179. Internal Meaning of Daniel, Chapter 8

Prediction concerning the church in respect to charity and in respect to faith. (11, 11)

1-3 The church which is in faith and in charity, and its power. (11)

4 It will increase in truths and goods. (11)

5 Faith alone will wholly destroy charity. (2)

6-10 It will prevail through reasonings, by which it will dissipate the truths of doctrine that are derived from the Word. (2)

11-12 It will destroy the worship of the Lord, together with Divine truths. (2)

13-14 This will go on until the Coming of the Lord. (1)

15-19 It is further explained, that this will be when the Lord comes. (2, 1, 15)

20-25 Faith alone will destroy the church, and despise the Lord. (3, 4)

26 This is the end of the church. (3)

27 It is a sad time. (3)

'Look not back behind thee,' as in Genesis 19:17, means that Lot, who represents the good of charity, should not look to matters of doctrine. 'To look up,' is to look to celestial things. In Genesis 18:22, looking signifies thinking because seeing denotes understanding.

(Odkazy: Arcana Coelestia 2245)