Apocalypse Explained, volume 1 - Swedenborg Foundation

APOCALYPSE EXPLAINED 633“To create a clean heart” signifies to reform in respect to the goodof love; “to renew a firm spirit in the midst of me” signifies toreform in respect to the truth of faith; for “heart” signifies the goodof love, and “spirit” a life according to the Divine truth, which isthe faith of truth.[5] In the same:Wherefore hast Thou created in vain the sons of man? where areThy former mercies? (Ps. 89:47, 49).“To create the sons of man” signifies to reform through Divinetruth; “the sons of man” are those who are in Divine truths, thus,abstractly, Divine truths.[6] In the same:The nations shall fear the name of Jehovah, and all the kings of theearth Thy glory, because Jehovah hath built up Zion. This shall bewritten for the generation to come; and a people that shall be createdshall praise Jah (Ps. 102:15, 16, 18).This treats of reformation; “the nations that shall fear the name ofJehovah” mean those who are in good; and “the kings of the earth”those who are in truths from good; “to build up Zion” signifies toestablish the church, “Zion” meaning the church “the people thatshall be created and shall praise Jah” signifies all those who arereformed.[7] In the same:Thou givest to them, they gather; Thou openest Thine hand, theyare satisfied with good. Thou sendest forth Thy spirit, they are created;and Thou renewest the faces of the earth (Ps. 104:28, 30).It is plain here that “to create” means to reform; for “Jehovahgiveth to them, they gather,” signifies that they receive the truthsthat are given by the Lord; “Thou openest Thine hand, they arefilled with good,” signifies that they receive the good that flows in