814. [verse 8] 'And it was granted to her that she should be arrayed in fine linen clean and bright' signifies that those who will be of the Lord's New Church are being instructed by the Lord in genuine and pure truths by means of the Word. By 'it was granted to her' is understood to the wife, by whom is signified the Lord's New Church, which is the New Jerusalem, as just above (n. 812). By 'to be arrayed' is signified to be instructed in truths because truths are signified by 'garments' (n. 166), and genuine truths by 'white garments' (n. 212). By 'fine linen clean and bright' is signified shining by virtue of good and pure by virtue of truths; and because pure truths is not given from any other source than the Lord by means of the Word, therefore this also is signified. It is said to be 'clean and bright' because 'clean' signifies that which is flee from evil, thus what is shining by virtue of good, and 'bright' signifies that which is free from untruth, thins pure by virtue of truth. By 'linen' or 'fine linen' is signified genuine truths in the following places also:-
O Jerusalem, I have clothed thee with needlework, I have girded thee with linen and I have covered thee wills silk; thus wast thou adorned with gold and silver, and thy raiment was linen and silk Ezek. xvi 10, 13.
Linen in needlework out of Egypt was thy spread [sail] Ezek. xxvii 7.
This is concerning 'Tyre', by which is signified the Church as to cognitions of truths and good.
The armies in heaven were following Him upon white horses, clothed with line linen white and clean Rev. xix 14.
The like is signified by [the statement] that:-
Joseph was clothed with garments of linen by Pharaoh Gen. xli 42.
Truth out of the Word with them, though not in them, is signified by:-
The fine linen with Babylon Rev. xviii 12, 16.
And with the rich man Luke xvi 19.
Fine linen is also called cotton (xylinum), and therefore genuine truths is also signified thereby in these instances in Moses:-
Thou shalt make a chequer-work coat of cotton for Aaron; and thou shalt make a mitre of cotton Exod. xxviii 39.
They made coats of cotton for Aaron and his sons Exod. xxxix 27.
Thou shalt make the habitation of cotton interwoven, and hyacinth, and purple, and double-dyed scarlet Exod. xxvi 1; xxxvi 8.
Thou shalt make the hangings for the court omit of cotton interwoven Exod. xxvii 9, 18; xxxviii 9.
Also the veil of the court with cotton interwoven Exod. xxxviii 18.
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