640. "Yes," says the Spirit, "that they may rest from their labors." This symbolically means that the Word's Divine truth teaches that people who therefore afflict their soul and crucify their flesh will have peace in the Lord.

"Yes," says the Spirit means symbolically that the Word's Divine truth teaches (nos. 87, 104). That they may rest means symbolically that they will have peace in the Lord. Peace means a resting of the soul from being attacked by evils and falsities, thus by hell, as was the case previously. Labors means labors of the soul, which are to afflict and crucify its flesh and to undergo temptations or trials. Therefore their resting from their labors means symbolically that people who afflict their soul and crucify their flesh in the world for the Lord's sake and for the sake of eternal life will have peace in the Lord. For the Lord says,

...in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation. (John 16:33)

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. (John 14:27)

Such an affliction is meant by labor in the following places:

He shall see by the labor of His soul, and be satisfied...(and) shall justify many... (Isaiah 53:11).

...Jehovah... saw our affliction and our labor and our oppression. (Deuteronomy 26:7)

They shall not labor in vain, nor bring forth children in terror. (Isaiah 65:23)

I know... your labor, and your patience..., but you have endured, have patience, and have labored for My name's sake... (Revelation 2:2-3)