Chapter 5.

On the Mountaintop

1. And seeing the crowds, He went up into the mountain; and when He had sat down, His disciples came to Him.

2. And opening His mouth He taught them, saying,

3. “Happy [are] the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of the heavens.

4. Happy [are] they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.

5. Happy [are] the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

6. Happy [are] they that hunger and thirst after justice, for they shall be satisfied.

7. Happy [are] the merciful, for they shall have mercy.

8. Happy [are] the clean in heart, for they shall see God.

9. Happy [are] the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God.

10. Happy [are] they that are persecuted for the sake of justice, for theirs is the kingdom of the heavens.

11. Happy are you when they shall reproach you, and persecute [you], and say every wicked saying against you, telling lies, on account of Me.

12. Leap for joy and rejoice, for your reward [is] much in the heavens; for so they persecuted the prophets that were before you.”

As the crowds begin to gather, and as great multitudes come to Him, not only from Galilee, but also from Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and from areas beyond the Jordan, Jesus decides to go up onto a mountain and preach. His instruction begins with this essential teaching: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (5:1).

One purpose served by temptation is to make us aware of our spiritual poverty, so that we might choose to acknowledge in heart that everything we have is from God. This is one of the great purposes of temptation — to remind us that without God we are utterly helpless. This is the part of us that follows Jesus up the mountain in order to receive the opening words of His most famous speech, referred to as the “Sermon on the Mount.”

Jesus begins with the words, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (5:3). This is the main idea which reigns throughout the sermon. To the degree that we acknowledge that all love and all wisdom is from God alone, and nothing from ourselves, we can receive the love and wisdom that constantly flows in from God. It is this acknowledgment — the acknowledgment of our spiritual poverty — which receives the kingdom of heaven.

But there are times when we forget this essential truth. And when we forget that everything good and true is from the Lord alone, sorrow and suffering are inevitable. That’s why the second blessing speaks about how God offers comfort during times of mourning: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” As we turn to the Lord in prayer and call upon His name, the Comforter comes to us, restoring lost truths, teaching us new ones, and filling us with hope and consolation. When these lost truths are brought again to our remembrance, we remember that without God we are indeed “poor in spirit.” Relieved of the arrogance that believes we are the source of truth and goodness, we experience humility. We find that we are agreeable, good-natured, and willing to admit our faults. No longer eager to win an argument, or defend ourselves, our unruly lower nature (“the earth”) is tamed, quieted, and subdued. The third blessing describes this gentler disposition: “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth” (5:4). ¹

These first three blessings speak about the qualities of people who acknowledge God as the giver of all things (“poor in spirit”), people who long for the comfort of truth (“they who mourn”), and people who are gentle and temperate in disposition (“the meek”). People who are of this nature are open to the blessings that flow in from God, beginning with the desire to serve the neighbor. Consequently, the fourth blessing speaks not only of humility, meekness and the desire to receive truth, but also of the desire to bring those truths forth in their lives. Such people desire to live a righteous life. Therefore we read, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled” (5:6).

This marks the transition to the next three blessings. The fifth, sixth and seventh blessings summarize the works of charity that constitute a life of righteousness. As we turn to God for all things, we are filled with mercy towards others. And insofar as we exercise that mercy, we become more merciful. “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy” (5:7). As we practice mercy in all our relationships, our hearts become purified enabling us to see the good in others — their God-given qualities: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (5:8)

This leads to the seventh and culminating blessing: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God” (5:9). This is not just a state of being (humble, meek), it is also a state of doing: blessed are the peacemakers. But the kind of “doing” that takes place in this state is not human doing; it is what God does through each of us. That is why those who obtain this blessing are called “the sons of God.”

The seven blessings in their order are a divine series which reveal the process of spiritual development, beginning with the recognition of our spiritual poverty, and ending in a state in which we become instruments through which God operates to bring peace into the world.

But there is also an eighth blessing: “Blessed are you when they revile you and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake” (5:10). This eighth blessing reminds us that spiritual life is a cyclical pattern. As we achieve the blessings associated with one state of spiritual development, we are simultaneously being prepared for entrance into higher and even more elevated states of spiritual life. But in order to enter those higher states, subtler evils will have to be exposed, combated, and overcome.

Thus, the trials of temptation will begin again, as less obvious evils are exposed by the brighter light of divine truth. These evils will rise up within us, fiercely defending themselves, as they fight for their life. But if we persevere, refusing to succumb to the rationalizations and justifications that support our selfish concerns, there will be a great blessing: “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven” (5:11-12).

The seven blessings, which are given in a divinely ordered series, perfectly describe the spiritual evolution of every person. These blessings begin with the acknowledgment that we cannot do good from ourselves, and they steadily progress to the highest blessing that God can confer upon us: we become sons of God, people through whom God works to bring peace on earth. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” The eighth blessing returns us to the beginning of the series, and reminds us once again that temptation provides us with the opportunity to follow God. This is not something to be dreaded; rather it is to be anticipated with joy. “Rejoice,” says Jesus, “and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven.”

Doing Good Works

13. “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt become saltless, with what shall it be salted? After that it is of no use, except to be cast out, and to be trampled by men.

14. You are the light of the world. A city that is laid out on a mountain cannot be hidden.

15. Neither do they light a lamp, and put it under the bushel, but on the lampstand, and it shines for all that [are] in the house.

16. So let your light shine in front of men, so that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father that [is] in the heavens.”

The Sermon on the Mount provides wonderful instruction. Yet mere instruction, without a desire to do good works in the spirit of that instruction, is useless. It is like salt which has lost its flavor, like a light hidden under a basket. All truth is given for the sake of use. Every blessing God bestows upon us is done so that we may be of greater service to the neighbor. And in that service is true blessing, for all heavenly reward is the delight that we experience when we are involved in some loving service towards the neighbor. ²

It is for this reason that the divine series continues with these words: “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men” (5:13).

