Apocalypse Explained, volume 1 - Swedenborg Foundation

APOCALYPSE EXPLAINED 215Cherubim, after Adam had been driven out, were made to dwell atthe east of Eden, and the flame of a sword turning and vibrating everyway, to guard the way to the tree of life (Gen. 3:24).By the “tree of life” is signified celestial love, which is love to theLord; by “cherubim” a guard; by the “flame of a sword turningevery way” the terrific driving off and rejecting of all who are infalsities; the “east of Eden” is where the Lord’s presence is incelestial love; by these words, therefore, is signified that everyapproach to the acknowledgement of the Lord alone is closed tohim who does not live a life of love. That “sword” signifies falsity isclearly evident in Ezekiel, where it is said of the prince of Tyre:They shall unsheathe the swords upon the beauty of thy wisdom(Ezek. 28:7).“The prince of Tyre” signifies intelligence from the knowledges oftruth; because that is extinguished by falsities it is said that theyshould unsheathe their swords “upon wisdom,” which could nothave been said unless by “swords” falsities were meant.132. Verse 13. I know thy works, signifies love and faith, as ismade evident from what was shown above (n. 98 and 116).133. And where thou dwellest, signifies amongst whom he nowlives. This is evident from the signification of “dwelling,” asmeaning to live. “To dwell,” in the spiritual sense, is to live,because dwellings in the spiritual world are all distinguishedaccording to the lives and differences of life. (This can be seen fromwhat is shown in Heaven and Hell, concerning the societies inheaven, n. 41–50, and n. 205; the reasons are there given why“dwelling” in the Word signifies to live. That to “dwell” is to livemay be seen in Arcana Coelestia, n. 1293, 3384, 3613, 4451, 6051.That “dwelling together” is to be in agreement of life, n. 6792.That “dwelling” in the Word signifies things of the mind, thus thethings of intelligence and wisdom, from which man has life, n.7719, 7910. That “cities” are predicated of truths of doctrine, and“dwellers” of good of life, n. 2268, 2451, 2712. That “to dwell inthe midst of them,” when said of the Lord, is his presence and