Apocalypse Explained, volume 1 - Swedenborg Foundation

APOCALYPSE EXPLAINED 462from Him. These are “the rich” who were sent empty away; but theothers are “the hungry” who were filled with good things.237a. And knowest not that thou are wretched, signifies that theydo not know that their falsities have no coherence with truths. Thisis evident from the signification of “wretchedness,” as meaning thebreaking up of truth by means of falsities, and also no coherence;this shows what is meant by “the wretched.” They are so becausetheir doctrine is founded on two false principles, which are faithalone and justification by faith; consequently falsities flow in fromthese in constant succession, and the truths which they adducefrom the sense of the letter of the Word to confirm these areweakened and falsified, and truths when falsified are in themselvesfalsities. This is described in many passages in the Word, and ismeant by the “vanities” that the prophets see, and the “lies” thatthey speak. It is described also by the “breaches” in the walls andhouses so that they fall; likewise by “idols” and “graven images”that the artificer makes and connects by chains that they maycohere; for “idols” and “graven images” signify the falsities ofdoctrine; the like is signified by “breaches of the walls” and “of thehouses,” and by “the prophets who see vanities and speak lies;” for“prophets” mean doctrines, “vanities” such things as are of noaccount, and “lies” falsities. But as these things are mentioned inmany passages in the Word they cannot be cited here on account oftheir abundance; they will therefore be omitted, and a few onlyquoted here in which “wretchedness” and “wall” are mentioned,that it may be known that these signify the weakening of truth byfalsities, and thus no coherence.[2] In Isaiah:Thy wisdom and thy knowledge it hath misled thee, when thouhast said in thine heart, I, and none like me besides. Therefore shallwretchedness fall upon thee, and devastation shall come upon thee(47:10, 11).Here also those are described who believe that they know all thingsand that they are more intelligent than all others, when yet theyknow and understand nothing of truth; and that therefore the