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Joel 2

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1 Blaset mit der Posaune zu Zion, rufet auf meinem heiligen Berge; erzittert, alle Einwohner im Lande! Denn der Tag des HERRN kommt und ist nahe.

2 Ein finstrer Tag, ein dunkler Tag, ein wolkiger Tag, ein nebliger Tag, gleichwie sich die Morgenröte ausbreitet über die Berge, nämlich ein groß und mächtig Volk desgleichen vorhin nicht gewesen ist und hinfort nicht sein wird zu ewigen Zeiten für und für.

3 Vor ihm her gehet ein verzehrend Feuer und nach ihm eine brennende Flamme. Das Land ist Vor ihm wie ein Lustgarten, aber nach ihm wie eine wüste Einöde; und niemand wird ihm entgehen.

4 Sie sind gestaltet wie Rosse und rennen wie die Reiter.

5 Sie sprengen daher oben auf den Bergen, wie die Wagen rasseln, und wie eine Flamme lodert im Stroh, wie ein mächtig Volk, das zum Streit gerüstet ist.

6 Die Völker werden sich vor ihm entsetzen; aller Angesichte sind so bleich wie die Töpfe.

7 Sie werden laufen wie die Riesen und die Mauern ersteigen wie die Krieger; ein jeglicher wird stracks vor sich daherziehen und sich nicht säumen.

8 Keiner wird den andern irren, sondern ein jeglicher wird in seiner Ordnung daherfahren; und werden durch die Waffen brechen und nicht verwundet werden.

9 Sie werden in der Stadt umherreiten, auf der Mauer laufen und in die Häuser steigen und wie ein Dieb durch die Fenster hineinkommen.

10 Vor ihm erzittert das Land und bebet der Himmel; Sonne und Mond werden finster, und die Sterne verhalten ihren Schein.

11 Denn der HERR wird seinen Donner vor seinem Heer lassen hergeben; denn sein Heer ist sehr groß und mächtig, welches seinen Befehl wird ausrichten; denn der Tag des HERRN ist groß und sehr erschrecklich; wer kann ihn leiden?

12 So spricht nun der HERR: Bekehret euch zu mir von ganzem Herzen mit Fasten, mit Weinen, mit Klagen!

13 Zerreißet eure Herzen und nicht eure Kleider und bekehret euch zu dem HERRN, eurem Gott! Denn er ist gnädig, barmherzig, geduldig und von großer Güte und reuet ihn bald der Strafe.

14 Wer weiß, es mag ihn wiederum gereuen und einen Segen hinter sich lassen, zu opfern Speisopfer und Trankopfer dem HERRN, eurem Gott.

15 Blaset mit Posaunen zu Zion, heiliget ein Fasten, rufet die Gemeine zusammen!

16 Versammelt das Volk, heiliget die Gemeine, sammelt die Ältesten, bringet zuhauf die jungen Kinder und die Säuglinge! Der Bräutigam gehe aus seiner Kammer und die Braut aus ihrem Gemach!

17 Laß die Priester, des HERRN Diener, weinen zwischen der Halle und Altar und sagen: HERR, schone deines Volks und laß dein Erbteil nicht zuschanden werden, daß Heiden über sie herrschen! Warum willst du lassen unter den Völkern sagen: Wo ist nun ihr Gott?

18 So wird denn der HERR um sein Land eifern und seines Volks verschonen.

19 Und der HERR wird antworten und sagen zu seinem Volk: Siehe, ich will euch Getreide, Most und Öl die Fülle schicken, daß ihr genug daran haben sollt, und will euch nicht mehr lassen unter den Heiden zuschanden werden.

20 Und will den von Mitternacht ferne von euch treiben und ihn in ein dürr und wüst Land verstoßen, nämlich sein Angesicht hin zum Meer gegen Morgen und sein Ende hin zum äußersten Meer. Er soll verfaulen und stinken; denn er hat große Dinge getan.

