It’s easy to see the connection between judging and truth. In a court of law, the judge’s whole purpose is to find the truth. In a tennis or volleyball match, we count on line judges to say if a ball landed in or out. In figure skating, we look to judges to offer impartial expert opinions. And in more common terms, any time anyone judges anything, we hope it is on the basis of the truth.
It’s no wonder, then, that Swedenborg says judging and judgment in the Bible represent truth being put to work. Depending on the circumstances, judging can be teaching truth, determining someone’s character from truth or setting order to things according to truth.
There is a twist, though – when the Lord is referred to as a judge, Swedenborg says it actually means the Lord’s goodness, rather than the Lord’s truth. This is because the Lord judges us ultimately from love, and truth flows from that love.
Passages from Swedenborg
Arcana Coelestia (Elliott) n. 2231
2231. ‘That he will command his sons, and his house after him, and they will keep the way of Jehovah to do righteousness and judgement’ means that from Him comes the entire doctrine of charity and of faith. This becomes clear from the meaning of ‘son’, ‘house’, ‘way’, ‘righteousness’, and ‘judgement’, which in short, or when their several meanings are converted into one, mean the entire doctrine of charity and of faith. For ‘sons’ means all who are governed by truths, ‘house’ all who are governed by goods, ‘way’ means the doctrine of faith which they are taught, ‘righteousness’ that doctrine in regard to good, ‘judgement’, in regard to truth. Doctrine regarding good is the doctrine of charity, while doctrine regarding truth is the doctrine of faith.
Arcana Coelestia (Elliott) n. 2235
2235. That ‘righteousness’ means in regard to good, and ‘judgement’ to truth, becomes clear from the meaning of ‘righteousness’ and from the meaning of ‘judgement’. Righteousness and judgement are mentioned together many times in the Word, but what they mean in the internal sense has not yet been known. In the proximate sense ‘righteousness’ has reference to that which is righteous, and ‘judgement’ to that which is upright. That which is righteous occurs when something is judged from good, and according to conscience, but that which is upright when it is judged from law, and so from the righteous demands of the law, thus also according to conscience since the law gives conscience its standards. In the internal sense however, ‘righteousness’ is that which stems from good, and ‘judgement’ that which stems from truth. Good is everything that belongs to love and charity, truth everything that belongs to faith derived from love and charity. Truth derives its essence from good, and is called truth derived from good, just as faith is derived from love, and so also judgement from righteousness.
[2] That such is the meaning of ‘righteousness and judgement’ is clear from the following places in the Word: In Jeremiah,
Thus said Jehovah, Do judgement and righteousness, and deliver the plundered out of the hand of the oppressor. Woe to him who builds his house in unrighteousness, and his upper rooms not in judgement! Did not your father eat and drink, and do judgement and righteousness? Then it was well with him. Jer 22:3, 13, 15.
‘Judgement’ stands for the things connected with truth, ‘righteousness’ for those connected with good. In Ezekiel,
If the wicked man turns away from his sin and does judgement and righteousness, all his sins which he has committed will not be remembered; he has done judgement and righteousness; he will surely live. When the wicked turns away from his wickedness and does judgement and righteousness he will live because of these. Ezek. 33:14, 16, 19.
Here similarly ‘judgement’ stands for the truth of faith, and ‘righteousness’ for the good of charity.
[3] In Amos,
Let judgement flow like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream. Amos 5:24.
Here the meaning is similar. In Isaiah,
Thus said Jehovah, Keep judgement and do righteousness, for My salvation is near to come, and My righteousness to reveal itself. Isa. 56:1.
In the same prophet,
To peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it in judgement and righteousness, from now and even for evermore. Isa. 9:7.
Here ‘judgement and righteousness’ stands for the existence with them of the truths of faith, and of the goods of charity. In the same prophet,
Jehovah is exalted, for He dwells on high. He has filled Zion with judgement and righteousness. Isa. 33:5.
‘Judgement’ stands for faith, ‘righteousness’ for love, ‘Zion’ for the Church. ‘Judgement’ is mentioned first because love comes through faith; but when ‘righteousness’ is mentioned first it is for the reason that faith is derived from love, as in Hosea,
I will betroth you to Me for ever, and I will betroth you to Me in righteousness and judgement, and in mercy and in compassion,* and I will betroth you to Me in faith, and you will know Jehovah. Hosea 2:19, 20.
