THE EXPLANATION of Isaiah Chapter 14

(Note: Rev. Smithson's translation of the Isaiah text is appended below the explanation)

1. FOR Jehovah will have mercy on Jacob, and will again choose Israel; and He will place them in their own land: and the sojourner shall be joined unto them, and they shall cleave unto the house of Jacob.

VERSE 1. Jehovah will have mercy on Jacob, etc. - The Lord's love is pure rnercy towards the whole human race, which is of such a nature as to be desirous to save all, to make them eternally happy, and to bestow on them all things appertaining to itself; thus out of pure mercy to draw all, who are willing to follow, to heaven, - that is, to itself, by the powerful attraction of love. Arcana Coelestia 1735.

And will again choose Israel. - The chosen or the elect are those who are in the life of Good and Truth. (A. O. 3755.) It is surprising that anyone should at all believe that the Jewish nation was chosen [for salvation] in preference to others. Hence also it comes to pass that many confirm themselves in this belief, that the life is of no account, but that election is everything, and that consequently reception into heaven is of mercy alone, without any regard to the life, when yet everyone from sound reason is enabled to see that to think so is to think against the Divine Being, for He is Mercy itself; wherefore if heaven was of mercy, without regard to the life, all would be received into heaven, whatsoever might be their numbers; to cast down anyone in to hell, when yet he might be received into heaven, would be unmercifulness and not mercy, and to choose one in preference to another, would be injustice and not justice. Wherefore they who have believed, and who have confirmed themselves in the belief, that some are chosen and the rest not chosen, and that admission into heaven is merely out of mercy, without any regard to the life, are told, as I have also occasionally heard and seen, that heaven is in no case denied by the Lord to any one, and that if they desire it, they may know it from experience. Wherefore they are elevated into some society of heaven inhabited by those who have spent their life in the affection of good or in charity; but when they come thither, inasmuch as they are evil, they begin to be tormented and inwardly tortured, because their life is contrary, and when heavenly light appears, they appear in that light as devils, almost without the human form. Arcana Coelestia 5057.

[The Jews were said to be "chosen" or " elect", because they were chosen by the Lord to represent a church, not that they were chosen above all others for salvation, but to be types of a church established to represent the means and the process by which salvation is attained. It is chiefly from not making this distinction that the great error of predestination and of unconditional election has been so extensively believed.]

The sojourner shall be joined unto them, "Sojourners" denote those who are instructed in the Truth and Good of the church, and who receive those principles and live according to them. Arcana Coelestia 8007, 8013, 9196.

They shall cleave unto the house of Jacob. - That to "cleave to" or to adhere, signifies, in the proximate interior sense, conj unction, is evident without explanation. That to "cleave to", in the internal sense, is charity, is evident from this, that charity, or what is the same thing, mutual love, is spiritual conjunction; for it is a conjunction of affections which are of the will, and hence an agreement of thoughts which are of the understanding, thus a conjunction of minds as to both parts. Thus to "cleave unto the house of Jacob", signifies to bein the good of charity, in which those are who are signified by the "house of Jacob." Arcana Coelestia 3875.

Verses 1 - 25. Jehovah will have mercy on Jacob, etc. - All these things are said concerning Babel, and not concerning any devil who was created an angel of light, and from his primaeval state was called "the son of the morning", but becoming a devil was cast into hell. That Babel is here described appears from verses 4 and 22 of this chapter, where "Babel" and "the king of Babel" are mentioned, for it is said, "You shalt declare this parable concerning the king of Babel"; and afterwards, "I will cut off from Babel the name and the remnant." It is to be observed that by a "king", in the Word, is signified the same as by his "kingdom." The reason why Babel is called "Lucifer, the son of the morning", is, because, as was said above, "Babel" in the beginning is the church, which is in zeal for the Lord, for the good of love, and for the truths of faith, although inwardly in the zeal of her pastors there lies concealed a fire of the love of ruling, by the holy things of the church, over all whom they can subject to themselves; hence it is that Babel is called "Lucifer, the son of the morning"; for the same reason he is also called "the king of kings, into whose hand are given all things; and also the head of the statue which was gold"; (Dan. 2:37, 38) likewise, also, "the tree in the midst of the earth, great in height." (Dan. 4:10, 20)

Babel in its beginning is also understood by "the lion which had the wings of an eagle, and which afterwards appeared as a man, and a man's heart was given unto it"; (Dan. 7:4) and is called "the ornament of the kingdoms, and the glory of the magnificence of the Chaldeans"; (Isaiah Isaiah 13:19) it is also mentioned amongst "those that know Jehovah." (Psalm 87:4)

Now whereas by "Babel", in its beginning, is signified such a church, therefore the king of Babel is here called "Lucifer, the son of the rnorning"; "Lucifer", from the light of truth in which that church then is, and "son of the morning" [aurora], from the first beginning of light or of day, for the aurora or "morning dawn" is the church in its beginning. But still in that chapter is described that church as to its state in the end, when "Babylon became a harlot", (Apoc, xvii.] which is the state thereof when there is no longer any Good of love nor any Truth of faith remaining; this its state is what is understood by the destruction and condemnation thereof to hell. Their destruction, spoken of in the Word, is no other than that after death those are cast down into hell who have arrogated to themselves a divine power, and have exercised it, and for that end have held the people of the earth in dense darkness or blindness, and in idolatrous worship, especially those who have led men away from the worship of the Lord.

Inasmuch as these are the things which are described in that chapter, the passages which have been thence- adduced shall be briefly explained. "Jehovah shall have mercy upon Jacob, and shall yet choose Israel, to place them in their own land", signifies the New Church to be established by the Lord: after the end of "Babylon." "In that day you shalt declare this parable concerning the king of Babel, and shalt say, How has the oppressor ceased! the lust [or exactress] of gold ceased!" signifies liberation from the spiritual captivity and servitude, in which they were who were under the dominion of that church. "Jehovah has broken the staff of the wicked, the sceptre of the rulers", signifies that they have no longer any power by truths from good, because they are in mere falsities from evil; such is their impotence in the spiritual world. "The whole earth is at rest, it is quiet; they burst forth into singing; even the fir-trees rejoice over you, the cedars of Lebanon, saying, Since you art fallen, no feller has come up against us", signifies that they who are in the knowledges of good and truth, will no longer be infested by them; the "land or earth" is the New Church, which will be "quiet" from them; the "fir-trees and the cedars of Lebanon" are the knowledges of good and truth in the external and in the internal sense; "the feller not coming upon them" denotes no more infestation. "Hell from beneath is moved because of you to meet you at your coming : he rouseth for you the Rephaim, all the powerful ones of the earth; he makes to rise up from their thrones all the kings of the nations", signifies the delight of revenge of those who are in hell. "All of them shall answer and shall say unto you, Art you, even you become weak as we? art you made like unto us? Is then your magnificence brought down to hell; the sound of your viols?" signifies that the delight is from the consideration that it is become like to them, and in like manner in the falsities of evil. "How art you fallen from heaven, 0 Lucifer, son of the morning! how art you cut down to the earth, you that didst weaken the nations!" signifies scorning or mockery on account of its being such, although in the beginning it was in heaven, because in the good of love and in the truths of faith; these things are said by those who are in hell, because nothing is more delightful to those who are there than to draw any one down from heaven, and to destroy him by the falsities of evil. "For you didst say in your heart, I will ascend the heavens; above the stars of God I will exalt my throne: and I will sit upon the mount of the assembly, all the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the Most High", are also words of scorn or mockery upon the pride of their dominion, that still they reach to heaven and arrogate to themselves divine power, and thereby subject all things of heaven and all things of the church to their own will, in order that they may be worshipped and adored as gods; the "mount of the assembly, on the sides of the north", denotes where there is ascent into the heavens; "above the stars, and above the heights of the clouds", denotes over divine Truth; "stars" denoting the knowledges of good and truth, and the "heights of the clouds", the interior truths of the Word.

