Apocalypse Explained, volume 1 - Swedenborg Foundation

APOCALYPSE EXPLAINED 451they join themselves to hell; consequently they are between heavenand hell, and those who are between the two are “lukewarm.” Thusmuch about the state of faith and of life therefrom with thosewithin the church, when their state is from doctrine.[3] Something shall now be said about the state of faith and oflife therefrom with men of the church, when it is from the Word.The greater part of those born within the churches where thedoctrine of faith alone and of justification by faith is received, donot know what faith alone is, nor what is meant by justification;when, therefore, they hear those things preached, they think that alife according to the commandment of God in the word is meant,for they believe that this is faith and also justification, not enteringmore deeply into the mysteries of doctrine. And when these aretaught about faith alone and justification by faith, they believe nootherwise, than that faith alone is to think about God andsalvation, and how they ought to live; and that justification is tolive before God. All within the church who are saved are kept bythe Lord in this state of thought and faith, and after their departurefrom this world they are illustrated in truths, for they are capable ofreceiving instruction. But those who have lived according to thedoctrine of faith alone and justification by faith (of whom above),become blind, for the reason that faith alone is no faith, andtherefore justification by faith alone is a thing of nought. (Thatfaith alone is no faith, see in the little work on the Last Judgment, n.33–39.)[4] From this it can be seen who are meant by “the lukewarm,”namely, those who say in heart, What does it signify if I think, will,and do good, since this does not save? it is enough to have faith.Again, What does it signify if I think and will evil, since this doesnot damn? Thus they relax all restraints to their thoughts andintentions, that is, to their spirit, for it is the spirit that thinks andintends, and doing is wholly in agreement herewith. But it shouldbe known that there are very few who thus live according todoctrine, although it is believed by the preachers that all do so wholisten to their preachings. For it is of the Divine providence of theLord that there are very few such, for the reason that the lot of the