Here's a list of daily readings from the Word and the Writings, for 2022. It's been provided by the General Church of the New Jerusalem, and was compiled by Rt. Rev. Brian Keith. We're glad to have their permission to use it here.

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January

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Saturday, January 1 | Deuteronomy 26 | Apocalypse Explained 927

Sunday, January 2 | Deuteronomy 27 | Apocalypse Explained 928

Monday, January 3 | Deuteronomy 28:1-34 | Apocalypse Explained 929

Tuesday, January 4 | Deuteronomy 28:35-68 | Apocalypse Explained 930

Wednesday, January 5 | Deuteronomy 29 | Apocalypse Explained 931

Thursday, January 6 | Deuteronomy 30 | Apocalypse Explained 932

Friday, January 7 | Deuteronomy 31 | Apocalypse Explained 933

Saturday, January 8 | Deuteronomy 32 | Apocalypse Explained 934

Sunday, January 9 | Deuteronomy 33 | Apocalypse Explained 935

Monday, January 10 | Deuteronomy 34 | Apocalypse Explained 936

Tuesday, January 11 | Joshua 1 | Apocalypse Explained 937

Wednesday, January 12 | Joshua 2 | Apocalypse Explained 938

Thursday, January 13 | Joshua 3 | Apocalypse Explained 939

Friday, January 14 | Joshua 4 | Apocalypse Explained 940

Saturday, January 15 | Joshua 5 | Apocalypse Explained 941

Sunday, January 16 | Joshua 6 | Apocalypse Explained 942

Monday, January 17 | Joshua 7 | Apocalypse Explained 943

Tuesday, January 18 | Joshua 8 | Apocalypse Explained 944

Wednesday, January 19 | Joshua 9 | Apocalypse Explained 945

Thursday, January 20 | Joshua 10 | Apocalypse Explained 946:1, 2

Friday, January 21 | Joshua 11 | Apocalypse Explained 946:3-5

Saturday, January 22 | Joshua 12 | Apocalypse Explained 947

Sunday, January 23 | Joshua 13 | Apocalypse Explained 948:1-3

Monday, January 24 | Joshua 14 | Apocalypse Explained 948:4, 5

Tuesday, January 25 | Joshua 15:1-19 | Apocalypse Explained 949

Wednesday, January 26 | Joshua 15:20-63 | Apocalypse Explained 950

Thursday, January 27 | Joshua 16 | Apocalypse Explained 951:1-4

Friday, January 28 | Joshua 17 | Apocalypse Explained 951:5-8

Saturday, January 29 | Joshua 18 | Apocalypse Explained 952

Sunday, January 30 | Joshua 19:1-31 | Apocalypse Explained 953

Monday, January 31 | Joshua 19:32-51 | Apocalypse Explained 954

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February

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Tuesday, February 1 | Joshua 20 | Apocalypse Explained 955:1-3

Wednesday, February 2 | Joshua 21 | Apocalypse Explained 955:4, 5

Thursday, February 3 | Joshua 22 | Apocalypse Explained 956

Friday, February 4 | Joshua 23 | Apocalypse Explained 957

Saturday, February 5 | Joshua 24 | Apocalypse Explained 958

Sunday, February 6 | Judges 1 | Apocalypse Explained 959

Monday, February 7 | Judges 2 | Apocalypse Explained 960:1, 2

Tuesday, February 8 | Judges 3 | Apocalypse Explained 960:3-5

Wednesday, February 9 | Judges 4 | Apocalypse Explained 960:6-9

Thursday, February 10 | Judges 5 | Apocalypse Explained 960:10-12

Friday, February 11 | Judges 6 | Apocalypse Explained 960:13-15

Saturday, February 12 | Judges 7 | Apocalypse Explained 961

Sunday, February 13 | Judges 8 | Apocalypse Explained 962:1, 2

Monday, February 14 | Judges 9:1-25 | Apocalypse Explained 962:3-7

Tuesday, February 15 | Judges 9:26-57 | Apocalypse Explained 962:8-10

Wednesday, February 16 | Judges 10 | Apocalypse Explained 962:11

Thursday, February 17 | Judges 11 | Apocalypse Explained 963

Friday, February 18 | Judges 12 | Apocalypse Explained 964

Saturday, February 19 | Judges 13 | Apocalypse Explained 965

Sunday, February 20 | Judges 14 | Apocalypse Explained 966

Monday, February 21 | Judges 15 | Apocalypse Explained 967

Tuesday, February 22 | Judges 16 | Apocalypse Explained 968

Wednesday, February 23 | Judges 17 | Apocalypse Explained 969

Thursday, February 24 | Judges 18 | Apocalypse Explained 970

Friday, February 25 | Judges 19 | Apocalypse Explained 971:1, 2

Saturday, February 26 | Judges 20:1-25 | Apocalypse Explained 971:3, 4

Sunday, February 27 | Judges 20:26-48 | Apocalypse Explained 972

Monday, February 28 | Judges 21 | Apocalypse Explained 973

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March

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Tuesday, March 1 | 1 Samuel 1 | Apocalypse Explained 974

Wednesday, March 2 | 1 Samuel 2 | Apocalypse Explained 975

Thursday, March 3 | 1 Samuel 3 | Apocalypse Explained 976

Friday, March 4 | 1 Samuel 4 | Apocalypse Explained 977

Saturday, March 5 | 1 Samuel 5 | Apocalypse Explained 978

Sunday, March 6 | 1 Samuel 6 | Apocalypse Explained 979

Monday, March 7 | 1 Samuel 7 | Apocalypse Explained 980

Tuesday, March 8 | 1 Samuel 8 | Apocalypse Explained 981

Wednesday, March 9 | 1 Samuel 9 | Apocalypse Explained 982:1-4

Thursday, March 10 | 1 Samuel 10 | Apocalypse Explained 982:5

Friday, March 11 | 1 Samuel 11 | Apocalypse Explained 982

Saturday, March 12 | 1 Samuel 12 | Apocalypse Explained 984

Sunday, March 13 | 1 Samuel 13 | Apocalypse Explained 985

Monday, March 14 | 1 Samuel 14:1-23 | Apocalypse Explained 986

Tuesday, March 15 | 1 Samuel 14:24-52 | Apocalypse Explained 987

Wednesday, March 16 | 1 Samuel 15 | Apocalypse Explained 988:1-3

Thursday, March 17 | 1 Samuel 16 | Apocalypse Explained 988:4-6

Friday, March 18 | 1 Samuel 17:1-30 | Apocalypse Explained 989

Saturday, March 19 | 1 Samuel 17:31-58 | Apocalypse Explained 990:1

Sunday, March 20 | 1 Samuel 18 | Apocalypse Explained 990:2, 3

Monday, March 21 | 1 Samuel 19 | Apocalypse Explained 991

Tuesday, March 22 | 1 Samuel 20 | Apocalypse Explained 992

Wednesday, March 23 | 1 Samuel 21 | Apocalypse Explained 993

Thursday, March 24 | 1 Samuel 22 | Apocalypse Explained 994

Friday, March 25 | 1 Samuel 23 | Apocalypse Explained 995

Saturday, March 26 | 1 Samuel 24 | Apocalypse Explained 996

Sunday, March 27 | 1 Samuel 25:1-22 | Apocalypse Explained 997

Monday, March 28 | 1 Samuel 25:23-44 | Apocalypse Explained 998

Tuesday, March 29 | 1 Samuel 26 | Apocalypse Explained 999

Wednesday, March 30 | 1 Samuel 27 | Apocalypse Explained 1000:1, 2

Thursday, March 31 | 1 Samuel 28 | Apocalypse Explained 1000:3-5

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April

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Friday, April 1 | 1 Samuel 29 | Apocalypse Explained 1001

