Heaven and Hell - Swedenborg Foundation

HEAVEN AND HELL 446
Enter ye in through the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and
broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many be they that
enter in thereby; for straitened is the way and narrow the gate that
leadeth to life, and few be they who find it (Matt. 7:13, 14).
The way that leads to life is straitened not because it is difficult
but because there are few who find it, as is said here. The stone
seen at the corner where the broad and common way ended,
and from which two ways were seen to lead in opposite
directions, illustrated what is signified by these words of the
Lord:
Have ye not read what is written? The stone which the
builders rejected was made the head of the corner. Whosoever shall
fall upon that stone shall be broken (Luke 20:17, 18).
“Stone” signifies Divine truth, and “the stone of Israel” the
Lord in respect to his Divine human; the “builders” mean
those who are of the church; “the head of the corner” is where
the two ways are; “to fall” and “to be broken” is to deny and
perish. 282
535. I have been permitted to talk with some in the other life
who had withdrawn from worldly affairs that they might live in
a pious and holy manner, also with some who had afflicted
themselves in various ways, believing that they were thereby
renouncing the world and subduing the lusts of the flesh. But
as most of these have thus acquired a sorrowful life and had
withdrawn from the life of charity, which life can be lived only
in the midst of the world, they are incapable of being affiliated
with angels, because the life of angels is a life of joy resulting
from a state of blessedness, and consists in performing good
deeds, which are works of charity. Moreover, those who have
282. “Stone” signifies truth (n. 114, 643, 1298, 3720, 6426, 8609,
10376). For this reason the law was inscribed on tables of stone (n. 10376).
“The stone of Israel” means the Lord in respect to the Divine truth and His
Divine Human (n. 6426).