Apocalypse Explained, volume 1 - Swedenborg Foundation

APOCALYPSE EXPLAINED 282cause of the closing of man’s internal, which looks to heaven.When that is closed there is no conjunction of the internal with theexternal, which looks to the world, nor any influx from heaven. It issaid “burden,” because man’s proprium, which is to love self aboveGod and the world above heaven, offers resistance.173. Verse 25. Nevertheless that which ye have, hold fast till I come,signifies steadfastness in a state of the good of love and faith, evenuntil visitation. This is evident from the signification of “thatwhich ye have hold fast,” as being to be steadfast in a state of loveand faith, thus in a state of conjunction of the internal with theexternal, in which they are capable of being so far as they resist thedelights of the loves of self and of the world. For so far as manremoves these delights from him is the internal conjoined with theexternal, thus more in one man and less in another. This is evidentalso from the signification of “till I come,” as meaning visitation (ofwhich see above, n. 144).174. Verse 26. And he that overcometh and keepeth my works untothe end, signifies perseverance in love and faith after combat againstthese loves and their removal as far as possible. This is evident fromthe signification of “overcoming” as being to fight against thedelights of the loves of self and of the world, and to remove them.That this is the spiritual sense of these words follows from theconnection. It is evident also from the signification of “keepingunto the end,” as being perseverance even unto death; for he whoperseveres even unto death in love and faith is saved; for such as hethen is in respect to his life, he thenceforth remains to eternity (seeabove, n. 125). It is evident also from the signification of “works”as being the things of love and faith in cause and in effect, that is ininternals and in externals. These things are here signified by“works,” because these are the things treated of in what is written tothe angel of this church (see above, n. 150). It is said, “keepeth myworks,” because everything of love and faith, and every opening ofthe internal and its conjunction with the external is from the Lordalone; therefore the “works,” by which these are signified, are notman’s, but the Lord’s with man; and consequently it is said, “myworks.”