Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 1073

Previous Number Next Number Next Translation See Latin 

1073. For he is Lord of lords, and King of kings. That this signifies, because the Lord is Good itself and Truth itself, and thence almighty, is evident from this, that the Lord is called Lord from Divine good, and King from Divine truth. There are two things that proceed from the Lord - Divine Good and Divine truth. These two proceed from the Lord united, but are received by the angels in heaven not so united. In the highest or third heaven, Divine Good is received more than Divine truth; in the middle or second heaven Divine truth is received more than Divine Good. Therefore the third heaven is called the Lord's dominion, and the second heaven is called the Lord's kingdom; and, hence, also the angels in the third heaven are called sons of the Lord, thus also lords; and the angels in the second heaven are called sons of the kingdom, and sons of the king, thus also kings. The latter and the former angels are meant by lords and by Icings, when the Lord is called Lord of lords, and King of kings. As also, when He is called God of gods, the Lord is meant by God, and the angels by gods. But in general, by lords, in the spiritual sense, are meant all those who are in the good of love to the Lord from the Lord; and by kings those who are in the doctrine of truth from that love, whether they are in the heavens or on the earth. Now because all the good of love and of the charity therefrom, and all the truth of doctrine and of the faith therefrom, is imparted to man from the Lord by means of the Word - and those know this who attribute the Divine power of saving men to the Lord, and Divine sanctity to the Word - therefore, it is here said that the Lamb shall overcome them, because He is Lord of lords, and King of kings; that is, because the Lord alone is Divine good and Divine truth, and, thence, also the Word. Because the Lord performs all things from Divine Good by means of Divine truth, therefore also by Lord of lords and King of kings is meant the Lord as Almighty.

Continuation concerning the Word:-

[2] That the Word is of such a quality is, because in its origin it is the Divine Itself proceeding from the Lord which is called Divine truth; and this, in its descent to men in the world, has passed through the heavens, in order, according to three degrees. And in every heaven it is written in accommodation to the wisdom and intelligence of the angels there, and lastly, is brought down from the Lord through the heavens to men; and is there written and promulgated in a manner accommodated to their understanding and apprehension. This, therefore, is its literal sense, in which Divine truth lies in distinct order, such as it is in the three heavens. From this it is evident that all the wisdom of the angels who are in the three heavens is included in our Word from the Lord; and in its inmost, the wisdom of the angels of the third heaven, which to man is incomprehensible and ineffable, because full of mysteries and treasures of Divine verities. These lie stored up in all and every part of our Word. And because Divine truth is the Lord in the heavens, therefore also the Lord Himself is present, and may be said to dwell in all and every part of His Word, as in His heavens. Just as He Himself said concerning the ark of the covenant, in which only the Ten Precepts inscribed on two tables - the first-fruits of the Word - were deposited. For He said that there He would speak with Moses and Aaron, that there He would be present, that He would dwell there, and that it was His Holy of holies, and also His dwelling-place, as in heaven.


This page is part of the Writings of Emanuel Swedenborg

© 2000-2001 The Academy of the New Church