Apocalypse Explained, volume 1 - Swedenborg Foundation

APOCALYPSE EXPLAINED 628the entrance to man, and like a court by which entrance is made; itis like the ruminating stomach with birds and beasts, and to thatthe memory with man also corresponds Those things are in theman that are in his will and in his understanding therefrom, orwhat is the same, that are in his faith therefrom. Whether it is saidthat man is in good and truth; or that he is in love and faith, it isthe same, since all good in of love, and all truth is of faith.291. And worshiped Him that liveth unto ages of ages, signifieshumiliation, and then acknowledgment that from the Lord iseternal life. This is evident from the signification of “falling downand worshiping,” as being humiliation and then acknowledgmentin heart; also from the signification of “Him that liveth unto ages ofages,” as being that from the Lord is eternal life (see just above, n.289). It is said humiliation, and then acknowledgment in heart,namely, that from the Lord are all good and all truth, and thenceall intelligence, wisdom, and blessedness, since thisacknowledgment is not given with anyone except in a state ofhumiliation; for when in humiliation, then man is removed fromwhat is his own (ex suo proprio); and what is man’s own (proprium)receives and acknowledges nothing of good and truth from theLord, for what is man’s own is nothing but evil, and evil rejects allgood and all truth of heaven and the church. From this it can beseen why there must be humiliation, and why “falling down andworshiping” signifies humiliation, and then acknowledgment inheart.292. And cast off their crowns before the throne, signifieshumiliation, and then acknowledgment in heart that there isnothing of good from themselves, but that everything is from theLord. This is evident from the signification of “crown,” as beinggood and wisdom therefrom (see above, n. 272); also from thesignification of “to cast off before the throne,” that is to lay downthere, as being to acknowledge from humiliation that this is notfrom oneself but from the Lord alone; for “to cast off” is torenounce from oneself, and “to lay down before the throne” is toacknowledge that it is from the Lord alone. The good here signifiedby “crowns” is the good of love and of charity; this good flows in