December
22

Experience Peace

And there was Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher; she was advanced in many days, having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; and she was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not stand back from the temple, serving God with fastings and prayers night and day. And she, standing by, at the hour itself, confessed the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who waited for redemption in Jerusalem. (Luke 2:36-38)

“And I will redeem you with a stretched-out arm.” That this signifies leading forth from hell by virtue of Divine power, is evident from the signification of “redeeming,” as being to bring forth from hell. “Redemption” is said of bondage, of evil, and of death—that men are released from these—thus it is said of hell; and the Lord as to the Divine Human is called the “Redeemer.” (Arcana Coelestia 7205)

In the conflicts or temptations of men the Lord works a particular redemption, as He wrought a total redemption when in the world. By conflicts and temptations in the world the Lord glorified His Human, that is, made it Divine; in like manner now with man individually, when he is in temptations, the Lord fights for him, conquers the evil spirits who are infesting him, and after temptation glorifies him, that is, renders him spiritual.

After His universal redemption the Lord reduced to order all things in heaven and in hell. With man after temptation He does in like manner, that is, He reduces to order all the things of heaven and the world that are in him. After redemption the Lord established a new church; in like manner He also establishes what pertains to the church in man, and makes him to be a church in particular.

After redemption the Lord bestowed peace upon those who believed on Him, for He said: “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you” (John 14:27). Likewise He gives to man after temptation a sense of peace, that is, gladness of mind and consolation. From all this it is clear that the Lord is the Redeemer forever. (True Christian Religion 599)

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