Salt is highly useful as a seasoning. But salt that has lost its flavor is useless. Similarly, a human being who has no desire to do good is like salt with no flavor. That person is useless. ³ Truth must be put to use. This is the thrust of this section of the sermon. Light is good, but it must be put to use: “You are the light of the world,” says Jesus. “A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house” (5:14-15).

The emphasis is not just on learning truth, but on living it. Jesus therefore says to His disciples, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (5:16).

Spiritual instruction has no other end but the doing of good works. And good works are truly good, only when they are done by the Father through us. That’s why this section of the sermon includes the all-important reminder that when others see our good works, all praise, glory, and honor should go to God. As Jesus puts it, let them see your good works, but be sure that they glorify your Father in heaven. It’s not about us; it’s about God working through us. ⁴

Jesus Begins to Reveal the Inner Meaning of Scripture

17. “Do not suppose that I have come to undo the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to undo but to fulfill.

18. For amen I say to you, Till heaven and earth pass away, one yodh or one little horn shall not pass away from the Law, till all things come to pass.

19. Therefore whoever shall loosen one of the least of these commandments, and shall teach men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of the heavens; but whoever shall do and teach [them], he shall be called great in the kingdom of the heavens.

20. For I say to you that unless your justice shall exceed [that] of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall not enter into the kingdom of the heavens.

21. You have heard that it was declared by the ancients, Thou shalt not murder; and whoever shall murder shall be subject to the judgment.

22. But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother rashly shall be subject to the judgment; and whoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be subject to the council; and whoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be subject to the gehenna of fire.

23. If therefore thou offer thy gift on the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother has anything against thee,”

24. Leave there thy gift in front of the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come offer thy gift.

25. Be of good will with thine adversary quickly, while thou art in the way with him, lest the adversary deliver thee up to the judge, and the judge deliver thee up to the attendant, and thou be cast into prison.

26. Amen I say unto thee, Thou shalt not come out from there until thou hast paid the last farthing.

27. You have heard that it was declared to the ancients, Thou shalt not commit adultery.

28. But I say to you that everyone who looks at [another] woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

29. And if thy right eye cause thee to stumble, pluck it out, and cast it from thee; for it is expedient for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not [that] thy whole body be cast into gehenna.

30. And if thy right hand cause thee to stumble, cut it off, and cast [it] from thee; for it is expedient for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not [that] thy whole body be cast into gehenna.

31. And it has been declared that whoever shall send away his wife, let him give her a divorce.

32. But I say to you, whoever shall send away his wife, outside of the reason of scortation, makes her commit adultery; and whoever shall wed her that is sent away commits adultery.

33. Again, you have heard that it has been declared to the ancients, Thou shalt not swear falsely, but shalt render to the Lord thine oaths.

34. But I say to you, Swear not at all; neither by the heaven, for it is the throne of God;

35. Nor by the earth, for it is the footstool of His feet; neither by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.

36. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.

37. But let your word be, yes, yes; no, no; and whatever [is] beyond these is from evil.

38. You have heard that it has been declared, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.

39. But I say to you, Do not stand against the wicked; but whoever shall hit thee on thy right cheekbone, turn to him the other also.

40. And [if anyone] wills to have thee judged and take thy tunic, let him have the cloak also.

41. And whoever shall compel thee [to go] one mile, go with him two.

42. Give to him that asks thee; and turn not away him that wills to borrow from thee.

43. You have heard that it has been declared, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and shalt hate thine enemy.

44. But I say to you, Love your enemies, bless those that curse you, do well to those that hate you, and pray for those that injure you and persecute you,”

It’s undeniably true that truth must be put to use. But before the Word of God can most fully be put to use, it must be fully understood. That’s why Jesus now gives His disciples a brief tutorial on how to read scripture, beginning with this disclaimer, “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill” (5:17).

On one level, Jesus did fulfill the Law in that His coming fulfilled the prophecies of the Hebrew scriptures. But He was also about to fulfill the Law by infilling it with higher meaning. He would explain how the Law speaks not only about our outward behavior, but, also about our inner attitudes; He would explain how the Law speaks not only about our bodily actions, but also about the desires of our spirit. In this way, Jesus would fill the Law full of a spiritual meaning. It would be of use not only for regulating one’s external conduct, but, more importantly, for reforming one’s inner life.

Jesus begins with the commandments: “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder’ … But I say unto you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment.” (5:21-22). Similarly, He reveals the spiritual meaning of the law against adultery: “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say unto you that whoever looks upon a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (5:27-28).

These are new teachings, but not totally beyond the grasp of His audience. There would be more to come, more interior teachings about the human spirit and the path to heaven, and it would take time before people could completely grasp these higher messages. For now, however, it would be enough to give people concrete, literal examples that they can understand — not abstract truths that are beyond their comprehension. In this regard, Jesus teaches them to forgo oath-making (5:33-37), to turn the cheek when struck (5:39), to give more than what is demanded (5:40), to go further than what is required (5:42), to give to everyone who asks, and to lend to anyone who wants to borrow (5:42).

These teachings would be hard to follow, but not difficult to understand. Within them are higher truths about our response when our inmost beliefs are under assault — not just in the public arena, but more specifically, when we are being persecuted by hellish spirits. At such times, we must not worry, for if we abide in the truth we will remain in God’s protection. ⁵ The only thing that can avert this divine protection is our free decision to identify with and succumb to the promptings of our lower nature (arrogance and conceit, resentment and anger, anxiety and fear, misery and despair and etc.) — promptings which flow in from hell. ⁶

Instead of teaching these interior truths, Jesus keeps their minds on more obvious issues — like the need to overcome their desire to take revenge: “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.”

This would, of course, have seemed impossible and illogical. Questions would inevitably arise: “Why should anyone turn the cheek to an attacker?” “What about self-defense?” “What about protecting our loved ones and our country?” “What good can come from turning the cheek, especially if it leads to evil people taking greater and greater advantage of good people?” These are legitimate questions, and Jesus would have answers for each of them — at a later time. ⁷

The people to whom Jesus is speaking are not yet able to understand the more interior truths contained within these teachings. They are not ready to understand that “turning the cheek” is something we do internally when our beliefs are being attacked. These attacks do not necessarily come through other people, but rather through unseen spiritual forces that endeavor to destroy our faith in God and our trust in the power of His truth. Therefore, whenever we turn the cheek internally, we practice interior forgiveness. We know that no words spoken, whispered or insinuated can possibly bring us down or hurt our faith. This is what enables us to pray for our enemies, to forgive them, and even to love them. Because we are under God’s protection, we know that evil can do us no spiritual harm. Therefore we need not resist it.

