that will not rot; he seeketh unto him a wise artificer to prepare a graven image that shall not be moved (40:19, 20).
This describes how doctrine is fused and welded together by means of falsities, thus by means of such things as are from self-intelligence, for these are all falsities. The “artificer,” the “refiner,” and the “wise artificer,” whom he seeketh unto him, mean one who fashions and forms such a doctrine. “To spread it over with gold” signifies that it may appear in the external form as good; “to cast chains of silver” signifies that falsities may fit together and appear as truths; “to choose wood that doth not rot, and to prepare a graven image that shall not be moved,” signifies that the doctrine may be acknowledged and not seem to be false.
sRef Jer@10 @14 S5′ sRef John@6 @63 S5′ sRef Jer@10 @15 S5′ [5] In Jeremiah:
Every man has become foolish by knowledge; every refiner is put to shame by the graven image; for his molten image is a lie, and there is no breath in them; they are vanity, and a work of errors; in the time of their visitation they shall perish (10:14, 15; 51:17, 18).
Because a “graven image” signifies the falsity of doctrine, of religion, and of worship, therefore it is said, “every man has become foolish by knowledge, and every refiner is put to shame by the graven image;” the “knowledge by which man becomes foolish” signifies self-intelligence, wherefore falsity therefrom is signified by “the graven image;” such falsity is also meant by “the molten image is a lie, vanity, and a work of errors.” That there is no spiritual life in falsities, or in the things that are from self-intelligence, is meant by “there is no breath in them;” for life is solely in Divine truths, that is, in truths that are from the Lord, as He teaches:
The words that I speak unto you are spirit and are life (John 6:63).
sRef Jer@10 @10 S6′ sRef Jer@10 @4 S6′ sRef Jer@10 @8 S6′ sRef Jer@10 @9 S6′ sRef Jer@10 @5 S6′ sRef Jer@10 @3 S6′ [6] In Jeremiah:
He hath cut wood out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman with the axe. He doth deck it with silver and with gold; he doth fasten them with nails and with hammers, that it move not. They are rigid like a palm-tree, but they speak not; they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. They are both brutish and foolish; the wood is a teaching of vanities. Silver spread into plates is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz, the work of the workman and of the hands of the refiner; their garment is hyacinthine and purple; they are all the work of the wise. But Jehovah is the God of truth, He is the living God, and the King of an age (10:3-5, 8-10).
That the “graven image” here means the falsity of doctrine, of religion, and of worship, fashioned and formed by the ingenious by means of self-intelligence, is evident from the particulars of this description when viewed in the spiritual sense. The self-intelligence by means of which it is cut out and formed is meant by “the work of the hands with the axe,” and by “the work of the workman and of the hands of the refiner,” and by “the work of the wise.” That “the work of the hands of the workman and artificer” signifies what is from self-intelligence has been shown in the preceding article; the falsities that are from it are signified by “they are both brutish and foolish, the wood is a teaching of vanities;” that these have no life is signified by “they are rigid like a palm-tree, they speak not, they cannot go;” “to speak” and “to go” signify to live, and to live means to live spiritually. Confirmations from the Word are signified by “silver spread into plates brought from Tarshish,” and by “gold from Uphaz,” also by “hyacinthine and purple” which was their garment; “silver from Tarshish” signifies the truth of the Word, and “gold from Uphaz” the good of the Word, both falsified; “hyacinthine and purple” have a similar meaning. That every truth of doctrine, of religion, and of worship, is from Jehovah, that is, from the Lord, is meant by “Jehovah is the God of truth, the living God, the King of an age;” for the Lord is called “God” from Divine truth, and also “living,” and “King.”
sRef Isa@44 @16 S7′ sRef Isa@44 @15 S7′ sRef Isa@44 @14 S7′ sRef Isa@44 @13 S7′ sRef Isa@44 @12 S7′ sRef Isa@44 @10 S7′ sRef Isa@44 @19 S7′ sRef Isa@44 @11 S7′ sRef Isa@44 @20 S7′ sRef Isa@44 @17 S7′ sRef Isa@44 @18 S7′ sRef Isa@44 @9 S7′ [7] In Isaiah:
They that form a graven image are all of them vanity, and their most desirable things do not profit; and they are witnesses to themselves that they see not, and know not. For all his fellows shall be ashamed, and the workmen themselves. He fashioneth iron with the tongs, and worketh it in the coal, and strengthens* it with sharp hammers, so he worketh it by the arm of his strength; yea, he is hungry until he hath no power, neither doth he drink water until he is exhausted. He fashioneth wood, he stretcheth out the line, and describeth it with a rule; he maketh it in its angles, and shapeth it by a circle, that he may make it in the form of a man, according to the beauty of man, to dwell in the house. To cut out for himself cedars, or he hath taken the box-tree or the oak; although it be for a man to burn, and he taketh of them to be warm, and also kindleth it to bake bread, yet he maketh a god and boweth himself down, he maketh of it a graven image and adoreth it. They know not nor discern, for they have forgotten so that their eyes do not see, and their hearts do not understand. And none taketh it into his heart, there is no knowledge or intelligence, neither doth he say, Is there not a lie in my right hand? (44:9-20).
This whole description of a “graven image” means the formation of doctrine from self-intelligence, and the particulars of the description signify the particulars of such formation. Why otherwise should there be in the Divine Word so extended a description of the mere formation of a graven image? That there is nothing but what is false, because it is from self-intelligence, is meant by “They that form a graven image are all of them vanity, and their most desirable things do not profit;” also by “they have no knowledge nor intelligence, neither doth he say, Is there not a lie in my right hand?” The self-intelligence out of which the falsity of doctrine is formed is described by “He fashioneth iron with the tongs, and worketh it in the coal by the arm of his power;” “to fashion iron with the tongs, and to work it in the coal,” signifies to hammer out falsities that favor self-loves; to join falsities with falsities by means of fallacies that make them seem to be truths, is described by “he stretched out the line, and describeth it with a rule, he maketh it in its angles, he defineth it by a circle, that he may make it in the form of a man, according to the beauty of man, to dwell in the house;” “the form of a man” signifies an appearance of truth, and “the beauty of man,” an appearance of intelligence therefrom, and “to dwell in the house” signifies an appearance of spiritual life therefrom. That from this there is no life of intelligence or of the perception of truth and good is signified by “They know not nor understand, their eyes do not see, and their hearts do not understand.” It would be too lengthy to explain what each single thing signifies in particular in this description; it is only necessary that everyone shall be able to see that there is something signified more interior and wise than the mere formation of a graven image. Let it be known that in this description heavenly wisdom which is ineffable lies hidden, and that the angels are in this wisdom when these things are read by man, although the man thinks of nothing but a graven image and its formation; for there are here as many correspondences and as many arcana of wisdom therefrom as there are words.
sRef Hab@2 @18 S8′ sRef Hab@2 @19 S8′ sRef Hab@2 @20 S8′ [8] In Habakkuk:
What profiteth the graven image? For the maker thereof hath graven it; the molten image and the instructor of a lie? For the former of its lie trustest in it, since he maketh dumb gods. Woe unto him that saith to the wood, Awake; to the silent stone, Be watchful, it shall instruct! Behold, it is fixed with gold and silver, and there is no breath in the midst of it. But Jehovah is in the temple of His holiness (2:18-20).
As a “graven image” means the falsity of doctrine, of religion, and of worship, in which there is nothing of spiritual life because it is from self-intelligence, it is said “What profiteth the graven image? For the maker thereof hath given it; the molten image and the instructor of a lie? in which the former of the lie trustest;” a “lie” signifying falsity, and “the instructor and former of a lie” signifying him who frames it; that there is no intelligence or life in it or from it is signified by “he maketh dumb gods, and there is no breath in the midst of it;” that every truth of doctrine, of the church, and of worship, is from the Lord alone is signified by “Jehovah is in the temple of His holiness;” “temple of holiness” meaning heaven, where and from which is Divine truth.
sRef Ps@115 @5 S9′ sRef Ps@115 @4 S9′ [9] In David:
Their idols are silver and gold, the work of the hands of man. They have a mouth but they speak not, eyes have they but they see not (Ps. 115:4, 5; 135:15, 16).
“Their idols are silver and gold” signifies external worship without internal, confirmed by the sense of the letter of the Word not understood, and also by the fallacies of the senses; “the work of the hands of man” signifies what is from self-intelligence (that “the work of the hands” means what is from self-intelligence, see in the preceding article). “They have a mouth but they speak not, eyes have they but they see not,” signifies that from these there is no thought nor any understanding of truth.
sRef Isa@2 @20 S10′ sRef Isa@2 @18 S10′ sRef Jer@50 @38 S10′ sRef Jer@50 @39 S10′ [10] From self-intelligence nothing but falsity comes, because man’s self [proprium] is nothing but evil, for it favors his own love and his own intelligence; such, therefore, do not seek truths for the sake of truths, but only for the sake of reputation, renown, glory, and gain, and when these are dominant heaven cannot flow in with its light and open the sight and enlighten, consequently they see like owls, moles, and bats, in the dark, according to these words in Isaiah:
In that day a man shall cast away the idols of his silver and the idols of his gold, which they made for themselves to bow down to the moles and to the bats (2:18, 20).
In Jeremiah:
A drought is upon her waters and they have become dry; for this is a land of graven images, and they boast of horrible things. Therefore the tziim and the ijim shall dwell there, and the daughters of the owl shall dwell therein (50:38, 39).
“A drought upon her waters” signifies that there is no truth; “the tziim and the ijim” signify infernal falsities and evils, and “the daughters of the owl” signify the affections of falsity. This is said of the land of Chaldea, and of Babylon, which signify the profanations of truth and good by falsities that favor evils, which such frame for themselves for the sake of dominion.
sRef Hos@13 @2 S11′ [11] In Hosea:
They have made for themselves a molten image of their silver, idols in their intelligence, all of them the work of the artificers; those that sacrifice man kiss the calves (13:2).
Because a “molten image” signifies a doctrinal from self-intelligence it is said, “They have made a molten image of their silver, idols in their intelligence, all of them the work of the artificers;” and because by means of it they destroy spiritual life and put on what is merely natural, it is said, “those that sacrifice man kiss the calves,” “to sacrifice man” signifying to destroy spiritual life, and “to kiss the calves” signifying to become merely natural.
sRef Jer@8 @19 S12′ sRef Isa@41 @29 S12′ [12] In Isaiah:
Behold they are all an iniquity, their works are nothing; their molten images are wind and emptiness (41:29).
Evils of doctrine, of religion, and of worship, are signified by “they are all an iniquity, their works are nothing,” and falsities by “their molten images are wind and emptiness;” “wind and emptiness” are predicated in the Word of falsities from self. In Jeremiah:
Why have they provoked Me to anger with their graven images and with the vanities of aliens? (8:19).
“Vanities of aliens” also signify the falsities of religion, like as “graven images,” therefore it is said, “with their graven images, with the vanities of aliens.”
sRef Ezek@14 @6 S13′ sRef Ezek@14 @5 S13′ sRef Ezek@14 @4 S13′ sRef Ezek@14 @3 S13′ [13] In Ezekiel:
Every man of the house of Israel who shall make idols to ascend upon his heart, and shall put the stumbling block of iniquity before his faces, shall yet come to the prophet; shall I, Jehovah, answer him who cometh with a multitude of his idols? (14:4).
Here, too, “idols” stand for the falsities of doctrine which are from self-intelligence; to accept these falsities and to acknowledge them is signified by “making idols to ascend upon his heart;” and to be affected by them and live according to them is signified by “putting the stumbling block of iniquity before his faces;” that to such the Lord cannot reveal the genuine truths of doctrine so long as they are in these falsities is signified by “if he shall come to the prophet, shall I, Jehovah, answer him who cometh with a multitude of his idols?” A “prophet” means one who teaches truths, and in the abstract sense the doctrine of genuine truth which is from the Lord; and “a multitude of idols” signifies falsities in abundance, for from one falsity assumed as a principle, falsities flow forth in abundance, together with falsities in a series from their connection; this is why they are called “idols,” in the plural, and “a multitude of idols.”
sRef Ezek@36 @25 S14′ [14] In the same:
I will sprinkle clean waters upon you that ye may be cleansed from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols will I cleanse you (Ezek. 36:25).
Because “idols” signify falsities of doctrine it is said, “I will sprinkle clean waters upon you;” “clean waters” signifying genuine truths, and “to sprinkle them upon them” signifies to purify from falsities; these falsities are also called “uncleannesses,” because they are falsities from evil, and falsities producing evil.
sRef Micah@1 @7 S15′ sRef Micah@1 @6 S15′ [15] In Micah:
I will make Samaria into a heap of the field, and I will make its stones to flow down into the valley, and I will open its foundations. Then all her graven images shall be beaten to pieces, and all the hire of her whoredom shall be burned up with fire, and all their idols will I lay waste; for she hath gathered them from the hire of a harlot, therefore to the hire of a harlot shall they return (1:6, 7).
“Samaria when it became idolatrous” represented the church devastated in respect to the truths of doctrine and the goods of life, or destroyed by the falsities of doctrine and by the evils of life; devastation in respect to all the truths of the church is signified by “it shall be made into a heap of the field, and its stones shall flow down into the valley, and its foundations shall be opened;” “the field” meaning the church; “the heap of the field” its devastation; “the stones” the truths of the church, and “foundations” the natural truths upon which the church is founded; the complete devastation of these is signified by “the stones shall flow down into the valley, and the foundations shall be opened;” the destruction of the church by the falsities of doctrine is signified by “her graven images shall be beaten to pieces, and her idols laid waste;” “the hire of whoredom which shall be burned up with the fire,” signifies the falsification of truth by applications to favor the loves of self and of the world.
sRef Isa@31 @7 S16′ sRef Isa@42 @17 S16′ sRef Deut@27 @15 S16′ sRef Isa@30 @22 S16′ sRef Ezek@6 @4 S16′ sRef Isa@48 @5 S16′ sRef Lev@26 @30 S16′ sRef Ezek@6 @5 S16′ sRef Micah@5 @13 S16′ sRef Isa@10 @11 S16′ sRef Isa@21 @8 S16′ sRef Isa@10 @10 S16′ sRef Isa@21 @9 S16′ sRef Deut@7 @25 S16′ [16] “Graven images,” “molten images,” and “idols,” have a similar signification in the following passages. In Isaiah:
As My hand hath found the kingdoms of the idols and their graven images of Jerusalem and Samaria, shall I not, as I have done unto Samaria and her idols, so do to Jerusalem and her idols? (10:10, 11).
Ye shall judge unclean the covering of the graven images of thy silver, and the plating of the molten images of thy gold; thou shalt disperse them as a menstruous thing; thou shalt call it dung (30:22).
In that day a man shall cast away the idols of his silver and the idols of his gold, which your hands have made for you a sin (31:7).
Lest thou say, Mine idol hath done these things, and my graven image, and my molten image hath commanded them (48:5).
They shall be turned backward, they shall be ashamed with shame, that trust in a graven image, that say to a molten image, Ye are our gods (42:17).
A lion upon a watchtower said Babylon is fallen, is fallen; and all the graven images of her gods he hath broken unto the earth (21:8, 9).
In Ezekiel:
Your altars shall be destroyed, and your sun images shall be broken; and I will make your slain to fall before your idols. And I will lay the carcasses of the sons of Israel before their idols (6:4, 5).
In Micah:
In that day I will cut off thy graven images and thy statues out of the midst of thee; that thou mayest no longer worship the work of thy hands (5:10, 13).
In Moses:
And I will cast your bodies upon the bodies of your idols, and My soul shall abhor you (Lev. 26:30).
The graven images of their gods shall ye burn up with fire; thou shalt not covet the silver or gold that is on them to take it unto thee, for it is an abomination to thy God (Deut. 7:25).
Cursed be he who shall make a graven and a molten image, an abomination unto Jehovah, the work of the hands of the artificer, and shall put it in a secret place (Deut. 27:15).
sRef Dan@5 @4 S17′ sRef Dan@5 @5 S17′ sRef Dan@5 @3 S17′ sRef Dan@5 @2 S17′ [17] “Idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood,” have a similar signification as:
The gods of gold, of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone, that king Belshazzar praised when he drank wine with his nobles and wives out of the vessels of gold and silver that were brought from the temple of Jerusalem; on account of which the handwriting appeared on the wall, and the king [Nebuchadnezzar]** was himself driven out from man, and became like a beast (Dan. 5:1, et seq.).
“The vessels of gold and silver of the temple of Jerusalem” signified the holy goods and truths of the church; “the gods of gold, silver, brass, iron, wood, and stone, which the king of Babylon then praised,” have a similar meaning as “idols” of the same, and these signify the evils and falsities of doctrine and of worship; “to praise” signifying to worship; “to drink out of the vessels of the temple of Jerusalem and at the same time to praise or worship those gods” signifies the profanation of good and truth by evils and falsities in worship; and because by profanation everything spiritual in man is destroyed, and man without the spiritual is not a man, so Nebuchadnezzar was driven away from man and became like a beast.
sRef Deut@4 @16 S18′ sRef Deut@4 @17 S18′ sRef Deut@4 @18 S18′ [18] Because an external without an internal must not be worshiped, but only an external from an internal, thus the internal in the external, it was forbidden to make any graven image in the likeness of anything living on the earth, in Moses:
Ye shall not make you a graven image, the shape of any similitude, the figure of male or female, the figure of any beast that is on the earth, the figure of any winged bird that flieth under heaven, the figure of anything that creepeth on the ground, the figure of any fish that is in the waters under the earth (Deut. 4:16-18; 5:8).
This was prohibited because the Jewish nation, more than all other nations, was in externals without internals, and thus in the worship of all the external things that the nations called holy; and to worship external things other than those that represented heavenly things, which were the altar, the sacrifice upon it, the Tent of meeting, and the temple, was idolatrous. The Jewish worship of these, indeed, was also an idolatrous worship, but inasmuch as the church with them was a representative church their worship was accepted for the sake of the representation, although it did not affect them in respect to their soul, as can be seen from the various things shown respecting that nation in Arcana Coelestia (see what is collected in the New Jerusalem and Its Heavenly Doctrine, n. 248). And as the worship of an external anywhere else than where it was commanded, which was beside the tent in the desert and beside the temple and in the temple in Jerusalem, was the worship of the representative itself without any intuition of the thing represented, thus a worship of what is merely earthly apart from anything heavenly, therefore this was forbidden them, even to the extent that they should not make for themselves any graven images of such things; for the nature of that nation was such that as soon as they saw them made they worshiped them.
[19] That the idolatrous nations worshiped the images, not only of men but also of various beasts, birds, and creeping things, came from its having been handed down from the ancients that these objects signified things celestial and spiritual; as that “beasts” signified affections; “birds” the thoughts therefrom; and “creeping things” and “fishes” the same in the sensual-natural man. From this it came that when those who were in external worship without any internal heard that the holy things of heaven and the church were signified by these objects, they began to worship them; as the Egyptians, and from them the sons of Israel in the wilderness and afterwards in Samaria, worshiped calves, because “calves” with the ancients signified the good affections of the natural man.
* Latin has “strengthens,” the Hebrew “formeth,” as also found in AE n. 386; AC n. 8941, 9424.
** Latin has “the king,” i.e., Belshazzar, the Chaldee has “Nebuchadnezzar.

