635. Lastly I will reveal this secret. Seven chapters of Revelation describe the termination of the present church, in terms similar to the devastation of Egypt. In both cases this was by similar plagues, each of which stands in the spiritual sense for some falsity advancing its devastation to the point of destruction. This church, therefore, which is at the present time lost, is also called Egypt as spiritually understood (Revelation 11:8). The plagues in Egypt were as follows.

The waters were turned to blood, so that all the fish died and the river stank (Exodus 7; similar language in Revelation 8:8; 16:3). Blood means Divine truth falsified (see Apocalypse Revealed 379, 404, 681, 687-688). The fish that died mean likewise truths in the natural man (Apocalypse Revealed 290, 405).

Frogs came forth upon the land of Egypt (Exodus 8). There is also a mention of frogs in Revelation 16:13. Frogs mean reasonings as a result of a longing for the falsification of truth (see Apocalypse Revealed 702).

In Egypt foul ulcers appeared upon men and beasts (Exodus 9); similar language in Revelation 16:2. Ulcers mean inward evils and falsities which can destroy the good and truth in the church (see Apocalypse Revealed 678).

In Egypt hail fell mixed with fire (Exodus 9); similar language in Revelation 8:7; 16:21. Hail means hellish falsity (see Apocalypse Revealed 399, 714).

Locusts were sent upon Egypt (Exodus 10); similar language in Revelation 9:1-11. Locusts mean falsities in outermost things (see Apocalypse Revealed 424, 430).

Oppressive darkness was brought upon Egypt (Exodus 10:21); similar language in Revelation 8:12. Darkness means falsities arising from ignorance, or from false ideas of religion, or from evil living (see Apocalypse Revealed 110, 413, 695).

The Egyptians finally perished in the sea of Suph ¹ (Exodus 14). In Revelation the dragon and the false prophet perished in the lake of fire and brimstone (Revelation 19:20; 20:10). Both the sea of Suph and that lake have the same meaning, hell.

The reason why similar language is used of Egypt and of the church, the termination and end of which is described in Revelation, is that Egypt stands for the church, which in its beginnings was outstanding. So before its church was devastated, Egypt is equated with the Garden of Eden and the garden of Jehovah (Genesis 13:10; Ezekiel 31:8). It is also called 'the corner-stone of the tribes', and 'the sons of wise men and of the kings of ancient time' (Isaiah 19:11, 13). More about Egypt in its earliest state and in its devastation will be found in Apocalypse Revealed 503.

Footnotes:

254. "For You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created." This symbolically means that everything in heaven and the church has been created and formed out of the Lord's Divine love by His Divine wisdom, or out of Divine good by Divine truth, which is also the Word, and that so likewise are people reformed and reborn.

This is the spiritual meaning of this statement, because creating symbolically means to reform and regenerate by Divine truth, and the Lord's will symbolizes Divine good.

Whether one says Divine good and truth or Divine love and wisdom, the meaning is the same, as all good is connected with love, and all truth with wisdom.

In Angelic Wisdom Regarding Divine Love and Wisdom we showed many times that everything in heaven and the church spring from Divine love and wisdom, in fact that the world was created out of them; and we showed too that love and good are connected with the will, and wisdom and truth with the intellect. Thus it is apparent that the Lord's will means His Divine good or love.

[2] That to create in the Word means to reform and regenerate is apparent from the following passages:

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. (Psalms 51:10)

You open Your hand, they are satisfied with good... You send forth Your Spirit, they are created. (Psalms 104:28, 30)

...a people yet to be created will praise Jah. (Psalms 102:18)

...behold, I am creating a new heaven and a new earth... ...rejoice forever in what I am creating; ...behold, I shall create Jerusalem an exultation... (Isaiah 65:17-18)

...Jehovah, who created the heavens..., who spread forth the earth..., who gives breath to the people on it, and spirit to those who walk on it. (Isaiah 42:5, cf. 45:12, 45:18)

...thus says Jehovah, your Creator, O Jacob, and your Former, O Israel: ...I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name... Everyone who is called by My name, for My glory I have created him. (Isaiah 43:1, 7)

On the day that you were created they were prepared... You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, till perversity was found in you. (Ezekiel 28:13, 15)

The latter is said of the King of Tyre, who symbolizes people who possess intelligence through Divine truth.

...that they may see and know, and consider and understand..., that the hand of Jehovah has done this, and the Holy One of Israel has created it. (Isaiah 41:19-20)

----------