On the physical plane, however, we must be more cautious. People can cause a great deal of physical harm. Therefore, we cannot and should not give to everyone who asks, nor lend to everyone who wishes to borrow. Such indiscriminate charity would leave us penniless and without resources to do good to others. Similarly, we should not allow thieves, cheats, and scam artists to take advantage of us. If we allowed ourselves to be abused in this way, society would be destroyed. Therefore, people who prey on innocent victims must be reported, prosecuted, and if found guilty, appropriately punished. It does evildoers no good, society no good, and us no good to ignore criminal behavior or support malicious intentions. We must defend ourselves and our loved ones.

In brief, self-defense is not contrary to divine law; nor is it wrong to defend one’s family and country when under enemy assault. God never asks us to be doormats. On the external plane we must resist evil. But on the internal plane, there is no resistance. Instead, there is love, mercy, understanding, compassion and forgiveness. It is these God-given states of consciousness that make us impervious to spiritual danger. In such states we need not resist interior evil — for God alone resists those evils that would take away our faith and destroy our happiness. ⁸

These are the more interior lessons that Jesus will offer at a later time. For now, it is Jesus’ task to keep their minds on a simple, clear lesson: the need to learn forgiveness: “You have heard it said that you shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you” (5:43-44). These literal teachings would be troubling, difficult, seemingly impossible to keep. But the struggle to do so would be important. It would teach them the most important lesson of all: they could never do so without God.

“Be ye therefore perfect”

45. “So that you may be sons of your Father that [is] in the heavens; for He makes His sun to rise on the wicked and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust.

46. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the publicans do the same?

47. And if you greet your brothers only, what do you do beyond [others]? Do not even the publicans do so?

48. Be ye therefore perfect, just as your Father that [is] in the heavens is perfect.”

Because the people are not yet ready to understand, Jesus cannot yet reveal that these teachings have a higher, more interior spiritual meaning — a meaning that will be revealed to them at a later time. ⁹ Eventually (and in a different gospel), He will tell His disciples, “I have yet many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now” (John 16:12). For now, however, these initial teachings will become vital steps along the pathway to human perfection. All they have to do is live according to these introductory teachings.

Therefore, Jesus’ focus, at this point, is to instruct them in the fundamentals of charitable service — to help them become perfect in the art of charitable giving. This will involve doing good works that are purified from selfish motives, seeking nothing in return. Moreover, these charitable works should not be limited to friends and neighbors. From now on their good works are to be extended even to enemies. After all, it’s easy to love one’s friends and do good things for them. That’s natural — not spiritual. But to be “perfect” they will have to love their enemies: “Love your enemies,” says Jesus “For if you love those who love you, what reward have you?”

Jesus is here speaking about heavenly rewards, the spiritual delights that flow in when we truly love others — including our enemies. “Be ye, therefore, perfect, as your Father who is in the heavens is perfect” (5:45-48).

It should be noted that this verse is often translated as a promise rather than a command. Instead of “Be ye, therefore, perfect,” it has been translated as “You shall be perfect” — not exactly what Jesus is getting at. It is the striving to be perfect, not the attainment of perfection that matters. As Swedenborg teaches, even the angels never reach a state of final perfection; neither can we. But we can persevere; we can strive; we can endeavor to be perfect “even as our Father in the heavens is perfect.” ¹⁰

Admittedly, striving for perfection can be difficult — not just for the people of biblical times, but even for us today. Self-interest must be overcome; resentments must be put aside; generosity must prevail over greed; forgiveness must displace revenge, and love must triumph over hate. Without God, no one can accomplish any of this — and “perfection” becomes an unachievable goal. The only way to get there is through recognizing and acknowledging one’s imperfection. Only then, with God’s help, can we begin to strive towards states of greater perfection. From this point onward the only thing required is a willingness to receive divine truths and live according to them.

If we do so, it will inevitably lead to combats of temptation in which interior evils rise up to revile and persecute whatever flows in from God. These evils strive to take away our affection for learning truth and for doing good. A blow to the left cheek represents an attempt to take away our desire to learn truth, and a blow to the right cheek represents an attempt to take away our desire to do good. ¹¹ But, once again, we should not worry, nor even resist, for evil can do no harm to those who are under God’s protection.

All this is contained in Jesus’ command, “Be ye, therefore, perfect, even as your Father in the heavens is perfect.” In this way, as we come to trust more and more in the Lord’s leading — acknowledging that He is the source of every loving feeling, every noble thought, and every chartable action — we will be continually perfected. ¹²

Poznámky pod čarou:

684. It is said the "kingdoms of the world are become our Lord's and His Christ's," and this signifies that Divine good and Divine truth are received when the evil are separated from the good and are cast into hell; for then both the higher and the lower heavens can be in enlightenment and thus in the perception of good and truth; and this could not be effected so long as the evil were conjoined with the good, because the interiors of the angels, who are in the lower heavens, could not then be opened, but only the exteriors, and the Lord does not reign in spirits and men in externals separate from internals, but in internals, and from internals in externals; for this reason, until the interiors of the angels of the lowest heaven, which are spiritual and celestial, were opened, that heaven did not become the kingdom of the Lord as it did after the separation of the evil from them.