"But you shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit; those that see you shall look attentively at you; they shall consider you, [saying] Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that shook the kingdoms; that made the world like a desert; that destroyed the cities thereof?" is a continuation of the scorning of those who are in hell, and also of the glorying thence tbat it is east down from heaven; the "sides of the pit" are the places in hell where are mere falsities of evil; by "the earth, the kingdoms, and the world", is signified the church, and by " cities" are signified doctrinals. "You art cast out of the sepulchre like an abominable shoot, like the raiment of those that are slain, thrust through with the sword; like them that go down to the stones of the pit; like a trodden carcass", signifies the state of their condemnation; the garment of those that are slain, thrust through with the sword, and the trodden carcass", signify the condemnation of the profanation of truth. "You shalt not be joined unto them in the sepulchre, because you have destroyed your land, you have slain your people; the seed of evil-doers shall not be named for ever", signifies more grievous condemnation than of the rest, on account of having extinguished all things of the church. "Prepare you slaughter for his sons, for the iniquity of their fathers; that they may not rise, and possess the land, and fill the face of the world with cities", signifies the destruction of them for ever, "I will cut off from Babel the name and the remnant, and the son and the nephew", signifies total destruction, because they have no longer anything of Good and of Truth. "I will make it an inheritance for the bittern, and stagnant pools of waters: and I will sweep it with the besom of destruction", signifies the infernal false by the destruction of truth. To "break Ashur or the Assyrian in My land, and to trample him on My mountains", signifies that in the New Ohurch there shall not exist any ratiocinations from falsities against truths and goods. Besides what has been here adduced, the things contained in this chapter may be seen more particularly explained in other parts of this work [adduced below], as Apocalypse Explained 215, 223, 304, 331, 386, 405, 539, 589, 594, 608, 659, 687, 697, 724, 727, 730, 741, 768, 811. Apocalypse Explained 1029.

BABYLON BABEL LUCIFER, A DESCRIPTION OF MODERN BABYLON.

As to Babylon in modern times, or as manifested in the Christian church at the present day, the merely natural man confirms himself against the Divine Providence, because in many kingdoms where the Christian religion is received, there are some who claim to themselves Divine power, and desire to be worshipped as gods; and because they invoke dead men. They say, indeed, that they have not arrogated to themselves divine power, and that they do not desire to be worshipped as gods; but yet they say that they can open and shut heaven, and remit and retain sins, consequently can save and condemn men, which is the prerogative of Divinity itself; for the Divine Providence has nothing for its end but the reformation and thereby the salvation of mankind. This is its continual operation with everyone; and salvation cannot be effected except by an acknowledgement of the Lord's Divinity, and confidence that it is wrought by Him, when a man lives according to His commandments. Who cannot see that this is the "Babylon" described in the Revelation, and the "Babel" treated of in many parts of the Prophets? That this also is meant by "Lucifer" in Isaiah xiv., is evident from the 4th and 22nd verses of that chapter, in which are the following words :

"You shalt take up this proverb against the king of Babel"; (verse 4.) and afterwards, " I will cut off from Babel the name and remnant"; (verse 22.) from which it is evident that Babel is there signified by "Lucifer", of whom it is said "How art you fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! For you didst say in your heart, I will ascend the heavens; above the stars of God I will exalt my throne: and I will sit upon the mount of the assembly, on the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the Most High. (Isaiah 14:12-14)

That they invoke dead men, and pray to them for succour, is well known. It is affirmed that they invoke them, because the invocation of them is established by a papal, bull, confirming the decree of the Council of Trent, in which it is openly said that, they are to be invoked: yet who does not know that God alone ought to be invoked, and not any dead man? But it shall now be stated why the Lord has permitted such things. That He has permitted them for a certain end, which is salvation, cannot be denied; for it is well known that without the Lord there is no salvation. This being the case, there was a necessity that the Lord should be preached from the Word, and the Christian church; thereby established; but this could not be effected except by leaders who should act with zeal; and there were no others qualified, than such as were heated, as it were, with zeal, from the fire of self-love. This fire first excited them to preach the Lord and teach the Word;, and from this their primitive state it is, that Lucifer is called "the son of the morning." (verse 12.) But as they came to see that they should be able to obtain dominion by means of the holy things of the Word and the church, self-love, by which they were first excited to preach the Lord, broke out from within, and at length exalted itself to such a height, that they transferred all the divine power of the Lord to themselves, not leaving Him any. This could not be prevented by the Divine Providence of the Lord; for had it been prevented, they would have proclaimed the Lord not to be God, and the Word not to be sacred, and would have become Socinians or Arians, and thus have destroyed the whole church; which, whatever may be the character of its rulers, still remains among the people who are under them. For all those of that religion also, who approach the Lord, and shun evils as sins, are saved; for which reason there are many heavenly societies from them in the spiritual world; and it is also provided that there should be among them a nation which has not submitted to the yoke of such a dominion, and which considers the Word as sacred. This is the noble French nation. [In Swedenborg's time the Jansenists, who advocated the reading of the Word, and who resisted the Bull Unigenitus, prevailed in France; but now the Jesuits are predominant in that country.] But what was the consequence? When self-love which is "Lucifer", had exalted its dominion even unto the throne of the Lord, had removed Him thence, and placed itself upon it, it could not do otherwise" than profane all things appertaining to the Word and the church; and to prevent this, the Lord so ordered it of His Divine Providence, that those who were under its influence should depart from the worship of Him, invoke dead men, pray to their images, kiss their bones, prostrate themselves at their sepulchres, forbid the Word to be read, place the sanctity of divine worship in masses not understood by the vulgar, and sell salvation for money; because, if they had not done these things, they would have profaned the holy things of the Word and the church; for, as was shown in the preceding paragraph, none can profane things sacred but those who are acquainted with them. Therefore, that they may not profane the most Holy Supper, it is of the Divine Providence of the Lord that they should divide it, giving the bread to the people, and drinking the wine themselves; for the "wine" in the Holy Supper signifies holy Truth, and the "bread", holy Good; but when they are divided, the "wine" signifies Truth profaned, and the "bread", Good adulterated. It is provided, also, that they should [by the dogma of transubstantiation] make it corporeal and material, and account this doctrine to be a primary tenet of religion. He, who attends to these particulars, and considers them in some illumination of mind, may see the wonderful operation of the Divine Providence, in guarding the holy things of the church, and saving all who are capable of being saved, snatching as it were out of the fire those who will suffer themselves to be snatched away. Divine Providence 257.

2. And the peoples shall take them, and bring them into their own place; and the house of Israel shall possess them in the land of Jehovah, as servants, and as handmaids: and they shall take them captive, whose captives they were; and they shall rule over their oppressors.

3. And it shall be in that day, when Jehovah shall have given you rest from thine affliction, and from your fear, and from the hard bondage with which you wast made to serve,

4. That you shalt give utterance to this parable upon the king of Babel, and shalt say, How has the oppressor ceased! the exactress of gold ceased!

Verse 2. The peoples shall take them, and shall bring them into their own place, etc. Treating of the bringing back of the sons of Israel, by whom are understood the nations. That they who secluded others from truths and seduced them by falsities, are secluded from truths and seduced by falsities themselves, is signified by "they shall take them captive, whose captives they were; and they shall rule over their exactors or oppressors." Apocalypse Explained 811.

As servants, and as handmaids. - When the intellectual principle is a "mistress", the affection of sciences and of knowledges, which is of the exterior man, is a "handmaid." (Arcana Coelestia 1895)

Things rational and scientific are " men-servants"; and their affections are" handmaids." Arcana Coelestia 2567.

5. Jehovah has broken the staff of the wicked, the sceptre of the rulers.

Verse 5. Jehovah has broken the staff of the wicked, the rod [or sceptre]of the rulers. - Whereas a "rod" and a "staff" signify the power of divine Truth, and thence divine Truth as to power; therefore they also signify, in the opposite sense, the power of the infernal false, and thence the infernal false as to power; in this sense they are mentioned in the above words.

By "breaking the staff of the wicked" is signified to destroy the power of the false from evil; and by "breaking the rod [or sceptre] of the rulers" is signified the rule of the false. And in David "The staff of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the just; that the just may not put forth their hands to iniquity." (Psalm 125:3)

The "staff of the wicked" signifies the power of the false from evil; "upon the lot of the just", signifies over truths from good, which are with the faithful, and especially with those who are in love to the Lord, for these, in the Word, are called the "just"; "lest the just put forth their hands to iniquity", signifies lest they falsify truths. Apocalypse Explained 727.

6. He that smote the peoples in wrath, with a stroke not curable; he that ruled the nations in anger, is persecuted, and none hindereth.

Verse 6. He smote the peoples with a stroke not curable, etc. - In this passage "peoples" denote those who are against the truths of the spiritual church, thus who are ill falsities; and "nations", those who are against the goods of the celestial church, thus who are in evils. These things are also signified by the "peoples" and "nations" who were driven out of the land of Canaan. Apocalypse Explained 331.

