Apocalypse Explained, volume 1 - Swedenborg Foundation

APOCALYPSE EXPLAINED 195“ten days,” as being duration for some time. Duration for sometime is signified by “ten days,” for the reason that the entireduration of infestation and temptation is signified by “forty days”(see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2959, 7985, 7986), and “ten” means somepart thereof; for all numbers in the Word signify things or states,with variety according to the relation to other numbers. Thenumber “ten,” without reference to other numbers, signifies what isfull or much (Arcana Coelestia, n. 3107, 4638); but in reference to agreater number, it signifies as much as is needed for uses (n. 9757);so here it signifies duration for some time, thus as use demands.(That all numbers in the Word signify things or states, see ArcanaCoelestia, n. 482, 487, 647, 755, 813, 1963, 1988, 2075, 2252,3252, 4264, 4495, 4670, 5265, 6175, 9488, 9659, 10217, 10253.)He that considers, can see that by the “affliction of ten days” here,which they are to have who are cast into prison by the devil,something else must be meant than ten days’ affliction.125. Be thou faithful even till death, signifies steadfastness intruths to the end. This is evident without explanation. It is said“even till death,” because such as man is when he dies, such heremains to eternity; the life previously lived is only the life for theformation of his spirit (of which see many things in Heaven andHell, n. 470–484).126. And I will give thee the crown of life, signifies wisdom andeternal happiness therefrom. This is evident from the significationof “crown,” as being wisdom, in reference to those who are in thespiritual affection of the knowledges of truth and good (of whichmore in what follows); and from the signification of “life,” as beingeternal happiness, which is also called life eternal. Those who are inthe spiritual affection of truth and good, and who are here treatedof, have eternal happiness, because heaven with man is implantedby means of the knowledges of truth and good from the Word. Hewho believes that heaven is implanted by other means is muchdeceived; for man is born merely natural, with the faculty ofbecoming spiritual, and he becomes spiritual by means of truthsfrom the Word and a life according to them. Who can ever becomespiritual unless he has some knowledge of the Lord, of heaven, of