200. Internal Meaning of Joel, Chapter 3

1 Then the church will be gathered together, (11, 17)

2 and then judgment will be executed upon those who have scattered the goods and truths of the church; (15)

4-8 upon those who are in knowledges [cognitiones] alone and in faith alone, and have thereby destroyed the truths of the Word and of doctrine. (15)

9-12 Combat of good and truth against evils and falsities at that time. (15)

13-15 Then evil is consummated. (3)

16-17 This is from the Lord, whom they will then also acknowledge, and from whom is the church. (11)

18-19 The Lord will then teach them the Word, and falsifications of the Word will be removed. (11)

20-21 Then the church will be the Lord's, and from the Word. (11)

A 'sword,' as in Ezekiel 21:9-15, signifies a person so desolated that he can see nothing good and true, but only falsities and contradictions. A 'sword,' in the Word, signifies the truth of faith combating and the vastation of truth. In an opposite sense, it signifies falsity combating and the punishment of falsity.

The 'sword,' in Revelation 1:16, represents a dispersion of falsities by the Lord because the sword came out from His mouth, which means it comes from the Word. Because the Word is understood by doctrine taken from it, this is also symbolically meant. It is called a sharp two-edged sword because it pierces the heart and soul.

A 'flaming sword which turned every way,' as in Genesis 3:24, signifies divine truth in extremes, which, like the Word in its literal sense, can be turned.

(Odkazy: Arcana Coelestia 2799)