Apocalypse Explained, volume 1 - Swedenborg Foundation

APOCALYPSE EXPLAINED 164and find none; cut it down; why should it make the ground unfruitful?(Luke 13:6–9).Jesus saw a fig tree by the way; he came to it, and found nothingthereon but leaves only; and he said, Nevermore from thee shall there befruit. And immediately the fig tree withered away (Matt. 21:19; Mark11:13, 14, 20).The “fig tree” signifies the natural man and its interiors, and“fruits” signify his goods (Arcana Coelestia, n. 217, 4231, 5113);but “leaves” signify knowledges (n. 885). From this it is clear whatis signified by the fig tree’s withering away because the Lord foundon it leaves only and no fruit. All these passages are cited that itmay be known what is signified by the “tree of life in the midst ofthe paradise of God,” namely, the good of love proceeding from theLord, and heavenly joy therefrom.110. Which is in the midst of the paradise of God, signifies that allthe knowledges of good and truth in heaven and in the church lookthereto and proceed therefrom. This is evident from thesignification of “the midst,” as being the center to which all thingsthat are round about look and from which they proceed (of whichabove, n. 97) and from the signification of “paradise,” as being theknowledges of good and truth and intelligence therefrom (ArcanaCoelestia, n. 100, 108, 1588, 2702, 3220); and because these aresignified by “paradise,” therefore by the “paradise of God” heavenis signified, and as heaven, so also the church is signified, for thechurch is the Lord’s heaven on the earth. Heaven and the churchare called the “paradise of God,” because the Lord is in the midst ofthem, and from him is all intelligence and wisdom. Since it has notbeen known heretofore that all things in the Word are written bycorrespondences, consequently that there are spiritual things inevery particular that is mentioned therein, it is believed that by the“paradise” treated of in the second chapter of Genesis, a paradisalgarden is meant. But no earthly paradise is there meant, but theheavenly paradise which those possess who are in intelligence andwisdom from the knowledges of good and truth (see above, n. 109;and Heaven and Hell, n. 176, 185).