7. The whole earth is at rest, it is quiet: they burst forth into singing.

8. Even the fir-trees rejoice over you, the cedars of Lebanon, [saying] Since you art fallen, no feller has come up against us.

9. Hell from beneath is moved because of you to meet you at your coming: he rouseth for you the Rephaim, all the powerful ones of the earth: he makes to rise up from their thrones all the kings of the nations.

10. All of them shall answer and shall say unto you, Art you, even you, become weak as we? art you made like unto us ?

11. Is then your magnificence brought down to hell; the sound of your viols? is the worm become your couch, and the earth-worm your covering?

Verses 7, 9, 16, 17, 20, 21, 25. The whole earth is at rest, it is quiet; - hell rouseth for you the Rephaim, all-the powerful ones of the earth, etc. - These things are said concerning the "king of Babel", by whom is signified the destruction of Truth through the love of ruling over heaven and earth, to which love of rule the truths of the Word, or the things appertaining to the church, are made subservient as means. In this passage the condemnation of such is treated of. "The Rephaim whom hell rouseth", are those who are in a direful persuasion of the false, and are thence called "tho powerful ones of the earth." "To make the earth tremble, to shake kingdoms, to make the world a desert, and to destroy the cities thereof", signifies to pervert all things appertaining to the church; the "land" and the "world" denoting the church, the "kingdoms", the truths which constitute it, and the "cities", all things of doctrine. Hence it is evident what is signified by "you have destroyed your land, you have slain your people."

By "Ashur who shall be broken in the land, and be trampled upon the mountains", is signified ratiocinations from falsities against truths; to be "broken" is to be dissipated, and to be "trampled" is to be altogether destroyed; the "mountains " upon which this is done, signify where the Good of love and charity reigns, for there, or with those who are there, all ratiocination from falsities is dissipated or destroyed. Apocalypse Explained 304.

12. How art you fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art you cut down to the earth, you that didst weaken the nations!

Verses 12, 17, 21. How art you fallen from heaven, O Lucifer! that made the world like a desert, etc. - By "Lucifer" is here understood Babel, where all the truth of the doctrine appertaining to the church was either falsified or annihilated; by "the world which he made like a desert, and the cities thereof which he destroyed", are signified the church and its doctrinals. "Prepare you slaughter for his sons, that they may not rise", signifies that its falsities may be destroyed; and "lest they possess the land, and fill the face of the world with cities", signifies that they may not establish a church [such as Babel] and its doctrines. Apocalypse Explained 223. See also 607, 741.

Son of the morning [dawn]. - For the signification of the "dawn" or the aurora, see Chapter 8:20, the Exposition.

13. For you didst say in your heart, I will ascend the heavens; above the stars of God I will exalt my throne: and I will sit upon the mount of the assembly, on the sides of the north:

Verse 13. For you [Lucifer] didst say in your heart, I will ascend the heavens, above the stars, etc.. By "Lucifer" is understood Babel, as is evident from what precedes and from what follows in that chapter. His love of ruling over heaven and the church is described by his saying, "I will ascend the heavens; above the stars of God I will exalt my throne"; whereby is understood the affectation of dominion over those heavens which constitute the spiritual kingdom of the Lord, for truths and the knowledges of truth with them appear as "stars."

By " I will sit upon the mount of the assembly, on the sides of the north", is signified the affectation of dominion over the heavens which constitute the celestial kingdom of the Lord; for "the mount of the assembly" and "the sides of the north" denote the goods and truths in those heavens, as was said above. Inasmuch as the mountain of Zion and of Jerusalem was built as much as possible according to the form of heaven, it may appear what is signified by the words adduced from David, "The mountain of Zion, the sides of the north, the city of the great King." (Psalm 48:2) Apocalypse Explained 405. See also Arcana Coelestia 3387.

4. I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the Most High.

15. But you shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.

16. Those that see you shall look attentively at you; they shall consider you, [saying] Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that shook the kingdoms;

17. That made the world like a desert; that destroyed the cities thereof; that dismissed not his captives to their home?

18. All the kings of the nations, all of them, lie down in glory, each in his own house:

19. But you art cast out of the sepulchre, like an abominable shoot; like the raiment of those that are slain, thrust through with the sword; like them that go down to the stones of the pit; like a trodden carcase.

Verses 14, 15. I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; but you shalt be brought down to hell, etc. - By "Babel " are understood those who in externals are holy but in internals profane, thus those who employ the holy things of the church as means by which they may be adored as gods. All those do this who endeavour, by means of the holy things of the church, to procure dignities and wealth above others as the ends and objects of their life. With such persons it is similar in the other life; they there also in their hearts deny the Divine Being, and by wicked arts strive to make themselves gods. They place themselves [in the world of spirits] high up on the mountains, and proclaim a certain one from amongst them as a god, and also worship him. But when they are in that profane worship, the mountain opens itself into a gulf, and they are swallowed up, and are thus cast down into hell. That this is the case, it has sometimes been given me to see. Arcana Coelestia 10412.

20. You shalt not be joined unto them in the sepulchre, because you have destroyed your land, you have slain your people: the seed of evil-doers shall not be named for ever.

Verses 19, 20. You art cast out of the sepulchre, like an abominable shoot, etc. - Those things are said concerning the "king of Babel", by whom is signified the profanation of divine Truth; wherefore by "you art cast out of the sepulchre", is signified condemnation to hell; "like an abominable shoot, like the raiment of the slain, thrust through with the sword", signifies the falsification of Truth, and the profanation thereof; an "abominable shoot" denoting Truth falsified, and "the raiment of the slain, thrust through with the sword", Truth adulterated and altogether destroyed by dire falsities; "like them that go down to the stones of the pit, like a trodden carcase", signifies to the hell where are the falsities of evil; a "trodden carcase" denoting the infernal spirit with whom everything is spiritually dead, by reason of Good being altogether destroyed. "You shalt not be joined unto them in the sepulchre", signifies no consociation with those who rise again to life, for to be "laid in the sepulchre", or to be "buried", signifies that resurrection, and, on the other hand, to be "cast out of the sepulchre", signifies condemnation. Since "to be buried" and "burial" signify resurrection to life and also regeneration, therefore by "not being buried", and by "being cast out of the graves" (Jeremiah 8:1, 2), is signified non-resurrection to heaven, and non-regeneration, but resurrection to hell and consequent damnation, as may be proved from many passages in the Word, "You have destroyed your land, you have slain your people", signifies the destruction of the church, and of those therein who were in truths from good, by the falsities of evil:

"the seed of evil-doers shall not be named for ever", signifies eternal dissociation and separation. Apocalypse Explained 659. See also Arcana Coelestia 6767, 8902.

"The seed of evil-doers shall not be named for ever", signifies that the dire false of evil [signified by Babel] shall not rise again. Apocalypse Explained 768.

21. Prepare you slaughter for his sons, for the iniquity of their fathers; that they may not rise, and possess the land, and fill the face of the world with cities.

22. For I will rise up against them, says Jehovah of Hosts: and I will cut off from Babel the name, and the remnant; and the son, and the nephew, says Jehovah.

23. And I will make it an inheritance for the bittern, and stagnant pools of water: and I will sweep it with the besom of destruction, says Jehovah of Hosts.

Verses 21-23. Prepare you slaughter for his sons; - 1 will cut off from Babel the name and the remnant, and I will sweep it with the besom of destruction, etc. - The subject here treated of is concerning the total devastation of Truth amongst those who are understood by Babel. That truths are entirely destroyed amongst them by the adulteration of the Word, is signified by "Prepare you slaughter for his sons that they may not rise and possess the land, and fill the face of the world with cities"; by "land" is understood the church in which are truths, and by "cities" are understood doctrinals from mere falsities. That all truths from first principles to ultimates will perish, is signified by "the name and the remnant, the son and the nephew, being cut off from Babel"; and nothing whatever of Truth will remain, is signified by its being "swept with the besom of destruction. It is to be observed that by "sons", in the passage above adduced, are signified those who are in truths, or those who are in falsities; but whereas-the spiritual sense of the Word has not anything In common with persons, therefore in that sense by "sons" are signified truths and falsities abstracted from the idea of person. The reason why the spiritual sense is of such a quality, is because the idea of person confines the thought and the extension thereof into heaven in every direction; for all thought which proceeds from the affection of truth, makes its way through heaven on all sides, nor is it terminated except as light into shade; but when person is at the same time thought of, then the idea is terminated where the person is, and therewith also intelligence. This is the reason why by "sons", in the spiritual sense, are signified truths or falsities abstractedly. Apocalypse Explained 724.

