34. I was in the island called Patmos, signifies a state and place in which he could be enlightened. The reason that the Revelation was made to John in Patmos, was, because it was an island in Greece, not far from the land of Canaan, and between Asia and Europe; and by "islands" are signified the Gentiles more remote from the worship of God, but yet which are about to draw near to it, because they can be enlightened. The same is signified by Greece; but the church itself is signified by "the land of Canaan"; by "Asia," those of the church who are in the light of truth from the Word; and, by "Europe," those to whom the Word is about to come; thence it is, that by "the island of Patmos," is signified a state and place in which he could be enlightened. That by "islands" in the Word are signified the nations which are more remote from the worship of God, but which yet will draw near to it, is evident from these passages:
Honor Jehovah in the Urim, the name of the God of Israel in the Islands of the sea (Isa. 24:15).
He shall not extinguish nor break until He set judgment in the earth, and let the islands hope in His law. Sing unto Jehovah a new song, the islands and the inhabitants thereof shall give glory unto Jehovah; and proclaim His praise in the islands (Isa. 42:4, 10, 12).
Attend O Islands unto Me; and ye peoples from afar (Isa. 49:1).
The islands shall hope in Me, and on Mine arm shall they trust (Isa. 51:5).
The islands shall trust in Me, and the ships of Tarshish (Isa. 60:9).
Hear the Words of Jehovah, O ye nations, and proclaim it in the Islands from afar (Jer. 31:10).
And that they should adore Jehovah everyone in his place, all the Islands of the nations (Zeph. 2:11);
and elsewhere. That the same is signified by "Greece," is not so evident from the Word, because Greece is mentioned only in Daniel 8:21; 10:20; 11:2; as also in John 12:20; Mark 7:26. That by "the land of Canaan" is meant the Lord's church, which is thence called "the Holy Land," and "the heavenly Canaan," is evident from many passages in the Word; that by "Asia" are meant those in the church who are in the light of truth from the Word, may be seen above (n. 11); and that by "Europe," those to whom the Word is about to come, is evident.