34. I was on the island called Patmos. This symbolizes a state and place in which he could be enlightened.
The revelation to John occurred on Patmos because it was an island in Greece, not far from the land of Canaan, and between Asia and Europe; and islands symbolize nations relatively removed from the worship of God, but which will yet accede to it, because they can be enlightened. Greece has a similar meaning. But the church itself is meant by the land of Canaan. Asia symbolizes those of the church who from the Word have the light of truth, and Europe those to whom the Word will come. The island of Patmos accordingly symbolizes a state and place in which John could be enlightened.
That islands in the Word symbolize nations relatively removed from the worship of God, but which will yet accede to it, is apparent from the following passages:
In the Urim honor Jehovah, in the islands of the sea the name of... the God of Israel. (Isaiah 24:14)
He will not extinguish nor break in pieces till He has set judgment in the earth, and the islands hope in His law... Sing to Jehovah a new song..., let the islands and the inhabitants of them... give glory to Jehovah, and declare His praise in the islands. (Isaiah 42:4, 10, 12)
Listen, O islands, to Me, and... you peoples from afar! (Isaiah 49:1)
The islands will hope in Me, and on My arm they will trust. (Isaiah 51:5)
...In Me the islands will trust, and the ships of Tarshish... (Isaiah 60:9)
Hear the words of Jehovah, O nations, and declare them in the islands afar off. (Jeremiah 31:10)
...that they may worship Jehovah, each one in his place, all the islands of the nations. (Zephaniah 2:11)
And elsewhere.
That Greece has also a similar meaning is not so apparent from the Word, because Greece is mentioned only in Daniel 8:21; 10:20; 11:2, 1
as also in John 12:20, Mark 7:26. 2
That the land of Canaan means the Lord's church, which is therefore called "the Holy Land" and "the heavenly Canaan," is apparent from many places in the Word.
That Asia means those in the church who from the Word have the light of truth, may be seen in no. 11 above. And that Europe means those to whom the Word will come, follows.
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