887.(Verse 10) The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, mixed pure in the cup of his indignation. That this signifies appropriation of falsity and of the evil, conjoined with falsified truths from the sense of the letter of the Word, is evident from the signification of drinking, as denoting to take in and appropriate to themselves; concerning which see above (n. 617); and from the signification of wine, as denoting truth from good, and, in the opposite sense, falsity from evil (see n. 376); and from the signification of wrath, as denoting evil, because this is angry with good, and desires its destruction (concerning which see (n. 693, 754). It is said, the anger of God, but anger against God is meant, as in many passages where anger and wrath are attributed to God, and also evil in general (see n. 481, at the end, and n. 647). In this case, therefore, by drinking the wine of the wrath of God, is signified the imbibing and appropriation of falsity and of the evil therefrom. The reason why imbibing and appropriating evil is effected by faith separated from good works is, that goods of life, which constitute good works, are separated as having no justifying power, thus as not being saving; in their place these evils then succeed. For in proportion as goods recede, in the same proportion evils enter; for no one can serve two masters - evil and good together. And from the signification of being mixed pure, as denoting to be conjoined with falsified truths, of which we shall speak presently; and from the signification of cup, as denoting the external containant of truth, thus the Word in the sense of its letter. For when by wine is signified truth, by cup is signified its containant; and the sense of the letter of the Word is that which contains truth, both natural and spiritual. That cup signifies the same as wine, thus the thing contained; and that it also signifies that which is contained, is evident from the passages in the Word where cup, chalice, goblet, and vial are mentioned; these will be adduced in the explanation of chapters 17 and 18, following. Because cup signifies the external or containant of truth, that is, the sense of the letter of the Word, which is falsified by those who are in the doctrine and also in the life of faith separated, therefore it is called the cup of God's indignation. It is here said, the anger and indignation of God, as in many other passages of the Word; and by anger is meant the love of and desire for evil in man; and by indignation the love of and desire for falsity in him; for anger is said of evil, and indignation of falsity; concerning which see above (n. 481, at the end). From these things it is clear, that by wine mixed pure in the cup of the indignation of God, is signified conjunction with falsified truths derived from the sense of the letter of the Word.

[2] The reason why being mixed pure signifies to be conjoined with falsified truths of the Word is, that by pure (merum) is meant intoxicating wine, and thence also intoxication; consequently, in the spiritual sense, delirium as to truths by means of falsities; for such delirium is spiritual intoxication. The word, also, by which pure (merum) is expressed in the original tongue, is derived from a word signifying to be intoxicated. Because this is signified by pure (merum), and those who falsify the Word are spiritually drunken, that is, are in a state of delirium as to truths; therefore, in the two passages where pure (merum) is mentioned in the Word, the subject is the falsification of truth. As in Isaiah and Hosea.

[3] In Isaiah:

"How is the faithful city become a harlot; full of judgment, justice lodged in her; but now murderers. Thy silver is become dross, thy pure (merum) [wine] mixed with waters" (1:21, 22).

By harlot, everywhere in the Word, is signified falsified truth; as may be seen above (n. 141, 161); and by city is signified doctrine. Hence by the faithful city becoming a harlot, is signified that the doctrine, which before had been the doctrine of genuine truth, is become the doctrine of falsified truth. Full of judgment, justice lodged in her, signifies where the truth of doctrine and the good of love were in abundance; for judgment, in the Word, is said of the truth of doctrine and of the understanding; and justice, of the good of love and of the will. But now murderers, signifies that falsification has extinguished the understanding of truth and the perception of good. That these things are signified by a murderer, may be seen above (n. 589). Thy silver is become dross, signifies that genuine truth was converted into falsity. Thy pure [wine] mixed with waters, signifies truth made vile and destroyed by its falsification.

[4] And in Hosea:

"Ephraim is joined to idols, let him alone. Their wine (vinum) hath gone; they have committed whoredom continually, they have doated" (4:17, 18).

By Ephraim is signified the understanding of the truth of the church; by idols are signified the falsities of religion. It is evident, therefore, what is signified by Ephraim being joined to idols. Let him alone, signifies the rejection of the falsities of that religion from the church. Their wine (vinum) hath gone, signifies the truth of the Word having perished. They have committed whoredom continually, signifies the falsification of it. They have doated, signifies the love of falsity.

From these things it is now evident what is signified in particular by pure [wine] (merum).