Bryn Athyn Cathedral: The Building of a Church

E. Bruce Glenn

Footnotes

The Windows and Their Representations

IT IS THE FAITH of the New Church that there is one God and one Word. The Divine revelation has been given to men in successively deeper form as the mind of the race was matured to receive it. So the stern commandments, detailed for ritual and daily life, given to the Children of Israel were infilled with the moral perception of love through the Lord's teachings at His coming. So also, with the opening of fuller rationality through science and philosophy, a further infilling of both the Old and New Testaments was granted through Swedenborg as the revelator of the Lord's second advent.

Much of this new revelation is given to setting forth in systematic order the spiritual sense, or doctrinal meaning, of the letter of the former Scriptures, from the allegorical stories of Genesis to the apocalyptic visions in which John foresaw the New Jerusalem. This exposition of the internal sense of peoples and events gave the builders of the Bryn Athyn Cathedral scope to express doctrinal truth through symbolic depiction. The stained glass windows of the church constitute this expression; and this chapter sets down simply the figures and stories depicted, together with a brief summation of their inner meaning and references to the works in which it is stated.

The references are (with the exception of the work Prophets and Psalms) not to pages, but to numbered paragraphs following Swedenborg's method. Where a second number follows a colon, the reference is to the subsection of a long paragraph number.

Abbreviations of works are according to the following table:

ACArcana Coelestia (Heavenly Arcana)
AEApocalypse Explained
ARApocalypse Revealed
CLConjugial Love
Coro.Coronis
DPDivine Providence
HHHeaven and Hell
LordDoctrine of the Lord
NJHDThe New Jerusalem and Its Heavenly Doctrine
PPProphets and Psalms
SSDoctrine of the Sacred Scripture
SDSpiritual Diary
TCRThe True Christian Religion

The Chancel Clerestory

The six windows in this group have as their theme the Lord's life on earth. Each window has nine scenes, grouped about one of the Lord's six journeys to Jerusalem. Chronologically they are arranged first on the north side from west to east, and then on the south side from west to east.

The North Side

THE WESTERN WINDOW (the Presentation in the Temple).

The western light:

  1. Gabriel's Appearance to Zacharias: The Might of God, teaching of the genuine doctrine to those in the good of charity. (AC 2015:4; AE 444:3)
  2. Adoration of the Wise Men: Worship of the Lord by those in knowledges of good and truth in all things. (AE 324:10)
  3. The Annunciation to Mary: The Lord's advent through the first affection of truth in man.

The central light:

  1. The Presentation in the Temple: The doctrine of truth, the First-born, is from God and is sanctified to Him. (AE 725:4, 5)
  2. Mary and the Child: The Lord's advent through the first affection of truth in man.
  3. The Meeting of Mary and Elizabeth: Joy arising from the love of the conjunction of good and truth. (AE 710:31)

The eastern light:

  1. The Flight into Egypt: First instruction of the mind through the scientifics of the church. (AC 6750:2; AE 654:19)
  2. The Angel Appears to Joseph: The declaration and acknowledgment of the Lord's divinity. (AE 102:3; Lord 21, 29)
  3. The Birth of the Lord: The Lord's coming to those who teach and lead to the good of charity (the shepherds) in innocence (swaddling clothes). (AC 4713; AE 706:12)

THE CENTER WINDOW (Talking with the Doctors).

The western light:

  1. The Angel Appearing to Joseph in Egypt: The church admonished to come up out of science, to be instructed in the genuine doctrine of good and truth. (Clewes, Commentary on Matthew, p. 11)
  2. The Return from Egypt: Advancement from scientifics to more interior things, even to the celestial (Nazarene). (AC 2342; 4964)
  3. The Slaughter of the Innocents: The destruction of all spiritual truth in the church at the time of the Lord's coming. (AE 695)

The central light:

  1. Talking with the Doctors: Progression of the Human by means of knowledges respecting God and the church. (TCR 89)
  2. The Search for the Child: Introduction of the Human into all things of heaven and the church ("twelve" signifies all things and is predicated of truths from good). (AE 430:16)
  3. The Journey to the Passover: The Lord's glorification and conjunction thereby with man. (AC 2342:3)

The eastern light:

  1. The Temptation in the Wilderness: Conquering of the hells and glorification of the Human by acceptance of temptations. (AE 405: 55; Lord 12; NJHD 199)
  2. Baptism of the Lord by John: Glorification of the Lord, and regeneration and purification of man (also signified by the dove). (TCR 684, 144)
  3. The Preaching of John the Baptist: Representation of the Lord as the Word in its literal sense. (AC 5620)

THE EASTERN WINDOW (Driving out the Money-Changers).

