47. And partaker in the affliction, signifies the truth of faith infested by falsities. This is evident from the signification of "partaker," as being the truth of faith (concerning which see below); and from the signification of "affliction," as being infestation by falsities (See Arcana Coelestia 6663, 1299, 6851, 9196). In the Word frequent mention is made of "brother" and "partaker" (or companion), and by these good and truth are signified. Moreover, in ancient times those were called "brethren" who were in good and those were called "partakers" (or companions) who were in truths, and for this reason, that truth must be in company with good, and when it is in company, it becomes a brother; consequently here by "partaker" is signified the truth of faith. (That good and truth are meant by "brother" and "companion" in the Word, see Arcana Coelestia 6756, 10490.) "Affliction" signifies infestation by falsities, since a mind that is in truths is afflicted by falsities, when the two are in conflict with each other; spiritual affliction is from no other source. This, therefore, is what is signified by "affliction" in the Word, as in Matthew:

He that was sown upon the rocky places hath no root in himself; when affliction and persecution ariseth because of the Word, straightway he is offended (Matthew 13:20-21).

And in the same:

In the consummation of the age they shall deliver you up into affliction. For then shall be great affliction, such as hath not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, nor shall be. Immediately after the affliction of those days the sun shall be darkened (Matthew 24:9, 21, 29; Mark 13:19, 24).

The "consummation of the age" is the last time of the church; and since falsities are then to prevail and fight against truths, it is said that they shall be in "affliction, and in so great a one as hath not been from the beginning of the world." Such affliction is meant by the affliction in which John is said to be a "partaker," and by John is here meant the doctrine respecting the Lord; for in Revelation the last time of the church is treated of (See above, n. 5).

9196. 'And a sojourner you shall not afflict and shall not oppress' means that those who wish to receive instruction in the truths and forms of the good of faith must not be molested with falsities of faith or evils of life. This is clear from the meaning of 'a sojourner' as one who wishes to receive instruction in things of the Church, thus who wishes to receive instruction in truths and forms of the good of faith, and who receives them and lives in accordance with them, dealt with in 1463, 8007, 8013 ('a sojourner' has this meaning because 'sojourning' means receiving instruction as well as living, 2025, 3672, 6095); and from the meaning of '[not] afflicting', when it refers to those who wish to receive instruction in the truths and forms of the good of faith, as not molesting with falsities of faith; and from the meaning of '[not] oppressing', when it refers to these same people, as not molesting with evils of life. For those who molest such people with falsities afflict them, and those who molest them with evils oppress them.