Apocalypse Explained, volume 1 - Swedenborg Foundation

APOCALYPSE EXPLAINED 316[2] That “spirit,” in reference to man, signifies truth received inthe life, is clear from the following passages. In Ezekiel:Make you a new heart and a new spirit; why will ye die, O houseof Israel (18:31).Anew heart will I give you, and a new spirit will I give in the midstof you (36:26).And in David:Create for me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit inthe midst of me. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken andcontrite heart God doth not despise (Ps. 51:10, 17).In these passages “heart” signifies the good of love, and “spirit” thetruth of faith, from which man has spiritual life; for there are twothings that make all of man’s life, namely, good and truth; thesetwo when united in man make his spiritual life.[3] As “heart” signifies good, and “spirit” truth, both received inthe life, so “heart,” in the contrary sense, signifies evil, and “spirit”falsity; for most expressions in the Word have also a contrary sense.In this sense “heart” and “spirit” are mentioned, in David:A generation that doth not set his heart aright, neither is his spiritsteadfast with God (Ps. 78:8).And in Ezekiel:In Moses:Every heart shall melt, and every spirit shall faint (21:7).Jehovah hardened the spirit of the king of Heshbon, andconfirmed his heart (Deut. 2:30).In Isaiah: