Heaven and Hell - Swedenborg Foundation

HEAVEN AND HELL 212
of wisdom from themselves, and that acknowledging this is
being wise. They know also that what they know is as nothing
compared to what they do not know; and they say that
knowing, acknowledging, and perceiving this is the first step
toward wisdom. These angels have no clothing, because
nakedness corresponds to innocence. 193
281. I have talked much with angels about innocence, and
have been told that innocence is the being [esse] of all good,
and that good is therefore so far good as it has innocence in it,
consequently that wisdom is so far wisdom as it partakes of
innocence; and the same is true of love, charity, and faith; 194
and therefore no one can enter heaven unless he possesses
innocence; and this the Lord teaches when He says:
Suffer little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not;
for of such is the kingdom of the heavens. Verily I say unto you,
Whoever shall not receive the kingdom of the heavens as a little
child, he shall not enter into it (Mark 10:14, 15; Luke 18:16, 17).
Here as elsewhere in the Word “little children” mean those
who are innocent. A state of innocence is also described by the
Lord in Matthew 6:25–34, but by correspondences only. Good
is good so far as it has innocence in it, for the reason that all
good is from the Lord, and innocence is a willingness to be led
by the Lord. I have also been told that truth can be conjoined
to good and good to truth only by means of innocence, and
therefore an angel is not an angel of heaven unless he has
193. All in the inmost heaven are innocences (n. 154, 2736, 3887).
Therefore they appear to others like children (n. 154). They are also naked
(n. 165, 8375, 9960). Nakedness belongs to innocence (n. 165, 8375).
Spirits have a custom of exhibiting innocence by laying aside their garments
and presenting themselves naked (n. 165, 8375, 9960).
194. Every good of love and truth of faith, to be good and true must
have innocence in it (n. 2526, 2780, 3111, 3994, 6013, 7840, 9262, 10134).
Innocence is the essential of good and truth (n. 2780, 7840). No one is
admitted into heaven unless he possesses something of innocence (n. 4797).