The Bible

 

Jeremia 46

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1 Das Wort Jehovas, welches zu Jeremia, dem Propheten, geschah wider die Nationen.

2 Über Ägypten. Wider die Heeresmacht des Pharao Neko, des Königs von Ägypten, welche zu Karchemis war, am Strome Euphrat, welche Nebukadrezar, der König von Babel, schlug im vierten Jahre Jojakims, des Sohnes Josias, des Königs von Juda.

3 Rüstet Tartsche und Schild und rücket heran zum Streit!

4 Spannet die Rosse an und besteiget die Reitpferde! Und stellet euch auf in Helmen, putzet die Lanzen, ziehet die Panzer an!

5 Warum sehe ich sie bestürzt zurückweichen? Und ihre Helden sind zerschmettert, und sie ergreifen die Flucht und sehen sich nicht um, Schrecken ringsum! spricht Jehova.

6 Der Schnelle soll nicht entfliehen, und der Held nicht entrinnen; gegen Norden, zur Seite des Stromes Euphrat, sind sie gestrauchelt und gefallen. -

7 Wer ist es, der heraufzieht wie der Nil, wie Ströme wogen seine Gewässer?

8 Ägypten zieht herauf wie der Nil, und wie Ströme wogen seine Gewässer; und es spricht: Ich will hinaufziehen, will das Land bedecken, will Städte zerstören und ihre Bewohner.

9 Ziehet hinauf, ihr Rosse, und raset, ihr Wagen; und ausziehen mögen die Helden, Kusch und Put, die den Schild fassen, und die Ludim, die den Bogen fassen und spannen!

10 Aber selbiger Tag ist dem Herrn, Jehova der Heerscharen, ein Tag der Rache, um sich zu rächen an seinen Widersachern; und fressen wird das Schwert und sich sättigen, und sich laben an ihrem Blute. Denn der Herr, Jehova der Heerscharen, hat ein Schlachtopfer im Lande des Nordens, am Strome Euphrat.

11 Geh hinauf nach Gilead und hole Balsam, du Jungfrau, Tochter Ägyptens! Vergeblich häufst du die Heilmittel; da ist kein Pflaster für dich.

12 Die Nationen haben deine Schande gehört, und die Erde ist voll deines Klagegeschreis; denn ein Held ist über den anderen gestrauchelt, sie sind gefallen beide zusammen.

13 Das Wort, welches Jehova zu Jeremia, dem Propheten, redete betreffs der Ankunft Nebukadrezars, des Königs von Babel, um das Land Ägypten zu schlagen:

14 Verkündiget es in Ägypten, und laßt es hören in Migdol, und laßt es hören in Noph und in Tachpanches! Sprechet: Stelle dich und rüste dich! Denn das Schwert frißt alles rings um dich her.

15 Warum sind deine Starken niedergeworfen? Keiner hielt stand, denn Jehova hat sie niedergestoßen.

16 Er machte der Strauchelnden viele; ja, einer fiel über den anderen, und sie sprachen: Auf! Und laßt uns zurückkehren zu unserem Volke und zu unserem Geburtslande vor dem verderbenden Schwerte!

17 Man rief daselbst: Der Pharao, der König von Ägypten, ist verloren; er hat die bestimmte Zeit vorübergehen lassen!

18 So wahr ich lebe, spricht der König, Jehova der Heerscharen ist sein Name: Wie der Tabor unter den Bergen und wie der Karmel am Meere wird er kommen!

19 Mache dir Auswanderungsgeräte, du Bewohnerin, Tochter Ägyptens; denn Noph wird zur Wüste werden und verbrannt, ohne Bewohner. -

20 Eine sehr schöne junge Kuh ist Ägypten; eine Bremse von Norden kommt, sie kommt.

21 Auch seine Söldner in seiner Mitte sind wie gemästete Kälber; ja, auch sie wandten um, sind geflohen allzumal, haben nicht standgehalten; denn der Tag ihres Verderbens ist über sie gekommen, die Zeit ihrer Heimsuchung.

22 Sein Laut ist wie das Geräusch einer Schlange, welche davoneilt; denn sie ziehen mit Heeresmacht einher und kommen über Ägypten mit Beilen, wie Holzhauer.

23 Sie haben seinen Wald umgehauen, spricht Jehova, denn sie sind unzählig; denn ihrer sind mehr als der Heuschrecken, und ihrer ist keine Zahl.

24 Die Tochter Ägyptens ist zu Schanden geworden, sie ist in die Hand des Volkes von Norden gegeben.

25 Es spricht Jehova der Heerscharen, der Gott Israels: Siehe, ich suche heim den Amon von No, und den Pharao und Ägypten und seine Götter und seine Könige, ja, den Pharao und die auf ihn vertrauen.

26 Und ich gebe sie in die Hand derer, welche nach ihrem Leben trachten, und zwar in die Hand Nebukadrezars, des Königs von Babel, und in die Hand seiner Knechte. Hernach aber soll es bewohnt werden wie in den Tagen der Vorzeit, spricht Jehova.