sRef Rev@9 @20 S0′ 588. Which can neither see nor hear nor walk, signifies in which and from which there is nothing of the understanding of truth or the perception of good, and thus nothing of spiritual life. This is evident from the signification of “to see,” as being to understand truth (see above, n. 11, 260, 529); also from the signification of “to hear,” as being to perceive and obey (see also above, n. 14, 249), and as being to have understanding to perceive (n. 529); also from the signification of “to walk,” as being to live spiritually, and in reference to the Lord that it is life itself (see above, n. 97). From this it is clear that “not to see, to hear, or to walk,” signifies that there is no understanding of truth, no perception of good, and thence no spiritual life; these are not in idols or from them, for “idols” signify the falsities of doctrine, of religion, and of worship, and such things are not in falsities, but in truths that are from good; in truths and from them is all understanding, all perception from the will of good, and consequently spiritual life. It is said “consequently,” because spiritual life consists in the understanding of truth and in perception from the will of good; for truths are in the light of heaven, and this so much that the truths themselves give light in heaven, and this because the Divine truth proceeding from the Lord makes all light in the spiritual world, and that light gives all intelligence and wisdom to angels.
Now as truths themselves are of the light it follows that falsities are of no light, for they extinguish light, consequently falsities are called in the Word “darkness” (see above, n. 526); and as they are darkness, they are the shadow of spiritual death. But it is to be known that the falsities of evil constitute such darkness, not falsities that are not from evil. “To hear” signifies perception from the will of good, and thence obedience, because speech enters the ear at the same time with the sound, and the truths uttered enter the understanding and thence the thought, while sounds enter the will and thence the affection. That in the spiritual world sounds present and produce the affection which is of the will, and the words of the sound the thought which is of the understanding, may be seen in the work on Heaven and Hell (n. 236, 241), and above (n. 323). From this it can be seen why “to hear” and “to hearken” also signify to obey, and the “ear” and “hearing” obedience.

sRef Rev@9 @21 S0′ 589. Verse 21. And repented not of their murders, signifies who have not actually turned themselves away from extinguishing the things that pertain to the understanding of truth, the will of good, and spiritual life therefrom. This is evident from the signification of “repenting,” as being actually turning oneself away (as above, n. 584); and from the signification of “murders,” as being the extinction of the understanding of truth, of the will of good, and of spiritual life therefrom; for “man” signifies the understanding of truth, and wisdom (see above, n. 280, 546, 547); and “to kill” signifies to extinguish spiritual life by the falsities of evil (see above, n. 315, 547, 572). That “murder or manslaughter” signifies the extinction of spiritual life can be seen without proof passages from the Word, from this, that the particulars here must be understood spiritually, and “to kill” spiritually is to extinguish spiritual life, which is done by the falsities of evil.
sRef John@8 @44 S2′ [2] This is why the devil is called “a murderer from the beginning” by the Lord, in John:
Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and stood not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie he speaketh from his own, for he is a liar and the father thereof (8:44).
This means the Jewish nation itself, which through its idolatries and traditions extinguished spiritual life by the falsities of evil; “the father thereof” means their fathers; because they extinguished spiritual life by the falsities of evils it is said, “there is no truth in him; when he speaketh a lie, he speaketh from his own, for he is a liar, and “the father thereof,” a “lie” signifying in the Word the falsity of evil.
sRef Rev@22 @15 S3′ sRef Isa@14 @19 S3′ sRef Isa@14 @20 S3′ [3] “Murders” and a “lie” have a similar signification in the following words in Revelation:
Without shall stand the dogs, and the sorcerers, and the whoremongers, and the murderers, and the idolaters, and everyone that loveth and maketh a lie (22:15).
Because those who are meant by “Babylon” extinguish all Divine truths by the falsities of evil, Babylon is called:
An abominable shoot, a garment of those that are slain, of those thrust through with the sword; for thou hast destroyed thy land, thou hast slain thy people (Isa. 14:19, 20).
This is said of Babylon. Those are said to be “thrust through with the sword” who have been destroyed by the falsities of evil; “to destroy the land” signifies to destroy the church; and “to slay the people” signifies to extinguish the truths of the church.

sRef Rev@9 @21 S0′ 590. Nor of their enchantments, nor of their whoredoms, signifies nor from perverting good and falsifying truth. This is evident from the signification of “enchantments,” as being the perversions of good (of which presently); and from the signification of “whoredoms,” as being falsifications of truth (see above, n. 141, 161). That “enchantments” signify in the spiritual sense the perversions of good can be seen from this, that they are mentioned in connection with “whoredoms,” and “whoredoms” signify the falsifications of truth; and wherever in the Word truth is treated of, good is also treated of, because of the Divine celestial marriage in every particular of it. Moreover, it is “repenting of murders, enchantments, and whoredoms,” that is spoken of, and “murders” signify the extinction of the affection of good which is of the will, and of the perception of truth which is of the understanding (see above, n. 589); and the affection of good which is of the will is extinguished when the good of the Word is perverted, while the perception of truth which is of the understanding is extinguished when the truth of the Word is falsified; this also makes evident what is here signified by “enchantments.”
[2] In ancient times there were many kinds of infernal arts, called magic, which were in use; some of these are enumerated in the Word (as in Deut. 18:9-11); among these were also “enchantments,” by which they induced affections and pleasures that another could not resist; this was done by sounds or muttered words, which they brought forth or muttered; and these by analogous correspondences had communication with another’s will and excited his affection, and fascinated him into willing, thinking, and acting in a particular way. Such enchantments the prophets also were skilled in and employed, and by them they excited good affections, hearkening, and obedience; and these enchantments are mentioned in a good sense in the Word in Isaiah 3:1-3, 20; 26:16; Jeremiah 8:17; and in David, Psalm 58:4-5. But as the evil excited evil affections by such utterances and mutterings, and thus enchantments became magical, they are also enumerated among the magical arts and severely forbidden (Deut. 18:9-11; Isa. 47:9, 12; Rev. 18:23; 22:15. Also in reference to Balaam and Jezebel).

sRef Rev@9 @21 S0′ 591. Nor of their thefts, signifies nor from taking away the knowledges of truth and good, and thus the means of acquiring for themselves spiritual life. This is evident from the signification of “theft” and of “stealing,” as meaning to take away from anyone the knowledges of good and truth, which are to serve as means for acquiring for himself spiritual life (see above, n. 193). “Theft” and “stealing” have this meaning because “wealth,” “raiment,” “utensils,” and other things that thieves take away, signify the knowledges of truth and good; therefore spiritual theft, or theft in the spiritual sense, is the taking away of these, as natural theft, or theft in the natural sense, is the taking away of the former. That this is the signification of “theft” can be seen from this, that the extinction of spiritual life in others is what is particularly treated of in this verse, and spiritual life is extinguished by the perversions of good and the falsifications of truth, also by the deprivations of the knowledges of truth and good, by means of which spiritual life is acquired; and all of these are signified by “murders, enchantments, whoredoms, and thefts,” as has been shown already.


Revelation 10

1. And I saw another strong angel coming down out of heaven encompassed with a cloud, and the rainbow above his head, and his face as the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire.
2. And he had in his hand a little book opened; and he set his right foot upon the sea, and the left upon the earth.
3. And he cried out with a great voice, as a lion roareth; and when he cried out seven thunders spake their voices.
4. And when the seven thunders had spoken their voices I was about to write; and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up the things which the seven thunders spake, and write them not.
5. And the angel whom I saw standing upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven.
6. And he sware by Him that liveth unto the ages of the ages, who created heaven and the things that are therein, and the earth and the things that are therein, and the sea and the things that are therein, that time shall be no more.
7. But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, the mystery of God shall also be finished, as He hath declared the good tidings to His servants the prophets.
8. And the voice which I heard from heaven spake again with me, and said, Go take the little book that is open in the hand of the angel that standeth upon the sea and upon the earth.
9. And I went unto the angel, saying unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take and eat it up; and it shall make bitter thy belly, but in thy mouth it shall be sweet as honey.
10. And I took the little book out of the hand of the angel and ate it up; and it was in my mouth like honey, sweet. And when I had eaten it my belly was made bitter.
11. And he said to me, Thou must again prophesy upon peoples and nations and tongues and many kings.

sRef Rev@10 @1 S0′ 592. EXPOSITION.
Verse 1. And I saw another strong angel coming down out of heaven encompassed with a cloud, and the rainbow above his head, and his face as the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire. 1. “And I saw another strong angel coming down out of heaven,” signifies the Lord as to the Word, here in relation to its ultimate sense, which is called the sense of the letter (n. 593); “encompassed with a cloud,” signifies the ultimate of the Word (n. 594); “and the rainbow above his head,” signifies the interior things of the Word (n. 595); “and his face as the sun,” signifies the Lord’s Divine love, from which is all Divine truth, which in heaven and in the church is the Word (n. 596); “and his feet as pillars of fire,” signifies Divine truth, or the Word in ultimates, sustaining interior things therein, and also full of the good of love (n. 597).

