Apocalypse Explained, volume 1 - Swedenborg Foundation

APOCALYPSE EXPLAINED 72for wars and battles signified spiritual combats, which are combatsof truth against falsity, and of falsity against truth.56. Verse 11. Saying, I am the alpha and the omega, the first andthe last signifies who governs all things from first principles throughultimates, and thus all things of heaven to eternity, as is evidentfrom what is said and shown above (n. 41).57. And, what thou seest write in a book signifies that the thingsrevealed may be for posterity, as is clear without explanation.58. And send to the churches which are in Asia signifies and then toall who are in the light of intelligence. This is evident from thesignification of “the seven churches,” as being all who are in truthsfrom good, or in faith from charity, thus who are of the church (seeabove, n. 20); and from the signification of “Asia,” as being thosewho are in the light of intelligence (see also above, n. 21).59. Unto Ephesus, and Smyrna, and Pergamum, and Thyatira, andSardis, and Philadelphia, and Laodicea signifies in each caseaccording to reception. This is evident from what follows, wherethese churches are treated of in detail. It is said according toreception, because the light of intelligence does not constitute thechurch with man, but the reception of light in heat, that is, thereception of truth in good. It is said the reception of light in heat,because spiritual light is Divine truth, and spiritual heat is Divinegood, and these two in the spiritual world are as light and heat inthe natural world; for insofar as spring or summer heat is added tothe light, so far all things grow and germinate, but so far as thatheat is not added to the light, so far all things become torpid anddie. (That light in the spiritual world is Divine truth, and heatthere is Divine good, and that they are as heat and light in thenatural world, see Heaven and Hell, n. 126–140.)60. Verses 12–16. And I turned to see the voice which spoke withme. And having turned, I saw seven golden lamp stands, and in themidst of the seven lamp stands one like unto the son of man, clothedwith a garment down to the foot, and girt about at the paps with a