Apocalypse Explained #525
525. And the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars, signifies that all good of love, all good and truth of faith, and all knowledge of good and truth, perished. This is evident from the signification of "the third part," as being all (See above, n. 506); from the signification of the "sun," as being the good of love from the Lord; from the signification of the "moon," as being the good and truth of faith from the Lord (See above, n. 401); from the signification of "stars," as being the knowledges of good and truth, also from the Lord (See above, n. 72, 402); and from the signification of "to be smitten," in reference to the goods of love and faith, and the knowledges of good and truth, as being to perish. This makes evident that "the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars," signifies that all good of love, all good and truth of faith, and all knowledge of good and truth perished. By "the sun, moon, and stars," are not meant here the sun, moon, and stars that appear before the eyes of men in our solar world, but the sun, moon, and stars that appear before the eyes of angels in the spiritual world; for the Lord appears there as a sun before those who are in the good of love to Him from Him, and as a moon before those who are in the good and truth of faith; and this is why the "sun" signifies the good of love, and the "moon" the good and truth of faith. Evidently it was that sun, that moon, and those stars that appeared to John, since he was in the spirit when he saw them. (That the Lord appears as a sun and as a moon in the angelic heavens may be seen in the work on Heaven and Hell 116-125.) It is from appearance that these are said to have been smitten, for when the good of love and the good and truth of faith are no longer with man, the appearance to him is that they no longer exist, and that they have perished; and the Word in the sense of the letter is written according to appearances.
Psalms 115
1
Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake.
2
Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now their God?
3
But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.
4
Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.
5
They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not:
6
They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not:
7
They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat.
8
They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them.
9
O Israel, trust thou in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.
10
O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.
11
Ye that fear the LORD, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.
12
The LORD hath been mindful of us: he will bless us; he will bless the house of Israel; he will bless the house of Aaron.
13
He will bless them that fear the LORD, both small and great.
14
The LORD shall increase you more and more, you and your children.
15
Ye are blessed of the LORD which made heaven and earth.
16
The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD's: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.
17
The dead praise not the LORD, neither any that go down into silence.
18
But we will bless the LORD from this time forth and for evermore. Praise the LORD.
