Heaven and Hell - Swedenborg Foundation

HEAVEN AND HELL 146
dimensions, because length in heaven is from east to west, and
those that dwell there are in good of love; while breadth in
heaven is from south to north, and those that dwell there are in
truth from good (see n. 148); while height in heaven applies to
both of these in respect to degrees. This is why length, breadth,
and height have these significations in the Word, as in Ezekiel
(from chap. 40 to 48), where the new temple and the new
earth, with the courts, chambers, gates, doors, windows, and
surroundings are described by measures giving the length,
breadth, and height, by which a new church, and the goods
and truths that are in it are signified. Otherwise to what
purpose would be all those measures?
[3] In like manner the New Jerusalem is described in
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; the length, the breadth, and the height are
equal (Rev. 21:16).
Because “the New Jerusalem” here signifies a new church these
measures signify the things of the church, “length” its good of
love, “breadth” truth from that good, “height” good and truth
in respect to degrees, “twelve thousand furlongs” all good and
truth in the complex. Otherwise, how could there be said to be
a height of twelve thousand furlongs, the same as the length
and the breadth? That “breadth” in the Word signifies truth is
evident from 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.
31:8).
Out of straitness I called upon Jah; he answereth me in a
broad place (Ps. 118:5).
Besides other passages (as in Isa. 8:8; and in Hab. 1:6). So in
all other cases.