Spiritual Meaning of

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That "an age" denotes what is eternal, is because by "an age" is meant duration even to the end; and in the internal sense this duration signifies what is eternal; more over the word by which "an age" is here expressed in the original tongue signifies eternity. That "an age" denotes what is eternal, is because "an age," when said in the Word about the church, signifies its duration even to the end; and consequently when it is said of heaven, where there is no end, and when it is said of the Lord, it signifies what is eternal. This is predicated in general of every church, but specifically of the celestial church. Moreover "an age" also signifies the world and life there, and likewise life thereafter to eternity.

[2] As regards the FIRST meaning: That "an age" when said of the church, signifies its duration even to the end, is evident from the following passages:--

by "the consummation of the age" is signified the last time of the church, thus its end, when there is no longer any faith because no charity. That this is the consummation of the age, consequently that "an age" denotes the duration of the church even to its end, can be seen from all that was said by the Lord in that chapter, which may be seen unfolded in this work before the chapters of Genesis, from chapter 26 to chapter 40. The like is signified elsewhere by "an age" and its "consummation" in the same Gospel:--

Here also the "age" means the duration of the church from beginning to end.

[3] In Ezekiel:--

these things are said of Israel, by whom in the internal sense is meant the spiritual church; by the "land on which they shall dwell" is also signified the church; by the "sanctuary," everything of the church; and by "David," the Lord; from which it is evident that by "to an age" is signified even to the end. That "Israel" in the Word denotes the spiritual church, (AR 9340); that the "land" denotes the church, (AR 9325); that the "sanctuary" denotes everything of the church, and that it is predicated of the good and truth of the spiritual church, (AR 8330, 9479); and that" David" denotes the Lord, (AR 1888, 9954).

[4] In David:--

by "the mountains being born," and by "the earth and the world being formed," is not meant the creation of the world, but the setting up of the church; for "mountains" in the Word signify celestial love, thus the church in which is this love; the "earth" also, and the "world," signify the church; hence "from age to age" signifies from the setting up of churches to their ends; for churches follow on, one after another, because when one has been ended or vastated another is set up. That a "mountain" denotes celestial love, consequently the church which is in this love, (AR 795, 796, 4210, 6435, 8758); and that "land" denotes the church specifically, and the "world" the church generally, (AR 9325).

[5] SECONDLY: That "an age," when said of heaven where there is no end, and of the Lord, signifies what is eternal, is evident from the following passages:--

[6]

[7] In these passages "an age" signifies what is eternal, because it is said of the Lord and of His kingdom, and of heaven and the life there, whereof there is no end; "ages of ages" do not mean eternities of eternities, but denote what is eternal; and the expression is used relatively to churches on earth of which one succeeds another. It is evident from the Word that on our earth a church has been set up four times, of which the first was the Most Ancient Church, which was before the flood; the second was the Ancient Church, which was after the flood; the third was the Israelitish and Jewish Church; and lastly there was the Christian Church. The period of each Church, from beginning to end, is "an age;" moreover after this last mentioned Church, a new one will begin. These successions of churches are meant by "ages of ages." That "an age" denotes the duration of a church even to the end, was shown above.

[8] THIRDLY: That "an age" is predicated in general of every church, but specifically of the celestial church, is evident from the following passages:--

where by "the days of an age" is meant the time of the Most Ancient Church, which was celestial. And in Micah:--

where the sense is the same. And in Moses:--

here "the days of an age" denote the time of the Most Ancient Church, which was celestial; and "the years of generation and generation" denote the time of the Ancient Church, which was spiritual.

[9] In Isaiah:--

"according to the days of the generation of ages" denotes according to the states of love and faith in the Ancient Churches derived from the Most Ancient Church. In David:--

where the sense is the same.

[10] Again:--

where by "Judah" is signified the celestial church, of which it is therefore said, "according to the days of an age," and "for an age;" and by "Jerusalem" is signified the spiritual church, of which it is said, "according to the ancient days," and "to generation and generation." That "Judah" denotes the celestial church, (AR 3654, 3881, 6363, 8770); and "Jerusalem" the spiritual church, (AR 402, 3654).

[11] FOURTHLY: That "an age" signifies the world and life there, is evident from the following passages:--

[12] FIFTHLY: That "an age" signifies the life after death to eternity:--

And in other passages, as (Luke 18:9, 30; 20:35; Isa. 34:10, 17; Rev. 14:11; 20:10; 22:5).

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