141. Internal Meaning of Ezekiel, Chapter 18

1-2 It is said, If the fathers are evil their offspring also are evil;, (2, 11)

3 but the offspring are not condemned on the father's account, but everyone on His own account. (2, 11, 11)

5-9 There are some of the offspring who do not commit evils, or act contrary to the goods and truths of the church, and these are saved. (2, 11, 11)

10-13 It is otherwise with the offspring who commit evils, or act contrary to the goods and truths of the church; these are condemned. (2, 11)

14-17 But He who does not do this is saved, (11, 3)

18 although the fathers are condemned. (2)

19-20 Everyone is dealt with according to His deeds. (2)

21-23 The impious man who is converted is saved, (2)

24 while the pious man, if he becomes impious, is condemned. (2)

25-29 Both are of Divine justice. (2)

30-32 Exhortation to be converted, because the Lord wishes the salvation of all. (2)

4138. 'With drums and with harps' means as regards spiritual good, that is to say, the state in which - thinking from the proprium - it had believed itself to be as regards that good. This is clear from the fact that 'drums and harps' has reference to good - spiritual good - as may be recognized from many places in the Word. Spiritual good is that which is called the good of faith, and is charity, whereas celestial good is that which is called the good of love, and is love to the Lord. The Lord has two kingdoms in the heavens, the first being called His celestial kingdom and consisting of those who are governed by love to the Lord, and the second being referred to as the spiritual kingdom and consisting of those who are governed by charity towards the neighbour. These kingdoms are quite distinct and separate, and yet in the heavens they act as one. Regarding these distinct and separate kingdoms - the celestial and the spiritual - see what has been stated many times already.

[2] In the Churches of long ago various kinds of musical instruments were used, such as drums, lyres, flutes, harps, instruments of ten strings, and many others. Some of these belonged to the group connected with celestial things, and some to the group connected with spiritual. When these instruments are mentioned in the Word they imply such celestial or spiritual things, so that from the instrument mentioned one can know which kind of good forms the subject - whether spiritual good or celestial good. Drums and harps belonged to the group connected with spiritual things, and that is why the phrase 'as regards spiritual good' is being used in this paragraph. For 'a harp' is used in reference to spiritual things, and stringed instruments serve to mean spiritual things, but wind instruments celestial ones, see 418-420.