Apocalypse Explained, volume 1 - Swedenborg Foundation

APOCALYPSE EXPLAINED 521faith in him is not conjoined to charity he is like a desert, or a landcovered with snow.252a. And will sup with him, and he with Me, signifiescommunicating to them the felicities of heaven. This is evidentfrom the signification of “supping,” as being to communicate thegoods of heaven. “To sup” means to communicate, because“banquets,” “feasts,” “dinners,” and “suppers” in the Word signifyconsociations by love, and thus a communication of love’s delights,for all delights are of love. These things derive their significationfrom that of bread and of wine, which signify the good of love,celestial and spiritual; and from that of eating together, whichsignifies communication and appropriation. This was formerlysignified by the paschal supper, and is at this day signified by theholy supper (see above, n. 146; and in the Doctrine of the NewJerusalem, n. 210–222). Mention is made of “supping,” becauseweddings were celebrated at supper time, and weddings signify theconjunction of good and truth, and the consequentcommunication of delights. It is therefore said in Revelation:Blessed are they which are called to the marriage supper of theLamb (19:9);Come and be gathered together unto the supper of the great God(verse 17).[2] As suppers signify consociations by love, and consequentcommunication of delights, therefore the Lord compared thechurch and heaven to a “supper,” and also to a “wedding;” to a“supper” in Luke:The master of the house made a great supper, and bade many; butall those that were called excused themselves. Therefore, being angry, beordered his servant to bring in the poor, the maimed, the halt, and theblind; saying of those called, that none of them should taste of thesupper (14:16–24).(Nearly the same is meant by the wedding to which invitationswere given in Matthew 22:1–15.) “Supper” here means heaven and