21 Fürchte dich nicht, liebes Land, sondern sei fröhlich und getrost; denn der HERR kann auch große Dinge tun.

22 Fürchtet euch nicht, ihr Tiere auf dem Felde; denn die Wohnungen in der Wüste sollen grünen und die Bäume ihre Früchte bringen, und die Feigenbäume und Weinstöcke sollen wohl tragen.

23 Und ihr, Kinder Zions, freuet euch und seid fröhlich im HERRN, eurem Gott, der euch Lehrer zur Gerechtigkeit gibt und euch herabsendet Frühregen und Spätregen, wie vorhin,

24 daß die Tennen voll Korns und die Keltern Überfluß von Most und Öl haben sollen.

25 Und ich will euch die Jahre erstatten, welche die Heuschrecken, Käfer, Geschmeiß und Raupen, die mein großes Heer waren, so ich unter euch schickte, gefressen haben,

26 daß ihr zu essen genug haben sollet und den Namen des HERRN, eures Gottes, preisen, der Wunder unter euch getan hat; und mein Volk soll nicht mehr zuschanden werden.

27 Und ihr sollt es erfahren, daß ich mitten unter Israel sei und daß ich, der HERR, euer Gott sei, und keiner mehr; und mein Volk soll nicht mehr zuschanden werden.

28 Und nach diesem will ich meinen Geist ausgießen über alles Fleisch, und eure Söhne und Töchter sollen weissagen, eure Ältesten sollen Träume haben, und eure Jünglinge sollen Gesichte sehen.

29 Auch will ich zur selbigen Zeit beide, über Knechte und Mägde, meinen Geist ausgießen

30 und will Wunderzeichen geben im Himmel und auf Erden, nämlich Blut, Feuer und Rauchdampf.

31 Die Sonne soll in Finsternis und der Mond in Blut verwandelt werden, ehe denn der große und schreckliche Tag des HERRN kommt.

32 Und soll geschehen, wer den Namen des HERRN anrufen wird, der soll errettet werden. Denn auf dem Berge Zion und zu Jerusalem wird eine Errettung sein, wie der HERR verheißen hat, auch bei den andern übrigen, die der HERR berufen wird.

   

From Swedenborg's Works

 

Arcana Coelestia #3448

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3448. 'And Ahuzzath his companion, and Phicol the commander of his army' means the first and foremost features of their doctrine of faith. This is clear from the representation of 'Abimelech' as the doctrine of faith which has regard to rational concepts. Consequently 'his companion and the commander of his army' means those first and foremost things, indeed the first and foremost things of their doctrine; for 'a commander' like a prince means things that are first and foremost, 1482, 2089, and 'an army' means matters of doctrine themselves. The reason why 'an army' means matters of doctrine which are expressions of truth, that is, which are lower truths, is that by 'warfare' in the Word and by 'war' are meant those things that have to do with spiritual war and warfare, 1664, 1788, 2686. The same are also meant by weapons - by spears, shields, bows, arrows, swords, and so on, as has been shown in various places. And since they are truths or matters of doctrine through which spiritual conflicts are fought, armies therefore mean those truths or matters of doctrine, and also in the contrary sense falsities or heretical ideas.

[2] It may be seen from many places that by 'armies' or 'hosts' in the Word are meant truths or falsities, as in Daniel,

The one [little] horn of the he-goat 1 grew exceedingly towards the south, and towards the east, and towards the glorious [land]. And it grew even towards the host of heaven, and cast down to earth some of the host, and of the stars, and trampled on them. It drew itself up even towards the pence of the host. His host was set over the continual [burnt offering] on account of the transgression, and it cast down truth to the earth. I heard a holy one speaking. He said, For how long is this vision, the continual burnt offering, and the desolating transgression, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden down? Daniel 8:9-13.

'The horn that grew towards the south, the east, and the glorious [land]' is the power of falsity that springs from evil, 2832, 'the host of heaven' truths, 'the prince of the host' the Lord as regards Divine Truth. And since in the good sense 'an army' or 'a host' is truth it is said that the horn cast down to earth some of the host, and then that it cast down truth to the earth.

