Apocalypse Explained, volume 1 - Swedenborg Foundation

APOCALYPSE EXPLAINED 69opened. This is evident from the Lord’s being seen by the disciples[after his resurrection], when he himself showed to them that hewas a man in a complete human form (Luke 24:39; John20:20–28); and yet he became invisible. When they saw him theeyes of their spirit were opened, but when he became invisible thoseeyes were closed. That man has such a sight is clear to me frommuch experience, for all things I have seen in the heavens have beenseen by that sight. At such times I was in the same state ofwakefulness as when they were not seen. But at the present timethat sight is seldom opened to anyone by the Lord, and for manyreasons.54. On the Lord’s day signifies Divine influx then. This is evidentfrom the signification of “the Lord’s day,” as being then the Lord isinstructing man, thus when he is flowing in. The Lord’s day is theday of the Sabbath, and the Sabbath in the ancient churches, whichwere representative churches, was the most holy thing of worship,because it signified the union of the Divine and the human in theLord, and thence also the conjunction of his Divine human withheaven (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 8494–8495, 10356, 10360, 10370,10374, 10668). But when the Lord had united his Divine with hishuman that holy representative ceased, and that day became a dayof instruction (n. 10360). For this reason revelation was made toJohn on the Lord’s day. Revelation here is instruction concerningthe state of the church.55. And I heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet signifiesmanifest perception of Divine truth about to be revealed fromheaven. This is evident from the signification of “hearing,” as beingto perceive and obey (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2542, 3869, 4653,5017, 7216, 8361, 8990, 9311, 9397); and from the significationof “behind me,” as being manifestly (of which hereafter); and fromthe signification of “voice,” when heard out of heaven, as beingDivine truth (see Arcana Coelestia n. 219–220, 3563, 6971, 8813,8914); and from the signification of a “trumpet,” as being truth tobe revealed out of heaven (of which hereafter). “Behind me”signifies manifestly, because the things that flow in from heaveninto man’s affection flow in into the occipital region, and come