Here ‘righteousness’ is mentioned first, as also is ‘mercy’, which are the attributes of love, while ‘judgement’ is mentioned second, as also is ‘compassion’, which are the attributes of faith that is derived from love. And both are called ‘faith’ or faithfulness.
[4] In David,
O Jehovah, Your mercy is in the heavens; Your truth reaches up to the skies. Your righteousness is like the mountains of God, Your judgements like the great deep. Ps. 36:5, 6.
Here both ‘mercy’ and ‘righteousness’ are in a similar way the attributes of love, while ‘truth’ and ‘judgements’ are those of faith. In the same author,
Let truth spring out of the ground, and let righteousness look down from heaven. Jehovah will indeed give what is good, and our land will give its increase. Ps. 85:11, 12.
Here ‘truth’, which constitutes faith, stands for judgement, and ‘righteousness’ for love or mercy. In Zechariah,
I will lead them and they will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem, and they will be My people, and I will be their God in truth and in righteousness. Zech. 8:8.
From this place also it is evident that ‘judgement’ is truth and ‘righteousness’ good, since ‘truth’ is mentioned here in place of judgement. Similarly in David,
He who walks blameless and performs righteousness and speaks the truth. Ps. 15:2.
[5] Because faith is grounded in charity, that is, because truth is grounded in good, truths rooted in good are in various places called ‘the judgements of righteousness’, so that ‘judgements’ has virtually the same meaning as commandments, as in Isaiah,
Let them seek Me day by day and desire the knowledge of My ways, as though a nation that does righteousness and does not forsake the judgement of their God. Let them ask of Me the judgements of righteousness, let them desire the approach of God. Isa. 58:2.
That ‘commandments’ means virtually the same may be seen in David,
Seven times in the day I have praised You for Your judgements of righteousness. All Your commandments are righteousness. Ps. 119:164, 172.
It is said in particular of the Lord that He performs ‘judgement and righteousness’ when He creates man anew, as in Jeremiah,
Let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am Jehovah who performs mercy, judgement and righteousness in the earth; for in these things I am well pleased. Jer. 9:24.
Here mercy, which is an attribute of love, is described as ‘judgement and righteousness’. In the same prophet,
I will raise up for David a righteous branch, and he will rule as king, and act intelligently, and execute judgement and righteousness in the land. Jer 23:5; 33:15.
[6] Hence the following in John,
If I go away I will send the Paraclete to you. And when He comes He will convince the world in regard to sin and righteousness and judgement: in regard to sin, because they do not believe in Me; in regard to righteousness, because I go away to the Father, and you will see Me no more; in regard to judgement, because the prince of this world is judged. John 16:7-11.
‘Sin’ here stands for all faithlessness. ‘He will convince in regard to righteousness’ means in regard to everything that is contrary to good, when yet the Lord united the Human to the Divine to save the world, meant by ‘I go away to the Father and you will see Me no more’. ‘In regard to judgement’ means in regard to everything that is contrary to the truth, when yet evils were cast down into their own hells so that they could not do harm any more, meant by ‘the prince of this world is judged’. In general ‘He will convince in regard to sin, righteousness, and judgement’ means in regard to all faithlessness contrary to good and truth, and so means that no charity and faith exist. For in ancient times righteousness and judgement were used, in reference to the Lord, to mean all mercy and grace, but in reference to man all charity and faith.
Arcana Coelestia (Elliott) n. 2258
2258. ‘Will not the Judge of the whole earth execute judgement?’ means that Divine Good cannot effect this in the manner of truth separated from good. This is clear from the meaning of ‘the Judge of the whole earth’, and also from the meaning of ‘judgement’. ‘The Judge of the whole earth’ means in the internal sense good itself from which truth goes forth. This was also represented in the representative Church by the priests being at the same time judges. As priests they represented Divine Good, and as judges Divine Truth. But ‘the Judge of the whole earth’ means both, and this from the meaning of ‘the earth’, dealt with in various places in Volume One. But to confirm these matters at this point from the representatives of that Church would take too long. ‘Judgement’ however means truth, as shown above in 2235. From the meaning of these words, and at the same time from the train of thought in the internal sense, it becomes clear that ‘will not the Judge of the whole earth execute judgement?’ means that Divine Good cannot effect this in the manner of truth separated from good.
