THE EXPLANATION of Isaiah Chapter 66

(Note: Rev. Smithson's translation of the Isaiah text is appended below the explanation.)

1. THUS says Jehovah: The heavens are My throne, and the earth is My footstool: where is this house which you build for Me ? and where is this place of My rest?

VERSE 1. The "heavens" are things celestial and spiritual, consequently inmost things. both of the Lord's kingdom in the heavens, and of the Lord's kingdom in the earth, or in the church, and also with every individual man who is a kingdom of the Lord, or a church; consequently the "heavens" denote likewise all things appertaining to love and charity, and faith grounded therein, as also of things appertaining to internal worship, and in like manner all things appertaining to the internal sense of the Word; all these things are heavens, and are called "the throne of the Lord."

But the "earth" denotes all inferior things corresponding to these internal or superior things, as inferior rational and natural things, whereof all things celestial and spiritual are predicated by reason of correspondence; these inferior things are such as are in the inferior heavens, and also in the church, and in external worship, and likewise such as are in the literal sense of the Word; in short, all things which proceed from internal things, and are fixed and exhibited in things external, as being things natural, are called "earth", and "the Lord's footstool."

What is meant by "heaven" and "earth", in the internal sense, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia 82; what by the "new heaven" and the "new earth", Arcana Coelestia 2117; and that man is a "little heaven", see Arcana Coelestia 911, 978. Arcana Coelestia 2162.

2. For all these things My hand has made; and all these things exist [by Me], says Jehovah: and to him will I look, even to him that is humble and of a contrite spirit, and that trembles at My Word.

Verse 2. As to "creation", and as to the end for which it exists, see Chapter 43:1, 7, the Exposition.

To him will I look, even to him that is humble and of a contrite spirit. - Good and Truth from the Lord can flow in into a humble and contrite heart, which acknowledges that in itself there is nothing but evil, and in the Lord nothing but Good; for in this acknowledgement there is the annihilation of self, thus a state of aversion and absence from self.

Thus they who are averse to all that is evil and false, because it is from themselves, and in the affection of all that is Good and True, because it is from the Lord, are in humiliation, and in a state of receiving Good and Truth from the Lord. A merely external humiliation is not the humiliation of acknowledgement, for the latter cannot exist without the correspondence of the external and internal, and thus, their conjunction. Unless a man humbles himself by acknowledging that he is nothing but evil, he is in merit and in self-righteousness; and as Good cannot then flow in, he cannot be withheld from the evils of his proprium.

The Lord requires humiliation and adoration, not for the sake of Himself, but for the sake of man, who is thus brought into a state of receiving Good, and of being separated from the love of self and its evils.

By "humbling himself" is denoted that a man ought to compel himself to submit to Divine Good and Divine Truth. Arcana Coelestia 3994. See also Arcana Coelestia 1937, 1947, 4956, 5420, 5758, 5957, 8263.

[To "tremble at the Lord's Word", is to come into this state of humiliation.]

3. He that slays an ox, smites a man; he that sacrifices a lamb, beheads a dog; he that makes an oblation, [offers] swine's blood; he that offers incense, blesses an idol: yea, they have chosen these things in their own ways; and in their abominations their soul delights.

Verse 3. To "slay or to sacrifice an ox", and to "smite a man", signify to worship God in externals, and nevertheless to reject all Truth; by "sacrificing an ox" is signified worship from those things which represented natural Good; for an "ox" denotes natural Good; and by "smiting a man" is meant to reject and to deny the Truth, "man", in the Word, denoting Truth.

To "offer incense", and to "bless an idol [or vanity]", signify to worship God from such things as represented spiritual Good, and notwithstanding, to love evil and the false, and to imbibe them; an "offering of incense" denoting worship from spiritual Good, and "vanity" [or an idol] evil and the false of evil. Apocalypse Explained 340.

He that sacrifices a lamb, beheads a dog; he that makes an oblation, [offers] swine's blood. - [It does not appear that Swedenborg has expounded, or even quoted these two clauses of the verse, but the following, we submit, is, from correspondence, the spiritual instruction they involve. To "sacrifice a lamb", is to worship from pretended innocence in the external form; but instead thereof to "behead (or to decollate) a dog", is to worship from selfish and sensual cupidities, denoted by a "dog". (See the Exposition of Isaiah Chapter 56:10.)

All those who, in the external form, worship under the semblance of innocence and piety, and yet, in the internal, cherish the filthy cupidities of whoredom, fraud, malice, etc., are guilty of this abominable profanity.

To "make an oblation", is to worship in the external form under the pretence of love to the Lord and to the neighbour, or from celestial Good, signified by an "oblation" or a "meat-offering"; (Arcana Coelestia 458) but instead thereof to "offer swine's blood", is to cherish in the heart the cupidities of avarice, (see Chapter 65:4, the Exposition), and the false principles, signified by the "blood", which are connected with these cupidities.

The inside must first be cleansed of these cupidities and evils, before a pure and an acceptable worship can be offered to the Lord, who says, "You blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and the platter, that the outside of them may be clean also." Matthew 23:26.]

He that offers incense, blesses an idol. - To "offer incense" is to worship from spiritual Good, (Apocalypse Explained 491) which is love to the neighbour, or charity; [but by doing this in the external form, and, at the same time to "bless an idol", is to cherish what is evil and false in the internal, or in the heart. All who go to church to worship God, and, at the same time, do not in their daily life act justly with their neighbour, but cherish fraud, ill-will, malice, or some other evil in their hearts, instead of worshipping God, "bless an idol, or what is vain.]

As to the true nature of worship, signified by "incense", "sacrifices", etc., see Chapter 43:23; also Chapter 1:11-19, the Exposition.

In their abominations their soul delights. - "Abominations" signify infernal evils; also profanations of the holy things of the church; and especially the evils of murder, hatred, adultery, whoredom, theft, fraud, falsehood, and lies, etc., forbidden in the second table of the Decalogue. Apocalypse Explained 728, 821. See also Apocalypse Explained 827.

