658. 'For in them the wrath of God has been consummated' signifies the devastation of the Church and its end then. By the 'consummation' is signified the devastation of the Church, and its end then, concerning which [something] follows. By 'the wrath of God' is signified the evil with men which, because it is against God, is termed 'the wrath of God'; not that God is angry with man, but that a man by reason of his own evil is angry with God. And because it appears to the man while he is being punished and tormented on account of it, as is the case after death in hell, as if derived from God, therefore in the Word 'wrath' and 'growing anger', even 'evil', are attributed to God. This, however, [is done] in the sense of the letter, because that sense has been composed by means of appearances and correspondences, but not in the spiritual sense, for in this there is no appearance and correspondence, but the truth (veritas) in its own light. Concerning that 'wrath', see above (n. 525, 635). It is said that in those plagues 'the wrath of God has been consummated' and that by this is signified the devastation of the Church, and its end then. The reason will be stated. Every Church in process of time decreases by receding from the good of love and from the truths of faith, even until there is not anything left of them, and this is effected by successive increases of evil and untruth. And when the good of love and faith no longer exists, then there is nothing but evil and untruth, and when this is the case it is the end of the Church. In this end a man knows no otherwise than that what is evil is good, and that what is untrue is true, for he loves them out of the delight thereof, and therefore confirms them. [2] This is the end that is signified by 'consummation', and is called 'devastation', in the following passages:-
I have heard a consummation and decision from with Jehovah upon the entire land Isa. xxviii 22.
The consummation was decreed, justice overflowed, for the Lord Jehovih Zebaoth is making a consummation and decision in the whole land Isa. x 22, 23.
In the fire of Jehovah's zeal the whole land shall be eaten up, for He shall make a speedy consummation with all the inhabitants of the land Zeph. i 18.
At length upon the bird of abominations [there shall be] desolation, and even to a consummation and decision shall it drop upon the devastation Dan. ix 27.
The whole land shall be a waste, yet will I not make a consummation Jer. iv 27.
Jehovah said, I will go down and see whether, according to the cry that is come to Me, they have made a consummation Gen. xviii 21;
this is concerning Sodom.
The iniquity of the Amorites has not yet been consummated Gen. xv 16.
The end of the Church is also understood by 'the consummation of the age' by the Lord in these passages:-
The disciples asked Jesus, What is the sign of Thy coming and of the consummation of the age? Matt. xxiv 3.
At the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather first the tares for burning; gather the wheat into the barn; so shall it be in the consummation of the age Matt. xiii 30, 40.
In the consummation of the age, the angels shall go forth and separate the evil from among the just Matt. xiii 49.
Jesus said to the disciples, Behold I am with you even until the consummation of the age Matt. xxviii 20.
'Until the consummation of the age' is until the end of the Church, when there is a New Church with which the Lord will then be.
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