3098. The things contained in the internal sense from 3088 to this point are also such as cannot be understood except by those who have been taught about the internal aspects of man and who are in possession of truths, for it is through truths and according to them that enlightenment comes. These verses deal with the initial introduction of truth into good, for as stated already, good itself flows into the natural by way of the rational, and so by an internal route, and enlightens the things that are there, while truth itself flows into the natural by way of the senses, in particular hearing and sight, and so by an external route. This is the origin of truth, as anyone may know if he stops to reflect. But good and truth do not exist joined together in the natural, but in the rational. Consequently truth is summoned from the natural - thus from a natural sphere into the spiritual sphere, for truth that is to be joined to good is spiritual. The situation with regard to truth when first summoned from there is the subject of the verses explained in 3087-3097.

660. That 'a flood' means a deluge of evil and falsity is clear from what has been stated already about the descendants of the Most Ancient Church being possessed with filthy desires and immersing doctrinal matters concerning faith in them. This immersing led to false persuasions within them which annihilated all truth and good and simultaneously closed off the road for remnants and so made it impossible for them to do their work. It was inevitable therefore that these men would destroy themselves. When the road for remnants has been closed off a person is no longer human, for he can no longer be protected by angels but is wholly and completely possessed by evil spirits who long and desire to do nothing else but annihilate man. It was this that led to the death of the people who existed before the Flood, a death described by 'a flood' or utter deluge. Indeed the influx of delusions and desires from evil spirits is not unlike a flood. Consequently in various places in the Word that influx is called a flood or a deluge, as in the Lord's Divine mercy will be seen in the preliminary remarks to the next chapter. ¹

Poznámky pod čarou: