The phrase “it came to pass,” often also translated as “it happened,” generally indicates the end of one spiritual state and the beginning of a new one. To some degree, the phrase is used in the place of punctuation in the original language, marking the transition from one set of circumstances to another, and its internal meaning reflects that.
Passages from Swedenborg
Arcana Coelestia (Potts) n. 4979
4979. And it came to pass from the time that he set him over in his house, and over all that he had. That this signifies a second state, after good applied itself thereto, and all that belonged to it was as it were in its power, is evident from the signification of the expression “it cameto pass,” or “it was,” so often found in the Word, as involving something new, and consequently another state (as likewise in the following verses, 7, 10, 11, 13, 15, 18, 19); and from the signification of “from the time that he set him over in his house,” as being after good had applied itself thereto (of which above, n. 4977); and from the signification of “over all that he had,” as being that all that belonged to it was as it were in its power (of which also above, n. 4978).
Arcana Coelestia (Potts) n. 4987
4987. And it came to pass after these words. That this signifies a third state, is evident from the signification of “it came to pass,” or “it was,” as involving something new (see n. 4979), here consequently a third state; and from the signification of “after these words,” as being after these things were transacted. In the original language one series is not distinguished from another by intervening marks, as in other languages; but the text appears to be as it were continuous from beginning to end. The things in the internal sense are also in like manner continuous and flowing from one state of a thing into another; but when one state terminates, and another of importance succeeds, this is indicated by “it was” or “it came topass;” and a change of state less important by “and.” This is the reason why these expressions so frequently occur. This state, which is the third, and which is now treated of, is more interior than the former.
Arcana Coelestia (Potts) n. 5031
5031. And it came to pass. That this signifies a new state, is evident from the signification of “it came to pass,” or “it was,” as involving something new, or a new state (see n. 4979, 4987, 4999), here the state of spiritual natural good, which state is represented by Joseph, after the ultimate of truth had been taken away from him, and thus after there was no longer any conjunction with truth and good natural not spiritual.
Arcana Coelestia (Potts) n. 5220
5220. Verse 8. And it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled; and he sent and called all the magicians of Egypt, and all the wise men thereof; and Pharaoh told them his dream; and no one interpreted these things to Pharaoh. “And it came to pass in the morning,” signifies in this new state; “that his spirit was troubled,” signifies disturbance; “and he sent and called all the magicians of Egypt, and all the wise men thereof,” signifies in consulting the interior as well as the exterior memory-knowledges; “and Pharaoh told them his dream,” signifies about things to come; “and no one interpreted these things to Pharaoh,” signifies that it was not known what would happen.
Arcana Coelestia (Potts) n. 5578
5578. And it came to pass. That this signifies what is new, is evident from the signification of “it was,” or “it came to pass,” as involving a new state (see n, 4979, 4987, 4999, 5074, 5466). In the original tongue the meaning was not at first distinguished by punctuation, but the text was continuous, in imitation of heavenly speech; and instead of punctuation marks, “and” was used, and also “it was,” or “it came topass.” This is the reason why these words occur so often, and why “it was,” or “it came to pass,” signifies something new.