Saturday, April 2 | 1 Samuel 30 | Apocalypse Explained 1002

Sunday, April 3 | John 18:1-11 | Doctrine of the Lord 11 | Apocalypse Explained 960:9

Monday, April 4 | John 18:12-27 | Arcana Coelestia 10134:13

Tuesday, April 5 | John 18:28-40 | Apocalypse Explained 27[4], 31[3]

Wednesday, April 6 | John 19:1-16 | Arcana Coelestia 9144.10 | Apocalypse Explained 577:4

Thursday, April 7 | John 19:17-27 | Doctrine of the Lord 12 | Arcana Coelestia 9942:13

Friday, April 8 | John 19:28-30 | Apocalypse Explained 519:2

Saturday, April 9 | John 19:31-37 | Apocalypse Revealed 26 | Apocalypse Explained 329:16

Sunday, April 10 | (Palm Sunday) | John 19:38-42 | Arcana Coelestia 10252:7

Monday, April 11 | John 20:1-10 | Arcana Coelestia 2405:8

Tuesday, April 12 | John 20:11-18 | Apocalypse Explained 687:17

Wednesday, April 13 | John 20:19-23 | Arcana Coelestia 10125:4 | Apocalypse Explained 53[2]

Thursday, April 14 | John 20:24-31 | Arcana Coelestia 7290:2

Friday, April 15 | John 21:1-14 | Apocalypse Explained 513:16

Saturday, April 16 | John 21:15-19 | Apocalypse Explained 9[3], 4

Sunday, April 17 | (Easter) | John 21:20-25 | Apocalypse Explained 821:8

Monday, April 18 | 1 Samuel 31 | Apocalypse Explained 1003

Tuesday, April 19 | 2 Samuel 1 | Apocalypse Explained 1004:1, 2

Wednesday, April 20 | 2 Samuel 2 | Apocalypse Explained 1004:3-5

Thursday, April 21 | 2 Samuel 3 | Apocalypse Explained 1005

Friday, April 22 | 2 Samuel 4 | Apocalypse Explained 1006

Saturday, April 23 | 2 Samuel 5 | Apocalypse Explained 1007

Sunday, April 24 | 2 Samuel 6 | Apocalypse Explained 1008

Monday, April 25 | 2 Samuel 7 | Apocalypse Explained 1009

Tuesday, April 26 | 2 Samuel 8 | Apocalypse Explained 1010:1, 2

Wednesday, April 27 | 2 Samuel 9 | Apocalypse Explained 1010:3, 4

Thursday, April 28 | 2 Samuel 10 | Apocalypse Explained 1011

Friday, April 29 | 2 Samuel 11 | Apocalypse Explained 1012:1, 2

Saturday, April 30 | 2 Samuel 12 | Apocalypse Explained 1012:3, 4

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May

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Sunday, May 1 | 2 Samuel 13 | Apocalypse Explained 1013

Monday, May 2 | 2 Samuel 14 | Apocalypse Explained 1014

Tuesday, May 3 | 2 Samuel 15 | Apocalypse Explained 1015

Wednesday, May 4 | 2 Samuel 16 | Apocalypse Explained 1016

Thursday, May 5 | 2 Samuel 17 | Apocalypse Explained 1017

Friday, May 6 | 2 Samuel 18 | Apocalypse Explained 1018, 1019

Saturday, May 7 | 2 Samuel 19 | Apocalypse Explained 1020

Sunday, May 8 | 2 Samuel 20 | Apocalypse Explained 1021

Monday, May 9 | 2 Samuel 21 | Apocalypse Explained 1022

Tuesday, May 10 | 2 Samuel 22 | Apocalypse Explained 1023, 1024

Wednesday, May 11 | 2 Samuel 23 | Apocalypse Explained 1025

Thursday, May 12 | 2 Samuel 24 | Apocalypse Explained 1026

Friday, May 13 | 1 Kings 1:1-27 | Apocalypse Explained 1027

Saturday, May 14 | 1 Kings 1:28-53 | Apocalypse Explained 1028

Sunday, May 15 | 1 Kings 2 | Apocalypse Explained 1029:1, 2

Monday, May 16 | 1 Kings 3 | Apocalypse Explained 1029:3, 4

Tuesday, May 17 | 1 Kings 4 | Apocalypse Explained 1029:5

Wednesday, May 18 | 1 Kings 5 | Apocalypse Explained 1029:6

Thursday, May 19 | 1 Kings 6 | Apocalypse Explained 1029:7, 8

Friday, May 20 | 1 Kings 7:1-22 | Apocalypse Explained 1029:9, 10

Saturday, May 21 | 1 Kings 7:23-51 | Apocalypse Explained 1029:11

Sunday, May 22 | Sun | 1 Kings 8:1-32 | Apocalypse Explained 1029:12, 13

Monday, May 23 | 1 Kings 8:33-66 | Apocalypse Explained 1029:14

Tuesday, May 24 | 1 Kings 9 | Apocalypse Explained 1029:15

Wednesday, May 25 | 1 Kings 10 | Apocalypse Explained 1029:16, 17

Thursday, May 26 | 1 Kings 11 | Apocalypse Explained 1029:18, 19

Friday, May 27 | 1 Kings 12 | Apocalypse Explained 1030, 1031

Saturday, May 28 | 1 Kings 13 | Apocalypse Explained 1032

Sunday, May 29 | 1 Kings 14 | Apocalypse Explained 1033

Monday, May 30 | 1 Kings 15 | Apocalypse Explained 1034

Tuesday, May 31 | 1 Kings 16 | Apocalypse Explained 1035

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June

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Wednesday, June 1 | 1 Kings 17 | Apocalypse Explained 1036

Thursday, June 2 | 1 Kings 18 | Apocalypse Explained 1037

Friday, June 3 | 1 Kings 19 | Apocalypse Explained 1038

Saturday, June 4 | 1 Kings 20 | Apocalypse Explained 1039, 1041

Sunday, June 5 | True Christian Religion 768

Monday, June 6 | Arcana Coelestia 4423

Tuesday, June 7 | Arcana Coelestia 2986:2, 3

Wednesday, June 8 | Apocalypse Revealed 88

Thursday, June 9 | Arcana Coelestia 8988:4, 5

Friday, June 10 | Apocalypse Revealed 355

Saturday, June 11 | Apocalypse Revealed 547

Sunday, June 12 | Conjugial Love 42, 43

Monday, June 13 | True Christian Religion 303

Tuesday, June 14 | True Christian Religion 344

Wednesday, June 15 | True Christian Religion 508

Thursday, June 16 | True Christian Religion 700

Friday, June 17 | True Christian Religion 779

Saturday, June 18 | True Christian Religion 786

Sunday, June 19 | True Christian Religion 788

Monday, June 20 | 1 Kings 21 | Apocalypse Explained 1042:1, 2

Tuesday, June 21 | 1 Kings 22:1-23 | Apocalypse Explained 1042:3, 4

Wednesday, June 22 | 1 Kings 22:24-53 | Apocalypse Explained 1042:5-8

Thursday, June 23 | 2 Kings 1 | Apocalypse Explained 1043

Friday, June 24 | 2 Kings 2 | Apocalypse Explained 1044

Saturday, June 25 | 2 Kings 3 | Apocalypse Explained 1045

Sunday, June 26 | 2 Kings 4 | Apocalypse Explained 1046, 1047

Monday, June 27 | 2 Kings 5 | Apocalypse Explained 1048, 1049

Tuesday, June 28 | Tu | 2 Kings 6 | Apocalypse Explained 1050

Wednesday, June 29 | 2 Kings 7 | Apocalypse Explained 1051

Thursday, June 30 | 2 Kings 8 | Apocalypse Explained 1052

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July

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Friday, July 1 | 2 Kings 9 | Apocalypse Explained 1053

