Apocalypse Explained, volume 1 - Swedenborg Foundation

APOCALYPSE EXPLAINED 566things in the complex; also from the signification of “lampsburning with fire before the throne,” as being Divine truth unitedto Divine good proceeding from the Lord’s Divine love; for“lamps” signify truths; therefore “seven lamps” signify all truth inthe complex, which is the Divine truth; and “fire” signifies thegood of love; and since the lamps were seen “burning before thethrone” upon which the Lord was, it is signified that truth is fromthe Lord. As “the seven spirits of God” signify all truths of heavenand the church from the Lord (see above, n. 183a), therefore it issaid, “which are the seven spirits of God.” (That “seven” signifiesall, see above, n. 256; that “fire” signifies the good of love, seeArcana Coelestia, n. 934, 4906, 5215, 6314, 6832, 10055.)[2] That “lamps” signify truths, which are called the truths offaith, can be seen from the following passages in the Word. InDavid:Thy Word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path (Ps.119:105).The Word is called a “lamp” because it is Divine truth. In thesame:Thou makest my lamp to shine; Jehovah God maketh bright mydarkness (Ps. 18:28).“To make a lamp to shine” signifies to enlighten the understandingby Divine truth; and “to make bright the darkness” signifies todisperse the falsities of ignorance by the light of truth. In Luke:Let your loins be girded about, and your lamps shining (7:35).The “loins” to be girded signify the good of love (see ArcanaCoelestia, n. 3021, 4280, 4462, 5050–5052, 9961); and “lampsshining” signify the truths of faith from the good of love.[3] In Matthew: