867. For they are without blemish before the throne of God. That this signifies that in the sight of the angels they are without falsities from evil, is evident from the signification of being without blemish, as denoting to be without falsities from evil, of which we shall speak presently; and from the signification of before the throne of God, as denoting in the sight of the angels. That by the throne of God is meant heaven where the angels are, may be seen above (n. 253).
The reason why they appear without blemish in the sight of the angels of heaven is, that they are led by the Lord; and the Lord continually provides that nothing false shall enter their will. It is admitted, indeed, into the thought, but no further; thence it is cast out; and what is cast out from the thought does not defile the man. But what is taken therefrom by his will defiles; for by this it exists, and becomes part of his love, thus of his life, and is also inherent in his deeds; and the removal of this is only possible by a serious and actual repentance of the life. For the will, the love, the life, and the deeds are one in act; and are meant in the Word by the heart. This now is the reason why those who are led of the Lord, or who follow Him, are without blemish.
[2] That a man should think falsity and evil is unavoidable, both because he is born into evils of every kind, and because the doctrines of the church at this day are not doctrines of life, but doctrines of faith only; and the doctrine of faith separated from life does not teach the truths by which a man may be reformed as to his life. However, those who are in the Lord are kept in the spiritual affection of truth; and those who are in that affection may indeed receive falsities, yet not with their full consent, but only so far as they do not disagree with the good and the truths therefrom. Wherefore when those who are in the spiritual affection of truth meet with falsities of any kind, they easily reject them when they hear truths, both in this world and in the other. Such is the spiritual affection of truth. Those therefore who are in that affection are perfected in intelligence and wisdom to eternity. They also have the power to understand truths. Those, on the other hand, who are not in that affection refuse both to understand and listen to truths; therefore they have no power to understand them. That this is the case has been made clear to me from general experience in the spiritual world.
[3] Now because the angels of heaven do not perceive any thing in man but his love, and his affections, desires, and delights therefrom; consequently his ends, on account of which he thinks in such or such a manner; therefore when they perceive within him the love of truth for the sake of the uses of life, which are ends, then they do not see any falsities from evil. And if perchance they should see falsities which are not from evil, still they know that these falsities do not hurt, because evil is not in them. Falsities from evil are real falsities, which come from hell. The reason is, that those falsities are forms of evil, thus in themselves also evils.
As to being without blemish, this signifies what is entire; but in the spiritual sense it signifies to be without falsities from evil. On this account it was among the things forbidden, that any of the seed of Aaron who had blemishes, should come near the altar, or enter within the veil (Leviticus 21:17-23); it was also forbidden that any sacrifice should be made of oxen, calves, goats, or lambs, in which there was a blemish (Leviticus 22:19-25). Mention is also made of spots in many passages of the Word throughout; by all of which are signified falsities and evils of various kinds.