Saturday, July 2 | 2 Kings 10 | Apocalypse Explained 1054

Sunday, July 3 | 2 Kings 11 | Apocalypse Explained 1055

Monday, July 4 | 2 Kings 12 | Apocalypse Explained 1056

Tuesday, July 5 | 2 Kings 13 | Apocalypse Explained 1057:1, 2

Wednesday, July 6 | 2 Kings 14 | Apocalypse Explained 1057:3-5

Thursday, July 7 | 2 Kings 15 | Apocalypse Explained 1057:6

Friday, July 8 | 2 Kings 16 | Apocalypse Explained 1058

Saturday, July 9 | 2 Kings 17 | Apocalypse Explained 1059

Sunday, July 10 | 2 Kings 18 | Apocalypse Explained 1060

Monday, July 11 | 2 Kings 19 | Apocalypse Explained 1061

Tuesday, July 12 | 2 Kings 20 | Apocalypse Explained 1062

Wednesday, July 13 | 2 Kings 21 | Apocalypse Explained 1063

Thursday, July 14 | 2 Kings 22 | Apocalypse Explained 1064

Friday, July 15 | 2 Kings 23 | Apocalypse Explained 1065

Saturday, July 16 | 2 Kings 24 | Apocalypse Explained 1066:1, 2

Sunday, July 17 | 2 Kings 25 | Apocalypse Explained 1066:3, 4

Monday, July 18 | Psalms 1,2 | Apocalypse Explained 1067

Tuesday, July 19 | Psalms 3-5 | Apocalypse Explained 1068

Wednesday, July 20 | Psalms 6,7 | Apocalypse Explained 1069

Thursday, July 21 | Psalms 8,9 | Apocalypse Explained 1070

Friday, July 22 | Psalms 10,11 | Apocalypse Explained 1071

Saturday, July 23 | Psalms 12-14 | Apocalypse Explained 1072

Sunday, July 24 | Psalms 15,16 | Apocalypse Explained 1073

Monday, July 25 | Psalms 17 | Apocalypse Explained 1074

Tuesday, July 26 | Psalms 18 | Apocalypse Explained 1075, 1076

Wednesday, July 27 | Psalms 19,20 | Apocalypse Explained 1077

Thursday, July 28 | Psalms 21 | Apocalypse Explained 1078

Friday, July 29 | Psalms 22 | Apocalypse Explained 1079

Saturday, July 30 | Psalms 23,24 | Apocalypse Explained 1080

Sunday, July 31 | Psalms 25 | Apocalypse Explained 1081

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August

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Monday, August 1 | Psalms 26,27 | Apocalypse Explained 1082:1, 2

Tuesday, August 2 | Psalms 28,29 | Apocalypse Explained 1082:3-7

Wednesday, August 3 | Psalms 30,31 | Apocalypse Explained 1082:8, 9

Thursday, August 4 | Psalms 32,33 | Apocalypse Explained 1083

Friday, August 5 | Psalms 34 | Apocalypse Explained 1084

Saturday, August 6 | Psalms 35 | Apocalypse Explained 1085

Sunday, August 7 | Psalms 36 | Apocalypse Explained 1086

Monday, August 8 | Psalms 37 | Apocalypse Explained 1087

Tuesday, August 9 | Psalms 38 | Apocalypse Explained 1088

Wednesday, August 10 | Psalms 39 | Apocalypse Explained 1089

Thursday, August 11 | Psalms 40 | Apocalypse Explained 1090

Friday, August 12 | Psalms 41,42 | Apocalypse Explained 1091

Saturday, August 13 | Psalms 43,44 | Apocalypse Explained 1092

Sunday, August 14 | Psalms 45,46 | Apocalypse Explained 1093

Monday, August 15 | Psalms 47,48 | Apocalypse Explained 1094

Tuesday, August 16 | Psalms 49 | Apocalypse Explained 1095

Wednesday, August 17 | Psalms 50 | Apocalypse Explained 1096

Thursday, August 18 | Psalms 51 | Apocalypse Explained 1097

Friday, August 19 | Psalms 53,54 | Apocalypse Explained 1098

Saturday, August 20 | Psalms 55 | Apocalypse Explained 1099

Sunday, August 21 | Psalms 56,57 | Apocalypse Explained 1100:1-3

Monday, August 22 | Psalms 58,59 | Apocalypse Explained 1100:4-6

Tuesday, August 23 | Psalms 60,61 | Apocalypse Explained 1100:7-9

Wednesday, August 24 | Psalms 62,63 | Apocalypse Explained 1100:10-14

Thursday, August 25 | Psalms 64,65 | Apocalypse Explained 1100:15-18

Friday, August 26 | Psalms 66 | Apocalypse Explained 1100:19-21

Saturday, August 27 | Psalms 67,68 | Apocalypse Explained 1100:22, 23

Sunday, August 28 | Psalms 69 | Apocalypse Explained 1101

Monday, August 29 | Psalms 70,71 | Apocalypse Explained 1102

Tuesday, August 30 | Psalms 72 | Apocalypse Explained 1103

Wednesday, August 31 | Psalms 73 | Apocalypse Explained 1104:1

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September

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Thursday, September 1 | Psalms 74 | Apocalypse Explained 1104:2, 3

Friday, September 2 | Psalms 75,76 | Apocalypse Explained 1104:4, 5

Saturday, September 3 | Psalms 77 | Apocalypse Explained 1105

Sunday, September 4 | Psalms 78:1-33 | Apocalypse Explained 1106

Monday, September 5 | Psalms 78:34-72 | Apocalypse Explained 1107:1

Tuesday, September 6 | Psalms 79 | Apocalypse Explained 1107:2, 3

Wednesday, September 7 | Psalms 80 | Apocalypse Explained 1107:4, 5

Thursday, September 8 | Psalms 81,82 | Apocalypse Explained 1108

Friday, September 9 | Psalms 83,84 | Apocalypse Explained 1109

Saturday, September 10 | Psalms 85,86 | Apocalypse Explained 1110, 1111

Sunday, September 11 | Psalms 87,88 | Apocalypse Explained 1112

Monday, September 12 | Psalms 89 | Apocalypse Explained 1113, 1114

Tuesday, September 13 | Psalms 90,91 | Apocalypse Explained 1115

Wednesday, September 14 | Psalms 92,93 | Apocalypse Explained 1116

Thursday, September 15 | Psalms 94 | Apocalypse Explained 1117, 1118

Friday, September 16 | Psalms 95,96 | Apocalypse Explained 1119

Saturday, September 17 | Psalms 97,98 | Apocalypse Explained 1120

Sunday, September 18 | Psalms 99,100 | Apocalypse Explained 1121

Monday, September 19 | Psalms 101,102 | Apocalypse Explained 1122

Tuesday, September 20 | Psalms 103 | Apocalypse Explained 1123, 1124

Wednesday, September 21 | Psalms 104 | Apocalypse Explained 1125

Thursday, September 22 | Psalms 105 | Apocalypse Explained 1126

Friday, September 23 | Psalms 106 | Apocalypse Explained 1127

Saturday, September 24 | Psalms 107 | Apocalypse Explained 1128

Sunday, September 25 | Psalms 108 | Apocalypse Explained 1129

Monday, September 26 | Psalms 109 | Apocalypse Explained 1130

Tuesday, September 27 | Psalms 110,111 | Apocalypse Explained 1131

Wednesday, September 28 | Psalms 112,113 | Apocalypse Explained 1132

Thursday, September 29 | Psalms 114,115 | Apocalypse Explained 1133:1-3

Friday, September 30 | Psalms 116,117 | Apocalypse Explained 1133:4-7

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October

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Saturday, October 1 | Psalms 118 | Apocalypse Explained 1134

