U n c e r t a i n t yU n c e r t a i n t y

Word ExplainedWord Explained

Approximate dates:Approximate dates:

November 1745 – February 1747November 1745 – February 1747

2000 pages in Latin (7 volumes in 2000 pages in Latin (7 volumes in English)English)

5 pages per day5 pages per day

Opening statementOpening statement

““But let us But let us examineexamine the Scriptures, the Scriptures,

especially with the purpose of especially with the purpose of

searchingsearching the kingdom of God.” the kingdom of God.”

(my highlights)(my highlights)

Lines of InquiryLines of Inquiry

Why is it of interest to look at this?Why is it of interest to look at this?

– What was going on with SW during this What was going on with SW during this year?year?

Are there different types of Are there different types of uncertainty in WE?uncertainty in WE?

Acton: Introduction to WE,Acton: Introduction to WE,page 137 and 138page 137 and 138

Types of uncertainty:Types of uncertainty:

Obscurity induced by evil spiritsObscurity induced by evil spirits Unable to see any internal senseUnable to see any internal sense WE is a study, an exerciseWE is a study, an exercise

Types of UncertaintyTypes of Uncertainty

1.1. Cannot see Cannot see internal senseinternal sense

2.2. Something is Something is wrongwrong (evil spirits) (evil spirits)

3.3. Something is Something is lackinglacking (permission) (permission)

4.4. SW is in SW is in hurryhurry, no time to ponder , no time to ponder stuffstuff

5.5. SW not enough SW not enough understandingunderstanding or or experience yetexperience yet

Cannot see internal sense Cannot see internal sense (1)(1)

WE 4852. [And thou shalt make upon WE 4852. [And thou shalt make upon the breastplate two rings of gold…]. the breastplate two rings of gold…]. As yet I cannot well comprehend As yet I cannot well comprehend these words …these words …

WE 7428. Therefore it is said in the WE 7428. Therefore it is said in the text, that they had not sanctified text, that they had not sanctified Jehovah in the eyes of the people... Jehovah in the eyes of the people... ((But these matters are as yet But these matters are as yet obscure to meobscure to me…)…)

Cannot see internal sense Cannot see internal sense (2)(2)

WE 3445. What is meant [by]… the son WE 3445. What is meant [by]… the son who would be killed … who would be killed … This cannot be This cannot be put forth now by reason of causes, in put forth now by reason of causes, in that I am still obscured as to the that I am still obscured as to the things contained in these wordsthings contained in these words..

WE 5652. "the words of the covenant." WE 5652. "the words of the covenant." What these words signify I do not yet What these words signify I do not yet know. God Messiah granting, it will be know. God Messiah granting, it will be granted me to know them from granted me to know them from mercy…mercy…

Cannot see internal sense Cannot see internal sense (3)(3)

WE 4812. Explaining Exod. 28:8. As to WE 4812. Explaining Exod. 28:8. As to what "bands" symbolize in general, what "bands" symbolize in general, many things could be said, many things could be said, but it is not but it is not yet clearyet clear..

WE 6152, explaining I Sam. 26:19 About WE 6152, explaining I Sam. 26:19 About what else is involved in David's taking what else is involved in David's taking away the spear of Saul in the midst of away the spear of Saul in the midst of the people, the people, it has not yet been granted it has not yet been granted me to learn much.me to learn much.

Something is wrong (1)Something is wrong (1)WE 6657. These things are as yet most obscure to WE 6657. These things are as yet most obscure to

me, and I can by no means understand them. me, and I can by no means understand them. Therefore I pass them byTherefore I pass them by for I have never been so for I have never been so disturbed, and disturbed in so perplexing a way.disturbed, and disturbed in so perplexing a way.

WE 5454. Of Aaron's character after death… I can WE 5454. Of Aaron's character after death… I can indeed know nothing for certain; yet, from the indeed know nothing for certain; yet, from the murmurings of certain spirits... Those murmurings of certain spirits... Those [representations] of [representations] of evil spiritsevil spirits being the being the contrary, and unspeakably wicked. contrary, and unspeakably wicked.

But perhaps the above should be omitted this may But perhaps the above should be omitted this may be looked into at the time [of printing], for I be looked into at the time [of printing], for I cannot know but that these words are insinuated cannot know but that these words are insinuated among good spirits.among good spirits.

