Apocalypse Explained #599
599. Verse 2. And he had in his hand a little book opened, signifies the Word laid open. This is evident from the signification of "a little book opened," as being the Word laid open. It can be seen that this is what is meant by "the little book opened," since "the strong angel coming down out of heaven, who had in his hand a little book," represented the Lord as to the Word, and in fact, as to its ultimate sense, which is called the sense of the letter (See above, n. 593); and because the Word was laid open both to angels and men it is said "a little book opened."
Isaiah 9:19-21
19
Through the wrath of the LORD of hosts is the land darkened, and the people shall be as the fuel of the fire: no man shall spare his brother.
20
And he shall snatch on the right hand, and be hungry; and he shall eat on the left hand, and they shall not be satisfied: they shall eat every man the flesh of his own arm:
21
Manasseh, Ephraim; and Ephraim, Manasseh: and they together shall be against Judah. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
