An Invitation to the New Church # 35
35. The keys of the kingdom of the heavens were given to Peter, because he represented the Lord as to Divine Truth; and this is what is meant by "rock," throughout the whole of the Sacred Scripture. On this account [it is said],
Upon this rock, that is, on this Divine Truth, "will I build My Church," namely, the truth that the Lord is "the Son of the living God. "
It shall be shown from the Word, that "rock" has this signification.
("Rock" in the Word: Exodus 17:6; 33:21-22; Numbers 20:8-11; Deuteronomy 8:15; 32:4-37; 1 Samuel 2:2; 2 Samuel 22:2-3, 32, 47; 23:3; Psalms 18:2, 31, 46; 28:1; 31:2-3; 40:2; 42:9; 62:2, 7; 78:16, 20, 35; 89:26; 92:15; 94:22; 95:1; 105:41; Isaiah 2:10; 22:16; 42:11; 1 Corinthians 10:4). ("Fissures of the rock" denote falsified truths, Revelation 6:15-16; Isaiah 2:19; Jeremiah 16:16; Song of Solomon 2:14; Isaiah 48:21; Jeremiah 23:29; 49:16; Obadiah 1:3; besides in the Gospels.)
In this wise also some of the Fathers explained it (see Formula Concordiae, p. 345).
Numbers 20:8-11
8
"Take the rod, and assemble the congregation, you, and Aaron your brother, and speak to the rock before their eyes, that it give forth its water; and you shall bring forth to them water out of the rock; so you shall give the congregation and their livestock drink."
9
Moses took the rod from before Yahweh, as he commanded him.
10
Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together before the rock, and he said to them, "Hear now, you rebels; shall we bring you water out of this rock for you?"
11
Moses lifted up his hand, and struck the rock with his rod twice: and water came forth abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their livestock.
