Apocalypse Explained, volume 1 - Swedenborg Foundation

APOCALYPSE EXPLAINED 100195–197, 6398, 6949, 10313.) That “brass” and “iron” in theWord also signify what is hard (as in Isa. 48:4; Dan. 7:19; andelsewhere), will be seen in what follows.71. And his voice as the voice of many waters signifies Divine truthin ultimates. This is evident from the signification of a “voice”when it is from the Lord, as being Divine truth (see ArcanaCoelestia, n. 219, 220, 3563, 6971, 8813, 8914, and above, n. 55);and from the signification of “waters,” as being the truths of faith,and also the knowledges of truth (of which see n. 2702, 3058,5668, 8568, 10238); and since the knowledges of truths are inultimates, “the voice as the voice of many waters,” because it is saidof the Lord, signifies Divine truth in ultimates. (That knowledgesare of the external or natural man, because they are in the light ofthe world, thus in ultimates, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 5212, and ingeneral, New Jerusalem and Its Heavenly Doctrine, n. 51.) As it isnot yet known that “waters” in the Word signify the truths of faithand the knowledges of truth, I would like, since this significationmay possibly appear remote, to show here briefly that this is what ismeant in the Word by “waters.” This, moreover, is necessary,because without a knowledge of what “waters” signify, it cannot beknown what baptism signifies, nor the “washings” in the Israelitishchurch so frequently referred to. “Waters” signify the truths offaith, as “bread” signifies the good of love. “Waters” and “bread”have this signification because things that pertain to spiritualnourishment are expressed in the sense of the letter by such thingsas belong to natural nourishment; for bread and water, whichinclude in general all food and drink, nourish the body, while thetruths of faith and the good of love nourish the soul. This also isfrom correspondence, for when “bread” and “water” are read of inthe Word, angels, because they are spiritual, understand the thingsby which they are nourished, which are the goods of love and thetruths of faith.[2] But I will cite some passages from which it may be knownthat “waters” signify the truths of faith, likewise the knowledges oftruth. Thus in Isaiah: