Apocalypse Explained #1119
1119. So much give unto her torment and mourning.- That this signifies that they should have so much of infernal punishment and desolation, appears from the signification of torment, as denoting infernal punishment; and from the signification of mourning, as denoting desolation, which consists in their no longer possessing any truth and good, but merely falsity and evil. The reason why it is said that as much torment and mourning should be given her, as she hath glorified herself and lived delicately, is, that all torment or infernal punishment corresponds entirely to the evils in which they are. Those, therefore, who have glorified themselves much, and taken delight in the love of ruling over heaven and the church, and also, for the sake of that glory and its delights, have perverted the goods of heaven and of the church - which are the goods of the Word - have their lot in a hell more grievous in its torment. But those who have glorified themselves in a less degree, and taken less delight in such glorification, have their lot in a milder hell and those who have not glorified themselves, and have not thence perverted the goods and truths of heaven and of the church, which are from the Word, but have simply obeyed them either from ignorance or persuasion, have not their lot in hell. But the people who have no share in their dominion, particularly those who look to the Lord, and have some affection for truth, have their lot in the heavens, where they are taught by the angels. From these things it is evident, that here, where Babylon is treated of, no others are meant than those who exercise dominion from the delight which they find in the love of it for the sake of themselves.
[2] Continuation concerning the Athanasian Creed and concerning the Lord.- That God is Man and that the Lord is that Man, is clear from everything in the heavens, and beneath the heavens. In the heavens, all things that proceed from the Lord, in their greatest and in their smallest [components], are either in the human form, or have reference to the human form. The whole heaven is in the human form, every society of heaven is in the human form, every angel and also every spirit beneath the heavens are a human form. It has also been revealed to me, that all things, both the least and the greatest, that proceed immediately from the Lord, are in that form, for that which proceeds from God is a resemblance of Him; it is therefore said of Adam and Eve, that they were "created into the image and likeness of God" (Genesis 1:26, 27).
[3] It is for this reason also that the angels in the heavens, being recipients of the Divine which proceeds from the Lord, are men of astonishing beauty, while spirits in the hells, because they do not receive the Divine which proceeds from the Lord, are devils, who, in the light of heaven, appear not as men, but as monsters. It is owing to this fact that every one in the spiritual world is known from his human form in the degree in which he derives it from the Lord. It is now evident from these things, that the Lord is the only Man, and that every one is a man according to the reception of Divine Good and Divine Truth from Him. In a word, he who sees God as Man, sees God, because he sees the Lord. The Lord also says, "He who seeth the Son, and believeth in him, hath eternal life" (John 6:40). To see the Son is to see Him in the spirit, because this is said, also, to those who have not seen Him in the world.
Psalms 74
1
O God, why hast thou cast us off for ever? why doth thine anger smoke against the sheep of thy pasture?
2
Remember thy congregation, which thou hast purchased of old; the rod of thine inheritance, which thou hast redeemed; this mount Zion, wherein thou hast dwelt.
3
Lift up thy feet unto the perpetual desolations; even all that the enemy hath done wickedly in the sanctuary.
4
Thine enemies roar in the midst of thy congregations; they set up their ensigns for signs.
5
A man was famous according as he had lifted up axes upon the thick trees.
6
But now they break down the carved work thereof at once with axes and hammers.
7
They have cast fire into thy sanctuary, they have defiled by casting down the dwelling place of thy name to the ground.
8
They said in their hearts, Let us destroy them together: they have burned up all the synagogues of God in the land.
9
We see not our signs: there is no more any prophet: neither is there among us any that knoweth how long.
10
O God, how long shall the adversary reproach? shall the enemy blaspheme thy name for ever?
11
Why withdrawest thou thy hand, even thy right hand? pluck it out of thy bosom.
12
For God is my King of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth.
13
Thou didst divide the sea by thy strength: thou brakest the heads of the dragons in the waters.
14
Thou brakest the heads of leviathan in pieces, and gavest him to be meat to the people inhabiting the wilderness.
15
Thou didst cleave the fountain and the flood: thou driedst up mighty rivers.
16
The day is thine, the night also is thine: thou hast prepared the light and the sun.
17
Thou hast set all the borders of the earth: thou hast made summer and winter.
18
Remember this, that the enemy hath reproached, O LORD, and that the foolish people have blasphemed thy name.
19
O deliver not the soul of thy turtledove unto the multitude of the wicked: forget not the congregation of thy poor for ever.
20
Have respect unto the covenant: for the dark places of the earth are full of the habitations of cruelty.
21
O let not the oppressed return ashamed: let the poor and needy praise thy name.
22
Arise, O God, plead thine own cause: remember how the foolish man reproacheth thee daily.
23
Forget not the voice of thine enemies: the tumult of those that rise up against thee increaseth continually.
