Spiritual Meaning of REVELATION 22:16
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AR 953. Verse 16. I Jesus have sent My angel to testify unto you these things in the churches, signifies a testification from the Lord before the whole Christian world, that it is true that the Lord alone made manifest the things which are described in this book, as also the things which are now laid open. The reason why the Lord here names Himself "Jesus," is, that all in the Christian world may know that the Lord Himself, who was in the world, manifested the things which are described in this book, as also the things which are now laid open. By "sending an angel to testify," is signified testification from the Lord that it is true; an angel, indeed, did testify this, yet not from himself, but from the Lord, which appears clearly (in verse 20), from these words, "He who testifieth these things saith, Surely, I come quickly;" the reason why it means a testification that it is true, is because "to testify" is said of the truth, since truth testifies of itself, and the Lord is the truth (n. 6, 16, 490). "To testify" not only signifies testification that it is true, that the Lord manifested to John the things which are described in this book, but also that He has now manifested what each and all the things therein signify; this is especially meant by "testifying," for it is said that "He testifies these things in the churches," that is, that the things are true which are contained in what was seen and described by John, for "to testify" is said of the truth, as before observed. By "unto you these things in the churches," is signified before the whole Christian world, for there the churches are, which are here meant.

AR 954. I am the Root and Offspring of David, the bright and morning Star, signifies that it is the Lord Himself who was born in the world, and was then the Light, and who will come with new light, which will arise before His New Church, which is the holy Jerusalem. "I am the Root and Offspring of David," signifies that He is the very Lord Himself who was born in the world, thus the Lord in His Divine Human; from this He is called "the Root and Offspring of David," and also "the Branch of David" (Jer. 23:5, 33:15), also "the Rod out of the stem of Jesse, and the Branch from his roots" (Isa. 11:1, 2). "The bright and morning Star," signifies that then there was light, and that He will come with new light, which will arise before His New Church, which is the holy Jerusalem. He is called "the bright Star" from the light with which He came into the world, wherefore He is likewise called "Star," and also "Light", "a Star" (Num. 24:17), and "Light" (John 1:4-12; 3:19, 21; 9:5; 12:35, 36, 46; Matt. 4:16; Luke 2:30-32; Isa. 9:2; 49:6). And He is called "the morning Star" from the light which will rise before the New Church, which is the New Jerusalem, from Him; for by "Star" is signified light from Him, which in its essence is wisdom and intelligence, and by "morning" is signified His coming, and then the New Church, as may be seen above (n. 151).

Author:  E. Swedenborg (1688-1772).

Design:  I.J. Thompson, Feb 2002.

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