Apocalypse Explained, volume 1 - Swedenborg Foundation

APOCALYPSE EXPLAINED 65The revelation was made on an island, because an “island” signifiesa nation remote from true worship, but still desiring to beenlightened. That this is signified by “islands” in the Word, will beclear from what follows; in the first place something shall be saidabout names of places in the Word signifying things.All persons mentioned in the Word, and all by whom the Wordwas written, were led to places that were significant, in order thatall things might be significative of spiritual things. Even the Lordhimself, for the same reason, went to places thus significative; asinto Galilee, to Tyre and Sidon, to Jerusalem, and to the Mount ofOlives there, and also, when an infant, he was carried into Egypt. Itwas similar with the prophets, and with many who are mentionedin the historical Word, as may be abundantly shown. For thisreason, John also was commanded to betake himself into the isle ofPatmos, that the things that are to be at the end of the churchmight there be revealed, because “island” signifies a nation about toaccept truths of doctrine. This island, moreover, is in thearchipelago, where there are numerous other islands; and from thisalso it is that by “Greece” in the Word such nations are signified.(Thus in Dan. 8:21; 10:20; 11:2; John 12:20–21; Mark 7:26 seq.)(That all names of places mentioned in the Word signify things, seeArcana Coelestia, n. 1224, 1264, 1876, 1888, 4310, 4442, 10329.)[2] That “islands” signify nations that are about to accede to thetrue worship of God is evident from the following passages. InIsaiah:Glorify Jehovah in Urim, the name of the God of Israel in the islesof the sea (Isa. 24:15).He shall not quench nor break, until he have set judgment in theearth: and the isles shall hope in his law. Sing unto Jehovah a new song,his praises, ye ends of the earth: ye that go down to the sea, the isles, andthe inhabitants thereof. Let them give glory unto Jehovah, and declarehis praise in the islands (Isa. 42:4, 10, 12).Listen, O isles, unto me, and hearken, ye peoples from afar (Isa.49:1).