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Ezekiel 38

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1 At ang salita ng Panginoon ay dumating sa akin, na nagsasabi,

2 Anak ng tao, iharap mo ang iyong mukha sa dako ni Gog, sa lupain ng Magog, na prinsipe sa Ros, sa Mesech, at sa Tubal, at manghula ka laban sa kaniya,

3 At iyong sabihin, ganito ang sabi ng Panginoong Dios: Narito, ako'y laban sa iyo, Oh Gog, na pangulo sa Ros, sa Mesech, at sa Tubal:

4 At aking ipipihit ka sa palibot, at kakawitan ko ng mga pangbingwit ang iyong mga panga, at ilalabas kita, at ang iyong buong kawal, mga kabayo at mga mangangabayo, na nasusuutan silang lahat ng buong kasakbatan, na malaking pulutong na may longki at kalasag, silang lahat ay nangagtatangan ng mga tabak:

5 Ang Persia, ang Cus, at ang Phut ay kasama nila; silang lahat na may kalasag at turbante;

6 Ang Gomer at ang lahat niyang mga pulutong; ang sangbahayan ni Togarma sa mga pinakahuling bahagi ng hilagaan, at lahat niyang mga pulutong; maraming bayan na kasama mo.

7 Humanda ka, oo, humanda ka, ikaw, at ang lahat ng iyong mga pulutong na napisan ko sa iyo, at maging bantay ka sa kanila.

8 Pagkatapos ng maraming araw ay dadalawin ka: sa mga huling taon ay papasok ka sa lupain na ibinalik na mula sa paghabol ng tabak na napisan mula sa maraming bayan, sa mga bundok ng Israel, na naging laging giba; nguni't nalabas sa mga bayan, at sila'y magsisitahang tiwasay, silang lahat.

9 At ikaw ay sasampa, ikaw ay darating na parang bagyo, ikaw ay magiging parang ulap na tatakip sa lupain, ikaw, at ang lahat mong mga pulutong, at ang maraming tao na kasama mo.

10 Ganito ang sabi ng Panginoong Dios: Mangyayari sa araw na yaon, na mga bagay ay darating sa iyong pagiisip, at ikaw ay magpapanukala ng masamang panukala:

11 At iyong sasabihin, Ako'y sasampa sa lupaing may mga nayong walang kuta; sasampahin ko sila na nasa katahimikan, na nagsisitahang tiwasay, silang lahat na nagsisitahang walang kuta, at wala kahit mga halang o mga pintuang-bayan man;

12 Upang kumuha ng samsam, at upang kumuha ng huli; upang ibalik ang iyong kamay laban sa mga gibang dako na tinatahanan ngayon, at laban sa bayan na napisan mula sa mga bansa, na nagtangkilik ng mga hayop at mga pag-aari, na nagsisitahan sa gitna ng lupa.

13 Ang Seba, at ang Dedan, at ang mga mangangalakal sa Tarsis, sangpu ng lahat ng batang leon niyaon, ay magsasabi sa iyo, Naparito ka baga upang kumuha ng samsam? pinisan mo baga ang iyong pulutong upang kumuha ng samsam? upang magdala ng pilak at ginto, upang magdala ng mga hayop at mga pag-aari, upang kumuha ng malaking samsam?

14 Kaya't, anak ng tao, ikaw ay manghula, at sabihin mo kay Gog, Ganito ang sabi ng Panginoong Dios: Sa araw na ang aking bayang Israel ay tatahang tiwasay, hindi mo baga malalaman?

15 At ikaw ay darating na mula sa iyong dako, mula sa mga kahulihulihang bahagi ng hilagaan, ikaw, at ang maraming tao na kasama mo, silang lahat na nangakasakay sa mga kabayo, malaking pulutong at makapangyarihang hukbo;

16 At ikaw ay sasampa laban sa aking bayang Israel, na parang ulap na tatakip sa lupain: mangyayari sa mga huling araw, na dadalhin kita laban sa aking lupain, upang makilala ako ng mga bansa, pagka ako'y aariing banal sa iyo, Oh Gog, sa harap ng kanilang mga mata.

17 Ganito ang sabi ng Panginoong Dios: Ikaw baga yaong aking sinalita nang una sa pamamagitan ng aking mga lingkod na mga propeta ng Israel, na nagsipanghula nang mga araw na yaon, ng tungkol sa malaong panahon, na aking dadalhin ka laban sa kanila?

18 At mangyayari sa araw na yaon, pagka si Gog ay paroroon laban sa lupain ng Israel, sabi ng Panginoong Dios, na ang aking kapusukan ay sasampa sa aking mga butas ng ilong.

19 Sapagka't sa aking paninibugho at sa sigalbo ng aking poot ay nagsalita ako, Tunay na sa araw na yaon ay magkakaroon ng malaking panginginig sa lupain ng Israel;

20 Na anopa't ang mga isda sa dagat, at ang mga ibon sa himpapawid, at ang mga hayop sa parang, at lahat na nagsisiusad na bagay na nagsisiusad sa ibabaw ng lupa, at lahat ng tao na nangasa ibabaw ng lupa, magsisipanginig sa aking harapan, at ang mga bundok ay mangaguguho at ang mga matarik na dako ay mangabababa, at bawa't kuta ay mangababagsak sa lupa.