27 Du aber, fürchte dich nicht, mein Knecht Jakob, und erschrick nicht, Israel! Denn siehe, ich will dich retten aus der Ferne und deine Nachkommen aus dem Lande ihrer Gefangenschaft; und Jakob wird zurückkehren und ruhig und sicher sein, und niemand wird ihn aufschrecken.

28 Du, mein Knecht Jakob, fürchte dich nicht, spricht Jehova, denn ich bin mit dir. Denn ich werde den Garaus machen allen Nationen, wohin ich dich vertrieben habe; aber dir werde ich nicht den Garaus machen, sondern dich nach Gebühr züchtigen und dich keineswegs ungestraft lassen.

   

Commentary

 

#178 Even Our Nature Can Change

By Jonathan S. Rose

Title: Even Our Nature Can Change

Topic: Salvation

Summary: We look at scriptural teachings about change, particularly about overcoming fear. Jesus' transformation showed us that fundamental change is possible.

Use the reference links below to follow along in the Bible as you watch.

References:
Leviticus 26:3-6, 36-40
Job 11:14
Isaiah 11:6; 17:2; 65:17, 24
Jeremiah 30:10, 12, 17; 46:27
Ezekiel 34:25
Hosea 2:18
Micah 4:1, 3-4
Zephaniah 3:13
Mark 5:2, 15
Revelation 7:17; 21
Isaiah 62:1; 65; 66:22
2 Corinthians 5:17
Galatians 6:15
2 Peter 3:9, 11-13
Revelation 2:17; 3:12

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Spirit and Life Bible Study broadcast from 4/16/2014. The complete series is available at: www.spiritandlifebiblestudy.com

From Swedenborg's Works

 

The White Horse #1

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1. CONCERNING THE WHITE HORSE as described in the Book of Revelation, Chapter 19.

In the writings of John, in the Book of Revelation, the following is a description of the Word in its spiritual sense, in other words the sense contained within it, or its 'inner meaning:'

I saw heaven standing open, and behold, a White Horse. And the one sitting on the White Horse was called faithful and true, judging and fighting in righteousness. His eyes were a flame of fire, and on His head were many jewels. He had a name inscribed that no one knew but He Himself. And He was dressed in a garment dyed with blood, and His name is called the Word of God. The armies that followed Him in heaven were on white horses, they themselves dressed in clean white linen. On His garment and on His thigh was written a name, King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Revelation 19:11-14, 16.

No one can have a clear idea of what each of the details in this description entails except by way of its 'inner meaning." It is obvious that each particular detail must represent or signify something, as follows:

Heaven which was standing open; a horse which was white; the one seated on it was called faithful and true, 1 judging and fighting in righteousness; His eyes a flame of fire; and many jewels 2 on His head; having a name inscribed that no one knew but He Himself; and dressed in a garment dyed with blood; and the armies that followed Him in heaven were on white horses, they themselves dressed in clean white linen; 3 on His garment and on His thigh He has written a name.

It is stated plainly that the one seated on the White Horse is the Word, and He is the Lord who is the Word, for what is said is that His name is called The Word of God; and then, He has written on His garment and on His thigh the title King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

From the interpretation of each individual phrase or statement it is clear that all this serves to describe the spiritual sense or internal meaning of the Word. The phrase heaven which was standing open' represents and signifies that the inner meaning of the Word is seen by those in heaven, and consequently also by those on earth for whom heaven stands open. 'A horse which was white' represents and signifies an understanding of the Word as regards its inner meanings. 4 That the 'white horse' means what I have said will be clear from what follows.

It is clear that 'the one seated on it' means the Lord in His capacity as the Word, and thus means the Word itself, for it is stated that 'His name is called the Word of God;' and he is called 'faithful' and 'judging in righteousness' because of His goodness; and 'true' and 'fighting in righteousness' because of His truth, for the Lord Himself is righteousness. 'His eyes a flame of fire' signify divine truth radiating from the divine good flowing from His divine love. The 'many jewels on His head' signify all the good and true properties of faith. Having a 'name written which no one knew other than He Himself' signifies that no one sees what is the nature of the Word in its inner meaning except Himself, and one to whom He reveals it.

Dressed in a garment dyed with blood' signifies the violence done to the Word in its literal meaning. 5 'The armies in heaven which followed Him on white horses' signifies those who understand the Word as regards its inner meanings.' 'Those dressed in clean white linen' signifies the same people who are endued with truth arising from what is good. 'On His garment and on His thigh a name written 6 ' signifies what is true and what is good and their specific qualities.

