197. It follows from this that, in the Word, by places and spaces and by all things that in any way relate to space are signified such things as relate to states, as by distances, near, far off, ways, journeys, sojournings, miles, furlongs, plains, fields, gardens, cities, streets, movements, measurements of various kinds, by long, broad, high and deep and innumerable other things. For most things that a man has in his thought from the world take on something from space and time. I would mention here only what, in the Word, length, breadth and height signify. [2] In the world, that is called long or broad which is long or broad spatially, the same being true of height. But in heaven, where there is no thought from space, by length is understood a state of good, by breadth a state of truth, and by height the distinction between them in accordance with degrees (concerning which see n. 38). The reason why such things are understood by these three dimensions is that "long" in heaven is from east to west where dwell those who are in the good of love, while "broad" in heaven is from south to north and those who dwell there are in truth from good, as maybe seen above (n. 148), and "high" in heaven applies to both of these according to degrees. This is why, in the Word, such things are signified by length, breadth and height, as in Ezekiel from chapter xl. to xlviii., where by measurements giving length, breadth and height are described the new temple and the new earth with courts, chambers, gates, doors, windows and surroundings by all of which are signified a new Church and the goods and truths that are in it. [3] Otherwise, to what purpose would be all these measurements? In a similar way, the New Jerusalem is described in the Revelation in these words:
The city lieth foursquare, and the length thereof is as great as the breadth; and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs, and the length, the breadth and the height of it are equal. Rev. xxi. 16.
Because by the New Jerusalem here is signified a new Church, so by these measurements are signified the things of the Church, by "length" the good of its love, by "breadth", truth from that good, by "height", the degrees of good and truth, by "twelve thousand furlongs", all good and truth in the complex. What else could be meant by a height of twelve thousand furlongs, the same as the length and the breadth? That truth is signified in the Word by "breadth" is evident in David:
Jehovah, Thou hast not shut me up into the hand of the enemy, Thou hast made my feet to stand in a broad place. Ps. xxxi. 8.
(Thou hast set my feet in a large room. A.V.)
Out of a narrow place I called upon Jah; He answereth me in a broad place. Ps. cxviii 5.
(I called upon the Lord in distress; the Lord answered me, and set me in a large place. A.V.)
besides other passages, as in Isa. viii. 8, and in Hab. i. 6, so also in other passages.
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