10622. And in absolving will not absolve. That this signifies bearing even to the consummation, is evident from the signification of “absolving,” as being to forgive sin; but when it is added, “will not absolve” it denotes to bear. That it denotes even to the consummation, is because evil is borne by the Lord even until it is consummated or fulfilled. In the Word throughout mention is made of the “consummation of the age,” and it is said of evil that it has been “consummated,” or “not consummated;” and when it is consummated, that then there is “visitation.” As this is signified by the words, “in absolving will not absolve,” it shall be briefly told what is meant thereby. In general, by “consummation” is meant the end of the church; and the end of the church is when there is no longer any charity or any faith, because then the church turns itself completely away from the Lord, and is no longer in any good, but in evil. Then is its “consummation,” and then takes place its “visitation.” When visitation takes place, all those who are in evil are rejected, and all those who are in good are received. Visitation takes place in the other life, where all those who have been of the church, from its beginning even to its end, are together. The rejection at that time of the evil into hell, and the salvation of the good, is what is called the “Last Judgment.”

[2] Consummation takes place in particular with every man in almost the same way. Every person, when he comes into the other life, which takes place immediately after death, is tolerated among the good, even if he is evil. But after some lapse of time his interiors are opened, and if these are evil he is then gradually carried into his evil, until he becomes his evil in respect to the will, and the falsity of his evil in respect to the understanding. When this is done, evil is said to be “consummated” with him, and he is then cast into hell. These are the things which are meant by “in absolving will not absolve.” The like is signified by what Jehovah said unto Moses: “Now go, lead the people unto that which I said to thee; behold, Mine angel shall go before thee; and in the day of My visitation, I will visit their sin upon them” (Exodus 32:34).

[3] That “consummation” denotes the end of the church, is evident from the following passages, in Jeremiah:

With Israel and with Judah I will not make a consummation; nor rendering will I render thee innocent, because thy breach is despaired of, thy wound is sick, thou hast no healing medicines (Jeremiah 30:4, 11-13; 46:28).

Thine iniquity is consummated, O daughter of Zion; He will visit thine iniquity, O daughter of Edom; He will make plain thy sins (Lam. 4:22).

Seventy weeks have been decreed upon thy people, to consummate the transgression, and to seal up sins, and to expiate iniquity. At last upon the bird of abominations shall be desolation, and even unto the consummation (Daniel 9:24, 27).

The harvest is the consummation of the age; as the tares are gathered together and burned with fire, so shall it be in the consummation of the age (Matthew 13:39-40).

The disciples said unto Jesus, Tell us what is the sign of Thy coming, and of the consummation of the age (Matthew 24:3).

Jesus said, Lo, I am with you all the days even unto the consummation of the age (Matthew 28:20).