Arcana Coelestia # 1297
1297. And let us burn them to a burning. That this signifies evils from the love of self, is evident from the signification in the Word of “to burn,” of “a burning,” of “fire,” of “sulphur,” and of “bitumen,” which are predicated of cupidities, especially of those which belong to the love of self. As in Isaiah:
Our house of holiness, and our beauty [decus], where our fathers praised Thee, hath been made a burning of fire; and all our desirable things have been made a waste (Isaiah 64:11).
Again:
Conceive chaff, bring forth stubble; your wind is a fire that shall devour you; thus will the peoples be burnings of lime; thorns lopped off, they will be kindled with fire (Isaiah 33:11-12).
Not to mention many other similar expressions. “To be burned” and “fire” are predicated of cupidities, because the case as regards them both is much the same.
Isaiah 64
1
Oh that you would tear the heavens, that you would come down, that the mountains might quake at your presence,
2
as when fire kindles the brushwood, [and] the fire causes the waters to boil; to make your name known to your adversaries, that the nations may tremble at your presence!
3
When you did awesome things which we didn't look for, you came down, the mountains quaked at your presence.
4
For from of old men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither has the eye seen a God besides you, who works for him who waits for him.
5
You meet him who rejoices and works righteousness, those who remember you in your ways. Behold, you were angry, and we sinned. We have been in sin for a long time; and shall we be saved?
6
For we have all become as one who is unclean, and all our righteousness is as a polluted garment: and we all fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.
7
There is none who calls on your name, who stirs up himself to take hold of you; for you have hidden your face from us, and have consumed us by means of our iniquities.
8
But now, Yahweh, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you our potter; and we all are the work of your hand.
9
Don't be furious, Yahweh, neither remember iniquity forever: see, look, we beg you, we are all your people.
10
Your holy cities are become a wilderness, Zion is become a wilderness, Jerusalem a desolation.
11
Our holy and our beautiful house, where our fathers praised you, is burned with fire; and all our pleasant places are laid waste.
12
Will you refrain yourself for these things, Yahweh? Will you hold your peace, and afflict us very severely?