4. I will also choose their devices, and the things they dread I will bring upon them; because I called, and no one answered; I spake, and they did not hear: and they did evil in Mine eyes, and that in which I delighted not they have chosen.

Verse 4. Evil brings upon itself its own punishment, which, at the period of Judgment, breaks out and overwhelms the wicked. The punishment of evil was represented by this law of retaliation:

"An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, burning for burning", etc. (Exodus 21:24, 25)

The punishment of retaliation comes from this law of order in heaven:

"All things whatsoever you would that men should do to you, even so do you to them; this is the Law and the Prophets"; (Matthew 7:12) wherefore they who do good from good, or from the heart, receive good from others; and, on the other hand, likewise, they who do evil from evil, or from the heart, receive evil from others. Hence it is that every good has its own recompense adjoined to it, and every evil its own punishment. Arcana Coelestia 8214

Because I called, and no one answered; I spoke, and they did not hear, etc. - That to "call" and to "answer" denotes reciprocation, reception, and conjunction; but that to "call" and "not to answer" signifies non-reciprocation, non-reception, and non-conjunction, see Chapter 36:21, the Exposition.

5. Hear you the word of Jehovah, you that tremble at His Word! Your brethren that have bated you, and that have cast you out for My name's sake, have said, Let Jehovah be glorified! and we shall see your joy; but they shall be ashamed.

Verse 5. It does not appear that Swedenborg has quoted this verse, but from the internal sense in the margin, it would seem that the "brethren" here intended are those who, although out of the church, are nevertheless in charity, and of whom a church can consequently be formed. The reason why it is said that "they have hated and cast them out (the people of the Jewish church) for the Lord's name's sake", is, we apprehend, because the Gentiles had a great aversion to the Jews, as a people, on account of their arrogance and cruelties, as described by Swedenborg in the Exposition of verse 20. These "brethren" will say, "Let Jehovah be glorified! that we may see the joy of those who thus desire to see Jehovah glorified"; or, that the Lord should be acknowledged and worshipped; whilst the wicked, or "they who plot devices" (verse 4), and thus do evil, shall be "ashamed and rejected."]

That to be "ashamed" signifies to be averse to what is Good, and consequently to be in evil, see Chapter 24:2, the Exposition.

6. A voice of tumult from the city! a voice from the temple! the voice of Jehovah! rendering recompense to His enemies,

Verse 6. By the "city" is understood the doctrine of Truth; by "temple" the church, and by "the voice of Jehovah from the temple" Divine Truth itself. Apocalypse Explained 220.

7. Before she was in travail, she brought forth; before her pangs came upon her, she was delivered of a male.

Verses 7-11. These words treat of the advent of the Lord, and of the establishment of the church with the Gentiles. Their reformation and regeneration is described by "travailing", "bringing forth", and by being" delivered of a male", and by "coming to the birth", and by "generating"; for, as was said above, the man who is born anew, is, in like manner, as it were, conceived, carried in the womb, born, educated, and grows to adolescence, as from a father and mother.

By "Zion" and "Jerusalem" are here understood the church and its doctrine; and by "sucking", and by being "satisfied from the breast of her consolations", is signified to be fully instructed in Truths originating in Good from the delight of love, according to desire.

By the "one day", in which these things shall take place, is signified the advent of the Lord. Apocalypse Explained 721. See also Arcana Coelestia 264.

Verse 7. She was delivered of a male. - By a "son", in the Word, is signified the Truth of doctrine, also the understanding, and hence the thought of what is True and Good; but by a "daughter" is meant the Good of doctrine, and also the will, and hence the affection of what is True and Good; and by "a son a male" is signified Truth conceived in the spiritual man, and born in the natural. The reason is, because by "generations" and "nativities", in the Word, are signified spiritual generations and nativities, all which, in general, relate to what is Good and True; for nothing else is generated and born of the Lord as "Husband", and of the church as a "wife." Apocalypse Revealed 543.

8. Who has heard a thing like this? Who has seen things like these? Does the earth bring forth in one day'? Is a nation born at once? for as soon as Zion was in travail, she brought forth her sons.

9. Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? says Jehovah: shall I cause to bring forth, and shut up [the womb]? says your God.

Verse 8. Where the reason of its being said, "Does the earth bring forth in one day? Is a nation born at once?" is, because the "earth" signifies the church.

By " bringing forth" and by "birth", and also by " generating" and "generation", in the Word, are signified spiritual births and generations, which are of Faith and of Love, thus reformation and regeneration.

What the "new heavens" and "new earth " signify, has been already explained. Apocalypse Explained 304. See also True Christian Religion 583.

10. Rejoice with Jerusalem, and exult in her, all you that love her: be exceedingly joyful with her, all you that mourn over her:

11. That you may suck, and be satisfied from the breast of her consolations; that you may draw forth [nourishment], and be delighted from the brightness of her glory.

12. For thus says Jehovah, Behold, I will spread over her peace like a river; and like a flowing stream the glory of the nations: and you shall suck; you shall be carried at the side; and on the knees shall you be caressed.

13. As a man whom his mother comforts, so will I comfort you; and in Jerusalem shall you have comfort.

Verses 10-12. Here also by "Jerusalem" is understood the church as to doctrine, or, what is the same thing, the doctrine of the church; concerning the latter it is said - "Rejoice with Jerusalem and exult in her, all you that love her"; and concerning doctrine it is also said, "That you may suck, and be satisfied from the breast of her consolations; that you may draw forth [nourishment] from the brightness of her glory"; by the "breast of consolations" is signified the Divine Good, and by the "brightness or splendour of glory" the Divine Truth from which doctrine is derived.

That there shall be an abundance of all those things by virtue of conjunction with the Lord, is signified by "Behold, I will spread over her peace like a river; and like a flowing stream, the glory of the nations; and you shall suck"; - "peace" signifying conjunction with the Lord, and the "glory of the nations "the conjunction of Good and Truth thence derived; to "suck" denotes influx from the Lord; and a "river" and a "flowing stream "denote abundance.

That hence exist spiritual love and celestial love, by which conjunction with the Lord is effected, is signified by "You shall be carried at the side, and on the knees shall you be caressed;"-the "side" signifying spiritual love, and the "knees" celestial love; and to be "taken up and be caressed", is eternal felicity by virtue of conjunction.

That the "breasts" signify spiritual love and also the "side" or " breast", may be seen above, Apocalypse Explained 65; that the "knees" denote conjugial love, and hence celestial love, may be seen in the Arcana Coelestia 3021 Arcana Coelestia 3021[1-8] Arcana Coelestia 3021[1-8] Arcana Coelestia 3021[1-8], 5060-5062.

That "glory" signifies Divine Truth, and intelligence and wisdom thence derived, may be seen above, n. Apocalypse Explained 34, 288; and that "nations" signify those who are in the Good of love, and, abstractedly from persons, the Goods of love, may also be seen above, Apocalypse Explained 175, 331.

Hence "the glory of the nations" is genuine Truth, originating in the Good of love, and consequently their conjunction. Apocalypse Explained 305. See also Chapter 60:15, 16, the Exposition.

14. And you shall see it, and your heart shall rejoice; and your bones shall bud forth like the herb: and the hand of Jehovah shall be made known to His servants; but He will be indignant against His enemies.

Verse 14. And your bones shall bud forth like the herb, etc. - As to the meaning of "flesh" and "bones", both in a good and in a bad sense, see Chapter 58:11, the Exposition.

15. For, behold, Jehovah shall come in fire; and like a whirlwind are His chariots: to recompense in the wrath of His anger; and His rebuke in flames of fire.

Verse 15. Like a whirlwind are His chariots, etc. - For what is said respecting "whirlwinds" and "storms", etc., at the time of Judgment in the world of spirits, see Chapter 17:13, the Exposition.

16. For by fire shall Jehovah contend, and by His sword, with all flesh: and many shall be the slain of Jehovah.

Verse 16. By a "sword", in this passage, is signified Truth combating and destroying; this destruction appears especially in the spiritual world, where they who are in falsities cannot sustain the Truth, but are in a state of anguish, as if they struggled with death, when they come into the sphere of light, that is, into the sphere of Divine Truth; and thus also they are deprived of Truths, and devastated. As most expressions in the Word have also an opposite sense, so likewise has the "sword", and in that sense it signifies the false combating against Truth, and destroying it. Apocalypse Explained 131.

17. They who sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens behind one [tree] in the midst, eating swine's flesh, and the abominable thing, and the mouse; together shall they be consumed, says Jehovah.

Verse 17. That to "sanctify themselves in gardens", is to worship from intelligence self-derived, and thus from false doctrines, see just above, Chap 65:3, 4, the Exposition. "Behind one [tree] in the midst"; this "one in the midst." (whether it be a tree or an idol), implies the governing principle which rules in this perverted state of self-intelligence and of impure worship.

This "one thing in the midst" has its origin either in the love of self, - and is, therefore, either the love of dominion and power and pre-eminence, - or in the love of the world; and is, consequently, the love of opulence, and the pride and conceit of one's own intelligence. It is said to be "in the midst", because whatsoever is in the centre, universally governs, as one king in his kingdom.

What the "eating of swine's flesh and of the abominable thing" signifies, may be seen above, Chapter 65:4, the Exposition.

As to the "mouse", which was unclean, (Leviticus 11:29) and which signifies the cupidities of the sordidly avaricious, see Arcana Coelestia 938, 1514.

To cherish these cupidities is, in the language of correspondences, signified by "eating mice", which was forbidden as an abomination in the Lord's sight.]

18. For I [know] their works and their thoughts: and [the time] shall come to gather all nations and tongues together; and they shall come, and shall see My glory.

Verses 18, 19. These words are said concerning the Lord, and concerning the New Church to be established by Him, consequently concerning the "new heavens" and the "new earth", as is evident from verse 22 of this chapter.

By "gathering together all nations and tongues", is signified the same as by "gathering together the elect from the four winds"; (Matthew 24:31) to "gather together" signifies to call to Himself those who are His; "nations" denote those who are in Good, and "tongues" those who are in life according to doctrine; to "come" and to "see the glory of the Lord", is to be illustrated in Divine Truth, and to be thence in the fruition of heavenly joy; for the "glory of the Lord" signifies the Divine Truth, and illustration and joy therefrom.

To "set a sign upon them", signifies to distinguish and separate them from the evil, and to conjoin them to the good. Apocalypse Explained 427. See also Apocalypse Revealed 347.

19. And I will set a sign upon them, and those that escape I will send to the nations; to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, who draw the bow; to Tubal, and Javan, and the islands afar off; to those who have not heard My fame, and who have not seen My glory: and they shall declare My glory among the nations.

Verse 19. "Those that escape" signify remains or remnants. (See above, Chap, 1:9, the Exposition.) "Tarshish" signifies those who are in external worship [but from somewhat of an internal principle]; "Pul and Lud, drawing the bow", signify those who are in the knowledges of Truth, namely, from the Lord, by charity, and thus by faith, by means of reason and science, as in Ezekiel:

"They of Persia, of Lud, and of Phut, were in thine army, your men of war; they banged their shield and their helmet in you; they set forth your comeliness"; (Ezekiel 27:10) where the subject treated of is concerning Tyre.

"Lud" and "Phut" denote knowledges, which are said to be "in an army", and are called "men of war", because they serve to defend Truths, and are a support to reason, which is also understood by "hanging up the shield and the helmet." That by "Phut'" are signified the exterior knowledges of the Word, may be seen above, Arcana Coelestia 1166.

By "drawing the bow", as said of those who are meant by "Tubal" and "Javan", is signified to teach doctrine. Arcana Coelestia 1231.

[By these words are therefore implied that the "remains", or those who escape at the period of Judgment, will be sent to those who can instruct them in Truths from the Word, and initiate them into the externals of a true worship.]

