The Apocalypse Revealed and Explained

This is one of the most comprehensive interpretations of the Apocalypse or book of Revelation ever published: it includes the works Apocalypse Revealed (3 volumes) and Apocalypse Explained (6 volumes). Many have sought the meaning of this last book of the Bible, but the author took a unique approach: his interpretations were based on knowledge and visions received from heaven. The Apocalypse is highly symbolic, and to interpret each verse each symbol is discussed in light of how the symbol is used in other portions of scripture. Many references are also drawn from his other multi-volume work, Heavenly Arcana (Heavenly Secrets, otherwise known as Arcana Coelestia). Thus this work not only interprets the Apocalypse, but also much of scripture, especially "Apocalypse Explained." The Apocalypse Explained was the original edition which Emanuel Swedenborg mysteriously set aside, and seven years later he published the much smaller version entitled Apocalypse Revealed, perhaps because the first work was so massive and costly to publish.

This book reveals the spiritual meaning of the Apocalypse, which concerns the end times of the Christian Church when there is a falling away from the true faith. Highly symbolic, the book has remained closed to readers, but as Swedenborg explains the spiritual sense of each word it starts to become an open book. Instead of guesswork the symbolism of the Apocalypse is explained in detail, using a system of correspondences or archetypes with numerous references to other portions of scripture. In general, the Apocalypse treats of the last state of the Christian Church, which has been corrupted by false doctrines and heresies over time, and the renewal of the Christian Church as the New Jerusalem which descends out of heaven. The seven letters written to seven churches in Asia contain particular messages from Jesus for different churches of our present time. Much of the work describes a spiritual judgment which occurred on the Christian Church in heaven, especially the Protestants who separate charity from faith, and the Catholics who have sought dominion over others by means of religion. The mysterious contents of the little book of seven thunders are revealed for the first time in this work, which concentrates on the true doctrine of the One God, how he is one in person in Jesus Christ. The Second Coming is revealed to be a Second Coming of the Word, in which the hidden spiritual meaning of the Bible is now made known to all who wish to seek it. These revelations from heaven, which will form the basis of a New Christian Church, have been and will be opposed by religious authorities of the present Christian churches, as much of their doctrines are based on a false trinity of three persons. This spiritual battle is symbolically described in the final battle of Armageddon. Ultimately the prophecy of the Apocalypse declares that a New Church will be formed on earth, which is represented by the New Jerusalem which descends out of heaven. This work is timely: there is no such thing as the "end of the world," rather, there is an end of an age and the beginning of a new one as a new church is gradually formed on earth.

This book has been formatted for digital publication and includes hyperlinked table of contents, references, footnotes, and topical index. The two works Apocalypse Revealed and Apocalypse Explained are hyperlinked with each other, so that the reader can read the short interpretation of any passage, and immediately jump into a more comprehensive interpretation of the symbol throughout scripture. This is part of a multi-volume edition of the theological works of Emanuel Swedenborg, The Divine Revelation of the New Jerusalem: Expanded Edition.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Emanuel Swedenborg (1688-1772) was born in Stockholm, Sweden. He journeyed to England, Holland, France, and Germany to study and work with leading scientists in western Europe. Upon his return he apprenticed as an engineer under the brilliant Swedish inventor Christopher Polhem (1661-1751). King Charles XII of Sweden gave him a salaried position as an overseer of Sweden's mining industry (1716-1747). After the death of the King, Emanuel was ennobled by Queen Ulrika Eleonora. This gave him a seat in the Swedish House of Nobles, where he remained an active participant in the Swedish government throughout his life. A member of the Swedish Royal Academy of Sciences, he devoted himself to scientific studies and philosophical reflections that culminated in a number of scientific publications, mainly concerning minerology and physiology, where he had made several discoveries. From 1743 to 1745 he entered a transitional phase that resulted in a shift of his main focus from science and philosophy to theology. Throughout the rest of his life he maintained that this shift was brought about by Jesus Christ, who appeared to him, called him to a new mission, and opened his perception to a permanent dual consciousness of this life and the spiritual world of heaven and hell. Although he at first published his theological works anonymously, he became more well known to the public when he had a clairvoyant experience where he could describe a fire in Stockholm in 1759, over 400 km away. This was investigated by the German philosopher Immanuel Kant, who confirmed the event, and it was also noted by Carl Jung who borrowed from Swedenborg for many of his ideas in psychology. At other times Swedenborg demonstrated his clairvoyant abilities to multiple witnesses, including John Wesley, the founder of Methodism. Zen master D.T. Suzuki called Swedenborg the "Buddha of the North."