Apocalypse Explained, volume 1 - Swedenborg Foundation

APOCALYPSE EXPLAINED 11and “John” represented, and thence signified, faith, charity, and thegood of charity, in their order, see preface to Genesis 18, and 22,and n. 3934, 8581, 10087.)9. When one knows that all names in the Word signify things,and that the names of the twelve sons of Jacob, or of the twelvetribes signify all truths and goods of the church in the complex; andin like manner, the names of the twelve disciples of the Lord; andthat “Peter,” “James,” and “John” signify faith, charity, and thegood of charity; he can see many arcana in the Word; as forexample, why:The Lord gave the name Peter to Simon, and to James and Johnthe name Boanerges, which means sons of thunder (Mark 3:16–17).For “Peter,” like petra [rock] signifies the Lord as to truth fromgood, or faith from charity; and “sons of thunder” signify thosewho from affection, which is of love, receive the truths of heaven.(That “rock” signifies the Lord in respect to truth from good, orfaith from charity, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 8581, 10580; in likemanner the “stone of Israel,” n. 6426; and that “thunders” signifyDivine truths from heaven, n. 7573, 8914; and “lightning” thesplendors thereof, n. 8813; whence thunders were also called“voices,” n. 7573, 8914.)[2] I will here mention some arcana that may be seen by thosewho are aware that “Peter” signifies faith, and “John” the good ofcharity. First, why the Lord said to Peter:I also say unto thee, Thou art Peter, and upon this rock will I buildmy church; and I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of theheavens (Matt. 16:18–19).It appears from the letter, as if that power was given to Peter, whenin fact no power was given to Peter; but it was so said to himbecause “Peter” signified truth from good, which is from the Lord;and truth from good, which is from the Lord, has all power, thusthe Lord has all power from good through truth. (That this is somay be seen illustrated in Last Judgment, n. 57.) A second arcanum