3654. That in the internal sense of the Word “Judea” does not signify Judea; nor in like manner “Jerusalem,” Jerusalem, may be seen from many passages in the Word. “Judea” is not so frequently mentioned in the Word as is the “land of Judah,” and by the “land of Judah,” as well as by the “land of Canaan,” is signified the Lord’s kingdom (consequently also the church, for the church is the Lord’s kingdom on earth), and this for the reason that the Lord’s celestial kingdom was represented by Judah, or by the Jewish nation, and His spiritual kingdom by Israel, or the Israelitish people; and inasmuch as it was so represented, therefore also when mention is made in the Word of that nation and people, in the internal sense there is nothing else signified thereby.

[2] That this is the case will appear from what of the Lord’s Divine mercy will be said hereafter concerning Judah and the land of Judah; and in the meantime from the following few passages in the Prophets.

In Isaiah:

My beloved had a vineyard in the horn of a son of oil; and he made a hedge about it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with a noble vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, and also hewed out a winepress therein; and he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes. And now O inhabitant of Jerusalem, and man of Judah, judge I pray you between Me and My vineyard. I will make it a desolation. For the vineyard of Jehovah Zebaoth is the house of Israel, and the man of Judah is the plant of His delights; and He looked for judgment, but behold a festering; for righteousness, but behold a cry (Isaiah 5:1-3, 6-7).

In this passage, in the sense of the letter, the perverted state of the Israelites and Jews is treated of, but in the internal sense the perverted state of the church as represented by Israel and Judah. The “inhabitant of Jerusalem” is the good of the church (that “inhabitant” signifies good, or what is the same, those who are in good, may be seen above, n. 2268, 2451, 2712, 3613; and that “Jerusalem” signifies the church, see n. 402, 2117). The signification of the “house of Israel” is similar (that “house” signifies good may be seen above, n. 710, 1708, 2233, 2234, 3142, 3538; and that “Israel” signifies the church, n. 3305); in like manner the “man of Judah,” for by “man” is signified truth (n. 265, 749, 1007, 3134, 3310, 3459), and by “Judah” good, but with the difference that the “man of Judah” signifies truth from the good of love to the Lord (which is called celestial truth), that is, those who are in such truth.

[3] In the same:

And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four wings of the earth. The envy also of Ephraim shall depart, and the enemies of Judah shall be cut off. Ephraim shall not envy Judah, and Judah shall not straiten Ephraim. Jehovah shall accurse the tongue of the Egyptian sea, and with the vehemence of His breath shall shake His hand over the river. And there shall be a highway for the remains of His people, which shall be left from Asshur (Isaiah 11:12-13, 15-16).

The subject here treated of in the sense of the letter is the bringing back of the Israelites and Jews from captivity, but in the internal sense it is concerning a new church in general and with every individual in particular who is being regenerated or is becoming a church. The “outcasts of Israel” denote the truths of such persons; the “dispersed of Judah,” their goods; “Ephraim,” their intellectual part in that it will no longer be resistant; “Egypt,” memory-knowledges; and “Asshur,” the derivative reasoning, which they have perverted; the “outcasts,” the “dispersed,” the “remains,” and “those who are left,” denote the truths and goods which survive. (That “Ephraim” denotes the intellectual part, will be made manifest elsewhere; and that “Egypt” is memory-knowledge, n. 1164-1165, 1186, 1462, 2588, 3325; that “Asshur” is reasoning, n. 119, 1186; and that “remains” are goods and truths from the Lord stored up in the interior man, n. 468, 530, 560, 561, 660, 661, 798, 1050, 1738, 1906, 2284.)

[4] In the same:

Hear ye this, O house of Jacob, called by the name of Israel, and they have come forth out of the waters of Judah. For they call themselves of the holy city, and stay themselves upon the God of Israel (Isaiah 48:1-2); where the “waters of Judah” denote the truths which are from the good of love to the Lord; the truths thence derived are the very goods of charity, which are called spiritual goods, and constitute the spiritual church, the internal of which is “Israel,” and the external the “house of Jacob;” hence it is manifest what is signified by the “house of Jacob called by the name of Israel,” and by their “coming forth out of the waters of Judah.”

[5] In the same:

I will bring forth a seed out of Jacob, and out of Judah an inheritor of My mountains; and Mine elect shall possess it, and My servants shall dwell there (Isaiah 65:9);

“out of Judah an inheritor of mountains” in the supreme sense denotes the Lord, and in the representative sense those who are in love to Him, thus in the good of love to the Lord and of love to the neighbor. (That “mountains” signify these goods was shown above, n. 3652)

[6] So in Moses:

Judah is a lion’s whelp; from the prey my son thou art gone up; he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up? (Genesis 49:9); where it is clearly manifest that in the supreme sense by “Judah” is meant the Lord, and in the representative sense those who are in the good of love to Him. So in David:

When Israel went forth out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a barbarous people, Judah became His sanctuary, Israel His dominion (Psalms 114:1-2);

in this passage also “Judah” denotes celestial good, which is the good of love to the Lord; and “Israel,” celestial truth, or spiritual good.

