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THE SWEDENBORG LIBRARY.

takes place as the falsities of the former church are removed. For what is new cannot enter where falsities have been previously ingenerated, until they are eradicated; and their eradication will take place with the clergy, and so with the laity. (T. C. R. 753-784.)


THE HOLY CITY DESCENDS FROM GOD.

"And I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven," means a New Church to be established by the Lord at the end of the former church, which will be consociated with the new heaven in divine truths as to doctrine and life. It is called new, because He who sat upon the throne said: "Behold, I make all things new." It is said to come down from God out of heaven, because it [that is, all that constitutes it a real church] descends from the Lord through the new Christian heaven. Jerusalem signifies the church in respect to doctrine and worship, for worship is prescribed in doctrine and performed according to it.

It is this New Church which is meant by Jerusalem that shall be called by a new name which the mouth of Jehovah shall name; and that shall be a crown of glory in the hand of Jehovah, and a royal diadem in the hand of God; in which Jehovah shall be well pleased, and which shall be called a city sought out, and not forsaken (Isa. lxii. 1-4, 11, 12). (A. R. 879, '80.)

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