Arcana Coelestia (Elliott) n. 2372
2372. ‘And will he surely judge?’ means, Will they teach us? This is clear from the meaning of ‘judging’ as teaching. ‘Righteousness’ has reference to the practice of good, but ‘judgement’ to instruction in truth, as shown in 2235. Consequently ‘judging’ in the internal sense means instructing or teaching. Teaching truth is the same as teaching what is good since all truth looks to good.
Arcana Coelestia (Elliott) n. 3921
3921. ‘Rachel said, God has judged me, and also has heard my voice’ in the highest sense means righteousness and mercy, in the internal sense the holiness of faith, in the external sense the good of life. This is clear from the meaning of ‘God’s judging me’, and from the meaning of ‘hearing my voice’. ‘God’s judging me’ means the Lord’s righteousness, as may be seen without explanation, while ‘hearing my voice’ means mercy, as may likewise be seen; for the Lord judges everyone from righteousness, and hears everyone from mercy. He judges from righteousness in that He does so from Divine Truth, and hears from mercy in that He does so from Divine Good. He judges from righteousness those who do not receive Divine Good, and hears from mercy those who do. Yet when He judges from righteousness He does so at the same time from mercy since all Divine righteousness includes mercy within itself, even as Divine Truth includes Divine Good within it. But as these arcana are too deep for brief comment, they will in the Lord’s Divine mercy be explained more fully elsewhere.
Arcana Coelestia (Elliott) n. 6397
6397. ‘Will judge his people, as one of the tribes of Israel’ means that it is one of the truths in general which the tribes of Israel represent. This is clear from the meaning of ‘judging’ as truth exercising its proper function, dealt with below; from the meaning of ‘people’ as those governed by truth, dealt with in 1259, 1260, 2928, 3295, 3581, 4619, at this point those guided by truth but not as yet by good, since they are Dan, that is, the people of Dan, 6396; and from the representation of ‘the tribes of Israel’ as all truths and forms of good in general, dealt with in 3858, 3926, 3939, 4060, 6335. Consequently ‘will judge his people, as one of the tribes of Israel’ means that the truth which ‘Dan’ represents is one of the general truths that ‘the tribes of Israel’ represent. The reason why ‘judging his people’ means truth exercising its proper function is that all truths in general are represented by ‘the tribes of Israel’, as may become clear from the paragraphs referred to above; and since truths are what act as judges, ‘judging his people’ means truth exercising its proper function.
[2] In the Word one reads the description that the twenty-four elders will sit on thrones and judge nations and peoples, and that the twelve apostles will similarly sit on thrones and judge the twelve tribes of Israel. A person with no knowledge of the internal sense of the Word will think that precisely that is going to happen. But how those descriptions should be understood becomes clear when one knows from the internal sense what ‘the twenty-four elders’, ‘the twelve apostles’, and also ‘thrones’ mean, namely all truths in their entirety, in accordance with which judgement is effected. The same goes for one’s understanding here of ‘judging his people as one of the tribes of Israel’. The meaning is not that these or any other elders among them will act as judges, but that the actual truths meant by them, therefore the Lord alone since every truth comes forth from Him, will do so. The reference to the twenty-four elders who will sit on thrones and act as judges occurs in John as follows,
Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders seated, clad in white garments, who had crowns of gold on their heads. Rev. 4:4; 11:16.
In the same book,
I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgement was given to them. Rev. 20:4.
The reference to the twelve apostles occurs in Matthew,
Jesus said, You who have followed Me, in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Matt. 19:28.
And in Luke,
I bestow on you, just as My father bestowed on Me, a kingdom, that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Luke 21:29, 30.
Here neither the twenty-four elders nor the twelve apostles are what are really meant but all truths and forms of good in general, as may be recognized from the consideration that nobody, not even any angel, can judge anyone; for no one except the Lord alone can know what a person is or ever will be like interiorly. With regard to the twelve apostles, that they had a similar meaning to the twelve tribes, which was all truths and forms of good in their entirety, see 2129, 2553, 3488, 3858 (end). From all this it is now evident that ‘Dan will judge his people, as one of the tribes of Israel’ means that the truth represented by ‘Dan’ is one of the general truths by means of which judgement is effected.
