Apocalypse Explained, volume 1 - Swedenborg Foundation

APOCALYPSE EXPLAINED 85they were discharging military duty and were serving in war, whenthey were exercising their ministry in the tent of the assembly(Num. 4:23, 35, 39, 43, 47; 8:23, 24).65. And girt about at the paps with a golden girdle signifies Divinegood likewise. This is evident from the signification of “being girtabout at the paps with a girdle,” as being to be encompassed aboutthe breast; “paps” and “girdle” are mentioned, because paps standout from the breast, and a girdle encompasses. Divine good goingforth from the Lord is here meant because this is signified by the“breast” in general and by the “paps” in particular. Goodproceeding is meant because all garments signify things thatproceed, for they are outside the body and clothe it; as things thatproceed are also outside the body and encompass it. (That this is socan be seen from what is said in Heaven and Hell of the garmentswith which angels are clothed, n. 177–182; namely, that everyoneis clothed with garments according to his affection for becomingintelligent and wise, and this affection is what proceeds from them;for there is a sphere that proceeds from every angel and spirit,which is a sphere of affection, and is called the sphere of his life,and their garments are according to this sphere. That this is so doesnot appear before their eyes, but yet they know that it is so. Of thissphere, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2489, 4464, 5179, 7454, 8630.)[2] From this it can be seen that the “Lord’s garments” signify theproceeding Divine, which is Divine truth united to Divine good,which fills the universal heaven and enters into the interiors of themind, and gives to him who receives it intelligence and wisdom.This is meant by being “clothed with white garments.” Because theproceeding Divine good is signified by “the girdle” with which theLord was girded, therefore the girdle appeared golden, for “gold”signifies the good of love (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 113, 1551, 1552,5658, 6914, 6917, 9510, 9874, 9881). The “paps” are mentionedinstead of the breast, which was girt with the girdle, because “paps”signify spiritual love, and “breast” signifies the good itself of thatlove. This love is signified by “paps” in Isaiah: