Apocalypse Explained, volume 1 - Swedenborg Foundation

APOCALYPSE EXPLAINED 5944. Verses 9–11. I, John, who also am your brother and partaker inthe affliction and in the kingdom and [patient] expectation of JesusChrist, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the Word of God, andfor the testimony of Jesus Christ. I was in the spirit on the Lord’s day;and I heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, saying, I am thealpha and the omega, the first and the last; and, what thou seest writein a book, and send to the churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus,and Smyrna, and Pergamum, and Thyatira, and Sardis, andPhiladelphia, and Laodicea. 9. “I, John” signifies doctrine respectingthe Lord (n. 45); “who also am your brother” signifies andrespecting the good of love to him (n. 46); “and partaker in theaffliction” signifies the truth of faith infested by falsities (n. 47);“and in the kingdom” signifies in the church where truths are (n.48); “and the [patient] expectation of Jesus Christ” signifies wherethere is a knowledge of the Divine in his human (n. 49); “was inthe isle that is called Patmos” signifies revelation to the Gentiles (n.50); “for the Word of God” signifies that Divine truth may bereceived (n. 51); “and for the testimony of Jesus Christ” signifiesand that the Lord’s Divine human may be acknowledged (n. 52).10. “I was in the spirit” signifies a spiritual state when there isrevelation (n. 53); “on the Lord’s day” signifies Divine influx then(n. 54); “and I heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet”signifies manifest perception of Divine truth, revealed from heaven(n. 55). 11. “Saying, I am the alpha and the omega, the first andthe last” signifies who governs all things from firsts throughultimates and thus all things of heaven to eternity (n. 56); “andwhat thou seest write in a book” signifies that the things revealedmay be for posterity (n. 57); “and send to the churches which are inAsia” signifies and then to all, who are in the light of intelligence(n. 58); “unto Ephesus, and Smyrna, and Pergamum, and Thyatira,and Sardis, and Philadelphia, and Laodicea” signifies in each caseaccording to reception (n. 59).45. Verse 9. I, John signifies doctrine respecting the Lord. This isevident from the representation of “John”; that by him is meant inthe highest sense, the Lord in respect to doctrine (see above, n. 19)wherefore also by “John” is signified doctrine respecting the Lord;for to know the Lord is the chief thing of all things of doctrine, orthe first and the last thereof; for the primary thing of the church is