[7] So in Jeremiah:

Behold the days come, saith Jehovah, that I will raise unto David a righteous offshoot, and He shall reign as king, and prosper, and shall execute judgment and righteousness in the earth.

In His days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell securely; and this is His name whereby He shall be called: JEHOVAH OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS (Jeremiah 23:5-6; 33:15-16); where the Lord’s advent is treated of, “Judah” denoting those who are in the good of love to the Lord; “Israel,” those who are in the truth of this good. That by “Judah” is not meant Judah, nor by “Israel” Israel, is evident from the fact that neither Judah nor Israel was saved. In like manner in the same:

I will cause the captivity of Judah and the captivity of Israel to return, and will build them as at the first (Jeremiah 33:7).

In the same:

In those days, and in that time, saith Jehovah, the sons of Israel shall come, they and the sons of Judah together; going and weeping shall they go, and shall seek Jehovah their God; and they shall seek Zion in the way with their faces thitherward (Jeremiah 50:4-5

Again:

At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of Jehovah; and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, for the name of Jehovah, to Jerusalem; neither shall they walk any more after the stubbornness of their evil heart. In those days the house of Judah shall walk to the house of Israel, and they shall come together out of the land of the north upon the land (Jeremiah 3:17-18).

[8] Again:

Behold the days come, saith Jehovah, that I will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of man, and with the seed of beast. And I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah; this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days; I will put My law in the midst of them, and will write it on their heart (Jeremiah 31:27, 31, 33).

That Israel or the house of Israel is not here meant, is very evident, because they were dispersed among the Gentiles, and were never brought back out of captivity; consequently neither was Judah nor the house of Judah meant, but thereby were signified, in the internal sense, those who are of the Lord’s spiritual and celestial kingdom. With these is made a new covenant, and on their heart is the law written; a “new covenant” denoting conjunction with the Lord by means of good (see n. 665, 666, 1023, 1038, 1864, 1996, 2003, 2021, 2037); the “law written on their heart,” denoting the consequent perception of good and of truth, and also conscience.

[9] So in Joel:

And it shall come to pass in that day that the mountains shall drop new wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the streams of Judah shall flow with waters; and a fountain shall go forth out of the house of Jehovah, and shall water the stream of Shittim. Egypt shall be a waste, and Edom shall be for a wilderness of a waste for the violence done to the sons of Judah, because they have shed innocent blood in their land. But Judah shall abide forever, and Jerusalem to generation and generation (Joel 3:18, 20);

from all the particulars in this passage also it is manifest that by “Judah” is not meant Judah, nor by “Jerusalem,” Jerusalem, but those who are in the holy of love and of charity; for these “shall abide forever, and to generation and generation.”

[10] So in Malachi:

Behold I send Mine angel who shall prepare the way before Me; and the Lord whom ye seek shall suddenly come to His temple, even the angel of the covenant whom ye desire. Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto Jehovah, as in the days of eternity, and as in former years (Malachi 3:1, 4); where the Lord’s advent is treated of. That at that time the offering of Judah and Jerusalem was not pleasant unto Jehovah, is evident; and from this it is manifest that by “Judah and Jerusalem” are signified such things as are of the Lord’s church. The case is the same everywhere in the Word where mention is made of “Judah,” of “Israel,” and of “Jerusalem.” From all this then it is evident what is signified by “Judah” in Matthew, namely, the Lord’s church, in the present case vastated.

6. To the above let me add here some passages that speak more openly of the Lord’s advent:

...the Lord Himself gives you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name “God-with-us.” (Isaiah 7:14, cf. Matthew 1:22-23)

...unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; the government will be upon His shoulder. And He will call His name Wonderful, Counselor, God, Hero, Father of Eternity, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to...establish it with judgment and righteousness, from now on and even to eternity. (Isaiah 9:6-7)

There shall come forth a rod from the stem of Jesse, and a shoot from his roots shall bear fruit. The spirit of Jehovah shall rest upon Him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might.... Righteousness shall be the girdle of His loins, and truth the girdle of His thighs.... It shall come to pass in that day that the gentiles shall seek the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a banner to the people; and His resting place shall be glorious. (Isaiah 11:1-2, 5, 10)

Send the lamb to the ruler of the land, from Petra toward the wilderness, to the mountain of the daughter of Zion.... By mercy the throne has been made secure; and One sits upon it in truth, in the tabernacle of David, judging and seeking justice and hastening righteousness. (Isaiah 16:1, 5)

It will be said in that day: “Behold, this is our God; we have waited for Him to save us. This is Jehovah, whom we have waited for; we will rejoice and be glad in His salvation.” (Isaiah 25:9)

The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of Jehovah; make plain in the solitude a highway for our God.... The glory of Jehovah shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.... Behold, the Lord Jehovih shall come in strength, and His arm shall rule for Him; behold, His reward is with Him.... He will feed His flock like a shepherd. (Isaiah 40:3, 5, 10-11)

My elect one, in whom My soul has good pleasure.... I, Jehovah, have called You in righteousness, and...I will...give You as a covenant to the people, as a light to the gentiles, to open blind eyes, to bring out the bound from prison, those who sit in darkness from the prison house. I am Jehovah, that is My name; My glory I do not give to another.... (Isaiah 42:1, 6-8)

Who has believed our word? and on whom has the arm of Jehovah been revealed? ...He has no form...; we have seen Him, but there is no beauty.... ...He bore our infirmities and carried our sorrows. (Isaiah 53:1-2, 4-12)

Who is this who comes from Edom, with red dyed garments from Bozrah..., traveling in the greatness of His strength? “I who speak in righteousness, great to save.... For the day of vengeance is in My heart, and the year of My redeemed has come....” ...So He became their Savior. (Isaiah 63:1-8)

[2] Behold, the days are coming...when I will raise up to David an offshoot of righteousness, who shall reign as king and prosper, and bring about judgment and righteousness on the earth.... And this is His name that people will call Him, Jehovah Our Righteousness. (Jeremiah 23:5-6, cf. 33:15-16)

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Sound the trumpet, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and saved.... He shall speak peace to the nations; His dominion shall be from sea to sea, and from the river to the ends of the earth. (Zechariah 9:9-10)

Rejoice and be glad, O daughter of Zion! ...behold, I am coming, to dwell in your midst.... Many nations shall cleave to Jehovah in that day, and they shall become My people. (Zechariah 2:10-11)

You, Bethlehem Ephratah, little it is that you are among the thousands of Judah; out of you shall come forth to Me the One who will be ruler in Israel, and whose goings forth are from of old, from days of eternity.... He shall stand and feed His flock in the strength of Jehovah.... (Micah 5:2, 4)

Behold, I am sending My angel, who will prepare the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple, and the angel of the covenant, whom you have longed for, behold he is coming.... Who can endure the day of His coming? ...Behold, I am sending you Elijah the prophet, before the coming of the great and dreadful day of Jehovah. (Malachi 3:1-2, 4:5)

I was watching...and behold, coming with the clouds of heaven was one like the Son of man.... To Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, and all peoples, nations, and languages will worship Him. His dominion is the dominion of an age, which will not pass away, and His kingdom one that will not perish.... And all dominions will worship Him and obey Him. (Daniel 7:13-14, 27)

Seventy weeks are decreed for your people and for your holy city, to finish the transgression..., and to seal up vision and prophet, and to anoint the holy of holies. Know therefore and perceive, that from the going forth of the word to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince, there shall be seven weeks.... (Daniel 9:24-25)

[3] I will set His hand upon the sea, and His right hand upon the rivers. He will cry to Me, “You are my Father, My God, and the rock of my salvation.” Also I will make him My firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth.... His seed I will make to endure to eternity, and his throne as the days of heaven. (Psalms 89:25-27, 29)

Jehovah said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, till I have made Your enemies Your footstool.” Jehovah shall send the rod of Your strength out of Zion. Rule in the midst of Your enemies! ...“You are a priest to eternity, according to the order of Melchizedek.” (Psalms 110:1-2, 4, cf. Matthew 22:44, Luke 20:41-43)

I have anointed My King on Zion, My holy mountain. I will declare the decree: Jehovah has said to Me, “You are My Son, today I have begotten You. ...I will give You the nations as Your inheritance, and the ends of the earth as Your possession.... Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, lest you perish in the way.... Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him. (Psalms 2:6-8, 12)

You have made Him indeed a little less than the angels, but You have crowned Him with glory and honor. You have made Him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under His feet. (Psalms 8:5-6)

Remember, O Jehovah, David..., who swore to Jehovah and vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob: “If I enter into the shelter of my house, if I go up to the couch of my pallet, if I give sleep to my eyes...until I find a place for Jehovah, a dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob.” Behold, we heard of Him in Ephrathah; we found Him in the fields of the forest. We will enter into His dwelling place, we will bow ourselves at His footstool.... Let Your priests be clothed with righteousness, and let Your saints rejoice. (Psalms 132:1-9)

The passages cited here are but a few of them.