Verse 12. Then it is that the soul has a perception from the Divine Love, and of its own evils; it perceives the Lord's will revealed in the truths of the Word, and it perceives that no external or simulated goodness in natural things will avail for salvation, but that the perception given of the Lord's will must be carried out in the life.

9888. 'Before the face of it' means to eternity. This is clear from the meaning of 'before the face' as to eternity; for 'the breastplate' means heaven and every good and truth that constitutes it, 9879. What is 'before the face' in heaven is in the Lord's everlasting sight, thus is preserved to eternity.