323 - A Way Forward, Part 2 of 7
By Jonathan S. Rose
Title: A Way Forward, Part 2
Topic: Second Coming
Summary: An important first stage in moving from hell to heaven, whether individually or as a cultrure, is to cry out to the Lord, even if we seemingly get no response. That is actually the Lord planting and building a desire in our hearts for something better than our current situation. This desire is a gift-much needed fuel for out journey.
References:
Exodus 2:23-25
2 Samuel 22:4-7
Psalms 30:1-3; 34:4-7; 107:17-22; 120:1-2; 130; 142
Lamentations 2:18-19
Jonah 2:1-2
Matthew 20:29-34
Luke 11:5-11
Revelation 1:7
Matthew 24:30
Zechariah 12:10
Daniel 7:13-15, 28
Isaiah 6:1-5
Genesis 42:6-7; 1:1-3
Hebrews 4:12-13
Matthew 5:26
This video is a part of the Spirit and Life Bible Study series, whose purpose is to look at the Bible, the whole Bible, and nothing but the Bible through a Swedenborgian lens.
Spirit and Life Bible Study broadcast from 11/15/2017. The complete series is available at: www.spiritandlifebiblestudy.com
Arcana Coelestia #3058
3058. The reason 'drawing water' means instruction and also consequent enlightenment, as in later verses of this chapter, is that 'water in the internal sense means the truths of faith, 2702. Thus 'drawing water' is nothing else than receiving instruction in the truths of faith and so being enlightened, as is also the meaning elsewhere in the Word, as in Isaiah,
With joy you will draw water from the springs of salvation, and [you will say] or that day, Confess Jehovah. Isaiah 12:3-4.
'Drawing water' stands for receiving instruction, having intelligence, and being wise. In the same prophet,
To the thirsty bring water, O inhabitants of the land of Tema. Isaiah 21:14.
'Bringing water to the thirsty' stands for giving instruction. In the same prophet,
The wretched and the needy are seeking water, and there is none; their tongue is parched with thirst. Isaiah 41:17.
'Those seeking water' stands for those desiring instruction in truths, 'and there is none' stands for the fact that nobody had any. In addition 'drawers of water' in the Jewish Church represented those who constantly seek to know truths but to no other end than just knowing them, and who consequently pay no attention to their purpose. Such persons were rated among the lowest of all. The Gibeonites mentioned in Joshua 9:21, 23, 27, represented them.
