Apocalypse Explained #1119
1119. So much torment and mourning give her, signifies so much of infernal punishment and desolation. This is evident from the signification of "torment," as being infernal punishment; also from the signification of "mourning," as being desolation, which is from their no longer having anything of truth or good, but mere falsity and evil. It is said that "as much torment and mourning should be given as she glorified herself and lived luxuriously," because all torment or infernal punishment corresponds exactly to the evils in which such persons are. Those, therefore, who have glorified themselves much and have taken delight in the love of having dominion over heaven and over the church, and for the sake of that glory and consequent delight have perverted the goods of heaven and the church which belong to the Word, have their lot in a hell more grievous in respect to torment; while those who have glorified and delighted themselves less in such things have their lot in a milder hell; and those who have not glorified themselves at all, and thus have not perverted the goods and truths of heaven and the church, which are from the Word, but have simply rendered obedience to them either ignorantly or from persuasion, do not have their lot in hell; and such people as have no part in dominion, especially those who look to the Lord and have some affection of truth, have their lot in the heavens, where they are taught by the angels. From all this it can be seen that here, where Babylon is treated of, only those are meant who exercise dominion from the delight of the love of it for the sake of self.
(Continuation respecting the Athanasian Faith and respecting the Lord)
[2] That God is Man and that the Lord is that Man is made evident by all things that are in the heavens and that are beneath the heavens. In the heavens all things that proceed from the Lord in greatest and in least things 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 is in the human form; and also every spirit beneath the heavens; and it has been revealed to me that all things both least and greatest that proceed immediately from the Lord are in that form, for that which proceeds from God is an image of Him. This is why it is said of the man Adam and Eve:
That they were created into the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26-27).
[3] And for the same reason the angels in the heavens, because they are recipients of the Divine that proceeds from the Lord, are men of wonderful beauty, while the spirits in the hells, because they do not receive the Divine that proceeds from the Lord, are devils, and in the light of heaven they do not appear as men but as monsters. And on this account it is known in the spiritual world from one's human form how much he derives from the Lord. From all this it can be seen that the Lord is the only Man, and that everyone is a man according to his reception of Divine good and Divine truth from the Lord. In a word, he who sees God as Man sees God because he sees the Lord. And the Lord says:
He that seeth the Son and believeth in Him hath eternal life (John 6:40).
To see the Son is to see Him in spirit, for this is said also to those who did not see him in the world.
Luke 12
1
Meanwhile, when a multitude of many thousands had gathered together, so much so that they trampled on each other, he began to tell his disciples first of all, "Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
2
But there is nothing covered up, that will not be revealed, nor hidden, that will not be known.
3
Therefore whatever you have said in the darkness will be heard in the light. What you have spoken in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops.
4
"I tell you, my friends, don't be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.
5
But I will warn you whom you should fear. Fear him, who after he has killed, has power to cast into Gehenna. Yes, I tell you, fear him.
6
"Aren't five sparrows sold for two assaria coins? Not one of them is forgotten by God.
7
But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Therefore don't be afraid. You are of more value than many sparrows.
8
"I tell you, everyone who confesses me before men, him will the Son of Man also confess before the angels of God;
9
but he who denies me in the presence of men will be denied in the presence of the angels of God.
10
Everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but those who blaspheme against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.
11
When they bring you before the synagogues, the rulers, and the authorities, don't be anxious how or what you will answer, or what you will say;
12
for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that same hour what you must say."
13
One of the multitude said to him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me."
14
But he said to him, "Man, who made me a judge or an arbitrator over you?"
15
He said to them, "Beware! Keep yourselves from covetousness, for a man's life doesn't consist of the abundance of the things which he possesses."
16
He spoke a parable to them, saying, "The ground of a certain rich man brought forth abundantly.
17
He reasoned within himself, saying, 'What will I do, because I don't have room to store my crops?'
18
He said, 'This is what I will do. I will pull down my barns, and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.
19
I will tell my soul, "Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years. Take your ease, eat, drink, be merry."'
20
"But God said to him, 'You foolish one, tonight your soul is required of you. The things which you have prepared--whose will they be?'
21
So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."
22
He said to his disciples, "Therefore I tell you, don't be anxious for your life, what you will eat, nor yet for your body, what you will wear.
23
Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing.
24
Consider the ravens: they don't sow, they don't reap, they have no warehouse or barn, and God feeds them. How much more valuable are you than birds!
25
Which of you by being anxious can add a cubit to his height?
26
If then you aren't able to do even the least things, why are you anxious about the rest?
27
Consider the lilies, how they grow. They don't toil, neither do they spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
28
But if this is how God clothes the grass in the field, which today exists, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith?
29
Don't seek what you will eat or what you will drink; neither be anxious.
30
For the nations of the world seek after all of these things, but your Father knows that you need these things.
31
But seek God's Kingdom, and all these things will be added to you.
32
Don't be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the Kingdom.
33
Sell that which you have, and give gifts to the needy. Make for yourselves purses which don't grow old, a treasure in the heavens that doesn't fail, where no thief approaches, neither moth destroys.
34
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
35
"Let your waist be dressed and your lamps burning.
36
Be like men watching for their lord, when he returns from the marriage feast; that, when he comes and knocks, they may immediately open to him.
37
Blessed are those servants, whom the lord will find watching when he comes. Most certainly I tell you, that he will dress himself, and make them recline, and will come and serve them.
38
They will be blessed if he comes in the second or third watch, and finds them so.
39
But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what hour the thief was coming, he would have watched, and not allowed his house to be broken into.
40
Therefore be ready also, for the Son of Man is coming in an hour that you don't expect him."
41
Peter said to him, "Lord, are you telling this parable to us, or to everybody?"
42
The Lord said, "Who then is the faithful and wise steward, whom his lord will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the right times?
43
Blessed is that servant whom his lord will find doing so when he comes.
44
Truly I tell you, that he will set him over all that he has.
45
But if that servant says in his heart, 'My lord delays his coming,' and begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken,
46
then the lord of that servant will come in a day when he isn't expecting him, and in an hour that he doesn't know, and will cut him in two, and place his portion with the unfaithful.
47
That servant, who knew his lord's will, and didn't prepare, nor do what he wanted, will be beaten with many stripes,
48
but he who didn't know, and did things worthy of stripes, will be beaten with few stripes. To whoever much is given, of him will much be required; and to whom much was entrusted, of him more will be asked.
49
"I came to throw fire on the earth. I wish it were already kindled.
50
But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished!
51
Do you think that I have come to give peace in the earth? I tell you, no, but rather division.
52
For from now on, there will be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three.
53
They will be divided, father against son, and son against father; mother against daughter, and daughter against her mother; mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law, and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law."
54
He said to the multitudes also, "When you see a cloud rising from the west, immediately you say, 'A shower is coming,' and so it happens.
55
When a south wind blows, you say, 'There will be a scorching heat,' and it happens.
56
You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky, but how is it that you don't interpret this time?
57
Why don't you judge for yourselves what is right?
58
For when you are going with your adversary before the magistrate, try diligently on the way to be released from him, lest perhaps he drag you to the judge, and the judge deliver you to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison.
59
I tell you, you will by no means get out of there, until you have paid the very last penny."
