9668. And thou shalt set up the Habitation according to the method which thou wast made to see in the mountain. That this signifies toward the quarters, according to the states of good and of the derivative truth in the heaven which is represented, is evident from the signification of “the Habitation,” as being a representative of heaven (see n. 9594); from the signification of “according to the method which thou wast made to see in the mountain,” as being toward the quarters, according to the states of good and of the derivative truth in heaven; for this is meant by “the method according to which the Habitation was to be set up.” (That “Mount Sinai,” where it was seen, denotes heaven, see n. 9420.) From the description it is evident that as regards its length the Habitation was placed from east to west, and that the entrance was toward the east, and the ark toward the west; consequently the sides were toward the south and the north. The eastern quarter of the Habitation represented the state of good in its rising; the western quarter the state of good in its going down; the southern quarter the state of truth in its light; and the northern quarter the state of truth in its shade.

[2] The entrance was toward the eastern quarter for the reason that the Lord enters into heaven through the good of love, as can also be seen in Ezekiel, where the “new temple” is treated of, and where are these words:

He led me to the gate that looketh toward the east, when behold the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east. And the glory of Jehovah entered into the house by the way of the gate whose face is toward the east, and the glory of Jehovah filled the house (Ezekiel 43:1-6).

Jehovah said unto me, This gate that looketh toward the east shall be shut, it shall not be opened, and no man shall enter in by it; but Jehovah the God of Israel shall enter in by it (Ezekiel 44:1-2);

from which it is very evident that the Lord alone enters into heaven through the good of love, and that the good of love from the Lord fills heaven and makes it. “The east” signifies the Lord as to the good of love, for the reason that the Lord is the Sun of heaven (n. 3636, 3643, 7078, 7083, 7270). But in heaven the case is this. The east is where the Lord appears as the Sun, which is in front over against the right eye (n. 4321, 7078, 7171); toward the west from it, and thus in a straight line from the east to the west, are those who are in the good of love; but toward the south are those who are in the light of truth, and toward the north are those who are in the shade of truth. All who are in heaven look toward the Lord, for looking forward there is looking to Him. No one in heaven can look backward from Him, however he may turn himself (see n. 4321). But this is a secret which the natural man cannot comprehend. Such are the things represented by the method shown to Moses in the mountain, in accordance with which the Habitation was to be set up.

9595. Ten curtains. That this signifies all the truths from which it is, is evident from the signification of “ten,” as being all (see n. 4638), consequently a “tenth part,” which is one curtain, denotes as much as is sufficient (n. 8468, 8540); and from the signification of the “curtains,” as being the interior truths of faith which are of the new understanding. For by “the Habitation” is signified the middle or second heaven, which is heaven from the reception of the Divine truth that is from the Lord’s Divine good (as above, n. 9594); consequently the “curtains” of which it was constructed and with which it was covered, denote the truths of faith which are of the new understanding. That these denote interior truths is because exterior truths are signified by the “curtains from goats” for the Tent that was round about, which also are treated of in this chapter.

[2] That “the curtains” denote the truths of faith belonging to those who are in the Lord’s spiritual kingdom, is evident from the passages in the Word where they are mentioned; as in Isaiah:

Sing, O barren one that didst not bear, for more are the sons of the desolate one than the sons of the married one; enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch out the curtains of thine habitations; lengthen the cords. For thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left; and thy seed shall inherit the nations (Isaiah 54:1-3);

treating of the church about to be set up among the Gentiles, which is called “the barren one that did not bear,” for the reason that they had been without truths from the Word (n. 9325); and now it is said to have “more sons than the sons of the married one,” because its truths are more numerous than the truths of the former devastated church, for “sons” denote truths (n. 489, 491, 533, 1147, 3373, 3704); “to enlarge the place of the tent” denotes the holiness of worship from the good of love (n. 3312, 4391, 4599); “to stretch out the curtains of the habitations” denotes the holiness of worship from the truths of faith.

[3] In Jeremiah:

The whole land hath been laid waste, suddenly have My tents been laid waste, My curtains in a moment (Jeremiah 4:20).

“The land that hath been laid waste” denotes the church (n. 9325); “tents laid waste” denotes the holiness of worship from the good of love; “curtains laid waste” denotes holy worship from the truths of faith.

[4] Again:

My tent hath been laid waste, and all My cords pulled out; My sons are gone forth from Me, and they are not; there is none to stretch out My tent any more, and to set up My curtains. For the shepherds are become foolish (Jeremiah 10:20-21); where the meaning is similar. Again:

Arise ye, and go up against Arabia, and lay waste the sons of the east; let them take their tents and their flocks, let them carry away for themselves their curtains, and all their vessels, and their camels (Jeremiah 49:28-29).

“Arabia and the sons of the east” denote those who are in the knowledges of good and truth (n. 3249); “taking the tents and flocks” denotes the interior goods of the church (n. 8937); “taking the curtains” denotes the interior truths of the church; “their vessels” denote the exterior truths of the church (n. 3068, 3079); “camels” denote general memory-knowledges (n. 3048, 3071, 3143, 3145).

In Habakkuk:

Under Aven I saw the tents of Cushan; the curtains of Midian did shake (Hab. 3:7).

“The curtains of Midian” denote truths with those who are in simple good (n. 3242, 4756, 4788, 6773, 6775).

[5] From all this it is evident what is meant in David:

O Jehovah Thou hast put on glory and honor; who covereth Himself with light as with a garment; He stretcheth out the heavens like a curtain (Psalms 104:1-2).

“To cover Himself with light as with a garment” denotes Divine truths. (That “light” denotes truth, see n. 9548; as also “a garment,” n. 4545, 4763, 5319, 5954, 9093, 9212, 9216); consequently “to stretch out the heavens like a curtain” denotes to enlarge the heavens by means of an influx of truth Divine, from which come intelligence and wisdom. That “to stretch out and expand the heavens” is predicated of the new, that is, the regenerate, understanding, may be seen at the end of the following article.