Apocalypse Explained, volume 1 - Swedenborg Foundation

APOCALYPSE EXPLAINED 155signification of “lamp stand,” as being the church and heaven (ofwhich also see above, n. 62). Therefore, to “move the lamp standout of its place” means to separate from the church and heaven, orin other words, that heaven is not given to them. That to thosewho are in knowledges alone, and not in a life according to them,heaven is not given, see above (n. 104).107. Verse 6. But [this] thou hast, that thou hatest the works of theNicolaitans, which I also hate, signifies an aversion, derived from theDivine, towards those who separate good from truth or charityfrom faith, from which separation there is no life. This is evidentfrom the signification of “thou hast that thou hatest,” as beingaversion (it is aversion derived from the Divine, because it is said,“which I also hate”); also from the signification of “works,” as beingthe things of the mind, that works spring from (see above, n. 98);from the signification of the “Nicolaitans,” as being those whoseparate good from truth, or charity from faith, such as do thisbeing without life. These have no life, because all spiritual life isfrom charity, and from faith separate from charity there is no life.For to know and think are of faith, but to will and to do are ofcharity. Those that separate charity from faith can know nothingwhatever of what makes heaven and the church with man, thus ofwhat makes spiritual life; for they do not think within themselves,but outside of themselves. To think outside of oneself is to thinkfrom memory only; for the memory is outside of the man, being asit were a court, through which is an entrance into the house and itschambers; and into the thought that is outside of man heavencannot flow in, for heaven flows into the things that are withinman, and through these into the things that are outside of him.Such, therefore, cannot be taught what makes heaven and thechurch, or life eternal; for everyone is taught from heaven, that is,through heaven from the Lord, about the things that pertain to lifeeternal; thus he is taught by way of his life, which is by way of hissoul and heart. He is greatly deceived who supposes that those whoseparate charity from faith can be in the knowledges of truth. Forsuch apprehend all things from themselves, and nothing fromheaven; and the things that man apprehends from self, and notfrom heaven, are falsities, because he then thinks in darkness, and