Spiritual Meaning of REVELATION 2:27
previous  -  next  -  text  -  summary  -  Revelation  -  BM Home  -  Full Page

AR 148. Verse 27. And He shall rule them with a rod of iron, signifies by truths from the literal sense of the Word, and at the same time by rational things from natural light. These things are signified by "a rod or staff of iron," because "a rod or staff" in the Word signifies power, and "iron" signifies natural truth, consequently the natural sense of the Word, and at the same time the natural light of man; in these two consists the power of truth. That the Divine truth in the natural sense of the Word, which is the sense of its letter, is in its power, may be seen in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem concerning the Sacred Scripture (Sacred n. 37-49); from this cause the literal sense is the basis, container, and support of its spiritual sense (Sacred n. 27-36). And that all power is in the ultimates which are called things natural, may be seen in The Angelic Wisdom concerning the Divine Love and the Divine Wisdom (DLW n. 205-221); consequently in the natural sense of the letter of the Word, and in the natural light of man. These, therefore, are "the rod of iron" by which He shall "rule the nations," that is, overcome the evils which are from hell. The like is signified by a "rod of iron" in these passages:--

Thou shalt break the nations in pieces with a rod of iron, Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter‘s vessel (Ps. 2:9).

The woman brought forth a male who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron (Apoc. 12:5).

Out of the mouth of Him that sat upon the white horse went a sharp sword, that with it He should smite the nations; but He shall rule them with a rod of iron (Apoc. 19:15).

Jehovah shall smite the wicked with the rod of His mouth (Isa. 11:4).

AR 149. As the vessels of a potter shall they be broken in pieces, signifies, as of little or no account. It is said "the vessels of a potter," because by them are signified the things which are of one’s own intelligence, which are all falsities, and in themselves of no account; so in David:--

Thou shall break the nations in pieces with a rod of iron, Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter‘s vessel (Ps. 2:9).

AR 150. Even as I have received from My Father, signifies that they have this from the Lord, who, when He was in the world procured to Himself all power over the hells, from His Divine which was in Himself. That the Lord, when He was in the world, by admitting temptations into Himself, and finally by the last of them, which was the passion of the cross, subjugated the hells and glorified His Human, may be seen in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem concerning the Lord (L n. 29-36); as also in (n. 67); from which it may appear, that "to receive from His Father," is to receive from the Divine which was in Him, for He said that "the Father is in Him and He in the Father"; that "the Father and He are one"; as also "the Father who is in Me"; and more.

REVELATION 2:27    previous  -  next  -  text  -  summary  -  Revelation  -  Full Page

Author:  E. Swedenborg (1688-1772). Design:  I.J. Thompson, Feb 2002. www.BibleMeanings.info