sRef Rev@10 @1 S0′ 593. Verse 1. And I saw another strong angel coming down out of heaven, signifies the Lord as to the Word, here as to its ultimate sense, which is called the sense of the letter. This is evident from the signification of a “strong angel,” as being the Lord as to the Word (of which presently); it means as to the Word in its ultimate sense, which is called the sense of the letter, because it is from that sense that the Lord is called “strong,” for all the strength and all the power of Divine truth exist and consist in its ultimate, consequently in the sense of the letter of the Word (of which also presently).
[2] Because it is the sense of the letter of the Word that is meant, therefore it is said that the angel was seen “coming down out of heaven.” The like is said of the Word, which is the Divine truth; this comes down from the Lord through the heavens into the world, consequently it is adapted to the wisdom of the angels who are in the three heavens, and is also adapted to men who are in the natural world. For this reason the Word in its first origin of all is wholly Divine, afterward celestial, then spiritual, and lastly natural; it is celestial for the angels of the inmost or third heaven, who are called celestial angels, it is spiritual for the angels of the second or middle heaven who are called spiritual angels, and it is celestial-natural and spiritual-natural for the angels of the ultimate or first heaven who are called celestial-natural and spiritual-natural angels, and it is natural for men in the world; for so long as men live in a material body they think and speak naturally. This then is why the Word is with the angels of each heaven, but with a difference according to the degrees of their wisdom, intelligence, and knowledge [scientia]; and although it differs in its sense in each heaven, still it is the same Word, because it is the Divine itself, which is in the Word from the Lord that becomes Divine celestial when it comes down to the inmost or third heaven, and becomes Divine spiritual when it comes down therefrom to the middle or second heaven, and becomes Divine celestial-natural or spiritual-natural when it comes down from that heaven to the ultimate or first heaven, and when it comes down therefrom into the world becomes a Divine natural Word, such as it is with us in the letter. These successive derivations of Divine truth proceeding from the Lord Himself exist by virtue of correspondences, established from creation itself, between things higher and lower, respecting which, the Lord willing, more will be said hereafter.
[3] All strength and all power are in the ultimates of Divine truth, thus in the natural sense of the Word, which is the sense of the letter, because this sense is the containant of all the interior senses, that is, of the spiritual and celestial (spoken of above); and as it is the containant it is also the base, and in the base lies strength itself. For if higher things do not rest upon their base they fall and are scattered. So would it be if the spiritual and celestial things of the Word did not rest upon its natural or literal sense, for this not only sustains the interior senses, but also contains them, consequently the Word or Divine truth is not only in its power, but also in its fullness in this sense. (But on this subject more may be seen above; namely, that strength is in the ultimate, because the Divine is there in its fullness, n. 346, 567. That interior things flow in successively into exteriors, even into the most external or ultimate, and that they coexist there, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 634, 6239, 6465, 9215, 9216; that they not only flow in successively, but also form in their ultimate what is simultaneous, in what order, n. 5897, 6451, 8603, 10099. That therefore there is strength and power in ultimates, n. 9836; that therefore responses and revelations were given in ultimates, n. 9905, 10548; that therefore the ultimate is more holy than the interiors, n. 9824.) From this, too, it follows that everything of doctrine of the church ought to be formed and confirmed from the literal sense of the Word, and that also doctrine has its power from that (see above, n. 356). This is why the “angel coming down out of heaven” is said to be “strong.” That “angel” in the Word means in the highest sense the Lord, in a relative sense every recipient of Divine truth from the Lord, and in an abstract sense Divine truth itself, may be seen above (n. 130, 302); here, therefore, “angel” means the Lord as to the Word, because the Word is Divine truth itself. That the Lord Himself is here meant by “angel” can be seen from a like representation of the Lord Himself as to face and feet in the first chapter of this book, where it is said of the Son of man, who is the Lord:
That His face shone as the sun in his power, and that His feet were like unto burnished brass glowing in a furnace (verses 15, 16).

sRef Rev@10 @1 S0′ 594. Encompassed with a cloud, signifies the ultimate of the Word. This is evident from the signification of “encompassed,” as being by what is outside of one, for that which is round about is also without, for it is more remote in the circumference; so here it means the ultimate. Also from the signification of a “cloud,” as being Divine truth in ultimates, consequently the Word in the sense of the letter. This signification of “cloud” is evident from appearances in the spiritual world; also from the Word wherever “clouds” are mentioned. From appearances in the spiritual world, as follows: the universal angelic heaven consists solely of the Divine truth that proceeds from the Lord; the reception of this constitutes angels. In the highest heaven this truth appears like a pure aura which is called ether; in the next lower heaven as less pure, almost like the atmosphere that is called air; in the lowest heaven it appears like something thinly aqueous over which is a vapor like a cloud; such is the appearance of Divine truth according to degrees in its descent. There is a like appearance when angels of the higher heavens speak about Divine truths; what they say is then presented to the view of those who are in the lowest heaven under the appearance of a cloud that floats hither and thither; the more intelligent of them know from its movement and brightness and form what the angels of the higher heavens are speaking about with each other. This makes evident why a “cloud” signifies Divine truth in ultimates. As most things in the Word were taken from the appearances in the spiritual world, and thence have a like significance as they have there, so is it with “clouds.”
sRef Matt@17 @5 S2′ sRef Matt@17 @3 S2′ sRef Matt@17 @2 S2′ sRef Matt@17 @4 S2′ sRef Luke@9 @34 S2′ sRef Matt@17 @1 S2′ sRef Luke@9 @35 S2′ [2] That a “cloud” signifies in the Word the sense of the letter, which is Divine truth in ultimates, can be seen from the following passages. In the Gospels:
Jesus took Peter, James, and John into a high mountain; and He was transfigured before them; and His face did shine as the sun, and His garments became as the light. And behold, there appeared Moses and Elijah speaking with Him. While Peter was yet speaking, behold a bright cloud overshadowed them; and behold a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is My beloved Son, hear ye Him (Matt. 17:1-10; Mark 9:1-11).
And in Luke:
While Peter thus spake there came a cloud and overshadowed them; hence they feared as they entered into the cloud. But there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is My beloved Son; hear ye Him (9:34, 35).
In this transfiguration the Lord represented Divine truth, which is the Word; for the Lord, when He was in the world, made His Human Divine truth, and when He went out of the world He made His Human Divine good by uniting it with the Divine Itself, that was in Him from conception. (That the Lord made His Human Divine truth when He was in the world, and afterwards Divine good, may be seen in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 303-306; and that the Lord is the Word, n. 263.) Consequently the particular things that were seen when He was transfigured signify the proceeding of Divine truth from the Lord’s Divine good. The Divine good of Divine love which was in Him, and from which He had Divine truth in His Human, was represented by “His face did shine as the sun;” for the “face” represents the interiors, since these shine forth through the face; and the “sun” signifies the Divine love (see above, n. 401, 412). The Divine truth was represented by the “garments” which became as the light; “garments” in the Word signify truths, and “the Lord’s garments” Divine truth (see also above, n. 64, 271, 395); this is why they appeared “as the light;” for Divine truth makes the light in the angelic heaven, and is therefore signified by “light” in the Word (respecting which see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 126-140). Because it was the Word, which is Divine truth, that was represented, therefore “there appeared Moses and Elijah speaking with Him;” “Moses and Elijah” signifying the Word; “Moses” the historical Word, and “Elijah” the prophetical Word. The Word in the letter was represented by the “cloud that overshadowed the disciples, and into which they entered;” for the “disciples” represented in the Word the church, which at that time and afterwards was only in truths from the sense of the letter; and because, as has been said in the article above, revelations and responses are made by Divine truth in ultimates, and because this truth is such as is the truth of the sense of the letter of the Word, it came to pass that “a voice was heard out of the cloud, saying, This is My beloved Son, hear ye Him,” meaning that He is Divine truth, or the Word.
sRef Dan@7 @13 S3′ sRef Rev@14 @14 S3′ sRef Matt@24 @30 S3′ sRef Rev@1 @7 S3′ [3] He who does not know that a “cloud” in the spiritual sense of the Word means the Word in the letter, cannot know what arcanum is involved in this:
That in the consummation of the age they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and glory (Matt. 24:30; Mark 13:26; 14:61, 62; Luke 21:27).
And in Revelation:
Behold, Jesus Christ cometh with the clouds and every eye shall see Him (1:7).
And again:
I saw, and behold a white cloud, and on the cloud One sat like unto the Son of man (14:14).
And in Daniel:
I was seeing in the night visions, and behold, there was coming with the clouds of the heavens one like the Son of man (7:13).
He who is ignorant that “the clouds of heaven” signify the truths of the Word in the sense of the letter, cannot know otherwise than that in the consummation of the age, that is, in the end of the church, the Lord is to come in the clouds of heaven, and manifest Himself to the world; but it is well known that since the Word was given, the Lord manifests Himself through that only, for the Word, which is Divine truth, is the Lord Himself in heaven and in the church. From this it can now be seen that the manifestation here predicted signifies His manifestation in the Word; and His manifestation in the Word was effected through His opening and revealing the internal or spiritual sense of the Word, for in that sense is the Divine truth itself, such as it is in heaven, and the Divine truth in heaven is the Lord Himself there. This makes clear that “the Lord’s coming in the clouds of heaven with glory” signifies the revelation of Him in the sense of the letter of the Word from its spiritual sense. “The clouds of heaven” signify the things belonging to the sense of the letter, and “glory” signifies those belonging to the spiritual sense (see in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 1), also the revelation itself of the spiritual sense (in the small work on The White Horse); “Son of man” also signifies the Lord in relation to Divine truth (as may be seen above, n. 63, 151).
sRef Isa@19 @1 S4′ [4] That a “cloud” signifies Divine truth in ultimates, consequently the Word in the sense of the letter, can be seen further from the following passages. In Isaiah:
Behold, Jehovah rideth upon a light cloud, and cometh into Egypt, and the idols of Egypt are moved before Him, and the heart of the Egyptian melteth in the midst of him (19:1).
“Egypt” here does not mean Egypt, but the natural man when separated from the spiritual, which is then in falsities and evils, and through these perverts all the truths and goods of the church; that the natural man is destroyed by these falsities and evils when truth from good flows in from the Lord is described by these words of the prophet understood in the internal sense. Jehovah is said “to ride upon a light cloud” to signify that the Lord enlightens the understanding with truths; “to ride” in reference to Jehovah or the Lord, signifying to enlighten the understanding, and “a light cloud” signifying truth; that then “the idols of Egypt are moved, and the heart of the Egyptian melteth,” signifies that the evils and falsities of the natural man, separated from the spiritual, then destroy the natural man; “idols” meaning falsities, the “heart” evils, and “Egypt” the natural man.
sRef Deut@33 @26 S5′ sRef Deut@33 @27 S5′ [5] In Moses:
There is none like unto the God of Jeshurun, who rideth in heaven and in His magnificence upon the clouds, the abode of the God of antiquity, and underneath are the arms of the world (Deut. 33:26, 27).
Here, too, “riding in heaven upon the clouds” signifies to enlighten the understanding by the influx of spiritual truth into natural truth, which is the truth of the sense of the letter of the Word. Because Divine truth in the heavens is spiritual, and Divine truth on the earth is natural, and the latter is enlightened by the former, therefore it is said, “and in His magnificence upon the clouds;” “the abode of the God of antiquity” means Divine truth with the angels, and “the arms of the world,” mean Divine truths with men; the truths of the sense of the letter of the Word are what are meant by “the arms of the world,” for that sense is the very strength of Divine truth, “arms” signifying strength. (That the strength of Divine truth is in the sense of the letter can be seen in the article just above.)
sRef Ps@18 @10 S6′ sRef Ps@18 @11 S6′ sRef Ps@18 @12 S6′ [6] In David:
God rode upon a cherub and did fly, and was borne upon the wings of the wind. He made darkness His hiding place; His tent round about Him the darkness of waters, the clouds of the heavens. At the brightness before Him the clouds passed (Ps. 18:10-12).
This, too, describes the enlightenment of the Word, and thus of the church; enlightenment by the influx of Divine truth from the heavens is signified by “God rode upon a cherub and did fly;” Divine truth in ultimates which is enlightened is signified by “the wings of the wind,” “the darkness of waters,” and “the clouds of the heavens,” these signifying the various degrees of the understanding receiving enlightenment; that the obscurities of the ultimate sense are thereby dissipated is meant by “at the brightness before Him the clouds passed.”
sRef Ezek@10 @3 S7′ sRef Ps@68 @4 S7′ sRef Ezek@10 @4 S7′ [7] In the same:
Sing unto God, praise His name; extol Him that rideth upon the clouds (Ps. 68:4).
Here, too, “Him that rideth upon the clouds” means the Lord as to enlightenment; “clouds” meaning truths in ultimates, which are enlightened, and these are enlightened by the influx of light, which is Divine truth, from the spiritual world or heaven.
sRef Nahum@1 @3 S8′ [8] In Nahum:
Jehovah hath His way in the storm and in the tempest, and the clouds are the dust of His feet (1:3).
Truth in ultimates, which is the truth of the sense of the letter of the Word, is called “clouds, the dust of the feet of Jehovah,” because it is the natural and lowest truth, into which Divine truth in heaven, which is spiritual, closes, and upon which it subsists. Divine truth in ultimates, because it is but little understood unless there is enlightenment from heaven, is a subject of discussion and controversy, and this is meant by “storm and tempest in which Jehovah hath His way,” spiritual “storm and tempest” meaning discussion concerning the genuine sense, which nevertheless, with those who desire truth, the Lord enlightens by means of influx.
sRef Ps@89 @37 S9′ sRef Ps@89 @36 S9′ [9] In David:
His seed shall be to eternity, and His throne as the sun before Thee.* It shall be established as the moon to eternity, and as a faithful witness in the clouds (Ps. 89:36, 37).
This is said of the Lord, and the “seed that shall be to eternity” signifies Divine truth which is from Him. The “throne that shall be as the sun and as the moon” signifies heaven and the church as to the good of love and as to the truth of faith; “throne” signifying heaven and the church; “as the sun” in respect to the good of love, and “as the moon” in respect to the truth of faith. “A faithful witness in the clouds” signifies that He is Divine truth, for “witness” in reference to the Lord, signifies that which proceeds from Him, and as that is His, it witnesses respecting Him.
sRef Ps@104 @3 S10′ [10] In the same:
Jehovah layeth the beams of His chambers in the waters; He maketh the cloud** His chariot; He walketh upon the wings of the wind (Ps. 104:3).
These few words describe heaven and the church, and at the same time doctrine from the Word. “He layeth the beams of His chambers in the waters” signifies that the Lord forms the heavens and the church from Divine truths; “waters” signify Divine truths; “Jehovah’s chambers” signify the heavens and the church, and “to lay beams” signifies to form. “He maketh the clouds His chariot” signifies doctrine from ultimate Divine truths; “clouds” meaning ultimate Divine truths, such as are in the sense of the letter of the Word, and a “chariot” doctrine; this is said because every doctrine of the church is to be formed from and confirmed by the sense of the letter of the Word. “He walketh upon the wings of the wind” signifies the life which doctrine has from spiritual influx; “to walk” signifying to live, and in reference to the Lord life itself; “the wings of the wind” mean the spiritual things of the Word. (That “waters” signify truths, see above, n. 71, 483, 518, 537, 538.)
sRef Isa@5 @6 S11′ [11] In Isaiah:
I will lay waste My vineyard, I will even command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it (5:6).
This means that the church shall have no understanding of Divine truth or of the Word; “vineyard” signifying the church, “clouds” the Word in the letter, and “their raining no rain,” that there shall be no understanding of Divine truth from the Word.
sRef Ps@147 @8 S12′ [12] In David:
Jehovah who covereth the heavens with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains (Ps. 147:8).
“To cover the heavens with clouds” signifies to defend and preserve the spiritual things of the Word which are in the heavens, by means of natural truths such as are in the sense of the letter of the Word; “who prepareth rain for the earth” signifies instruction therefrom for the church; “who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains” signifies nourishment thereby for those who are in the good of love.
sRef Judg@5 @4 S13′ sRef Isa@45 @8 S13′ [13] The like is signified by the following words in Isaiah:
Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the clouds stream down with righteousness; let the earth open and bring forth the fruit of salvation (45:8).
And in Judges:
Jehovah, when Thou didst go forth out of Seir, when Thou didst march out of the field of Edom, the earth trembled, the heavens also dropped, yea, the clouds dropped waters (5:4).
“To go forth out of Seir, and to march out of the field of Edom,” signifies, in reference to Jehovah, the enlightenment of the Gentiles by the Lord when He assumed the Human; “the earth trembling” signifies the state of the church then changed; “the heavens dropped, and the clouds dropped waters,” signifies instruction, influx, and perception of Divine truth; “to drop” signifying instruction and influx; “waters” truths; “the heavens” the interior things of truth, and “clouds,” the exterior, such as are in the sense of the letter of the Word.
sRef Job@26 @9 S14′ sRef Ps@77 @17 S14′ sRef Job@26 @8 S14′ [14] In David:
The clouds poured out waters; the skies gave forth a voice, and Thine arrows went forth (Ps. 77:17).
“The clouds poured out waters” signifies that there are genuine truths from the sense of the letter of the Word; “the skies gave forth a voice” signifies influx from the heavens; “Thine arrows went forth” signifies Divine truths therefrom. In Job:
God bindeth up the waters in His clouds, and the cloud is not rent under them. He spreadeth His cloud upon His throne (26:8, 9).
Here, too, “clouds” stand for truths ultimate in order, and because these contain in themselves and enclose spiritual truths that they may not be dispersed, this is described and signified by “God bindeth up the waters in His clouds, and the cloud is not rent;” because exterior truths, which are called natural, also encompass and enclose interior truths, which are called spiritual, and are proper to the angels of the heavens, this is described and signified by “He spreadeth His cloud upon His throne.”
sRef Isa@4 @5 S15′ sRef Isa@18 @4 S15′ [15] In Isaiah:
Jehovah said, I will be quiet, and I will behold in My dwelling place like clear heat upon light, and like a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest (18:4);
a “cloud of dew” signifying truth bringing forth fruit from good. In the same:
Jehovah will create over every dwelling place of Mount Zion and upon her convocations a cloud by day, and a smoke and the brightness of a flame of fire by night; for over all the glory shall be a covering (Isa. 4:5).
“The dwelling place of Mount Zion” signifies the good of the celestial church, and “her convocations” signify the truths of that good; protection lest it should be hurt by too much light or too much shade is signified by “a cloud by day and a smoke, and the brightness of a flame of fire by night,” and as every spiritual good and truth is preserved from harm by natural good and truth, it is said that “upon all the glory shall be a covering,” “glory” meaning spiritual good and truth.
sRef Ex@33 @10 S16′ sRef Ex@33 @9 S16′ sRef Ex@14 @21 S16′ sRef Ex@14 @20 S16′ sRef Ex@19 @9 S16′ sRef Ex@14 @19 S16′ sRef Ex@24 @17 S16′ sRef Ex@24 @18 S16′ sRef Ex@24 @16 S16′ sRef Ps@105 @38 S16′ sRef Ex@24 @15 S16′ sRef Ps@78 @14 S16′ sRef Ex@19 @16 S16′ sRef Ex@34 @5 S16′ sRef Ex@19 @18 S16′ sRef Ex@13 @21 S16′ sRef Ps@105 @39 S16′ [16] The same is signified by:
The cloud that was upon the tabernacle by day, and the fire by night (Exod. 40:36-38; Num. 9:15-17 to the end; 10:11, 12, 34; 14:14; Deut. 1:33).
Jehovah went before them by day in a pillar of cloud, and by night in a pillar of fire (Exod. 13:21).
The pillar of the cloud stood between the camp of the sons of Israel and the camp of the Egyptians (Exod. 14:19-21).
In David:
God led them in the daytime in a cloud, and all the night in the light of fire (Ps. 78:14).
And elsewhere in the same:
Egypt was glad when they went forth, for the dread of them had fallen upon them. He spread out a cloud for a covering, and fire to make light the night (Ps. 105:38, 39).
“There was a cloud upon the tabernacle by day, and a fire by night,” because the “tabernacle” represented heaven and the church, the “cloud” the Lord’s presence through Divine truth, and the “fire” His presence through Divine good, which is called the good of faith, each ultimate in order; therefore they were as coverings over the tabernacle; for this reason it is said in the passages cited above from Isaiah and David, “over all the glory shall be a covering,” and “He spread out a cloud for a covering.”
The like is signified by:
The cloud that covered Mount Horeb, into which cloud Moses entered (Exod. 24:15-18).
And the like by:
The cloud in which Jehovah came down upon Mount Sinai (Exod. 19:16, 18; 34:5).
And the like by:
The pillar of cloud that stood at the door of Moses’ tent (Exod. 33:9, 10).
sRef Job@37 @15 S17′ sRef Ezek@1 @4 S17′ [17] So again of the “cloud” in Ezekiel:
I looked, and behold a wind of a tempest came out of the north, a great cloud, and a fire infolding itself in itself, and a brightness round about it (1:4).
And in the same:
The cherubim stood on the right side of the house when the man entered in; and the cloud filled the inner court; and the glory of Jehovah mounted up from above the cherub upon the threshold of the house; and the house was filled with the cloud, and the court was full of the brightness of Jehovah’s glory (10:3, 4).
The “cherubim” signify the Lord in respect to guarding, that there be no approach except through the good of love; so, too, the “cherubim” signify the heavens, in particular the inmost or third heaven, because the angels who are there receive Divine truth in the good of love, therefore it is Divine truth, which is in its essence the good of love, that guards. This Divine truth, as it comes down out of the inmost heaven into the lower heavens, and at length into the world where men are, from being pure becomes thus by degrees more dense, consequently in the lowest degree it appears like a cloud; this is why it signifies Divine truth accommodated to the apprehension of the angels who are in the lowest heaven, who are spiritual-natural, and finally to the apprehension of men in the natural world. Moreover, as Divine truth in this degree is similar to the Divine truth in the sense of the letter of the Word, “cloud” signifies the Word as to the sense of the letter. It was this Divine truth that filled the court like a cloud, and at length the house, at the right side of which stood the cherubim; and as this Divine truth is inwardly the spiritual that shines from heavenly light, therefore it is called “glory,” and it is said that “the court was full of the brightness of Jehovah’s glory.” Also in Job:
When God maketh the light of His cloud to be bright (37:15).
sRef Ps@148 @4 S18′ sRef Jer@51 @9 S18′ sRef Ps@68 @34 S18′ sRef Isa@14 @14 S18′ sRef Gen@1 @7 S18′ [18] Because the higher heavens appear before the eyes of those who are in the lower heavens as covered by a light and bright cloud (for the reason that the lower angels are unable to see the higher or interior Divine otherwise than in accordance with their own quality), therefore also Divine truth in the higher heavens, or what is the same thing, the higher heavens themselves, are meant in some passages in the Word by “clouds;” for whether you say Divine truth or the heavens it is the same, since the heavens are heavens from Divine truth, and the angels there are angels from the reception of Divine truth. It is in this sense that “clouds” are mentioned in Isaiah:
Lucifer, thou hast said in thy heart, I will ascend above the heights of the cloud; I will become like the Most High (14:13, 14).
In Jeremiah:
Forsake Babylon, and let us go everyone into his own land; for her judgment hath reached even unto the heavens, and it hath lifted up itself even to the clouds (51:9).
And in David:
Give ye strength unto God; His excellency is over Israel, and His strength is above the clouds (Ps. 68:34).
The same is here signified by “clouds” as:
By the waters above the expanse (Gen. 1:7).
And by the waters above the heavens (Ps. 148:4);
for clouds consist of water. That “waters” signify Divine truths may be seen above (n. 71, 483, 518).
sRef Ezek@34 @12 S19′ sRef Deut@5 @22 S19′ sRef Deut@5 @26 S19′ sRef Ezek@30 @18 S19′ sRef Deut@5 @25 S19′ sRef Deut@5 @23 S19′ sRef Deut@5 @24 S19′ sRef Ezek@38 @9 S19′ sRef Joel@2 @2 S19′ [19] As there are clouds that are lighter and brighter, also clouds that are denser and blacker, and lighter and brighter clouds appear beneath the heavens, but dense and black clouds are seen about many of the hells, it is evident that “clouds” in the contrary sense signify the falsities of evil which are contrary to truths from good, as in the following passages. In Ezekiel:
Egypt a cloud shall cover her, and her daughters shall go into captivity (30:18).
He shall ascend like a cloud to cover the land (38:9).
Sheep scattered in the day of cloud and thick darkness (34:12).
So the Last Judgment, when those who are in the falsities of evil are to perish, is called:
A day of cloud and of obscurity (Joel 2:2; Zeph. 1:15).
The like is signified by:
The clouds and thick darkness that appeared to the sons of Israel when the law was given from Mount Sinai (Deut. 4:11, 12, 15; 5:22-26);
for although Jehovah, that is, the Lord, came down upon that mountain in a bright cloud, yet it appeared before the eyes of the people, who were in the falsities of evil, as a thick dark cloud (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 1861, 6832, 8814, 8819, 9434, 10551).
* Latin has “Thee,” the Hebrew “Me,” as found also in AE n. 205, 401, 684, 768.
** Latin has “cloud,” the Hebrew “clouds,” as found in AE n. 26, 283, 319.

