Heaven and Hell (Ager) n. 180

Previous Number Next Number Next Translation See Latin 

180. As in heaven the angels are clothed with garments, so when seen in the world they have appeared clothed with garments, as those seen by the prophets and those seen at the Lord's sepulchre:

Whose appearance was as lightning, and their garments glistening and white (Matt. 28:3; Mark 16:5; Luke 24:4; John 20:12, 13);

and those seen in heaven by John:

Who had garments of fine linen and white (Apoc. 4:4; 19:14).

And because intelligence is from Divine truth:

The garments of the Lord, when He was transfigured, were radiant and glistening white like the light (Matt. 17:2; Mark 9:3; Luke 9:29).

As light is Divine truth going forth from the Lord (see above, n. 129), so in the Word garments signify truths and intelligence from truths, as in the Apocalypse:

Those that have not defiled their garments shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. He that overcometh shall be clothed in white garments (3:4, 5);

Blessed is he that is awake and keepeth his garments (16:15).

And of Jerusalem, which means a church that is in truth,# it is written in Isaiah:

Awake, put on thy strength, O Zion; put on the garments of thy beauty, O Jerusalem (52:1).

And in Ezekiel:

Jerusalem, I girded thee about with fine linen, and covered thee with silk. Thy garments were of fine linen and silk (16:10, 13);

besides many other passages. But he who is not in truths is said "not to be clothed with a wedding garment," as in Matthew:

When the king came in he saw a man that had not on a wedding garment; and he said unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? Wherefore he was cast out into the outer darkness (22:11-13).

The house of the wedding feast means heaven and the church because of the conjunction of the Lord with heaven and the church by means of His Divine truth; and for this reason the Lord is called in the Word the Bridegroom and Husband; and heaven, with the church, is called the bride and the wife. # "Jerusalem" signifies a church in which there is genuine doctrine (n. 402, 3654, 9166).


This page is part of the Writings of Emanuel Swedenborg

© 2000-2001 The Academy of the New Church