The western light:

  1. 1. The Healing at Capernaum: Cleansing of the spirit by acknowledgment of the Lord's omnipotence and repentance therefrom. (AE 815; 5)
  2. The Woman of Samaria: Establishment of the church with the gentiles by means of the truth of doctrine (the water from the well). (AE 537:4)
  3. The Coming of Nicodemus: The opening of the internal in regeneration (being born anew). (TCR 326)

The central light:

  1. Driving Out the Money-Changers: Punishment of evil within the church, from love for the sake of salvation. (AE 840:4; AR 216)
  2. The Marriage Feast at Cana: Establishment of an internal church by opening the internal truths that lie within the external truths of the church (water into wine). (AE 376:29)
  3. The Lamb of God: The good of innocence in the Divine Human, and a life of regeneration thence. (AE 314; Lord 17)

The eastern light:

  1. Healing the Leper: Liberation from evil, specifically that of the profanation of truth, by the communication of spiritual life. (AC 7524, 8364: 2, 6; AE 79)
  2. The Sermon on the Mount: Instruction as to what good works are, and the heavenly happiness that they bring. (AE 785: 4)
  3. The Calling of Peter and Andrew: Truth from good and obedience of faith are the first things of the church, through which comes instruction. (AE 820, 821)

The South Side

THE WESTERN WINDOW (Healing the Infirm Man at the Pool of Bethesda).

The western light:

  1. The Calling of Matthew: The Lord's appropriation of good to the gentiles who received Him (eating with publicans and sinners). (AE 617:22)
  2. Healing the Paralytic: Conjunction of man with the Lord through belief in His Divinity, or healing faith. (AE 815:3)
  3. Stilling the Wind and Waves: Spiritual peace through the Lord's ordering of the evil spirits with man and the opening of the spiritual mind. (AE 514: 22; TCR 123:5, 6)

The central light:

  1. Healing the Infirm Man at Bethesda: Return to the good of life through purification by truth (troubling of the waters and taking up the bed and walking). (AC 10083:4; AE 163:7; AC 8495:3, 5)
  2. Plucking the Ears of Corn: A sabbath peace through instruction in goods and truths, and a consequent acting from the Lord. (AC 8495:3, 5; 10360:8)
  3. Raising Jairus's Daughter: The communication and reception of the Lord's power to save (the laying on of hands). (AC 10023:5, 6, 7)

The eastern light:

  1. The Transfiguration: The appearance and recognition of the Divine Human in truth from good, in His Word (His face and raiment, Moses and Elias). (AC 32; AE 405:25; 1070:3)
  2. The Lord Walking on the Sea: The Lord's presence and influx even into the ultimates of heaven and the church, whence comes tranquility of mind. (AE 514)
  3. Feeding the Five Thousand: Appropriation of the Lord's good and truth to those who are in a receptive state after instruction, together with know1edges in abundance. (AE 430:15; 617:4)

THE CENTER WINDOW (The Woman Taken in Adultery).

The western light:

  1. The Raising of Lazarus: New birth by regeneration, and also the raising up of a new church among the Gentiles. (AC 2916:4; AE 349)
  2. The Visit to Mary and Martha: Affection for truth for its own sake, untainted by care for self and the world (choosing the better part). (SD 1574)
  3. Blessing the Little Children: Heaven a state of innocence or love to the Lord, the essence of all charity and good with man. (AC 164, 5608; CL 414)

The central light:

  1. The Woman Taken in Adultery: Condemnation of spiritual adulterations of the goods and truths of the Word, and also acknowledgment of the need to remain constant in repentance. (AE 222:6, 7; NJHD 169)
  2. The Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem: The church's acknowledgment of the Lord as Judge and King, in the ordering of the natural and rational minds of man (the ass and colt). (AC 2781:8, 9212:6)
  3. The Withered Fig Tree: Faith without charity is of no use and cannot remain alive (leaves without fruit). (AC 9337:1, 2; AC 217; TCR 676)

The eastern light:

  1. Healing the Man Born Blind: The giving of truth, and consequent purification, to those who are ignorant of truths concerning the Lord and the Word, but who long for them. (AE 152:13, 239:19)
  2. Zaccheus in the Sycamore Tree: Vision of the Lord by means of natural truths of the church, as presented to a Gentile state. (AE 503:4; AC 7553:5)
  3. Anointing the Lord's Feet: The glorification of the Lord's Human even to the last, and salvation thence, and this by the good of love to Him from Him (the oil of anointing). (AE 659:19, 375:43)

THE EASTERN WINDOW (The Ascension).

The western light:

  1. The Betrayal by Judas: The Lord's rejection by those in falsity from evil. (Lord 16:6; AE 740:8)
  2. The Prayer in Gethsemane: Acceptance of the Lord's will in temptation, whence comes the power to overcome evil and despair. (AC 1787:2, 8179:3)
  3. The Last Supper: Conjunction of the Lord with man and of man with the Lord, through acknowledgment of His Divinity and the appropriation of His good and truth by repentance. (AC 2187:4; 10033; 3464:2; AR 224)

The central light:

  1. The Ascension: The Lord's elevation in the Divine Human, and man's elevation into interior things by His aid. (AC 4578; Lord 35)
  2. The Crucifixion: The Lord's final conquest of the hells and the glorification of His Human, in the midst of falsification and adulteration of His Word (His body). (Lord 12; AE 627; 220:5)
  3. Peter's Denial: The complete rejection of the Lord by those in faith separated from charity at the end of the church. (AE 820:8; NJHD 122)

The eastern light:

  1. The Resurrection: The opening of heaven to man through the Lord's glorification and the opening of His Word (the stone rolled away). (TCR 170; AE 687:18)
  2. The Appearance at Emmaus: Enlightenment of the understanding through conjunction with the Lord by means of the spiritual truths of the Word. (AC 1540; AE 617:21)
  3. The Burial: Resurrection into heaven with the angels, and also the death of the former self and rebirth by regeneration. (AC 2916:4)

The Nave Clerestory

The ten windows in this group have as their theme incidents from the whole span of the Old Testament. In each three-light window there is an angel in the central light, with a leading figure in the incident on either side. Below each light is a medallion depicting some part of the incident. The angel in each case represents the Lord, who thus revealed Himself before His advent. Chronologically the nave clerestory windows are arranged from west to east, first on the north and thence on the south wall.

The North Side

THE WESTERN WINDOW (The Angel with the Flaming Sword).

The western light and medallion:

Adam: The Most Ancient Church, of celestial genius, which perceived truth from love to the Lord. (AC 49; AE 739:6)
Adam digging with a spade after being driven from the Garden: The relapse of that church into external and sensual loves and its aversion to celestial things. (AC 275, 276)

The central light and medallion:

The Angel: The Human before the Incarnation (this general truth is the same in all the angels represented in the nave clerestory). Here it is the Lord appearing to the men of the Most Ancient Church, to instruct them directly (AC 125); also, after the fall of that church, the angel with the flaming sword appeared to protect the holy things of faith from profanation by self-love. (AC 306)
The Tree of Life: The Lord, or love to Him and thence perception of His good and truth. (AC 102–105; Coro. 27)

The eastern light and medallion:

Eve, Eating from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil: The love of self, turning from the Lord to guide itself by means of sensual and scientific knowledge. (AC 205, 210)
The Serpent in the Garden: Man's sensuous plane, in which he trusts and from which he reasons about matters of faith. (AC 194, 195)

THE WINDOW SECOND FROM WEST (Noah and the Ark).

The western light and medallion:

A Giant: (The Nephilim) Those who made light of things holy and true, from supposed pre-eminence, and this from falsification of doctrine in cupidities. (AC 580)
A Devil, and Symbols of the Church's Destruction: Man's self-destruction through the reception of evil spirits who excite and lead him to evil. (AC 592)

The central light and medallion:

The Angel: The Human before the Incarnation, seen as man but known to be God. (HH 84)
The Ark: The formation of a new church at the destruction of the old, and also the man of the church. (AC 605, 638, 4334: 5)

The eastern light and medallion:

Noah: The Ancient Church, or the doctrine remaining from the Most Ancient Church, formed through the understanding of truth separated from the corrupted will. (AC 640, 64, 530)
Noah Sacrificing on the Altar: Worship of the Lord by the Ancient Church, in the goods of charity and faith (every clean beast and fowl). (AC 919, 920)

THE WINDOW THIRD FROM WEST (The Promise of Isaac).

