Arcana Coelestia # 9348
9348. 'For it will be a snare to you' means owing to evils that are enticing and deceptive. This is clear from the meaning of 'a snare', when it has reference to evils, as enticement and deception. The reason why evils are enticing and deceptive is that all evils spring from self-love and love of the world, 9335, and self-love and love of the world are born together within a person. These are the source of what the person feels as the delight of his life right from when he is first born; indeed the life that is his comes from them. Those loves therefore, like the hidden currents in a river, are constantly drawing the person's thought and will away from the Lord to self, and away from heaven to the world, thus away from the truths and forms of the good of faith to falsities and evils. At this time reasonings based on the illusions of the senses are especially predominant, and also the literal sense of the Word wrongly explained and used.
[2] These two things are what 'snares', 'traps', 'pits', 'nets', 'ropes', 'fetters', and also 'pretences' and 'deceits' are used to mean in the spiritual sense of the Word, as in Isaiah,
Terror and the pit and the snare are upon you, O inhabitant of the earth. Consequently it will happen, that he who is fleeing from the sound of terror will fall into the pit, and he who is climbing out of the pit will be caught in the snare, for the floodgates from on high have been opened, and the foundations of the earth have been shaken. Isaiah 24:17-19.
And in Jeremiah,
Fear, the pit, and the snare are upon you, O inhabitant of Moab. He who flees from the fear will fall into the pit, and he who climbs out of the pit will be caught in the snare. Jeremiah 48:43-44.
'Terror' and 'fear' are the disturbance and commotion in the mind when it is held fast between evils and forms of good, and consequently between falsities and truths. 'The pit' is falsity created by reasonings based on the illusions of the senses to lend support to delights that are attributable to self-love and love of the world; 'the snare' is the enticement and deception of evil that results from it.
[3] In Isaiah,
They will go and stumble 1 backwards, and be broken, and snared, and caught. Isaiah 28:13.
'Falling backwards' stands for turning oneself away from goodness and truth; 'being broken' stands for dispensing with truths and forms of good; 'being snared' stands for being enticed by the evils of self-love and love of the world; and 'being caught' stands for being carried away by them.
[4] In Ezekiel,
The mother of the princes of Israel is a lioness. One of her cubs learned to seize prey; he devoured men (homo). The nations heard about him; he was caught in their pit, and they led him away with hooks to the land of Egypt. Later on he ravished widows 2 and devastated cities; the land and its fullness was desolated by the sound of his roaring. Therefore the nations from the provinces round about lay in ambush against him, and spread their net over him; he was caught in their pit. They put him in a cage with hooks, and led him to the king of Babel; [they led him away] in nets, that his voice should no longer be heard on the mountains of Israel. Ezekiel 19:2-4, 7-9.
This describes the profanation of truth in successive stages by the enticements of falsities arising from evils. 'The mother of the princes of Israel' is the Church where primary truths are, 'the mother' being the Church, see 289, 2691, 2717, 4257, 5581, 8897, and 'the princes of Israel' primary truths, 1482, 2089, 5044. 'A lioness' is falsity that arises from evil and that perverts the Church's truths; 'a lion's cub' is evil in its power, 6367. 'Seizing prey' and 'devouring men' mean destroying truths and forms of good, for 'man' is the Church's good, 4287, 7424, 7523. 'The nations' are evils, 1259, 1260, 1849, 2588 (end), 4444, 6306. 'A pit', in which the nations caught him, is falsity arising from evil, 4728, 4744, 5038, 9086. 'The land of Egypt', to which he was led away with hooks, is factual knowledge through which falsity comes, 9340. 'Ravishing widows' means perverting forms of good which have the desire for truth, for 'ravishing' means perverting, 2466, 2729, 4865, 8904, and 'widows' forms of good that have the desire for truth, 9198, 9200. 'Devastating cities' means destroying the Church's teachings that present the truth, 402, 2268, 2449, 2943, 3216, 4478, 4492, 4493. 'Desolating the land and its fullness' means destroying all things of the Church, 9325. 'The sound of the lion's roaring' is falsity. 'Spreading a net over him' means enticing by means of delights belonging to earthly kinds of love and by means of reasonings attributable to them. 'Leading away to the king of Babel' is the profaning of truth, 1182, 1283, 1295, 1304, 1307, 1308, 1321, 1322, 1326.
[5] The fact that such things do not happen when a person does not love self and the world above all things is described in the following manner in Amos,
Will a lion roar in the forest when he has no prey? Will a bird fall into a snare on the earth if there is no trap for it? Will a snare spring up from the earth if it has certainly not caught [anything]? Amos 3:4-5.
[6] It is evident to anyone that 'a snare' in the spiritual sense means enticement and deception effected by means of the delights of self-love and love of the world, thus the enticement and deception of evils, which operate through reasonings that are based on the illusions of the senses and lend support to those delights. For the ensnarement and capturing of people is brought about by nothing else. When the devil's crew makes its attack on a person it concentrates on his loves, which they charm in every way until they have captivated him; and when he has been captivated that person reasons from falsities against truths, and from evils against forms of good. Yet he does not remain content to do that; he also takes delight in snaring others and enticing them towards falsities and evils. The reason why he also takes delight in doing this is that he too is now one of the devil's crew.
