Apocalypse Revealed (Coulsons) n. 76

Previous Number Next Number Next Translation See Latin 

76. [verse 2] 'I know thy works' signifies that He sees all the interiors and exteriors of a man at once. 'Works' are often mentioned in the Apocalypse, but few know what is understood by 'works'. This is known, that ten men can do works that appear alike in externals, but which are unlike even with all of them, because they come forth out of a different end and cause, and the end and cause make works to be either good or evil; for every work is a work of the mind, and consequently such as the mind is, such is the work. If the mind is charity, the work becomes charity; but if the mind is not charity, the work does not become charity; yet both can appear alike in externals. Works appear to men in an external, but to angels in an internal, form; while to the Lord they appear such as they are from inmosts to outmosts. Works in an external form appear not unlike fruits on the surface, but works in an internal form appear like fruits inside the surface, where there are countless edible parts, and in the midst seeds in which again are countless things that are quite beyond eyesight, being in fact above the intellectual sphere of a man. Such are all works, which, such as they are within, only the Lord sees, and which, when the man is doing them, the angels perceive from the Lord. But concerning these things more may be seen in ANGELIC WISDOM CONCERNING DIVINE LOVE AND WISDOM (n. 209-220 and 277-281); and also below (n. 141, 641, 868). From these things it can be established that by 'I know thy works' is signified that the Lord sees all the interiors and exteriors of a man at once.


This page is part of the Writings of Emanuel Swedenborg

© 2000-2001 The Academy of the New Church