sRef Rev@10 @1 S0′ 595. And the rainbow above his head, signifies the interior things of the Word. This is evident from the signification of the “rainbow,” as being Divine truth such as the Word is in the spiritual sense (of which presently); and from the signification of “above the head,” as being what is interior; for “above” and “higher” signify within and interior, as can be seen from this, that in heaven when interior is said higher is meant; for the heavens of the angels who are interior or interiorly wise appear also above the heavens of the angels who are more external or externally wise. For this reason the three heavens are distinguished from one another by their height, the inmost or third heaven appearing above the middle or second heaven, and this above the ultimate or first.
[2] “Higher” signifies interior, because when higher and lower things are together, that is, form what is simultaneous, as in the head of man, they exist together in such an order that those things that had in successive order existed above are placed within, and those that had in successive order existed below are placed without. This is why higher things signify interior things, and lower things signify exterior things. This may be illustrated to the comprehension by the idea of a surface, in the center of which are things purer, and in the circumferences things grosser; things higher and lower form such a surface when they are let down into one and make what is simultaneous. From this it can also be seen, what is signified by the “angel,” spoken of just above, “encompassed with a cloud,” since for the same reason and from the same idea, “to be encompassed” means by what is without and below.
[3] A “rainbow” signifies interior Divine truth, such as the Word is in the spiritual sense, because the light of heaven, like as the light of the world, according to its incidence upon objects and its modification in them, presents variegations of color and also rainbows; these it has also sometimes been granted me to see in the angelic heaven (as may be seen described in Arcana Coelestia, n. 1623-1625). But the rainbows that appear in the angelic heaven differ from the rainbows that appear in the world, in that the rainbows of heaven are from a spiritual origin, while the rainbows of the world are from a natural origin; for the rainbows of heaven are from the light that arises from the Lord as a sun, and as that sun is in its essence the Lord’s Divine love, and the light therefrom is Divine truth, the variegations of light which are presented as rainbows are variegations of intelligence and wisdom with the angels. From this it is that rainbows there signify the form and beauty of spiritual Divine truth. But the rainbows of the world are from a natural origin, namely, from the sun of the world and its light; therefore they are merely modifications and consequent variegations of light by waters that fall from a cloud. And because there are like appearances of color in the spiritual world as in the natural world, and because these correspond, therefore the rainbows of the world have a similar signification as the rainbows of heaven, namely, spiritual Divine truths in their form and beauty; these truths are such as those of the Word in the spiritual sense.
sRef Ezek@1 @26 S4′ sRef Ezek@1 @27 S4′ sRef Ezek@1 @28 S4′ [4] “Rainbows” have a similar signification in Ezekiel:
Above the expanse that was over the head* of the cherubim was the appearance of a sapphire stone, the likeness of a throne; and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as of the appearance of a man above upon it. And I saw as it were the appearance of a living coal like the appearance of fire round about within it, from the appearance of his loins and upward; but from the appearance of his loins even downward I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and it had brightness round about, as the appearance of a rainbow that is in the cloud in the day of rain so was the appearance of the glory round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of Jehovah (Ezek. 26-28).
As the “cherubim” signify providence and guard that the Lord be not approached except through the good of love, there appeared a throne, and upon the throne the appearance of a man; “throne” signifying the universal heaven, and the “man upon the throne,” the Lord Himself; “the appearance of a living coal, like the appearance of fire from the appearance of his loins and upward,” signifies celestial Divine love, which reigns in the higher heavens, for the higher heavens are represented by the upper part of the body, from the loins upward, to which they correspond, for these heavens constitute that part in the Greatest Man, which is heaven; “fire like a living coal” signifies that love, so do the “loins,” for the “loins” correspond to the marriage of good and truth, which those have who are in the higher heavens; this is why heaven is called a “marriage,” and the Lord is called the “bridegroom” and “husband,” and heaven and the church the “bride” and “wife.” “From his loins downward he appeared like the brightness of fire which was like a rainbow” signifies the spiritual Divine love, which reigns in the lower heavens, for the region of the body from the loins down to the soles of the feet corresponds to that love; and because that love proceeds from celestial Divine love it is called “fire and its brightness;” Divine truth from the Divine good of love is what is bright and presents the appearance of a rainbow. This makes evident also that the translucence of spiritual Divine truth through natural Divine truth is what produces that appearance in the heavens, and consequently that is what it signifies (as was said above; but this can be more clearly understood from what is said on Heaven in the work on Heaven and Hell; that from the Lord’s Divine Human it represents One Man, n. 59-86; on the Correspondence of all Things of Heaven with all Things of Man, n. 87-102; and in the Arcana Coelestia, on the correspondence of the loins, n. 3021, 4280, 4462, 5050-5062).
sRef Gen@9 @15 S5′ sRef Gen@9 @16 S5′ sRef Gen@9 @17 S5′ sRef Gen@9 @14 S5′ sRef Gen@9 @12 S5′ sRef Gen@9 @13 S5′ [5] “The bow in the cloud” or the rainbow, has a similar signification in the book of Genesis:
God said to Noah, This is the sign of the covenant which I give between Me and you and every living soul that is with you, unto the generations of an age. I have given My bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a sign of the covenant between Me and the earth. And it shall be in clouding Myself with a cloud over the earth that the bow shall be seen in the cloud; and I will remember My covenant which is between Me and you and every living soul in all flesh; and the waters shall no more be for a flood to destroy all flesh. And the bow shall be in the cloud, and I see it to remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living soul in all flesh that is upon the earth (9:12-17).
Unless it is known that there is a spiritual sense in every particular of the Word it may be supposed that the bow in the cloud, which is called a rainbow, appears for a sign that the earth shall no more be destroyed by a flood, and yet that bow exists from causes in nature, and is produced mediately when rays of light from the sun pass through the watery particles of rain from a cloud, which shows that like bows or rainbows existed before the flood. For this reason, in consequence of the correspondence between spiritual and natural things, such rainbows as are seen from the earth by men mean such rainbows as are seen by angels in the spiritual world, all of which arise from the light of heaven and its modification in the spiritual-natural sphere there, and thus from spiritual Divine truth, and its translucence in natural Divine truth; for all light in heaven is spiritual, and in its essence is the Divine truth proceeding from the Lord. From this it can be seen that “the bow in the cloud or rainbow” signifies spiritual Divine truth translucent through natural Divine truth, and there is such a translucence with those who are being reformed and regenerated by the Lord by means of Divine truth and a life according to it. In the heavens also this very translucence appears as a rainbow. “The sign of a covenant” signifies the Lord’s presence and conjunction with such, for “covenant” signifies conjunction. This sign was given because the “flood,” by which the human race was then destroyed, signifies the direful falsities of evil, from which the posterity of the Most Ancient Church perished. The restoration and the establishment of a new church, called the Ancient Church, by Divine truth conjoined to spiritual good, which in its essence is charity, are what rainbows representatively manifest in heaven and thence signify in the world. (But as these words involve more arcana than can be explained briefly, see for a detailed explanation of them Arcana Coelestia, n. 1031-1059.)
* Latin has “expanse,” the Hebrew “the head,” as is also found in AE n. 253, 280, 297.