24. Jehovah of Hosts has sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it be; and what I have purposed, that shall stand:

Verse. 24. Jehovah God or the Lord never swears, for it is not suitable to God Himself, or the Divine Truth, to swear; but when God, or the Divine Truth, wills to have anything confirmed before men then that confirmation, in its descent to the natural sphere, falls into an oath, or into the form of an oath, as used in the world. Hence it is evident that although God never swears, yet in the literal sense: of the Word, which is the natural sense, it may be said that He swears. This therefore is what is signified by "swearing", when predicated of Jehovah or the Lord, in this and in other passages. Apocalypse Explained 608.

25. To break the Assyrian in My land, and to trample him on My mountains: then shall his yoke depart from off them, and his burden shall depart from off their shoulder.

26. This is the purpose which is determined on the whole earth: and this the hand which is stretched out over, all the nations.

27. For Jehovah of Hosts has purposed, and who shall disannul it? and it is His hand that is stretched out, and who shall turn it back?

28. In the year in which Ahaz the king died was this burden [or prophecy].

Verse 25. To break the Assyrian in My land, etc. - See above, Chapter 10:24, 26, the Exposition.

Verses 26, 27. The hand stretched out, etc. - See above, Chapter 5:25, the Exposition.

Verse 28. The burden [or prophecy] concerning Philistia. - . Those who are in Faith separated from Charity, are represented in the Word by the "Philistines." In the Word, by the names of nations and people, also of persons and places, are signified things relating to the church; the church itself by "Israel" and "Judah", because it was established among them, and various religious persuasions are signified by the nations and people round about them; the religious persuasions which accord with the Truth, are signified by the good nations, and those which do not accord with the Truth, by the wicked nations. There are two evil religious persuasions into which every church degenerates in process of time: the one consists in adulterating its Goods, and the other in falsifying its Truths. That which adulterates the Goods of the church, derives its origin from the love of rule; and the other, which falsifies the Truths of the church, derives its origin from the pride of self-derived intelligence. The religious persuasion which takes its origin from the love of rule, is meant in the Word by "Babylon"; and that which takes its origin from the pride of self-derived intelligence, is meant in the Word by "Philistia." It is well known who those of Babylon are at this day; but it is not known who those of Pliilistia are. Those are of "Philistia" [in a bad sense], who are in faith and not in charity.

That those are of "Philistia" who are in faith and not in charity, may appear from various things which are said of them in the Word, when understood in the spiritual sense; as well from their disputes with the servants of Abraham and Isaac, as recorded in Genesis xxi. and xxvi., as from their wars with the children of Israel, related in the book of Judges, and in the books of Samuel and of Kings; for all the "wars" described in the Word, involve and signify, in the spiritual sense, spiritual wars. And because this religious persuasion, which consists in faith separated from charity, continually desires to invade the church, therefore the Philistines remained in the land of Canaan, and frequently infested the children of Israel.

Because the "Philistines" represented those who are in faith separated from charity, therefore they were called the uncircumcised, and by the "uncircumcised" are meant those who are without spiritual love, and thence are only in natural love. Spiritual love is charity. The reason why these are called the uncircumcised, is, because by the "circumcised" are meant those who are in spiritual love. That the "Philistines" are called the uncircumcised, may be seen, 1 Samuel 17:20, 36; 2 Samuel 1:20; and in other places.

That those who are in faith separated from charity were represented by the "Philistines", is manifest not only from their wars with the children of Israel, but also from many other circumstances which are recorded of them in the Word: as from those which are related of Dagon their idol; as of the hemorrhoids and mice with which they were smitten and infested for placing the ark in the temple of their idol; and from the other things which occurred at the same time, and are mentioned, 1 Samuel 5, 6: likewise from the history of Goliath, who was a Philistine, and was slain by David, as related, 1 Samuel 17. For "Dagon", their idol, was above like a man, and below like a fish, by which was represented their religion, which by reason of faith, was as it were spiritual, but, from having no charity, was merely natural. By the "emerods", or hemorrhoids, with which they were smitten, were signified their filthy loves. By the "mice" with which they were infested, was signified the devastation of the church by falsifications of the Truth. And by "Goliath", who was slain by David, was represented the pride of their self-derived intelligence.

That those who are in faith separated from charity were represented by the "Philistines", appears also from the prophetic parts of the Word, where they are treated of; as from these following,

In Jeremiah -

"Against the Philistines; - Behold, waters rise up out of the north, and shall be an overflowing flood, and shall overflow the land, and all that is therein; the city, and them that dwell therein; so that the men shall cry, and every inhabitant of the land shall howl. Jehovah shall spoil [vastate] all the Philistines." (Jeremiah 47:1, 2, 4)

"Waters rising out of the north" are falsities from hell; "which shall be an overflowing flood, and shall overflow the land, and all that is therein", signifies the devastation by them of all things of the church; the city, and them that dwell therein, signifies the devastation of all its truths of doctrine; "so that the men shall cry, and every inhabitant of the earth shall howl", signifies a want of all truth and goodness in the church; "Jehovah shall spoil [vastate] all the Philistines", signifies their destruction.

In Isaiah -

"Rejoice not, you whole Philistia, that the rod of him that smites you is broken: for from the root of the serpent shall come forth a basilisk, and his fruit shall be a fiery flying serpent." (Isaiah 14:29)

"Rejoice not, you whole Philistia", signifies, let not them who are in faith separated from charity rejoice that they still remain; "for from the root of the serpent shall come forth a basilisk", signifies that from the pride of self-derived, intelligence will proceed the destruction of all truth among them; "and his fruit shall be a a fiery flying serpent, signifies reasonings from false principles originating in evil, against the truths and goods of the church.

That by "circumcision" is represented purification from the evils of love merely natural, appears from these passages:

"Circumcise yourselves to Jehovah, and take away the foreskins. of your heart, lest My fury come forth, because of the evil of your doings, (Jeremiah 4:4)

"Circumcise the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiff necked." (Deuteronomy 10:16)

To "circumcise the heart", or the "foreskin of the heart", is to purify themselves from evils. Hence, on the contrary, by the "uncircumcised" are meant those who are not purified from the evils of love merely natural, thus who are not in charity. And because the unclean at heart is meant by the "uncircumcised", it is said "No stranger that is uncircumcised in heart, or uncircumcised in flesh, shall enter into My sanctuary." (Ezekiel 44:9)

"None that is uncircumcised shall eat the passover." (Exodus 12:48)

And that such are condemned, is declared in Ezekiel 28:10; 31:18; 32:19. Divine Providence 49-54.

29. Rejoice not, you whole Philistia, that the rod of him that smites you is broken: for from the root of the serpent shall come forth a basilisk, and his fruit shall be a fiery flying serpent.

30. And the first-born of the poor shall feed, and the needy shall lie down in safety: but I will kill your root with famine; and your remnant he will slay.

Verses 29, 30. The subject here treated of is concerning those who believe the interior sight alone, appertaining to the natural man, to be faith, and that by such sight or faith they are justified and saved, thus denying that the good of charity is of any efficacy: such persons are understood by the "Philistines", and a company of them by "Philistia", as may be seen, Arcana Coelestia 3412, 3413. That this false principle, which is faith alone, or faith separated from charity, destroys all the Good and Truth of the church, is understood by its being said, "from the root of the serpent shall come forth a basilisk"; the "root of the serpent" denoting that false principle, and the "basilisk" denoting the destruction of the Good and Truth of the church thereby; that hence there arises ratiocination from mere falsities, is understood by "his fruit shall be a fiery flying serpent"; a "fiery flying serpent" denoting ratiocination from falsities. The deprivation of all Truth, and thence of all Good, is understood by "I will kill your root with famine, and your remnant he will slay"; "famine" denoting deprivation of Truth and Good, and "remains" things which are hatched from that principle. That such things are here signified, has also been made evident to me from much experience; they who have confirmed themselves in the doctrine concerning faith alone, both in doctrine and in life, appear in the spiritual world as "basilisks", and their reasonings as "fiery flying serpents." Apocalypse Explained 386.

