Apocalypse Explained # 50
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 Daniel 8:21, 10:20; 11:2; John 12:20-21; Mark 7:26.) (That all names of places mentioned in the Word signify things, see Arcana Coelestia (Arcana Coelestia 1224, 1264, 1876, 1888, 4310, 4442, 10329)
[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 (Isaiah 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 (Isaiah 42:4, 10, 12).
In the same:
Listen, O isles, unto Me, and hearken, ye peoples from afar (Isaiah 49:1).
In the same:
The isles shall hope in Me, and on My arm shall they trust (Isaiah 51:5).
In the same:
The islands shall trust in Me, and the ships of Tarshish (Isaiah 60:9).
In Jeremiah:
Hear the words of Jehovah, O ye nations, and declare them in the isles afar off (Jeremiah 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 (Zephaniah 2:11).
(And elsewhere as in Isaiah 23:2, 6 (Isaiah 23:6); Isaiah 41:1, 5; 42:15; 66:19; Jeremiah 2:10; 25:22; Ezekiel 27:3 (Ezekiel 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.
Mark 7
1
Then the Pharisees, and some of the scribes gathered together to him, having come from Jerusalem.
2
Now when they saw some of his disciples eating bread with defiled, that is, unwashed, hands, they found fault.
3
(For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, don't eat unless they wash their hands and forearms, holding to the tradition of the elders.
4
They don't eat when they come from the marketplace, unless they bathe themselves, and there are many other things, which they have received to hold to: washings of cups, pitchers, bronze vessels, and couches.)
5
The Pharisees and the scribes asked him, "Why don't your disciples walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat their bread with unwashed hands?"
6
He answered them, "Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, 'This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.
7
But in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'
8
"For you set aside the commandment of God, and hold tightly to the tradition of men--the washing of pitchers and cups, and you do many other such things."
9
He said to them, "Full well do you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.
10
For Moses said, 'Honor your father and your mother;' and, 'He who speaks evil of father or mother, let him be put to death.'
11
But you say, 'If a man tells his father or his mother, "Whatever profit you might have received from me is Corban, that is to say, given to God;"'
12
then you no longer allow him to do anything for his father or his mother,
13
making void the word of God by your tradition, which you have handed down. You do many things like this."
14
He called all the multitude to himself, and said to them, "Hear me, all of you, and understand.
15
There is nothing from outside of the man, that going into him can defile him; but the things which proceed out of the man are those that defile the man.
16
If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!"
17
When he had entered into a house away from the multitude, his disciples asked him about the parable.
18
He said to them, "Are you thus without understanding also? Don't you perceive that whatever goes into the man from outside can't defile him,
19
because it doesn't go into his heart, but into his stomach, then into the latrine, thus purifying all foods?"
20
He said, "That which proceeds out of the man, that defiles the man.
21
For from within, out of the hearts of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, sexual sins, murders, thefts,
22
covetings, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, and foolishness.
23
All these evil things come from within, and defile the man."
24
From there he arose, and went away into the borders of Tyre and Sidon. He entered into a house, and didn't want anyone to know it, but he couldn't escape notice.
25
For a woman, whose little daughter had an unclean spirit, having heard of him, came and fell down at his feet.
26
Now the woman was a Greek, a Syrophoenician by race. She begged him that he would cast the demon out of her daughter.
27
But Jesus said to her, "Let the children be filled first, for it is not appropriate to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs."
28
But she answered him, "Yes, Lord. Yet even the dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs."
29
He said to her, "For this saying, go your way. The demon has gone out of your daughter."
30
She went away to her house, and found the child having been laid on the bed, with the demon gone out.
31
Again he departed from the borders of Tyre and Sidon, and came to the sea of Galilee, through the midst of the region of Decapolis.
32
They brought to him one who was deaf and had an impediment in his speech. They begged him to lay his hand on him.
33
He took him aside from the multitude, privately, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spat, and touched his tongue.
34
Looking up to heaven, he sighed, and said to him, "Ephphatha!" that is, "Be opened!"
35
Immediately his ears were opened, and the impediment of his tongue was released, and he spoke clearly.
36
He commanded them that they should tell no one, but the more he commanded them, so much the more widely they proclaimed it.
37
They were astonished beyond measure, saying, "He has done all things well. He makes even the deaf hear, and the mute speak!"
