Arcana Coelestia 9455. In this chapter is described the collection that was made for the tabernacle, for the tables therein, and also for the garments of Aaron; likewise the construction of the ark, of the table for the bread, and of the lampstand; by which were represented the heavens where the Lord is, and all the celestial and spiritual things which are from the Lord therein. By the Habitation was represented heaven itself; by the ark in it, the inmost heaven; by the Testimony or law in the ark, the Lord; by the breads of faces upon the table, and by the lampstand, the celestial things; and by the garments of Aaron the spiritual things, which are from the Lord in the heavens.

9454. These mercies are what is meant in John,

As many as received Him, to them He gave power to be sons of God, to those believing in His name, who were born, not of blood, ¹ nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man (vir), but of God. John 1:12-13.

Those born 'of blood' are people who are opposed to forms of the good of faith and charity, 'of the will of the flesh' those who are immersed in evils springing from self-love and love of the world, and 'of the will of man' those who are steeped in falsities arising from those evils. Being 'born of God' means being regenerated. The truth that no one can enter heaven unless he is being regenerated is stated in the same gospel,

Truly, truly I say to you, Unless a person is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God. Truly, truly I say to you, Unless a person has been born of water and the spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. John 3:3, 5.

'Being born of water' means through the truth of faith, and 'being born of the spirit' through the good of love. All this now makes it clear who exactly they are whose sins have been forgiven, and who exactly they are whose sins have not been forgiven.

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