In many places it is better for a person to understand the Word according to the letter. For example, in what the Lord says regarding certain cities, having to do with successive states of the church, in many passages in the Prophets, as in regard to the city Tyre; and concerning paradise in the book of Revelation.** The reason is that angels are then present with the person in a perception of the spiritual meaning. * The remaining numbers, 20-26, were written later, partly in the form of notes. See Translator's Remarks. ** A reference, perhaps, to Revelation 22:1-5.