1. And I saw, and behold a Lamb standing on the Mount Zion, and with Him a hundred forty-four thousand, having His Father's name written upon their foreheads. 2. And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of great thunder; and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps. 3. And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four animals, and the elders; and no one was able to learn the song but the hundred forty-four thousand bought from the earth. 4. These are they who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins; these are they who follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth: these were bought from among men, the firstfruits to God and the Lamb. 5. And in their mouth was found no deceit, for they are spotless before the throne of God. 6. And I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the eternal gospel to proclaim unto them that dwell on the earth, and unto every nation and tribe and tongue and people;

7. Saying with a great voice, Fear God, and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment is come; and adore Him that made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and the fountains of waters. 8. And another angel followed, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the anger of her whoredom. 9. And a third angel followed them, saying with a great voice, if anyone hath adored the beast, and his image, and hath received his mark upon his forehead or upon his hand, 10. He also shall drink of the wine of the anger of God mixed with unmixed wine in the cup of His wrath, and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone before the holy angels and before the Lamb. 11. And the smoke of their torment shall go up for ages of ages; and they shall have no rest day and night that adore the beast and his image, and if anyone shall have received the mark of his name. 12. Here is the patience of the saints; here are they that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus Christ.* 13. And I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, Write, Happy are the dead that die in the Lord from henceforth; yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; for their works follow with them. 14. And I saw, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud One sitting like unto the Son of man, having upon His head a golden crown, and in His hand a sharp sickle. 15. And another angel went out from the temple, crying with a great voice to Him that sat on the cloud, Send Thy sickle, and reap; for the hour for Thee to reap is come, for the harvest of the earth is dried up. 16. And He that sat upon the cloud sent His sickle upon the earth, and the earth was reaped. 17. And another angel went out from the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle. 18. And another angel went out from the altar, having authority over fire; and he cried with a great cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Send thy sharp sickle, and gather the vintage, the clusters of the vineyard of the earth; for her grapes are ripened. 19. And the angel sent his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vineyard of the earth, and he cast it into the great winepress of the anger of God. 20. And the winepress was trodden without the city; and there went out blood from the winepress even unto the bridles of the horses, for a thousand six hundred stadia. * The Greek has "the faith of Jesus."

THE SPIRITUAL SENSE The contents of the whole chapter Concerning the New Christian Heaven: it is described (verses 1-5). The proclamation of the Lord's coming, and then the New Church (verses 6, 7, 13). An exhortation to recede from faith separated from charity, in which is the church at the present day (verses 9-12). The exploration of these, and the manifestation that their works are evil (verses 14-20).