sRef Rev@10 @1 S0′ 596. And his face as the sun, signifies the Lord’s Divine love, from which is all Divine truth, which in heaven and in the church is the Word. This is evident from the signification of “face,” as being in reference to the Lord the Divine love, the Divine mercy, and every good (of which above, n. 74, 412); and from the signification of the “sun,” which also means in reference to the Lord the Divine love (of which above, n. 401, 525, 527); and as all light in the angelic heaven proceeds from the Lord, as a sun, and light there is Divine truth, it means also from which is all Divine truth; and because the Word includes all Divine truth, and the same Word that is in the world is also in heaven, and because “the strong angel coming down out of heaven” means the Lord as to the Word (as may be seen above, n. 593), therefore it is said, the Divine truth which in heaven and in the church is the Word. (That the same Word that is in the world is also in heaven, may be seen in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 259, 261, 303-310.)

sRef Matt@22 @39 S0′ sRef Matt@22 @38 S0′ sRef Matt@22 @37 S0′ sRef Rev@10 @1 S0′ sRef Matt@22 @40 S0′ 597. And his feet as pillars of fire, signifies Divine truth, or the Word in ultimates, which is natural, sustaining interior things there, and full of the good of love. This is evident from the signification of “feet,” as being in reference to the Lord the Divine good of natural Divine love, which is the ultimate in Divine order (see above, n. 65, 69); from the signification of “pillars,” as being lower truths which sustain the higher (see above, n. 219); and from the signification of “fire,” as being in reference to the Lord the Divine love (see also above, n. 68, 496, 504). From this it can be seen that “the feet of the angel seen as pillars of fire” signify Divine truth or the Word in ultimates, which, as the natural sustaining interior things, is full of the good of love. Divine truth in ultimates means the Word in the sense of the letter; and because this sense is natural, and the natural is the ultimate of Divine order, therefore this is what sustains spiritual and celestial Divine truth, exactly as pillars sustain a house or feet sustain the body; for without the natural sense of the Word its interiors, which are spiritual and celestial, would fall apart, like a house when its pillars are removed. Each and all things, therefore, that are in the natural or ultimate sense of the Word are perpetual correspondences, that is, they correspond to the spiritual and celestial things that are in the heavens, and thus also they signify them. From this it can in some measure be seen how natural Divine truth, which is the Word in the world, sustains spiritual and celestial Divine truth, which is Divine truth in heaven, as pillars sustain a house. This makes clear also why the feet of the angel were seen as “pillars of fire.” Moreover, that the Word in its ultimate or natural sense is full of the good of love can be seen from these words of the Lord:
Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and in all thy soul and in all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. The second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang the whole law and the prophets (Matt. 22:37-40).
“The law and the prophets” mean the Word in all things and in every particular; consequently these words mean that each and all things in the Word hang upon the good of love to the Lord, and the good of charity toward the neighbor.

sRef Rev@10 @2 S0′ sRef Rev@10 @3 S0′ sRef Rev@10 @4 S0′ 598. Verses 2-4. And he had in his hand a little book opened, and he set his right foot upon the sea, and the left upon the earth. And he cried out with a great voice, as a lion roareth; and when he cried out the seven thunders spoke their voices. And when the seven thunders had spoken their voices I was about to write; and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up the things which the seven thunders spoke, and write them not. 2. “And he had in his hand a little book opened,” signifies the Word laid open (n. 599); “and he set his right foot upon the sea, and the left upon the earth,” signifies the sense of the letter, which is natural, in which are all things of heaven and the church (n. 600). 3. “And he cried out with a great voice, as a lion roareth,” signifies the testification of grievous distress on account of the desolation of Divine truth in the church (n. 601); “and when he cried out the seven thunders spake their voices,” signifies instruction from heaven, and perception respecting the last state of the church (n. 602). 4. “And when the seven thunders had spoken their voices I was about to write,” signifies that he wished to disclose that state (n. 603); “and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up the things which the seven thunders spake, and write them not,” signifies command by the Lord that these things should be reserved, and not yet be disclosed (n. 604).

sRef Rev@10 @2 S0′ 599. Verse 2. And he had in his hand a little book opened, signifies the Word laid open. This is evident from the signification of “a little book opened,” as being the Word laid open. It can be seen that this is what is meant by “the little book opened,” since “the strong angel coming down out of heaven, who had in his hand a little book,” represented the Lord as to the Word, and in fact, as to its ultimate sense, which is called the sense of the letter (see above, n. 593); and because the Word was laid open both to angels and men it is said “a little book opened.”

