Arcana Coelestia (Elliott) n. 8129

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8129. 'And let them turn back' means that they have not yet been prepared. This is clear from the meaning of 'turning back' - that is to say, from the way of the land of the Philistines to the way of the wilderness, to the Sea Suph - as their not yet having been prepared, prepared for introduction into heaven, meant by their entrance into the land of Canaan. The implications of this, and the meaning of 'turning back' as their being unprepared, become clear from what has been explained and demonstrated at verse 18 of the previous chapter, in 8098, 8099 - that they could not be led into heaven until they had undergone temptations, and through these the Lord had firmly established truths and forms of good and had bonded them together. This is what being prepared means here.


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