[7] Since 'a snare', 'a trap', and 'a net' mean such things they also mean the destruction and so annihilation of spiritual life; for the delights belonging to those loves are what destroy it and annihilate it, since those loves, as stated above, are the source from which all evils spring. From self-love springs disdain for others in comparison with self, then mockery and denigration of them, followed by enmity if they disagree with oneself, and finally by the delight that goes with hatred, vengeance, and so with inhumanity, indeed barbarity. This love in the next life rises to such a height that unless the Lord shows such people favour and grants them dominion over others, they are not only disdainful of Him but also mock the Word which speaks of Him. At length they are stirred by hatred and vengeance to act against Him; and insofar as they are unable to do so they carry out their hatred and vengeance with inhumanity and barbarity against everyone who confesses Him. All this shows where the essential nature of the devil's crew springs from, namely from self-love. Therefore since 'a snare' means the delight of selfish and worldly love, it means the destruction and annihilation of spiritual life; for the whole of love and faith to the Lord, and the whole of love towards the neighbour are destroyed by the delight of selfish and worldly love where it reigns supreme; see the places referred to in 9335.
[8] The fact that those loves are the origins of all evils, that hell arises from them and lies within them, and that those loves are the fires of hell is not known in the world at the present day. Yet people could have known this from the consideration that those loves are the opposites of love towards the neighbour and love to God, and the opposites of humility of heart, and from the consideration that from those loves alone spring all disdain, all hatred, all vengeance, and all inhumanity and barbarity, as anyone may realize who gives any thought to the matter.
[9] The fact that 'a snare' therefore means the destruction and annihilation of spiritual life is evident from the following places: In David,
Jehovah will rain on the wicked, snares, fire and brimstone. Psalms 11:6.
'Fire and brimstone' are the evils of selfish and worldly love. For this meaning of 'fire', see 1297, 1861, 5071, 5215, 6314, 6832, 7324, 7575, 9144, and for 'brimstone', 2446, from which it is evident what 'snares' mean. In Luke,
... lest that day comes on you suddenly, 3 for it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. Luke 21:34-35.
This refers to the last phase of the Church, when there is no faith because there is no charity, since self-love and love of the world will reign. This is followed by annihilation, which is meant by 'a snare'. In Jeremiah,
Among My people are found wicked ones. They keep watch, like fowlers laying [snares]; they set a gin to catch human beings. Jeremiah 5:26.
In David,
Those seeking my life 4 lay snares, and those seeking my hurt speak of ways to annihilate, and contemplate deceits all the day. Psalms 38:12.
In the same author,
Keep me from the hands of the trap they have set for me, and from the snares of the workers of iniquity. Let them fall into their own nets, 5 the wicked together, until I pass by. Psalms 141:9-10.
In Isaiah,
He will be as a sanctuary, though He will be as a stone to strike against and as a rock to stumble over, 6 for both houses of Israel; He will be as a snare and as a trap for the inhabitants of Jerusalem. Many among them will trip, and fall, and be broken to pieces, and be snared and caught. Isaiah 8:14-15.
This refers to the Lord. 'A stone to strike against' and 'a rock to stumble over' stand for stumbling blocks that are laid; and 'a snare' and 'a trap' for the annihilation accomplished by those who attack and try to destroy truths and forms of the good of faith in the Lord by means of falsities that lend support to self-love and love of the world. For to all proud people the very fact that the Divine appeared in a human form, and that He did so not in royal majesty but in a guise that was despised, is not only a stumbling block but also a snare.
From all this it is now evident that 'it will be a snare' means the enticement and deception of evils, and consequent annihilation, as in other places in Moses,
... lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land onto which you will come, lest it becomes a snare in your midst. Exodus 34:12.
In the same author,
You shall not serve their gods, for that will be a snare to you. Deuteronomy 7:16.
In the same author,
Beware lest perhaps you are ensnared to follow 7 the nations, and lest perhaps you inquire after their gods. Deuteronomy 12:30.
'The nations' are evils and the falsities arising from them.
Poznámky pod čarou:
1. literally, trip
2. The Hebrew text here, which means literally And he knows his widows, is thought to be corrupt. As a consequence English versions of the Scriptures are based on textual emendations and therefore read somewhat differently.
3. literally, lest that sudden day stands upon you
4. literally, soul
5. literally, into his nets. The singular is used possibly to imply each one of the wicked. Sebastian Schmidt, in his Latin version of the Bible which Swedenborg draws on here, regarded them as God's nets.
6. literally, as a stone of striking and as a rock of stumbling
7. literally, ensnared after
Luke 22
1
Now the feast of unleavened bread, which is called the Passover, drew near.
2
The chief priests and the scribes sought how they might put him to death, for they feared the people.
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Satan entered into Judas, who was surnamed Iscariot, who was numbered with the twelve.