The western light and medallion:

Sarah: Truth adjoined to good (AC 1894). When barren, before the birth of Isaac, she represents intellectual truth with no spiritual rationality. (AC 1901)
Sarah Laughing within the Tent Door: Lack of understanding and faith in the Divine on the part of human rationality when in the fallacies of the senses. (AC 2203, 2209)

The central light and medallion:

The Angel: The Lord's perception of His Divinity (The angel appearing unto Abraham, who represented the Lord). (AC 2143)
A Table and Food Set before the Angel by Abraham: The Lord's preparing to receive perception of celestial and spiritual things from the Divine, with resultant communication of the Divine and the Human. (AC 2185–2187)

The eastern light and medallion:

Abraham: Celestial love, or the Lord's putting on of the Divine. (AC 1025, 2010)
The Three Angels: The Divine Trinity in One; the Divine Itself, the Divine Human, and the Holy Proceeding. (AC 2149)

THE WINDOW SECOND FROM EAST (The Sacrifice of Isaac).

The western light and medallion:

Isaac: The Divine rational of the Lord, or the spiritual rational in man. (AC 2627)
Isaac Bearing Wood for the Sacrifice: Placing merit in good works, and subsequent temptation through the rational. (AC 2784, 2798)

The central light and medallion:

The Angel: Consolation from the Divine Itself after temptation in the rational (of the Lord); or the Lord consoling man after temptation. (AC 2820)
The Angel Staying Abraham's Hand: Liberation from temptation of truth in the rational. (AC 2823)

The eastern light and medallion:

Abraham: The Divine Human of the Lord. (AC 2833)
The Ram Caught in the Thicket: Liberation and adoption by the Lord's Divine Human of the spiritual man entangled in natural knowledge. (AC 2828)

THE EASTERN WINDOW (Jacob's Ladder).

The western light and medallion:

Isaac: The Divine rational of the Lord, or the spiritual rational of man. (AC 2627)
Isaac Blessing Jacob: The conjunction of the rational with the good of natural truth. (AC 3660)

The central light and medallion:

The Angel: The Lord in the highest, from whom comes all good. (AC 3697)
Jacob's Vision of the Ladder: Communication of the lowest truth and its derivative good with the Divine, infinite and eternal, from which all goods and truths descend. (AC 3697, 3702)

The eastern light and medallion:

Jacob: The good of natural truth. (AC 3660)
Jacob Anointing the Pillar in Bethel: The setting of truth as a holy ultimate of order, under the dominion of good (the oil). (AC 3722, 3728)

The South Side

THE WESTERN WINDOW (The Fall of Jericho).

The western light and medallion:

Rahab: There is no statement found in the Writings respecting the representation of Rahab, the harlot who believed in the Lord's power and divinity.
Rahab Lowering the Spies from the Wall: See above.

The central light and medallion:

The Angel: "The Prince of Jehovah's army," the Divine truth as to its power. (AC 8595)
Angel with Drawn Sword: Fighting truth Divine in its power. (AC 8595)

The eastern light and medallion:

Joshua: Truth combating. (AC 8595)
Priests Blowing the Rams' Horns about Jericho, and the Walls of the City Falling: Divine truth from heaven dispersing the falsities which protect the doctrine of evil. (AC 8815; AE 700:16)

THE WINDOW SECOND FROM WEST (The Promise of Samson).

The western light and medallion:

Manoah: No specific representation is noted concerning Manoah in the Writings (see immediately below).
Manoah's Offering: Recognition of the Lord's presence through a state of innocence in the natural man (the kid offered). (AC 3519:4, 6)

The central light and medallion:

The Angel: The Lord as Divine Man. (HH 84)
Manoah and His Wife Falling before the Angel: Willing obedience to the Lord's Word by those in the good of love and of faith. (AE 412:16)

The eastern light and medallion:

Samson: The Lord's power from the ultimates of truth and wisdom. (SS 49:2) Also the Lord who conquered the hells from the truths of the natural man. (AC 3301:4)
Samson Slaying the Lion: The dissipation of faith separated from charity, by the power of ultimate truth, and in its place the good of charity (the swarm of bees in the carcass). (AE 619:18)

THE WINDOW THIRD FROM WEST (The Call of Samuel).