Sunday, October 2 | Psalms 119:1-32 | Apocalypse Explained 1135

Monday, October 3 | Psalms 119:33-64 | Apocalypse Explained 1136

Tuesday, October 4 | Psalms 119:65-96 | Apocalypse Explained 1137

Wednesday, October 5 | Psalms 119:97-120 | Apocalypse Explained 1138

Thursday, October 6 | Psalms 119:121-152 | Apocalypse Explained 1139

Friday, October 7 | Psalms 119:153-176 | Apocalypse Explained 1140

Saturday, October 8 | Psalms 120-122 | Apocalypse Explained 1141

Sunday, October 9 | Psalms 123-125 | Apocalypse Explained 1142

Monday, October 10 | Psalms 126-128 | Apocalypse Explained 1143:1-3

Tuesday, October 11 | Psalms 129-131 | Apocalypse Explained 1143:4, 5

Wednesday, October 12 | Psalms 132,133 | Apocalypse Explained 1144

Thursday, October 13 | Psalms 134,135 | Apocalypse Explained 1145:1, 2

Friday, October 14 | Psalms 136 | Apocalypse Explained 1145:3, 4

Saturday, October 15 | Psalms 137,138 | Apocalypse Explained 1145:5-7

Sunday, October 16 | Psalms 139 | Apocalypse Explained 1145:8, 9

Monday, October 17 | Psalms 140,141 | Apocalypse Explained 1145:10, 11

Tuesday, October 18 | Psalms 142,143 | Apocalypse Explained 1146:1-3

Wednesday, October 19 | Psalms 144 | Apocalypse Explained 1146:4, 5

Thursday, October 20 | Psalms 145 | Apocalypse Explained 1147

Friday, October 21 | Psalms 146 | Apocalypse Explained 1148

Saturday, October 22 | Psalms 147 | Apocalypse Explained 1149

Sunday, October 23 | Psalms 148 | Apocalypse Explained 1150:1, 2

Monday, October 24 | Psalms 149,150 | Apocalypse Explained 1150:3-5

Tuesday, October 25 | Isaiah 1 | Apocalypse Explained 1151

Wednesday, October 26 | Isaiah 2 | Apocalypse Explained 1152

Thursday, October 27 | Isaiah 3,4 | Apocalypse Explained 1153:1-4

Friday, October 28 | Isaiah 5 | Apocalypse Explained 1153:5-9

Saturday, October 29 | Isaiah 6,7 | Apocalypse Explained 1154

Sunday, October 30 | Isaiah 8 | Apocalypse Explained 1155

Monday, October 31 | Isaiah 9 | Apocalypse Explained 1156

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November

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Tuesday, November 1 | Tu | Isaiah 10 | Apocalypse Explained 1157

Wednesday, November 2 | Isaiah 11,12 | Apocalypse Explained 1158

Thursday, November 3 | Isaiah 13 | Apocalypse Explained 1159:1, 2

Friday, November 4 | Isaiah 14 | Apocalypse Explained 1159:3, 4

Saturday, November 5 | Isaiah 15,16 | Apocalypse Explained 1159:5

Sunday, November 6 | Isaiah 17,18 | Apocalypse Explained 1160

Monday, November 7 | Isaiah 19 | Apocalypse Explained 1161

Tuesday, November 8 | Isaiah 20,21 | Apocalypse Explained 1162

Wednesday, November 9 | Isaiah 22 | Apocalypse Explained 1163

Thursday, November 10 | Isaiah 23 | Apocalypse Explained 1164

Friday, November 11 | Isaiah 24 | Apocalypse Explained 1165

Saturday, November 12 | Isaiah 25 | Apocalypse Explained 1166

Sunday, November 13 | Isaiah 26 | Apocalypse Explained 1167

Monday, November 14 | Isaiah 27 | Apocalypse Explained 1168

Tuesday, November 15 | Isaiah 28 | Apocalypse Explained 1169

Wednesday, November 16 | Isaiah 29 | Apocalypse Explained 1170:1-3

Thursday, November 17 | Isaiah 30 | Apocalypse Explained 1170:4-6

Friday, November 18 | Isaiah 31 | Apocalypse Explained 1171

Saturday, November 19 | Isaiah 32 | Apocalypse Explained 1172

Sunday, November 20 | Isaiah 33 | Apocalypse Explained 1173

Monday, November 21 | Isaiah 34 | Apocalypse Explained 1174

Tuesday, November 22 | Isaiah 35 | Apocalypse Explained 1175:1, 2

Wednesday, November 23 | Isaiah 36 | Apocalypse Explained 1175:3-5

Thursday, November 24 | Isaiah 37 | Apocalypse Explained 1176

Friday, November 25 | Isaiah 38 | Apocalypse Explained 1177

Saturday, November 26 | Isaiah 39 | Apocalypse Explained 1178, 1179

Sunday, November 27 | Isaiah 40 | Apocalypse Explained 1180

Monday, November 28 | Isaiah 41 | Apocalypse Explained 1181

Tuesday, November 29 | Isaiah 42 | Apocalypse Explained 1182:1, 2

Wednesday, November 30 | Isaiah 43 | Apocalypse Explained 1182:3-5

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December

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Thursday, December 1 | Genesis 3:1-15 | Arcana Coelestia 2034:6-8

Friday, December 2 | Genesis 12:1-3 | Arcana Coelestia 981:1

Saturday, December 3 | Psalms 14 | Arcana Coelestia 2553

Sunday, December 4 | Isaiah 40:1-11 | True Christian Religion 688-689

Monday, December 5 | Luke 1:5-25 | True Christian Religion 510

Tuesday, December 6 | 2 Samuel 23:1-7 | True Christian Religion 109[3]

Wednesday, December 7 | Isaiah 7:14 | Arcana Coelestia 3061:2-3

Thursday, December 8 | Luke 1:26-38 | Arcana Coelestia 6490-6491

Friday, December 9 | Psalms 2 | True Christian Religion 124

Saturday, December 10 | Matthew 1:18-25 | Arcana Coelestia 2025:4

Sunday, December 11 | Micah 4:1-7 | Arcana Coelestia 8273:1

Monday, December 12 | Haggai 2:1-9 | Arcana Coelestia 10574:4

Tuesday, December 13 | Luke 1:39-56 | Arcana Coelestia 2034

Wednesday, December 14 | Ezekiel 37:21-28 | Apocalypse Explained 365:18, 25

Thursday, December 15 | Luke 1:57-66 | Arcana Coelestia 2405:2, 8

Friday, December 16 | Isaiah 35 | Arcana Coelestia 7337:1

Saturday, December 17 | Micah 5:2, 4-5 | Arcana Coelestia 4592:3

Sunday, December 18 | Luke 2:1-7 | Apocalypse Explained 706:12

Monday, December 19 | Luke 2:8-21 | Arcana Coelestia 3195:2-3

Tuesday, December 20 | Isaiah 25:1, 6-9 | Arcana Coelestia 1789

Wednesday, December 21 | Luke 2:22-40 | True Christian Religion 89

Thursday, December 22 | Isaiah 60:1-6 | True Christian Religion 766

Friday, December 23 | Matthew 2:1-12 | Apocalypse Explained 661:2

Saturday, December 24 | Matthew 2:13-23 | Arcana Coelestia 1460

Sunday, December 25 | John 1:1-5 | Arcana Coelestia 9350-9360

Monday, December 26 | Isaiah 44 | Apocalypse Explained 1183

Tuesday, December 27 | Isaiah 45 | Apocalypse Explained 1184

Wednesday, December 28 | Isaiah 46 | Apocalypse Explained 1185

Thursday, December 29 | Isaiah 47 | Apocalypse Explained 1186

Friday, December 30 | Isaiah 48 | Apocalypse Explained 1187

Saturday, December 31 | Isaiah 49 | Apocalypse Explained 1188

1048. Verse 6. And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the witnesses of Jesus; and when I saw her I wondered with great wonder.

