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El Caballo Blanco #1

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1. EL CABALLO BLANCO DE QUE HABLA EL APOCALIPSIS EN EL CAPÍTULO 19.

En el Apocalipsis de Juan la Palabra se describe así su sentido espiritual o interno:

“Y vi el cielo abierto, y he aquí un caballo blanco, y el que estaba montado sobre él, se llamaba Fiel y Verdadero; y en justicia juzga y combate. Y sus ojos son una llama de fuego, y sobre su cabeza hay muchas diademas, y tiene un nombre escrito, que nadie sabe, sino Él mismo. Y vestía una ropa rociada de sangre, y su nombre es “la Palabra de Dios. ” Y los ejércitos que están en el cielo le seguían montados en caballos blancos, y vestidos de lino fino, blanco y puro. Y en su vestidura y sobre su muslo tiene este nombre escrito: “Rey de Reyes y Señor de Señores” (Apocalipsis 19:11-14, 16).

Nadie puede conocer lo que significan estas cosas, sino por el sentido interno. Es evidente que todas sin excepción son representativas y significativas, como cuando se dice que “el cielo se abrió”; que había allí “un caballo blanco”; que “uno estaba montado en él”; que “juzgando y combatiendo en justicia”; que “sus ojos eran como llama de fuego”; que “en su cabeza tenía muchas diademas”; que “tenía un nombre que nadie conocía sino él”; que “estaba cubierto con un vestido manchado de sangre”; que “los ejércitos que estaban en el cielo lo seguían montados en caballos blancos”; que “estaban vestidos de lino fino, blanco y puro”; que “en su vestido y sobre su muslo tenía escrito un nombre”. Expresamente se dice que es “La Palabra”, y que el Señor que es la Palabra; porque se dice: “su nombre es llamado la Palabra de Dios”; y después “que Él tiene en su vestidura y sobre su muslo escrito: Rey de reyes, y Señor de señores. ” Por la interpretación de cada una de estas palabras aparece evidentemente está aquí descrita en su sentido espiritual o interno. Por “el cielo abierto” se representa y se significa que el sentido interno de la Palabra es visto en el cielo, y de aquí también por aquellos del mundo para quienes se abre el cielo. “El caballo blanco” representa y significa el entendimiento de la Palabra en cuanto a sus interiores; que ese es el significado del “caballo blanco” se demostrará ahora. Que “el que lo montaba” es el Señor en cuanto a la Palabra, así está manifestado en la Palabra misma, porque allí se dice “su nombre es llamado la Palabra de Dios”; y según el bien es llamado “fiel y que juzga en justicia”; y según la verdad es llamado “verdadero y que combate en justicia”; porque el Señor mismo es justicia, “sus ojos son como llama de fuego”, significa la Divina verdad procedente del Divino bien de su Divino amor. “Las muchas diademas sobre su cabeza” significan todos los bienes y todas las verdades de la fe. “Tener un nombre escrito que nadie conoce sino Él mismo” significa que la cualidad de la Palabra en el sentido interno no es vista por nadie sino por Él, y por aquellos a quienes Él la revela. “Vestido con una vestidura manchada de sangre” significa la Palabra en la letra, cuyo sentido fue violentado. “Los ejércitos de los cielos, que lo seguían montados en caballos blancos” significa los que entienden la Palabra en su sentido interior. “Vestidos de lino fino, blanco y puro” significa aquellos que tienen la verdad según el bien. Que sobre su vestido y sobre su muslo tiene un nombre escrito” significa la verdad y el bien, y su cualidad. Por estas cosas y por las que preceden, es evidente lo que está predicho, que en el último tiempo de la iglesia sería abierto el sentido espiritual o interno de la Palabra; y lo que debería acontecer allí también está escrito en los versículos 17 y 21.

“Y vi a un ángel puesto de pie en el sol el cual clamó a gran voz, diciendo a todas las aves que vuelan en medio del cielo: venid, juntaos a la cena del gran Dios, para que comáis carne de reyes, y carne de tribunos, y carne de valientes, y carne de caballos y de los que se sientas sobre ellos, y carne de los de toda clase, así libres como esclavos, así pequeños como grandes. Y vi la bestia, y a los reyes de la tierra y sus ejércitos, congregados para hacer guerra contra aquel que estaba sentado sobre el caballo blanco y contra su ejército. Y fue tomada la bestia, y con ella el falso profeta que había hecho prodigios en su presencia, con los cuales él había engañado a los que recibieron la marca de la bestia, y los que adoraban su imagen. Estos dos fueron echados vivos en el lago de fuego que arde con azufre. Y los demás fueron muertos con la espada de Aquel que estaba sentado sobre el caballo blanco, espada que salía de su boca; y todas las aves se hartaron de las carnes de ellos” (17-21).

Que tales cosas sean significadas por esas palabras no hay necesidad de mostrarse aquí, pues cada una de esas cosas fue mostrada en los Arcanos Celestiales, por ejemplo: que el Señor es la Palabra, porque Él es la Divina verdad, (ns. Arcanos Celestiales 2533, 2803, 2894, 5272, 7678). Que la Palabra es la Divina verdad (ns. 4692, 5075, 9987). Que porque el Señor es justicia, por lo tanto se dice que “El que cabalga en el caballo juzgando y combatiendo en justicia” y que el Señor es llamado “justicia” por esta razón, porque por su propio poder Él ha salvado al género humano (ns. 1813, 2025-2027, 9715, 9809, 10019, 10152). Y que la “justicia” es el mérito que pertenece al Señor solamente (ns. 9715, 9979). Que “sus ojos son como llama de fuego”, significa la Divina verdad que viene del Divino bien del Divino amor, es porque “los ojos” significan el entendimiento y la verdad de la fe (ns. 2701, 4403-4421, 4523-4534, 6923, 9051, 10569); y una “llama de fuego” significa el bien del amor (ns. 934, 4906, 5215, 6314, 6832). Que “las diademas que estaban sobre Su cabeza” significan todos los bienes y todas las verdades de la fe (ns. 114, 3858, 6335, 6640, 9863, 9865, 9868, 9873, 9905). Que “Él tenía un nombre escrito, que ninguno conocía sino Él mismo” significa que la cualidad de la Palabra en el sentido interno no es vista por ninguno, sino por Él mismo, y por aquellos a quienes Él lo revela, es, porque “un nombre” significa la cualidad de una cosa (ns. 144, 145, 1754, 1896, 2009, 2724[1-3], 3006, 3237, 3421, 6674, 9310). Que “trajeado con una vestidura salpicada de sangre” significa la Palabra en la letra, a la que se ha hecho violencia, es porque “una vestidura” significa la verdad que reviste al bien (ns. 1073, 2576, 5248, 5319, 5954, 9212, 9216, 9952, 10536) especialmente la verdad en lo último, esto es, la Palabra en la letra (ns. 5248, 6918, 9158, 9212); y porque “sangre” significa violencia a la verdad, hecha por la falsedad (ns. 374, 1005, 4735, 5476, 9127). Que “los ejércitos de los cielos seguían sobre caballos blancos”, significa los que están en el entendimiento de la Palabra en cuanto a sus interiores, es porque “Ejércitos” significan los que están en las verdades y los bienes del cielo y de la iglesia (ns. 3448, 7236, 7988, 8019). Y “un caballo” significa el entendimiento (ns. 3217, 5321, 6125, 6400, 6534, 7024, 8146, 8381). Y “blanco” significa la verdad que está en la luz del cielo; por consiguiente la verdad interior (ns. 3301, 3993, 4007, 5319). Que “vestido con lino fino, blanco y limpio” significan aquellos que están en la verdad según el bien, es porque “lino fino” o “lino” simplemente significa la verdad de origen celestial, que es la verdad según el bien (ns. 5319, 9469). Que “un nombre escrito sobre la vestidura y sobre el muslo” significa la verdad y el bien, y su cualidad, es porque una vestidura” significa la verdad, y “un nombre” cualidad, como se ha observado arriba, y “el muslo” significa el bien del amor (ns. 3021, 4277, 4280, 9961, 10488). “Rey de reyes y Señor de señores” es el Señor en cuanto a la Divina verdad y en cuanto al Divino bien; el Señor es llamado “Rey” según la Divina verdad (ns. 3009, 5068, 6148). Y es llamado “Señor” según el Divino bien (ns. 4973, 9167, 9194). De aquí aparece cuál es la cualidad de la Palabra en el sentido espiritual o interno, y que no hay en ella ninguna expresión que no signifique algo espiritual, esto es, algo perteneciente del cielo y de la iglesia.

  
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Traducido por el Dr. Calleja al español de la traducción al inglés por el Rev. John Whitehead. Transcrito y revisado por Daniel Calvo Naranjo y pelo Rev. Johnny Villanueva.

