Apocalypse Explained, volume 1 - Swedenborg Foundation

APOCALYPSE EXPLAINED 573Jehovah hath founded the earth upon its bases, that it be notremoved for ever and ever. Thou hast covered it with the deep as with avesture (Ps. 104:5, 6).The “earth” signifies the church; “the bases on which Jehovah hathfounded it for ever” are the knowledges of truth and good; “thedeep with which He hath covered it as with a vesture” signifiessensual knowledge (scientificum sensuale), which is the ultimate ofthe natural man, and being the ultimate, it is said that “He coveredit as with a vesture.”[13] In the same:Jehovah, Thy way is in the sea, and Thy path in many waters, yetThy footsteps have not been known (Ps. 77:19).In Isaiah:Thus saith Jehovah, I who have given a way in the sea, and a pathin the mighty waters (43:16).That “sea” here does not mean the sea, nor “waters” the waters, isclear, since it is said that therein “are the way and the path ofJehovah;” therefore by “sea” and by “waters” are meant such thingsas Jehovah or the Lord is in, which are the knowledges of truth ingeneral from the Word, and the truths therein; “the sea” being suchknowledges, and “waters” truths. Knowledges and truths differ inthis, that knowledges are of the natural man, and truths of thespiritual man.[14] In Jeremiah:Behold, I will plead thy cause, and win revenge thy revenging; thatI may dry up the sea of Babylon, and make dry her fountain. The seashall cod up upon Babylon, she shall be covered with the multitude ofits waves (51:36, 42).By “Babylon” those who profane goods are meant; “the sea ofBabylon” means their traditions, which are the adulterations of