From the root of the serpent shall come forth a basilisk, and his fruit shall be a fiery flying serpent. - By a "fiery flying serpent" is meant evil shining from infernal fire: the same as is meant by the "fiery flying serpent" in Isaiah 14:29. Such an evil flies in the church when there is faith in momentaneous salvation from immediate mercy; for thereby:

1. Religion is abolished;

2. Security is induced; and

3. Condemnation is imputed to the Lord.

As to what concerns the First, that thereby religion is abolished; there are two essentials and at the same time universals of religion, an acknowledgement of a God, and repentance. These two essentials are useless to those who think to be saved barely from mercy, without regard to their lives; for what need have they of anything more than to say "God have mercy upon me "? As to everything else appertaining to religion, they are in the dark, indeed they love darkness. Of the first essential of the church, which is an acknowledgement of God, they only think, "What is God? Who ever saw Him ?" If it is affirmed that there is a God, and that He is one, they assent that He is one; if it is affirmed that there are three, they also say that there are three, but that these three are to be called one. This is their acknowledgement of God. Of the other essential of the church, which is repentance, they think nothing at all, and consequently. nothing of sin, and at length do not know that there is such a thing as sin. They then hear, and imbibe it with pleasure, that the law does not condemn, because, a Christian is not under its yoke. If you only say, "God have mercy upon me for Your Son's sake", you will be saved. This is repentance of life with them, But remove repentance, or what amounts to the same, separate life from religion, and what remains but the words, "Have mercy upon me "? Hence it is that they cannot conceive otherwise but that salvation is effected in a moment by means of those words, if not before, yet at the hour of death. In such case, what is the Word to them but like an obscure and enigmatic voice uttered from a tripod in a cave? or like an unintelligible response from the oracle of an idol? In a word, if you remove repentance, that is, separate life from religion, what else is a man but evil shining from infernal fire, or a "fiery flying serpent" - in the church? for without repentance, a man is in evil and evil is hell.

Secondly, That by faith in momentaneous salvation from pure mercy alone, security of life is induced. Security of life arises either from the belief of the impious that there is no life after death, or from the belief of those who separate life from salvation. A person of the latter description, although he believe in eternal life, still thinks, "Whether I live well, or live ill, I can be saved, because salvation is pure mercy, and the mercy of God is universal, and He wills not the death of anyone." If haply a thought occurs that mercy is to be implored by a form of words agreeable to the commonly received faith, he may think that this, if not before, can be done at the hour of death. Every man that is in such a state of security, makes light of adulteries, frauds, injustice, violence, blasphemies, and revenge; and gives a loose to his flesh and his spirit in the commission of all these evils. Nor does he know what spiritual evil is, and its concupiscences. If he hears anything thereof out of the Word, may be compared to something falling upon ebony and rebounding, or to something which falls into a ditch and is swallowed up.

Thirdly, That by such a faith. condemnation is imputed to the Lord. Who but must conclude, that if he is not saved, it is not the man's fault, but the Lord's, when everyone can be saved from pure mercy? If it be affirmed that faith is the means of salvation, he will urge, "What man is there to whom such faith may not be given, as it only consists in thought, which can be infused in every state of the spirit abstracted from worldly things, even with confidence?" He may further urge, "I cannot take it of myself; if therefore it is not given, and a man is condemned, what else can the condemned think, but that it is the Lord's fault, who could save him and would not?" And would not this be to call the Lord unmerciful ? Besides, in the warmth of his faith, he may ask, "Why can the Lord see so many condemned in hell, when He is nevertheless able to save all in a moment from a principle of pure mercy ?"-not to mention other suggestions of a similar nature, which can be called nothing but impious impeachments of the Divinity. Hence then it may appear that faith in momentaneous salvation from pure mercy, is the "fiery flying serpent" in the church. Divine Providence 340.

Verses 29-32. Rejoice not, you whole Philistia, etc. - "Philistia" is here described, which signifies the church, or those in the church, who are indeed in truths from the literal sense of the Word, or from revelation, and yet in filthy loves; whence their truths do not live, and the truths which do not live are turned into falsities, when they are brought from the exterior thought, which is the thought next to the speech, into the interior thought, which is of the understanding, and are there considered as to their origin, which they who are understood by the "Philistines" cannot see. The reason why they cannot see, is; because every man, even a wicked man, has the faculty of understanding, but not good of will, which is good of life, for this arises from love to God, and from love towards the neighbour, and these loves are what cause that faculty to communicate with heaven and thence to receive illustration. In these verses, therefore, are described those who are In truths without good, and that all the truths with them are turned into falsities. The spiritual sense therefore is as follows:

"Rejoice not, you whole Philistia, that the rod of him that smites you is broken", signifies that they should not rejoice on account of its being permitted them to remain in their heresy by reason of the fewness of those who are in truths from good. "For from the root of the serpent shall come forth a basilisk", signifies that from the sensual man will arise a dogma destructive of all truth; the "Root of the serpent" denoting the sensual principle, which is the ultimate of the life of man, and the "basilisk" denoting the destruction of all truth;. "and his fruit shall be a fiery flying serpent", signifies, from which is produced a faith separate from charity; this is understood by a "fiery flying serpent", because by reasonings and by confirmations derived from things revealed, but not understood, it flies upwards, and thereby kills the things which are living. The same is therefore signified by the "basilisk" as by the "dragon", which is also called a "serpent", and the same by the "fiery flying serpent" as by the "beasts ascending out of the sea and out of the earth" which are treated of in the 13th chapter of the Apocalypse. Then "the first-born of the poor shall feed, and the needy shall lie down in safety", signifies that when that dogma is received by those who are natural and sensual men, and believe themselves to be more wise than others, then truths derived from good with those who desire truth and who will good, shall live; the "first-born " in the Word denoting truths born from good, the "poor" those who are not in truths but still desire them, and the "needy" those who are not in goods, but who still in heart will them. "But I will kill your root with famine, signifies that all truths, from first to last, with those who are in faith alone, will perish by falsities. "Howl, O gate! cry out, O city! signifies that neither will entrance be given to any truth, and that the doctrine will be composed of mere falsities; "gate" denoting entrance to the truths of doctrine, and "city" denotIng doctrine. "O Philistia, you art altogether dissolved, "signifies the destruction of that church by mere falsities; "for from the north cometh a smoke" signifies that all the false from evil will break in from hell; the "north" denoting hell, and "smoke" the false of evil, "and there is not a solitary one among his assemblies", signifies that there shall not be one truth remaining amongst their knowledges. "What answer dhall be given to the messengers of the nation?" signifies the illustration of those who are in the good of life from love to the Lord. "That Jehovah has founded Zion", signifies that a church shall be established from them; "and that in her the miserable of His people shall find refuge", signifies that they who are not in self-wisdom, and who overcome in temptations against those falsities, shall have intelligence and salvation. Apocalypse Explained 817. See also Arcana Coelestia 5897.

31. Howl, O gate! cry out, O city! O Philistia, you art altogether dissolved: for from the north cometh a smoke; and there is not a solitary one among his assemblies.

32. And what answer shall be given to the messengers of the nation? That Jehovah has founded Zion; and that in her the miserable of His people shall find refuge.

Verse 31. Howl, O gate! cry out, O city! O Philistia, you art altogether dissolved; for from the north cometh a smoke, etc. - By "gate" is signified the introductory truth of the church; by "city", doctrine; by "Philistia", faith. Hence by "Howl, O gate! cry out, O city! O Philistia, you art altogether dissolved", is signified the devastation of the church as to the truth of doctrine, and thence as to faith; by the "north" is signified the hell where and whence are the falsities of doctrine, and the falsities of faith; and by the "smoke", those falsities; hence by the "smoke coming out of the north", is signified the false devastating from the hells. Apocalypse Explained 539.

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Isaiah Chapter 14

1. FOR Jehovah will have mercy on Jacob, and will again choose Israel; and He will place them in their own land: and the sojourner shall be joined unto them, and they shall cleave unto the house of Jacob.

2. And the peoples shall take them, and bring them into their own place; and the house of Israel shall possess them in the land of Jehovah, as servants, and as handmaids: and they shall take them captive, whose captives they were; and they shall rule over their oppressors.

3. And it shall be in that day, when Jehovah shall have given you rest from thine affliction, and from your fear, and from the hard bondage with which you wast made to serve,

4. That you shalt give utterance to this parable upon the king of Babel, and shalt say, How has the oppressor ceased! the exactress of gold ceased!

5. Jehovah has broken the staff of the wicked, the sceptre of the rulers.

6. He that smote the peoples in wrath, with a stroke not curable; he that ruled the nations in anger, is persecuted, and none hindereth.

