Apocalypse Explained, volume 1 - Swedenborg Foundation

APOCALYPSE EXPLAINED 96In Jeremiah:God doth not remember his footstool in the day of anger (Lam.2:1).In David:Worship Jehovah at his footstool (Ps. 99:5).We will go into his tabernacles; we will worship at his footstool(Ps. 132:7).In Nahum:Of Jehovah, the clouds are the dust of his feet (Nahum 1:3).“Cloud” is the external of the Word, or the Word in respect to theletter (see above, n. 36). Because “cloud” is the external of theWord, it is also the external of the church and of worship; for thechurch and worship are from the Word. “Clouds” are called “dustof his feet,” because those things that are in the sense of the letter ofthe Word, which is natural, appear scattered.70. The feet are said to be “like unto burnished brass,” becauseburnished brass is polished brass, shining from something fiery; and“brass” in the Word signifies natural good. Metals are equallysignificative with the rest in the Word. “Gold” in the Wordsignifies celestial good, which is inmost good; “silver” signifies thetruth thereof, which is spiritual good; “brass” natural good which isoutmost good, and “iron” the truth thereof, which is natural truth.Metals have such significations from correspondence; for inheaven many things are seen shining as if from gold and silver, andalso many things as if from brass and iron; and it is there knownthat by these the goods and truths mentioned above are signified. Itwas from this that the ancients, who had a knowledge ofcorrespondences, named the ages according to these metals; callingthe first age the “golden,” because innocence, love, and wisdom