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Arcana Coelestia #3448

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3448. 'And Ahuzzath his companion, and Phicol the commander of his army' means the first and foremost features of their doctrine of faith. This is clear from the representation of 'Abimelech' as the doctrine of faith which has regard to rational concepts. Consequently 'his companion and the commander of his army' means those first and foremost things, indeed the first and foremost things of their doctrine; for 'a commander' like a prince means things that are first and foremost, 1482, 2089, and 'an army' means matters of doctrine themselves. The reason why 'an army' means matters of doctrine which are expressions of truth, that is, which are lower truths, is that by 'warfare' in the Word and by 'war' are meant those things that have to do with spiritual war and warfare, 1664, 1788, 2686. The same are also meant by weapons - by spears, shields, bows, arrows, swords, and so on, as has been shown in various places. And since they are truths or matters of doctrine through which spiritual conflicts are fought, armies therefore mean those truths or matters of doctrine, and also in the contrary sense falsities or heretical ideas.

[2] It may be seen from many places that by 'armies' or 'hosts' in the Word are meant truths or falsities, as in Daniel,

The one [little] horn of the he-goat 1 grew exceedingly towards the south, and towards the east, and towards the glorious [land]. And it grew even towards the host of heaven, and cast down to earth some of the host, and of the stars, and trampled on them. It drew itself up even towards the pence of the host. His host was set over the continual [burnt offering] on account of the transgression, and it cast down truth to the earth. I heard a holy one speaking. He said, For how long is this vision, the continual burnt offering, and the desolating transgression, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden down? Daniel 8:9-13.

'The horn that grew towards the south, the east, and the glorious [land]' is the power of falsity that springs from evil, 2832, 'the host of heaven' truths, 'the prince of the host' the Lord as regards Divine Truth. And since in the good sense 'an army' or 'a host' is truth it is said that the horn cast down to earth some of the host, and then that it cast down truth to the earth.

[3] In the same prophet,

The king of the north will raise a multitude greater than the former, and at the end of the period of years he wit surely come with a great army and with many riches. Then he will stir up his power and his heart against the king of the south with a great army. And the king of the south will engage in war with an exceedingly great and mighty army, but he will not stand. For even those who eat his food will break him, and his army will overflow, and many will fall down slain. Daniel 11:13, 25-26.

The whole of that chapter refers to war between the king of the north and the king of the south. 'The king of the north' is used to mean falsities as also is 'his army', while 'the king of the south and his army' is used to mean truths. It is prophecy concerning the vastation of the Church.

[4] In John,

I saw heaven standing open, and behold, a white horse! and He who sat on it was called faithful and true. He was clothed in a garment dyed in blood, and His armies in heaven were following Him on white horses and were clothed in linen, white and clean. I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered to make war with Him who was sitting on the horse and with His army. Revelation 19:11, 13-14, 19.

'He who sat on the white horse' stands for the Word of the Lord, or the Lord as regards the Word, 2760-2762. 'His armies which in heaven were following Him' stands for truths from the Word and so for those in heaven who possess truths. 'The beast' stands for the evils that belong to self-love, 'the kings of the earth and their armies' for falsities. Conflicts between falsity and truth are what are described here.

[5] In David,

By the word of Jehovah were the heavens made, and their host by the spirit of His mouth. Psalms 33:6.

'Their host' or the host of heaven stands for truths. Since 'an army' means truths, the children of the kingdom, and angels, by virtue of the truths which they possess, are called the host of heaven, as in Luke,

Suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God. Luke 2:13.

In David,

Bless Jehovah, all His hosts, His ministers doing His will. Psalms 103:21.

In the same author,

Praise Jehovah, all His angels, praise Him, all His hosts. Psalms 148:2.

In Isaiah,

Lift up your eyes on high and see; who created these? He who brings out their host by number; He calls them all by name. From the multitude of the powerful and of the mighty not a man will be missing. Isaiah 40:26.

In the same prophet,

It was I that made the earth and created man on it. It was I - My hands - that stretched out the heavens; and I commanded all their host. Isaiah 45:12.

Here 'the host of the heavens' stands for truths, and so for angels since angels, as has been stated, are in possession of truths.

[6] In the first Book of Kings,

I saw Jehovah sitting on His throne, and the entire host of heaven standing beside Him, on His right hand and on His left. 1 Kings 22:19

In Joel,

Jehovah gave voice before His army, for His camp is exceedingly great; for that which executes His word is uncountable. Joel 2:11.

In Zechariah,

I will pitch by My house a camp composed of an army passing through and resuming, so that the oppressor passes over them no more. Exult greatly, O daughter of Zion! Make a noise, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King comes to you. Zechariah 9:8-9.

This refers to the Coming of the Lord. 'His army' stands for Divine truths For this reason, and also because the Lord alone fights on man's behalf against hells that are constantly endeavouring to attack, the Lord is called many times in the Word Jehovah Zebaoth, God Zebaoth, the Lord Zebaoth - that is, Jehovah, God, or Lord of Hosts - as in Isaiah,

The noise of a tumult of the kingdoms of the nations gathered together! Jehovah Zebaoth is leading an army of war. Isaiah 13:4.

'The kingdoms of the nations' stands for falsities that spring from evils, 'leading an army of war' for fighting on man's behalf.

[7] Because the twelve tribes of Israel represented the Lord's heavenly kingdom, and 'tribes' as well as 'twelve' meant all things of faith in their entirety, that is, all the truths of the kingdom, 577, 2089, 2129, 2130, 3272, they were also called Jehovah's hosts, as in Exodus 7:4; 12:17, 41, 51. And commands were given to bring them out of Egypt according to their hosts, Exodus 6:26, to encamp according to their hosts, Numbers 1:52, and to divide them into hosts, Numbers 2:1- end.

[8] That truths are meant by 'armies' is also clear in Ezekiel,

Persia and Lud and Put were in your army, as your men of war; they hung the shield and helmet in you, they gave you your reputation. The sons of Arvad, and your army, were on your walls round about, and the Gammadim were in your towers. Ezekiel 27:10-11.

This refers to Tyre which means interior cognitions of good and truth, and so those who possess them, 1201, 'army' standing for truths themselves 'Lud' and 'Put' too mean those who possess cognitions, see 1163, 1164, 1166, 1195, 1231. 'The shield and helmet' describes such things as belong to spiritual conflict.

[9] As regards 'an army' or 'a host' in the contrary sense meaning falsities, this is evident in Isaiah,

It will be on that day, that Jehovah will visit the host of the height on high, and the kings of the earth on the earth. Isaiah 24:21.

Here 'the host of the height' stands for falsities that result from self-love. In Ezekiel,

I will bring you back and put hooks in your jaws, and I will bring you forth, and all your army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed perfectly, a great company with shield and buckler, all of them wielding swords. You will come from your place, from the uttermost parts of the north, you and many peoples with you, all of them riding horses, a great company, a great army. Ezekiel 38:4, 15.

This refers to Gog, who means external worship separated from internal and so made idolatrous, 1151. 'His army' stands for falsities.

[10] In Jeremiah,

I will send against Babel the archer, him who arches his bow and draws himself up in his breastplate. Do not spare the young men; utterly destroy all its host. Jeremiah 51:2-3.

'Babel' stands for worship whose external features appear holy but whose interiors are profane, 1182, 1283, 1295, 1304, 1306-1308, 1321, 1322, 1326. 'Its host' means the falsities that go with such as these, and the army of Babel in other places has the same meaning as in Jeremiah 34:1, 21; 32:2; 39:1.

In Ezekiel,

Pharaoh will see them and will comfort himself over all his multitude, Pharaoh and all his army, slain by the sword; for I will put My terror in the land of the living. Ezekiel 32:31-32.

This refers to Egypt, which means those who by means of reasonings based on facts pervert truths, 1164, 1165. 'His army', that is, Pharaoh's, stands for derivative falsities, as also does 'Pharaoh's army' in other places, as in Jeremiah 37:5, 7, 11; 46:2; Ezekiel 17:17.

In Luke,

When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its devastation is near. Luke 21:20.

This refers to the close of the age or final period of the Church when faith does not exist any longer. 'Jerusalem' - which means the Church, see 2117 - is 'surrounded by armies' when beset by falsities.

[11] From these quotations it is clear that 'the hosts of heaven', which Jews and Israelite idolaters worshipped, in the internal sense meant falsities. The second Book of Kings says of them,

They forsook all the commandments of their God and made for themselves a molten image of two calves, and made a grove, and bowed down to all the host of heaven. 2 Kings 17:16.

This refers to the Israelites. And elsewhere it is said of Manasseh that he built altars for all the host of heaven, 2 Kings 21:5, and that King Josiah brought out of the temple all the vessels made for Baal, and for the grove, and for all the host of heaven, 2 Kings 23:4. And in Jeremiah it is said that they were to spread the bones of the princes, of the priests, and of the prophets before the sun, the moon, and all the host of heaven, which they had loved and had served and had gone after, Jeremiah 8:1-2. And elsewhere,

The houses of Jerusalem and the houses of the king of Judah will be defiled, like the place of Topheth - all the houses on whose roofs they have burned incense to all the host of heaven and have poured out drink offerings to other gods. Jeremiah 19:13.

And in Zephaniah,

I will stretch out My hand against those worshipping on their roofs the host of heaven. Zephaniah 1:5.

It is the stars to which the expression 'the host of heaven' refers primarily, and by 'the stars' is meant truths, and also in the contrary sense falsities; see 1128, 1808.

Footnotes:

1. literally, The one horn of the he-goat of the she-goats i.e. the little horn that grew up out of one of four horns

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