Apocalypse Revealed (Coulsons) n. 136

Previous Number Next Number Next Translation See Latin 

136. [verse 21] 'And I gave her time to repent of her whoredom, and she repented not' signifies that those who have confirmed themselves in that doctrine do not withdraw, although they see things against it in the Word. By withdrawing from whoredom is understood here withdrawing from falsifying the Word. That they see things contrary to their doctrine is plain from a thousand passages in the Word where it is said that evils are to be shunned and goods to be done; also that they who do goods come into heaven, and they who do evils come into hell, as also that faith without works is dead and devilish. But it may be asked, What have they falsified of the Word, or where have they spiritually committed whoredom with the Word? The answer is that they have falsified the whole of the Word, for the whole Word is nothing but the Doctrine of love [that is] directed to the Lord and love towards the neighbour, for the Lord says that on the commandments concerning those two loves 'hang all the Law and the Prophets' (Matt. xxii 38-40). There is also in the Word a doctrine of faith, yet not of such a faith, but of the faith of love.


This page is part of the Writings of Emanuel Swedenborg

© 2000-2001 The Academy of the New Church