Page:The Swedenborg Library Vol 3.djvu/231

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THE LORD'S SECOND ADVENT.
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respecting the consummation of the age and his advent. Now, since what He there said to his disciples on these subjects coincides with what was afterward revealed by John in the Revelation respecting the same subjects, it is clear that He meant no other consummation than that of the present Christian church.

There is not a single genuine truth remaining in the church; and unless a new church shall be raised up in the place of the present one, no flesh could be saved, according to the Lord's words in Matt. xxiv. 22. That the Christian church as it is to-day, is so far consummated and devastated, cannot be seen by those on earth who have confirmed themselves in its falsities, because the confirmation of falsity is the denial of truth.


THE LORD'S SECOND APPEARING.

The light which proceeds from the Lord as a Sun in the spiritual world, is that which man receives in his understanding. That light is truth, through which man possesses rationality. But the Lord's advent takes place with him who unites heat to that light, that is, love to truth; for the heat proceeding from that same Sun, is love to God and love toward the neighbor.

The mere presence of the Lord, and the consequent enlightenment of the understanding, may be compared to the presence of solar light in the world; unless this light is united with heat, all things on earth are made desolate. But the Lord's advent may be compared to

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