20. And they shall bring all your brethren, from all the nations, an offering to Jehovah; upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters; upon mules, and upon dromedaries; to the mountain of My holiness, to Jerusalem, says Jehovah: like as the sons of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel to the house of Jehovah.

Verse 20. This passage treats concerning the establishment of the New Church by the Lord; wherefore it is not understood that "they shall bring their brethren upon horses, and in chariots, and in liners, upon mules, and upon dromedaries, into Jerusalem", but that all who are in Good are to be instructed in divine Truths, and being thereby made intelligent and wise, are to be introduced into the church; for by "brethren" are signified all who are in Good; by "horses" is denoted the understanding of Truth, by "chariots" the doctrine of Truth, by "litters the knowledges of Truth, by "mules" the internal rational [principle], which is spiritual, and by "dromedaries" [or swift beasts] the external rational [principle], which is natural; by Jerusalem is signified the church, where is the doctrine of Truth which is called "the mountain of holiness" from the love of Truth. Apocalypse Explained 355.

By "horses", "chariots", "litters", "mules", and "dromedaries" in the spiritual sense , are understood things appertaining to doctrine, and thence to the church; for the subject here treated of is concerning the New Church to be established by the Lord.

By "horses" are signified intellectual things, by "chariots" doctrine", by "litters" doctrinals of Good, by "mules" rational things, and by "dromedaries" likewise things rational as to Good.

By the "brethren", whom they shall bring, are signified all who are in the Good of charity; and by "Jerusalem, the mountain of holiness", is signified the church in which charity reigns. Apocalypse Explained 1155. See also Apocalypse Explained 175.

As the sons of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel, etc. - As to the meaning of "vessels", see Chapter 52:11, the Exposition. "An offering in a clean vessel" is representative of sincere and holy worship: See the Exposition of Isaiah Chapter 18:7.

21. And of them will I also take for priests and for Levites, says Jehovah.

Verse 21. What "priests" and "ministers" signify, see Chapter 61:6, the Exposition. "Levites" and the "tribe of Levi" signify the church as to its charity and good works; for every "tribe" has its own particular signification. The reason why the "tribe of Levi" signifies [in a good sense] good works is, because spiritual love, or charity, consists in performing Goods, which are good works. Essential charity, viewed in itself, is the affection of Truth and Good, and where that affection is, there is a life according to Truths and Goods; for affection, without a life according to the Truths and Goods with which it is affected, has no existence. If such affection be supposed to exist and to be present, it is a natural affection, and not a spiritual one. These two affections differ in this, that natural affection has for its end self and the world, therefore the Truths and Goods with which a person is then affected he loves for the sake of his own fame, and to obtain honour and gain; in which case the life according to doctrinals is only assumed from self for the sake of appearance, and so it is pretended and inwardly hypocritical; but spiritual affection has for its end the Lord, heaven, and life eternal, which it regards in the Truths and Goods, thus it loves Truths and Goods spiritually; and when this affection has place with man, he then loves to think those things and to will them, consequently to live according to them.

To live according to Goods and Truths is understood in the Word by "doing", and the life itself by the "deeds" and "works" which are so often mentioned in the Word.

These, therefore, are what were represented and signified by "Levi" and his "tribe" in the church with the Jews. Inasmuch as this affection is the very essential principle of the church, therefore the "tribe of Levi" was made the priesthood; and therefore "the staff of Levi in the tent of the assembly blossomed with almonds"; and therefore to that "tribe" was given an inheritance, not in the same manner as the rest, but amongst each of them.

Inasmuch as most things in the Word have also an opposite sense, so have "Levi" and his "tribe"; and in this sense "Levi" signifies the evil of the falsity which is opposite to the Good of Charity, consequently no charity towards the neighbour. This is signified by "Levi", in the prophecy of Israel concerning his sons, in Genesis 49:5-7; this opposite principle is also understood by the "Levite", in theLord's parable concerning him who was wounded by thieves. (See Luke 10:29-37.) Apocalypse Explained 444.

22. For like as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall stand before Me, says Jehovah: so shall stand your seed and your name,

Verse 22. Speaking of the Lord, and of the salvation of the faithful by Him. The New Church from Him is understood by "the new heavens and the new earth", - by the "new heavens" the internal church, and by the "new earth" the external church. That divine Truth and its quality shall continue, is signified by "so shall stand your seed and your name", "seed" denoting divine Truth which also is the Truth of doctrine from the Word, and "name" is the quality thereof; that by "name" is signified the quality of a thing and state, may be seen above, n. 148. Apocalypse Explained 768. See also Chapter 65:17, 18, the Exposition.

23. And it shall be, that from one new moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another, all flesh shall come to bow down before Me, says Jehovah.

Verse 23. By "month" or "moon" is signified man's state of life as to Truth. He who thinks that man does Good which is acceptable to the Lord, and which is called spiritual Good, If there are not in him Truths from the Word, is much mistaken. Goods without Truths are not Goods, and Truths without Goods are not Truths in man, although they are Truth in themselves; for Good without Truth is like the voluntary principle of man without understanding, , which voluntary principle is not human, but is like that of a beast, or like that of an image which an artist causes to operate; but the voluntary principle, united with its intellectual principle, becomes human according to the state of the understanding by which it exists; for every man's state of life is such, that his will cannot do anything but by his understanding, neither can his understanding, think anything but from his will.

It is the same with Good and Truth, because Good is of the will, and Truth is of the understanding. From these considerations it is evident that the Good which the Lord produces in man, is according to the state of the Truth in man, from which the understanding is formed. The reason why this is signified by "the Tree of Life yielding its fruit according to every month"; is, because by "month" is signified the state of Truth in man.

That by all "times" and "seasons", as hours, days, weeks, months, years, ages, are signified states of life, may be seen, Apocalypse Revealed 476, 562.

The reason why "months" signify states of life relating to Truth, is, because by "months" are signified times determined by the moon, and by the "moon" is understood the Truth of the understanding and of faith.

