Apocalypse Explained # 785
785. (Verse 3) And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded unto death. That this signifies the discordance of their doctrinals with the Word, in which love, life, and works are so often mentioned, which do not at all agree with that religious persuasion, is evident from the signification of the heads of that beast, as denoting the knowledge of the holy things of the Word, which are falsified and adulterated (concerning which see above, n. 775). By head, in the Word, where the church is treated of, and those who belong to the church, is signified intelligence and wisdom; and, in the universal sense, the understanding of truth and the willing of good. But because those treated of here are unwilling that the understanding should enter into the mysteries of faith, but desire it to be held captive in subservience to their mysteries; and as these are they who are described by the dragon and by this his beast, it follows, that by the head of this beast is signified knowledge; for where the understanding does not see, there intelligence does not exist, but in the place of it knowledge. And, moreover, of those who are in falsities we cannot use the term intelligence, but knowledge (concerning which see the Doctrine of the New Jerusalem 33); and from the signification of being wounded unto death, as denoting to disagree with the Word. For the doctrine which disagrees with the Word is dead; and this is what is signified by being wounded unto death.
[2] The discordance here meant is, that they separate the life of love, which is good works, from faith, and make the latter alone justifying and saving, and consequently take away every thing of righteousness and salvation from the life of love or from good works. Now because to love and to do are mentioned in the Word in a thousand passages, and as man is to be judged according to his deeds and works, and these do not accord with the above religious persuasion, therefore these things are signified by the death stroke of the head of this beast. From these things it is now evident that by these words, "I saw one of the heads of the beast as it were wounded unto death," is signified discordance with the Word, in which love, life, and works are so often mentioned, which do not at all accord with that religious persuasion.
That they do not accord is manifestly evident from this fact, that it is the dogma of this religious persuasion that faith alone justifies and saves without the works of the law; indeed, that if anything of salvation be placed in works, it is injurious, because man's merit and proprium are in them. Consequently, many abstain from doing them, saying in their heart, "good works do not save me, and evil works do not condemn me, because I have faith." On this ground also they declare that those are saved, who, at the hour of death, can pronounce with a sort of confidence that they have faith, whatever their life may have been.
But because deeds and works, also doing and loving, are mentioned in the Word in a thousand passages, and these things are not in accord with their religious persuasion, therefore those who maintain that persuasion have found means of conjoining these statements with faith. These statements therefore are signified by seeing one of the heads of the beast as it were wounded unto death, and by his death stroke being healed, and by the whole earth wondering after the beast. But how that wound was healed, namely, by assumed modes of conjunction, shall be explained in the following article.
[3] First, however, some passages shall here be adduced from the Word, where deeds, works, doing, and working are mentioned, in order that every one may see the discordance which is here signified by one of the heads wounded unto death; also that this wound is incurable unless man lives according to and does the precepts of the Word.
In Matthew:
"He who heareth my words and doeth them," is like "a prudent man; but he who heareth my words and doeth them not, is like a foolish man" (7:24, 26).
In Luke:
"Why call ye me Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? Every one who cometh to me, and heareth my words, and doeth them, is like a man who built his house upon a rock; but he who heareth and doeth not, is like a man who built his house upon the ground without a foundation" (6:46-49).
In Matthew
"He that was sown in good earth is he who heareth the Word and attendeth to it, and who thence beareth fruit and bringeth forth, some a hundred-fold, some sixty-fold, and some thirty-fold" (13:23).
Again:
"Whosoever shall break the least of these commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called least in the kingdom of the heavens" (5:19).
In John:
"Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you" (15:14).
Again:
"If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them" (13:17).
Again:
"If ye love me, keep my commandments; he who hath my precepts and doeth them, he it is that loveth me, and I will love him, and will manifest myself unto him, and I will come unto him, and make my abode with him; but he who loveth me not, keepeth not my words" (14:15, 21-24).
In Luke:
Jesus said, "My mother and my brethren are they who hear the Word of God and do it" (8:21).
In Matthew:
"I was hungry and ye gave me to eat, I was thirsty and ye gave me to drink, I was a sojourner and ye took me in, I was naked and ye clothed me, I was sick and ye visited me, I was in prison and ye came unto me"; to whom the Lord said, "Come ye blessed, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world"; to those who have not done these things, "Depart from me, ye cursed, into eternal fire, prepared for the devil and his angels" (25:35 to the end).
