Apocalypse Explained, volume 1 - Swedenborg Foundation

APOCALYPSE EXPLAINED 530thrones, but still these “thrones” do not mean thrones, but Divinetruths. Thus in the first book of Samuel:He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth on high theneedy from the dunghill, to make them sit with princes, and to makethem inherit the throne of glory (2:8).In Revelation:The four and twenty elders who are before the throne of God,sitting upon their thrones (11:16).I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was givenunto them (20:4).In Matthew:Ye who have followed Me in the regeneration, when the Son ofman shall sit upon the throne of His glory, ye also shall sit uponthrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel (19:28; Luke 22:30).Here “thrones” mean Divine truths, according to which and fromwhich all are to be judged; “twelve” and “twenty-four” signify allthings and are predicated of truths; “elders,” and “disciples” also,likewise “tribes,” signify Divine truths. When this is known, whatis meant by “thrones” in the above passages can be seen; as alsowhat is meant by “throne” in these words now treated of. “He thatovercometh will I give to him to sit with Me in My throne.” (That“twelve” signifies all, and that it is predicated of truths, see ArcanaCoelestia, n. 577, 2089, 2129, 2130, 3272, 3858, 3913; likewise“twenty-four” because that number is the double of the numbertwelve, and arises from it by multiplication, n. 5921, 5335, 5708,7973. That “the elders of Israel” signify all in the church who are intruths from good, n. 6524, 6525, 6890, 7912, 8578, 8585, 9376,9404; likewise “the Lord’s twelve disciples,” n. 2129, 3354, 3488,3858, 6397; likewise “the twelve tribes,” n. 3858, 3926, 4060,6335, 7836, 7891.)