7. The whole earth is at rest, it is quiet: they burst forth into singing.

8. Even the fir-trees rejoice over you, the cedars of Lebanon, [saying] Since you art fallen, no feller has come up against us.

9. Hell from beneath is moved because of you to meet you at your coming: he rouseth for you the Rephaim, all the powerful ones of the earth: he makes to rise up from their thrones all the kings of the nations.

10. All of them shall answer and shall say unto you, Art you, even you, become weak as we? art you made like unto us ?

11. Is then your magnificence brought down to hell; the sound of your viols? is the worm become your couch, and the earth-worm your covering?

12. How art you fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art you cut down to the earth, you that didst weaken the nations!

13. For you didst say in your heart, I will ascend the heavens; above the stars of God I will exalt my throne: and I will sit upon the mount of the assembly, on the sides of the north:

14. I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the Most High.

15. But you shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.

16. Those that see you shall look attentively at you; they shall consider you, [saying] Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that shook the kingdoms;

17. That made the world like a desert; that destroyed the cities thereof; that dismissed not his captives to their home?

18. All the kings of the nations, all of them, lie down in glory, each in his own house:

19. But you art cast out of the sepulchre, like an abominable shoot; like the raiment of those that are slain, thrust through with the sword; like them that go down to the stones of the pit; like a trodden carcase.

20. You shalt not be joined unto them in the sepulchre, because you have destroyed your land, you have slain your people: the seed of evil-doers shall not be named for ever.

21. Prepare you slaughter for his sons, for the iniquity of their fathers; that they may not rise, and possess the land, and fill the face of the world with cities.

22. For I will rise up against them, says Jehovah of Hosts: and I will cut off from Babel the name, and the remnant; and the son, and the nephew, says Jehovah.

23. And I will make it an inheritance for the bittern, and stagnant pools of water: and I will sweep it with the besom of destruction, says Jehovah of Hosts.

24. Jehovah of Hosts has sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it be; and what I have purposed, that shall stand:

25. To break the Assyrian in My land, and to trample him on My mountains: then shall his yoke depart from off them, and his burden shall depart from off their shoulder.

26. This is the purpose which is determined on the whole earth: and this the hand which is stretched out over, all the nations.

27. For Jehovah of Hosts has purposed, and who shall disannul it? and it is His hand that is stretched out, and who shall turn it back?

28. In the year in which Ahaz the king died was this burden [or prophecy].

29. Rejoice not, you whole Philistia, that the rod of him that smites you is broken: for from the root of the serpent shall come forth a basilisk, and his fruit shall be a fiery flying serpent.

30. And the first-born of the poor shall feed, and the needy shall lie down in safety: but I will kill your root with famine; and your remnant he will slay.

31. Howl, O gate! cry out, O city! O Philistia, you art altogether dissolved: for from the north cometh a smoke; and there is not a solitary one among his assemblies.

32. And what answer shall be given to the messengers of the nation? That Jehovah has founded Zion; and that in her the miserable of His people shall find refuge.

811. That "captivity" signifies in the Word spiritual captivity, which is a shutting out from Divine truths, that is, from the understanding of them in the Word, also destruction by the falsities of evil and by the evils of falsity, can be seen from passages in the Word where "captivity" is mentioned; as in the following. In Luke:

They shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led captive among all nations; and Jerusalem shall finally be trampled down (Luke 21:24).

This chapter treats of the consummation of the age, which means the last time of the church, when there is no longer any truth remaining. "To fall by the edge of the sword" at that time signifies the destruction of truth by falsities; "sword" signifying the combat of falsity against truth, and also the destruction of truth by falsities. "They shall be led captive among all nations" signifies persuasions and thence obsessions by evils of every kind; for when truths have been destroyed not only do falsities succeed in their place, but evils also. "All nations" signify evils of every kind; "Jerusalem shall be trampled down" signifies a complete destruction and perversion of the doctrine of the church; "Jerusalem" signifying the church in respect to doctrine, and "to be trampled down" signifying to be wholly destroyed, which is done chiefly by falsifications and adulterations of the Word.

[2] In Ezekiel:

They shall be led captive among the nations, and the altars shall be laid waste, and the idols shall be broken, and the slain shall fall in the midst of you (Ezekiel 6:1-10).

"The altars being laid waste" signifies that all worship from the good of love shall perish; "the idols becoming broken" signifies that all worship from the truths of that good shall perish; and "the slain shall fall in the midst of you" signifies that they shall perish by falsities, "to be slain by the sword" signifying this.

[3] In Lamentations:

Hear, all ye people, and behold my grief; my virgins and my young men have gone into captivity (Lamentations 1:18).

This is a lamentation over the devastation of all truth in the church; this lamentation is described by "Hear, all ye people, and behold my grief;" that all the affection of truth has been destroyed is signified by "my virgins have gone into captivity," a "virgin" signifying the affection of truth; and that all understanding of truth has been destroyed is signified by "my young men have gone into captivity," "young men" signifying the understanding of truth and intelligence.

[4] In Amos:

If they have gone into captivity before their adversaries, thence do I command the sword that it may slay them (Amos 9:4).

"If they have gone into captivity before their adversaries" signifies, if they have suffered evils to take possession of them; "adversaries" meaning evils, and "to go into captivity" meaning to be possessed by them. "Thence do I command the sword that it may slay them" signifies that falsities will shut them out from the understanding of truths, and will destroy them.

[5] In David:

God abandoned the habitation of Shiloh, the tent He inhabited among men; and He gave His strength into captivity, and His splendor into the hand of the adversary (Psalms 78:60, 61).

"The habitation of Shiloh" signifies the church that is in the good of love, and the "tent" signifies the church that is in the truths of doctrine; thence it is clear what is signified by "God abandoned the habitation of Shiloh, the tent He inhabited among men," namely, that the goods of love and the truths of doctrine have been destroyed. The "strength" that He gave into captivity signifies spiritual truth from celestial good; and "to give into captivity" signifies to shut out from an understanding of it, and thus destruction by falsities; and the "splendor that He gave into the hand of the adversary" signifies natural truth from spiritual; this is signified by "splendor;" and its destruction by evils is signified by "being given into the hand of the adversary."

[6] In Ezekiel:

The prophet was commanded to remove out of the place, and to bring out the vessels of removal through the wall before their eyes, to bring them out in the darkness, and to cover his face that he see not the earth; and say, I am your prodigy; like as I have done, so shall it be done to them; they shall go into exile, into captivity (Ezekiel 12:1-12).

By this the prophet represented the state of the church at that time, that there were no longer any truths remaining that had not been destroyed by falsities. For all the prophets represented the church in respect to doctrine from the Word. "To remove out of the place," and "to bring out the vessels of removal through the wall in darkness, and to cover his face that he see not the earth," represented that all the truths of doctrine from the Word had been cast out; "to remove out of the place" signifies rejection; "vessels of removal" signify the truths of doctrine; the "wall" through which he brought them out signifies the ultimate, which encompasses and defends truths (the ultimate of doctrine being the sense of the letter of the Word, which is called a "wall" because it contains and includes the spiritual sense); the "darkness" in which he was to bring them out signifies falsities; "to cover his face that he see not the earth" signifies that truths of good are no longer seen in the church. Because the prophet represented these things it is said, "like as I have done, so shall it be done to them; they shall go into exile and into captivity." Thence it is clear that "to go into exile" signifies the dispersion of truth, and "to go into captivity" signifies to be possessed by falsities.

[7] In Habakkuk:

I will raise up the Chaldeans, a nation that marcheth into the breadths of the land; it shall gather captivity like the sand; it shall mock at kings and rulers shall be a derision unto it (Habakkuk 1:6, 9, 10).

"The Chaldeans" signify those who destroy the truths of the church; "the breadths of the land" signify the truths of the church; that they will destroy all truths by falsities is signified by "it shall gather captivity like the sand;" that the truths and goods of the Word will be derided and blasphemed is signified by "that nation shall mock at kings, and rulers shall be a derision unto it," "kings" signifying the truths of the Word, and "rulers" its goods.

[8] In Jeremiah:

Nebuchadnezzar shall come and shall smite the land of Egypt, they who are for death to death, they who are for captivity to captivity, they who are for the sword to the sword; and I will kindle a fire in the houses of Egypt that he may burn them up, and carry them away captive; finally he shall array himself with the land of Egypt, as a shepherd arrayeth himself with his garment (Jeremiah 43:11, 12).