In John:
"My Father is the vinedresser; every branch which beareth not fruit, he taketh away" (15:1, 2).
In Luke:
"Bring forth fruits worthy of repentance: every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit, shall be hewn down and cast into the fire; by their fruits ye shall know them" (3:8, 9).
In John:
"Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples" (15:7, 8).
In Matthew:
"The kingdom of God shall be taken away from them, and shall be given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof" (Matthew 21:40-43).
In John:
"He who doeth the truth, cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God" (3:21).
Again:
"We know that God heareth not sinners, but if any one worship God, and do his will, him he heareth" (9:31).
In Matthew:
"The Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and then shall he render to every one according to his deeds" (16:27).
In John:
"Then shall they come forth, those who have done good unto the resurrection of life, but those who have done evil unto the resurrection of judgment" (5:29).
In the Apocalypse:
"I will give unto you every one according to his works; he who overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end" (2:23, 26).
Again:
"Their works shall follow them" (14:13).
"The dead were judged according to the things which were written in the books, according to their works" (20:12, 13).
"Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give unto every one according to his works" (22:12).
Again:
"Blessed are they who do his commandments" (22:14).
He said to the angel of the church of Ephesus, "I have against thee that thou hast left thy first love; remember whence thou art fallen, and do the first works, or else, etc." (2:4, 5).
It was said to the angel of the church of Smyrneans, "I know thy works"; to the angel of the church in Pergamos, "I know thy works"; to the angel of the church in Thyatira, "I know thy works"; to the angel of the church in Sardis, "I know thy works"; and to the angel of the church in Philadelphia, "I know thy works" (Apoc. 2:9, 13, 19; 3:1, 8).
The quality of the seven churches, as they are and as they will be, is examined and judged from their works, and according to their works, throughout those two chapters.
[4] The Lord also teaches good works, and their quality and the heavenly blessedness therefrom, in Matthew, chapters 5; 6; 7, from beginning to end; also in the parables of the labourers in the vineyard; the husbandman and his servants; and the traders, to whom were given pounds, and to whom were given talents; the fig-tree in the vineyard, which should be cut down, if it did not bear fruit; the man wounded by robbers, to whom the Samaritan showed mercy (concerning whom the Lord asked the lawyer, which of the three was neighbour to him that fell among thieves, and when he answered, "He that shewed mercy on him," Jesus said, "Go and do thou likewise"); the ten virgins, of whom five had oil in their lamps and five had none; where oil in the lamps signifies charity in faith; besides various other passages.
[5] The twelve disciples of the Lord also represented the church as to all things of faith and charity in the aggregate; and in particular, Peter, James, and John, represented faith, charity, and good works in their order - Peter faith, James charity, and John good works. This is why the Lord said to Peter, when Peter saw John following the Lord, "What is that to thee, Peter? Thou, John, follow me," for Peter said of John, "What shall this man do?" (John 21:21, 22); and the Lord's answer signified that they who do good works should follow the Lord. Because John represented the church as to good works, therefore he leaned upon the breast of the Lord. That the church is in those who do good works, is also signified by the Lord's words from the cross, in John:
Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved, standing by, and he said to his mother, "Woman, behold thy son"; and he said to that disciple, "Behold thy mother"; and from that hour that disciple took her unto himself (John 19:26, 27).
This signified that where good works are, there the church will be. For woman, and also mother, signify the church.
The passages quoted are all from the New Testament. The number in the Old Testament to the same purpose is still greater. As where it is said:
"Blessed are all those who keep and do the statutes, the judgments, and the precepts; and cursed are those who do them not" (as in Leviticus 18:5; 19:37; 20:8; 22:31, 32, 33; 26:4, 14, 15; Numbers 15:39, 40; Deuteronomy 5:9, 10; 6:25; 15:5; 17:19; 27:26); and in a thousand other passages.
Besides the passages in the Word where deeds and doing are mentioned, there is also a great number where love and loving are mentioned; and by loving is meant the same as by doing. For he who loves also does. For to love is to will, because every one wills what he inwardly loves; and to will is to do, since every one does, that which he wills, when he is able. A deed, moreover, is nothing else but the will in act.
Love is taught by the Lord in many passages.
