Apocalypse Explained, volume 1 - Swedenborg Foundation

APOCALYPSE EXPLAINED 82“Princes” are primary truths (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2089, 5044);so, in the contrary sense, primary falsities; and “the son of man” isfalsity itself.64. Clothed with a garment down to the foot signifies Divine truthproceeding from him. This is evident from the signification of“garments” as being truths that clothe good (see Arcana Coelestia, n.1073, 2576, 5248, 5319, 5954, 9212, 9216, 9952, 10536). Here isonly mentioned “a garment down to the foot,” which is a generalcovering; by which, as the Lord is treated of, all Divine truth ingeneral is meant. Since the Lord is here described in respect to theDivine human, which is here the “Son of man seen in the midst ofthe lamp stands,” and it is said that he was “clothed with a garmentdown to the foot, and girt about at the paps with a golden girdle,”and afterwards that “his face shone as the sun in his power,” I wishto give an explanation of what is said in the Evangelists about theLord when he was transfigured, where some similar expressions areused; and afterwards of what is said about the soldiers dividing hisgarments, and casting the lot upon his tunic.[2] Of the Lord’s transfiguration it is thus written:Jesus took Peter, James, and John, into a very high mountain, andhe was transfigured before them; and his face did shine as the sun, andhis garments became white as the light. And behold, there appeared tothem Moses and Elijah speaking with him. And behold, a bright cloudovershadowed them, and behold, a voice out of the cloud, saying, Thisis my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him (Matt.17:1–5; Mark 9:2–8; Luke 9:28–36).The Lord took Peter, James, and John, because by them the churchin respect to faith, charity, and the works of charity wasrepresented; he took them “into a high mountain,” because“mountain” signifies heaven”; “his face did shine as the sun,”because “face” signifies the interiors, and it did shine as the sunbecause his interiors were Divine, for the “sun” is Divine love; “hisgarments became white as the light,” because “garments” signifyDivine truth proceeding from him; the like is signified by “light.”“Moses and Elijah” appeared, because the two signify the Word,