The Meaning of Noah and the Flood
By OffTheLeftEye Staff
Is the Noah’s Ark story in the book of Genesis really about God destroying creation? A spiritual Bible interpretation of the story reveals its true meaning.
In this video, host Curtis Childs guides us through the revelations about the Old Testament parable that eighteenth-century philosopher Emanuel Swedenborg had during his spiritual experiences. Swedenborg’s perspectives transcend literal interpretations to provide a hopeful lesson about salvation. While it may seem like the Bible story is about God destroying creation, Swedenborg’s spiritual perspectives suggest that it symbolizes God’s still-ongoing efforts to save us from self-destruction.
Arcana Coelestia #785
785. Verses 17-18 And the flood was forty days over the earth, and the waters increased and raised the ark and lifted it above the earth. And the waters grew stronger and increased greatly over the earth; and the ark went over the face 1 of the waters.
'Forty days' means the duration of the Church called Noah. 'The flood' means the falsities which continued to inundate it. 'The waters increased and raised up the ark and lifted it above the earth' means that in such manner it wavered. 'The waters grew stronger and increased greatly over the earth, and the ark went over the face 1 of the waters' means that in such manner its waverings grew stronger.
Footnotes:
1. literally, over the faces