Apocalypse Explained # 599
599. Verse 2. And he had in his hand a little book opened, signifies the Word laid open. This is evident from the signification of "a little book opened," as being the Word laid open. It can be seen that this is what is meant by "the little book opened," since "the strong angel coming down out of heaven, who had in his hand a little book," represented the Lord as to the Word, and in fact, as to its ultimate sense, which is called the sense of the letter (See above, n. 593); and because the Word was laid open both to angels and men it is said "a little book opened."
Leviticus 21:17-23
17
"Say to Aaron, 'None of your seed throughout their generations who has a blemish, may approach to offer the bread of his God.
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For whatever man he is that has a blemish, he shall not draw near: a blind man, or a lame, or he who has a flat nose, or any deformity,
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or a man who has an injured foot, or an injured hand,
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or hunchbacked, or a dwarf, or one who has a defect in his eye, or an itching disease, or scabs, or who has damaged testicles;
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no man of the seed of Aaron the priest who has a blemish, shall come near to offer the offerings of Yahweh made by fire. Since he has a blemish, he shall not come near to offer the bread of his God.
22
He shall eat the bread of his God, both of the most holy, and of the holy.
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He shall not come near to the veil, nor come near to the altar, because he has a blemish; that he may not profane my sanctuaries, for I am Yahweh who sanctifies them.'"