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He went away, and talked with the chief priests and captains about how he might deliver him to them.
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They were glad, and agreed to give him money.
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He consented, and sought an opportunity to deliver him to them in the absence of the multitude.
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The day of unleavened bread came, on which the Passover must be sacrificed.
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He sent Peter and John, saying, "Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat."
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They said to him, "Where do you want us to prepare?"
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He said to them, "Behold, when you have entered into the city, a man carrying a pitcher of water will meet you. Follow him into the house which he enters.
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Tell the master of the house, 'The Teacher says to you, "Where is the guest room, Where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?"'
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He will show you a large, furnished upper room. Make preparations there."
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They went, found things as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover.
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When the hour had come, he sat down with the twelve apostles.
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He said to them, "I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer,
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for I tell you, I will no longer by any means eat of it until it is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God."
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He received a cup, and when he had given thanks, he said, "Take this, and share it among yourselves,
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for I tell you, I will not drink at all again from the fruit of the vine, until the Kingdom of God comes."
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He took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and gave to them, saying, "This is my body which is given for you. Do this in memory of me."
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Likewise, he took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.
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But behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table.
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The Son of Man indeed goes, as it has been determined, but woe to that man through whom he is betrayed!"
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They began to question among themselves, which of them it was who would do this thing.
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There arose also a contention among them, which of them was considered to be greatest.
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He said to them, "The kings of the nations lord it over them, and those who have authority over them are called 'benefactors.'
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But not so with you. But one who is the greater among you, let him become as the younger, and one who is governing, as one who serves.
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For who is greater, one who sits at the table, or one who serves? Isn't it he who sits at the table? But I am in the midst of you as one who serves.
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But you are those who have continued with me in my trials.
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I confer on you a kingdom, even as my Father conferred on me,
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that you may eat and drink at my table in my Kingdom. You will sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel."
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The Lord said, "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan asked to have you, that he might sift you as wheat,
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but I prayed for you, that your faith wouldn't fail. You, when once you have turned again, establish your brothers."
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He said to him, "Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death!"
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He said, "I tell you, Peter, the rooster will by no means crow today until you deny that you know me three times."
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He said to them, "When I sent you out without purse, and wallet, and shoes, did you lack anything?" They said, "Nothing."
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Then he said to them, "But now, whoever has a purse, let him take it, and likewise a wallet. Whoever has none, let him sell his cloak, and buy a sword.
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For I tell you that this which is written must still be fulfilled in me: 'He was counted with transgressors.' For that which concerns me has an end."
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They said, "Lord, behold, here are two swords." He said to them, "That is enough."
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He came out, and went, as his custom was, to the Mount of Olives. His disciples also followed him.
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When he was at the place, he said to them, "Pray that you don't enter into temptation."
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He was withdrawn from them about a stone's throw, and he knelt down and prayed,
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saying, "Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done."
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An angel from heaven appeared to him, strengthening him.
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Being in agony he prayed more earnestly. His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down on the ground.
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When he rose up from his prayer, he came to the disciples, and found them sleeping because of grief,
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and said to them, "Why do you sleep? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation."
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While he was still speaking, behold, a multitude, and he who was called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He came near to Jesus to kiss him.
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But Jesus said to him, "Judas, do you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?"
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When those who were around him saw what was about to happen, they said to him, "Lord, shall we strike with the sword?"
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A certain one of them struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear.
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But Jesus answered, "Let me at least do this"--and he touched his ear, and healed him.
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Jesus said to the chief priests, captains of the temple, and elders, who had come against him, "Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs?
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When I was with you in the temple daily, you didn't stretch out your hands against me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness."
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They seized him, and led him away, and brought him into the high priest's house. But Peter followed from a distance.
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When they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard, and had sat down together, Peter sat among them.
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A certain servant girl saw him as he sat in the light, and looking intently at him, said, "This man also was with him."
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He denied Jesus, saying, "Woman, I don't know him."
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After a little while someone else saw him, and said, "You also are one of them!" But Peter answered, "Man, I am not!"
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After about one hour passed, another confidently affirmed, saying, "Truly this man also was with him, for he is a Galilean!"
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But Peter said, "Man, I don't know what you are talking about!" Immediately, while he was still speaking, a rooster crowed.
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The Lord turned, and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the Lord's word, how he said to him, "Before the rooster crows you will deny me three times."
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He went out, and wept bitterly.
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The men who held Jesus mocked him and beat him.
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Having blindfolded him, they struck him on the face and asked him, "Prophesy! Who is the one who struck you?"
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They spoke many other things against him, insulting him.
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As soon as it was day, the assembly of the elders of the people was gathered together, both chief priests and scribes, and they led him away into their council, saying,
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"If you are the Christ, tell us." But he said to them, "If I tell you, you won't believe,
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and if I ask, you will in no way answer me or let me go.
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From now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God."
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They all said, "Are you then the Son of God?" He said to them, "You say it, because I am."
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They said, "Why do we need any more witness? For we ourselves have heard from his own mouth!"