"Nebuchadnezzar," or "the king of Babylon," means in the Word those who destroy all things of the church by evils; and "the Chaldeans" those who destroy all things of the church by falsities; and in an abstract sense "the king of Babylon" signifies the evils that destroy, and "the Chaldeans" their falsities. "Nebuchadnezzar shall come and smite the land of Egypt" signifies the destruction of the natural man in respect to all goods and all truths thence from the Word; "they who are for death to death" signifies destruction by evils; "they who are for captivity to captivity" signifies destruction by shutting out from and deprivation of truth; "they who are for the sword to the sword" signifies destruction by falsities thence; "to kindle a fire in the houses of Egypt that he may burn them up, or carry them away captive," signifies that the loves of self and of the world will destroy all things of the natural man by evils and falsities; "fire" signifying those loves; "houses of Egypt" signify all things of the natural man; "to burn them up" signifies to destroy by evil loves, and "to carry them away captive" signifies to destroy by falsities thence. "Finally he shall array himself with the land of Egypt as a shepherd arrayeth himself with his garment" signifies that the falsities of evil and the evils of falsity will possess the whole natural man. This is compared to the garment of a shepherd, because a "garment" signifies truth clothing good, but here falsity clothing evil; for the natural man is like a garment to the spiritual man, for it encompasses and includes it.

[9] In Jeremiah:

They who are for death to death, they who are for famine to famine, and they who are for captivity to captivity (Jeremiah 15:2).

This describes the total vastation of good and truth in the church; for in the preceding verse it is said, "Though Moses and Samuel stood before Me, My soul could not be towards this people; cast them out before My face, that they may go forth;" therefore "they who are for death to death" signifies that those who reject goods perish by evils; "they who are for famine to famine" signifies that those who reject truths perish by falsities; "they who are for captivity to captivity" signifies that those who love evils and falsities are taken possession of by them.

[10] In Isaiah:

Like as My servant Isaiah hath gone naked and barefoot three years, so shall the king of Assyria lead the captivity of Egypt, and the crowd of Cush that is to be carried away, boys and old men, naked and barefoot, even the buttocks uncovered, the nakedness of Egypt (Isaiah 20:3, 4).

"The king of Assyria" signifies reasoning from the knowledges [scientifica] of the natural man; and "Egypt" signifies the natural man; so "the king of Assyria shall lead the captivity of Egypt" signifies that reasoning from falsities will destroy all the truths in the natural man, which are such as the truths of the sense of the letter of the Word. (The rest may be seen explained above, n. 532.)

[11] In Daniel:

Also their gods with their princes, with their vessels of desire, silver and gold, shall he carry captive into Egypt; and he shall stand more years than the king of the north. The intelligent of the people shall instruct many; yet they shall fall together by the sword and by flame and by captivity and by depredation, for days (Daniel 11:8, 33).

This treats of the war between the king of the north and the king of the south, "the king of the north" signifying falsity ruling in the church, and "the king of the south" truth defending the church against falsity; that nevertheless falsities will predominate in the church in the latter end of days is here foretold and described. "Their gods and their princes, and vessels of desire, and silver and gold, that shall be carried captive into Egypt," signify that the defending truth will take away all truths and goods of the church from those who are in falsities; its spiritual truths are signified by "their gods and princes," natural truths by "their vessels of desire," and all truth and good in general by "silver and gold," and the taking away and defense of these is signified by "carrying captive into Egypt." "To fall together by sword and flame" signifies to perish by falsities and evils therefrom; and "to fall together by captivity and depredation" signifies the deprivation of all things of truth and good.

[12] In Jeremiah:

When the prophet was given over to the prison he prophesied that all Judah should be carried away into captivity to Babylon, and should there die and be buried (Jeremiah 20:1-6; 27).

This "prophet," like "prophet" in general, signifies the doctrine of the church from the Word; his being "given over to the prison" represented that the like was done in respect to the church and its doctrine, which is signified by all Judah being carried away into captivity to Babylon. The captivity of the tribe of Judah in Babylon seventy years represented the complete destruction of truth and devastation of the church.

[13] In the same:

The wind shall feed all thy shepherds, and thy lovers shall go into captivity; then shalt thou be ashamed and confounded for all thy wickedness (Jeremiah 22:22).

"Shepherds" in an abstract sense signify the goods of the church, and "lovers" its truths; the "wind" that shall feed the shepherds signifies the hollowness and emptiness of doctrine; the "captivity" into which the lovers shall go signifies a shutting out from all truths and from the understanding of them; "to be ashamed and confounded" signifies to be destitute of all good and truth; for thus, when they come among the angels, are they ashamed and confounded.

[14] In Moses:

I will make mine arrows drunk with blood, and my sword shall devour flesh, with the blood of the stain and of captivity, and the gall of the revenges of the adversary (Deuteronomy 32:42).

"To make arrows drunk with blood" signifies the delirium of mind from the Word falsified; "the sword shall devour flesh" signifies that falsities will destroy all things of good; "with the blood of the slain and of captivity" signifies the extinction and shutting out of all truth, "slain" meaning the extinction of truth by falsities, and "captivity" the shutting out of truth by falsities. "With the gall of the revenges of the adversary" signifies with the malice and cruelty of hell; "the gall of revenges" meaning malice and cruelty, and the "adversary" meaning hell.

[15] In Isaiah:

Bel hath bowed low, Nebo hath stooped, their idols are to the wild beast and to the beast; they have stooped and bowed low together, and their soul shall go into captivity (Isaiah 46:1, 2).

"Their idols to the wild beast and to the beast" signifies that their falsities are infernal falsities, and evils therefrom; "they have stooped and bowed low together" signifies that they will fall apart; "their soul shall go into captivity" signifies that they shall go into hell, where they will be shut out from all truth.

[16] In Obadiah:

In that day strangers led his strength captive, and aliens entered his gates and cast the lot upon Jerusalem (Obadiah 1:11).

This is said of Edom, which signifies the truth of the natural man, but here the falsity; "the strangers that led his strength captive" signify the falsities of the church destroying its truths, "strength" signifying truth, since all spiritual strength consists in truths; "the aliens who entered the gates" signify the falsities of doctrine destroying the truths through which entrance is given into interior truths; "Jerusalem, upon which they cast the lot," signifies the doctrine of the church from the Word, thus dispersed, "to cast the lot" meaning to disperse.

[17] In Jeremiah:

Woe to thee, Moab, the people of Chemosh have perished; for thy sons are taken into captivity, and thy daughters into captivity; yet I will bring back the captivity of Moab (Jeremiah 48:46, 47).

"Moab" means those who are in natural delight, and who therefore adulterate the goods of the Word; "the people of Chemosh" mean those who are in natural truth; "sons are taken into captivity and daughters into captivity" signifies that the truths and goods of their church are shut out by falsities and evils; "sons" meaning truths, and "daughters" goods; "I will bring back the captivity of Moab in the end of days" signifies that truths will be opened to those who are meant by "Moab," and they will be instructed in them, "the end of days" signifying the Lord's coming.

[18] In many places in the Word it is said that "captives are to be brought back," and captives mean the Gentiles; and these are called "captives" because they are shut out from truths, which, however, will be opened to them by the Lord. As in Isaiah:

Jehovah hath anointed Me to proclaim good tidings unto the poor; He hath sent Me to bind up the broken in heart; to preach liberty to the captives, and to the bound, to the blind (Isaiah 61:1).

This is said of the Lord; and "the poor" to whom Jehovah hath anointed Him to preach good tidings signify those who are in few truths, and yet desire truths that their soul may be sustained by them; "the broken in heart" signify those who in consequence are in grief; "the captives" to whom He was to preach liberty signify those who are shut out from truths and thus from goods; and to these truths are to be opened, and by them they will be imbued with goods. The "bound" and the "blind" signify those to whom it is denied to see truths, meaning the Gentiles that afterwards received truths from the Lord.

[19] In the same:

I have raised him up in justice, and I will make straight all his ways; he shall build My city and he shall let go My captivity, not for price nor reward (Isaiah 45:13).

This, too, is said of the Lord; and the "justice" in which Jehovah hath raised him up signifies the good of love; and "his ways which He will make straight" signify the truths proceeding from good; the "city which he shall build" signifies the doctrine of the church; and the "captivity which he shall let go" signifies the opening and revelation of Divine truths with those who had heretofore been shut out from them. That the Lord will do these things freely is signified by "not for price nor reward."

