354. Of the tribe of Naphtali were sealed twelve thousand, signifies the perception of use and what use is, with those who will be in the Lord's New Heaven and New Church. By "Naphtali" in the highest sense, is signified the proper power of the Lord's Divine Human; in the spiritual sense, temptation and victory; and, in the natural sense, resistance by the natural man; for he was named from wrestlings. But "Naphtali" here signifies the perception of use, and what use is, because it follows in the series after Asher, by whom is signified the love of uses; and also because they who have conquered in temptation, have an interior perception of uses; for by temptations the interiors of the mind are opened. The perception which they have is described in Jeremiah 31:33, 34; they feel in themselves what is good, and see in themselves what is true. That "the tribe of Naphtali" signifies angels and men as to that perception, may be confirmed from these things in the Word:
Naphtali is upon the heights of the field (Judg. 5:18). The heights of "the field" are the interiors of the church as to perception. Naphtali is satisfied with good pleasure, and full with the blessing of Jehovah; possess thou the west and the south (Deut. 33:23). "To possess the west," is the good of love serving, and "to possess the south," is the light of wisdom, which is that perception. Naphtali is a hind let loose, giving discourses of elegance (Gen. 49:21). Thus is described the state after temptation as to free eloquence from perception. It is also recorded that:
One of the tribe of Naphtali was filled with wisdom, intelligence and knowledge and made all Solomon's work about the temple in brass (1 Kings 7:14). The historical parts of the Word, as to names and tribes, are equally as significative as the prophetical.
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