From all these verses, and from those which come before and after them, it is clear that they serve to foretell that the spiritual or internal sense of the Word will be laid open at around the final time of the Church; and what will happen at that time is also described there, Revelation 19:17-21. There is no need to show here the things which are signified by these words since they are individually shown in Arcana Caelestia. The Lord is the Word because He is the divine truth: 2533, 2803, 2894, 5272, 8535; 7 the Word is the divine truth: 4692, 5075, 9987; He is proclaimed to be sitting on a horse judging and fighting in righteousness because the Lord is righteousness. The Lord is proclaimed to be righteousness from the fact that by His own power He has saved the human race: 1813, 2025-2027, 9715, 9809, 10019, 10152. Righteousness is a merit belonging to the Lord alone: 9715, 9979. 'His eyes a flame of fire' signify divine truth radiating from the divine good flowing from His divine love, because 'eyes' signify the understanding and truth of faith: 2701, 4403-4421, 4523-4534, 6923, 9051, 10569; and 'a flame of fire' signifies the good of love: 934, 4906, 5215, 6314, 6832; the 'jewels on His head' 8 signify all the good and true properties of faith: 114, 3858, 6335, 6640, 9863, 9865, 9868, 9873, 9905.

Having a name written which no one knew other than He Himself' signifies that no one sees what is the nature of the Word in its inner meaning except Himself, and one to whom He reveals it, because a name signifies the nature of a thing: 144-145, 1754, 1896, 2009, 2724, 3006, 3237, 3421, 6674, 9310. 'Dressed in a garment dyed with blood' signifies the violence done to the Word in its literal meaning because a garment' signifies truth, which clothes what is good: 1073, 2576, 5248, 5319, 5954, 9212, 9216, 9952, 10536; especially truth in its outermost form, and thus the Word in its literal meaning: 5248, 6918, 9158, 9212; and because 'blood' signifies violence done to truth by what is false: 374, 1005, 4735, 5476, 9127. 'The armies in heaven which followed Him on white horses' signify those who understand the Word as regards its inner meanings because 'armies' signify those who are equipped with the truth and goodness of heaven and the Church: 3448, 7236, 7988, 8019; and the horse' signifies understanding: 3217, 5321, 6125, 6400, 6534, 7024, 8146, 8381; and 'white' means the truth which the light of heaven has within itself thus, the inner truth: 3301, 3993, 4007, 5319.

Those dressed in clean white linen' signify the same people who are endued with truth arising from what is good because 'linen' or 'a garment of linen' signifies truth from a heavenly sourcewhich is truth from what is good: 5319, 9469. 'On His garment and on His thigh a name written' signifies what is true and what is good, and their specific qualities, because 'a garment' signifies truth, and 'a name' signifies its nature, as above, and 'thigh' signifies the good properties of love: 3021, 4277, 4280, 9961, 10488. 'King of Kings and Lord of Lords' is the Lord as regards divine truth and divine good; the Lord is called King by virtue of His divine truth: 3009, 5068, 6148, and He is called Lord by virtue of His divine good: 4973, 9167, 9194.

From all this it is clear what the nature of the Word is in its spiritual or inner sense, and that there is no single word within it which does not have some spiritual meaning relating to heaven and the Church.

Footnotes:

1. The Revd John Elliott: "The [original Latin] text ought surely to read, as Arcana Coelestia 2760; 'quod fidelis et verus, et in justitia ...'" The translator has followed this conjecture.

2. In translating diademata as 'jewels,' rather than 'crowns,' I have noted the Revd John Elliott, who draws attention to John Chadwick's assertion (from his Lexicon to the Latin Texts of Swedenborg's Theological Writings), that there can be little doubt that Swedenborg understood jewel, not crown, by the Latin word diadema.

3. The Latin byssinus means 'a garment made form byssus' (Lewis and Shorts Latin Dictionary). Byssus: cotton (Baxter and Johnsons Medieval Latin Word-List); cotton, or (according to some) a kind of flax, and the linen made from it (Lewis and Shorts Latin Dictionary).

4. The Latin interiora (plural of interius, and comp. of intern um) means 'inward' or 'internal' (Lewis and Shorts Latin Dictionary). It may also signify: 'more hidden,' 'secret' or 'unknown' (Lewis and Shorts Latin Dictionary).

5. I am grateful to the Rev'd. John Elliott for the suggestion of translating litera as 'in its literal meaning." I was in a fog as to Swedenborg's intention in using litera, which classically may mean either 'a letter' or 'writing."

6. The Latin interiora (plural of interius, and comp. of intern um) means 'inward' or 'internal' (Lewis and Shorts Latin Dictionary). It may also signify: 'more hidden,' 'secret' or 'unknown' (Lewis and Shorts Latin Dictionary).

7. Throughout this translation I have used the reference numbers following the emendations made by the Revd John Elliott in De Equo Albo (2004).

8. In translating diademata as 'jewels,' rather than 'crowns,' I have noted the Rev'd. John Elliott, who draws attention to John Chadwick's assertion (from his Lexicon to the Latin Texts of Swedenborg's Theological Writings), that there can be little doubt that Swedenborg understood jewel not crown by the Latin word diadema.

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Thanks to the Swedenborg Society for the permission to use this translation.