December
19

Waiting for the Consolation of Israel.

And when the days of her purification were accomplished, according to the Law of Moses, they brought Him up to Jerusalem, to present Him to the Lord, as it is written in the Law of the Lord, that every male opening the womb shall be called holy to the Lord; and to offer the sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, A pair of turtle doves, or two young pigeons.

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. (Luke 2:22-35)

“The patience of the saints” signifies the temptation of the faithful, or of those who are made spiritual by the Lord, because “patience” signifies spiritual patience, which is patience in sustaining temptations. (Apocalypse Explained 813)

“Because thou hast kept the word of My endurance,” signifies because they have fought against evils, and then have rejected falsities. Spiritual combat, which is temptation, is called the word of the Lord’s endurance or patience, because in temptations the Lord fights for man, and He fights by means of truths out of His Word. (Apocalypse Revealed 185)

But in respect to temptations, which are also meant here by “patience,” there are spiritual temptations which those undergo who receive genuine charity from the Lord. (Apocalypse Explained 893:3)

When man is in a state of love, or of celestial affection, he is in an angelic state, that is to say, as if not in time, provided there is no impatience in the affection. For impatience is a corporeal affection, and insofar as man is in it, so far he is in time; but insofar as man is not in it, so far he is not in time… For time appears to be something because of reflection upon things that do not belong to the affection or love, thus which are tedious. (Arcana Coelestia 3827)

Wait for Jehovah; hold firm, and He shall encourage thine heart; and wait for Jehovah. (Psalm 27:14)

In your patience you possess your souls. (Luke 21:19)

previous		next