The Comforting Words of the Lord

It has been interpreted, according to each interpretation, that the cities of Judah might also be taken. If, therefore, Jerusalem is the perfect and enlightened soul receiving all things peacefully and steadily—for she is received into the 'vision of peace'—the cities of Judah are the inferior souls still struggling forward. If the name Jerusalem signifies the Church, being the 'holy one standing by Christ,' then the cities of Judah are interpreted as the souls that have not become such. The Apostle makes such a difference when writing to the Corinthians, blessing 'the Church with all those who call upon the name of the Lord' (1 Cor 1:2), as the Church is allegorically Jerusalem, while the cities of Judah are those who call upon the name of the Lord. According to both interpretations, Jerusalem and the cities subordinate to her sometimes suffer the same thing as the mother-city, so that, having received perception from the over-seeing, they may redistribute themselves, so as to suffer no longer the things of the captivity, 'the seventy-year period having come in.' For there shall no longer be laborious work, the Sabbath year having been fulfilled; for the number seventy, having been composed of seven decades, brings perfect rest, providing it through the one having come to 'proclaim liberty to the captives' (Luke 4:18), having risen out of Judah. For concerning the Savior it is announced: 'My King, Judah,' and toward him it is said regarding blessings: 'Judah, your brothers have praised you, your hand is upon the loins of your enemies, and all the sons of your father shall worship you' (Gen 49:8-9). When these divine words are announced, which kind of soul is it that is called Jerusalem, but also confessing, being the cities of Judah—for Judah is interpreted 'confessing'—that they might learn from Jesus 'that he is gentle and lowly in heart, that I might find rest' (Matt 11:29), pure souls heard, the seventy-year period being fulfilled.

From the circular motion of the sun of righteousness, circling the pure and transparent intellects.

Zechariah 1:13: And the Lord Almighty answered the angel who was speaking beautiful words and comforting sayings in me. 1.54 To the angel who had spoken, 'How long will you not have mercy on Jerusalem and the cities of Judah?' (Zechariah 1:14), the Lord Almighty answered with beautiful words concerning the fact that Jerusalem and the cities under it would be shown mercy, and with comforting sayings manifesting and bringing much consolation. For how do they not encourage and restore those returning from captivity, so as to say thankfully: 'When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we became like those having been relieved, we became rejoicing' (Psalm 126:1)? May the Lord Almighty also answer us through the angel with beautiful words of His great counsel, so that, becoming worthy of all praise, we may be perfectly comforted, being led into a free and blessed life by His perfect words.

1.55 Zechariah 1:14-15: And the angel who was speaking in me said to me: 'Declare, saying: Thus says the Lord Almighty: I have been very jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with great jealousy, and I am very angry with the nations that are attacking, whereas I was only a little angry, but they have attacked for evil' (Zechariah 1:14). 1.56 He says that a prophet is to be given a command by the angel of the Lord Almighty to cry out formally: 'Thus says the Lord: I have been jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with great jealousy, bringing great anger upon the nations'—those who are suffering, since, after the guardian had led them on for a little and short time of discipline and return, they attacked wildly and crudely. 1.57 It is necessary for those seeing the ones belonging to God being abandoned to be struck with fear, to be flogged for the evils they committed, and to be struck with piety, lest they suffer the same things, but instead they attacked for evil, lamenting and...