21 At aking tatawagin sa lahat ng aking mga bundok ang tabak laban sa kaniya, sabi ng Panginoong Dios: ang tabak ng bawa't lalake ay magiging laban sa kaniyang kapatid.

22 At ako'y makikipaglaban sa kaniya sa pamamagitan ng salot at ng dugo; at pauulanan ko siya, at ang kaniyang mga pulutong, at ang maraming bayan na kasama niya, ng napakalakas na ulan, at ng mga malaking granizo, ng apoy, at ng azufre.

23 At ako'y pakikitang dakila at banal, at ako'y pakikilala sa harap ng mga mata ng maraming bansa; at kanilang malalaman na ako ang Panginoon.

   

From Swedenborg's Works

 

Arcana Coelestia #3355

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3355. In the internal sense 'an earthquake' is an alteration of the state of the Church. This is clear from the meaning of 'the earth' as the Church, dealt with in 566, 662, 1066, 1068, 1262, 1733, 1850, 2117, 2118, 2928, and from the meaning of 'a quake' as an alteration of state, here an alteration as regards the things that constitute the Church, namely good and truth. This is also evident from other places in the Word, as in Isaiah,

It will happen, that he who is fleeing from the sound of the terror will fall into the pit, and he who is climbing out of the middle of the pit will be caught in the snare, for the floodgates from on high have been opened and the foundations of the earth have been made to tremble, the earth has been utterly shattered. The earth has been made to quake thoroughly, the earth staggers like a drunken man, it sways to and fro like a hut, and heavy upon it is its transgression, and it will fall and not rise again. And it will be on that day, that Jehovah will visit the host of the height on high and the kings of the ground on the ground. Isaiah 24:18-21.

Here it is quite evident that 'the earth' is the Church, for the subject is a Church whose 'foundations' are said to 'have been made to tremble', while the Church itself, having been 'shattered' and 'made to quake', 'staggers' and 'sways to and fro' when good and truth are not known any longer. 'The kings of the ground' are truths, in this case falsities, upon which visitation will take place. As regards 'kings' meaning truths and in the contrary sense falsities, see 1672, 2015, and as regards 'the ground' being similar in meaning to 'the earth', namely the Church, though there is a difference, see 566, 1068.

[2] In the same prophet,

I will make a man (homo) more rare than pure gold, and a man (homo) than the gold of Ophir. Therefore I will make heaven quake and the earth will quake out of its place, at the wrath of Jehovah Zebaoth and in the day of His fierce anger. Isaiah 13:12-13.

Here also, the subject being Judgement Day, 'the earth' plainly stands for the Church which is said to 'quake out of its place' when it undergoes a change of state - 'place' meaning state, see 1273-1275, 1377, 2625, 2837. In the same prophet,

Is this the man who, making the earth quake, making the kingdoms quake, makes the world into a wilderness and destroys its cities? Isaiah 14:16-17.

This refers to Lucifer. 'The earth' stands for the Church, which is said 'to quake' when it lays claim to all things as its own. For 'kingdoms' means the truths accepted by the Church, see 1672, 2547.

[3] In Ezekiel,

It will be on that day, that Gog will come over the land of Israel. My wrath will come up in My anger and in My zeal. In the fire of My wrath I will say, Surely on that day there will be a great earthquake on Israel's ground. Ezekiel 38:18-20.

'Gog' stands for external worship that has been separated from internal and so made idolatrous, 1151. 'Israel's land' or 'ground' stands for the spiritual Church, 'an earthquake' for an alteration of its state. In Joel,

The earth quaked before Him, the heavens trembled. The sun and the moon were darkened, and the stars withdrew their shining. Joel 2:10.

This also refers to Judgement Day. 'The earth quaked' stands for an altered state of the Church, 'the sun and moon' for the good of love and the truth of faith, 1529, 1530, 2441, 2495, which are said to be 'darkened' when goods and truths are not acknowledged any longer. 'The stars' stands for cognitions of good and truth, 2495, 2849. In David,

The earth trembled and quaked, and the foundations of the mountains shook and trembled because He was angered. Psalms 18:6-7.

'The earth trembled and quaked' stands for the Church when its state has become perverted.

[4] In John,

When he opened the sixth seal I looked again, and behold, a great earthquake took place, and the sun became black as sackcloth made of hair, and the full moon became like blood, and the stars in the sky fell to the earth. Revelation 6:12-13.

Here 'an earthquake', 'the sun', 'the moon', and 'the stars' have a similar meaning to that which they have above in Joel. In the same book,

At that hour a great earthquake took place, and a tenth part of the city fell, and there were killed in the earthquake seven thousand people. 1 Revelation 11:13.

