and all
things that in any way relate to space, signify such things as relate
to states, such as distances, near, far off, ways, journeys,
sojourning, miles and furlongs, plains, fields, gardens, cities and
streets, motions, measures of various kinds, long, broad, high, and
deep, and innumerable other things; for most things in man's thought
from the world take on something from space and time. [2] I will
mention here only what is signified in the Word by length, breadth,
and height. In this world, that is called long or broad which is long
or broad in relation to space, and the same is true of height. But in
heaven, where there is no thought from space, length means a state of
good, breadth a state of truth, and height the distinction between
them in accordance with degrees (see n. 38). Such is the meaning of
these three dimensions, because length in heaven is from east to
west, and those that dwell there are in good of love; while breadth
in heaven is from south to north, and those that dwell there are in
truth from good (see n. 148); while height in heaven applies to both
of these in respect to degrees. This is why length, breadth, and
height have these significations in the Word, as in Ezekiel (from
chap. 40 to 48), where the new temple and the new earth, with the
courts, chambers, gates, doors, windows, and surroundings are
described by measures giving the length, breadth, and height, by
which a new church, and the goods and truths that are in it are
signified. Otherwise to what purpose would be all those measures? [3]
In like manner the New Jerusalem is described in the Apocalypse in
these words:
The city lieth foursquare, and the length thereof is as
great as the breadth; and he measured the city with the
reed, twelve thousand furlongs; the length, the breadth,
and the height are equal (21:16).
Because "the New Jerusalem" here signifies a new church these
measures signify the things of the church, "length" its good of love,
"breadth" truth from that good, "height" good and truth in respect to
degrees, "twelve thousand furlongs" all good and truth in the
complex. Otherwise, how could there be said to be a height of twelve
thousand furlongs, the same as the length and the breadth? That
"breadth" in the Word signifies truth is evident from David:-
Jehovah, Thou hast not shut me up into the hand of the
enemy, Thou hast made my feet to stand in a broad place
(Psalm 31:8).
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