Apocalypse Explained # 423
423. Having the seal of the living God.- That this signifies the Divine Will, is evident from the signification of to have the seal of any one, which means to have the command, for a command is confirmed by a seal; therefore to have the seal of the living God, is to have the Divine command. The Divine command here denotes the Divine Will, because by the angel who had the seal ascending from the rising of the sun, is signified the Divine Love going forth from the Lord; and everything that goes forth from the Divine Love is the Divine Will. There are also Divine commands not from the Divine Will, but of leave and permission, many of which were given to the sons of Israel. They were permitted, for example, to have several wives, and to give them bills of divorcement, besides other things of a similar nature. Those commands were of permission, and were given because of the hardness of their hearts, as the words of the Lord in Matthew plainly show (19:8); and Mark (10:4, 5). But commands that are immediately from the Divine Love are all of the Divine Will; therefore it is also said, "the seal of the living God," the Lord being called the living God from the Divine Love, for love is the very life of man, and the life of all things is from the Divine Love.
Numbers 24
1
When Balaam saw that it pleased Yahweh to bless Israel, he didn't go, as at the other times, to meet with enchantments, but he set his face toward the wilderness.
2
Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel dwelling according to their tribes; and the Spirit of God came on him.
3
He took up his parable, and said, "Balaam the son of Beor says, the man whose eye was closed says;
4
he says, who hears the words of God, who sees the vision of the Almighty, falling down, and having his eyes open:
5
How goodly are your tents, Jacob, and your tents, Israel!
6
As valleys they are spread forth, as gardens by the riverside, as aloes which Yahweh has planted, as cedar trees beside the waters.
7
Water shall flow from his buckets. His seed shall be in many waters. His king shall be higher than Agag. His kingdom shall be exalted.
8
God brings him out of Egypt. He has as it were the strength of the wild ox. He shall eat up the nations his adversaries, shall break their bones in pieces, and pierce them with his arrows.
9
He couched, he lay down as a lion, as a lioness; who shall rouse him up? Everyone who blesses you is blessed. Everyone who curses you is cursed."
10
Balak's anger was kindled against Balaam, and he struck his hands together; and Balak said to Balaam, "I called you to curse my enemies, and, behold, you have altogether blessed them these three times.
11
Therefore now flee you to your place! I thought to promote you to great honor; but, behold, Yahweh has kept you back from honor."
12
Balaam said to Balak, "Didn't I also tell your messengers who you sent to me, saying,
13
'If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I can't go beyond the word of Yahweh, to do either good or bad of my own mind. I will say what Yahweh says'?
14
Now, behold, I go to my people: come, [and] I will inform you what this people shall do to your people in the latter days."
15
He took up his parable, and said, "Balaam the son of Beor says, the man whose eye was closed says;
16
he says, who hears the words of God, knows the knowledge of the Most High, and who sees the vision of the Almighty, Falling down, and having his eyes open:
17
I see him, but not now. I see him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob. A scepter will rise out of Israel, and shall strike through the corners of Moab, and break down all the sons of Sheth.
18
Edom shall be a possession. Seir, his enemies, also shall be a possession, while Israel does valiantly.
19
Out of Jacob shall one have dominion, and shall destroy the remnant from the city."
20
He looked at Amalek, and took up his parable, and said, "Amalek was the first of the nations, But his latter end shall come to destruction."
21
He looked at the Kenite, and took up his parable, and said, "Your dwelling place is strong. Your nest is set in the rock.
22
Nevertheless Kain shall be wasted, until Asshur carries you away captive."
23
He took up his parable, and said, "Alas, who shall live when God does this?
24
But ships [shall come] from the coast of Kittim. They shall afflict Asshur, and shall afflict Eber. He also shall come to destruction."
25
Balaam rose up, and went and returned to his place; and Balak also went his way.