sRef Rev@10 @2 S0′ 600. And he set his right foot upon the sea, and the left upon the earth, signifies the sense of the letter, which is natural, in which are all things of heaven and the church. This is evident from the signification of “feet,” as being in reference to the angel, by whom is meant the Lord in relation to the Word, the Divine truth in ultimates, or the Word in the natural sense, which is the sense of the letter (see above, n. 65, 69). “Feet” in a general sense signify natural things, because man from the head to the soles of the feet corresponds to heaven, which in its whole complex represents one man, the head corresponding to the inmost or third heaven, the angels of which are celestial, the breast down to the loins corresponding to the middle or second heaven, the angels of which are called spiritual, and the feet corresponding to the ultimate or first heaven, the angels of which are celestial-natural and spiritual-natural; and the soles of the feet corresponding to the world, in which everything is natural. This makes clear why the “feet” signify natural things (see more on this correspondence in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 59-86, and 87-102).
[2] From this it is now evident why “the feet of the angel,” who here represented the Lord as to the Word, signify the natural sense of the Word, which is the sense of its letter. The above is evident also from the signification of “the right foot upon the sea and the left upon the earth,” as being all things of heaven and the church; for the “right”* signifies all things of good which is the source of truth, and the “left” all things of truth from good; and “the sea and the earth” signify all things of heaven and the church exterior and interior, the “sea” exterior things, and the “earth” interior things. And as all things of heaven and the church have relation to good and truth, also to things exterior and things interior, therefore these words signify in general all things of heaven and the church. The angel was seen to stand “upon the sea and upon the earth,” because there is a similar appearance of things in the spiritual world as in the natural world; that is, in the spiritual world as in the natural world there are seas and lands, seas round about and lands between them (see above, n. 275, 342, 538). This shows why “sea and earth” signify all things of heaven and also of the church.
[3] As “right and left” are mentioned in many passages in the Word, and in some places “right” alone, or “left” alone, I will explain in a few words what is signified by each of them, and by the two together. This can be known from the quarters in the spiritual world, where the south is to the right, and the north to the left, and the east in front, and the west behind. An angel perpetually faces the Lord as a sun, therefore before him is the Lord as the east, and behind him the Lord as the west, and at his right hand is the south, and at his left hand the north. It is from this way of facing that the “right” signifies truth in light, and the “left” truth in shade; or what is the same, that the “right” signifies spiritual good which is truth in light, and the “left” signifies spiritual truth which is truth in shade; so, too, the “right” signifies good which is a source of truth, and the “left” truth from good. Such is the signification of all the right and left parts of the body, and also of the head; as the right and left eye, the right and left hand, the right and left foot, and so on, the proper signification of each member or part being preserved. From these few statements it can be known what “right” and “left” signify, in general and in particular, in the Word of both the New and the Old Testaments, as in the following passages.
sRef Matt@6 @4 S4′ sRef Matt@6 @3 S4′ [4] In Matthew:
When thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what the right hand doeth, that thine alms may be in secret (Matt. 6:3, 4).
This signifies that good is to be done from good and for the sake of good, and not on account of self and the world for the sake of appearance; “alms” mean every good work; and “let not the left hand know what the right hand doeth” signifies that good must be done from good itself, and not without good, since that would not be good. The “right hand” signifies good which is a source of truth, and the “left hand” truth from good, as has been said above; these act as one in those who are in the good of love and charity, but not as one in those who have regard to self and the world in the goods they do; therefore the “left hand” means here to know and to act without good. “That thine alms may be in secret” signifies that it may not be for the sake of appearance.
sRef Matt@25 @41 S5′ sRef Matt@25 @34 S5′ sRef Matt@25 @33 S5′ [5] In the same:
And the King shall set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left; and He shall say unto them on His right hand, Come, ye blessed of My Father, possess as inheritance the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. And He shall say unto them on the left hand, Depart from Me, ye cursed, into the eternal fire, prepared for the devil and his angels (Matt. 25:33, 34, 41).
He who does not know what is signified in the proper sense by “sheep” and what by “goats,” might suppose that “sheep” mean all who are good, and “goats” all who are evil; but in the proper sense “sheep” mean those who are in the good of charity towards the neighbor, and thence in faith, and “goats” mean those who are in faith separated from charity; thus all upon whom the judgment in the last time of the church will come; for all who were in the good of love to the Lord, and thence in the good of charity and faith, had been taken up into heaven before the Last Judgment; while all who were in no good of charity, and in no faith therefrom, consequently all who were inwardly and at the same time outwardly evil, had been cast down into hell before the Last Judgment; but those who were inwardly good and not equally so outwardly, also those who were inwardly evil but outwardly in good, were all left until the Last Judgment, when those who were inwardly good were taken up into heaven, and those who were inwardly evil were cast into hell (respecting this see what has been said from things seen and heard, in the little work on The Last Judgment). From this it can be seen that “goats” mean those who have been in faith separated from charity; as for instance:
The he-goat in Daniel (8:5-25), and in Ezekiel (34:17).
This makes evident that the “right hand,” where the “sheep” are, means the good of charity and of faith therefrom, and the “left hand,” where the “goats” are, means faith separated from charity. It was said to the sheep that they should “possess as inheritance the kingdom prepared for them from the foundation of the world,” because in the heavens at the right is the south, where all those are who are in truths from good; for in the southern part the Divine proceeding itself is such as is meant by “the kingdom prepared from the foundation of the world.” So, too, they are called “the blessed of My Father,” the “Father” meaning the Divine good, from which are all things of heaven. But respecting the “goats,” that are on the left hand, it is not said “prepared from the foundation of the world,” but “the eternal fire, prepared for the devil and his angels,” because the evil prepare their hell for themselves. They are called “cursed” because by the “cursed” in the Word are meant all who turn themselves away from the Lord, for such reject the charity and faith of the church. What the “eternal fire” signifies may be seen in the work on Heaven and Hell (n. 566-575).
sRef Matt@27 @38 S6′ [6] The “two robbers who were crucified one of them on the right hand and the other on the left hand of the Lord” (Matt. 27:38; Mark 15:27; Luke 23:39-43), have a similar signification as the “sheep” and the “goats;” therefore to the one who acknowledged the Lord it was said that he should be with Him in paradise.
sRef John@21 @6 S7′ [7] In John:
Jesus said to the disciples who were fishing, Cast the net on the right side of the boat, then ye shall find. They cast, therefore, and they were no longer able to draw it for the multitude of fishes (21:6).
Since “fishing” signifies in the Word the instruction and conversion of men who are in external or natural good, in which good were most of the Gentiles at that time, “fish” signifying the things of the natural man, and “boat” doctrine from the Word; therefore “the right side of the boat” signifies the good of life. This makes clear the signification of what the Lord said, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat,” namely, that they should teach the good of life. That they would thus convert the Gentiles to the church is signified by their finding in such abundance that “they were not able to draw the net for the multitude of fishes.” Anyone can see that the Lord would not have commanded them “to cast the net on the right side of the ship” unless the “right side” had been significative.
sRef Matt@5 @30 S8′ sRef Matt@5 @29 S8′ aRef Matt@5 @28 S8′ [8] In Matthew:
If thy right eye hath caused thee to stumble, pluck it out and cast it from thee. And if thy right hand hath caused thee to stumble, cut it off and cast it from thee (5:29, 30).
That by the “right eye” and the “right hand” the Lord did not mean the right eye and the right hand, anyone can see from its being said that the eye “must be plucked out” and the hand “must be cut off” if they cause to stumble; but as the “eye” signifies in the spiritual sense everything belonging to the understanding and to thought therefrom, and the “right hand” everything belonging to the will and to affection therefrom, it is evident that “if the right eye hath caused thee to stumble it must be plucked out” signifies that if one thinks evil the evil must be rejected from the thought; also “if the right hand hath caused thee to stumble it must be cut off” signifies that if evil is willed the evil of the will must be cast out. For the eye itself cannot cause to stumble, nor can the right hand, but the thought of the understanding and the affection of the will, to which they correspond, can. It is said the “right eye” and the “right hand,” and not the left eye and the left hand, because the “right” signifies good, and in the contrary sense evil, while the “left” hand signifies truth, and in the contrary sense falsity, and all cause of stumbling comes from evil, not from falsity, unless the falsity is the falsity of evil. That these things are said of the internal man, whose part it is to think and to will, and not of the external, whose part it is to see and to act, is evident also from the words that immediately precede respecting the “woman of another,” that merely looking upon her from lust is committing adultery.
sRef Matt@20 @22 S9′ sRef Matt@20 @23 S9′ [9] In the Gospels:
The mother of the sons of Zebedee asked Jesus that one of her sons should sit on the right hand and the other on the left in His kingdom. Jesus said, Ye know not what ye ask; to sit on My right hand and on My left hand is not Mine to give except to those to whom it is given by the Father (Matt. 20:20-23; Mark 10:35-40).
“The mother of the sons of Zebedee,” James and John, asked this, because by “mother” the church is meant; by “James” charity, and by “John” the good of charity in act; these two, or those who are in them, are at the right hand and the left of the Lord in heaven; to the right there is the south, and to the left is the north, and in the south are those who are in the light of truth from clear good, and in the north are those who are in the light of truth from obscure good. The Divine itself proceeding from the Lord as a sun produces such a Divine sphere in those quarters; for this reason none can possibly dwell there except those who are in those truths from good; this is the signification of “to sit on the right hand and on the left hand of the Lord is for those only to whom it has been given, or for whom it has been prepared by the Father;” “the Father” meaning the Divine good of the Divine love, from which is heaven and everything of heaven; so these words of the Lord mean that to sit on His right hand and on His left in the heavens is given by the Lord to those for whom it has been prepared from the foundation of the world to have an inheritance allotted to them in the south and in the north.
sRef Ps@89 @11 S10′ sRef Ps@89 @12 S10′ [10] That the “right hand” means the south in the heavens is clearly evident in David:
The heavens are Thine, and the earth is Thine; the world and the fullness thereof, Thou hast founded them; the north and the right hand Thou hast created (Ps. 89:11, 12).
“Heaven and earth” means the higher and lower heavens, likewise the internal and external church; the “world and the fullness thereof” means the heavens and the church in general as to good and truth; the “world” heaven and the church as to good, and the “fullness thereof” heaven and the church as to truth; and as these principles, or those who are in them, are in the north and in the south, and the south is at the Lord’s right hand, it is said “the north and the right hand;” and as Divine truth united to Divine good in those quarters is such from the foundation of the world, as has been said above, it is said, “Thou hast founded” and “Thou hast created.”
sRef Isa@30 @21 S11′ sRef Isa@30 @20 S11′ [11] In Isaiah:
The Lord hath given you the bread of distress and the waters of oppression; but thine instructors shall not be made to fly away anymore, and thine eyes shall look again to thine instructors; and thine ears shall hear the word saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye shall go to the right and when ye shall go to the left (Isa. 30:20, 21).
This treats of those who are in temptations, and who, by means of temptations and after temptations, accept and receive instruction in the truths of doctrine; temptations themselves are signified by “the bread of distress and the waters of oppression,” “bread of distress” signifying temptations in respect to the good of love, and “waters of oppression” temptations in respect to the truths of faith; for temptations are of two kinds, namely, in respect to the good which is of love, and in respect to the truth which is of faith; “bread” signifying the good of love, and “waters” the truths of faith, and “distress” and “oppression” states of temptation. Instruction in the truths of doctrine is signified by “thine eyes shall look again to thine instructors,” “eyes” signifying the understanding and faith, and “instructors” doctrine. The good of life according to the truths of doctrine is signified by “thine ears shall hear the word,” “ears” signifying obedience, and because obedience is of the life, so “to hear the word” signifies a life according to the truths of doctrine. Instruction and obedience are further described by “saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye shall go to the right hand and when ye shall go to the left;” “way” signifies truth leading, truth leading to the south in heaven is meant by “going to the right,” and truth leading to the north there by “going to the left.”
sRef Isa@54 @2 S12′ sRef Isa@54 @3 S12′ [12] In the same:
Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thy habitations; hinder not; make long thy cords, and make firm thy stakes; for on the right hand and on the left thou shalt break forth; and thy seed shall inherit the nations, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited (Isa. 54:2, 3).
This treats of the establishment of the church among the Gentiles; and “Enlarge the place of thy tent” signifies the increase of the church in respect to the worship from good; “to stretch forth the curtains of the habitations” signifies the increase of the church in respect to the truths of doctrine; “to make long the cords” signifies the extension of these truths; “to make firm the stakes” signifies confirmation from the Word; “to break forth on the right hand and on the left” signifies enlargement in respect to the good of charity and the truth of faith; “on the right” meaning in respect to the good of charity, and “on the left” in respect to the truth of faith from that good; “the seed which shall inherit the nations” signifies truth through which are goods; “seed” meaning truth, and “nations” goods; “the desolate cities which the nations shall make to be inhabited,” signify the truths from goods of life; “the desolate cities” meaning the truths of doctrine where there were no truths before; “nations” meaning the goods of life from which are truths, and “to inhabit” meaning to live.
sRef Isa@9 @19 S13′ sRef Isa@9 @20 S13′ sRef Isa@9 @21 S13′ [13] In the same:
In the wrath of Jehovah of Hosts the land has been obscured, and the people have become as the fuel of the fire; they shall not spare a man his brother; and if he shall cut down** on the right hand he shall still be hungry, and if he shall eat on the left hand they shall not be satisfied; they shall eat every man the flesh of his own arm (Isa. 9:19-21).
This describes the extinction of good by falsity, and of truth by evil; the extinction of all good and truth, however it is sought for, is signified by “if he shall cut down on the right hand he shall still be hungry, and if he shall eat on the left hand they shall not be satisfied;” “the right hand” meaning good from which is truth; “the left hand” truth from good; “to cut down and to eat of these” means to search for; “to be hungry and not to be satisfied” means not to be found, or if found, still not received. (The rest may be seen explained above, n. 386.)
sRef Ezek@1 @10 S14′ [14] In Ezekiel:
This was the likeness of the faces of the cherubim, the four had the face of a man and the face of a lion on the right side, and the face of an ox on the left side; the four also had the face of an eagle (1:10).
What is signified by the “cherubim” and by their “faces” which were like the faces of a man, of a lion, of an ox, and of an eagle, may be seen above (n. 277-281). The faces of the man and of the lion were seen “on the right side” because “man” signifies Divine truth in light and intelligence, and a “lion” Divine truth in power therefrom, such as it is in heaven in the south; and the face of the ox was seen “on the left side,” to signify the good of truth in obscurity, for an “ox” signifies the good of the natural man, which is in obscurity in those who in heaven dwell to the north.
sRef Zech@12 @6 S15′ [15] In Zechariah:
In that day will I make the leaders of Judah like a furnace of fire among wood, and like a torch of fire in a sheaf, that they may devour all the peoples round about, on the right hand and on the left, that Jerusalem may yet dwell in her own place in Jerusalem (12:6).
This treats of the establishment of a celestial church, or of a church that will be in the good of love to the Lord; that church is meant by “the house of Judah.” Her “leaders” mean the goods with the truths of that church; the dispersion of evils and falsities by these is signified by “they shall be made like a furnace of fire among wood, and like a torch of fire in a sheaf,” and by “they shall devour all the peoples round about, on the right hand and on the left;” the evils that will be dispersed by that church are signified by “like a furnace among the wood, and like a torch in a sheaf;” and the falsities that will also be dispersed are signified by “all the peoples round about, whom they shall devour or consume;” that this church will be safe from the infestation of evils and falsities, and will live in the good of life according to the truths of doctrine, is signified by “Jerusalem shall yet dwell in her own place in Jerusalem;” “to be dwelt in” is predicated of the good of life, and “Jerusalem” signifies the church in respect to the truths of doctrine.
sRef Ezek@21 @15 S16′ sRef Ezek@21 @16 S16′ [16] In Ezekiel:
I will set the point of the sword against all their gates, it is made into lightning, it is sharpened for slaughter. Gather thee together, turn to the right, set thyself in array, turn to the left, whithersoever thy faces are set (21:15, 16).
This describes the destruction of truth by direful falsities; “a sword” signifies such falsities destroying truth, and the direfulness and enormity of that falsity is described by “a sword made into lightning, and sharpened for slaughter;” that those who are in such falsity have nothing of good or truth, with however much zeal they may search for it, is signified by “Gather thee together, turn to the right, set thyself in array, turn to the left, whithersoever thy faces are set.”
sRef Zech@11 @17 S17′ [17] In Zechariah:
Woe to the shepherd of naught forsaking the flock! A sword is upon his arm, and upon the eye of his right side; his arm in withering shall wither, and the eye of his right side in growing dim shall grow dim (11:17).
“A shepherd of naught forsaking the flock” means those who do not teach truth and by it lead to the good of life, and who do not care whether it is truth or falsity that they teach; “a sword upon his arm” signifies falsity destroying every good of the will, and “a sword upon the eye of his right side” signifies falsity destroying every truth of the understanding; that they will be deprived of all good and truth is signified by “his arm in withering shall wither, and the eye of his right side in growing dim shall grow dim.” (This may be seen further explained, n. 131, 152.)
sRef Ex@29 @20 S18′ [18] As the right region of the body and the members of the right region signify good through which is truth, so when Aaron and his sons were consecrated to the priesthood it was commanded:
That the blood of the ram should be taken and should be put upon the tip of their right ear, upon the thumb of their right hand, and upon the great toe of their right foot (Exod. 29:20).
This was commanded because “blood” signified Divine truth, by means of which is the good of love, for this good was represented by “Aaron,” and truth by his “sons;” and because all consecration for representing the Divine good of love is effected by Divine truth, “blood was put upon the tip of the right ear, upon the thumb of the right hand, and upon the great toe of the right foot.” The “tip of the right ear” signifies obedience from perception; the “thumb of the right hand” signifies good in the will; and the “great toe of the right foot” signifies good in act.
sRef Lev@14 @17 S19′ sRef Lev@14 @16 S19′ sRef Lev@14 @27 S19′ sRef Lev@14 @28 S19′ sRef Lev@14 @25 S19′ sRef Lev@14 @26 S19′ sRef Lev@14 @15 S19′ sRef Lev@14 @24 S19′ sRef Lev@14 @14 S19′ [19] Because a “leper” signifies good consumed by falsities, the way in which such an evil is to be cured by Divine means is described by the process of the cleansing of the leper, understood in the spiritual sense, from which I will cite only this:
That the priest should take of the blood of the guilt-offering and should put it upon the tip of the right ear of him that is to be cleansed, and upon the thumb of his right hand, and upon the great toe of his right foot; and the priest should take oil from the log and pour it upon the palm of his left hand; and the priest should dip his left*** finger in the oil that is in his left palm, and should sprinkle of the oil with his finger seven times before Jehovah (Lev. 14:14-17, 24-28).
Here “the tip of the right ear,” “the thumb of the right hand,” and “the great toe of the right foot,” have a similar signification as above; so has the “blood,” namely, Divine truth, for this is what purifies man from the falsities that have consumed the goods in him; and when he is purified from these, good can be produced by means of truths, and the man be thus healed of leprosy. From all this it can be seen that “the right and the left” signify the good from which is truth and the truth that is from good (as has been said above). For what other purpose would the blood have been put upon the right part of those members, and the oil be taken from the left palm, and sprinkled with the left finger?
sRef Ezek@4 @4 S20′ [20] Likewise:
The prophet Ezekiel was commanded to lie upon his left side, and to have laid upon him the iniquities of the house of Israel (Ezek. 4:4).
For a “prophet” signifies one who teaches, and in an abstract sense the doctrine of the church; the “left side” signifies the doctrine of truth from good, and it is through truths from good that man is purified from his iniquities.
sRef 1Ki@7 @39 S21′ [21] Solomon set the lavers:
Five beside the shoulder of the house on the right, and five beside the shoulder of the house on its left; but he set the brazen sea by the right shoulder of the house eastward from the region of the south (1 Kings 7:39);
for the reason that the “house or temple” represented heaven and the church; the “lavers” the purifications from falsities and evils, and thus the preparations for entering into heaven and the church; “the right shoulder of the house” signified the south in the heavens, where Divine truth is in its light, and “the left shoulder” signified the north, where Divine truth is in its shade. Thus these “ten lavers” signified all things of purification and all who are purified, and “the five on one shoulder and the five on the other” signified those, or that kind of men, with whom Divine truth is in the light and with whom it is in the shade; “ten” signifying all things and all persons, and “five” one part or one kind. The brazen sea represented general purifying. This was placed by “the right shoulder of the house eastward from the region of the south,” because purifying Divine truth proceeds from the Lord’s Divine love; for the east is where the Lord appears as a sun; Divine truth, which is the light of heaven from that sun, in the south is in its clearness and sunshine; this is why the general purificator was placed “eastward from the region of the south.” These arcana of the Word cannot be known in the world until the quarters in heaven are understood, which differ from the quarters in the world. (Respecting the Quarters in Heaven, see what has been said, from things seen and heard, in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 141-153.)
sRef Deut@17 @11 S22′ sRef Gen@24 @49 S22′ sRef Deut@17 @20 S22′ sRef Num@20 @17 S22′ sRef Gen@13 @9 S22′ sRef Deut@2 @27 S22′ [22] Since everyone in the spiritual world enters and walks in ways that lead to those who are in a like ruling love, and everyone is free to go any way he wishes, thus into and by any way that his love leads him, and these ways to the right or to the left tend to one love or another, thus to the love that has become ingrafted, so “right and left” signifies pleasantly, freely, and of choice. Thus in the book of Genesis:
Abraham said to Lot, Separate thyself; if to the left I will go to the right, if to the right I will go to the left (13:9).
And Abraham’s servant said to Laban when he asked for Rebecca as a wife for Isaac:
Tell me, that I may look to the right or the left (24:49).
Not to recede or to turn to the right hand or to the left, signifies also to go in no other way than that in which the Lord Himself leads, and in which the good and truth of heaven and the church lead, thus not to go astray, as:
That they should not turn aside from the word of the priest, the Levite, and of the judge, nor from the precepts in the Word, to the right hand or to the left (Deut. 17:11, 20; 28:14; Josh. 1:7; 2 Sam. 14:19).
And that the sons of Israel should not turn aside to the right hand or to the left, but should go by the king’s highway when they passed through the land of Edom (Num. 20:17).
And when they passed through the land of King Sihon (Deut. 2:27).
Moreover, “the right hand” signifies full power, and in relation to the Lord, Divine omnipotence (as may be seen above, n. 298).
* Latin has “for the right and the left.”
** Latin has “fall,” the text as quoted just above has “cut down.”
*** Latin has “left,” the Hebrew “right,” as is also found in AC n. 7430, 10061.

