Heaven and Hell - Swedenborg Foundation

HEAVEN AND HELL 155
He that is on the housetop, let him not go down to take what
is in his house; and he that is in the field, let him not turn back to
take his garment (Matt. 24:17, 18).
And in Luke:
In that day he that shall be on the housetop and his goods in
the house, let him not go down to take them away; and he that is
in the field let him not turn back. Remember Lot’s wife (Luke
17:31, 32).
209. No influx is possible from the lower heavens into the
higher, because this is contrary to order; but there is influx
from the higher heavens into the lower. Moreover, the wisdom
of the angels of a higher heaven surpasses the wisdom of the
angels of a lower heaven as a myriad to one; and this is another
reason why the angels of a lower heaven cannot converse with
those of a higher heaven; and in fact when they look toward
them they do not see them, the higher heaven appearing like a
cloudy something over their heads. But the angels of a higher
heaven can see those in a lower heaven, although if permitted
to talk with them they would lose their wisdom, as has been
said above.
210. The thoughts and affections as well as the speech of the
angels of the inmost heaven are never perceived in the middle
heaven, because they so transcend what is there. But when it
pleases the Lord there is seen in the lower heavens from that
source something like a flame, and from the thoughts and
affections in the middle heaven there is seen in the outmost
heaven something luminous, and sometimes a cloud glowing
white and variegated. From that cloud, its ascent, descent, and
form, what is being said there is in some measure known.
211. From all this it can be seen what the form of heaven is,
namely, that it is the most perfect of all in the inmost heaven;
in the middle heaven it is also perfect, but in a lower degree,
and in the outmost heaven in a degree still lower; also that the