Apocalypse Explained, volume 1 - Swedenborg Foundation

APOCALYPSE EXPLAINED 511seeing and perceiving truths, they receive, but not in the other way,which is hearkening to or obeying truths. But those who wish toknow truths, and to study them from the Word, are such as are inthe spiritual affection of truth; these love truth because it is truth;and those are in that affection who wish to live according to truthsfrom the Word, thus according to the Lord’s commandments. Suchare meant by “If anyone hear My voice and open the door, I willcome in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.”250a. And open the door, signifies reception in the heart or thelife. This is evident from the signification of “opening the door,” asbeing to admit, for “door” signifies admission (see above, n. 208);but here “openIng the door” signifies reception in the heart or thelife, for it follows, “I will come in to him.” It is said, “if he open thedoor,” as if man opened it, when yet it is the Lord Himself whoopens, as was said and shown just above (n. 248). It is so said,however, because it so appears to man, by reason of the freedomgiven him by the Lord. Moreover, in the sense of the letter of theWord many things are said according to appearances; but thoseappearances are put off in heaven, where the internal or spiritualsense of the Word is. The sense of the letter of the Word is in manyplaces according to appearances, in order that it may serve as a basisfor the spiritual sense; otherwise it would have no basis orfoundation. That many things in the Word are said according toappearances can be seen from this, that it is said in the Word thatevil is from God, that wrath, anger, and revenge pertain to God,and other like things; when yet God does evil to no one, nor doesany anger or revenge pertain to Him; for He is good itself and loveitself; but because such is the appearance when man does evil and ispunished, it is so said in the sense of the letter; but still in thespiritual sense of the Word the meaning is different. So is it withthis “if man open the door.”[2] It shall moreover be explained what is meant by “opening thedoor,” when this is said to be done by man, as here. The Lord isalways present with good and truth in man, and strives to open hisspiritual mind; this is the door which the Lord wishes to open, andto endow man with heavenly love and faith; for He says, “I stand at