[2] It is said that "the kingdoms of the world are become our Lord's and His Christ's," and "Lord" here has the same meaning as "Jehovah" in the Old Testament, and "Father" in the New, namely, the Lord in respect to the Divine Itself and in respect to Divine good; while "Christ" has the same meaning as "God" in the Old Testament, and "the Son of God" in the New, namely the Lord in respect to the Divine Human and also in respect to Divine truth, for "Christ" has a like meaning as "Anointed," "Messiah," and "King;" and "Anointed," "Messiah," and "King" mean the Lord in respect to Divine truth, and also in respect to the Divine Human when He was in the world, for the Lord in respect to His Human was then Divine truth. So "the Anointed of Jehovah" has a similar meaning, for the Divine Itself which is called "Jehovah" and "Father," and in its essence was the Divine good of Divine love, anointed the Divine Human, which is called "the Son of God," and which in its essence while it was in the world was Divine truth; for "anointing" signified that the Lord's Divine Human proceeded from His Divine Itself, and consequently the Divine truth from His Divine good.

[3] From this it is clear that the Lord alone in relation to the Divine Human was essentially "the Anointed of Jehovah," while kings and priests were called "the anointed of Jehovah" representatively; for the "oil" with which the anointing was performed signified the Divine good of the Divine love. Now as it was Divine truth with the Lord that was anointed by the Divine good, so "Christ," and likewise "the Messiah" and "Anointed," and also "King," signifies Divine truth proceeding from the Divine good of the Lord's Divine love. That this is so can be seen from passages in the Word where "Christ," "Messiah," and "Anointed" are mentioned.

[4] That "Christ" is the Messiah, or Anointed, is evident in John:

Andrew findeth his brother Simon and said to him, We have found the Messiah, which is, when interpreted, Christ (John 1:41).

And in the same:

The woman of Samaria said, I know that Messiah cometh, who is called Christ (John 4:25).

This shows that the Lord is called "Christ" because He was the Messiah whose coming was foretold in the Word of the Old Testament; for the word for Anointed is "Christ" in the Greek, and "Messiah" in the Hebrew, and a king is one anointed. This is why the Lord is called "King of Israel," and "King of the Jews," which also He acknowledged before Pilate, wherefore it was inscribed upon the cross:

The king of the Jews (Matthew 27:11, 29, 37, 41; Luke 23:1-4, 35-40).

Also in John:

Nathaniel said, Thou art the Son of God, the King of Israel (John 1:48).

[5] As "Anointed," "Christ," "Messiah," and "King," are synonymous terms, so also "Son of God;" and each one of these names signifies in the spiritual sense Divine truth (that this is the signification of "king" may be seen above, n. 31, 553, 625); and "Son of God" also has the same meaning, because in the Word "sons" signify truths, and thus "the Son of God" signifies Divine truth. That "sons" signify truths may be seen above (n. 166). "Christ" and "Messiah" have a like signification.

[6] That "Christ" signifies Divine truth is evident in Matthew:

Be not ye called Rabbi, one is your teacher, Christ (Matthew 23:8).

"Rabbi" and "teacher" signify one that teaches truth, thus in an abstract sense the doctrine of truth, and in the highest sense Divine truth, which is Christ. That the Lord alone is Divine truth is meant by "Be not ye called Rabbi, one is your teacher, Christ."

[7] In the same:

See that no one lead you astray; for many shall come in My name, saying, I am the Christ, and shall lead many astray. If anyone shall say to you, Lo, here is the Christ, or there, believe it not; for there shall arise false Christs and false prophets (Matthew 24:4-5, 23-24; Mark 13:21-23).

This must not be understood as meaning that there will arise those who will call themselves the Christ or Christs, but those who will falsify the Word, and declare that this or that is Divine truth when it is not; those who confirm falsities by the Word are meant by "false Christs," and those who hatch out falsities of doctrine by "false prophets." For these two chapters treat of the successive vastation of the church, thus of the falsification of the Word, and lastly of the profanation of truth thence. (But this may be seen further explained in the Arcana Coelestia 3353-3356, and n. 3897-3901.)

[8] And as "Son of God" also signifies Divine truth, as has just been said, He is sometimes called:

The Christ, the Son of God (as in Matthew 26:63; Mark 14:61; Luke 4:41, 22:66-71 to the end; John 6:69, 11:26-27, 20:31).

In a word, when the Lord was in the world He was called "Christ," "Messiah," "Anointed," and "King," because in Him alone was the Divine good of Divine love, from which Divine truth proceeds, and this was represented by "anointing;" for the "oil" with which anointing was performed signified the Divine good of Divine love, and the "king," who was anointed, represented Divine truth. This is why kings, when they had been anointed, represented the Lord, and were called "the anointed of Jehovah;" yet it was the Lord alone in relation to His Divine Human that was "the Anointed of Jehovah," since the Divine good of Divine love was in Him, and this was Jehovah and the Father from whom the Lord had the being [esse] of life. For it is well known that He was conceived of Jehovah, thus it was from the Divine good of Divine love, which was in Him from conception, that the Lord in relation to His Human was Divine truth so long as He was in the world. This shows that the Lord alone was "the Anointed of Jehovah" essentially, and that kings were called "the anointed of Jehovah" representatively. Thence now it is that the Lord in relation to His Divine Human was called "Messiah" and "Christ," that is, "Anointed."

[9] This can also be seen from the following passages. In Isaiah:

The spirit of the Lord Jehovih is upon Me, therefore Jehovah hath anointed Me to proclaim good tidings unto the poor, He hath sent Me to bind up the broken in heart, to preach liberty to the captives, to the bound, to the blind, to proclaim the year of Jehovah's good pleasure, and the day of vengeance for our God, to comfort all that mourn (Isaiah 61:1, 2).

This is plainly said of the Lord. The meaning is that the Lord Jehovih anointed His Divine Human "to proclaim good tidings unto the poor, and sent it to bind up the broken in heart," and so on, for all this the Lord accomplished from His Human (but the particulars may be seen explained above, n. 183, 375, 612).

[10] In David:

Why have the nations become tumultuous, and why have the peoples meditated vanity? The kings of the earth set themselves and the rulers took counsel together against Jehovah and against His Anointed. I have anointed My king upon Zion, the mountain of My holiness. I will declare the statute, Jehovah said unto me, Thou art My Son, this day have I begotten Thee; ask of Me and I will give the nations for Thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for Thy possession. Kiss the Son, lest He be angry and ye perish in the way, for His anger will shortly burn forth; blessed are all they that put their trust in Him (Psalms 2:1-2, 6-8, 12).