[3] In the same prophet,

The king of the north will raise a multitude greater than the former, and at the end of the period of years he wit surely come with a great army and with many riches. Then he will stir up his power and his heart against the king of the south with a great army. And the king of the south will engage in war with an exceedingly great and mighty army, but he will not stand. For even those who eat his food will break him, and his army will overflow, and many will fall down slain. Daniel 11:13, 25-26.

The whole of that chapter refers to war between the king of the north and the king of the south. 'The king of the north' is used to mean falsities as also is 'his army', while 'the king of the south and his army' is used to mean truths. It is prophecy concerning the vastation of the Church.

[4] In John,

I saw heaven standing open, and behold, a white horse! and He who sat on it was called faithful and true. He was clothed in a garment dyed in blood, and His armies in heaven were following Him on white horses and were clothed in linen, white and clean. I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered to make war with Him who was sitting on the horse and with His army. Revelation 19:11, 13-14, 19.

'He who sat on the white horse' stands for the Word of the Lord, or the Lord as regards the Word, 2760-2762. 'His armies which in heaven were following Him' stands for truths from the Word and so for those in heaven who possess truths. 'The beast' stands for the evils that belong to self-love, 'the kings of the earth and their armies' for falsities. Conflicts between falsity and truth are what are described here.

[5] In David,

By the word of Jehovah were the heavens made, and their host by the spirit of His mouth. Psalms 33:6.

'Their host' or the host of heaven stands for truths. Since 'an army' means truths, the children of the kingdom, and angels, by virtue of the truths which they possess, are called the host of heaven, as in Luke,

Suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God. Luke 2:13.

In David,

Bless Jehovah, all His hosts, His ministers doing His will. Psalms 103:21.

In the same author,

Praise Jehovah, all His angels, praise Him, all His hosts. Psalms 148:2.

In Isaiah,

Lift up your eyes on high and see; who created these? He who brings out their host by number; He calls them all by name. From the multitude of the powerful and of the mighty not a man will be missing. Isaiah 40:26.

In the same prophet,

It was I that made the earth and created man on it. It was I - My hands - that stretched out the heavens; and I commanded all their host. Isaiah 45:12.

Here 'the host of the heavens' stands for truths, and so for angels since angels, as has been stated, are in possession of truths.

[6] In the first Book of Kings,

I saw Jehovah sitting on His throne, and the entire host of heaven standing beside Him, on His right hand and on His left. 1 Kings 22:19

In Joel,

Jehovah gave voice before His army, for His camp is exceedingly great; for that which executes His word is uncountable. Joel 2:11.

In Zechariah,

I will pitch by My house a camp composed of an army passing through and resuming, so that the oppressor passes over them no more. Exult greatly, O daughter of Zion! Make a noise, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King comes to you. Zechariah 9:8-9.

This refers to the Coming of the Lord. 'His army' stands for Divine truths For this reason, and also because the Lord alone fights on man's behalf against hells that are constantly endeavouring to attack, the Lord is called many times in the Word Jehovah Zebaoth, God Zebaoth, the Lord Zebaoth - that is, Jehovah, God, or Lord of Hosts - as in Isaiah,

The noise of a tumult of the kingdoms of the nations gathered together! Jehovah Zebaoth is leading an army of war. Isaiah 13:4.

'The kingdoms of the nations' stands for falsities that spring from evils, 'leading an army of war' for fighting on man's behalf.

[7] Because the twelve tribes of Israel represented the Lord's heavenly kingdom, and 'tribes' as well as 'twelve' meant all things of faith in their entirety, that is, all the truths of the kingdom, 577, 2089, 2129, 2130, 3272, they were also called Jehovah's hosts, as in Exodus 7:4; 12:17, 41, 51. And commands were given to bring them out of Egypt according to their hosts, Exodus 6:26, to encamp according to their hosts, Numbers 1:52, and to divide them into hosts, Numbers 2:1- end.

