8187. 'And they will come after them' means the attempt to do violence by flowing in with falsity arising from evil. This is clear from the meaning of 'coming after them' as flowing in with falsity arising from evil, also the attempt to bring under their control, thus to do violence. For 'drawing near' means influx, 8159, 'travelling after them' means a more immediate influx and communication, 8161, and 'pursuing them' means the attempt to bring under their control, 8136, 8152, 8154, so that 'coming after them' means the attempt to do violence by flowing in with falsity arising from evil.

8152. 'And he pursued the children of Israel' means the attempt to bring under his control those governed by faith bonded to charity. This is clear from the meaning of 'pursuing' as the attempt to bring under one's control, as in 8136; and from the representation of 'the children of Israel' as those who belong to the spiritual Church, dealt with often, thus those governed by faith bonded to charity. For members of that Church are governed by this faith both in doctrine and in life. The good of faith, which is charity, is the essential element, and so occupies first place with those who belong to the genuine spiritual Church. But with those with whom faith is separated from the good of faith both in doctrine and in life the truth of faith, or simply faith, is the essential element or occupies first place. The latter are not members of that Church, for life constitutes the Church, not doctrine except in the measure that it becomes applicable to life. From this it is evident that the Lord's Church is not in this particular location or in that, but that it resides wherever people lead lives in keeping with the commandments of charity, both within the kingdoms in which the Church exists and outside them. So it is that the Lord's Church is spread throughout the whole world, and yet is one; for when life constitutes the Church, and not doctrine separated from life, there is one Church. But when doctrine constitutes the Church there are many.