6. "And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints," signifies a religious persuasion that is insane from the falsities of evil, from which violence is done to Divine truths (n. 1049); "and with the blood of the witnesses of Jesus," signifies violence done to those truths of the Word that teach that the Lord alone is to be adored (n. 1050); "and when I saw her I wondered with great wonder," signifies an astonishing vision in which were arcana of heaven, that were unknown to him (n. 1051).

706. Verse 1. And a great sign was seen in heaven, signifies Divine attestation respecting the coming church and the reception of its doctrine, and by whom it will be assaulted. This is evident from the signification of "a great sign in heaven," as being Divine manifestation and attestation; that it has reference to the church and the reception of its doctrine, and also to assault upon it, is evident from what follows, for the "woman" means the church, her "son a male" doctrine, and "the dragon and his angels" and afterwards "the beasts," mean those who will assault the church and its doctrine. This vision is called "a great sign" because a "sign" means Divine manifestation respecting things to come, and attestation, here respecting the coming church and its doctrine, and also the assault upon it by those who are meant by "the dragon" and "the beasts." This is called a "sign," because it manifests and attests. "Sign" and "wonder" are mentioned in many passages in the Word, "sign" meaning that which indicates, witnesses, and persuades respecting the subject of inquiry, and "wonder" meaning that which stirs up, strikes dumb, and fills with amazement; thus a sign moves the understanding and faith, but a wonder the will and its affection, for the will and its affection are what are stirred up, stricken dumb, and filled with amazement, while the understanding and its faith are what are persuaded and moved by indications and proofs.

[2] That there is a difference between a sign and a wonder is evident from the fact that the Jews, although they had seen so many wonders performed by the Lord, still sought signs from Him; and also from the fact that the prodigies wrought in Egypt and in the wilderness are sometimes called "signs" and sometimes "wonders," and sometimes both. It is further evident from this, that in every particular of the Word there is a marriage of truth and good, and thus also of the understanding and will, for truth is of the understanding and good of the will, consequently "signs" there have reference to things pertaining to truth, and to faith and the understanding, and "wonders" to the things pertaining to good, and to affection and the will. Thence is clear the meaning of "signs" and of "wonders," where they are both mentioned in the Word, as in the following passages. In Moses:

I will harden Pharaoh's heart, that I may multiply My signs and My wonders in the land of Egypt (Exodus 7:3).

In the same:

Jehovah gave signs and wonders great and evil upon Egypt, upon Pharaoh, and upon all his men ¹ (Deuteronomy 6:22).

In the same:

Hath Jehovah tried to come to take to Him a nation out of the midst of a nation, by wonders, by signs, and by prodigies? (Deuteronomy 4:34)

In David:

They remembered not the day in which Jehovah set His signs in Egypt, and His prodigies in the field of Zoan (Psalms 78:42, 43).

In the same:

They set among them the words of their ² signs and wonders in the land of Ham (Psalms 105:27).

In the same:

He sent signs and wonders into the midst of thee, O Egypt, upon Pharaoh and all his servants (Psalms 135:9).

In Jeremiah:

Who hast set signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, and even to this day, both in Israel and in men, and hast led forth Thy people Israel out of the land of Egypt by signs and by wonders (Jeremiah 32:20, 21).

This shows that the prodigies wrought in Egypt, and afterwards among the sons of Israel, are called "signs and wonders," "signs" because they attested and persuaded, and "wonders" because they stirred up and filled with amazement; yet they agree in this, that the things that stir up and fill with amazement also attest and persuade, as those things that stir up the will also persuade the understanding, or as those things that move the affection also move the thought by persuading. Likewise in the Gospels:

In the consummation of the age there shall arise false Christs and false prophets, they shall show great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect (Matthew 24:24; Mark 13:22).

Here "great signs and wonders" have a like signification, namely, that they will attest and persuade, and that they will strike dumb and fill with amazement, which will cause a strong persuasion. Who are meant by "false Christs and false prophets," and who by "the elect," may be seen above (n. 624, 684).

[3] In Moses:

If there shall arise in the midst of thee a prophet or a dreamer of dreams who shall give thee a sign or a wonder, and if the sign or the wonder come to pass whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, thou shalt not obey (Deuteronomy 13:1-3).

Here a "prophet" and a "dreamer of dreams," also "sign" and "wonder" are mentioned, because a "sign" has reference to a prophet, and a "wonder" to a dreamer of dreams, because a "prophet" means one who teaches truths, and in the abstract sense the doctrine of truth, and a "dreamer" means one who stirs up to doing, and in the abstract sense the stirring up from which a thing is done; this, too, pertains to a "wonder," and the former to a "sign;" for prophets were instructed by a living voice from the Lord, and "dreamers" by representatives exciting to doing, which flowed into the affection of the dreamer, and from that into the sight of the thought, for when a man dreams his natural understanding is laid asleep and his spiritual sight is opened, which draws its all from the affection. But in this passage the sight that draws its all from an evil affection is meant, for it treats of prophets who teach falsities and who dream vain things, for "other gods" mean the falsities and vain things that such heard and saw.

[4] That "signs" signify attestations which indicate and persuade to the belief that a thing is so, is evident from the following passages. In Moses:

If they will not believe thee nor hear the voice of the first sign, yet they will believe the voice of the latter sign. And if they will not believe these two signs nor hear thy voice, thou shalt take of the waters of the river and they shall become blood (Exodus 4:8, 9).

This is said of the wonders wrought by Moses, when the Lord appeared to him in the bush, which are called "signs" because they were to attest and persuade that Moses was sent to lead them out of Egypt; this is why it is three times said "that they may believe," and also "that they may hear his voice."

[5] In the same:

Jehovah said unto Moses, How long will the people not believe in Me for all the signs which I have done in the midst of them? All the men that have seen My glory and the signs which I wrought in Egypt and in the wilderness, they shall not see the land (Numbers 14:11, 22, 23).

These miracles, too, are called "signs," because mention is made of believing; for as has been said, miracles are called "signs" because they persuade and induce faith; and as signs did not induce faith with those who were unwilling on account of fear to enter into the land of Canaan, therefore it is said of them that "they should not see the land." "Signs" have a like signification in Exodus 4:17; and Jeremiah 10:1, 2.

[6] In the Gospels:

The Scribes and Pharisees said, Master, we would see a sign from Thee. But He answering, said, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign, but no sign shall be given to it but the sign of Jonah the prophet; for as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the whale, so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the belly ³ of the earth (Matthew 12:38-40; Luke 11:16, 29, 30).

A "sign" plainly means attestation that they may be persuaded and believe that the Lord was the Messiah and the Son of God who was to come, for the miracles that the Lord wrought in abundance, and that they saw, were no signs to them, because miracles, as has been said above, are signs only with the good. "Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the whale," and this was taken for a "sign," because it signified the burial and resurrection of the Lord, thus the complete glorification of His Human, "three days and three nights" also signifying completeness.

[7] In Matthew:

The Pharisees and the Sadducees, tempting, asked Jesus to show them a sign from heaven. He answering, said to them, When it is evening ye say, It will be fair weather, for the heaven is red. And in the morning, There will be storm today, for the heaven is red and gloomy. Ye hypocrites, ye know how to discern the face of heaven, but not the signs of the times. A wicked and adulterous nation requireth a sign, but no sign shall be given unto it but the sign of the prophet Jonah (Matthew 16:1-4).

Here, too, the "sign" asked from heaven means attestation that they might be persuaded and might believe that the Lord was the Son of God, although miracles were wrought that they did not call signs. The Lord then spoke of evening and of morning because "evening and morning" signifies the Lord's coming; here it means when the church with the Jews was laid waste, who then had "fair weather," because they had no knowledge of the Lord, and lived securely in falsities from evil; this is the "evening;" but when they knew Him, and because of falsities from evils in which they were denied and assaulted Him, this is signified by "the morning when there is a storm." This is why the Lord said, "Ye hypocrites, ye know how to discern the face of heaven, but not the signs of the times," that is, the Lord's coming; and because they were "a wicked and adulterous nation," that is, one that adulterated the Word, He said that "no sign should be given unto them."

[8] So again in Mark:

The Pharisees began to dispute with Jesus, seeking of Him a sign from heaven; and He, sighing in His spirit, said, Why doth this generation seek a sign? Verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation (Mark 8:11, 12).

That a "sign" here signifies attestation by which they might plainly know, acknowledge, and believe, that the Lord was the Messiah and Son of God whom they expected from the predictions in the prophets, is evident from this, that "sighing in spirit, He said, Why doth this generation seek a sign? Verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation;" and this was because if this had been plainly revealed or told them from heaven, and if thus persuaded they had acknowledged and believed it, they would nevertheless have rejected it afterwards, and to reject after acknowledgment and faith is to profane, and the lot of profaners in hell is the worst of all.

[9] That for this reason plain attestation was not given them from heaven is evident from these words in John:

He hath blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts lest they should see with their eyes and understand with their heart, and should turn themselves, and I should heal them (John 12:40).

"To turn themselves and be healed" means here to profane, which is done when truths and goods are acknowledged, especially when the Lord is acknowledged and afterwards denied; so would it have been if the Jews had turned themselves and been healed by a sign. "To see with the eyes and understand with the heart" signifies to receive in the understanding and will, or in faith and love. From this it is clear that a "sign" signifies a plain testification. (On the lot of profaners see The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n.172.)

[10] In John:

The disciples ⁴ said unto Jesus, What doest Thou for a sign, that we may see and believe Thee, what workest Thou? Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, as it is written, He gave them bread out of heaven to eat. Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not the bread out of heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread out of heaven; for the bread of God is He who cometh down out of heaven and giveth life unto the world (John 6:30-33).

Here also the disciples ⁴ desired a sign; that this signifies attestation that they might believe is clear from their saying, "That we may see and believe, what workest Thou?" They then spoke of "manna," and the Lord answered respecting "bread from heaven," because "bread" signifies all good and truth that nourishes the soul, and in the highest sense the Lord Himself, from whom is everything of doctrine and everything of spiritual nourishment, whereby he gave attestation that they might see and believe. Nevertheless attestation, that is, a sign from heaven, was given to the three disciples, Peter, James, and John, as can be seen from the Lord's transfiguration, for they then saw His glory, and heard a voice out of heaven saying, "This is My beloved Son, hear ye Him" (Mark 9:7; Luke 9:35; Matthew 17:5).

[11] In John:

When Jesus cast out of the temple them that sold therein, the Jews said, What sign showest Thou, that Thou doest these things? Jesus answered and said to them, Destroy this temple, yet in three days I will raise it up (John 2:16, 18, 19).

Here evidently "to show a sign" signifies to give attestation by something wonderful, or by a voice out of heaven. But because such an attestation would have damned rather than saved them, as has been said just above, He answered them concerning "the temple," by which He meant His body, that this should be destroyed, that is, should die, and should rise again glorified on the third day. This too is what the Lord meant by "the sign of Jonah in the belly of the whale three days and three nights." (That "temple" in the highest sense signifies the Lord's body, see John 2:21.)

[12] In Luke:

The angels said to the shepherds, There is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord; and this is a sign unto you, ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger (Luke 2:11, 12, 16).

Since a "sign" means attestation that they might believe that the Savior of the world was born, it is said that "they should find Him lying in a manger wrapped in swaddling clothes;" but that this was an attestation no one can know until it is known what is meant by a "manger" and by "swaddling clothes." "A manger" means the doctrine of truth from the Word, because "horses" signify the understanding of the Word (as can be seen from what has been shown above, n. 355, 364, and in the small work on The White Horse 2-4); and thus a manger, as a feeding place for horses, signifies the doctrine of truth from the Word. It is said in the seventh verse of the same chapter that this was done "because there was no place in the inn," an "inn" signifying a place of instruction. (This is the signification of "inn" also in Luke 10:34; 22:11; Mark 14:14; and elsewhere.)

Because this was the state with the Jews, who were then in mere falsities, through the adulteration of the Word, this was signified by "there was no place in the inn;" for if it had pleased the Lord He might have been born in a most splendid palace, and have been laid in a bed adorned with precious stones; but He would thus have been with such as were in no doctrine of truth, and there would have been no heavenly representation. He is also said to have been "wrapped in swaddling clothes," because "swaddling clothes" signify first truths, which are truths of innocence, and which are also truths of the Divine love; for "nakedness," in reference to a babe, signifies deprivation of truth. From this it is clear why it was said by the angels, "This is a sign unto you, ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger."

[13] In the Gospels:

The disciples said to Jesus, What shall be the sign of Thy coming and of the consummation of the age? (Matthew 24:3; Mark 13:4; Luke 21:7)

"The coming of the Lord and the consummation of the age" signifies the beginning of the New Church and the end of the former church, "the coming of the Lord" the beginning of the New Church, and "the consummation of the age" the end of the old church, therefore in these chapters the Lord instructs His disciples respecting the successive vastation of the former church, and at its end the establishment of the New Church; but He instructs and teaches them by mere correspondences, which cannot be unfolded and made known except by means of the spiritual sense; and because the Lord spoke by correspondences, all of these were signs and thus attestations. Moreover, the Lord calls them "signs."

As in Luke:

And there shall be fearful things, great signs from heaven. There shall be signs in the sun, moon, and stars, and upon the earth distress of nations in desperation, the sea and the waves roaring (Luke 21:11, 21:25).

In Matthew:

And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man; and then shall all the tribes of the earth lament, and they shall see the Son of man coming In the clouds of heaven with power and glory (Matthew 24:30).

The signification in the spiritual sense of these and the other things contained in the twenty-fourth chapter of Matthew have been explained in the Arcana Coelestia, and of "the appearing of the sign of the Son of man in the clouds of heaven" in the work on Heaven and Hell 1), therefore further explanation is unnecessary.

[14] In Mark:

Jesus said unto the disciples, These signs shall follow them that believe, In My name shall they cast out demons; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the infirm and they shall be well. And they went forth and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them by signs following (Mark 16:17, 18, 20).

