Apocalypse Revealed#658
658. For in them the wrath of God is complete. This symbolizes the destruction of the church and its end then.
Its being complete symbolizes the destruction of the church and its end then, as explained below. The wrath of God symbolizes the evil in people, which, because it is in opposition to God, is called the wrath of God. Not that God is angry at people, but that people's evil causes them to be angry at God. Moreover, because, when a person is punished or tormented on account of his evil - as happens in hell after death - it seems to him that it is God's doing, therefore in the Word we find anger and wrath, even evil, attributed to God. But that is the case only in the literal sense, because that sense has been written in terms of appearances and correspondences; but not so in the spiritual sense, for that sense contains no appearance or correspondent imagery, but truth in its own light. For more on the wrath of God, see nos. 525, 635 above.
This verse says that in the seven last plagues the wrath of God is complete, and we say that this symbolizes the destruction of the church and its end then. We need to explain why. The reason is that every church declines in the process of time as it turns away from the goodness of love and from truths of faith, until nothing is left of them, which is occasioned by gradually increasing evil and falsity. And then, when there is no longer any goodness of love and faith, there remains only evil and falsity, and when this is the case, the church is at an end. In this final state a person knows no better than to think that evil is good and that falsity is truth; for the delight he finds in them causes him to love evil and falsity and therefore to defend them.
This is the final state symbolized by an end, consummation or completion called a destruction in the following passages:
...I have heard from... Jehovah... a consummation and destruction upon the whole earth. (Isaiah 28:22)
A consummation is decreed, overflowing with righteousness. For the Lord, Jehovih of hosts, is making an end and destruction throughout the land. (Isaiah 10:22-23)
The whole land shall be devoured by the fire of (Jehovah's) zeal, for He will make speedy end of all those who dwell in the land. (Zephaniah 1:18)
(At length) on the bird of abominations shall be desolation, even until the consummation and destruction shall it drop upon the devastation. (Daniel 9:27)
The whole land shall be a wasteland, yet I will not make an end. (Jeremiah 4:27)
(Jehovah said,) "I will go down... and see whether they have come to an end according to the outcry... that has come to Me." (Genesis 18:21)
The last said in regard to Sodom.
...the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete. (Genesis 15:16)
The church's end is also meant by the end of the age spoken of by the Lord in the following passages:
(The disciples asked Jesus,) "What will be the sign of Your coming and of the end of the age?" (Matthew 24:3)
...at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, "First gather together the tares... to burn them. Gather the wheat into my barn. ...so it will be at the end of the age. (Matthew 13:30, 40)
...at the end of the age... the angels will come forth and separate the wicked from among the just... (Matthew 13:49)
(Jesus said to His disciples,) "Lo, I am with you... even to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:20)
Even to the end of the age means to the end of the church, when there will be a new church with which the Lord will then be present.
Psalms第38章
1
Yahweh, don't rebuke me in your wrath, neither chasten me in your hot displeasure.
2
For your arrows have pierced me, your hand presses hard on me.
3
There is no soundness in my flesh because of your indignation, neither is there any health in my bones because of my sin.
4
For my iniquities have gone over my head. As a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me.
5
My wounds are loathsome and corrupt, because of my foolishness.
6
I am pained and bowed down greatly. I go mourning all day long.
7
For my waist is filled with burning. There is no soundness in my flesh.
8
I am faint and severely bruised. I have groaned by reason of the anguish of my heart.
9
Lord, all my desire is before you. My groaning is not hidden from you.
10
My heart throbs. My strength fails me. As for the light of my eyes, it has also left me.
11
My lovers and my friends stand aloof from my plague. My kinsmen stand far away.
12
They also who seek after my life lay snares. Those who seek my hurt speak mischievous things, and meditate deceits all day long.
13
But I, as a deaf man, don't hear. I am as a mute man who doesn't open his mouth.
14
Yes, I am as a man who doesn't hear, in whose mouth are no reproofs.
15
For in you, Yahweh, do I hope. You will answer, Lord my God.
16
For I said, "Don't let them gloat over me, or exalt themselves over me when my foot slips."
17
For I am ready to fall. My pain is continually before me.
18
For I will declare my iniquity. I will be sorry for my sin.
19
But my enemies are vigorous and many. Those who hate me without reason are numerous.
20
They who also render evil for good are adversaries to me, because I follow what is good.
21
Don't forsake me, Yahweh. My God, don't be far from me.
22
Hurry to help me, Lord, my salvation. For the Chief Musician. For Jeduthun. A Psalm by David.
