87. Verse 7. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches, signifies that he who understands, ought to obey what the Divine truth of the Word teaches those who will be of the New Church, which is the New Jerusalem. By "hearing" is signified both to perceive and to obey; because one attends that he may perceive and obey; that both these are signified by "hearing" is evident from common discourse, in which one speaks of hearing and of hearkening to anyone; the latter signifying to obey, and the former to perceive. That "hearing" has these two significations is from correspondence; for those are in the province of the ears in heaven, who are in perception and at the same time in obedience. As both these things are signified by "hearing" therefore the Lord so often said:
He that hath an ear to hear let him hear (Matt. 11:15; 13:43; Mark 4:9, 23; 7:16; Luke 8:8; 14:35). And the same is likewise said to all the churches, as is evident from verses 11, 17, 29, of this chapter, and from verses 6, 13, and 22, of the following. But by the "Spirit" which speaks to the churches is signified the Divine truth of the Word; and by "the churches" the entire church in the Christian world. That by "the Spirit of God" which is also the Holy Spirit is meant the Divine truth proceeding from the Lord, may be seen in Doctrine of the New Jerusalem concerning the Lord (n. 51); and as the entire church is meant, it is not said, what the Spirit saith to the church, but "what the Spirit saith to the churches."
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