783. 18:15 "The merchants of these things, whom she made rich, will stand at a distance for fear of her torment, weeping and mourning." This symbolizes the state before damnation of those Roman Catholics who profited by various dispensations and promises of heavenly joys, and their fear and lamentation then.

The merchants of these things, namely of fruits that the soul longs for and things rich and splendid, which we considered in the verse immediately preceding this, symbolize people who by various dispensations and promises of heavenly joys have become rich, that is, who profited by them.

The merchants meant here are all those in the Roman Catholic hierarchy, both those higher in rank and those lower in rank, who have profited by these things. That they include those higher in rank is apparent from verse 23 in this chapter, where it says, "For your merchants were the great men of the earth;" and that they include those lower in rank is apparent from verse 11, as may be seen in no. 771 above.

To stand at a distance for fear of her torment, weeping and mourning, means, symbolically, when they are as yet in a state distant from one of damnation, and still at that time in a state of fear of punishments and in a state of lamentation, as in no. 769 above, where a similar statement is made.

Title: Jesus the Creator, Jehovah the Redeemer

Topic: Trinity/Unity

Summary: We explore the unity and trinity in God--how the "Father" relates to the "Son," the "Word," and the "Holy Spirit." Fairly absurd concrete analogies are brought to bear on these important but mystical truths.

Use the reference links below to follow along in the Bible as you watch.

References:
Deuteronomy 30:11-14
Matthew 28:19
1 John 5:7-8
Genesis 1:26-27
Job 19:25
Psalms 19:14; 78:35; 130:7-8
Isaiah 43:1, 3, 11; 44:6
Revelation 1:11, 17; 22:13
Isaiah 44:22-24; Isaiah 48:17, Isaiah 48:20; 49:7, 26; 54:5, 8; 59:20; 60:6; 63:16
Jeremiah 50
Hosea 13:14
Micah 4:10
John 1:1, 3, 14
Ephesians 3:9
Colossians 1:15-17
Hebrews 1:1-2
Revelation 4:11; 11:8
Isaiah 9:6