The contents of each verse

Verse 1. "And I saw, and behold a Lamb standing on the Mount Zion, and with Him a hundred forty-four* thousand," signifies the Lord now in the New Heaven from Christians, who acknowledged Him as the God of heaven and earth, and were in truths of doctrine from Him through the Word (n. 612). "Having His Father's name in their foreheads," signifies acknowledgment of the Lord's Divine and the Divine Human with them (n. 613). Verse 2. "And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters," signifies the Lord speaking through the New Heaven from Divine truths (n. 614). "And as the voice of great thunder," signifies and from the Divine love (n. 615). "And I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps," signifies confession of the Lord from gladness of heart by the spiritual angels in the lower heavens (n. 616). Verse 3. "And they sung as it were a new song before the throne and before the four animals and before the elders," signifies celebration and glorification of the Lord before Him and before the angels of the higher heavens (n. 617). "And no one was able to learn the song but the hundred forty-four thousand," signifies that no others from among Christians could understand, and thus from love and faith acknowledge, that the Lord alone is the God of heaven and earth, but they who were received by the Lord into this New Heaven (n. 618). "Bought from the earth," signifies that they are those who could be regenerated by the Lord and thus be redeemed in the world (n. 619). Verse 4. "These are they who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins," signifies that they did not adulterate the truths of the church, and defile them with falsities of faith, but that they loved truths because they are truths (n. 620). "These are they who follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth," signifies that they are conjoined with the Lord by love and faith in Him, because they have lived according to His commandments (n. 621). "And were bought from among men," signifies here as before (n. 622). "Firstfruits unto God and the Lamb," signifies the first beginning of the Christian heaven, that acknowledges one God in whom is the Trinity, and that the Lord is He (n. 623). Verse 5. "And in their mouth was found no deceit," signifies that they do not from cunning and design speak and persuade to falsity and evil (n. 624). "For they are spotless before the throne of God," signifies because they are in truths from good from the Lord (n. 625). Verse 6. "And I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven having the eternal gospel to proclaim unto them that dwell on the earth," signifies the annunciation of the Lord's coming, and of the New Church that is to come down out of heaven from Him (n. 626). "And to every nation and tribe and tongue and people," signifies to all who are in goods from religion, and in truths from doctrine (n. 627). Verse 7. "Saying with a great voice, Fear God," signifies admonition not to do evils, because this is against the Lord (n. 628). "And give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment is come," signifies the acknowledgment and confession that all the truth of the Word is from the Lord, according to which every man will be judged (n. 629). "And adore Him who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and the fountains of waters," signifies that the Lord alone is to be worshiped, because He alone is the Creator, Saviour, and Redeemer, and from Him alone are the angelic heaven and the church and all things of them (n. 630). Verse 8. "And another angel followed, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city," signifies that the Roman Catholic religion, as to its dogmas and doctrinals, is now dispersed (n. 631). "Because she made all nations drink of the wine of the anger of her whoredom," signifies because by profanations of the Word and adulterations of the good and truth of the church, she has seduced all whom she could subject to her dominion (n. 632). Verse 9. "And a third angel followed them, saying with a great voice," signifies further revelation from the Lord concerning those who are in faith separated from charity (n. 633). "If anyone hath adored the beast and his image, and hath received his mark upon his forehead and upon his hand," signifies whoever acknowledges and receives the doctrine concerning justification and salvation by faith alone, confirms it, and lives according to it (n. 634). Verse 10. "He also shall drink of the wine of the anger of God mixed with unmixed wine in the cup of His wrath," signifies that they falsify the goods and truths of the Word, and imbue their life from those falsified things (n. 635). "And he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone before the holy angels and the Lamb (Verse 11), and the smoke of their torment shall go up for ages of ages," signifies the love of self and the world and the lusts therefrom, and from these the pride of their own intelligence, and thence torment in hell (n. 636). "And they shall have no rest day and night that adore the beast and his image, and if anyone shall have received the mark of his name," signifies a perpetual state in undelightful things with those who acknowledge and receive that faith, confirm it, and live according to it (n. 637). Verse 12. "Here is the patience of the saints, here are they that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus," signifies that the man of the Lord's church is explored by temptations from them, as to the quality of his life according to the commandments of the Word and of his faith in the Lord (n. 638). Verse 13. "And I heard a voice from heaven, saying to me, Write,** Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord from henceforth," signifies a prediction from the Lord concerning the state of those after death who will be of His New Church, that they will have eternal life and happiness (n. 639). "Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors," signifies that the Divine truth of the Word teaches that they who afflict their soul and crucify their flesh for the sake of those things, will have peace in the Lord (n. 640). "For their works follow with them," signifies according as they have loved and believed, and thence have done and spoken (n. 641). Verse 14. "And I saw, and behold, a white cloud, and upon the cloud One sitting like unto the Son of man," signifies the Lord as to the Word (n. 642). "Having upon His head a golden crown, and in His hand a sharp sickle," signifies the Divine wisdom from His Divine love, and the Divine truth of the Word (n. 643). Verse 15. "And another angel went out from the temple," signifies the angelic heaven (n. 644). "Crying with a great voice to Him that sat on the cloud, Send Thy sickle, and reap, for the hour for Thee to reap is come, for the harvest of the earth is dried up," signifies the supplication of the angels of heaven to the Lord, that He would make an end and execute judgment, because now is the last state of the church (n. 645). Verse 16. "And He that sat upon the cloud sent His sickle, and the earth was reaped," signifies the end of the church, because there is no longer any Divine truth there (n. 646). Verse 17. "And another angel went out from the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle," signifies the heavens of the Lord's spiritual kingdom, and the Divine truth of the Word with them (n. 647). Verse 18. "And another angel went out from the altar, having authority over fire," signifies the heavens of the Lord's celestial kingdom, which are in the good of love from the Lord (n. 648). "And he cried with a great cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Send thy sharp sickle, and gather the vintage, the clusters of the vineyard of the earth," signifies the Lord's operation from the good of His love by the Divine truth of His Word into the works of charity and faith, with the men of the Christian church (n. 649). "For her grapes are ripened," signifies because it is the last state of the Christian church (n. 649b). Verse 19. "And the angel sent his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vineyard of the earth," signifies the end of the present Christian church (n. 650). "And he cast it into the great winepress of the anger of God," signifies exploration of the quality of their works, that they were evil (n. 651). Verse 20. "And the winepress was trodden without the city," signifies that exploration was made from the Divine truths of the Word as to the quality of the works which flow forth from the doctrine of faith of the church (n. 652). "And there went out blood from the winepress even unto the bridles of the horses," signifies violence done to the Word by dreadful falsifications of the truth, and the understanding so closed up thereby, that man can scarcely be taught any longer, and thus be led of the Lord by Divine truths (n. 653). "For a thousand six hundred stadia," signifies mere falsities of evil (n. 654). * The original Latin omits "four." ** The original Latin omits "Write."

