635.最后，披露以下秘密。启示录的七个章节描述了当今教会的结局，所采用的说法类似于埃及的毁灭。因为这二者都被描绘为瘟疫，在灵义上各自都代表某种虚假，这虚假将其荒废推向毁灭的地步。所以，从属灵的角度来理解，已迷失的当今教会也就是所谓的“埃及”（启示录11:8）。埃及的瘟疫如下：
水变作血，因此鱼都死了，河也腥臭（出埃及记7）。启示录也有类似说法（8:8；16:3）；“血”表被篡改的神性真理（见《破解启示录》n. 379，404，681，687，688）；然后死亡的“鱼”表属世人的真理，同样死去（n. 290，405）。青蛙糟蹋埃及的四境（出埃及记8）。启示录中也提及青蛙（16:13）；“青蛙”表出于篡改真理的欲望而进行推理（见《破解启示录》n.702）。起泡带脓的疮要加在埃及人和牲畜身上（出埃及记9）（与启示录16:2一样）；“疮”表内在的恶与假摧毁教会的善与真（见《破解启示录》n. 678）。雹与火搀杂遍及埃及（出埃及记9）（与启示录8:7；16:21一样）；“雹”表地狱虚假（见《破解启示录》n. 399，714）。东风把蝗虫刮了来（出埃及记10）（与启示录9:1－11）；“蝗虫”表至外在的虚假（见《破解启示录》n. 424，430）。浓重的黑暗来到埃及地（出埃及记10）（与启示录8:12一样）；“黑暗”表要么由无知，要么由虚假的宗教，要么由邪恶的生活产生的虚假（见《破解启示录》n. 110，413，695）。最后，埃及人在红海灭亡（出埃及记14）（但在启示录中，龙与假先知被投到火湖与硫磺中19:20；20:10）；“红海”与“湖”表地狱。在启示录中，描述有关埃及与教会的发展与终结，也采用了类似表述，因为“埃及”表开始强盛的教会；由于这个原因，在这个教会被摧毁之前，埃及被比作伊甸园，以及耶和华的园地（创世记13:10；以西结书31:8）；也被称为“房角石”，“ 智慧人的子孙，古王的后裔”（以赛亚书19:11，13）。关于埃及的最初状态与毁灭状态的更多内容，可查看《破解启示录》（n. 503）。
635. 最后, 披露以下秘密。 启示录的七个章节描述了当今教会的结局, 所采用的说法类似于埃及的毁灭。 因为这二者都被描绘为瘟疫, 在灵义上各自都代表某种虚假, 这虚假将其荒废推向毁灭的地步。 所以, 从属灵的角度来理解, 已迷失的当今教会也就是所谓的“埃及” (启示录11:8)。 埃及的瘟疫如下:
水变作血, 因此鱼都死了, 河也腥臭 (出埃及记7)。 启示录也有类似说法 (启示录8:8; 16:3) ; “血”表被篡改的神性真理 (见破解啟示錄379, 404, 681, 687, 688) ; 然后死亡的“鱼”表属世人的真理, 同样死去 (破解啟示錄290, 405)。 青蛙糟蹋埃及的四境 (出埃及记8)。 启示录中也提及青蛙 (启示录16:13) ; “青蛙”表出于篡改真理的欲望而进行推理 (见破解啟示錄702)。 起泡带脓的疮要加在埃及人和牲畜身上 (出埃及记9) (与启示录16:2一样) ; “疮”表内在的恶与假摧毁教会的善与真 (见破解啟示錄678)。 雹与火搀杂遍及埃及 (出埃及记9) (与启示录8:7; 16:21一样) ; “雹”表地狱虚假 (见破解啟示錄399, 714)。 东风把蝗虫刮了来 (出埃及记10) (与启示录9:1-11) ; “蝗虫”表至外在的虚假 (见破解啟示錄424, 430)。 浓重的黑暗来到埃及地 (出埃及记10) (与启示录8:12一样) ; “黑暗”表要么由无知, 要么由虚假的宗教, 要么由邪恶的生活产生的虚假 (见破解啟示錄110, 413, 695)。 最后, 埃及人在红海灭亡 (出埃及记14) (但在启示录中, 龙与假先知被投到火湖与硫磺中 启示录19:20; 20:10) ; “红海”与“湖”表地狱。 在启示录中, 描述有关埃及与教会的发展与终结, 也采用了类似表述, 因为“埃及”表开始强盛的教会; 由于这个原因, 在这个教会被摧毁之前, 埃及被比作伊甸园, 以及耶和华的园地 (创世记13:10;以西结31:8) ; 也被称为“房角石”, “ 智慧人的子孙, 古王的后裔” (以赛亚19:11, 13)。 关于埃及的最初状态与毁灭状态的更多内容, 可查看破解啟示錄503)。
635. To round out this section, the following mystery will be disclosed. Seven chapters of the Book of Revelation, in describing the end of the church of today, use similar language as Exodus uses to describe the devastation of Egypt. In both cases there are similar plagues, each of which has as its spiritual meaning some falsity that brought on this devastation even to the point of death. Therefore the church that is being destroyed today is called Egypt, understood spiritually (Revelation 11:8).
