The Bible

 

Genesis 1:3

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3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.

From Swedenborg's Works

 

Arcana Coelestia #246

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246. 'Beast' and 'wild animal of the field' mean affections. This becomes clear from what has been stated already in 45, 46, about 'beast' and 'wild animal', to which let the following quotation from David be added,

You shake down a shower of blessings, O God; Your heritage which is labouring, You strengthen; Your wild animals will dwell in it. Psalms 68:9-10.

Here also 'wild animal' stands for the affection for good, since it is going 'to dwell in God's heritage'. The reason 'beast' and 'wild animal of the field' are mentioned here, as also in Genesis 2:19, 20, but 'beast' and 'wild animal of the earth' in Genesis 1:24-25, is that the subject is the Church, that is, man when regenerate, whereas in Chapter 1 the subject is the time when the Church does not exist, that is, when man has yet to be regenerated; for 'field' is a term applying to the Church, that is, to man when regenerate.

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

Commentary

 

Sun

  

The 'sun' in the Word, when referring to the Lord, signifies His divine love and wisdom. Because the sun represents the Lord, with respect to His divine love wisdom, since ancient times even to the present day, worship is done and temples are built facing the rising sun. The sun signifies celestial and spiritual love and also the Lord regarding His divine love, and so the good of love from Him. In the opposite sense, it signifies a denial of the Lord's divinity, and so adulteration of the good of love.

In Genesis 15:12, 19:23, this signifies the time and state before consummation; for the sun signifies the Lord, and the celestial things of love and charity; so its setting represents the last time of the church. Its rising signifies a coming of the Lord, and the first period of a new church. (Arcana Coelestia 1837, 1859)

In Jeremiah 8:1, this signifies self-love and its lusts. (Arcana Coelestia 2441)

In Revelation 12:1, this signifies love. (Arcana Coelestia 253, Arcana Coelestia 3272[2])

Sun signifies the good of love. (Arcana Coelestia 4918[3]

(References: Apocalypse Explained 709)