Apocalypse Explained, Vol. 6

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[12.] Again, Babylon in its beginning is meant by

The lion that had angel's wings, and afterwards appeared like a man, and a man's heart was given to it (Dan. vii. 4);

and is called

"The ornament of the kingdoms and the glory of the magnificence of the Chaldeans" (Isa. xiii. 19);

and is mentioned among

Those that know Jehovah (Psalm lxxxvii. 4).

Now as Babylon in its beginning signifies such a church, the king of Babylon is here called "Lucifer, son of the morning," "Lucifer" because of the light of truth at that time, and "son of the morning" because of the beginning of light or of day, for "morning" means the church in its beginning. But this chapter describes this church as to its state even to the end, when it has become "Babylon the harlot," which is its state when there is no longer any good of love or truth of faith left. This state of it is what is meant by its destruction and damnation to hell. Their destruction in the world means nothing else than that after death those are cast down into hell who have arrogated to themselves Divine power, and have exercised it, and to that end have held the peoples of the earth in dense darkness or blindness, and in idolatrous worship; especially those who have led men away from the worship of the Lord. [13.] As these are the things described in this chapter I will explain briefly the passages quoted from it. "Jehovah will have compassion on Jacob, and will again choose Israel, that He may set them in their own land," signifies a new church to be established by the Lord after Babylon is ended. "In that day thou shalt declare this parable concerning the king of Babylon, and say, How hath the exactor ceased, the lust for gold ceased," signifies deliverance from the spiritual captivity and servitude in which those were who were under its dominion. "Jehovah hath broken the staff of the wicked, the rod of the rulers," signifies that they no longer have any power by means of truths from good, because they are in mere falsities from evil; such is their impotence in the spiritual world. "The whole earth is quiet; they have broken forth into singing, even the oaks rejoice on account of thee, the cedars of Lebanon, saying, Since thou art laid down no feller hath come upon us," signifies that those who are in knowledges of good and truth will no longer be infested by such, "earth" meaning a new church that will be at rest from them, "oaks" and "cedars of Lebanon" meaning knowledges of good and truth in the external and the internal sense,