The plagues in Egypt were as follows. The water was turned into blood, causing the death of every fish, and the river stank (Exodus 7). Similar statements are made in Revelation 8:8; 16:3. Blood means divine truth that has been falsified; see Revelation Unveiled 379, 404, 681, 687, 688. The fish that then died mean truths in our earthly self (Revelation Unveiled 290, 405).
Frogs came up on the land of Egypt (Exodus 8). There is also a mention of frogs in Revelation 16:13. Frogs mean reasonings born of a desire to falsify truths; see Revelation Unveiled 702.
Painful sores came upon the people and animals in Egypt (Exodus 9). A similar thing occurs in Revelation 16:2. Sores mean inner evils and falsities that destroy the good qualities and true teachings of the church; see Revelation Unveiled 678.
Hail and fire fell on Egypt (Exodus 9). Something similar occurs in Revelation 8:7; 16:21. Hail means hellish falsity; see Revelation Unveiled 399, 714.
Locusts came up over Egypt (Exodus 10). A similar thing occurs in Revelation 9:1-11. Locusts mean falsities on the lowest level; see Revelation Unveiled 424, 430.
Thick darkness came upon Egypt (Exodus 10). A similar thing occurs in Revelation 8:12. Darkness means falsities that arise from ignorance, or from false religious beliefs, or from evils in our lives; see Revelation Unveiled 110, 413, 695.
Eventually, the Egyptians perished in the Reed Sea (Exodus 14). In the Book of Revelation, though, the dragon and the false prophet perish in a lake of fire and sulfur (Revelation 19:20; 20:10). Both of these - the Reed Sea and the lake of fire and sulfur - mean hell.
The reason why similar things are said of Egypt and of the church whose close and end are described in the Book of Revelation is that Egypt means a church that at its outset was outstanding. This is why Egypt, before the devastation of its church, is compared to the Garden of Eden and the garden of Jehovah (Genesis 13:10; Ezekiel 31:8). It is also called the cornerstone of the tribes, and a child of the wise and of the ancient monarchs (Isaiah 19:11, 13). For more on Egypt in its original state and in its state of devastation, see Revelation Unveiled 503.
635. Lastly I will reveal this secret. Seven chapters of Revelation describe the termination of the present church, in terms similar to the devastation of Egypt. In both cases this was by similar plagues, each of which stands in the spiritual sense for some falsity advancing its devastation to the point of destruction. This church, therefore, which is at the present time lost, is also called Egypt as spiritually understood (Revelation 11:8). The plagues in Egypt were as follows.
The waters were turned to blood, so that all the fish died and the river stank (Exodus 7; similar language in Revelation 8:8; 16:3). Blood means Divine truth falsified (see Apocalypse Revealed 379, 404, 681, 687-688). The fish that died mean likewise truths in the natural man (Apocalypse Revealed 290, 405).
Frogs came forth upon the land of Egypt (Exodus 8). There is also a mention of frogs in Revelation 16:13. Frogs mean reasonings as a result of a longing for the falsification of truth (see Apocalypse Revealed 702).
In Egypt foul ulcers appeared upon men and beasts (Exodus 9); similar language in Revelation 16:2. Ulcers mean inward evils and falsities which can destroy the good and truth in the church (see Apocalypse Revealed 678).
In Egypt hail fell mixed with fire (Exodus 9); similar language in Revelation 8:7; 16:21. Hail means hellish falsity (see Apocalypse Revealed 399, 714).
Locusts were sent upon Egypt (Exodus 10); similar language in Revelation 9:1-11. Locusts mean falsities in outermost things (see Apocalypse Revealed 424, 430).
Oppressive darkness was brought upon Egypt (Exodus 10:21); similar language in Revelation 8:12. Darkness means falsities arising from ignorance, or from false ideas of religion, or from evil living (see Apocalypse Revealed 110, 413, 695).
The Egyptians finally perished in the sea of Suph 1 (Exodus 14). In Revelation the dragon and the false prophet perished in the lake of fire and brimstone (Revelation 19:20; 20:10). Both the sea of Suph and that lake have the same meaning, hell.
The reason why similar language is used of Egypt and of the church, the termination and end of which is described in Revelation, is that Egypt stands for the church, which in its beginnings was outstanding. So before its church was devastated, Egypt is equated with the Garden of Eden and the garden of Jehovah (Genesis 13:10; Ezekiel 31:8). It is also called 'the corner-stone of the tribes', and 'the sons of wise men and of the kings of ancient time' (Isaiah 19:11, 13). More about Egypt in its earliest state and in its devastation will be found in Apocalypse Revealed 503.
Footnotes:
1. Generally taken as 'the Red Sea', but the author keeps the Hebrew form.
635. Finally, this following arcanum shall be disclosed. In seven chapters of the Apocalypse the consummation of the present church is described in much the same way as the devastation of Egypt is described; for the two are pictured by like plagues, each one of which spiritually signifies some falsity, which extends the devastation of it even to destruction; and for this reason the present church, which is at this day destroyed, is called "Egypt," spiritually understood, (Apoc.11:8). The plagues of Egypt were as follows:
The waters were turned into blood, so that every fish died, and the river stank (Exodus 7:17-18
A like statement is made in the Apocalypse (8:8; 16:3); "blood" signifying Divine truth falsified, (see Apocalypse Revealed, n. 379[1-7], 404, 681, 687-688); and the "fishes" which then died signifying the truths in the natural man, in like manner dead (n. 290, 405).
Frogs were brought upon the land of Egypt (Exodus 8:3-9
Something is also said of frogs in the Apocalypse16:13); "frogs" signifying reasonings from a lust for falsifying truths (see Apocalypse Revealed, n. 702).
In Egypt noisome sores were brought upon both man and beast (Exodus 9:10-11.
(The same in the Apocalypse16:2); "sores" signifying interior evils and falsities destructive of good and truth in the church (see Apocalypse Revealed, n. 678).
In Egypt there was hail mingled with fire (Ex.9:10-11).
(The same in the Apocalypse,8:7; 16:21); "hail" signifying infernal falsity (see Apocalypse Revealed, n. 399, 714):
Locusts were sent upon East (Exodus 10:12-15
(The same in the Apocalypse,9:1-11); "locusts" signifying falsities in outermosts, (see Apocalypse Revealed n. 424, 430).
Great darkness was brought upon Egypt (Exodus 10:12-15
(The same in the Apocalypse,8:12); "darkness" signifying falsities arising either from ignorance, or from falsities of religion, or from evils of life; (see Apocalypse Revealed, n. 110, 413, 695).
Finally, the Egyptians perished in the Red Sea (Ex.14:26-30).
(But in the Apocalypse the dragon and the false prophet were cast into the lake of fire and brimstone,19:20; 20:10); both "the Red Sea" and that "lake" signifying hell. Respecting Egypt and respecting the church, whose consummation and end are described in the Apocalypse, like statements are made, because "Egypt" means a church that was in its beginning pre-eminent; and for this reason, before this church had been devastated, Egypt is compared to the garden of Eden, and the garden of Jehovah, (Gen. 13:10; Ezekiel 31:8); and is also called "the corner-stone of the tribes," "the son of the wise, and of the kings of old," (Isa.19:11, 19:13). More respecting Egypt in its primeval state and in its devastated state may be seen in the Apocalypse Revealed (n. 503).
635. Lastly, the following interior truth will now be revealed. The consummation of the present Church is described in seven chapters of the Revelation, much as the devastation of Egypt is described in Exodus; and both by similar plagues, each of which spiritually signifies some falsity which brought on its devastation even to its destruction. Therefore, the present Church, which is at this day destroyed, spiritually understood is called Egypt, Revelation 11:8. The plagues in Egypt were the following:
The waters were turned into blood, so that all the fish died, and the river stank, Exodus. vii;
A similar statement is found in the Revelation 8:8; 16:3.
Blood signifies Divine truth falsified, as may be seen in The Apocalypse Revealed 379, 404, 681, 687-688; and the fish which then died, signify truths in the natural man, similarly destroyed, The Apocalypse Revealed 290, 405.
Frogs came up over the land of Egypt, Exodus 8; and frogs are also mentioned in the Revelation 16:13.
Frogs signify reasonings from the desire of falsifying truths, as may be seen in The Apocalypse Revealed 702.
In Egypt noisome sores broke out upon man and beast, Exodus 9; and the same is said in the Revelation 16:2.
Sores signify interior evils and falsities destructive of good and truth in the Church, as may be seen in The Apocalypse Revealed 678.
In Egypt there was hail mingled with fire, Exodus 9; and the same is said in the Revelation 8:7; 16:21.
Hail signifies internal falsity, as may be seen in The Apocalypse Revealed 399, 714.
Upon Egypt were sent locusts, Exodus 10: and the same is said in the Revelation 9:1-11.
Locusts signify falsities in what is most external, as may be seen in The Apocalypse Revealed 424, 430.
The land of Egypt was covered with grievous darkness, Exodus 10; and the same is said in the Revelation 8:12.
Darkness signifies falsities arising either from ignorance, or from falsities in religion, or from evils of life, as may be seen in The Apocalypse Revealed 110, 413, 695.
Finally, the Egyptians perished in the Red Sea, Exodus 14; and in the Revelation the dragon and the false prophet were cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, Revelation 19:20; 20:10.
Both the Red Sea and that lake signify hell. Similar things are said of Egypt and of the Church whose consummation or end is described in the Revelation, because Egypt means the Church, which at its beginning was of surpassing excellence. Therefore, Egypt, before the Church it represented was devastated, is compared to the Garden of Eden, and to the Garden of JEHOVAH, Genesis 13:10; Ezekiel 31:8. It is also called the corner-stone of the tribes, "the son of the wise, and of ancient kings," Isaiah 19:11, 13. Much more that is related concerning Egypt in its primeval state, and in its state of devastation, may be seen in The Apocalypse Revealed 503.
635. Ultimo detegetur hoc Arcanum: in Septem Capitibus in Apocalypsi describitur Consummatio hodiernae Ecclesiae, similiter sicut describitur devastatio Aegypti, ac utraque per similes plagas, quarum unaquaevis spiritualiter significat aliquod falsum, quod promovit devastationem ejus usque ad interitum, quare etiam haec Ecclesia, quae hodie deperdita est, vocatur Aegyptus spiritualiter intellecta, Apocalypsis 11:8. Plagae in Aegypto fuerunt hae, quod aquae versae sint in sanguinem, unde mortuus est omnis piscis, et foetuit flumen, Exodus 7: similiter dicitur in Apocalypsi 8:8; 16:3 per sanguinem significatur Divinum Verum falsificatum, videatur APOCALYPSIS REVELATA 379, 404, 681, 687-688; et per pisces, qui tunc mortui, vera in naturali homine similiter, 290, 405. In Aegypti terram productae sunt ranae, Exodus 8 aliquid de ranis etiam dicitur in Apocalypsi 16:13, per ranas significantur ratiocinationes ex cupiditate falsificandi vera, videatur APOCALYPSIS REVELATA 702. In Aegypto ulcera noxia facta sunt super homine et bestia, Exodus 9: similiter in Apocalypsi 16:2per ulcera significantur interiora mala et falsa destructiva boni et veri in Ecclesia, videatur APOCALYPSIS REVELATA 678. In Aegypto facta est grando mixta igne, Exodus 9: similiter in Apocalypsis 8:7; 16:21; grando significat falsum infernale, videatur APOCALYPSIS REVELATA 399, 714. In Aegyptum immissa est locusta, Exodus 10: similiter in Apocalypsi 9:1-11, locustae significant falsa in extremis, videatur APOCALYPSIS REVELATA 424, 430. In Aegyptum graves tenebrae inductae sunt, Exodus 10: similiter in Apocalypsi 8:12, tenebrae significant falsa oriunda vel ex ignorantia, vel ex falsis religionis, vel ex malis vitae, videatur APOCALYPSIS REVELATA 110, 413, 695. Quod tandem Aegyptii perierint in Mari Suph, Exodus 14: in Apocalypsi autem Draco et Pseudopropheta in stagno ignis et sulphuris, Apocalypsi 19:20; 20:10 utrumque, mare Suph et Stagnum illud, significat Infernum. Quod de Aegypto et de Ecclesia, cujus consummatio et finis describitur in Apocalypsi, similia dicantur, est quia per Aegyptum intelligitur Ecclesia, quae in principio suo fuit praestans, quare Aegyptus, antequam Ecclesia 1 ejus devastata est, aequiparatur horto Edenis, et horto Jehovae, Genesis 13:10, Ezechiel 31:8, et quoque vocatur Lapis angularis tribuum, Filius sapientum, et regum antiquitatis, Esaias 19:11, 13, plura de Aegypto in statu primaevo ejus, et in statu devastato, videatur APOCALYPSIS REVELATA 503.
Footnotes:
1. Prima editio: Ecclesiae.