The western light and medallion:

Samuel: Divine good from which is Divine truth. (AC 8770)
Samuel Anointing Saul: The establishment of a kingdom of Divine truth without Divine good. (AC 2567:9, 10; 8770; 1361)

The central light and medallion:

The Angel: The Human of the Lord before the Incarnation.
The Call of Samuel: The Divine good and truth proceeding from the Lord, and the Word therefrom. (AC 6168:5; AE 705:21)

The eastern light and medallion:

Eli: The Divine good and the Divine truth proceeding united from the Lord. (AC 6168:5)
Eli in the Temple: Worship of the Lord in His Divine good and truth. (AC 6168:5)

THE WINDOW SECOND FROM EAST (The Establishment of David's Kingdom).

The western light and medallion:

Saul: Truth separated from good. (AC 8770)
The Death of Saul: The destruction of falsity, of falsified truth, by means of truth from good (the sword). (AC 2567:9, 10; AE 357:3)

The central light and medallion:

The Angel: The Lord as seen before His advent.
The Angel Appearing to David: The Lord's coming to man in Divine truth with good adjoined according to the good of the man. (AC 8770)

The eastern light and medallion:

David: The Lord as to Divine truth. (AC 4594, 8770)
David as King: The royalty of Divine truth in the heaven of the Lord (the throne). (AC 4594; 5044:8)

THE EASTERN WINDOW (Solomon's Choice).

The western light and medallion:

Solomon: The Lord after His coming, in the power of His glorified Human. (DP 245)
Solomon on His Throne: The Lord as to His celestial and spiritual kingdoms. (AE 654:29)

The central light and medallion:

The Angel: The Lord.
The Angel Appearing to Solomon in Gibeon: The granting of glory and power to those who seek wisdom for the sake of use (Solomon's choice). (DP 245)

The eastern light and medallion:

Zadok: The Lord as to Divine good. (AC 1728)
Zadok Anointing Solomon: The establishment of truth's government from the Divine good (the oil of anointing). (AC 3009)

The Great West Window

The five lights of this window have as their theme the Five Churches, or successive revelations upon which these churches were founded. The center panel of each light depicts a figure representative of the church or of its revelation. The upper panel depicts a scene representative of the church's beginning; and, with the exception of the middle light, the New Christian Church, the lower panel depicts a scene representative of the church's end or consummation. The New Church is excepted because its revelation is "the crown of all the revelations that have hitherto existed in the world," and of the Lord in His second coming it is said that "of His kingdom there shall be no end."

THE FIRST OR SOUTH LIGHT (The Most Ancient Church).

The middle panel:

Adam: The Most Ancient Church, of celestial genius, which perceived truth from good, or from love to the Lord. (AC 49; AE 739:6)

The upper panel:

Adam Keeping the Garden: Enjoyment of all things of the celestial man, in acknowledgment that they are the Lord's with man. (AC 122–124)

The lower panel:

The Angels with the Flaming Swords: The protection of holy things by truth from the good of celestial love, lest they be profaned by love of self. (AE 277:3; AC 306)

THE SECOND LIGHT FROM THE SOUTH (The Ancient Church).

The middle panel:

Noah: The Ancient Church, of spiritual genius, established by the separation of the understanding from the will and by the endowment of the understanding with a new will from conscience and thence charity; or good from truth instead of truth from good. (AC 640; 64)

The upper panel:

Noah Offering a Sacrifice: Worship of the Lord by that church, in the goods of charity and faith. (AC 919, 920)

The lower panel:

Noah Drinking from the Vine: The Ancient Church fallen into errors through a desire to investigate the things of faith by reasonings without perception; or falsification of truth by human reason. (AC 1067, 1071)

THE CENTRAL LIGHT (The New Christian Church).

The middle panel:

The Woman Clothed with the Sun: The Lord's New Church in heaven and on earth, in love, intelligence, and wisdom from the Word (the sun, moon, and crown of stars). (AR 533, 534)

The upper panel:

The Angel with the Trumpet: The coming of Divine truth through the heavens, in the final establishment of the Lord's kingdom in heaven and the church. (AE 681; AR 519, 520)

The lower panel:

The White Horse of the Apocalypse: The Lord's coming in the opening of the spiritual sense of His Word to the New Church (AR, Introduction to Chapter XIX). (This reference also includes detailed representations of the horse, the garment, the sword, and the name on the thigh).

THE SECOND LIGHT FROM THE NORTH (The First Christian Church).

