The Bible

 

Luke 1:76

Study

       

76 And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;

Commentary

 

Explanation of Luke 1

By Rev. John Clowes M.A.

Verses 1-5. That revelation of the eternal Word made flesh is imparted to all who are in the love of truth for its own sake.

Verses 5-26. His representative as to the Word must teach the doctrine of repentance and faith in Him, the origin of which doctrine is described.

Verses 5-7. As being born from celestial good and truth.

Verses 8-18. And announced by the most high, as being instrumental in promoting purification from evils and falsities, and thus preparing mankind for the reception of good and of truth.

Verses 18-24. Nevertheless this doctrine is not admitted without doubt respecting it, the effect of which doubt is manifested in the inability to make confession of the Lord, and to preach faith in Him.

Verses 23-25. Notwithstanding however this doubt, the doctrine of repentance and faith gains confirmation, though as yet it is seen only obscurely.

Verses 26-34. It is at the same time announced from heaven, that Jehovah will come into the world, and that the Humanity, which He will assume, is the Son of god, by virtue of the Divinity from whom it came forth.

Verses 29-34. Which annunciation causes trouble and surprise, until information is given, that to that Humanity will be transferred the All of Divinity, so that in it Divinity and Humanity will be one, and in that one-ness will have rule over all things of heaven and the church.

Verses 34-36. Since the Humanity is born from the Divine Good and Divine Truth, which is Jehovah.

Verses 36-38. And preparation is made for its reception, through the doctrine of repentance and faith, which was to be taught in the church.

Verses 39-46. That on this occasion, the internal affection of good and of truth in the church is conjoined with the external, so that the productions of the latter become vivified, and the latter affection itself is made holy by virtue of it's exaltation of the former.

Verses 47-51. The former affection, at the same time, exalts the Divine Good and Divine Truth above all things, under a devout sense of the Divine mercy, which attends to the lowest concerns of man, and is ever operative in good to those who desire good.

Verses 51-54. And which assumed a Humanity, that through it the hells might be subdued, and a new church might be established, to which divine good might be imparted, and in which, truth separate from good might be rejected.

Verse 55. As had been predicted.

Verses 56-59. That for this purpose the doctrine of repentance and faith in the incarnate god is taught in the church, to the great joy of those who receive it.

Verses 59-64. The quality of which doctrine is described, as being grounded in the Divine love and mercy.

Verses 64-66. So that they, who acknowledge this quality, are enabled to make confession of the Lord, and to preach faith in Him, exciting devout adoration in all who hear them.

Verses 68-73. Because they teach from Divine truth, that Jehovah assumed a Humanity, for the purpose of effecting redemption and salvation, by conjoining Himself with His church.

Verses 73-76. And that His church, being thus purified from evils and falsities, might be reciprocally conjoined with Him, through the reception of His love and wisdom.

Verses 76-80. Therefore the doctrine of repentance and faith in the incarnate god is of Divine origin, being intended to prepare man for the reception of the Divine mercy, through the removal of all opposing principles, and through the communication of the light of Divine truth, by virtue of which the church would be delivered from the falsities of evil.

Verse 80. Which doctrine is more and more confirmed, though for a time it is received by few.

From Swedenborg's Works

 

Scriptural Confirmations #12

  
/ 101  
  

12. 10. Thou shalt call His name Jesus, He shall save the people from their sins (Matthew 1:21).

The wise men came to adore the infant Jesus, and that He would be born in Bethlehem according to Micah 5:1 (Matthew 2:1-6).

The wise men adored Him and brought Him gifts (Matthew 2:11).

Jesus said to John, It becometh us so to fulfil all the justice of God (Matthew 3:15).

Jesus said to the devil who was tempting, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God; and again, Thou shalt adore the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve (Matthew 4:7, 10).

A ruler came and adored Jesus (Matthew 9:18).

He that receiveth Me receiveth Him that sent Me (Matthew 10:40).

All things are delivered unto Me by my Father, wherefore come ye all unto Me (Matthew 11:27-28).

They that were in the ship adored Jesus, saying, Of a truth Thou art the Son of God (Matthew 14:33). A woman of Canaan (Matthew 15:25), the disciples (Luke 24:52), a blind man (John 9:38), adored Him.

Multitudes glorified the God of Israel (Matthew 15:31). There is one Rabbi and one Master, that is, He teaches what is good and true (Matthew 23:8,10).

Of the sign of the coming of the Lord and of the consummation of the age (Matthew 24:1 to end).

Then shall there be wars and rumor, and they will say, I am the Christ; false prophets shall arise and seduce many; signifies the heresies in the first times, which were many (Matthew 24:5-14).

The women, running to Jesus, adored Him (Matthew 28:9).

He said, All power is given unto Me in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18; Psalms 8:6-7).

  
/ 101  
  

Thanks to the Swedenborg Foundation for their permission to use this translation.