Evidently "the Anointed of Jehovah" means here the Lord in relation to the Divine Human, for it is said, "Jehovah said unto Me, Thou art My Son, this day have I begotten Thee; kiss the Son lest ye perish; blessed are all they that put their trust in Him." In the sense of the letter this indeed is said of David, but in the Word "David" means the Lord in relation to Divine truth, or as a King (See above, n. 205). It is evident also that the Lord's coming and finally the Last Judgment by Him, and afterwards His sovereignty over all things of the world, are here treated of.

[11] The spiritual things that lie hidden and are signified in the particulars of this passage are as follows: "The nations have become tumultuous and the peoples have meditated vanity," signifies the state of the church and of the former heaven that was to pass away, "nations" meaning those who are in evils, and "peoples" those who are in falsities (See above n. 175, 331, 625); "the kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers took counsel together, against Jehovah and against His Anointed," signifies the falsities of the church and its evils, as being utterly opposed to the Divine good and the Divine truth, and thus to the Lord, "the kings of the earth" meaning the falsities of the church, and the "rulers" its evils, "Jehovah" meaning the Lord in relation to the Divine itself, thus in relation to Divine good, and the "Anointed" the Lord in relation to the Divine Human, thus as to Divine truth.

[12] "I have anointed My king upon Zion, the mountain of My holiness," signifies the Lord's Human in relation to Divine truth proceeding from the Divine good of His Divine love, and thus His sovereignty over all things of heaven and the church, "Zion" and "the mountain of holiness" meaning heaven and the church; and thus all things of heaven and the church; "I will declare the statute" signifies an arcanum of the Divine providence and will; "Jehovah said unto Me, Thou art My Son, this day have I begotten Thee," signifies the Lord as the Anointed, Messiah, Christ, and King, thus in relation to His Human conceived and afterwards born of the Divine Itself, that is, Jehovah; "this day" signifies what is decreed from eternity and looks therefrom to the conjunction and union accomplished in time.

[13] "Ask of Me, and I will give the nations for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for Thy possession," signifies His kingdom and dominion over all things of heaven and the church, which shall be His; "kiss the Son" signifies conjunction with the Lord by love, "to kiss" signifying conjunction by love; "lest He be angry, and ye perish in the way," signifies lest evils assault you and you be condemned, for "to be angry" when predicated of the Lord, signifies the turning away of men from Him, thus their anger and not the Lord's; and evils are what turn away, and then are angry; "for His anger will shortly burn forth" signifies the Last Judgment, and the casting down of the evil into hell; "blessed are all they that trust in Him" signifies salvation by love to the Lord and faith in Him.

[14] In the same:

Thou art fairer than the sons of men, grace is poured upon thy lips. Gird about thy sword upon the thigh, O Mighty One, in thy majesty and thy honor; and in thy honor mount, ride upon the word of truth and of meekness of righteousness, and thy right hand shall teach thee in wonderful things; thine arrows are sharp, the peoples shall fall under thee, enemies of the king from the heart. Thy throne, O God, is for an age and for eternity; a scepter of uprightness is the scepter of Thy kingdom; thou hast loved righteousness and hated evil; therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of joy above thy fellows, with myrrh, aloes, and cassia, all thy garments. Kings' daughters are among thy precious ones; on thy right hand standeth the queen in the best gold of Ophir (Psalms 45:2-9).

It is clear from all the particulars in this psalm that this is said of the Lord, and consequently that He it is of whom it is said "God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of joy, with myrrh, aloes, and cassia, and all thy garments." What this signifies can be seen from the series as follows, namely, that He has Divine wisdom and that from Him is the doctrine of Divine truth, is signified by "thou art fairer than the sons of men, grace is poured upon thy lips," "fair" signifies wisdom, "the sons of men" signify those who are intelligent in Divine truths, and "lips" signify doctrinals.

[15] The Lord's omnipotence from Divine truth proceeding from Divine good, and the consequent destruction of falsities and evils and the subjugation of the hells, is signified by "gird about the sword upon the thigh, O Mighty One, in majesty and in honor, and in thy honor mount, ride upon the word of truth; thy right hand shall teach thee in wonderful things, thine arrows are sharp, the peoples shall fall under thee, enemies of the king from the heart;" "sword" signifies truth combating against falsity and destroying it; "chariot," like as "the word of truth," signifies the doctrine of truth; "to ride" signifies to instruct and combat; "right hand" signifies omnipotence; "arrows" signify truths combating; "peoples" those who are in the falsities of evil; and "enemies of the king" those who are opposed to truths, thus the hells.

[16] That the kingdom and dominion would thus be His to eternity is signified by "Thy throne, O God, is for an age and for eternity; a scepter of uprightness is the scepter of Thy kingdom," "scepter of uprightness" meaning Divine truth which has power and sovereignty. That as He delivered the good from damnation by destroying the evil, therefore the Divine itself united itself to His Human, is signified by "thou hast loved righteousness and hated evil, therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of joy above thy fellows," "to love righteousness and to hate evil" signifying to deliver the good from damnation by destroying the evil, "to anoint with the oil of joy" signifying to unite Himself by victories in temptations, "God, thy God," signifying the reciprocal uniting of the Human with the Divine, and of the Divine with the Human.

[17] Divine truths united to Divine goods are signified by "He hath anointed with myrrh, and aloes, and cassia all thy garments," "myrrh" signifying good of the lowest degree, "aloes" good of the second degree, and "cassia" good of the third degree, like as these three spices when mixed with olive oil, out of which the "oil of holiness" for anointing was made (Exodus 30:23-24); and that "oil" signified the Divine good of the Divine love, and the "garments" that were anointed signified Divine truths.

