Heavenly Doctrine (Tafel) n. 4

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4. Again, as regards this New Heaven, it is to be observed, that it is distinct from the Ancient Heavens, that is, from those, which were before the Lord's coming; but that these are still so arranged with the former as to constitute together one heaven. This New Heaven is distinct from the Ancient Heavens, for the reason, that in the Ancient Churches there was no other doctrine than the doctrine of love and charity, and that then they were unacquainted with any doctrine of faith alone. This is also the reason, that the Ancient Heavens constitute higher expanses, but the New Heaven an expanse beneath them; for the heavens are expanses, one above another. In the highest expanses are those who are called celestial angels, most of whom are from the Most Ancient Church: those who are there are called celestial angels from celestial love, which is love to the Lord. In the expanses beneath them are those who are called spiritual angels, most of whom are from the Ancient Church: those who are there are called spiritual angels from spiritual love, which is charity towards the neighbour. Below these are the angels who are in the good of faith: they are those who have lived a life of faith: to live a life of faith, is to live according to the doctrine of one's Church; and living means willing and doing. Still, all these heavens make one, through mediate and immediate influx from the Lord. But a fuller idea of these heavens may be had from what has been shewn in the work on Heaven and Hell, and particularly in the chapter concerning the two Kingdoms into which the heavens are in general divided, no. 20 to no. 28; and in the chapter concerning the three heavens, no. 29 to no. 40: concerning mediate and immediate influx, in the extracts from the Heavenly Arcana, after no. 603; and concerning the Most Ancient and Ancient Churches, in the small work on The Last Judgment and the Destruction of Babylon, no. 46.


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