Apocalypse Explained, volume 1 - Swedenborg Foundation

APOCALYPSE EXPLAINED 475These things also are said of the Lord, and of the establishment of achurch by Him among the Gentiles. That those who before havebeen in ignorance are then to understand truths is signified by “theblind eyes which He will open;” and that they are to be led out ofignorance and falsities is signified by “He will bring him that isbound out of prison.” That the Divine Itself would assume ahuman is meant by “I am Jehovah; that is My name; and My glorywill I not give to another.”[9] In the same:I will cause the blind to go in a way that they have not known; Iwill lead them into paths that they have not known; I will make theirdarkness light (42:16).Here also “the blind” are those who are in no understanding oftruth; the truths and goods of truth that they are to receive aresignified by “they will be caused to go a way and into paths thatthey have not known;” the dispersion of the falsity of ignorance andillustration are signified by “I will make their darkness light.”[10] In the same:I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west; Iwill say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back; bringMy sons from far, and My daughters from the end of the earth;everyone that is called by My name. I have created him; I have formedhim; yea, I have made him. Bring forth the blind people that have eyes,and the deaf that have ears (43:5–8).These things also are said of the establishment by the Lord of achurch among the Gentiles; “to bring seed from the east, the west,the north, and the south,” means all of whatsoever religion; for“east” and “west” signify where the good of love is clear andobscure; and “north” and “south” where the truth of faith is inobscurity and where it is in clearness. Here those who are inobscurity from ignorance are meant, for it is said, “Bring My sonsfrom far, and My daughters from the end of the earth;” those whoreceive truths are called “sons” and those who receive goods are