[8] That truths are meant by 'armies' is also clear in Ezekiel,

Persia and Lud and Put were in your army, as your men of war; they hung the shield and helmet in you, they gave you your reputation. The sons of Arvad, and your army, were on your walls round about, and the Gammadim were in your towers. Ezekiel 27:10-11.

This refers to Tyre which means interior cognitions of good and truth, and so those who possess them, 1201, 'army' standing for truths themselves 'Lud' and 'Put' too mean those who possess cognitions, see 1163, 1164, 1166, 1195, 1231. 'The shield and helmet' describes such things as belong to spiritual conflict.

[9] As regards 'an army' or 'a host' in the contrary sense meaning falsities, this is evident in Isaiah,

It will be on that day, that Jehovah will visit the host of the height on high, and the kings of the earth on the earth. Isaiah 24:21.

Here 'the host of the height' stands for falsities that result from self-love. In Ezekiel,

I will bring you back and put hooks in your jaws, and I will bring you forth, and all your army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed perfectly, a great company with shield and buckler, all of them wielding swords. You will come from your place, from the uttermost parts of the north, you and many peoples with you, all of them riding horses, a great company, a great army. Ezekiel 38:4, 15.

This refers to Gog, who means external worship separated from internal and so made idolatrous, 1151. 'His army' stands for falsities.

[10] In Jeremiah,

I will send against Babel the archer, him who arches his bow and draws himself up in his breastplate. Do not spare the young men; utterly destroy all its host. Jeremiah 51:2-3.

'Babel' stands for worship whose external features appear holy but whose interiors are profane, 1182, 1283, 1295, 1304, 1306-1308, 1321, 1322, 1326. 'Its host' means the falsities that go with such as these, and the army of Babel in other places has the same meaning as in Jeremiah 34:1, 21; 32:2; 39:1.

In Ezekiel,

Pharaoh will see them and will comfort himself over all his multitude, Pharaoh and all his army, slain by the sword; for I will put My terror in the land of the living. Ezekiel 32:31-32.

This refers to Egypt, which means those who by means of reasonings based on facts pervert truths, 1164, 1165. 'His army', that is, Pharaoh's, stands for derivative falsities, as also does 'Pharaoh's army' in other places, as in Jeremiah 37:5, 7, 11; 46:2; Ezekiel 17:17.

In Luke,

When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its devastation is near. Luke 21:20.

This refers to the close of the age or final period of the Church when faith does not exist any longer. 'Jerusalem' - which means the Church, see 2117 - is 'surrounded by armies' when beset by falsities.

[11] From these quotations it is clear that 'the hosts of heaven', which Jews and Israelite idolaters worshipped, in the internal sense meant falsities. The second Book of Kings says of them,

They forsook all the commandments of their God and made for themselves a molten image of two calves, and made a grove, and bowed down to all the host of heaven. 2 Kings 17:16.

This refers to the Israelites. And elsewhere it is said of Manasseh that he built altars for all the host of heaven, 2 Kings 21:5, and that King Josiah brought out of the temple all the vessels made for Baal, and for the grove, and for all the host of heaven, 2 Kings 23:4. And in Jeremiah it is said that they were to spread the bones of the princes, of the priests, and of the prophets before the sun, the moon, and all the host of heaven, which they had loved and had served and had gone after, Jeremiah 8:1-2. And elsewhere,

The houses of Jerusalem and the houses of the king of Judah will be defiled, like the place of Topheth - all the houses on whose roofs they have burned incense to all the host of heaven and have poured out drink offerings to other gods. Jeremiah 19:13.

And in Zephaniah,

I will stretch out My hand against those worshipping on their roofs the host of heaven. Zephaniah 1:5.

It is the stars to which the expression 'the host of heaven' refers primarily, and by 'the stars' is meant truths, and also in the contrary sense falsities; see 1128, 1808.

Footnotes:

1. literally, The one horn of the he-goat of the she-goats i.e. the little horn that grew up out of one of four horns

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

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