[18] That those who are of His kingdom have the spiritual affection of truth is signified by "kings' daughters are among thy precious ones," "kings' daughters" meaning the spiritual affections of truth, which are called "precious" when truths are genuine. That heaven and the church are under His protection and are conjoined to Him, because they are in love to Him from Him, is signified by "on thy right hand standeth the queen in the best gold of Ophir," "queen" signifying heaven and the church, "at the right hand" signifying under the Lord's protection from conjunction with Him, and "the best gold of Ophir" the good of love to the Lord.

[19] In the same:

I have made a covenant with My chosen, I have sworn to David My servant, even to eternity will I establish thy seed, and will build up thy throne to generation and generation. Thou hast spoken in vision to thy holy one, and hast said, I have laid help upon one that is mighty, I have exalted one chosen out of the people; I have found David My servant, with the oil of My holiness have I anointed him, with whom My hand shall be established; Mine arm also shall strengthen him. I will beat in pieces his adversaries before him, and will strike down them that hate him. I will set his hand in the sea, and his right hand in the rivers; he shall call me, Thou art my Father, my God, and the Rock of my salvation; I will also make him the firstborn, high above the kings of the earth; and My covenant shall be steadfast for him; and I will set his seed forever, and his throne as the days of the heavens. Once have I sworn by My holiness, I will not deal falsely with David, his seed shall be to eternity, and his throne as the sun before Me, it shall be established as the moon to eternity, a faithful witness in the clouds (Psalms 89:3-4, 19-21, 23, 25-29, 35-37).

That by "David" here David is not meant, but the Lord as to His kingship, which is the Divine spiritual, and is called the Divine truth, is very evident from what is here said of David, namely, that "his seed and throne shall be as the days of the heavens, and as the sun and the moon to eternity," that "he shall set the hand in the sea, and his right hand in the rivers," and that "he shall call Jehovah his Father, and shall be the firstborn, high above the kings of the earth," with other things that could not be said of David, his sons and his throne. That "David" in the Word means the Lord may be seen above n. 205.

[20] But to proceed to particulars. "I have made a covenant with My chosen, I have sworn to David My servant," signifies the union of the Lord's Divine with the Human, "to make a covenant" signifying to be united, and "to swear" to confirm the union; "chosen" is predicated of good, and "servant" of truth. "Even to eternity will I establish thy seed, and will build up thy throne to generation and generation," signifies Divine truth, and heaven and the church from Him, "seed" meaning Divine truth and those who receive it, and "throne" heaven and the church.

[21] "Thou hast spoken in vision to thy holy one" signifies a prophetic arcanum respecting the Lord; "I have laid help upon one that is mighty, I have exalted one chosen out of the people," signifies Divine truth whereby Divine good operates all things, which is called "help upon one that is mighty," and elsewhere "the right hand of Jehovah;" Divine majesty and consequent power is signified by "the exalting of one chosen out of the people;" "I have found David My servant, with the oil of holiness have I anointed him," signifies the Lord in relation to the Divine Human and union with the Divine Itself, which union is called in the Word of the New Testament glorification, and is meant by "being anointed with the oil of holiness," for "the oil of holiness" signifies the Divine good of Divine love, and "to be anointed" signifies to be united to Divine truth, which was of the Lord's Human in the world.

[22] "With whom My hand shall be established, Mine arm also shall strengthen him," signifies omnipotence therefrom, "hand" signifying the omnipotence of truth from good, and "arm" the omnipotence of good by means of truth; "I will beat in pieces his adversaries before him, and will strike down them that hate him," signifies combat with victory against falsities and evils, thus against the hells; "I will set His hand in the sea, and His right hand in the rivers," signifies the extension of His dominion and sovereignty over all things of heaven and the church, for "seas and rivers" mean the ultimates of heaven, and ultimates signify all things.

[23] "He shall call Me, Thou art my Father, my God, and the Rock of my Salvation," signifies the Divine Human which is the Son of God, who was conceived from Him, and afterwards born; and as the Lord's Human had therefrom Divine truth and Divine power He is also called "God" and "Rock of Salvation;" "I will also make him the firstborn, high above the kings of the earth," signifies that He is above every good and truth of heaven and the church, because goods and truths therein are from Him; "and My covenant shall be steadfast for him" signifies eternal union; "I will set his seed forever, and his throne as the days of the heavens," has the same signification here as above, "days of the heavens" meaning the states of the entire heaven, which are from His Divine.

[24] "Once have I sworn by My holiness, I will not deal falsely with David," signifies eternal confirmation, because from the Divine, respecting the Lord and the union of His Human with the Divine Itself; "His seed shall be to eternity, and his throne as the sun before Me, it shall be established as the moon to eternity," has a like signification as above, where "seed" and "throne" are mentioned; it is said "as the sun and moon," because eternity in respect to Divine good is predicated of the "sun," and in respect to Divine truth of the "moon," for these are signified by "sun and moon;" "a faithful witness in the clouds" signifies the acknowledgment and confession from the Word of the Divine in the Lord's Human; that this is "a witness in the clouds" may be seen above (n. 10, 27, 228, 392, 649).

[25] In the same:

O Jehovah, remember David, all his labor; who sware unto Jehovah, and vowed unto the Mighty One of Jacob, Surely I will not enter within the tent of my house, nor go up upon the couch of my bed, until I find out a place for Jehovah, habitations for the Mighty One of Jacob. Lo, we have heard of Him in Ephrathah, we have found Him in the fields of the forest. We will go into His habitations, we will bow ourselves down at His footstool. Arise, O Jehovah, to Thy rest, Thou and the ark of Thy strength. Let Thy priests be clothed with righteousness, and let Thy saints shout for joy; for Thy servant David's sake turn not back the face of Thine anointed. In Zion will I make the horn of David to bud; I will set in order a lamp for Mine anointed; his adversaries will I clothe with shame, but upon himself shall his crown flourish (Psalms 132:1-3, 5-10, 17-18).

Here, too, "David" and "Anointed or Christ" do not mean David, but the Lord in relation to the Divine Human, for it is said that "His habitations," that is, of the Mighty One of Jacob, "are found in Ephrathah," which is Bethlehem, and that they "would bow themselves down at His footstool;" but that this is so will be more evident in the explanation of the particulars in their order.