THE EXPLANATION

Verse 1. And I saw, and behold a Lamb standing on the Mount Zion, and with Him a hundred forty-four thousand, signifies the Lord now in the New Heaven collected out of those in the Christian churches who have acknowledged the Lord alone to be the God of heaven and earth, and have been in the truths of doctrine from the good of love from Him by the Word. By "I saw," are signified the things which follow in this chapter; by "a Lamb" is meant the Lord as to the Divine Human (n. 269, 271); by "mount Zion" is signified heaven, where they are who are in love to the Lord, as will be seen presently; by "a hundred forty-four thousand" are signified all who acknowledge the Lord alone to be the God of heaven and earth, and who are in the truths of doctrine from the good of love from Him through the Word (n. 348 seq.). These were treated of in chapter 7; but there, that "they were sealed on their foreheads," and thus were distinguished and separated from the rest; now however that they were collected together into one, and that a heaven was from them. [2] The heaven here treated of, is the heaven collected from Christians, from the time the Lord was in the world, and from such of them as approached the Lord alone, and lived according to His precepts in the Word, by shunning evils as sins against God. This heaven is the New Heaven, from which the Holy Jerusalem, that is, the New Church upon earth, will descend (Rev. 21:1-2). But the heavens which were formed before the Lord's coming are above this heaven, and are called the ancient heavens; in which likewise all acknowledge the Lord alone to be the God of heaven and earth. These heavens communicate with this New Heaven by influx. [3] It is known, that by "the land of Canaan" is signified the church, because the Word was there, and by it the Lord was known; also because in the midst of it was the city Zion, and under it the city Jerusalem, both upon a mountain. Hence by "Zion" and "Jerusalem" are signified the inmost things of the church; and as the church in the heavens makes one with the church on earth, therefore by "Zion" and "Jerusalem" is meant the church everywhere, but by "Zion" the church as to love, and by "Jerusalem" the church as to doctrine from love. It is called "Mount Zion" because by "a mountain" is signified love (n. 336). [4] That by "Mount Zion" is signified heaven and the church where the Lord alone is worshiped, may appear from the following passages:

I have anointed My King upon Zion; I will announce concerning the statute, Thou art My Son, this day have I begotten Thee; I will give the nations for Thy inheritance; Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and ye perish; happy are all that trust in Him (Ps. 2:6-8, 12). O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; say, Behold the Lord Jehovah will come in strength (Isa. 40:9-10). Exult greatly, O daughter of Zion; behold thy King cometh unto thee Just and a Savior (Zech. 9:9; Matt. 21:2, 4-5; John 12:14-15). Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion; for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee (Isa. 12:6). The redeemed of Jehovah shall return to Zion with a song (Isa. 35:10). Shout and be glad, O daughter of Zion, behold I come that I may dwell in the midst of thee (Zech. 2:10-11). Who will give the salvation of Israel in Zion (Ps. 14:7; 53:6). The Lord Jehovih will found in Zion a tried stone, and then shall your covenant with death be abolished (Isa. 28:16-18). My salvation shall not tarry, I will give salvation in Zion (Isa. 46:13). Then the Redeemer shall come to Zion (Isa. 59:20). Jehovah of Hosts shall reign in Mount Zion (Isa. 24:23). Jehovah loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob; glorious things are to be proclaimed in thee, O city of God; this one was born there; all my fountains are in thee (Ps. 87:2-3, 6-7). Jehovah hath chosen Zion, He hath desired it for His seat; this is my rest forever, there will I dwell (Ps. 132:13-14). Let the sons of Zion exult in their King (Ps. 149:2). O Jehovah arise, and have mercy on Zion, the set time is come; the name of Jehovah shall be declared in Zion, when the peoples are gathered together, and the kingdoms to serve Jehovah (Ps. 102:13-16, 21-22). Out of Zion God shall shine; our God cometh, and shall call to the heaven above, and to the earth, Gather My saints together unto Me (Ps. 50:2-5). Besides other places, as Isa. 1:27; 4:2, 5; 31:4, 9; 33:5, 20; 37:22; 52:1; 64:10; Jer. 6:2; Lam. 4:2; Amos 1:2; Micah 3:10, 12; 4:1-3, 7-8; Zeph. 3:14, 16; Joel 3:16-17, 21; Zech. 8:3; Ps. 20:2; 48:2-3, 11-14; 76:2; 78:68; 110:1-2; 125:1; 126:1; 128:5-6; 134:3; 135:21; 146:10; 149:2, 4. In many places it is said "the virgin and the daughter of Zion;" by whom is not meant any virgin or daughter there, but the church as to the affection of good and truth; the same as by "the Bride of the Lamb" (Rev. 21:2, 9; 22:17). "The virgin and the daughter of Zion" signifies the Lord's Church in these passages: Isa. 1:8; 3:16-26; 4:4; 10:32; 16:1; 37:22; 52:2; 62:11; Jer. 4:31; 6:2, 23; Lam. 1:6; 2:1, 4, 8, 10, 13, 18; 4:22; Micah 1:13; 4:8, 10, 13; Zeph. 3:14; Zech. 2:10; 9:9; Ps. 9:14; and others.