Arcana Coelestia (Elliott) n. 6766
6766. ‘And he said, Who set you up as a man-prince and a judge over us?’ means a perception that he was not yet so advanced into the truths of the Church* that he could settle disagreements within the Church. This is clear from the meaning of ‘he said’ as a perception, dealt with often; from the meaning of ‘a man-prince’ as one who has a command of primary truths, thus who is more enlightened than others in teachings about the truth (for that is what was meant in the representative Church by ‘a prince’) and therefore ‘who set you up as a man-prince?’ means that he was not yet so advanced into the truths of the Church (for the meaning of ‘prince’ as those who have a command of primary truths, see 5044); and from the meaning of ‘a judge’ as one who settles disputes or disagreements. Here they are disagreements within the Church because it is a quarrel between ‘two Hebrew men’, by whom those belonging to the Church are meant.
[2] In the highest sense the subject has been the beginnings of the law of God within the Lord’s Human; and now it is the development of that law. But in the internal sense the subject here is the development of Divine Truth as it exists with the person who is being regenerated. Its development is such that at first the person can distinguish falsity from truth, for the truth he has enables him to see falsity since it is the opposite of the truth. But he cannot at that early stage settle between one truth of faith and another within the Church. To be able to do this he must make further advances; for a person’s enlightenment increases gradually. This is clearly recognizable from those who are in adolescent years and at the start of manhood. They think that the teachings of their Church are the absolute truth, and these they use to distinguish falsities. But they are not yet able to reconcile matters of faith within the Church when these disagree with one another; that ability comes in a sequence of stages. This being so, the person to whom that ability can be given must also be someone who is rather more mature in years, someone in whom the more internal levels of the understanding have been enlightened.
Arcana Coelestia (Elliott) n. 7206
7206. ‘And with great judgements’ means in accordance with the laws of order that spring from the Lord’s Divine Human. This is clear from the meaning of ‘judgements’ as truths, dealt with in 2235, 6797, and in the highest sense, in which that word is used in reference to the Lord, as Divine truths, truths which are nothing other than the laws of order that spring from the Lord’s Divine Human. For He is the origin of all order and so of all the laws of order. Those laws form the structure for the whole of heaven, consequently for the universe also. The laws of order or truths, which emanate from the Lord, forming the structure of the whole of heaven and of the universe, are what are called, in John 1:1-3, the Word by which all things were made; for the Word is Divine Truth emanating from the Divine Good of the Lord’s Divine Human. This means that all things in the spiritual world and also in the natural world have a connection with truth, as anyone who stops to reflect may recognize.
[2] In the proximate sense here the expression ‘great judgements’ is used to mean the truths in accordance with which those people will be judged who have molested others by introducing falsities, the ones meant by ‘the Egyptians’ and by ‘Pharaoh’. The expression is also used to mean the truths in accordance with which those will be judged who will be released from molestations, the ones meant by ‘the children of Israel’. By these judgements people steeped in falsities arising from evil are shown to be damned, and by these judgements people guided by truths arising from good are shown to be saved. Not that the truths which emanate from the Lord damn anyone, for all truths emanating from the Lord spring from His Divine Goodness, and so are nothing other than expressions of mercy. Rather, people expose themselves to damnation because they do not accept the Lord’s mercy; for then they are governed by evils, and evils are damning. Nor do the truths emanating from the Lord save anyone if he believes that he is saved by virtue of the truths of faith present with him and not by mercy. For a person is full of evils and left to himself is in hell, but by the Lord’s mercy he is withheld from evil and maintained in good, and with great force. The fact that both are meant by ‘judgements’, that is to say, both the damnation of those who are evil and the salvation of those who are good, is evident from those places in the Word where the last judgement is the subject, such as Matt. 25:31-45, and elsewhere.
Arcana Coelestia (Elliott) n. 8685
8685. ‘That Moses sat to judge the people’ means the arrangement, effected by God’s truth, with those belonging to the spiritual Church in the state before their actions sprang from good. This is clear from the representation of ‘Moses’ as God’s truth going forth directly from the Lord, dealt with in 7010, 7382; from the meaning of ‘judging’ as effecting an arrangement (the reason why ‘judging’ has this meaning here is that God’s truth does not judge anyone, but flows in and arranges things for its own reception, and after it has been received judgement then takes place in accordance with the laws of order; this is what is meant by the Lord’s judgement in Matt. 25:31-end; John 5:22, 26, 27, 30; 9:39, as is clear from the Lord’s words where He says that He judges no one, John 3:17-21; 7:24; 12:47, 48); and from the representation of Israel, to whom ‘the people’ refers here, as those belonging to the spiritual Church, dealt with above in 8645. From all this it is evident that ‘Moses sat to judge the people’ means the arrangement, effected by God’s truth going forth directly from the Lord, with those belonging to the spiritual Church.