Something is wrong (2)Something is wrong (2)

WE 1649. "Hamor came, and Shechem WE 1649. "Hamor came, and Shechem his son, to the gate of their city, and his son, to the gate of their city, and spoke to the men of their city" [Gen spoke to the men of their city" [Gen 34:20]. These things are so 34:20]. These things are so wickedwicked that for now that for now they are passed by, and they are passed by, and perhaps even until the time for perhaps even until the time for printing, if that seems good. They printing, if that seems good. They cannot yet be inserted here.cannot yet be inserted here.

Permission is lacking (1)Permission is lacking (1)

SE-WE n. 5 …some He leads by permission, SE-WE n. 5 …some He leads by permission, through other spirits who are not through other spirits who are not heavenly, all depending on each person's heavenly, all depending on each person's life. life. (See whether it will be allowed to (See whether it will be allowed to insert the above when the time comes for insert the above when the time comes for printing.)printing.)

SE-WE 141 As to what the tables are, SE-WE 141 As to what the tables are, consult, consult, if it is allowedif it is allowed at that time, what is at that time, what is hidden away, and hidden away, and not yet permitted for me not yet permitted for me to draw on.to draw on.

Permission is lacking (2)Permission is lacking (2)

SE-WE 274 …can be illustrated by many SE-WE 274 …can be illustrated by many instances, instances, but it is not yet the timebut it is not yet the time. .

SE-WE 280 SE-WE 280 But these matters must not But these matters must not yet be disclosed; perhaps.yet be disclosed; perhaps.

SE-WE 3 Those words … must be SE-WE 3 Those words … must be amended at some other time, amended at some other time, if God if God sees fit, so that I am really satisfied that sees fit, so that I am really satisfied that the words I am speaking are entirely the words I am speaking are entirely truetrue..

HurryHurry

WE 3212. At present WE 3212. At present I am not quite I am not quite sure sure as to whether they are as as to whether they are as stated, having cited them here from stated, having cited them here from memory, as for instance the passage memory, as for instance the passage about the sea [from Luke 21]. about the sea [from Luke 21].

WE 7435. Whether the sacrifices of the WE 7435. Whether the sacrifices of the new moons had been instituted prior new moons had been instituted prior to this, to this, I do not knowI do not know. .

SW’s understanding (1)SW’s understanding (1)

WE 5652. Here WE 5652. Here it is very difficult to knowit is very difficult to know whether it was Jehovah who …whether it was Jehovah who …

WE 4482. WE 4482. But as yet I do not well know But as yet I do not well know these mattersthese matters. God Messiah granting, it . God Messiah granting, it may be permitted may be permitted to weigh them in better to weigh them in better fashionfashion. .

WE 5094. As to how the case is in this life in WE 5094. As to how the case is in this life in those who are to be regenerated, those who are to be regenerated, this I do this I do not yet know.not yet know.

SW’s understanding (2)SW’s understanding (2)

WE 5106. …WE 5106. …this it is not yet granted me this it is not yet granted me to knowto know… … Whether there is a drawing Whether there is a drawing near in the kingdom of God Messiah near in the kingdom of God Messiah when order has been instituted and all when order has been instituted and all are created anew, are created anew, I do not yet know.I do not yet know.

SE-WE 341. But the fact that He spoke SE-WE 341. But the fact that He spoke in a way that by-standers also heard, in a way that by-standers also heard, as He did from Mount Sinai, as He did from Mount Sinai, I cannot I cannot yet explain from experienceyet explain from experience..

SW’s understanding (3)SW’s understanding (3)

WE 41. From the above it can be seen, WE 41. From the above it can be seen, though still only through a screen as though still only through a screen as it wereit were, how the perfect order , how the perfect order instituted by God is…instituted by God is…

WE 8242. But WE 8242. But I cannot well describeI cannot well describe any specimen of this temptation… any specimen of this temptation… I I do not yet knowdo not yet know..

THE ENDTHE END

Stephen Muires, April 28, 2009Stephen Muires, April 28, 2009

Course: Theo 686, Church HistoryCourse: Theo 686, Church History

Teacher: Grant OdhnerTeacher: Grant Odhner

Subject: Swedenborg’s expressions of uncertaintySubject: Swedenborg’s expressions of uncertainty

PresentationPresentation