The like is also signified by "months" in the following passages:

"Blessed of Jehovah is the land of Joseph, with the precious things of the produce of the sun, and with the precious things of the produce of the months", (Deuteronomy 33:13, 14)

By reason of the signification of "month" or "moon", sacrifices were offered at the beginning of every month or new moon. (Numbers 29:6; Isaiah 1:14) Apocalypse Revealed 935.

24. And they shall go forth, and shall see the carcases of the men who have transgressed against Me: for their worm shall not die, and their fire shall not be quenched; and they shall be an abhorrence unto all flesh.

Verse 24. What is signified by a "carcase", see Chapter 34:3, the Exposition.

By "their worm dying not", is signified the false principle of evil which is in the good derived from man's selfhood, which false principle is compared to a "worm", because their effects are similar; for the false principle corrodes, and thereby torments. There are two things which make hell, as there are two things which make heaven; - the two things which make heaven are Good and Truth, and the two things which make hell are evil and what is false. Consequently those two things in heaven are what make happiness there, and the two things in hell are what make torment there. Torment in hell, derived from the false principle, is compared to a "worm", and torment from evil is compared to "fire", as in Isaiah 66:24; and in Mark:

"Where their worm dieth not, and their fire shall not be quenched." (Mark 9:44, 46, 48) Arcana Coelestia 8481.

Their fire shall not be quenched. - All love in the spiritual world, when it is excited, appears at a distance like fire; within the hells like a burning fire; and without, like the smoke of a burning fire, or like the smoke of a furnace. Apocalypse Explained 422.

Infernal spirits are not in any material fire, but in spiritual fire, which is their love, wherefore they do not feel any other fire; concerning which, see Heaven and Hell 566-575.

In respect to "fire", in a bad sense, as signifying the evil of lusts and cupidities arising from the love of self and of the world, see Chapter 9:17-19; 33:11, 12, 14, the Exposition.

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Isaiah Chapter 66.

1. THUS says Jehovah: The heavens are My throne, and the earth is My footstool: where is this house which you build for Me? and where is this place of My rest?

2. For all these things My hand has made; and all these things exist [by Me], says Jehovah: and to him will I look, even to him that is humble and of a contrite spirit, and that trembles at My Word.

3. He that slays an ox, smites a man; he that sacrifices a lamb, beheads a dog; he that makes an oblation, [offers] swine's blood; he that offers incense, blesses an idol: yea, they have chosen these things in their own ways; and in their abominations their soul delights.

4. I will also choose their devices, and the things they dread I will bring upon them; because I called, and no one answered; I spake, and they did not hear: and they did evil in Mine eyes, and that in which I delighted not they have chosen.

5. Hear you the word of Jehovah, you that tremble at His Word! Your brethren that have bated you, and that have cast you out for My name's sake, have said, Let Jehovah be glorified! and we shall see your joy; but they shall be ashamed.

6. A voice of tumult from the city! a voice from the temple! the voice of Jehovah! rendering recompense to His enemies,

7. Before she was in travail, she brought forth; before her pangs came upon her, she was delivered of a male.

8. Who has heard a thing like this? Who has seen things like these? Does the earth bring forth in one day? Is a nation born at once? for as soon as Zion was in travail, she brought forth her sons.

9. Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? says Jehovah: shall I cause to bring forth, and shut up [the womb]? says your God.

10. Rejoice with Jerusalem, and exult in her, all you that love her: be exceedingly joyful with her, all you that mourn over her:

11. That you may suck, and be satisfied from the breast of her consolations; that you may draw forth [nourishment], and be delighted from the brightness of her glory.

12. For thus says Jehovah, Behold, I will spread over her peace like a river; and like a flowing stream the glory of the nations: and you shall suck; you shall be carried at the side; and on the knees shall you be caressed.

13. As a man whom his mother comforts, so will I comfort you; and in Jerusalem shall you have comfort.

14. And you shall see it, and your heart shall rejoice; and your bones shall bud forth like the herb: and the hand of Jehovah shall be made known to His servants; but He will be indignant against His enemies.

15. For, behold, Jehovah shall come in fire; and like a whirlwind are His chariots: to recompense in the wrath of His anger; and His rebuke in flames of fire.

16. For by fire shall Jehovah contend, and by His sword, with all flesh: and many shall be the slain of Jehovah.

17. They who sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens behind one [tree] in the midst, eating swine's flesh, and the abominable thing, and the mouse; together shall they be consumed, says Jehovah.

18. For I [know] their works and their thoughts: and [the time] shall come to gather all nations and tongues together; and they shall come, and shall see My glory.

19. And I will set a sign upon them, and those that escape I will send to the nations; to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, who draw the bow; to Tubal, and Javan, and the islands afar off; to those who have not heard My fame, and who have not seen My glory: and they shall declare My glory among the nations.

20. And they shall bring all your brethren, from all the nations, an offering to Jehovah; upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters; upon mules, and upon dromedaries; to the mountain of My holiness, to Jerusalem, says Jehovah: like as the sons of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel to the house of Jehovah.

21. And of them will I also take for priests and for Levites, says Jehovah.

22. For like as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall stand before Me, says Jehovah: so shall stand your seed and your name,

23. And it shall be, that from one new moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another, all flesh shall come to bow down before Me, says Jehovah.

24. And they shall go forth, and shall see the carcases of the men who have transgressed against Me: for their worm shall not die, and their fire shall not be quenched; and they shall be an abhorrence unto all flesh.

