And
in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat
our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy
name, to take away our reproach.
-Isaiah 4:1 King James Version (KJV)
Apocalypse Explained, by Emanuel Swedenborg, [1757-9], tr. by John Whitehead [1911], at sacred-texts.com
...[3] That "woman"
signifies the church in respect to the affection of truth, or the
affection of the truth of the church, can be seen also from these words
in Isaiah: Then seven women shall take hold of one man in that day,
saying, We will eat our own bread, and we will clothe ourselves with
our own raiment; only let thy name be called upon us; gather thou up our
reproach (4:1). This treats of the end of the church, when there is no
longer any truth, for these words precede: Thy men shall fall by
the sword, and thy strength in the war (3:25); which signify that the
understanding of truth will be destroyed by falsities, so that there
will be no more resistance in combats; and it is added: In that day
shall the shoot of Jehovah be for splendor and glory (4:2); which
signifies that truth will spring up anew in the church; for this is said
of the Lord's coming. "Seven women shall take hold of one man"
signifies that truth will be desired and sought from affection but will
not be found; "man" signifying truth, "women" affections or longings for
truth, and "seven" holiness. That instruction in genuine truths, and
thus spiritual nourishment would not be found, is signified by saying
"we will eat our own bread, and we will clothe ourselves with our own
raiment;" "bread" signifying instruction and spiritual nourishment, and
"raiment" truth clothing good; that truth only can be applied and by
application conjoined is signified by "only let thy name be called upon
us;" and as all esteem is from the spiritual affection of truth and
conjunction therefrom, and otherwise there is no esteem, it is said,
"gather thou up or take away our reproach."
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