Apocalypse Explained, volume 1 - Swedenborg Foundation

In Matthew:APOCALYPSE EXPLAINED 431The nations shall tread down the holy city (11:2).I saw the holy city, coming down from God out of heaven (21:2.)The devil took Jesus into the holy city (4:5).Coming forth out of the tombs, they entered into the holy city(27:63).[11] Jerusalem was called “the holy city” because it signified thechurch in respect to the doctrine of truth; and Divine truthproceeding from the Lord is what is called “holy” (see ArcanaCoelestia, n. 6788, 8302, 9229, 9820, 10361). That city, apartfrom such representation and consequent signification, was not atall holy, but rather profane, is evident from the Lord’s having beenrejected and crucified there; and for this reason it is also called“Sodom and Egypt” (Rev. 11:8). But because it signified thechurch in respect to the doctrine of truth, it was called not only“the holy city,” but also “the city of God,” and “the city of the greatking.” Thus in David:There is a river, the streams whereof have made glad the city ofGod, the holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High. God is in themidst of her (Ps. 46:4, 5).Great is Jehovah in the city of our God, beautiful in situation thecity of the great king (Ps. 48:1, 2).In Matthew:Swear not by the earth, for it is the footstool of God’s feet; neitherby Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great king (5:35).Jerusalem was called “the city of God” because “God” in the Wordof the Old Testament means Divine truth proceeding from theLord (as may be seen above, n. 220a, 222a); and it was called “thecity of the great king,” because “king” also signifies, in reference to