These were miracles, yet still they are called "signs" because they were attestations of the Divine power of the Lord who wrought them; therefore it is said, "The Lord working with them by those signs." If these had been applied to the evil they would have been called "wonders," for with the evil such things only fill with amazement and strike the mind, and still do not persuade to belief; but with the good it is otherwise, for with them the same things are attestations that persuade to belief, and therefore they are called "signs," and it is said "these signs shall follow them that believe." But how these signs can persuade to belief shall be briefly told. These miraculous signs, as that "they should cast out demons," "should speak with new tongues," "should take up serpents," "if they drank any deadly thing it should not hurt them," and "they should become well by the laying on of hands," were in their essence and in their origin spiritual, from which these flowed forth and came forth as effects; for they were correspondences that derived their all from the spiritual world by influx from the Lord. For instance, that "they should cast out demons in the name of the Lord" derived its effect from this, that the name of the Lord understood spiritually means everything of doctrine out of the Word from the Lord, and that "demons" mean falsities of every kind, and these are thus cast out, that is, taken away, by the doctrine out of the Word from the Lord; that "they should speak with new tongues" derives its effect from this, that "new tongues" mean doctrinals for the New Church; "they should take up serpents" was because "serpents" signify the hells in respect to malice, and thus they would be safe from infestation by it; "they would not be hurt if they drank any deadly thing" meant that they would not be contaminated by the malice of the hells; and "the infirm would become well by the laying on of hands" meant to be healed of spiritual diseases, which are called iniquities and sins, by communication and conjunction with heaven, thus with the Lord; the laying on of the hands of the disciples corresponding to communication and conjunction with the Lord, and thus to the removal of iniquities by His Divine power.

[15] In Isaiah:

Jehovah said unto Ahaz, Ask thee a sign of Jehovah, direct it into the deep, or lift it up on high. The Lord giveth you a sign, Behold, a virgin shall conceive and shall bear a son, and shall call His name God-with-us (Isaiah 7:11, 14).

This was said to Ahaz king of Judah, because the king of Syria and the king of Israel made war against him, even to Jerusalem, and they also had on their side the tribe of Ephraim, and yet they did not prevail, for the reason that "the king of Syria" here represented the external or natural of the church, "the king of Israel" its internal or spiritual, and "Ephraim" its intellectual; but here these three, the natural, the spiritual, and the intellectual, perverted, and these wished to attack the doctrine of truth, signified by "the king of Judah" and by "Jerusalem," wherefore they did not succeed. Nevertheless, in order that Ahaz might be assured of the frustration of their attempt he was told "to ask a sign," that is, an attestation that he might be assured, and the choice was granted him whether it should be from heaven or from hell; this was signified by "direct it into the deep, or lift it up on high," for the king was evil. But because "Jerusalem," which signifies the doctrine of truth from the Word, was not to be destroyed by such before the Lord's coming, there was given him, as an attestation of this, a miraculous sign, namely, that "a virgin shall conceive and shall bear a son, whose name shall be God-with-us." That this church would subsequently be destroyed is indicated further on in the same chapter.

[16] In the same:

This shall be a sign to thee from with Jehovah, behold, I will bring back the shadow of the steps which is gone down on the steps of Ahaz before the sun, ten steps backward, that the sun may return ten steps on the steps which it has gone down (Isaiah 38:7-8).

This sign was given to King Hezekiah as an attestation that the Lord would defend him and Jerusalem from the king of Assyria (as is said in the sixth verse of that chapter), Isaiah 38:6 that king signifying the perverted rational destroying all things of the church; therefore this sign represented also a New Church that was to be established by the Lord, but here that the time would be protracted beyond that indicated to Ahaz just above; "bringing back the shadow that had gone down on the steps of Ahaz before the sun" signifies a drawing back of the time before this should be done, "steps of Ahaz" signifying a time, here even until the coming of the Lord, and the "shadow" signifying the progress of time from the rising to the setting; that the shadow "should be drawn backwards ten degrees" signifies the prolongation of the time for many years still, "ten" signifying many, and the "sun" which should go back signifying the Lord's coming.

But this shall be further illustrated. The Lord's coming took place when the Jewish Church was at an end, that is, when there was no good or truth left in it; this is meant by "when iniquity was consummated," also by "the fullness of times," in which the Lord was to come. The entire period of the duration of the Jewish Church was represented by "the steps of Ahaz," its beginning by the first step there, which is when the sun is in its rising, and its end by the last when it is at its setting. This makes evident that by "the drawing back of the shadow" from the setting towards the rising means the prolongation of the time. This should take place "in the steps of Ahaz," because Ahaz was a wicked king, and profaned the holy things of the church, consequently if his successors had done the same, the end of that church would have quickly come; but as Hezekiah was an upright king the time was prolonged, for on that account the iniquity of that nation was not so soon to reach its consummation, that is, its end.

[17] In the same:

Say to King Hezekiah, This shall be the sign unto thee, Ye shall eat this year that which springeth up of itself, and in the second year that which groweth of its own accord; but in the third year sow ye, reap, and plant vineyards, and eat the fruit thereof (Isaiah 37:30).

This was said to King Hezekiah when Sennacherib, king of Assyria, made war against him, and spoke proudly of himself and insolently of God and of Israel; in consequence of which also one hundred and eighty ⁵ thousand were smitten in his camp, and he was himself killed by his sons. This was done because "Assyria" signifies the rational, and "the king of Assyria" the like, and "Judea" the celestial of the church, and "its king" the spiritual of the church; but here "the king of Assyria" signifies the perverted rational, which destroys by false reasonings all the celestial and spiritual things of the church, which are its goods and truths. And as "Judea and its king" signify the celestial and spiritual of the church which will be from the Lord when He comes into the world, therefore these things are said by which is described the regeneration of those who will be of that church. So the sign that the first year "they shall eat that which springeth up of itself" signifies celestial good that the Lord will implant in them; "in the second year that which groweth of its own accord," signifies the truth of that good which shall come from it; "to sow, to reap, to plant vineyards, and to eat the fruit thereof," signifies all the goods and truths that flow forth therefrom, "to sow and reap" signifying the implantation of good and its reception; "to plant vineyards" the implantation of truth and its reception; and "to eat the fruits thereof" the enjoyment of good and joyous things therefrom which the regenerate man has. These things are called "a sign" because they are attestations of a celestial church with those who are meant in the spiritual sense by "Judah," whose regeneration is effected by the Lord by the implantation of celestial good, afterwards by the implantation of spiritual good, which in its essence is the truth of celestial good, and finally by multiplication and fructification in the natural man.

[18] In the same:

Thus said Jehovah, the Holy One of Israel and his Former, They have asked Me signs respecting My sons, and respecting the work of My hands they command Me. I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will make straight all his ways. He shall build My city, and he shall send forth My captivity, not for price nor reward (Isaiah 45:11, 13).

This also treats of the Lord's coming and of the establishment of a church by Him. The Lord is meant by "Jehovah, the Holy One of Israel, and his Former," who is called "the Holy One of Israel" from Divine truth, and his "Former" from the establishment of the church by means of truth; and "Israel" means the church; therefore "His sons, respecting whom they asked signs," mean those who are in truths from the Lord, and "the work of His hands" means their formation, and the establishment of a church among them. "I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will make straight all His ways" signifies that Divine good and Divine truth are the Lord's, for "righteousness" is predicated in the Word of good, and "ways" signify truths that lead, here Divine truths, because they are predicated of the Lord; "he shall build My city, and he shall send forth My captivity" signifies that He will restore the doctrine of truth, and that He will deliver those who are in falsities from ignorance, "city" signifying the doctrine of truth, and "captivity" the falsities of ignorance in which the Gentiles were, and through which they were in spiritual captivity; "not for price nor reward" signifies freely given from Divine love.

[19] In the same:

Let them declare to you ⁶ the things that shall happen, declare ye the former things, that we may set our heart and may know the latter end of them; or make us to hear things to come, declare to us a sign for the future, that we may know that ye are gods (Isaiah 41:22, 23).

That to tell things past and to come belongs to the Lord alone, and not to any man or any spirit, is expressed by "declare a sign for the future, that we may know that ye are gods;" this concludes what precedes, therefore "to declare a sign" means to testify by persuading to believe.

