Apocalypse Explained, volume 1 - Swedenborg Foundation

APOCALYPSE EXPLAINED 200written, which no one knoweth except he that receiveth. 12. “And tothe angel of the church in Pergamum write,” signifies forremembrance to those within the church who are in temptations(n. 130); “these things saith he that hath the sharp two-edgedsword,” signifies the Lord, who alone combats in temptations (n.131). 13. “I know thy works,” signifies love and faith (n. 132);“and where thou dwellest,” signifies amongst whom he now lives(n. 133); “where satan’s throne is,” signifies where all falsities reign(n. 134); “and thou holdest my name,” signifies theacknowledgment of the Divine in his human (n. 135); “and didstnot deny my faith,” signifies constancy in truths (n. 136); “even inthe days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slainamong you,” signifies in that time and state in which all are hatedwho openly acknowledge the Divine human of the Lord (n. 137);“where satan dwelleth,” signifies by those who are in the doctrine ofall falsities (n. 138). 14. “But I have against thee a few things,”signifies that heed should be taken (n. 139); “that thou hast therethem that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast astumbling block before the sons of Israel,” signifies those who havebeen illustrated in respect to the understanding, and who teachtruths, and yet love to destroy by craft those who are of the church(n. 140); “to eat idol sacrifices, and to commit whoredom,”signifies that they may be imbued with evils and with falsitiestherefrom (n. 141). 15. “So thou also hast them that hold thedoctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate,” signifies those whoseparate good from truth, or charity from faith, which is againstDivine order (n. 142). 16. “Repent,” signifies dissociation fromthese (n. 143); “or else I will come to thee quickly, and will fightagainst them with the sword of my mouth,” signifies if not, whenvisitation comes, they will be dispersed (n. 144). 17. “He that hathan ear let him hear what the spirit saith to the churches,” signifiesthat he who understands should hearken to what Divine truthproceeding from the Lord teaches and says to those who are of hischurch (n. 145); “to him that overcometh, to him will I give to eatof the hidden manna,” signifies that those who conquer intemptations will have the delight of heavenly love from the Lord’sDivine human (n. 146); “and will give him a white stone,” signifieswisdom and intelligence (n. 147) “and upon the stone a new namewritten, which no one knoweth except he that receiveth,” signifies a