21
Amoriterne, Kana'anæerne, Girgasjiterne, Hivviterne og Jebusiterne."
Genesis 15:21
The Project Gutenberg Association at Carnegie Mellon University
Arcana Coelestia #1843
1843. Thy seed shall be a stranger. That this signifies that charity and faith shall be rare, is evident from the signification of “a stranger,” and of “seed.” A “stranger” or “sojourner” signifies one that is not born in the land, so that he is not acknowledged as a native, and thus is looked upon as an alien. But “seed” signifies charity and its faith (as before shown, n. 255, 1025 verse 3). Because that is called “strange” which is looked upon as alien, and alien is that which is not in the land or of the land, it follows that it is that which is rare; and consequently it here means that charity and the faith of charity, which are the “seed,” will be rare. It is the time before the consummation that is here treated of, when there shall be “great darkness,” that is, falsities; the seed shall then be a stranger, that is, charity and faith will then be rare.
[2] That faith would be rare in the last times was foretold by the Lord when He spoke of the consummation of the age (Matthew 24:4-51; Mark 13:3-37; Luke 21:7-38), where everything that is said implies that charity and faith will be rare at those times, and that at last there will be none. The like is said by John in Revelation, and also in many passages of the Prophets, besides what is said in the historical parts of the Word.
[3] But by the faith that will perish in the last times there is meant nothing but charity, for there cannot possibly be any faith but the faith of charity. He who has not charity cannot have any faith at all, for charity is the very soil in which faith is implanted; it is its heart, from which it exists and lives. The ancients therefore compared love and charity to the heart, and faith to the lungs, both of which are in the breast. This comparison involves a real likeness, seeing that if a man should pretend to a life of faith without charity, it would be like having life from the lungs alone without the heart, which is manifestly impossible; and therefore the ancients called all things that pertain to charity things of the heart, and all things that pertain to faith without charity they said were of the mouth only, or of the lungs by the influx of the breathing into the speech. Thence came the ancient forms of speech concerning good and truth; that they must go forth from the heart.
Luke 21:7-38
7
They asked him, "Teacher, so when will these things be? What is the sign that these things are about to happen?"
8
He said, "Watch out that you don't get led astray, for many will come in my name, saying, 'I am he,' and, 'The time is at hand.' Therefore don't follow them.
9
When you hear of wars and disturbances, don't be terrified, for these things must happen first, but the end won't come immediately."
10
Then he said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
11
There will be great earthquakes, famines, and plagues in various places. There will be terrors and great signs from heaven.
12
But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you, delivering you up to synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors for my name's sake.
13
It will turn out as a testimony for you.
14
Settle it therefore in your hearts not to meditate beforehand how to answer,
15
for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to withstand or to contradict.
16
You will be handed over even by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends. They will cause some of you to be put to death.
17
You will be hated by all men for my name's sake.
18
And not a hair of your head will perish.
19
"By your endurance you will win your lives.
20
"But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is at hand.
21
Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let those who are in the midst of her depart. Let those who are in the country not enter therein.
22
For these are days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.
23
Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who nurse infants in those days! For there will be great distress in the land, and wrath to this people.
24
They will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be led captive into all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled down by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
25
There will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars; and on the earth anxiety of nations, in perplexity for the roaring of the sea and the waves;
26
men fainting for fear, and for expectation of the things which are coming on the world: for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
27
Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
28
But when these things begin to happen, look up, and lift up your heads, because your redemption is near."
29
He told them a parable. "See the fig tree, and all the trees.
30
When they are already budding, you see it and know by your own selves that the summer is already near.
31
Even so you also, when you see these things happening, know that the Kingdom of God is near.
32
Most certainly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things are accomplished.
33
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will by no means pass away.
34
"So be careful, or your hearts will be loaded down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that day will come on you suddenly.
35
For it will come like a snare on all those who dwell on the surface of all the earth.
36
Therefore be watchful all the time, praying that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will happen, and to stand before the Son of Man."
37
Every day Jesus was teaching in the temple, and every night he would go out and spend the night on the mountain that is called Olivet.
38
All the people came early in the morning to him in the temple to hear him.
