Apocalypse Explained #595
595. And the rainbow over his head.- That this signifies the interior things of the Word, is evident from the signification of a rainbow, as denoting the Divine Truth as it is in the spiritual sense of the Word, concerning which we shall speak presently; and from the signification of being over the head, as denoting what is interior; for "above" and "higher" signify within and interior, as is evident from this fact, that when mention is made of "interior," then "higher" is understood in heaven. For the heavens where the interior angels, or the interiorly wise are, appear also above the heavens where the exterior angels, or the exteriorly wise are. For this reason the three heavens are distinct one from another in regard to altitude, the inmost or third heaven appearing above the middle or second heaven, and this above the ultimate or first.
[2] The reason why higher signifies what is interior, is, that when higher and lower things are together, that is exist simultaneously, as in the head of man, they then co-exist in that order; so that those things which were above in successive order, become interior, and those which were below in successive order, become exterior, consequently higher signifies interior and lower exterior things. This may be illustrated by the idea of a surface (superficies), in the centre of which are purer, and in the peripheries denser things. Things superior and inferior form such a surface, when they become one, and constitute what is simultaneous. The signification of the angel encompassed with a cloud, spoken of above, is clear from these observations, since to be encompassed, for the same reason, and from the same idea, denotes to be from without and below.
[3] A rainbow signifies interior Divine Truth, as the Word is in the spiritual sense, because the light of heaven, like the light of the world, according to its incidence upon objects, and its modification therein, produces variegations of colours, and also rainbows; these also I have been permitted occasionally to see in the angelic heaven, as may be seen described in the Arcana Coelestia 1623-1625). But the rainbows which appear in the angelic heaven differ from the rainbows which appear in the world in this, that the rainbows of heaven are from a spiritual origin, whereas the rainbows of the world are from a natural origin. For the rainbows of heaven are from the light which proceeds from the Lord as the Sun, and because that Sun is in its essence the Divine Love of the Lord, and the light therefrom is Divine Truth, hence the variegations of light, which are seen as rainbows, are diversities of intelligence and wisdom with the angels. It is from this fact that rainbows there signify the form and beauty of spiritual Divine Truth; but the rainbows of the world are from a natural origin, that is from the sun of the world and its light, and are therefore only modifications and consequent variegations of light from the waters falling from a cloud. And since there are coloured appearances in the spiritual world similar to those in the natural world, and such appearances are correspondences, therefore the rainbows of the world signify the same as the rainbows of heaven, that is, spiritual Divine truths in their form and beauty. These truths are such as those of the Word in the spiritual sense.
[4] Similar things are signified by the rainbows in Ezekiel:
"Above the expanse that was over the head" of the cherubim "was the likeness of a throne as the appearance of a sapphire stone; and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness of the appearance of a man above upon it. And I saw as it were the appearance of a burning coal, as the appearance of fire round about within it, from the appearance of his loins and upward, but from the appearance of his loins and downward, I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and it had brightness round about. As the appearance of the rainbow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of Jehovah" (1:26-28).
Since the cherubim signify providence and care in order that the Lord may not be approached except by means of the good of love, therefore there appeared a throne, and upon the throne the appearance of a man, and the throne signifies the entire heaven, and the man upon the throne, the Lord Himself. By the appearance of a burning coal, as the appearance of fire, from the appearance of his loins and upward, is signified celestial Divine Love, which reigns in the higher heavens; for the higher heavens are represented by the upper part of the body, from the loins upward, to which they correspond, for these heavens form that [part] in the Grand Man (Maximus Homo), which is heaven. Fire like a burning coal, signifies that love, and similarly the loins, for the loins correspond to the marriage of good and truth, in which those are who are in the higher heavens, therefore heaven is called a marriage, and the Lord is called the Bridegroom and Husband, while heaven and the church are called a bride and wife. That from his loins downward, he appeared as the brightness of fire, which was like a rainbow, signifies spiritual Divine Love, which reigns in the lower heavens, for the region of the body from the loins even to the soles of the feet corresponds to that love. And because that love proceeds from celestial Divine Love, it is called fire and its brightness, Divine Truth from the Divine Good of love being that which shines and presents the appearance of a rainbow. It is therefore evident, that the translucence of spiritual Divine Truth through natural Divine Truth, presents that appearance in the heavens, and is consequently signified by it, as stated above. But these things may be more clearly understood from what is stated in Heaven and Hell concerning heaven, that from the Divine Human of the Lord it has reference to one man (n. 59-86); concerning the correspondence of all things of heaven with all things of man (n. 87-102); and, in the Arcana Coelestia concerning the correspondence of the loins (n. 3021, 4280, 4462, 5060-5062).