[20] In Ezekiel:

Take to thee a pan of iron, and set it for a wall of iron between thee and the city; and thou shalt set thy faces against it, that it may be for a siege, and thou shalt lay siege to it; this shall be a sign to the house of Israel (Ezekiel 4:3).

These and the rest of the things in this chapter are representatives of the state of the church with the Jewish nation, signifying that they had no truth that was not falsified and adulterated, which in itself is falsity. Such truth is signified by "the pan of iron" that he should set for a wall between him and the city; and because this, like iron, is hard, shutting out and not admitting any genuine truth, it is said, "that it may be for a siege, and thou shalt lay siege to it;" that this sign should be a witness that the church is such is signified by "this shall be a sign to the house of Israel," "sign" meaning an attestation, and "house of Israel" the church.

[21] In David:

The adversary hath destroyed all things in the sanctuary; the adversaries have roared in the midst of Thy feast; they have set up their own signs for signs. We see not our signs; there is no more a prophet (Psalms 74:3, 4, 9).

"The adversary hath destroyed all things in the sanctuary" signifies that evil has destroyed the holy things of the church; "the adversaries have roared in the midst of Thy feast" signifies that falsities have destroyed all things of worship; "they have set up their own signs for signs" signifies that they have given attestation and persuaded by every means; "we see not our signs" signifies that no attestations of truth were accepted in the church; "there is no more a prophet" signifies no doctrine of truth.

[22] In the same:

Jehovah make a sign with me for good, that they that hate me may see and be ashamed, because Thou, O Jehovah, hast helped me and comforted me (Psalms 86:17).

"To make a sign for good" signifies attestation that Jehovah will help and comfort him, as follows, for this is the good for which Jehovah makes a sign; and because a sign is an attestation of this it is said "that they that hate me may see and be ashamed."

[23] In the same:

God who setteth fast the mountains by His power is girded with might; He maketh the tumult of the seas to cease, the tumult of its waves and the noise of the peoples, that the dwellers in the uttermost parts may fear because of Thy signs (Psalms 65:6-8).

This describes the Lord's Divine power through attestations that cause belief; but attestations that are signs are not that "He setteth fast the mountains, maketh the tumult of the seas and of its waves, and the noise of the people to cease," for these are not such signs as convince those who ascribe all things to nature; but the things meant in the spiritual sense, in which sense heaven and the church are treated of, are the signs that give attestation of the Lord's Divine power, for in that sense, the "mountains" that God setteth fast by His power mean the higher heavens, because the angels of those heavens dwell upon mountains; and in the abstract sense love to the Lord and charity towards the neighbor are meant; these are what the Lord "girded with might, setteth fast by His power," that is, makes them to stand fast forever; that "mountains" have such a signification may be seen above n. 405; "the tumult of the seas" and "the tumult of the waves" mean the disputations and reasonings of those who are beneath the heavens, and who are natural and sensual; that "seas" signify the things of the natural man, thus those who are natural, therefore their tumults and waves signify disputations and reasonings, may be seen also above n. 342. "The noise of the peoples" mean contradictions from falsities, for "peoples" signify those who are in truths, and in the contrary sense those who are in falsities (See above, n. 175, 331, 625). "That the dwellers in the uttermost parts may fear because of Thy signs" signifies holy worship from faith in regard to Divine power with those who are in the ultimates of heaven and the church; that "to fear" means to worship the Lord from charity and faith may be seen above n. 696; and that "dwellers in the uttermost parts" mean those who are in the ultimates of heaven and the church, and are in the faith of charity there, is evident, since "the uttermost parts" mean the ultimates of heaven and the church. From this it is clear that "signs" here signify attestations respecting the Lord's Divine power.

[24] In Jeremiah:

This shall be the sign unto you that I will visit upon you in this place, that ye may know that My words shall stand against you for evil. Behold, I give the king of Egypt into the hand of his adversaries and into the hand of them that seek his soul (Jeremiah 44:29, 30).

This treats of those of the church who have become natural, who are meant by those who sojourned in Egypt and returned therefrom. That such would be destroyed by evils and falsities is meant by "He will give the king of Egypt into the hand of his adversaries and into the hand of them that seek his soul," "adversaries" here meaning those who are in evils, and "them that seek the soul" those who are in falsities, thus in an abstract sense evils and falsities (that "Egypt" means the natural man see above, n. 654.

This is called a "sign," because it is an attestation that this will be done; therefore it is added, "that ye may know that my words shall stand against you for evil."

[25] That a "sign" means attestation of certainty is evident from the following passages. In Isaiah:

Hezekiah said, What is the sign that I am to go up into the house of Jehovah? (Isaiah 38:22)

In the book of Judges:

Gideon said to the angel of Jehovah, Show me a sign that it is thou that speakest to me; and the sign was, that when he touched with the staff the flesh and unleavened bread which Gideon had offered, a fire went up out of the rock and consumed them (Judges 6:17, 21).

In the first book of Samuel:

This shall be the sign unto thee that shall come upon thy two sons, in one day they shall die, both of them (1 Samuel 2:34).

If the Philistines say, Come up unto us, then will we go up, for Jehovah hath given them into our hand; this shall be the sign unto us (1 Samuel 14:10).

Nearly the same is signified by:

The signs of the covenant (Genesis 9:13; 17:11; Ezekiel 20:12, 20; and elsewhere);

namely, attestations respecting conjunction.

[26] Attestations are signified also by "signs" wrought by the evil that appeared like miracles, as in the following passages. In Isaiah:

Jehovah maketh void the signs of the liars, He rendereth the diviners mad, He turneth wise men backward, and maketh their knowledge stupid (Isaiah 44:25).

In Jeremiah:

Jehovah hath said, Learn not the way of the nations, and be not dismayed at the signs of the heavens; for the nations are dismayed at them. The statutes of the nations ⁷ are vanity (Jeremiah 10:2, 3).

In Revelation:

The beast coming up out of the earth did great signs, so that he even maketh fire to come down from heaven unto the earth before men, and seduceth them that worship ⁸ upon the earth, because of the signs that were given him to do (Revelation 13:13, 14).

They are the spirits of demons doing signs to go forth unto the kings of the earth, to gather them together unto the war of that great day (Revelation 16:14).

And again:

The beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that did signs before him, by which he seduced them that had received the mark of the beast (Revelation 19:20).

But what is meant by "signs upon the hand and in the forehead" may be seen above n. 427. Again, the "signs" that were set upon mountains to gather the people together to war, to battle, and so on, signified indications to do the things commanded. As in Isaiah:

It shall be in that day that the root of Jesse, which standeth for an ensign of the peoples, the nations shall seek, and his rest shall be glory. When he shall lift up an ensign to the nations, and shall gather together the outcasts of Israel and the dispersed of Judah from the four winds of the earth (Isaiah 11:10-12).

In Jeremiah:

Set thee up signs, place for thee columns, set thine heart to the highway, the way thou mayest go (Jeremiah 31:21).

In the same:

Declare ye among the nations, and make to be heard, and lift up an ensign; Babylon is taken (Jeremiah 50:2).

Lift up an ensign against the walls of Babylon, keep the watch, set the watchmen. Lift up an ensign in the land, sound the trumpet among the nations (Jeremiah 51:12, 27);

and elsewhere, especially in the historical parts of the Word. From all these passages quoted from the Word it is clear that "a great sign seen in heaven" signifies Divine manifestation and attestation (as also in the third verse of this chapter, an (Revelation 12:3) d afterwards in chap. Revelation 15:1).

Imibhalo yaphansi: