AC 7973
About six hundred thousand on foot that were men. (Exodus 12:37)
That this signifies all things of the truth and good of faith in one complex,
is evident from the signification of the number "six hundred thousand;"
for this number arises from six and also from twelve,
and "twelve" signifies all things of faith and charity.
It is for this reason that the sons of Jacob were twelve,
and that their posterity were distinguished into twelve tribes,
and also that the twelve disciples were adopted by the Lord, namely,
to represent all things of faith and charity.
[6]
That this number signifies such things scarcely any one can believe,
for the reason that it is a matter of history,
and everything historical keeps the mind continually in the external sense,
and withdraws it from the internal sense.
Nevertheless this number has such a signification,
for there is not even a syllable, nor yet one jot or point in the Word,
which is not in itself holy, because it infolds in itself what is holy.
Every one sees that there is nothing holy in the mere historical fact.
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I am continually blessed and amazed by the Writings. Sometimes as I read a passage, I think 'in the natural' and say to self 'why does he have to go and make such a specific claim?' Swedenborg did so again with this number 600,000.
While reading I am stunned at the wisdom, and how well our natural minds are understood. Swedenborg's revelation anticipates my puny rebellion and human 'natural' reasoning.
He presents the Response to my unspoken thought: "[6] That this number signifies such things scarcely any one can believe,
for the reason that it is a matter of history,
and everything historical keeps the mind continually in the external sense,
and withdraws it from the internal sense.
Nevertheless this number has such a signification,
for there is not even a syllable, nor yet one jot or point in the Word,
which is not in itself holy, because it infolds in itself what is holy.
Every one sees that there is nothing holy in the mere historical fact." AC 7973
This is why the Third Testament amazes me, just as the people were amazed at the teachings of Jesus. It's truth, being the Word and the Logos, invigorates, illuminates and delights. The writings not only teach but are superb at psychologically anticipating & addressing the puny human objection.
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