261. And the first voice that I heard, signifies revelation now of things to come. This is evident from the signification of "voice," as being whatever proceeds from the Lord and is perceived by angels and by men; here especially revelation of things to come, that were to occur before the Last Judgment, about the time of it, and after it, since these are treated of in what now follows. That "the voice of Jehovah" in the Word signifies the Divine proceeding which is Divine truth, from which is all intelligence and wisdom (see Arcana Coelestia n. 219, 220, 375, 3563, 6971, 8813, 9926); this is clear also from the following passages. In David:
The voice of Jehovah is upon the waters, the voice of Jehovah is in power; the voice of Jehovah is with honor. The voice of Jehovah breaketh the cedars. The voice of Jehovah hewing as a flame of fire. The voice of Jehovah maketh the wilderness to shiver. The voice of Jehovah maketh the hinds to travail; and in His temple everyone saith, Glory (Ps. 29:3-9). This Psalm treats of the Divine that proceeds from the Lord, and that is called, in a word, Divine truth. Its effect both with the good and with the evil is described in this passage; from which it is evident what is meant by "the voice of Jehovah." [2] In John:
He is the Shepherd of the sheep; to Him the porter openeth, and the sheep hear His voice. A stranger they do not follow, for they know not the voice of strangers. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear My voice. But ye are not of My sheep, for My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me (John 10:2-5, 16, 26-27).
"Sheep" in the Word mean those who are in truths from good, thus who are in faith from charity; "voice" here means not a voice but the Divine proceeding, which is Divine truth. This flows in with those who are in the good of charity, and gives them intelligence, and so far as they are in good gives them wisdom; intelligence is of truth, and wisdom is of truth from good. [3] In Jeremiah:
The Maker of the earth, through His intelligence hath He stretched out the heavens, at the voice which He utters there is a multitude of waters in the heavens (Jer. 10:12-13; 51:16). In David:
The voice of Jehovah is upon the waters. Jehovah upon great waters (Ps. 29:3). In Revelation:
The voice of the Son of man was as the voice of many waters (Rev. 1:15). Again:
I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters (Rev. 14:2). "The voice of Jehovah" and "the voice from heaven" is the Divine proceeding, or Divine truth, from which is all intelligence and wisdom; it is said to have been heard "as the voice of many waters" because "waters" signify Divine truths in ultimates (that this is the signification of "waters," see above, n. 71). [4] In David:
Ye kingdoms of the earth, sing psalms unto the Lord. To Him, that rideth upon the heaven of the heaven of old; behold, He will give forth with His voice, a voice of strength (Ps. 68:32-33). In John:
I say unto you, that the hour is coming when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of man,* and they that hear shall live (John 5:25). In Joel:
Jehovah shall give forth His voice from Jerusalem, that the heavens and the earth may shake (Joel 3:16). In the same:
Jehovah hath given forth His voice before His army; for it is numberless that doeth His word (Joel 2:11). That Divine truth here is "the voice of Jehovah" is evident, as in many other places. * For "Son of man" the Greek has "Son of God," as found in Apocalypse Explained, n. 815, 899.
This page is part of 
© 2000-2001 The Academy of the New Church