Arcana Coelestia (Elliott) n. 297

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297. Celestial good is unclothed because it is inmost and is innocent. Good that is celestial-spiritual however is the first to be clothed, and then natural good, for they are more exterior. They are also compared to, and actually called, clothing, as in Ezekiel where the Ancient Church is the subject, I clothed you with embroidered cloth, shed you with badger, swathed you in fine linen, and covered you with silk. Ezek 16:10. In Isaiah,

Put on your beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city. Isa 52:1.

In Revelation,

Those who have not soiled their garments will walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. Rev 3:45.

And in the same book the twenty-four elders were 'clad in white garments', Rev 4:4. These references show that goods which are more exterior, as are celestial-spiritual and natural, are clothing. And this also is why people who are endowed with the goods springing from charity are seen in heaven dressed in magnificent robes. In the present context however, because they were still in the body, they had 'coats of skin'.


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