Apocalypse Explained, volume 1 - Swedenborg Foundation

APOCALYPSE EXPLAINED 123love to him, and that this life is eternal life is evident from manypassages in the Word, as the following from John:As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must theson of man be lifted up, that whosoever believeth in him may notperish, but may have eternal life. He that believeth on the son hatheternal life; but he that believeth not on the son shall not see life (John3:14–16, 36).The water that I shall give shall become in him a fountain of water,springing up unto eternal life (John 4:10–11, 14).Water is the truth of faith (see above, n. 71).Everyone that beholdeth the son, and believeth on him, hatheternal life. The words that I speak unto you are spirit and are life (John66:40, 63).The “words” that the Lord speaks are also the truths of faith. In thesame:I am the resurrection and the life; he that believeth in me, thoughhe die, yet shall he live (John 11:25–26).Work for the food which abideth unto eternal life, which the sonof man giveth (John 6:27).The “food” which the Lord gives is also the truth and good of faith,because spiritual food is meant (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3114,4459, 4792, 5147, 5293, 5340, 5342, 5410, 5426, 8562, 9003). Itwas said that the life of the Lord is in faith in him and love to himwith man; this is because everything of faith and love is from him,and that which is from him is also himself, for it is his proceedingDivine, which is called “the spirit of truth” and “the Holy Spirit”;and as the Lord is therein, and it is himself, therefore it is said thatthey should abide in the Lord, which means in faith in him andlove to him, from him; as in John:Jesus said, Abide in me, and I in you. If ye abide in me, and mywords abide in you, ye shall ask whatever ye will, and it shall be done