Commentary

 

Resurrection, the first

  

'The first resurrection,' mentioned in Revelation 20:5, 6, does not mean a first resurrection, but the essence and primary part of resurrection, which is salvation and eternal life. There is only one resurrection to life. A second does not happen, and is not mentioned anywhere in the Bible.

(References: Apocalypse Explained 6; Apocalypse Revealed 851; Revelation 20:5-6)

From Swedenborg's Works

 

Arcana Coelestia #5327

Study this Passage

  
/ 10837  
  

5327. 'And without you shall no man lift up his hand' means that all power in the spiritual was received from the celestial of the spiritual. This is clear from the meaning of 'hand' as power, dealt with in 878, 3387, 4931-4937, 5296. Consequently 'no man lifting up his hand without you' means that they had no power at all except from this, thus that all power rested with this, that is to say, with the celestial of the spiritual. As regards power in the spiritual being meant by 'hand', this will be seen in the next paragraph.

  
/ 10837  
  

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