4937. Spirits from hell sometimes use delusion to produce a shoulder with which they cause force to be repelled; it cannot even pass by them. But all this is solely for the protection of those employing that kind of delusion; for they know that in the spiritual world the shoulder corresponds to all power. In the Word too 'the shoulder' means all power, as is evident in the following places,

You have broken the yoke of his burden, and the rod of his shoulder. Isaiah 9:4.

You push with side and with shoulder, and butt with your horns. Ezekiel 34:21.

You will tear for them every shoulder. Ezekiel 29:6-7.

That they may serve Jehovah with one shoulder. Zephaniah 3:9.

To us a Boy is born, and the government will be upon His shoulder. Isaiah 9:6.

I will place the key of the house of David on His shoulder. Isaiah 22:22.

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 6663, 1299, 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 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 (Matthew 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 (Matthew 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).