Apocalypse Explained, volume 1 - Swedenborg Foundation

APOCALYPSE EXPLAINED 480are those that do not know and understand truths. The blind manhere was “led out of the town” of Bethsaida, because “Bethsaida”signified damnation, on account of its not receiving the Lord;“spitting on his eyes” has the same signification as “making clay ofthe spittle,” before; that He then touched his eyes signifies that hewas illustrated from the Divine; then the blind man at first “sawtrees as men walking,” which signifies common and obscureperception of truth from the sense of the letter, “trees” signifyingknowledges, and “to walk” signifying to live. “His seeing all clearly”after he was touched by the Lord, signifies that after instructionand illustration from the Lord he understood truths; this meaningis in these words and this meaning is perceived by the angels. (Thatthe town “Bethsaida” signifies damnation on account of its notreceiving the Lord, is clear from Matt. 11:21, and Luke 10:13; that“touch” signifies communication and transference, but hereillustration, because the eyes were touched, see above, n. 79. That“trees” signify knowledges, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2722, 2972,7692; that “to walk” signifies to live, see n. 519, 1794, 8417, 8420;and above, n. 97.)239c. [21] Moreover, by all “the blind” whom the Lord healedthose were meant who are in ignorance, and who receive Him andare illustrated by Him through the Word; and in general all theLord’s miracles signify such things as are of heaven and the church,thus spiritual things; from this it is that His miracles were Divine,for it is Divine to act from firsts and to present these in ultimates.From this it is clear what was signified by “the blind” whom theLord healed (about whom see Matt. 9:27–31; 12:22; 20:29 to end;21:14; Mark 10:46 to end; Luke 7:21-33; 18:35 to end).[22] As “the blind” signify those who are not in the knowledgesof truth, and who therefore are not in any understanding of truth,therefore it was among the laws and statutes given to the sons ofIsrael:That no one blind of the sons of Aaron or of the Levites shouldapproach to offer the bread of his God, that is, to offer sacrifice (Lev.21:18);