sRef Rev@10 @3 S0′ 601. Verse 3. And cried out with a great voice, as a lion roareth, signifies the testification of grievous distress on account of the desolation of Divine truth in the church. This is evident from the signification of “crying out with a great voice,” as being the testification of grievous distress (of which presently); and from the signification of “as a lion roareth,” as being on account of the desolation of Divine truth in the church; for a “lion” signifies Divine truth in its power (see above, n. 278), and “to roar” signifies the result of distress because of the desolation of truth.
sRef Rev@10 @6 S2′ sRef Rev@10 @5 S2′ [2] That this is the signification of “crying out with a great voice, as a lion roareth,” can be seen from what follows in this chapter, where the desolation of Divine truth in the church is treated of; for “a strong angel coming down out of heaven” means the Lord in relation to the Word, which is Divine truth, of whom it is said afterwards that “the angel lifted up his hand to heaven, and sware by Him that liveth unto the ages of the ages, that there shall be time no longer,” which signifies that there shall be no longer any understanding of Divine truth, and thence no state of the church.
sRef Rev@10 @7 S3′ [3] And afterwards it is said, “In the days of the voice of the seventh angel the mystery of God shall be finished,” which signifies the Last Judgment that was to come when there should be no faith in Divine truth because there would be no good of charity. From this it can be seen that “He cried out with a great voice, as a lion roareth,” signifies the testification of grievous distress on account of the desolation of Divine truth in the church.
[4] Moreover, a “lion” is often mentioned in the Word; and in the highest sense a “lion” signifies the Lord in relation to Divine truth, likewise heaven and the church in respect to Divine truth from the Lord; and from this a “lion” signifies Divine truth in respect to power (see above, n. 278). This makes evident what “to roar” or “the roaring of a lion” signifies, namely, an ardent affection for defending heaven and the church, and thus for saving the angels of heaven and the men of the church, which is done by destroying the falsities of evil by means of Divine truth and its power; but in the contrary sense “to roar” or “the roaring of a lion” signifies an ardent desire to destroy and devastate the church, which is done by destroying Divine truth by means of the falsities of evil. Such is the signification of a “lion’s roaring,” because when a lion is hungry and seeks its prey, and also when it is enraged with anger against its enemy, it is its habit to roar.
sRef Isa@31 @4 S5′ [5] That this is the signification of “to roar” and “roaring” in the Word can be seen from the following passages. In Isaiah:
Thus Jehovah said unto me, Like as the lion, and the young lion roareth over his prey, when a multitude of shepherds goeth out against him, and he is not dismayed at their voice nor affected by their tumult, so shall Jehovah of Hosts come down to wage war upon Mount Zion and upon the hill thereof (31:4).
Jehovah is compared to a lion roaring, because a “lion” signifies the Lord in relation to Divine truth and its power, and “to roar” signifies the eagerness to defend the church against evils and falsities; therefore it is said, “so shall Jehovah of Hosts come down to wage war upon Mount Zion, and upon the hill thereof,” “Mount Zion” meaning the celestial church, and “the hill thereof” (or Jerusalem) the spiritual church; the “prey over which the lion roareth” signifies deliverance from hell.
sRef Joel@3 @16 S6′ [6] In Joel:
Jehovah shall roar out of Zion, and shall give forth His voice from Jerusalem, and the heavens and the earth shall quake; but Jehovah shall be a shelter for His people, and a stronghold for the sons of Israel (3:16).
The protection of the faithful by the Lord by means of Divine truth is described by “Jehovah shall roar out of Zion, and shall give forth His voice from Jerusalem;” the vehement power of Divine truth, and consequent terror, are described by “the heavens and the earth shall quake;” and salvation and protection by “Jehovah shall be a shelter for His people, and a stronghold for the sons of Israel;” “the people of Jehovah” and “the sons of Israel” being the faithful who are of the church.
sRef Hos@11 @9 S7′ sRef Hos@11 @10 S7′ sRef Hos@11 @11 S7′ [7] In Hosea:
I will not return to destroy Ephraim. They shall go after Jehovah; He shall roar like a lion, for He shall roar, and sons from the sea shall draw near with honor, with honor shall they come as the bird out of Egypt and as the dove out of the land of Assyria; and I will make them to dwell upon their houses (11:9-11).
“Ephraim” signifies the church in respect to the understanding of truth, concerning which therefore what follows is said. “To go after Jehovah” signifies to worship the Lord and to live from Him; “He shall roar like a lion, for He shall roar,” signifies the protection of such by the Divine truth; “the sons from the sea shall draw near with honor,” signifies that those who are in natural good shall draw near to the church; “with honor shall they come as a bird out of Egypt,” signifies their natural thought from true knowledges [scientifica]; the “bird” meaning thought, and “Egypt” knowledge, which is natural truth; “and as the dove out of the land of Assyria,” signifies that they shall have rational good and truth, a “dove” meaning rational good, and “the land of Assyria” the church in respect to rational truth; for in man there are both natural and rational good and truth; the natural is lower or exterior, looking to the world, the rational is higher or interior, conjoining the natural with the spiritual; the natural is meant by “Egypt,” the rational by “Assyria,” and the spiritual by “Israel.” “To make them to dwell upon their houses” signifies life from the will of good and from the understanding of truth; the human mind, which consists of these, is meant by a “house,” and “to dwell” signifies to live.
sRef Amos@3 @8 S8′ sRef Amos@3 @7 S8′ [8] In Amos:
The Lord Jehovih will not do* a word unless He shall reveal His secret unto His servants the prophets. The lion hath roared, who will not fear? The Lord Jehovih hath spoken, who will not prophesy? (3:7, 8).
“The Lord Jehovih will not do a word unless He hath revealed His secret to His servants the prophets” signifies that the Lord opens the interior things of the Word and of doctrine to those who are in truths from good; “to reveal a secret,” signifies to enlighten and to open the interior things of the Word; “His servants the prophets” signify those who are in the truths of doctrine and who receive; “the lion hath roared, who will not fear?” signifies a powerful revelation and manifestation of Divine truth; “the Lord Jehovih hath spoken, who will not prophesy?” signifies its reception and manifestation. The Lord is called “Lord Jehovih” when good is treated of.
sRef Zech@11 @3 S9′ [9] In Zechariah:
The voice of the howling of the shepherds that their magnificence is devastated; the voice of the roaring of the young lions that the pride of Jordan is devastated (11:3).
“The voice of the howling of the shepherds that their magnificence is devastated” signifies the grief of those who teach, because the good of the church has perished; those are called “shepherds” who teach truth and by truth lead to the good of life, and “magnificence” means the good of the church; “the voice of the roaring of the young lions that the pride of Jordan is devastated” signifies grief, because of the desolation of Divine truth in the church. Those are called “lions” who are in Divine truths; “roaring” signifies grief; “the pride of Jordan, which is devastated,” signifies the church in respect to Divine truth which introduces.
sRef Job@37 @5 S10′ sRef Job@37 @4 S10′ [10] In Job:
God roareth with His voice; He thundereth with the voice of His majesty; nor yet doth He overthrow when His voice is heard; God thundereth marvelously with His voice (37:4, 5).
“To roar” and “to thunder with the voice” signify the power and efficacy of Divine truth or the Word.
sRef Jer@51 @39 S11′ sRef Jer@51 @38 S11′ sRef Jer@51 @37 S11′ [11] In the passages that have been cited, “to roar” signifies in a broad sense the ardent affection of protecting heaven and the church, or the angels of heaven and the men of the church, which is done by destroying the falsities of evil by means of Divine truth and its power. But in the contrary sense, “to roar” signifies an eager cupidity for ruining and destroying the church, which is done by destroying Divine truth by means of the falsities of evil. In this sense “to roar” is used in the following passages. In Jeremiah:
Babylon shall become heaps, the abode of dragons, an astonishment, and an hissing. They shall roar together like lions; they shall growl like lions’ whelps; when they are heated I will set** their feasts, and I will make them drunken that they may exult and may sleep the sleep of an age and not awake (51:37-39).
The destruction of Babylon so that there may be in it no truth or good, is signified by “Babylon shall become heaps, the abode of dragons, an astonishment, and an hissing.” “Babylon” signifies those who abuse holy things for the sake of dominion; their eager cupidity for destroying Divine truth by means of the falsities of evil is signified by “they shall roar together like lions, they shall growl like lions’ whelps.” The eagerness of those who unite in doing this crime is signified by “when they are heated I will set their feasts;” that such will become insane from the falsities of evil is signified by “I will make them drunken that they may exult.” That they will never understand anything of truth, and therefore will not see life, is signified by “that they may sleep the sleep of an age and not awake.”
sRef Jer@2 @14 S12′ sRef Jer@2 @15 S12′ [12] In the same:
Is Israel a servant? Is he one born of the house? Why has he become a prey? The young lions roar against him, they give forth their voice, they reduce his land to a waste; his cities are burned, even so that there is no inhabitant (Jer. 2:14, 15).
“Is Israel a servant? Is he one born of the house?” signifies the church that had been in truths and goods, but is so no longer. “Israel” signifies the church; a “servant” those who are in truths, and “one born of the house,” those who are in goods; “why has he become a prey?” signifies its devastation; “the young lions roar against him, they give forth their voice” signifies the desolation of Divine truth in the church by the falsities of evil; “they reduce his land to a waste” signifies the destruction of the church itself by evils; “his cities are burned even so that there is no inhabitant” signifies the destruction of the doctrinals also of the church by evils, so that there is no good of the church left.
sRef Ezek@19 @7 S13′ sRef Ezek@19 @3 S13′ [13] In Ezekiel:
One of the whelps of the lioness grew up, it became a young lion, and it learned to tear the prey; it devoured men. It ravished widows and devastated their cities, and the land was devastated*** and the fullness thereof by the voice of his roaring (19:3, 7).
This is said of the Jewish Church, which is here meant by “the mother of lions.” A “young lion” signifies the falsity of evil in eagerness to destroy the truth of the church; “to tear the prey” signifies the destruction of the truth and good of the church. “It devoured men, it ravished widows, and devastated cities,” signifies the destruction of all the understanding of truth and of good desiring truth, likewise of doctrinals; “men” signifying the understanding of truth, “widows” good desiring truth, and “cities” doctrinals; “the land was laid waste and the fullness thereof by the voice of his roaring” signifies the devastation of the church and the extinction of all truth from the Word by the falsity of evil, “land” meaning the church, “fullness” its truths from the Word, and “the voice of roaring” the falsity of evil destroying.
sRef Jer@25 @30 S14′ sRef Jer@25 @29 S14′ sRef Jer@25 @31 S14′ [14] In Jeremiah:
I call for a sword upon all the inhabitants of the land. Therefore say unto them, Jehovah shall roar from on high, and give forth His voice from the abode of His holiness; in roaring He shall roar against their habitations; a tumult cometh even to the end of the earth; for Jehovah hath a controversy against the nations. He shall enter judgment with all flesh, He shall give the wicked to the sword (25:29-31).
The vastation of the church is attributed to Jehovah, although men are the cause of it. “I call for a sword upon all the inhabitants of the land” signifies falsity destroying every truth in the universal church. “Jehovah shall roar from on high, and give forth His voice from the abode of His holiness,” signifies the testification of grief in heaven on account of the vastation of Divine truth. “In roaring He shall roar against their habitations” signifies great grief and lamentation over all things of the church; “a tumult cometh even to the end of the earth” signifies the disturbance of all things of the church from first to last; “for Jehovah hath a controversy against the nations, He shall enter judgment with all flesh,” signifies visitation and judgment upon all who are in evils; “He shall give the wicked to the sword” signifies their destruction by falsities.
sRef Amos@1 @2 S15′ [15] In Amos:
Jehovah shall roar from Zion, and give forth His voice from Jerusalem; that the habitations of the shepherds may mourn, and the head of Carmel dry up (1:2).
“Roaring from Zion” signifies grievous distress, and “the voice from Jerusalem” lamentation; “the mourning of the habitations of the shepherds, and the drying up of the head of Carmel,” signifies because of the vastation of all the goods and truths of the church; “the habitations of shepherds” signifying all the goods of the church; “the head of Carmel” all its truths, and “mourning” and “drying up” vastation. “The head of Carmel” signifies the truths of the church, because in Carmel there were vineyards, and “wine” signifies the truth of the church.
sRef Isa@5 @30 S16′ sRef Isa@5 @25 S16′ sRef Isa@5 @26 S16′ sRef Isa@5 @27 S16′ sRef Isa@5 @28 S16′ sRef Isa@5 @29 S16′ [16] In Isaiah:
The anger of Jehovah is kindled against His people. He hath lifted up an ensign to the nations from far, and hath hissed to him from the end of the earth. His roaring is like that of a lion, He roareth like young lions; He growleth and seizeth the prey, he shall snatch and none shall deliver, and he growleth against him like the growling of the sea; and if He shall look unto the earth, behold darkness and distress, and the light is darkened in the ruins thereof (5:25-30).
Here, too, “the roaring like that of a lion, and like that of young lions,” signifies grief and lamentation over the vastation of Divine truth in the church by the falsities of evil. “He seizeth the prey and none shall deliver” signifies the deliverance and salvation of those who are in truths from good. The vastation itself is described by “behold darkness, distress, and the light is darkened in the ruins thereof;” “darkness” meaning falsities; “distress” evil; “the darkening of the light” the disappearance of Divine truth, and “ruins” total overthrow.
sRef Ps@32 @3 S17′ sRef Ps@74 @4 S17′ sRef Ps@74 @3 S17′ sRef Job@3 @24 S17′ sRef Ps@38 @8 S17′ [17] In David:
The enemy hath destroyed all things in the sanctuary; the adversaries have roared in the midst of thy feast (Ps. 74:3, 4).
“The enemy” signifies evil from hell; “the sanctuary” the church, and “feast” worship. This makes clear what is signified by these words in series. That roaring signifies grievous lamentation from grief of heart can be seen from these passages. In David:
When I kept silence my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day (Ps. 32:3).
In the same:
I am weakened and crushed exceedingly; I have roared by reason of the roaring of my heart (Ps. 38:3).
And in Job:
My sighing cometh before bread, and my roarings are poured out like the waters (3:24).
* Latin has “does,” the Hebrew, as cited just before, has “will do.”
** Latin has “little,” the Hebrew “set,” as is also found in AE n. 187, 481.
*** Latin has “devastated,” in AC n. 304, and AC n. 9348 we have “desolated.”

