Apocalypse Explained, volume 1 - Swedenborg Foundation

APOCALYPSE EXPLAINED 365And as white, dazzling (Luke 9:29);And glistering as snow, so as no fuller on earth could whiten (Mark9:3);That the angels at the Lord’s sepulchre had raiment white as snow(Matt. 28:3);And shining (Luke 24:4);That there appeared to John seven angels from the temple clothedin linen clean and shining (Rev. 15:6);That those who stood before the throne of the Lamb were clothedin white robes (Rev. 6:11; 7:9, 13, 14; 19:8);That the armies of the One sitting upon the white horse followedHim on white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean (Rev.14:14).From this also it was:That Aaron had garments of linen, and that he put them on whenhe went within the vail before the mercy-seat (Lev. 16:1-5, 32).“Linen” also signifies truth, because of its whiteness (ArcanaCoelestia, n. 7601, 9959). As “white” signifies truth, and truths arewhat disclose falsities and evil with man and thus purify him, it issaid in David:Behold, Thou desirest truth in the reins, and in the hidden partThou makest me to know wisdom. Thou shalt purge me with hyssopthat I may be made clean; Thou shalt wash me and I shall be whiterthan snow (Ps. 51:6, 7).[3] Because the Nazirites represented the Lord in respect toDivine truth in ultimates, which on earth is the Word in the senseof the letter, and this with the Jews was falsified and perverted, it issaid of them in Lamentations: