Apocalypse Explained #494
494. And the smoke of the incenses with the prayers of the saints ascended out of the angel's hand before God.- That this signifies the conjunction of all with the Lord, is plain from the signification of the smoke of the incenses, as denoting the truths of spiritual good, of which we shall speak presently; and from the signification of the prayers of the saints, as denoting truths from good with those who are to be separated from the evil, and saved (see above, n. 493); and from the signification of this angel, as denoting heaven, as explained above (n. 490); therefore, out of the angel's hand denotes through the medium of heaven; and from the signification of "before God," as denoting to be conjoined with the Lord (see above, n. 462, 477, 488). By the smoke of the incenses with the prayers of the saints, which ascended out of the angel's hand before God, is therefore signified the conjunction of all with the Lord, effected through the medium of heaven. The smoke of the incenses signifies truths from spiritual good, because the frankincense from which the smoke proceeded signified spiritual good, and the fire with which the frankincense was kindled signified celestial good; therefore the smoke ascending from the incenses signifies truth from good, for all truth proceeds from good. On this account, smoke became representative, and the smoke of incense, which was agreeable from its fragrance and sweet smell, was representative of truth from good; for fragrance and a sweet smell signified that which was agreeable and acceptable, as may be seen above (n. 324). The signification of smoke in Moses is similar:
The sons of Levi "shall put smoke to thy nose, and a burnt-offering upon thine altar" (Deuteronomy 33:10).
The sons of Levi mean those who are in the truths of spiritual good, and those truths are signified by smoke [of incense], and celestial good is signified by the burnt sacrifice. The smoke of the incenses is also called a cloud of incense (Ezekiel 8:11). Hence also smoke, in the opposite sense, signifies falsity from evil; as in Isaiah (chap. 34:10; Joel 2:30; Nahum 2:13; Psalm 18:8, 37:20); because the fire which gives rise to that smoke signifies the evil of love.
Isaiah 34
1
Come near, you nations, to hear! Listen, you peoples. Let the earth and all it contains hear; the world, and everything that comes from it.
2
For Yahweh is enraged against all the nations, and angry with all their armies. He has utterly destroyed them. He has given them over for slaughter.
3
Their slain will also be cast out, and the stench of their dead bodies will come up; and the mountains will melt in their blood.
4
All of the army of the sky will be dissolved. The sky will be rolled up like a scroll, and all its armies will fade away, as a leaf fades from off a vine or a fig tree.
5
For my sword has drunk its fill in the sky. Behold, it will come down on Edom, and on the people of my curse, for judgment.
6
Yahweh's sword is filled with blood. It is covered with fat, with the blood of lambs and goats, with the fat of the kidneys of rams; for Yahweh has a sacrifice in Bozrah, And a great slaughter in the land of Edom.
7
The wild oxen will come down with them, and the young bulls with the mighty bulls; and their land will be drunken with blood, and their dust made greasy with fat.
8
For Yahweh has a day of vengeance, a year of recompense for the cause of Zion.
9
Its streams will be turned into pitch, its dust into sulfur, And its land will become burning pitch.
10
It won't be quenched night nor day. Its smoke will go up forever. From generation to generation, it will lie waste. No one will pass through it forever and ever.
11
But the pelican and the porcupine will possess it. The owl and the raven will dwell in it. He will stretch the line of confusion over it, and the plumb line of emptiness.
12
They shall call its nobles to the kingdom, but none shall be there; and all its princes shall be nothing.
13
Thorns will come up in its palaces, nettles and thistles in its fortresses; and it will be a habitation of jackals, a court for ostriches.
14
The wild animals of the desert will meet with the wolves, and the wild goat will cry to his fellow. Yes, the night creature shall settle there, and shall find herself a place of rest.
15
The arrow snake will make her nest there, and lay, hatch, and gather under her shade. Yes, the kites will be gathered there, every one with her mate.
16
Search in the book of Yahweh, and read: not one of these will be missing. none will lack her mate. For my mouth has commanded, and his Spirit has gathered them.
17
He has cast the lot for them, and his hand has divided it to them with a measuring line. They shall possess it forever. From generation to generation they will dwell in it.