[20] In Jeremiah:

The sons of Israel and the sons of Judah are oppressed together, and all that take them captive hold them fast, they refuse to let them go. Their Redeemer is strong; pleading He will plead their cause, and will give quiet to the land (Jeremiah 50:33, 34).

This also is said of the Lord, who is meant by "their Redeemer is strong;" "to plead their cause" signifies visitation and judgment upon those who oppress them by falsities, and consequent deliverance from them; "to give quiet to the land" signifies protection from falsities, "the sons of Israel and the sons of Judah," who are said to be oppressed, do not mean the sons of Israel and of Judah, but the Gentiles that are in truths and goods from the Lord; and as these are restrained by those who deceive them and shut out truths from them, it is said that "those that take them captive hold them fast, and refuse to let them go."

[21] In David:

Thou hast ascended on high; Thou hast led captivity captive (Psalms 68:18).

This, again, is said of the Lord; and "to lead captivity captive" signifies to deliver from the falsities that have held them captive. In Isaiah:

Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or shall the captivity of the just be delivered? For thus Jehovah hath said, Even the captivity of the mighty shall be taken, and the prey of the violent shall be delivered (Isaiah 49:24, 25).

This also is said of the Lord, and of the bringing back of the sons of Zion from captivity; and "the sons of Zion" mean those who are in love to the Lord and in truths therefrom. That they had been shut out from truths by those who eagerly confirmed falsities, and yet they were delivered by the Lord, is signified by "Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, and shall the captivity of the just be delivered?"

[22] In David:

Who will give out of Zion the salvation of Israel? When Jehovah shall bring back the captivity of His people Jacob shall exult, Israel shall be glad (Psalms 14:7; 53:6).

Here also "Zion" means those who are in the good of love from the Lord; deliverance from evils by the Lord and salvation are meant by "Who will give out of Zion the salvation of Israel?" "To bring back the captivity of His people" means deliverance from falsities and evils; "Jacob shall exult, Israel shall be glad," means the joy with those who are in the external church and of those who are in the internal church because of their deliverance, "Jacob" meaning those who are of the external church, and "Israel" those who are of the internal church; and both mean the Gentiles.

[23] In Jeremiah:

Fear not, My servant Jacob, and be not dismayed, O Israel; behold I will keep thee from afar, and thy seed from the land of thy captivity, so that Jacob may return, and be quiet and tranquil, and none shall make him afraid (Jeremiah 46:27; 30:10).

Here, too, "Jacob and Israel" mean the Gentiles, "Jacob" those who are of the external church, and "Israel" those who are of the internal church; "to keep them from afar" signifies to save them although they are far from salvation; "to keep from the land of captivity" signifies to deliver from the falsities by which they have been shut out from the truths and goods of heaven and the church; "to return and be quiet and tranquil, and none shall make afraid," signifies to be protected from falsities which are from hell.

[24] In the same:

All that devour thee shall be devoured; and all thine adversaries, all shall go into captivity; and they that plundered thee shall be for plunder; and all that preyed upon thee will I give for a prey. I will bring back the captivity of the tents of Jacob; and I will have compassion on his habitations, that the city may be built upon its own heap, and the palace shall be inhabited after its own manner (Jeremiah 30:16, 18).

"All that devour thee shall be devoured, all thine adversaries shall go into captivity, and they that plundered thee shall be for plunder, and all that preyed upon thee will I give for a prey," has a similar signification as the passage in Revelation here explained, namely, "if anyone shall lead into captivity he shall go into captivity; and if anyone shall kill with the sword he must be killed with the sword." (What the rest signifies has been explained above, n. 799.)

[25] In the same:

I will be found of you, and I will bring back your captivity, and I will bring you together out of all nations, and I will bring you back to the place whence I caused you to depart (Jeremiah 29:14).

This, too, describes the deliverance of the Gentiles from spiritual captivity, which is a shutting out from the truths and goods of heaven and the church, whereby salvation is effected. In Zephaniah:

In that time I will bring you, and in time will bring you together unto Me, for I will give you for a name and a praise to all the peoples of the earth, when I bring back your captivity before your eyes (Zephaniah 3:20).

This, too, means the bringing back of the Gentiles from spiritual captivity. In Amos:

I will bring back the captivity of My people Israel, that they may build the waste cities and inhabit them, and plant vineyards and drink the wine thereof; and they shall make gardens and eat the fruit of them (Amos 9:14).

This may be seen explained above (n. 376, 405).

[26] In Isaiah:

Put on thy strength, O Zion; put on the garments of thy splendor, O Jerusalem, the city of holiness; for there shall not add to come any more into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean; shake thyself from the dust; sit, O Jerusalem; open the bands of thy neck, O captive daughter of Zion (Isaiah 52:1, 2).

"Zion" means a church that is in the good of love to the Lord; truth from that good is signified by the "strength that Zion shall put on;" and the truths of doctrine of that church are signified by "the garments of splendor that Jerusalem shall put on." "The uncircumcised and the unclean, who shall not add to come any more," signify the evils of earthly loves and their falsities; "to shake herself from the dust, to arise and to sit," signifies, in respect to Jerusalem, deliverance from infernal falsities and elevation to the truths of heaven. "To open the bands of thy neck, O captive daughter of Zion," signifies deliverance from being withheld from truths by falsities that hinder the reception of influx out of heaven, "daughter of Zion" meaning those who are in the affection of truth from the good of love from the Lord. In the verses that follow it is said of the sons of Israel:

That they sojourned in Egypt, and that Assyria oppressed them (Isaiah 4);

which signifies that they were shut out from truths by reasonings from the knowledges (scientifica) of the natural man.

[27] In the same:

The peoples shall take them and shall lead them to their place, and the house of Israel shall possess them for a heritage upon the land of Jehovah, for manservants and for maidservants; that they may thus take captive them whose captives they were, and they shall have dominion over their exactors (Isaiah 14:2).

This, too, treats of the bringing back of the sons of Israel, and by sons of Israel the Gentiles are meant. That those who shut out others from truths and lead them astray by falsities are shut out from truths and led astray by falsities, is signified by "they shall take captive them whose captives they were, and they shall have dominion over their exactors."

[28] In Hosea:

In the house of Israel I have seen a filthy thing; there is Ephraim's whoredom; Israel is polluted and Judah hath set a harvest for thee, when I shall bring back the captivity of My people (Hosea 6:10, 11).

This treats of the state of the church among the Jews about the time of the Lord's coming; "Ephraim's whoredom," which is "the filthy thing in the house of Israel," signifies the falsification of the Word; "whoredom" signifying falsification, and "Ephraim" the understanding of the Word. "Israel is polluted, and Judah hath set a harvest for thee," signifies that the church was in mere falsities, and that they applied the Word to confirm falsities, "Judah" signifying the Word, and "harvest" the abundance of such things in the Word as they applied. That this would be the state of the Jewish Church when truths should be opened before the Gentiles, by which they might be delivered from falsities, is signified by "when I shall bring back the captivity of My people."

[29] In the historical parts of the Word the captivities of the sons of Israel by various enemies, and their deliverances, have a like signification, as:

That they were forced to serve Cushan, king of Syria, and were delivered by Othniel (Judges 3);

That they served Eglon, king of Moab, and were delivered by Ehud (Judges 3);

That they were given over to Jabin, king of Canaan, and delivered by Deborah (Judges 4);

That they were given over to the Midianites, and delivered by Gideon (Judges 6);

That they were given over to the Philistines and Ammonites, and delivered by Jephthah (Judges 10, Judges 11).

Similar things were signified by:

The captivity of the Jews seventy years in Babylon (2 Kings 25).

For the historical parts of the Word are all representative of such things as pertain to the church, and the expressions by which the historical facts are described are all significative.

[30] The "bound" have a similar signification in the Word as "captives," as in the following passages:

The bound in the pit shall be gathered together, and they shall be shut up in a prison; but after a multitude of days shall they be visited (Isaiah 24:22).

By the blood of thy covenant I will send forth the bound out of the pit wherein is no water (Zechariah 9:11).

The sighing of the bound shall come before Thee (Psalms 79:11).

He hath made the world into a wilderness and destroyed his ¹ 22 cities. He hath opened not the house for His bound ones (Isaiah 14:17).

To open the blind eyes, to lead him that is bound out of prison, them that sit in darkness out of the prison house (Isaiah 42:7).

The king said, I was in prison, and ye came ² unto me (Matthew 25:36).

Jesus said, Ought not this daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound lo these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the day of the sabbath? (Luke 13:16).

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