628. And the angel stood near, saying, signifies the Lord's will and command. This is evident from the signification of "to stand near," as being here will (of which presently); also from the signification of "angel," as being the Lord in respect to the Word (See above, n. 593); also from the signification of "saying," as being, when the Lord speaks, command; for what the Lord says is to be done, or that anyone should do it, is a command. "The angel stood near" means here the Lord's will, because in the spiritual world the thought, with the purpose, and will to see another, to speak with him, and to give him a command, causes the other to be present, that is, to stand near; for in that world there are no distances that are constant and thence measurable, as in the natural world; but likeness of affection and of thought thence causes presence, and unlikeness of these causes absence; this is the origin of all distances in that world. This comes from the universal principle that the Lord is present with all according to their love to Him and according to their love towards the neighbor and thoughts from these. From this universal principle all distances, that is, all presence and absence among angels and spirits, exist; therefore when anyone desires to speak with another, that is, thinks about him from a purpose or wish to speak with him, that one immediately becomes present, or he is present with that one. (That this is so can be seen in the work on Heaven and Hell, n. 191-199, where Space in Heaven is treated of.) From this it can now be seen why the Lord's will is signified by "the angel stood near," for "to stand near" means to be present.

349. All the people who have acquired intelligence and wisdom in the world are received in heaven and become angels, according to the quality and amount of their individual intelligence and wisdom. Whatever we have acquired in this world stays with us. We take it with us after death, where it is increased and filled out, all within the level of our own affection and desire for what is true and good, and not beyond that level. People who have had little affection and desire accept little, but still as much as they can accept on their own level. People who have had great affection and desire accept much. The actual level of affection and desire is like a measure that is filled to the brim. This means more for people whose measure is great and less for people whose measure is small. This is because the love to which affection and desire belong accepts everything that suits it, so the amount of love determines the amount of receptivity. This is the meaning of the Lord's words, "To all who have, it will be given, and they will have more abundantly" (Matthew 13:12; 25:29); "Into your lap will be given a good measure, pressed down, shaken, and overflowing" (Luke 6:38).