Apocalypse Explained, volume 1 - Swedenborg Foundation

APOCALYPSE EXPLAINED 407213. And to know that I have loved thee, signifies a consequentknowledge that the Lord is present in charity, and not in faith apartfrom charity. This is evident from the signification of “to know.” asbeing knowledge; and from the signification of “to love,” as being,in reference to the Lord, that He is present. It means that He ispresent in charity, and not in faith apart from charity, becausethose are here treated of who are in the faith of charity (see above,n. 203); and the Lord is present in man’s affection or love, thus inthe life of his spirit, for it is love or affection that makes the life ofhis spirit; consequently the Lord is present in charity, for charity isaffection itself or man’s spiritual love; and as the Lord is presentwith man in charity, He is evidently not present in faith withoutcharity; neither is faith without charity spiritual, consequently it isnot inwardly in man, nor does’ it constitute his life, but it is outsideof him, in the memory, and in something of natural thoughttherefrom. “To he loved,” in reference to the Lord, means that Heis present, because love (dilectio seu amor) causes conjunction andconsequent presence, and to him who loves, the Lord enters in, andteaches and leads him, and enables him also to love Hi,n, that is, todo His commandments and precepts, for this is to love the Lord.That with him whom He loves the Lord is present, and that hewho keeps His commandments and precepts loves Him, HeHimself teaches in John:He that hath My commandments, and doeth them, he it is thatloveth Me; and he that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father, and Iwill love him, and We will come unto him, and make Our abode withhim (14:21, 23).214. Verse 10. And 1 thou hast kept the word of My endurance,signifies that they have lived according to the Lord’scommandments. This is evident from the signification of “keepingthe word” of the Lord, as being to live according to Hiscommandments, for “word” is commandment, and to “keep” it isto live. It is said, “the word of My endurance,” because ofsteadfastness in it without being wearied. The term “endurance,” isoccasionally used in Revelation, and when used it signifies what isapplied to life (as also above, n. 98).