Apocalypse Explained #120
120. But are a synagogue of Satan. That this signifies the doctrine of all their falsities, is evident from the signification of synagogue, as being doctrine (concerning which we shall speak presently); and from the signification of Satan, as being the hell whence all falsities go forth. There are two kinds of hells, one in which are those who are in evils, and the other in which are those who are in the falsities of evil. The hell in which the former are, is by one expression called the Devil, and that in which the latter are, is called by one expression Satan. That the hells are thus named is totally unknown to those who are unacquainted with the particulars concerning them, and who have formed the opinion about the devil that he was created an angel of light, and that, because he rebelled, he was cast down with his crew, and in this way hell was made. (That the hells are called by the names Devil and Satan, may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell 311, 544, 553; and in the small work, The Last Judgment, in the article where it is shown that heaven and hell are from the human race, n. 14-22.) Besides, it should be known, that as all goods and truths proceed out of the heavens from the Lord, so all evils and falsities are from the hells. He who believes that they proceed from any other source is much deceived.
[2] Man is only a receptacle of these, and to whichever he turns himself, he receives therefrom. If he turns himself to heaven, which is brought about by the goods of love and the truths of faith, he then receives goods and truths from the Lord; but if he turns himself to hell, which is brought about by the evils of love and the falsities of faith, he then receives evils and falsities from hell. Now, because all evils and falsities are from the hells, and as the hells are designated, by one expression, either the Devil or Satan, it follows, that by the Devil are also signified all evils, and by Satan all falsities. This is why a synagogue of Satan signifies all kinds of false doctrine.
[3] The reason why by synagogue is signified doctrine is, that doctrine was taught in the synagogues, and also because differences in doctrinal matters were there adjusted. That doctrine was taught in the synagogues, is clear from Matthew 4:23; 9:35 13:54; Mark 1:21, 22, 29, 39; 6:2; Luke 4:15, 16, 44; 13:10, 14; John 18:20. That differences in doctrinals were adjusted in the synagogues, may be concluded from what is said in Matthew 10:17; Mark 13:9; Luke 12:11; 21:12; John 9:22; 12:42; 16:2, 3.
That there was every kind of false doctrine among the Jewish nation, is evident from many things known concerning that nation; for instance, that they deny the Lord, that they expect a Messiah who shall establish an earthly kingdom, and exalt them above all the other nations of the world; that they place all worship in externals, and reject the internals of worship which belong to faith and love to the Lord; that they regard all things in the Word as referring to themselves, and falsify it by traditions of their own invention, as may be seen, Matthew 15:6-9; Mark 7:1-13. Moreover, what the character of that nation has been from the beginning, as to their interiors, is evident from the song of Moses (in Deuteronomy 32), and from many other places. (See also the citations from Arcana Coelestia, in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem 248.)
Mark 1
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The beginning of the Good News of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
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As it is written in the prophets, "Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.
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The voice of one crying in the wilderness, 'Make ready the way of the Lord! Make his paths straight!'"
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John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching the baptism of repentance for forgiveness of sins.
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All the country of Judea and all those of Jerusalem went out to him. They were baptized by him in the Jordan river, confessing their sins.
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John was clothed with camel's hair and a leather belt around his waist. He ate locusts and wild honey.
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He preached, saying, "After me comes he who is mightier than I, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and loosen.
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I baptized you in water, but he will baptize you in the Holy Spirit."
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It happened in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan.
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Immediately coming up from the water, he saw the heavens parting, and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.
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A voice came out of the sky, "You are my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."
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Immediately the Spirit drove him out into the wilderness.
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He was there in the wilderness forty days tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals; and the angels were serving him.
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Now after John was taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the Good News of the Kingdom of God,
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and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand! Repent, and believe in the Good News."
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Passing along by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen.
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Jesus said to them, "Come after me, and I will make you into fishers for men."
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Immediately they left their nets, and followed him.
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Going on a little further from there, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John, his brother, who were also in the boat mending the nets.
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Immediately he called them, and they left their father, Zebedee, in the boat with the hired servants, and went after him.
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They went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath day he entered into the synagogue and taught.
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They were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as having authority, and not as the scribes.
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Immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out,
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saying, "Ha! What do we have to do with you, Jesus, you Nazarene? Have you come to destroy us? I know you who you are: the Holy One of God!"
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Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be quiet, and come out of him!"
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The unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him.
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They were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, "What is this? A new teaching? For with authority he commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him!"
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The report of him went out immediately everywhere into all the region of Galilee and its surrounding area.
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Immediately, when they had come out of the synagogue, they came into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.
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Now Simon's wife's mother lay sick with a fever, and immediately they told him about her.
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He came and took her by the hand, and raised her up. The fever left her, and she served them.
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At evening, when the sun had set, they brought to him all who were sick, and those who were possessed by demons.
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All the city was gathered together at the door.
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He healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. He didn't allow the demons to speak, because they knew him.
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Early in the morning, while it was still dark, he rose up and went out, and departed into a deserted place, and prayed there.
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Simon and those who were with him followed after him;
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and they found him, and told him, "Everyone is looking for you."
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He said to them, "Let's go elsewhere into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because I came out for this reason."
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He went into their synagogues throughout all Galilee, preaching and casting out demons.
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A leper came to him, begging him, kneeling down to him, and saying to him, "If you want to, you can make me clean."
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Being moved with compassion, he stretched out his hand, and touched him, and said to him, "I want to. Be made clean."
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When he had said this, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was made clean.
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He strictly warned him, and immediately sent him out,
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and said to him, "See you say nothing to anybody, but go show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing the things which Moses commanded, for a testimony to them."
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But he went out, and began to proclaim it much, and to spread about the matter, so that Jesus could no more openly enter into a city, but was outside in desert places: and they came to him from everywhere.