[5] The signification of the bow in the cloud, or the rainbow, in the book of Genesis is similar:
"God said" to Noah, "This is the sign of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living soul that is with you, unto the generations of an age; I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a sign of a covenant between me and the earth. And it shall come to pass that in beclouding myself with a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud; and I will remember my covenant which is between me and you and every living soul in all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh. And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I see it to remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living soul in all flesh that is upon the earth" (9:12-17).
He who does not know that in every part of the Word there is also a spiritual sense, may imagine that the bow in the cloud, called a rainbow, appears as a sign that the earth shall be no more destroyed by a flood, when yet that bow is from causes in nature, and is mediately produced when the rays of light from the sun strike upon the watery particles of rain from a cloud, it is therefore evident that there were also similar bows or rainbows before the flood. By the rainbows, therefore, which are seen by men on earth, from the correspondence between things spiritual and things natural, are understood the rainbows seen by the angels in the spiritual world, all of which exist from the light of heaven and its modification in the spiritual-natural sphere of that world, consequently from spiritual Divine Truth, and its translucence in natural Divine Truth; for all the light in heaven is spiritual, and is in its essence Divine Truth proceeding from the Lord. It is therefore evident that the bow in the cloud, or the rainbow, signifies spiritual Divine Truth, translucent through natural Divine Truth, and this translucence exists with those who are reformed or regenerated by the Lord by means of Divine Truth and a life according to it; the translucence itself also appears in the heavens as a rainbow. By the sign of a covenant is signified the presence and conjunction of the Lord with them, for a covenant denotes conjunction. This sign was given, because the flood, which then destroyed the human race, signified the deadly falsities of evil, by which the posterity of the Most Ancient Church perished; the restitution and establishment of a new church called the Ancient Church by Divine Truth conjoined to spiritual good, which in its essence is charity, is representatively shown by rainbows in heaven, and is therefore signified by rainbows in the world. As these words involve many interior things which cannot be briefly unfolded, they may be seen explained in detail in the Arcana Coelestia 1031-1059).
Luke 21
1
He looked up, and saw the rich people who were putting their gifts into the treasury.
2
He saw a certain poor widow casting in two small brass coins.
3
He said, "Truly I tell you, this poor widow put in more than all of them,
4
for all these put in gifts for God from their abundance, but she, out of her poverty, put in all that she had to live on."
5
As some were talking about the temple and how it was decorated with beautiful stones and gifts, he said,
6
"As for these things which you see, the days will come, in which there will not be left here one stone on another that will not be thrown down."
7
They asked him, "Teacher, so when will these things be? What is the sign that these things are about to happen?"
8
He said, "Watch out that you don't get led astray, for many will come in my name, saying, 'I am he,' and, 'The time is at hand.' Therefore don't follow them.
9
When you hear of wars and disturbances, don't be terrified, for these things must happen first, but the end won't come immediately."
10
Then he said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
11
There will be great earthquakes, famines, and plagues in various places. There will be terrors and great signs from heaven.
12
But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you, delivering you up to synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors for my name's sake.
13
It will turn out as a testimony for you.
14
Settle it therefore in your hearts not to meditate beforehand how to answer,
15
for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to withstand or to contradict.
16
You will be handed over even by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends. They will cause some of you to be put to death.
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You will be hated by all men for my name's sake.
18
And not a hair of your head will perish.
19
"By your endurance you will win your lives.
20
"But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is at hand.
21
Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let those who are in the midst of her depart. Let those who are in the country not enter therein.
22
For these are days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.
23
Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who nurse infants in those days! For there will be great distress in the land, and wrath to this people.
24
They will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be led captive into all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled down by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
25
There will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars; and on the earth anxiety of nations, in perplexity for the roaring of the sea and the waves;
26
men fainting for fear, and for expectation of the things which are coming on the world: for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
27
Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
28
But when these things begin to happen, look up, and lift up your heads, because your redemption is near."
29
He told them a parable. "See the fig tree, and all the trees.
30
When they are already budding, you see it and know by your own selves that the summer is already near.
31
Even so you also, when you see these things happening, know that the Kingdom of God is near.
32
Most certainly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things are accomplished.
33
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will by no means pass away.
34
"So be careful, or your hearts will be loaded down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that day will come on you suddenly.
35
For it will come like a snare on all those who dwell on the surface of all the earth.
36
Therefore be watchful all the time, praying that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will happen, and to stand before the Son of Man."
37
Every day Jesus was teaching in the temple, and every night he would go out and spend the night on the mountain that is called Olivet.
38
All the people came early in the morning to him in the temple to hear him.
