Apocalypse Explained, volume 1 - Swedenborg Foundation

APOCALYPSE EXPLAINED 207spiritual wars are wars of truths against falsities and of falsitiesagainst truths; and as “wars” in the Word have such a signification,all weapons of war, as “sword,” “spear,” “bow,” “arrows,” “shield,”and many others, signify each some special thing pertaining tospiritual combat; especially the “sword,” because in wars they fightwith swords. (That “wars” signify spiritual combats, see ArcanaCoelestia, n. 1659, 1664, 8295, 10455; consequently that eachweapon of war signifies something pertaining to spiritual combat,see n. 1788, 2686.)[2] That “sword” in the Word signifies truth combating againstfalsity, and falsity against truth, and therefore the dispersion offalsities, and also spiritual temptation, can be seen from very manypassages, of which I will introduce here only a few by way ofconfirmation. Thus in Matthew:Jesus said that he came not to send peace on earth, but a sword(Matt. 10:34).Here by “sword” is meant the combat of temptation. It was so said,because men at that time were in falsities, and the Lord uncoveredinterior truths, and only by combats from such truths can falsitiesbe cast out.[3] In Luke:Jesus said to his disciples, Now he that hath a purse let him take it,likewise a wallet; and he that hath no sword let him sell his garmentsand buy one (Luke 22:35–38).By “purse” and “wallet” spiritual knowledges, thus truths, aresignified; “garments” signify what is their own; and by “sword”combat is signified.[4] In Jeremiah:A sword against the Chaldeans, and against the inhabitants ofBabylon, and against her chiefs, and against her wise men. A swordagainst liars that they may become foolish; a sword against her mighty