From all these places it is evident that 'an earthquake' means nothing other than an alteration of the state of the Church, and that 'the earth' has no other meaning in the internal sense than the Church. And since 'the earth' is the Church it is clear that 'the new heaven and the new earth' which are to take the place of the previous heaven and earth, Isaiah 65:17; 66:22; Revelation 21:1, means nothing other than a new Church, internal and external, 1733, 1850, 2117, 2118 (end).

Footnotes:

1. literally, seven thousand names of people

  
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Thanks to the Swedenborg Society for the permission to use this translation.

From Swedenborg's Works

 

Arcana Coelestia #566

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566. 'The face 1 of the ground' means the whole of that area where the Church was. This is clear from the meaning of 'the ground', for in the Word a careful distinction is made between ground (humus) and land or earth (terra). Whenever 'ground' is used it means the Church or some aspect of the Church. This too is the derivation of the name Man or Adam, which means ground. But when 'land' or earth' occurs in the Word it frequently means where the Church or some aspect of the Church does not exist, as in Chapter 1 where the word 'land' alone is used, because the Church or regenerate person did not as yet exist. Not until Chapter 2 is the word 'ground' used because the Church has by now come into being. The same applies in the present verse and in verses 4, 23, of the next chapter, where it is said that every being was to be wiped off the face 1 of the ground, meaning within that area where the Church was; and in verse 7 of the next chapter, where the subject is the Church that is to be created, 'to keep their seed alive on the face 1 of the ground'. 2 The same applies elsewhere in the Word, as in Isaiah,

Jehovah will have compassion on Jacob, and will still choose Israel, and will set them on their own ground. And the peoples will take them and bring them to their place, and the house of Israel will inherit them on Jehovah's ground. Isaiah 14:1-2.

This refers to the Church once it has come into being; but when in the same chapter the Church does not exist it is called the land, verses 9, 12, 16, 20, 21, 25, 26.

[2] In the same prophet,

And the ground of Judah will be a terror to Egypt. On that day there will be five cities in the land of Egypt which speak the language 3 of Canaan. Isaiah 19:17-18.

Here 'the ground' means where the Church exists, and 'the land' where it does not. In the same prophet,

The land will surely stagger like a drunken man. Jehovah will visit the host of the height on high, and the kings of the ground on the ground. Isaiah 24:20-21.

Here the meaning is similar. In Jeremiah,

Because of the ground which was cracked since there was no rain on the land, the farmers were put to shame, and covered their heads. Even the hind in the field has calved. Jeremiah 14:4-5.

Here 'the land' stands for that which includes the ground, and 'the ground' for that which includes the field.

[3] In the same prophet,

He led the seed of the house of Israel out of the north land and out of all the lands to where I have driven them. And they will dwell on their own ground. Jeremiah 23:8.

Here 'land' and 'lands' mean where Churches do not exist, 'the ground' where the Church or true worship does exist. In the same prophet,

I will render the remnants of Jerusalem, those who are left in this land, and those who are dwelling in the land of Egypt, and I will render them as a horror for evil to all the kingdoms of the land. And I will send sword, famine, and pestilence upon them, until they are consumed from the ground which I gave to them and their fathers. Jeremiah 24:8-10.

'The ground' stands for doctrine and worship arising out of it. And something similar is found in 25:5 of the same book.

[4] In Ezekiel,

I will gather you out of the lands into which you have been scattered. And you will acknowledge that I am Jehovah when I bring you back to the ground of Israel, into the land which I lifted up My hand to give to your fathers. Ezekiel 20:41-42.

'The ground' stands for internal worship. It is called 'the land' when internal worship does not exist. In Malachi,

I will rebuke the devourer for you, and he will not ruin for you the fruit of the ground, nor will the vine in the field fail you. And all the nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land of that which is pleasing. Malachi 3:11-12.

Here 'land' stands for that which includes, and so plainly stands for man who is actually called 'the land', when 'ground' stands for the Church or doctrine.

[5] In Moses,

Sing, O Nations, His people. He will reconcile His ground, His people. Deuteronomy 32:43.

This clearly stands for the Church of the gentiles, which is called 'the ground'. In Isaiah,

Before the boy knows to refuse evil and to choose good, the ground will be deserted which you loathe in the presence of its two kings. Isaiah 7:16.

This refers to the Coming of the Lord. 'The ground will be deserted' stands for the Church or true doctrine of faith. The words 'ground 'and 'field' are clearly used in this way because they are places that are sown, as in Isaiah,

He will give rain for your seed with which you may sow the ground. Oxen and young asses tilling the ground . . . Isaiah 30:23-24.

And in Joel,

The field has been laid waste, and the ground has been mourning because the corn has been laid waste. Joel 1:10.

From these quotations it is now clear that 'man', who in Hebrew is called Adam from the word for ground, means the Church.

Footnotes:

1. literally, faces

2. The Hebrew in Genesis 7:3 in fact means earth or land. cf 722 below.

3. literally, lip.

  
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Thanks to the Swedenborg Society for the permission to use this translation.