As in Matthew 5:43-48; 7:12; Luke 6:27-39; 43 to the end; 7:36 to the end; John 13:34, 35; 14:14-23; 15:9-19 17:22-26; 21:15-23; and in brief in these words: "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul; this is the first and great commandment. The second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself; on these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets" (Matthew 22:35-38; Luke 10:27, 28; Deuteronomy 6:5).
To love God above all things, and the neighbour as oneself, is to keep the commandments, or do His precepts. (See John 14:21-24.) Moreover, the law and the prophets signify the whole Word as to all and every part thereof.
From all these quotations it is now quite clear that it is not faith separate from good works that saves, but faith from them and with them. For he who does good works has faith; but he who does not, has not faith.
Luke 7
1
After he had finished speaking in the hearing of the people, he entered into Capernaum.
2
A certain centurion's servant, who was dear to him, was sick and at the point of death.
3
When he heard about Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and save his servant.
4
When they came to Jesus, they begged him earnestly, saying, "He is worthy for you to do this for him,
5
for he loves our nation, and he built our synagogue for us."
6
Jesus went with them. When he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying to him, "Lord, don't trouble yourself, for I am not worthy for you to come under my roof.
7
Therefore I didn't even think myself worthy to come to you; but say the word, and my servant will be healed.
8
For I also am a man placed under authority, having under myself soldiers. I tell this one, 'Go!' and he goes; and to another, 'Come!' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."
9
When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turned and said to the multitude who followed him, "I tell you, I have not found such great faith, no, not in Israel."
10
Those who were sent, returning to the house, found that the servant who had been sick was well.
11
It happened soon afterwards, that he went to a city called Nain. Many of his disciples, along with a great multitude, went with him.
12
Now when he drew near to the gate of the city, behold, one who was dead was carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. Many people of the city were with her.
13
When the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said to her, "Don't cry."
14
He came near and touched the coffin, and the bearers stood still. He said, "Young man, I tell you, arise!"
15
He who was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he gave him to his mother.
16
Fear took hold of all, and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has arisen among us!" and, "God has visited his people!"
17
This report went out concerning him in the whole of Judea, and in all the surrounding region.
18
The disciples of John told him about all these things.
19
John, calling to himself two of his disciples, sent them to Jesus, saying, "Are you the one who is coming, or should we look for another?"
20
When the men had come to him, they said, "John the Baptizer has sent us to you, saying, 'Are you he who comes, or should we look for another?'"
21
In that hour he cured many of diseases and plagues and evil spirits; and to many who were blind he gave sight.
22
Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John the things which you have seen and heard: that the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them.
23
Blessed is he who is not offended by me."
24
When John's messengers had departed, he began to tell the multitudes about John, "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?
25
But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft clothing? Behold, those who are gorgeously dressed, and live delicately, are in kings' courts.
26
But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet.
27
This is he of whom it is written, 'Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.'
28
"For I tell you, among those who are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptizer, yet he who is least in the Kingdom of God is greater than he."
29
When all the people and the tax collectors heard this, they declared God to be just, having been baptized with John's baptism.
30
But the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected the counsel of God, not being baptized by him themselves.
31
"To what then will I liken the people of this generation? What are they like?
32
They are like children who sit in the marketplace, and call one to another, saying, 'We piped to you, and you didn't dance. We mourned, and you didn't weep.'
33
For John the Baptizer came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, 'He has a demon.'
34
The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, 'Behold, a gluttonous man, and a drunkard; a friend of tax collectors and sinners!'
35
Wisdom is justified by all her children."
36
One of the Pharisees invited him to eat with him. He entered into the Pharisee's house, and sat at the table.
37
Behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that he was reclining in the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of ointment.
38
Standing behind at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears, and she wiped them with the hair of her head, kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.
39
Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, "This man, if he were a prophet, would have perceived who and what kind of woman this is who touches him, that she is a sinner."
40
Jesus answered him, "Simon, I have something to tell you." He said, "Teacher, say on."
41
"A certain lender had two debtors. The one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.
42
When they couldn't pay, he forgave them both. Which of them therefore will love him most?"
43
Simon answered, "He, I suppose, to whom he forgave the most." He said to him, "You have judged correctly."
44
Turning to the woman, he said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered into your house, and you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head.
45
You gave me no kiss, but she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss my feet.
46
You didn't anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment.
47
Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little."
48
He said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."
49
Those who sat at the table with him began to say to themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?"
50
He said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you. Go in peace."
