December
21

Witness Salvation

And when the days of her purification were fulfilled, according to the Law of Moses, they brought Him up to Jerusalem, to present Him to the Lord. And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was just and circumspect, waiting for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And a response was made to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents were bringing in the little Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, he even received Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said, Now Thou sendest Thy servant away in peace, O Lord, according to Thy saying. For my eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples: a light for a revelation for the nations, and the glory of Thy people Israel. (Luke 2:22,25-32)

“Salvation unto Him,” signifies that salvation is from Him, since He is salvation; for everything of salvation and of eternal life is from the Lord, and is with man and angel. For all the good of love and all the truth of faith with man are the Lord’s with him, and not the man’s. For [all good and truth] is the Divine proceeding, which is the Lord in heaven with the angels and in the church with men; and from the good of love and the truth of faith come salvation and eternal life. So… it is said that salvation is the Lord’s, and that the Lord Himself is salvation…. (Apocalypse Explained 460:2)

Here “to bless God” evidently means to glorify and give thanks because the Lord was to come into the world, to save all who receive Him. Consequently, [Simeon] calls the Lord “the salvation” which his eyes saw, which He prepares for all people. Those are called “His people” who are in truths from good, thus who by means of truths receive Him. (Apocalypse Explained 340:3)

“Peace” stands for heavenly blessedness, happiness, and delight. And as these are granted only with those who love to do the Lord’s commandments, it is said, “Much peace have they who love Thy law” (Psalm 119:165). (Apocalypse Explained 365:20)

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