Apocalypse Explained, volume 1 - Swedenborg Foundation

APOCALYPSE EXPLAINED 163Because the “fruits of the tree” signified the goods of life, it was alsocommanded:That in the feast of tabernacles they should take the fruits of thetree of honor, and the boughs, and be glad before Jehovah, and thusshould keep the feast (Lev. 23:40, 41).For by “tabernacles” were signified the goods of heavenly love, andholy worship therefrom (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 414, 1102, 2145,2152, 3312, 4391, 10545); and by the “feast of tabernacles” wassignified the implantation of that good or love (n. 9296). Because“fruits” signified the goods of love which are goods of life:It was amongst the blessings that the tree of the field should give itsfruit, and among the curses that it should not bear fruit (Lev. 26:4, 20).So also it was a command that when any city was besieged:20).They should not lay the axe to any tree of good fruit (Deut. 20:19,From all this it can be seen that “fruits” signify the goods of love, orwhat is the same, the goods of life, which are also called “works,” aslikewise in these passages in the Evangelists:The axe lieth unto the root of the tree; every tree that bringeth notforth good fruit shall be hewn down and cast into the fire (Matt. 3:10;7:16–21).Either make the tree good and the fruit good, or else make the treecorrupt and the fruit corrupt; for the tree is known by its fruit (Matt.12:33; Luke 6:43, 44).Every branch that beareth not fruit shall be taken away; but everybranch that beareth fruit shall be pruned, that it may bring forth morefruit (John 15:2–8).A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he cameseeking fruit thereon, but found none. And he saith unto the vinedresser, Behold, for three years I come seeking fruit from the fig tree,