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Memorable Occurrences in Swedenborg's Writings

This list of Memorable Occurrences in Swedenborg's Writings was originally compiled by W. C. Henderson in 1960 but has since been updated.

From Swedenborg's Works

 

Doctrine of the Sacred Scripture #101

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101. Before the Current Word in the World Today, There Was a Word That Has Been Lost

Before the Word in the Israelite nation given through Moses and the Prophets, worship employing sacrifices was known, and people prophesied in the name of Jehovah, as can be seen from reports in the books of Moses.

That worship employing sacrifices was known: This can be seen from its being commanded to the children of Israel to overturn the altars of the gentiles, break in pieces their pillars, and cut down their groves (Exodus 34:13, Deuteronomy 7:5, 12:3).

It can be seen from the time when Israel in Shittim began to commit harlotry with the daughters of Moab, that the daughters invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate and bowed down to their gods, and especially that Israel joined itself to Baal-Peor, and Jehovah’s anger was inflamed therefore against Israel (Numbers 25:1-3).

It can also be seen from the altars that Balaam, who came from Syria, caused to be built, and from his sacrificing oxen and flocks (Numbers 22:40, 23:1-2, 14, 29-30).

[2] That people prophesied in the name of Jehovah: This can be seen from the prophecies of Balaam (Numbers 23:7-10, 18-24, 24:3-9, 15-24). His prophesying concerning the Lord, that a Star would arise out of Jacob and a scepter out of Israel (Numbers 24:17). His prophesying in the name of Jehovah (Numbers 22:13, 18, 23:3, 5, 8, 16, 26, 24:1, 13). It is apparent from this that a Divine worship like the worship in the Israelite nation instituted by Moses existed among gentiles.

[3] That such worship existed also before the time of Abram: A glimmer of this is reflected in Moses’ words in Deuteronomy 32:7-8. But it is still more plainly apparent from the action of Melchizedek, king of Salem, who brought out bread and wine and blessed Abram, and from Abram’s giving him tithes of everything (Genesis 14:18-20). Melchizedek, moreover, represented the Lord, for he is called the priest of God Most High (Genesis 14:18). Regarding the Lord, we are also told in the book of Psalms, “You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek” (Psalms 110:4). That is why Melchizedek brought out bread and wine as holy elements of the church, like the holy elements in the sacrament of Holy Supper, and why he could bless Abram, and why Abram gave him tithes of everything.

  
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Thanks to the General Church of the New Jerusalem, and to Rev. N.B. Rogers, translator, for the permission to use this translation.

From Swedenborg's Works

 

True Christian Religion #841

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841. The Jews in the spiritual world.

Before the Last judgment, which took place in 1757, the Jews were to be seen in a valley to the left of the Christian centre. Following it they were transferred to the north and forbidden to have any contact with Christians, except for wanderers outside the cities. In that quarter there are two large cities to which Jews were taken after death; before the Judgment they were both called Jerusalem, but afterwards they were given another name, since after the Judgment 'Jerusalem' meant the church in respect of its teaching in which the Lord alone is worshipped. They have converted Jews set over them in their cities, who warn them not to speak insultingly of Christ, and punish those who still do so. The streets of their cities are full of mud, ankle deep, and their houses are so full of rubbish that they smell too bad for them to be entered. Afterwards I observed that many of that nation had found somewhere to live in the southern quarter. When I asked who they were, I was told it was those who had paid little heed to the worship practised by the rest, and had mental reservations about whether the Messiah would ever come, as well as those who had thought rationally about various subjects in the world and had followed reason in their lives. The greater number of these are the Jews known as Portuguese.

  
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Thanks to the Swedenborg Society for the permission to use this translation.

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