444. Of the tribe of Levi twelve thousand sealed, signifies good works. This is evident from the representation and consequent signification of "Levi" and his tribe, as being spiritual love, which is called charity towards the neighbor. "The tribe of Levi" here signifies good works because spiritual love or charity consists in doing things that are good, and these are good works. Charity, itself, viewed in itself, is the affection of truth and good, and where that affection is, there is a life according to truths and goods, for there is no affection without a life according to the truths and goods for which there is affection. If such affection is thought to be possible and to be present, it is a natural not a spiritual affection. These two kinds of affection differ in this, that natural affection has self and the world for an end; thus the truths and goods by which it is affected are loved ¹ for the sake of reputation, that honors and wealth may be acquired, and then a life according to the doctrinals that have been learned is put on merely from self for the sake of appearance, which is thus a feigned life and inwardly hypocritical; while spiritual affection has the Lord, heaven, and eternal life for an end, and has regard to these in truths and goods; thus it loves truths and goods spiritually. When this affection is with man he loves to think and to will these truths and goods, and consequently to live according to them. To live according to truths and goods is what is meant in the Word by "doing," and the life itself is meant by "deeds" and "works" which are so often mentioned in the Word; these, therefore, are what were represented and signified by "Levi" and his tribe in the church with the Jews.

[2] Because this affection is the very essential of the church, the tribe of Levi was assigned to the priesthood; this, too, is why Levi's staff in the tent of meeting blossomed with almonds; and this is why no inheritance was given to that tribe as to the other tribes, but among them all. It is known that the tribe of Levi was appointed to the priesthood; for not only was Aaron made high priest, but also his sons after him, and all the Levites were made ministers to them. That Moses and Aaron were of the tribe of Levi may be seen in Exodus 6:20; Numbers 18:2; and that the Levites were made ministers to Aaron and his sons, in Moses:

The tribe of Levi was taken for the priesthood, to keep the charge of the whole congregation before the tent of meeting, to serve the service of the tabernacle. And the Levites were given to Aaron, and accepted in place of all the firstborn; and further respecting their ministries and functions (Numbers 3 end).

[3] The priesthood was given to this tribe because it represented and thence signified love and charity. Love and charity are the spiritual affection of good and truth; since affection is predicated of love in its continuity, for affection is the continuation of love. This, too, is what the priesthood and its ministry signify in the Word, for this affection is the essential of the church, for where it is there the church is, and where it is not there the church is not; for the affection of good and truth is the very spiritual life of man, and when man is affected by good and truth he is in good and truth in respect to his life, and his thought itself is nothing but affection in a different form, for whatever a man thinks he derives from affection; no one can think without affection. This is why the tribe of Levi was appointed to the priesthood. The like is said of the Levites in Ezekiel, where a new land, a new city, and a new temple are treated of (Ezekiel 40:46; 43:19; 44:15; 48:11, 12).

[4] Because the tribe of Levi represented and thence signified charity in act, thus the goods of charity, which are good works, therefore:

The rod of Levi, upon which was written the name of Aaron, when placed in the tent of meeting before the testimony, blossomed with almonds (Numbers 17:2-11);

"almonds" signifying the goods of charity, since by these all things of the church flourish in man, for when the goods of charity are with man there are also intelligence and faith, for man is then in the affection of understanding what he knows from the Word, and in the will to do according to what he knows. Because the good of charity must be in all things of the church that the church may be in them, and because the affection itself of good and truth, which is charity, is what gives understanding and instruction to all, so not only was the tribe of Levi appointed to the priesthood, but there was no lot and inheritance granted to that tribe like that granted to the other tribes, but was among them all (as is evident in Moses, Numbers 35 to the end; and in Joshua 21:1 to the end). So it is said in Moses:

Therefore no part or inheritance with his brethren fell to Levi; Jehovah Himself is his inheritance (Deuteronomy 10:9).

[5] And because (as has been said) every man acquires knowledge (scientia), intelligence, and wisdom, according to the affection of good and truth that is in him, it is said in Moses:

Jehovah God hath chosen the sons of Levi to minister unto Him and to bless in His name, and according to their mouth shall be every controversy and every stroke (Deuteronomy 21:5).

This signifies in the spiritual sense that the affection of good and truth, which is charity, ministers to the Lord, and teaches those things that are of the church and worship, and discerns between falsities and truths, and between evils and goods; for "the sons of Levi" signify in the spiritual sense the affection of good and truth, which is charity. From this it can be seen that the tribe of Levi was chosen for the priesthood, and an inheritance was given to it among all the tribes, not because that tribe was better than the others, but because it represented charity in act, and good works, which are the effects of all good and truth in man.

[6] That "the tribe of Levi" signifies in the Word the goods of charity, which are good works, can be seen also from the following passages. In Jeremiah:

In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous shoot to sprout up unto David; and He shall do judgment and righteousness in the land. In those days shall Judah be saved, and Jerusalem ² shall dwell safely; and this is the name whereby He shall be called, Jehovah our righteousness. There shall not be cut off from David a man to sit on the throne of the house of Israel, and from the priests the Levites there shall not be cut off a man from before My faces to offer up the burnt-offering and to burn the meal-offering, and to do sacrifice all the days. If ye shall have rendered void My covenant of the day and My covenant of the night, My covenant also with David My servant shall become void that he shall not have a son to reign, and with the Levites, the priests My ministers. As the host of the heavens is not numbered, neither the sand of the sea measured, ³ so will I multiply the seed of David My servant and the Levites My ministers (Jeremiah 33:15-18, 20-22).

This treats of the coming of the Lord, who is "the shoot of David," and who shall be called "Jehovah our Righteousness." "Judah shall then be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely," signifies that then those who are in love to the Lord shall be saved; "Israel shall dwell safely" signifying that those who are in charity towards the neighbor shall not be infested by evils and falsities; "there shall not be cut off from David a man to sit upon the throne of the house of Israel" signifies that Divine truth proceeding from the Lord is then to reign perpetually in the church, "the throne of the house of Israel" meaning the church wherein Divine truth reigns; "and from the priests the Levites there shall not be cut off a man from before My faces to offer up the burnt-offering and to burn the meal-offering, and to do sacrifice" signifies that then there shall be worship perpetually from the good of love and charity, and from the truths of faith; "Levites" signifying those who are in such worship; "burnt-offering" the worship from the good of love, "meal-offering" worship from the good of charity towards the neighbor; and "sacrifice" worship from the truths of faith.

[7] "If ye shall have rendered void My covenant of the day and My covenant of the night," signifies if they did not observe the two things, love and faith, that effect conjunction with the Lord; "covenant" meaning conjunction; "covenant of the day" conjunction by love, and "covenant of the night" conjunction by faith; "My covenant also with David My servant shall become void, that he shall not have a son to reign, and with the Levites the priests, My ministers," signifies that they shall then have neither Divine truth nor Divine good; "Levites, priests, ministers," are such as are in the good of love to the Lord and in worship therefrom; "as the host of the heavens is not numbered, neither the sand of the sea measured," signifies the knowledges of truth and good in the spiritual and in the natural man; "host of the heavens" meaning such knowledges in the spiritual man, and "sand of the sea" meaning such knowledges in the natural man; "so will I multiply the seed of David My servant, and the Levites My ministers," signifies the multiplication of Divine truth, and the fructification of Divine good in those who have conjunction with the Lord; here as elsewhere "the Levites, the priests," signify those who are in the good of love and charity, and in an abstract sense, that good itself.

[8] In Malachi:

Behold I send My messenger, and He shall prepare the way before Me; and the Lord whom ye seek shall suddenly come to His temple, even the angel of the covenant, whom ye desire. For He is like a refiner's fire, and like fuller's soap; and He shall sit refining and purifying silver, and shall purify the sons of Levi, and shall purge them as gold and silver, that they may bring to Jehovah an offering in righteousness. Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be sweet unto Jehovah; according to the days of an age and according to former years (Malachi 3:1-4).

What this signifies in the spiritual sense may be seen explained above (n. 242, and ⁴ 433); and that "the sons of Levi" here mean all who are in the good of charity, and thence in the good of faith. This treats of the Lord who was to come; His Divine Human is what is meant by "His temple" to which Jehovah the Lord was to come; that He will purify those who are in the good of charity, and thence in the good of faith, is meant by "He shall purify and purge the sons of Levi." Evidently the sons of Levi are not meant, for it is said that "He shall then purify and purge them," and that "the offering of Judah and Jerusalem shall then be sweet unto Jehovah," and it is known that the Lord did not purify and purge the Levites, and that the offering of Judah and Jerusalem was not sweet to the Lord, for they were utterly opposed to the Lord, and worship by sacrifices and offerings was then abrogated. For "Judah" here means all who are in the good of love to the Lord, and "Jerusalem" the church that is in the truths of doctrine (See above, n. 433).

[9] In Moses:

Moses said of Levi, Thy Thummim and Thy Urim for Thy holy man, whom thou didst tempt in Massah, with whom thou didst strive at the waters of Meribah; who said to his father and to his mother, I have not seen him; ⁵ and his brethren he did not recognize, and his sons he did not know; they shall keep Thy word and they shall observe Thy covenant. They shall teach Jacob Thy judgments, and Israel Thy law; they shall put incense in Thy nostrils, and whole burnt offering upon Thine altar, and accept the work of his hands; smite through the loins of them that rise against him and of them that hate him, that they rise not again (Deuteronomy 33:8-11).

This is in the blessing of the sons of Israel by Moses, which treats of the Word, because this is signified in the representative sense by "Moses;" and "Urim and Thummin" signify the Divine truth shining forth from Divine good, thus the Word; and "Levi" here means the spiritual affection of truth; the "holy man whom they tempted in Massah and at the waters of Meribah" means the Lord in respect to Divine truth, for the "rock" at which that temptation took place signifies the Lord, and the "waters" from it signify Divine truths; "the father and mother to whom he said I have not seen you" signify the Israelitish church, which did not acknowledge the Lord; the church is called "father" from good, and "mother" from truth; "his brethren whom he did not recognize, and his sons whom he did not know," mean the goods and truths of the church, which were not with them, "brethren" meaning goods, and "sons" truths.

[10] But as "the sons of Levi" signify the goods and truths of the church, and in general the spiritual affection of truth and good, it is said of them "they shall keep Thy Word, they shall observe Thy covenant; they shall teach Jacob Thy judgments, and Israel Thy law," which signifies that those who are in the spiritual affection of truth do the Word and teach the goods and truths of the church, for the spiritual affection of truth is what does and teaches, since it is into that affection that the Lord flows, doing the good with man and teaching the truth with him; "the Word" here means Divine truth, and "to keep it" means to do it; "covenant" means conjunction thereby with the Lord; "judgments" mean the truths of doctrine from the Word; the "law" means the good of truth; "Jacob and Israel" mean the church; "to put incense in the nostrils" signifies worship from the truths of doctrine, and "to put whole burnt offering upon the altar" signifies worship from the good of love. The dispersion of falsities by truth is signified by "smiting through the loins of them that rise against him;" and the dispersion of evils by "smiting through the loins of them that hate him, that they rise not again." This is said of Levi, because Divine truth, which is the Word, can only be with those who are in the spiritual affection of truth. The spiritual affection of truth consists in loving the truth itself, and esteeming it above every good of the world, because through it man has eternal life, and the only means by which eternal life is implanted in man are truths, consequently the Word, for through the Word the Lord teaches truths. The spiritual affection of truth, which is to love truths above every good of the world, is thus described by the Lord in Matthew:

The kingdom of the heavens is like unto a man that is a merchant seeking beautiful pearls; who, when he had found one pearl of great price, going away, sold all that he had and bought it (Matthew 13:45-46);

"pearl" signifying truth. (That man has eternal life from no other source than through truths from good, which is from the Lord, see in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem 24 at the end.)

[11] That "Levi" signifies love and charity is evident from the words of his mother Leah when she bare him, which are these:

Leah conceived again and bare a son, and said, Now this time will my husband (vir) cleave unto me, because I have borne him three sons; therefore she called his name Levi (Gen. 29:34).