[26] "Who sware unto Jehovah, and vowed unto the Mighty One of Jacob," signifies irrevocable affirmation before the Lord, who is called "Jehovah" from the Divine in things first, and "Mighty One of Jacob" from the Divine in ultimates, in which is Divine power in its fullness; "surely I will not enter within the tent of my house, nor go upon the couch of my bed," signifies not to enter into and know the things that are of the church and its doctrine, "tent of the house" signifying the holy things of the church, and "the couch of a bed" its doctrine; "until I find out a place for Jehovah, habitations for the Mighty One of Jacob," signifies until I shall know about the Lord's coming, and the arcana of the union of His Human with the Divine; these in the highest sense are "a place for Jehovah" and "habitations" of the Lord's Divine Human.

[27] "Lo, we have heard of Him at Ephrathah, we have found Him in the fields of the forest," signifies both in the spiritual sense of the Word and in the natural, for "Ephrathah" and "Bethlehem" signify the spiritual-natural of the Word, and "fields of the forest" the natural of the Word, for there the Lord is found; "we will go into His habitations, we will bow ourselves down at His footstool," signifies that there He is found, for He is the Word; "His habitations" here mean the things of the spiritual sense of the Word, and thus the heavens, for these are in the spiritual sense of the Word, and "His footstool" means the things of the natural sense of the Word, and therefore the church, since in the church are Divine truths in their ultimates, which serve as a footstool for the spiritual things of the Word and of the heavens, thus for the Lord Himself who dwells therein.

[28] "Arise, O Jehovah, to Thy rest, Thou and the ark of Thy strength," signifies the union of the Divine itself with the Human in the Lord, and consequent peace to all in heaven and in the church, "Jehovah's rest" meaning that union, and "the ark of His strength" heaven and the church; "let Thy priests be clothed with righteousness, and let Thy saints shout for joy," signifies worship from love for those who are in celestial good, and worship from charity for those who are in spiritual good, "priests" meaning those who are in the Lord's celestial kingdom, while those who are in His spiritual kingdom are called "saints."

[29] "For Thy servant David's sake turn not away the face of Thine anointed" signifies that they may be enkindled by love and enlightened by the light of truth, when Divine truth has been united with Divine good in the Lord, thus the Divine Itself with the Human and the Human with the Divine, for "David" as a "servant" signifies the Lord's Human in relation to Divine truth, and "the anointed" signifies the same united to Divine good, and "his face" signifies Divine love and enlightenment therefrom; "in Zion will I make the horn of David to bud" signifies the power of Divine truth from Him in heaven and in the church; "I will set in order a lamp for Mine anointed" signifies enlightenment of Divine truth from the union of the Divine and Human in the Lord, "lamp" meaning Divine truth in respect to enlightenment. "His adversaries will I clothe with shame" signifies the subjugation of the hells and the dispersion of the evils thence; "but upon himself shall his crown flourish" signifies perpetual and eternal victory over them.

[30] From the passages here cited from the Word it can be seen that the Lord is called "the Anointed," that is, the Messiah or the Christ, from the union of Divine good with Divine truth in His Human, for the Lord's Human from that union is meant by "the Anointed of Jehovah."

[31] Likewise in the first book of Samuel:

Jehovah will judge the ends of the earth, and will give strength unto His King and exalt the horn of His Anointed (1 Samuel 2:10).

This is a part of the prophetic song of Hannah, the mother of Samuel, before there was any king or anointed over Israel, therefore "King" and "Anointed" here mean the Lord, to whom "is given strength" and whose "horn is exalted" when the Divine is united to the Human, "strength" signifying the power of good over evil, and "horn" the power of truth over falsity, and truth is said "to be exalted" when it becomes interior, and in the same degree becomes more powerful.

[32] "The anointed" has a similar meaning in Lamentations:

The breath of our nostrils, the anointed of Jehovah, was taken in their pits, of whom we had said, Under his shadow we shall live among the nations (Lamentations 4:20).

"The anointed of Jehovah" here means in the sense of the letter a king who was made captive, but in the spiritual sense it means the Lord, therefore it is said, "the breath of our nostrils," that is, the life of the perception of good and truth; "taken in the pits" signifies rejected by those who are in the falsities of evil, "pits" meaning the falsities of doctrine; "to live under his shadow" signifies to be under the Lord's protection against the falsities of evil, which are meant by "nations."

[33] Since "the Anointed," "Messiah," or "Christ" signifies the Lord in relation to the Divine Human, thus in relation to Divine good united to Divine truth, so "anointing" signifies that union, respecting which the Lord says:

I am in the Father and the Father in Me; believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me (John 14:7-11);

and elsewhere:

The Father and I are one; know ye and believe that I am in the Father and the Father in Me (John 10:30, 38).

And because this was represented by the anointing of Aaron and his sons, therefore:

The holy things of the sons of Israel which belonged to Jehovah Himself were given to Aaron and His sons for the anointing (Numbers 18:8).

These holy things belonging to Jehovah which were given to Aaron and his sons are enumerated from verses 9 to 19 of that chapter. But see what has been said before, n. 375, respecting "anointings," namely, that the Lord alone, in relation to the Divine Human, was "the Anointed of Jehovah" because in Him was the Divine good of the Divine love, which was signified by "oil," and that all others anointed with oil were only representatives of Him. This has been said of "the Anointed of Jehovah," since "the Anointed of Jehovah" is the Christ, that it may be known that by "the Lord and His Christ" in this passage of Revelation two are not meant but one, that is, that they are one, as are "the Anointed of Jehovah" and "the Lord's Christ" in Luke 2:26.

[34] Since the Lord is here treated of, to show why He was called "the Christ," that is, Messiah or Anointed, it is important to explain what is said of the Messiah in Daniel:

Seventy weeks are decreed upon thy people and upon thy city of holiness, to consummate the transgression, and to seal up sins, and to expiate iniquity, and to bring in the righteousness of the ages, and to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the Holy of Holies. Know, therefore, and perceive that from the going forth of the Word even to the restoration and building of Jerusalem, even to Messiah the prince, shall be seven weeks. After sixty and two weeks it shall be restored and built with street and moat, but in straitness of times. But after sixty and two weeks the Messiah shall be cut off, yet not for Himself. Then the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary, so that its end shall be with an inundation, and even unto the end of the war desolations are determined. Yet He shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; but in the midst of the week He shall cause the sacrifice and meal-offering to cease. At last upon the bird of abominations shall be desolation, and even to the consummation and decision it shall drop upon the devastation (Daniel 9:24-27).

The meaning of these words has been investigated and explained by many of the learned, but in the literal sense only, and not as yet in the spiritual sense, for that sense has been hitherto unknown in the Christian world. In that sense these words have the following signification: "Seventy weeks are decreed upon thy people" signifies the time and state of the church that then existed with the Jews, even to its end, "seven" and "seventy" signifying fullness from beginning to end, and "people" those who were then of the church; "and upon thy city of holiness" signifies the time and state of the end of the church in respect to the doctrine of truth from the Word, "city" signifying the doctrine of truth, and "the city of holiness" Divine truth, which is the Word.

[35] "To consummate the transgression and to seal up the sins and to expiate iniquity" signifies when there are nothing but falsities and evils in the church, thus when iniquity is fulfilled and consummated; for until this is done the end does not come, for reasons given in the small work on The Last Judgment; for if the end should come before, the simple good, who are conjoined as to externals with those who imitate and hypocritically make a show of truths and goods in externals, would be destroyed; therefore it is added "to bring in the righteousness of the ages," which signifies to save those who are in the good of faith and charity; "and to seal up vision and prophecy" signifies to fulfill all things contained in the Word; "to anoint the Holy of Holies" signifies to unite the Divine itself with the Human in the Lord, for this is "the Holy of Holies."

[36] "Know, therefore, and perceive from the going forth of the Word," signifies from the end of the Word of the Old Testament, since that was fulfilled in the Lord, for all things of the Word of the Old Testament treat in the highest sense of the Lord and of the glorification of His Human, and thus of His dominion over all things of heaven and the world; "even to the restoration and building of Jerusalem" signifies when a New Church was to be established, "Jerusalem" signifying that church, and "to build" to establish anew; "even to Messiah the Prince" signifies even to the Lord and Divine truth in Him and from Him, for the Lord is called "Messiah" from the Divine Human, and "Prince" from Divine truth; "seven weeks" signify a full time and state.

[37] "After sixty and two weeks it shall be restored and built with street and moat" signifies the full time and state after His coming until the church with its truths and doctrine is established, "sixty" signifying a full time and state as to the implantation of truth, like as the number "three" or "six," and "two" signifying the same for the implantation of good, thus the "sixty and two" together signify the marriage of truth with a little good; "street" signifies the truth of doctrine, and "moat" doctrine. (What "street" signifies see above, n. 652; and "moat" or "pit," n. 537.) "But in straitness of times" signifies hardly and with difficulty, because with the Gentiles that have little perception of spiritual truth.

[38] "But after the sixty and two weeks" signifies after a full time and state of the church now established in respect to truth and to good; "the Messiah shall be cut off" signifies that they fall away from the Lord, which took place chiefly with the Babylonians, by their transferring the Lord's Divine power to the popes, and thus by not acknowledging the Divine in His Human; "yet not for Himself" signifies that yet the power is His and the Divine is His.

[39] "Then the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary" signifies that thus doctrine and the church will be destroyed by falsities, "city" signifying doctrine, "sanctuary" the church, and "the prince that shall come" the reigning falsity; "so that its end shall be with an inundation, and even unto the end of the war desolations are determined," signifies the falsification of truth, even until there is no combat between truth and falsity; "an inundation" signifying the falsification of truth, "war" the combat between truth and falsity, and "desolation" the last state of the church, when there is no longer any truth, but mere falsity.

[40] "Yet He shall confirm a covenant for one week" signifies the time of the Reformation when the Word is again read and the Lord acknowledged, that is, the Divine in His Human; this acknowledgment, and conjunction therefrom with the Lord by means of the Word, is signified by "covenant," and the time of the Reformation by "one week;" "but in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the meal offering to cease" signifies that still interiorly with the Reformed there will be no truth and good in worship; "sacrifice" signifying worship from truths, and "meal offering" worship from goods, "the midst of the week" signifying not the midst of that time but the inmost of the state of the Reformed, for "midst" signifies inmost, and "week" a state of the church; there was no truth and good interiorly in worship after the Reformation, because they adopted faith as the essential of the church, and separated it from charity, and when faith is separated from charity then there is no truth or good in the inmost of worship, for the inmost of worship is the good of charity, and from that the truth of faith proceeds.

[41] "At last upon the bird of abominations shall be desolation" signifies the extinction of all truth by the separation of faith from charity, "the bird of abominations" signifying faith alone, thus faith separated from charity, for "a bird" signifies thought respecting the truths of the Word and the understanding of them, and this becomes "a bird of abominations" when there is no spiritual affection of truth, which enlightens truth and teaches it, but only a natural affection, which is for the sake of reputation, glory, honor, and gain, and as this affection is infernal it is abominable, since from it there are mere falsities; "and even to the consummation and decision it shall drop upon the devastation" signifies its last state, when there is no longer anything of truth or of faith, and when the Last Judgment takes place.

[42] That these last things in Daniel were predictions respecting the end of the Christian church is evident from the Lord's words in Matthew:

When ye shall see the abomination of desolation foretold by Daniel the prophet standing in the holy place, let him who readeth understand (Matthew 24:15).

For that chapter treats of the consummation of the age, thus of the successive vastation of the Christian church, therefore the devastation of that church is meant by these words in Daniel. (But what they signify in the spiritual sense has been explained in Arcana Coelestia 3652.) From this it can now be seen what is signified by "the kingdoms of the world are become the Lord's and His Christ's," also what is signified by "the Lord's Christ" (or the Christ of the Lord), in Luke:

A promise was made to Simeon by the Holy Spirit, that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord (Luke 2:26).