sRef Rev@10 @3 S0′ sRef Rev@10 @11 S0′ sRef Rev@10 @7 S0′ 602. And when he cried out the seven thunders spake their voices, signifies instruction from heaven and perception respecting the last state of the church. This is evident from the signification of “speaking the voices,” as being to instruct, here from heaven, because it is said “the seven thunders spake;” also from the signification of “the seven thunders,” as being Divine truth in respect to understanding and perception (see above, n. 273). The thunders are said to be “seven,” because “seven” signifies all things and fullness, and is used when things holy are treated of (see above, n. 20, 24, 257, 300). It was the last state of the church about which John was instructed from heaven by voices like thunder, since that state is treated of in this chapter, as is evident from the words that follow: “In the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, the mystery of God shall also be finished; as He hath declared the good tidings to His servants the prophets” (verse 7); and that teaching shall go on in the church until that state, which is the end, shall come, is meant by the last words of this chapter, “Thou must prophesy again over many peoples and nations and tongues and kings” (verse 11). From this it can be seen that “the seven thunders spake their voices” signifies instruction from heaven and perception respecting the last state of the church.

sRef Rev@10 @4 S0′ 603. Verse 4. And when the seven thunders had spoken their voices I was about to write, signifies that he wished to disclose that state. This is evident from the signification of “when the seven thunders had spoken their voices,” as being instruction from heaven and perception respecting the last state of the church (see just above, n. 602); and from the signification of “I was about to write,” as meaning to wish to disclose, “to write” evidently meaning to disclose.

sRef Rev@10 @4 S0′ 604. And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up the things which the seven thunders spake, and write them not, signifies command by the Lord that these things should be reserved and not yet be disclosed. This is evident from the signification of “to hear a voice from heaven,” as being a command by the Lord, which is, “write them not;” also from the signification of “to seal up the things which the seven thunders spake,” as being that these things in which he was instructed, and which he perceived respecting the last state of the church, were to be kept secret and reserved; also from the signification of “write them not,” as being that they must not yet be disclosed (see just above, n. 603). That “to seal up” means to keep secret and to reserve until another time can be seen from what follows in this book; for what follows treats of the middle state of the church, which intervenes between the sounding of the sixth and of the seventh angel, that is, between next to the last state of the church and the last, therefore the things that are to take place in the last state are what must be reserved and not yet disclosed.

sRef Rev@10 @5 S0′ sRef Rev@10 @7 S0′ sRef Rev@10 @6 S0′ 605. Verses 5-7. And the angel whom I saw standing upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven. And he sware by Him that liveth unto the ages of the ages, who created heaven and the things that are therein, and the earth and the things that are therein, and the sea and the things that are therein, that time shall be no more. But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, the mystery of God shall also be finished, as He hath declared the good tidings to His servants the prophets. 5. “And the angel whom I saw standing upon the sea and upon the earth,” signifies the Lord, to whom all things of heaven and the church are subject (n. 606); “lifted up his hand to heaven,” signifies bearing witness before angels respecting the state of the church (n. 607). 6. “And he sware by Him that liveth unto the ages of the ages,” signifies the verity from His Divine (n. 608); “who created heaven and the things that are therein, and the earth and the things that are therein, and the sea and the things that are therein,” signifies the Lord in respect to all things of heaven and the church, interior and exterior (n. 609); “that time shall be no more,” signifies that there shall be no longer any understanding of Divine truth, nor any state of the church therefrom (n. 610). 7. “But in the days [of the voice] of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound,” signifies the last state of the church and revelation at that time of Divine truth (n. 611); “the mystery of God shall also be finished, as He hath declared the good tidings to His servants the prophets,” signifies prediction in the Word respecting the Lord’s coming, to be fulfilled when the end of the church is at hand (n. 612).

sRef Rev@10 @5 S0′ sRef Lam@2 @1 S0′ sRef Isa@60 @13 S1′ sRef Isa@66 @1 S1′ sRef Ps@132 @7 S1′ sRef Ps@8 @6 S1′ 606. Verse 5. And the angel whom I saw standing upon the sea and upon the earth, signifies the Lord, to whom all things of heaven and the church are subject. This is evident from the signification of “the angel coming down from heaven,” as being the Lord (see above, n. 593); and from the signification of “standing upon the sea and upon the earth,” as being to whom all things of heaven and the church are subject (see also above, n. 600), since “standing upon them” signifies that they are subject to Him. Thus in David:
Thou madest Him to have dominion over the works* of Thy hands; Thou hast put all things under His feet (Ps. 8:6).
This is said of the Lord; His dominion over all things of heaven and the church is meant by “all things are put under His feet.” And in Isaiah:
I will make the place of My feet honorable (60:13).
“The place of the Lord’s feet” in a general sense means all things of heaven and the church, since the Lord as a sun is above the heavens; but in a particular sense “the place of His feet” signifies the church, for the Lord’s church is with men in the natural world, and the natural is the lowest, into which the Divine closes, and upon which it as it were subsists. This is why the church on the earth is also called “the footstool of the Lord,” as in the same:
The earth is My footstool (Isa. 66:1; Matt. 5:35).
Also in Lamentations:
He hath cast down from the heavens unto the earth the splendor of Israel, and doth not remember His footstool (2:1).
And in David:
We will come into His tabernacles, we will bow down at His footstool (Ps. 132:7).
This is said of the Lord, and “His footstool” signifies the church on the earth.
[2] From this it can be seen that “to stand upon the sea and upon the earth” signifies in reference to the Lord that all things of heaven and the church are subject to Him. But “sea and earth upon which He set His feet,” signify in particular the lowest heaven and the church on earth, as has just been said; for the higher parts of the body belonging to an angel signify the higher heavens, because they correspond to them; for the inmost heaven corresponds to the head, and the middle heaven to the breast down to the loins, and the ultimate heaven to the feet, but the church on the earth to the soles of the feet, consequently the church is meant by “His footstool.” From this correspondence it can be concluded what the “angel (by whom is meant the Lord) standing upon the sea and upon the earth” represented in general and in particular, namely, that He represented the universal heaven; for the Lord is heaven, and His Divine Human forms heaven to an image of itself. This is why the whole heaven is in the sight of the Lord as one man, and corresponds to all things of man, therefore heaven also is called the Greatest Man. (Respecting this see what is said in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 59-102.)
* Latin has “all,” Hebrew “works,” as is also found in AC n. 342, 513, 650, 1100.

sRef Rev@10 @5 S0′ 607. And lifted up his hand to heaven, signifies bearing witness before the angels respecting the state of the church. This is evident from the signification of “to lift up the hand to heaven,” as being bearing witness before the angels; that it means respecting the state of the church is evident from what follows. That bearing witness before the angels is what is here signified by “lifting up the hand to heaven” may be concluded from this, that bearing witness is expressed by raising the hands to heaven; also from this, that “he sware by Him that liveth unto the ages of the ages that time shall be no more,” as immediately follows, and “to swear” is an expression of bearing witness, and the “time that shall be no more” means the state of the church.

sRef Rev@10 @6 S0′ 608. Verse 6. And he sware by Him that liveth unto the ages of the ages, signifies the verity from His own Divine. This is evident from the signification of “to swear,” as being a strong assertion and confirmation, and in reference to the Lord the verity (of which presently); also from the signification of “Him that liveth unto the ages of the ages,” as being the Divine from eternity, which alone lives, and which is the source of life to all in the universe, both angels and men. (That this is signified by “Him that liveth unto the ages of the ages” may be seen above, n. 289, 291, 349.) That “to swear” signifies asseveration and confirmation, but here verity (since it is the Lord that is meant by the angel that swears), can be seen from this, that “to swear” means to asseverate and confirm that a thing is so, and when done by the Lord means Divine verity; for oaths are made only by those who are not interiorly in truth itself, that is, by those who are not interior but only exterior men; consequently they are never made by angels, still less by the Lord; but He is said in the Word to swear, and the Israelites were allowed to swear by God, because they were only exterior men, and because the asseveration and confirmation of the internal man, when it comes into the external, falls into the form of an oath. In the Israelitish Church all things were external, representing and signifying things internal. The Word in the sense of the letter is similar. From this it can be seen that “the angel sware by Him that liveth unto the ages of the ages” cannot mean that he thus sware, but that he said in himself that this is verity, and that when this came down into the natural sphere it was changed, according to correspondences, into the form of an oath.
sRef Isa@62 @8 S2′ sRef Amos@8 @7 S2′ sRef Jer@44 @26 S2′ sRef Amos@4 @2 S2′ sRef Jer@51 @14 S2′ [2] Now as “to swear” is only an external corresponding to the confirmation that belongs to the mind of the internal man, and is therefore significative of that, so in the Word of the Old Testament it is said to be lawful to swear by God, yea, that God Himself is said to swear. That this signifies confirmation, asseveration and simply verity, or that it is true, can be seen from the following passages. In Isaiah:
Jehovah hath sworn by His right hand and by the arm of His strength (62:8).
In Jeremiah:
Jehovah of Hosts hath sworn by His soul (51:14; Amos 6:8).
In Amos:
The Lord Jehovih hath sworn by His holiness (4:2).
In the same:
Jehovah hath sworn by the excellency of Jacob (8:7).
In Jeremiah:
Behold, I have sworn by My great name (44:26).
Jehovah is said “to have sworn by His right hand,” “by His soul,” “by His holiness,” and “by His name,” to signify by Divine verity; for “the right hand of Jehovah,” “the arm of His strength,” “His holiness,” “His name,” and “His soul,” mean the Lord in relation to Divine truth, thus Divine truth proceeding from the Lord; the like is meant by “the excellency of Jacob,” for “the mighty One of Jacob” means the Lord in relation to Divine truth.
sRef Ps@132 @11 S3′ sRef Isa@45 @23 S3′ sRef Jer@22 @5 S3′ [3] That “to swear,” in reference to Jehovah, signifies confirmation by Himself, that is, from His Divine, is evident in Isaiah:
By Myself have I sworn, the word has gone forth from My mouth, and shall not be recalled (45:23).
In Jeremiah:
By Myself I have sworn that this house shall become a desolation (22:5).
Because “to swear” in reference to Jehovah signifies Divine verity it is said in David:
Jehovah hath sworn truth unto David, He turneth* not from it (Ps. 132:11).
sRef Isa@14 @24 S4′ sRef Luke@1 @72 S4′ sRef Ps@105 @8 S4′ sRef Ps@89 @35 S4′ sRef Isa@54 @9 S4′ sRef Ps@89 @49 S4′ sRef Ps@89 @3 S4′ sRef Ps@95 @11 S4′ sRef Luke@1 @73 S4′ sRef Deut@1 @35 S4′ sRef Ps@105 @9 S4′ sRef Ezek@16 @8 S4′ sRef Jer@11 @5 S4′ sRef Ps@110 @4 S4′ [4] Jehovah God, or the Lord, never swears, for to swear is not becoming to God Himself, or the Divine verity; but when God, or the Divine verity, wills to have anything confirmed before men, then that confirmation in its descent into the natural sphere falls into the form or formula of an oath, such as is used in the world. This shows why it is said in the sense of the letter of the Word, which is the natural sense, that God swears, although He never swears. This, then, is the signification of “to swear” in reference to Jehovah or the Lord in the preceding passages, and also in the following. In Isaiah:
Jehovah of Hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass (14:24).
In David:
I have made a covenant with My chosen, I have sworn unto David My servant. Lord, Thou hast sworn unto David in verity (Ps. 89:3, 35, 49).
In the same:
Jehovah hath sworn and will not repent (Ps. 110:4).
In Ezekiel:
I have sworn unto thee, and have entered into a covenant with thee, that thou mightest become Mine (16:8).
In David:
Unto whom I have sworn in Mine anger (Ps. 95:11).
In Isaiah:
I have sworn that the waters of Noah shall no more pass over the earth (54:9).
In Luke:
To remember His holy covenant, the oath which He sware to Abraham our father (1:72, 73).
In David:
He hath remembered His covenant which He made with Abraham, and His oath with Isaac (Ps. 105:8, 9).
In Jeremiah:
That I may establish the oath which I have sworn unto your fathers (11:5; 32:22).
In Moses:
The land which I have sworn to give unto your fathers (Deut. 1:35; 10:11; 11:9, 21; 26:3, 15; 31:20; 34:4).
sRef Dan@12 @7 S5′ [5] From this it can be seen what is meant by “the angel lifted up his hand to heaven, and sware by Him that liveth unto the ages of the ages,” as it is likewise said in Daniel:
And I heard the man clothed in linen, that he held up his right hand and his left hand unto the heavens, and sware by Him that liveth unto the ages of the ages (12:7);
as meaning to bear witness before the angels respecting the state of the church, that what follows is Divine verity.
sRef Isa@65 @16 S6′ sRef Ps@63 @11 S6′ sRef Jer@12 @16 S6′ sRef Jer@4 @2 S6′ sRef Isa@19 @18 S6′ sRef Deut@6 @13 S6′ [6] Because the church that was instituted with the sons of Israel was a representative church, in which all things that were commanded were natural things representing and signifying spiritual things, the sons of Israel, with whom that church existed, were permitted to swear by Jehovah, and by His name, likewise by the holy things of the chu