382. And he that sat upon him. That this signifies the Word, is plain from the things said and shown above (n. 373). Its being said that his name was Death, does not imply that the Word in itself is death, but [that it appears so] in the presence of those who are in evils and the falsities thence; for such persons see and perceive in it nothing of truth and good, thus nothing of spiritual life. Therefore, it is according to the appearance and perception of those who are of such a quality, that his name who sat upon the pale horse is called Death; for the Word appears to every one according to his quality, - as life to those who are in good and truth, but as death to those who are in evils and falsities. It is the same with the Lord Himself, who is the Word; He also appears to every one according to his quality, - as a fire and as light vivifying and recreating to those who are in good and the truths thence, but as a consuming fire, and as thick darkness, to those who are in evil and the falsities thence (see n. 934 end, 1861 end, 6832, 8814, 8819, 9434, 10,551). Hence also to those who are in evil and the falsities thence, the Lord appears to be angry, to punish, to condemn, and to cast into hell, although He is never angry, nor does he punish, condemn, or cast into hell, but saves in proportion as man applies himself; for He is very Good and Truth, He is Love itself and Mercy itself. It is the same with this passage, where it is said that the name of him that sat upon the pale horse is Death. (The rest [of the explanation] of this circumstance may be seen in the passage cited above, n. 373.)