The middle panel:

John the Evangelist: The good of charity which acknowledges the Lord, and the church therefrom. (AC 2135; AR 5; CL 119:2; AE 8:5)

The upper panel:

Pentecost: Reception of Divine truth, and acknowledgment of this. (AE 455:22)

The lower panel:

Angel Cutting the Vine with a Sickle: Collection and separation of the good from the evil at the church's end, when there is no charity and thus no longer any truths of faith. (AE 918; AR 650)

THE LAST OR NORTH LIGHT (The Jewish Church).

The middle panel:

Aaron: The doctrine of good and truth from the literal sense of the Word; or the external law which is truth accommodated to men. (AC 7089; 7381)

The upper panel:

Moses with the Tables of Stone: Conjunction of the Lord with the church (or man) through the Word in ultimate, within which is the internal sense. (AC 10375,10376)

The lower panel:

Worshipping the Golden Calf: The following of false doctrines by making them appear as truths, for the sake of external or selfish loves. (AC 10406:2; 10407; 10402)

The South Transept Windows

The two great lancet windows of the south transept have as their theme the Prophets of the Old Testament. Each window has three large medallions, with semi-circular medallions in the borders between them. The bottom medallions depict scenes from the Prophecy of Isaiah; the middle medallions depict scenes from Jeremiah; and the top medallions, scenes from Ezekiel. The points at the top of both windows show scenes from Daniel. In addition to these four major Prophets, all the minor Prophets are represented in the border medallions. Below is set forth the spiritual signification of each scene beginning with the lower left quarter of each medallion (the right-hand window first) and following around the medallion counter-clockwise. The signification of the scenes from the minor Prophets follows.

ISAIAH

Lower medallion, right-hand window:

  1. Angel Touches Isaiah's Tongue with Live Coal from the Altar: Purification of the doctrine of the church, and inauguration into the gift of teaching. (AE 580:4; PP, p. 81)
  2. Wolf and Lamb Led by a Little Child: Trust in the Lord's protection from the hells on the part of those in innocence. (AE 314:3; PP, p. 10)
  3. Angel Pruning the Vines: The truth of doctrine (pruning-hook) rejects those who, in the church's establishment, ignore the things of salvation. (AE 730; PP, p. 12)
  4. Angel Shaking the Olive Tree for Gleanings: The devastation of the church as to good and truth therefrom, and enlightenment of those outside the church. (AE 919:2; AE 313b:12; PP, p. 13)

Lower medallion, left-hand window:

  1. Angel Destroying the Hosts of the Assyrians: The overthrow of the former church, which blasphemed against the Lord by reasonings against Divine things, and of all men who do this. (AC 2588; PP, p. 19)
  2. Angel Treading the Winepress: Combat from Divine truths against falsities, and this from the Lord alone. (AE 359:3; PP, p. 31)
  3. Angel Breaking the Chains of Captives: The Lord's coming to those ignorant of truth but desiring it, the Gentiles. (AE 811:18; PP, p. 30)
  4. King Hezekiah in Prayer Spreadeth Rabshakeh's Letter before the Lord: Repentance of the spiritual in the church, and prayer for Divine help against the perverted rational. (AE 706:17; PP, p. 18)

JEREMIAH

Middle medallion, right-hand window:

  1. Jeremiah Hides the Linen Girdle at the Euphrates River: Destruction of the truth of the church by falsifications of the Word and reasonings defending these; thus no more conjunction of the church with the Lord (the girdle). (AE 569:20; PP, p. 41)
  2. Jeremiah Sees the Almond Rod and the Seething Pot: Perception of truth (almond rod) obscured and lost by falsities of the sensuous man (seething pot in the north). (AC 5622:2; 8408:3; 10105:6; PP, p. 34)
  3. Jeremiah Breaks the Potter's Vessel: Perishing of the Church by human falsity, so that it could not be restored. (AE 177:5, 9; PP, pp. 44–45)
  4. The King Cuts Jeremiah's Roll with a Knife: The falsification and rejection of the Word by the church through profanation. (AE 481:4; PP, p. 52)

Middle medallion, left-hand window:

  1. Zedekiah Bound at the Chariot of Nebuchadnezzar: The perishing of the remnants of doctrine, by reasonings from falsities. (PP. p. 53–54)
  2. Jeremiah Let Down into a Deep Dungeon with Cords: Rejection and defilement of doctrinal truth by complete falsification. (AC 4728; AE 537:17; PP, p. 53)
  3. Jeremiah Carried by Force into Egypt: Deprivation of truth and spiritual life by consulting natural scientifics. (AE 386: 8; PP, p. 55)
  4. Seraiah Casts Jeremiah's Prophecy into the Euphrates, as a Sign of the Destruction of Babylon: Falsification of the Word by those who pervert its truths for evil ends, and who are cast into hell. (AC 9341:7; AE 569:21; PP, p. 59)

