Spiritual Meaning of REVELATION 4:1
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AR 225. Verse 1. After these things I saw, and behold a door opened in heaven, signifies the manifestation of the arrangement of the heavens preparatory to the Last Judgment from the Lord, about to be performed according to His Divine truths in the Word. By "an open door," when it relates to heaven, is signified admission, as in (n. 176); here, also, manifestation, because he says, "I saw and behold;" and because then were seen the things which are recorded in this chapter, which refer to the arrangement of the heavens for the Last Judgment by the Lord, to be executed according to His Divine truths in the Word, therefore by "I saw, and behold a door opened in heaven," is signified a manifestation concerning them.

AR 226. And the first voice which I heard, as of a trumpet speaking with me, said, Come up hither, signifies Divine influx, and thence an elevation of the mind, and then manifest perception. That "a voice," when heard from heaven, is the inflowing Divine truth may be seen in (n. 37, 50), thus Divine influx; and that by "a voice as of a trumpet," is signified manifest perception, may also be seen in (n. 37); and by "Come up hither," is signified elevation of the mind; for in the spiritual world, the higher anyone ascends so much the more does he come into purer light, by which the understanding is by degrees opened, that is, the mind is elevated. Therefore it also follows, that he was then in the spirit, by which is meant that he was let into a spiritual state, in which the things which are in the heavens manifestly appear. The voice was heard "as of a trumpet," because it treats of the arrangement of the heavens for the Last Judgment; and voices as of a trumpet are heard in heaven when convocations and arrangements are made. Therefore also among the sons of Israel with whom all things were representative of heaven and the church, it was also commanded:--

But we shall speak "of trumpets," and of "sounding" them, in the explanation of chapter 8, where the seven angels are mentioned, to whom were given seven trumpets.

AR 227. And I will show thee things which must be hereafter, signifies revelations of things to come before the Last Judgment, and concerning it, and after it. These things are signified, because in the Apocalypse nothing else is treated of but the state of the church at its end, thus the things that are to be before the Last Judgment, and concerning it, and after it, as in (n. 2).

Author:  E. Swedenborg (1688-1772).

Design:  I.J. Thompson, Feb 2002.

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