Spiritual Meaning of Peace

Spiritual Meaning of

Peace

In regard to peace, in the supreme sense it signifies the Lord Himself, and hence in the internal sense His kingdom, and it is the Lord's Divine inmostly affecting the good in which are those who are therein. That these things are signified in the Word by peace, is evident from many passages; as in Isaiah:--

Unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given and the government shall be upon His shoulder and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, God, Hero, Father of Eternity, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon His kingdom (Isa. 9:6, 7);

where the Prince of Peace manifestly denotes the Lord; and the increase of His government and peace denotes the things which are in His kingdom, thus His kingdom itself. Again:--

The work of righteousness shall be peace, and the labor of righteousness quietness and security forever; and My people shall dwell in a habitation of peace (Isa. 32:17, 18);

in which passage the Lord's kingdom is treated of, where peace, quietness, and security succeed each other; a habitation of peace denotes heaven.

[3] Again:--

The angels of peace weep bitterly the paths are laid waste, the wayfaring man hath ceased (Isa. 33:7, 8);

angels of peace denote those who are in the Lord's kingdom, thus that kingdom itself, and in the supreme sense the Lord; the paths being laid waste, and the wayfaring man ceasing, signifies that there is no longer truth anywhere. Paths and ways are truths, (AC 627, 2333). Again:--

How delightful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth (Isa. 52:7);

where he that bringeth good tidings and publisheth peace denotes the Lord's kingdom. Again:--

The mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed but My mercy shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of My peace be removed (Isa. 54:10).

Again:--

The way of peace have they not known and there is no judgment in their tracks (Isa. 59:8).

In Jeremiah:--

I will take away My peace from this people, saith Jehovah, even compassion and mercy (Jer. 16:5).

[4] Again:--

The folds of peace are laid waste, because of the burning of the anger of Jehovah (Jer. 25:37).

Again:--

The prophet who prophesieth of peace, when the word of the prophet shall come to pass, then shall the prophet be known, that Jehovah hath sent him (Jer. 28:9).

Again:--

I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith Jehovah, thoughts of peace (Jer. 29:11).

So in Haggai:--

The glory of this latter house shall be greater than that of the former; for in this place will I give peace (Haggai 2:9).

And in Zechariah:--

They shall be a seed of peace the vine shall give her fruit, and the earth shall give her increase, and the heavens shall give their dew (Zech. 7:12).

In David:--

Keep integrity and behold the upright, because the end for that man is peace (Ps. 37:37).

In Luke:--

Jesus saith to His disciples, Into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house. And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it; but if not, it shall turn to you again (Luke 10:5, 6).

In John:--

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you not as the world giveth, give I unto you (John 14:27).

Again:--

Jesus said, These things have I spoken unto you that in Me ye may have peace (John 16:33).

[5] In all these passages in the supreme sense peace signifies the Lord; and in the representative sense His kingdom, and good from the Lord therein, thus the Divine which flows into good, or into the affections of good, which also causes joy and happiness from the inmost. From this it is manifest what is meant by these words of the benediction:--

Jehovah lift up His faces upon thee and give thee peace (Num. 6:26);

and what by the salutation used of old, Peace be unto you; and the same addressed by the Lord to the apostles (John 20:19, 21, 26). See also what is said concerning peace elsewhere (AC 92, 93, 1726, 2780, 3170, 3696).

from AC 3780

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Author: E. Swedenborg (1688-1772).

Design: I.J. Thompson, Feb 2002.