[2] This is so in the state before their actions spring from good, as is clear from what follows. There are two states that the person who is being regenerated and coming to have the Church within him passes through. In the first state his actions spring from truth, in the second from good, regarding which states see 8516, 8539, 8643, 8648, 8658. In both states the person is led by the Lord, in the first however through direct influx, but in the second through influx both direct and indirect. Regarding the influx of goodness and truth from the Lord in direct and indirect ways, see 6472-6478, 6982, 6985, 6996, 7054-7058, 7270. Direct influx is represented by the situation in which Moses alone judged the people, and influx both direct and indirect by the situation in which the rulers of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens who had been chosen were themselves to judge small matters, and to refer large matters to Moses, spoken of further on. But these things are arcana which hardly anyone can understand unless he is enlightened by the Lord, and being enlightened has perception. Those kinds of influx and also the effects they produce can, it is true, be described. Nevertheless a person can have no proper understanding of them without perception from heaven; and perception from heaven comes only to those who have a love of truth springing from good, yet not even to them unless it is a love of truth springing from genuine good.
Arcana Coelestia (Elliott) n. 8694
8694. ‘They come to me, and I judge between a man and his neighbour’ means that revealed truth at this time brought about the arrangement existing among them. This is clear from the meaning of ‘coming to me’, when this refers to God’s truth represented by ‘Moses’, as coming for advice about what their will and actions ought to be, as above in 8692; and from the meaning of ‘judging between a man and his neighbour’ as the arrangement existing among truths, arranging being meant by ‘judging’, see above in 8685. It follows that revealed truth brings the arrangement about, for just above it says that the people came to him to inquire of God, and immediately below that he makes known to them God’s judgement and laws.
Arcana Coelestia (Elliott) n. 8728
8728. ‘And they will judge the people at all times’ means unceasing dependence on the level above. This is clear from the meaning of ‘judging’ as the arrangement of truths, dealt with above in 8685, at this point the arrangement of them into descending levels, each dependent on the level above; for the rulers who were to judge the people were to be the arbiters in place of Moses in small matters. The meaning in the internal sense is that truths following one another in order from more internal to more external levels are subordinated to the truth coming directly from God; and they are accordingly a channel through which the Lord acts indirectly. But in the sense focusing specifically on persons, the subordination of angels and angelic communities one below another is meant, and their dependence on those immediately above; for they are the channel through which the Lord acts indirectly and governs people on earth.
Arcana Coelestia (Elliott) n. 8972
8972. Verse 1 And these are the judgements which you shall set before them means those more external truths such as must exist in a civic state where the Church is representative, which flow from the internal truths belonging to order in heaven. The fact that these things are meant by ‘the judgements that were to be set before the children of Israel’ is clear from the meaning of ‘judgements’ as truths, dealt with in 2235, 6397, 7206, 8685, 8695. The reason why ‘judgements’ are truths is that all judgement is effected by means of truths; therefore ‘executing judgement’ in the Word means executing truth, that is, judging in accordance with truths. But the plural ‘judgements’ means civil laws, thus those more external truths such as exist in a civic state. The words ‘where the Church is representative’ are added because these truths contain and embody within themselves the truths that belong to order in heaven, as may be recognized from the internal sense of them.
Arcana Coelestia (Elliott) n. 9047
9047. ‘And shall pay in accordance with the judges’ means according to what is right. This is clear from the meaning of ‘the judges’ as those who decide and settle matters on the basis of what is fair and right, and therefore ‘paying in accordance with the judges’, or as the judges estimate, means according to what is right, thus neither more nor less. If overpayment or likewise underpayment has been made they shall adjust to the right amount.
Arcana Coelestia (Elliott) n. 9857
9857. ‘And you shall make a breastplate of judgement’ means that which has regard to Divine Truth shining forth from Divine Good. This is clear from the meaning of ‘a breastplate’ as Divine Truth shining forth from the Lord’s Divine Good within last and lowest things, dealt with in 9823. It is called ‘a breastplate of judgement’ because it gave answers, and through these Divine Truth was revealed; furthermore Divine Truth, and therefore doctrinal teachings and a life in accord with them, is meant in the Word by ‘judgement’. This then is why this breastplate is referred to as ‘the breastplate of judgement’, and also further on in this chapter as ‘the judgement’, in verse 30 – ‘Aaron shall carry the judgement of the children of Israel over his heart before Jehovah continually’. And when Joshua was chosen to be leader of the people, it says that he was to stand before Eleazar the priest, who would inquire for him by the judgement of the Urim before Jehovah, Num. 27:21.
[2] ‘Judgement’ means Divine Truth and intelligence springing from It, as a consequence of which it means religious teachings and a life in accord with them. This is clear from a large number of places in the Word, such as the following: In Isaiah,
The vineyard of Jehovah Zebaoth is the house of Israel. He looked for judgement, but behold, festering; for righteousness, but behold, a cry. Isa. 5:7.
‘Looking for judgement’ means intelligence springing from Divine Truth, and a life in accord with the commandments. In the same prophet,
On the throne there sat in truthfulness, in the tabernacle of David, one who judges and seeks judgement. Isa. 16:5.
This refers to the Lord’s Coming. ‘The throne’ on which He is going to sit means Divine Truth that emanates from Him, and consequently means the spiritual kingdom, see 2129, 5313, 6397, 8625, 9039. ‘Judging judgement’ means teaching Divine Truth, and ‘seeking judgement’ people’s acceptance of it.
[3] In the same prophet,
On that day Jehovah will be a tiara of beauty for the remnant of His people, and a spirit of judgement to him who sits in judgement. Isa. 28:5, 6.
‘A tiara of beauty’, when these words have reference to Jehovah, that is, the Lord, means Divine Intelligence, see above in 9827; and ‘a spirit of judgement’ means wisdom that springs from Divine Truth, 9818. ‘To him who sits in judgement’ means one who informs people about or teaches Divine Truth. In the same prophet,
Jehovah has filled Zion with judgement and righteousness. Isa. 33:5.
‘Zion’ stands for the celestial Church, ‘being filled with judgement’ for intelligence that springs from Divine Truth, and ‘being filled with righteousness’ for wisdom that comes from Divine Good.
[4] In the same prophet,
Who has directed the Spirit of Jehovah? With whom did He deliberate, that He might make Him intelligent, and instruct Him in the way of judgement, and teach Him knowledge, and show Him the way of intelligence? Isa. 40:13, 14.
‘The Spirit of Jehovah’ means Divine Truth, 9818. ‘Instructing Him in the way of judgement’ self-evidently means making him knowledgeable, intelligent, and wise. In Jeremiah,
The stork in the sky knows her appointed times, but Jehovah’s people do not know the judgement of Jehovah. How can you say, We are wise, and the law of Jehovah is with us? Jer. 8:7, 8.
‘Not knowing the judgement of Jehovah’ stands for ignorance of Divine Truth, the source of wisdom; and this is why it says, ‘How can you say, We are wise?’
[5] In the same prophet,
Woe to him who builds his house without righteousness, and his upper rooms without judgement! Jer. 22:13.
‘Building upper rooms without judgement’ stands for absorbing ideas that are not true. In Hosea,
I will betroth you to Me forever in righteousness and in judgement, and I will betroth you to Me in truth. Hosea 2:19, 20.
‘Betrothing in judgement’ stands for joining by means of Divine Truth, thus by means of faith and the life of faith. In Amos,
Let judgement flow like water, and righteousness like a mighty torrent. Amos 5:24.
In the same prophet,
You have turned judgement into poison and the fruit of righteousness into wormwood. Amos 6:12.
Here also ‘judgement’ stands for intelligence that springs from Divine Truth, and for a life based on this.
[6] In Zephaniah,
Jehovah in the morning will bring His judgement to light. Zeph. 3:5.
‘Bringing judgement to light’ stands for revealing Divine Truth. In Moses,
All the ways of Jehovah are judgement. Deut. 32:4.
In David,
O Jehovah, Your truth reaches up to the skies, Your righteousness is like the mountains of God, Your judgements [like] the great abyss. Ps. 36:5, 6.
In the same author,
Jehovah will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your judgement as the noonday. Ps. 37:6.
In the same author,
Hear my voice according to Your mercy; O Jehovah, revive me according to Your judgements. Ps. 119:149.
In these places ‘judgement’ and ‘judgements’ stand for Divine Truth.
[7] In Luke,
Woe to you Pharisees! You pass by the judgement and the love of God. These you ought to have done. Luke 11:42.
‘Passing by the judgement of God’ stands for shunning Divine Truth, and ‘passing by the love of God’ for shunning Divine Good and a life inspired by them both. The fact that this life is also meant accounts for their being told, These you ought to have done. In Isaiah,
Jehovah Zebaoth will be exalted in judgement, and God will be made holy in righteousness. Isa. 5:16.
In the same author,
… upon the throne of David to establish the kingdom in judgement and in righteousness, from now and even for evermore. Isa. 9:7.
In the same author,
Give counsel, execute judgement, set your shade like the night in the middle of the day. Isa. 16:3.
‘Executing judgement’ stands for acting in accordance with God’s truth.
[8] In Jeremiah,
I will raise up for David a righteous branch, who will execute judgement and righteousness in the land. Jer. 23:5; 33:15.
In Ezekiel,
If a man has been righteous, one who has executed judgement and righteousness … [if he] walks in My statutes, and keeps My judgements, to execute truth, he is righteous; he will surely live. Ezek. 18:5, 9.
In Zephaniah,
Seek Jehovah, O all the meek of the earth, who have executed His judgement. Zeph. 2:3.
‘Executing God’s judgement’ stands for carrying out Divine Truth or acting in accord with it. In Isaiah,
I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth judgement to the nations. He will not quench nor will He break until He has set judgement on the earth. Isa. 42:1, 4.
This refers to the Lord. ‘Bringing forth judgement to the nations’ and ‘setting judgement on the earth’ stand for teaching Divine Truth and establishing it in the Church.
[9] In the same prophet,
Law will go out from Me, and I will raise up My judgement to be the light of peoples. Isa. 51:4.
‘Judgement’ stands for Divine Truth, ‘to be the light of peoples’ for to bring enlightenment. In John,
For judgement I came* into this world, that those who do not see may see, but those who see may become blind. John 9:39.
‘Coming into the world for judgement’ stands for coming to reveal Divine Truth, which gives people vision if the Lord is the source of their wisdom, but makes them blind if they themselves are the source of it and on account of this are reputed to be learned.
[10] In Jeremiah,
Swear by the living Jehovah, in truth, in judgement, and in righteousness. Jer. 4:2.
In the same prophet,
There is none judging judgement for healthiness; you have no restorative medicaments. Jer. 30:13.
In David,
Righteousness and judgement are the support of Your throne; mercy and truth will stand firm before Your face. Ps. 89:14.
‘Righteousness’ stands for the good that belongs to mercy, and ‘judgement’ for the truth that belongs to faith, which is why the expression ‘mercy and truth’ is also used. In Ezekiel,
Jerusalem has changed My judgements into wickedness more than the nations, and My statutes more than the lands. Therefore I will execute in you [My] judgements in the eyes of the nations, and I will scatter all your remnant. Ezek. 5:6-8, 10, 15.
‘Changing judgements’ stands for altering truths as they exist in the civic state, these truths being meant by ‘judgements’ when ‘statutes’ are also mentioned, see 8972. But ‘executing judgements’ means passing judgement that points to death, which is damnation, or to life, which is salvation. Salvation or damnation is also meant by ‘judgement’ when the expression ‘day of judgement’ or ‘hour of judgement’ is used, for example in Matt. 11:22, 24; 12:36, 41, 42; Luke 10:14; 11:31, 32; John 5:28, 29; Rev. 14:7; 18:10. The same thing is also meant by ‘judgement’ when judgement-making is referred to, for example in Matt. 5:21, 22; 7:1, 2; 23:14, 33; John 5:24, 26, 27; 7:24; 8:15, 16; 12:31, 47, 48; Luke 6:37; 12:13, 14, 56, 57; 19:21, 22; 20:47; 22:30; Mark 12:40; Isa. 3:41; 41:1; Jer. 25:31; 48:21; Joel 3:12; Ps. 7:7, 8; 9:4, 7, 8; Lev. 19:15; Deut. 1:16, 17; 25:1; Rev. 17:1; 18:10; 20:12, 13.
Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 1200
1200. Because He hath judged the great harlot.- That this signifies judgment upon those who arrogated to themselves domination over the church and heaven, is evident from the signification of judging, as denoting the Last Judgment, which was accomplished upon those who are meant by Babylon as the harlot. These were those who, by the domination which they arrogated to themselves over the church and over heaven, falsified all the truths and goods of the Word; the words therefore follow “who corrupted the earth with her whoredom,” which signify that they falsified all the truths, and adulterated all the goods of the church. But by Babylon as a harlot, no others are meant than those who exercise that dominion, and as a result falsify and adulterate everything contained in the Word, and make light of the Word itself.