Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 286

Previous Number Next Number Next Translation See Latin 

286. Lord God Almighty, who was, and who is, and who is to come. That this signifies who is the Infinite and the Eternal is evident from the signification of Almighty, as denoting that He is the Infinite, of which we shall speak presently, and from the signification of, who was, who is, and who is to come, as denoting that He is the Eternal (concerning which see above, n. 23). There are two things which can be predicated of Jehovah alone, that is, of the Lord-infinite and eternal; infinite, of His Being (esse), which is the Divine good of His Divine love; eternal, of His manifestation (existere) from that Being (esse), which is the Divine truth of His Divine wisdom. These two are Divine in themselves. From these the universe was created; therefore also all things in the universe have reference to good and truth, and good is everywhere the being (esse) of a thing, and truth is the manifestation (existere) therefrom; but these two in all things of the universe are finite. This is why it is here said "Lord God"; for Lord signifies the Divine good of the Divine love, and God the Divine truth of the Divine wisdom. (That Jehovah in the Word is called Lord from Divine good, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 4973, 9167, 9194; and that He is called God from Divine truth, n. 2586, 2769, 2807, 2822, 3921, 4287, 4402, 70101, 9167). From these considerations it is clear that Almighty signifies the Infinite, and that who was, who is, and who is to come signifies the Eternal.


This page is part of the Writings of Emanuel Swedenborg

© 2000-2001 The Academy of the New Church