Apocalypse Explained # 402
402. Verse 13. And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, signifies that the knowledges of good and truth perished. This is evident from the signification of "stars" as being the knowledges of good and truth (See above, n. 72); also from the signification of "falling unto the earth," as being to perish; for when stars fall to the earth they perish. The same is signified by:
The stars shall fall from heaven (Matthew 24:29; and Mark 13:25).
Anyone can see that "stars" here do not mean stars, for these cannot fall from heaven, for they are fixed or established in their place, and cannot fall to the earth, because they are larger than the earth; consequently by them are signified such things as belong to heavenly light, and give light, which are the knowledges of good and truth. Moreover, stars appear in the angelic heaven, but they are appearances from the knowledges of good and truth, therefore they appear about those who are in such knowledges, especially when they turn them over in the mind, and are desirous of knowing them.
Heaven and Hell # 20
20. HEAVEN IS DISTINGUISHED INTO TWO KINGDOMS
As there are infinite varieties in heaven, and no one society nor even any one angel is exactly like any other, 1 there are in heaven general, specific and particular divisions. The general division is into two kingdoms, the specific into three heavens and the particular into innumerable societies. The details will be treated of in what now follows. They are termed kingdoms because heaven is called the kingdom of God.
Poznámky pod čarou:
1. [Swedenborg's footnote] There is infinite variety and nowhere anything the same as another (Arcana Coelestia 7236, 9002). Also, in the heavens there is infinite variety (Arcana Coelestia 684, 690, 3744, 5598, 7236); and those varieties are varieties of good (Arcana Coelestia 3744, 4005, 7236, 7833, 7836, 9002); and thus all the societies in the heavens and every angel in a society are distinguished from each other (Arcana Coelestia 690, 3245, 3519, 3804, 3986, 4067, 4149, 4263, 7236, 7833, 7836); but still all make one by love from the Lord (Arcana Coelestia 457, 3986).