EZEKIEL

Upper medallion, right-hand window:

  1. Ezekiel, through a Hole in the Wall, Enters in to Behold the Abominations of Israel: Worship in accordance with the external Word perverted by human intelligence from diabolical loves. (AC 9424:4; PP, p. 65)
  2. Ezekiel Beholds the Four Cherubim: The guarding of spiritual good and truth, and natural good and truth, distinct and yet one, by the Lord's providence. (AE 278–280 passim; PP, p. 62)
  3. Man Clothed with Linen, an Ink-horn at His Side, who Placed a Mark on All who were to be Saved: Exploration and judgment by the truth of the Word, of those in the good of love. (AE 838; AC 9936; PP, p. 65)
  4. Eagle Plucking the Highest Branch of the Cedar: Institution of a spiritual church through the rational understanding of truth. (AC 10199:5; AE 1100:5; PP, p. 69)

Upper medallion, left-hand window:

  1. Ezekiel Prophesies in the Valley of Bones: Raising up of a new church from those who before lacked spiritual life from truth; or the regeneration of man. (TCR 594; AE 418:3; AE 659:14; PP, p. 79)
  2. Ezekiel beside the Dead Body of his Wife, Refusing to Mourn: Separation of the church from the Lord by loss of good and truth, but no grief because of it. (AC 9960; 7844; PP, p. 73)
  3. Angel with Line of Flax and Measuring Reed to Measure the Temple: The quality of the (New) Church, measured by the standard of Divine truth. (AE 951:4; 627:4; PP, p. 80)
  4. Priest at the Altar Offering Sacrifice, to Symbolize the Restoration of Worship: Worship of the Lord from the good of love in the new internal church. (PP, p. 81)

DANIEL

Point of arch, right-hand window, left and right panels:

  1. The Image of Nebuchadnezzar's Dream: The decline of the church (from the good of love, through the truth of faith, to falsity), its perishing, and the subsequent rule of heaven and the church by the Divine truth of the Lord's coming. (AC 9406:7; AE 411:4; PP, p. 83)
  2. Four Men Walking in the Midst of the Fiery Furnace: Protection of those who worship the Lord, from evil and falsity. (AE 504:24; PP, p. 84)

Point of arch, left-hand window, left and right panels:

  1. Daniel in the Lion's Den: Protection of the Word from the power of false reasoning that would destroy it. (AE 782; PP, p. 85)
  2. Daniel Sealing the Book until the Time of the End: Fulfillment of the Lord's Word at His second coming, when the church will receive intelligence from the faith of charity. (AC 9954:13; PP, p. 89)

THE MINOR PROPHETS

WEST LIGHT

HOSEA
Baker putting dough into an oven: The perversion of the Word from the heat of self-love. (PP, p. 92)

JOEL
The prophet sounding the alarm of a trumpet. Cloud of locusts in the background: The falsification of the Word from sensual scientifics. (PP, p. 95)

AMOS
Angel standing on a wall, with plumbline in his hand. Prophet leading cattle: Those who are in natural good will be judged by the doctrine from the Word. (PP, p. 98, 99)

OBADIAH
Prophet rebuking Esau, who is small, garbed as a hunter, and armed with a bow: Those who pervert the literal sense of the Word from self-intelligence. (PP, p. 101)

JONAH
Prophet under gourd tree. Walls of Nineveh in the background: The establishment of the Church among the Gentiles. (PP, p. 103)

MICAH
Angel destroying an idol before which people bow in worship: The condemnation of external, or idolatrous worship. (PP, pp. 104, 105)

EAST LIGHT

NAHUM
Chariot riding over slain. Driver falling backward. Angel with uplifted sword: The doctrine of falsity by which the Church would be destroyed. (PP, p. 107)

HABAKKUK
Man toiling in the midst of fire: Love of self, whereby the Church would be destroyed. (PP, p. 108)

ZEPHANIAH
A lion and a wolf: The utter perversion of the Church. "Roaring lions," represent all intelligence in spiritual things destroyed; "evening wolves," represent all charity lost. (PP, p. 111)

HAGGAI
Angel with hand outstretched in blessing. Zerubbabel laying the corner stone: The establishment of the New Church signified by the Temple. (PP, p. 112)