"She conceived again and bare a son" signifies spiritual conception and birth; "and said, Now this time will my husband (vir) cleave unto me," signifies spiritual love, that is charity, by which conjunction is effected; "because I have borne him three sons" signifies what is successive; "therefore she called his name Levi" signifies conjunction by love, and its quality. (For a further explanation of this see Arcana Coelestia 3873-3877.) "Levi" means a cleaving, and "to cleave" signifies conjunction by spiritual love. The three sons of Leah born in succession, "Reuben, Simeon, and Levi" signify in series the first and chief essentials of the church, namely, truth in the understanding, truth in the will, and truth in act; the same as the three disciples of the Lord, "Peter, James, and John," "Peter" signifying truth in the understanding, "James" truth in the will, and "John" truth in act, which is the good of life or the good of charity. In the original tongue Levi means a cleaving, which signifies conjunction through love and charity. (That this is the signification of "cleaving," see Arcana Coelestia 3875.)

[12] That "Levi" in the highest sense signifies the Lord in relation to love and mercy, is evident in Malachi:

That ye may know that I have sent this commandment unto you, that My covenant may be with Levi. My covenant with him was of life and peace; which I gave to him in fear, that he might fear Me, therefore because of My name he was dismayed. The law of truth was in his mouth, and perversity was not found in his lips; he walked with Me in peace and uprightness, and did turn many away from iniquity. The priest's lips, they shall seek the law from his mouth, for he is the messenger of Jehovah of Hosts. But ye have turned aside out of the way; ye have caused many to stumble in the law; ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi (Malachi 2:4-8).

Here "Levi" in the highest sense means the Lord in respect to His Divine Human, for it is said of Levi, that "the law of truth was in his mouth, and perversity was not found in his lips," and that "the priest's lips they shall seek the law from his mouth, for he is the messenger of Jehovah of Hosts;" therefore "the covenant of Levi" means conjunction with the Lord through love and charity; "the covenant of life and peace" signifies that conjunction; "fear," which is also predicated of Him, signifies love. "The priest's lips they shall seek the law from his mouth" signifies that all truth of doctrine is from the Lord, and is with such as are in love to Him. He is called "the messenger of Jehovah" because of the Divine truth that the Lord teaches in the Word and through the Word; "they turned aside out of the way and caused many to stumble in the law, they corrupted the covenant of Levi," signifies that the church that was among the Israelites perverted the truths of the Word and the goods of life therefrom, and thus destroyed conjunction with the Lord; "way" signifying the truths of doctrine, "law" its goods, and the "covenant of Levi" conjunction with the Lord. From this what is signified in the representative sense by Levi and his tribe can be seen, namely, the good of charity, which is the good of life, also the spiritual affection of good and truth, and in the highest sense, the Lord in relation to spiritual love.

[13] As most things in the Word have also a contrary sense, so has "Levi" and his tribe; and in this sense "Levi" signifies the evil of falsity, which is the opposite of the good of charity; also life apart from charity, consequently no charity towards the neighbor. This is signified by "Levi" in the prophecy of Israel the father respecting his sons:

Simeon and Levi are brethren; instruments of violence are their swords; into their secret let not my soul come; unto their assembly let not my glory be united; for in their anger they slew a man, and in their good pleasure they houghed an ox. Accursed be their anger, for it is strong, and their fury, for it is hard. I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel (Genesis 49:5-7).

For the explanation of this see the article above n. 443, where "Simeon" is treated of.

[14] Again, the "Levite" in the Lord's parable of the man wounded by robbers has this contrary signification; and that parable shall here be explained, because it treats of charity towards the neighbor, and because the Lord there spoke from beginning to end by correspondences, which have heretofore been unknown. In Luke:

The lawyer wishing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbor? And Jesus continuing said, A certain man was going down from Jerusalem into Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who both stripped him and smote him, and departed leaving him half dead. And by chance a certain priest was going down that way; and seeing him he passed by. And in like manner a Levite, when he was at the place, came and saw and passed by. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to him; and when he saw him he was moved with compassion, and coming near he bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and then setting him on his own beast he led him to an inn and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed he took out two denaries and gave them to the host, and said to him, Take care of him, and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come back again I will repay thee. Which now of these three seems to thee to have been a neighbor unto him that fell among the robbers? He said, He that showed mercy unto him. And Jesus said unto him, Go, and do thou likewise (Luke 10:29-37).

This treats of charity towards the neighbor, and of good works by which charity is in its effect and in its fullness.

"Jerusalem" here signifies the church where there is true doctrine, and "Jericho" the church where there are knowledges of truth and good; so the "priest" signifies those who have no love to the Lord, and the "Levite" those who have no charity towards the neighbor, such as those were who were in Jerusalem at that time; but the "Samaritan" signifies the nations that were in the good of charity; the "man going down from Jerusalem to Jericho" signifies those who wished to be instructed in the truths and knowledges of the church; the "robbers among whom he fell" signify those in the perverted church, such as the Jewish church was at that time; "they stripped him and smote him, and left him half dead," signifies that they deprived him of truths and imbued him with falsities, and thus doing injury to spiritual life to such a degree that scarcely any spiritual life remains; "to strip" signifying in the Word to deprive of truths, "to smite" signifying to injure the mind and spiritual life by falsities, and "to be half dead" signifying to be almost destitute of that life; "to be moved with compassion" signifies mercy and charity from within, mercy and charity also forming a one; "to bind up the wounds and to pour in oil and wine" signifies providing a remedy against the falsities that have injured his life, by instructing him in the good of love and the truth of faith, "oil" in the Word signifying the good of love, and "wine" the good and truth of faith; "to set him on his own beast" signifies according to his understanding so far as he was able, "horse" (in like manner as beast), signifying the understanding; "to lead him to an inn and to take care of him" signifies to lead him to those who are better instructed in the knowledges of good and truth, an "inn" being a place where foods and drinks are bought, which signify the knowledges of good and truth, thence spiritual nourishment which is communicated by instruction; "he gave to the host two denaries, and said to him, Take care of him, and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come back again I will repay thee," signifies all things of charity in the measure of his ability and capacity. From this it can now be seen what "Levi," "his tribe," and "the Levites" signify in each sense. (More respecting what is represented and thence signified by "Levi," and the tribe named from him, may be seen in Arcana Coelestia 3875-3877, 4497, 4502, 4503, 6352, 10017.)

Footnotes: