Apocalypse Revealed (Coulsons) n. 773

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773. 'And of fine linen and purple and silk and scarlet' signifies that they no longer have those things because they do not have the celestial goods and truths to which such things correspond. By the things named above, which were gold, silver, precious stone and pearl, as a class are signified spiritual goods and truths as was said above (n. 772). But by these, which are fine linen, purple, silk and scarlet, as a class are signified celestial goods and truths. For with those who are in heaven and in the Church there are spiritual goods and truths and there are celestial goods and truths. The spiritual goods and truths are of wisdom, while the celestial goods and truths are of love. And because they do not have the latter goods and truths, but evils and untruths opposed to them, therefore these things are said, for they follow in order. Now because the case is similar with these as with the former there is no need of a further exposition than what has been given in the preceding paragraph. What 'fine linen' specifically signifies will be told in the following chapter at these words, 'fine linen is the just deeds of the saints' (verse 8, n. 814, 815). That 'purple' signifies celestial good and 'scarlet' celestial truth may be seen above (n. 725). By 'silk' is signified mediating celestial good and truth, good by virtue of softness and truths by virtue of brightness. It is mentioned only in Ezek. xvi 10, 13.


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