ZECHARIAH
Angel with two candlesticks and two olive trees: The glory of the New Church, its enlightenment and perception from the Lord. (PP, p. 114)

MALACHI
Prophet in the foreground calling to repentance: The Messenger sent to prepare the way of the Lord. (PP, p. 118)

The Chapel Windows

The two windows in the south wall of the chapel, and also the two small windows set in the west wall, present scenes from the spiritual world as witnessed and related by Emanuel Swedenborg. As such they depict states of life among angels and spirits who have formed their spiritual and eternal environment by their choices while on earth; and in so doing, these windows symbolize truths about man's spiritual relationships.

EASTERN WINDOW

The three medallions in the east (left hand) light depict scenes from three places in Conjugial Love. Together they describe the delight and wisdom of marriages in heaven, in which the partners grow more and more to be as one angel before the Lord, and the promise that such a marriage love may be restored once more on earth.

Upper Medallion

Boy with Paper in Hand: the promise of love truly conjugial sent to men on earth. (CL 293)

Middle Medallion

Palace with Birds Flying into Windows: Conjugial love entering into the celestial, spiritual, and natural planes of the mind. (CL 270)

Lower Medallion

Wedding in Heaven: Husband and wife representing the marriage of the Lord with the church, and of love and wisdom. (CL 20, 21)

The three medallions in the west (right hand) light depict man's entrance into the spiritual world following the death of the body and the release of his immortal mind from its temporal abode.

Upper Medallion

Spirit being Admitted by Angel: reception into heaven of those who have been prepared by a life of good from affection. (AR 611)

Middle Medallion

Spirit Greeted by Friends: Recognition by those who knew him on earth, from the sphere of his life shown in face and speech. (HH 494)

Lower Medallion

Resuscitation: Drawing of the spirit into heaven through communion with angels in a state of internal quietude. (HH 449)

WESTERN WINDOW

The three medallions in the east (left hand) light depict a vision seen by Swedenborg of a temple in heaven that represents the New Christian Church, whose doctrinal truths, seen by the understanding in the light of heaven, open the spiritual sense of the letter of the Word and conjoin the church with heaven.

Upper Medallion

Sanctuary with Golden Cherub: Conjunction of the church with heaven by the Word now opened. (TCR 508:2)

Middle Medallion

Pulpit with the Open Word: The preaching of the spiritual sense of the Word now revealed. (TCR 508:2)

Lower Medallion

Temple with "Nunc Licet" Inscription: The New Church in which it is now permitted to enter with understanding into the mysteries of faith and the full acknowledgment of the Lord as the God of heaven and earth. (TCR 508)

The three medallions in the west (right hand) light depict a vision seen by Swedenborg in which successively were imaged the tabernacle or tent of Abraham, the temple at Jerusalem with its foundation stone holding the Word, and the Lord as seen by John (Revelation 1) in the midst of the seven golden lampstands. Together these represent successively more interior acknowledgment of the Lord in His Word.

Upper Medallion

Son of Man in midst of Seven Golden Lampstands: The Lord as the center of worship in the New Jerusalem. (TCR 187:4)

Middle Medallion

Foundation Stone with Precious Gems and the Word: The temple as seen by angels in a state of wisdom. (TCR 187:3)

Lower Medallion

Three Angels, Abraham and Tent: The Lord as seen and worshipped by those in simple faith. (TCR 187:3)

WESTERN WALL

These two windows represent the internal sense of the Word, guarded by the Lord from those who would falsify it, but given freely to all who approach the Word from affection of truth for the sake of use.

Southern Window

Above: A manger in which is a purse with silver coins; on each side an angel with a sword protecting the silver against those who would steal it: the spiritual truth of the Word (coins) within the letter (purse), kept by the Lord from being taken and abused.
Below: A deformed woman reaching for the silver but prevented from taking it: Would-be falsifier (harlot) of the truth of the Word. (AR 255)

Northern Window

Above: The same as above, but with silver coins falling down: the free granting of the interior truths of the Word.
Below: Mother with two children holding out their hands and receiving the coins: those who approach the Word in love of spiritual faith and innocence, who receive the internal sense in abundance. (AR 255)

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Footnotes top

1 Since Prophets and Psalms is unnumbered, reference is to the page of the standard edition, Swedenborg Foundation, 1928, in Posthumous Theological Works, Vol. II.