Apocalypse Revealed (Coulsons) n. 173

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173. 'These things says the Holy True One' signifies the Lord as to Divine Truth. That it is the Lord is plain. 'The Holy True One' is the Lord as to Divine Truth. This is because the Lord is called 'Holy' on account of His Divine Truth, and 'Just' on account of His Divine Good. This is why His Divine proceeding, which is the Divine Truth (veritas), is termed 'the Holy Spirit', and the Holy Spirit here is 'the Holy True One'. [2] 'Holy' is frequently said in the Word, and wherever it occurs it is said of Truth, and because every truth that in itself is truth is derived out of good and is from the Lord, it is that truth that is called 'Holy'. But the Good out of which is truth, is called 'Just'. Consequently the angels who are in truths of wisdom and are called spiritual are termed 'holy', and the angels who are in the good of love and are called celestial are termed 'just'; in like manner men in the Church. It is from this also that the prophets and the apostles are termed 'holy', for by the prophets and the apostles the truths of the Doctrine of the Church are signified. Furthermore it is from this that the Word is termed 'holy', for the Word is Divine Truth; and again, that the Law in the ark in the tabernacle was termed 'the holy of holies', and also 'the sanctuary'. Likewise from this, Jerusalem is termed 'holy', for by 'Jerusalem' is signified the Church that is in Divine truths. It is in consequence of this also that the altar, the tabernacle, and the garments of Aaron and his sons were said to be 'holy' after they had been anointed with oil, for 'oil' signifies the good of love, and this makes holy, and everything made holy has relation to truth. [3] That the Lord is the Only Holy One, because He is the Divine Truth Itself is plain from these passages:-

Who shall not glorify Thy Name, O Lord? for only Thou art Holy Rev. xv 4.

Thy Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel, the God of the whole earth shall He be called Isa. liv 5.

Thus says Jehovah, the Redeemer of Israel, His Holy One Isa. xlix 7.

As for our Redeemer, Jehovah Zebaoth is His Name, the Holy One of Israel Isa. xlvii 4.

Thus says Jehovah your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel Isa. xliii 14.

In that day they shall lean upon Jehovah, the Holy One of Israel, in the truth (veritas) Isa. x 20.

Besides elsewhere, as Isa. i 4; v 19; xii 6; xvii 7; xxix 19; xxx 11, 12; xli 16; xlv 11, 15; xlviii 17; lv 5; lx 9; Jer. l 29; Dan. iv 13, 23 [H.B. 10, 20]; Ps. lxxviii 41. Since the Lord is Himself the Holy One, therefore the angel said to Mary:-

The Holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God Luke i 35.

And the Lord said concerning Himself:-

Father, sanctify them in the truth (veritas), Thy Word is the Truth (veritas); for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified in the truth (veritas) John xvii 17, 19.

It is plain from these things that the Truth (veritas) that is from the Lord is Holiness itself, because He is the Only Holy One, about which the Lord [speaks] thus:-

When the Spirit of the Truth (veritas) shall have come, He will lead you into all the truth (veritas); He shall not speak out of Himself, He shall take of Mine and proclaim to you John xvi 13-15.

The Comforter, the Holy Spirit, shall teach you all things John xiv 26.

That the Holy Spirit is the Life of the Lord's Wisdom, thus the Divine Truth (veritas), may be seen in THE DOCTRINE OF THE NEW JERUSALEM CONCERNING THE LORD (n. 51). From these things it can be established that 'the Holy True One' is the Lord as to Divine Truth. That 'holy' is said of truth, while 'just' is said of good, is plain from the passages in the Word where both [expressions occur], as from these:-

He who is just, let him be justified still, he who is holy, let him be sanctified still Rev. xxii 11.

Just and true are Thy ways, Thou King of saints Rev. xv

For the purpose of serving Him in holiness and justice Luke i 75.

Herod was afraid of John, knowing that he was a just and holy man Mark vi 20.

The just [acts] of saints are fine linen Rev. xix 8.


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