Title: Close That Gate

Topic: Salvation

Summary: There are two gates to the city of our mind: one toward hell, and one toward heaven. Over time we figure out which is which and close one of the gates.

Use the reference links below to follow along in the Bible as you watch.

References:
Genesis 22:15-17
Galatians 3:16
Genesis 24:60; 28:17
Deuteronomy 16:18; 28:52
Joshua 2:5-7
2 Samuel 10:8; 18:24
2 Kings 19:32-34
Nehemiah 6:10; 7:1-3; 11:19
Psalms 69:9
John 2:17
Psalms 69:9-12; 118:18-20; 127; 147:12-14
Proverbs 14:19
Isaiah 26:1-2; 28:5-6
Ezekiel 11:1-4; 46:1-2
Zechariah 8:16-17
Matthew 16:15-18
Revelation 3:19-20; 21:24-25

This video is a part of the Spirit and Life Bible Study series, whose purpose is to look at the Bible, the whole Bible, and nothing but the Bible through a Swedenborgian lens.

143. The producing of these powerful effects is the "Holy Spirit" that the Lord sends to those who believe in him and who modify themselves to receive him. The producing of these powerful effects is also meant by "the spirit" in the following passages:

I will give a new heart and a new spirit. I will put my spirit within you and I will make you walk the path of salvation. (Ezekiel 36:26-27; 11:19)

Create a clean heart in us, O God, and renew a firm spirit within me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and let a willing spirit sustain me. (Psalms 51:10, 12)

Jehovah forms the human spirit within us. (Zechariah 12:1)

In my soul I awaited you at night. In my spirit, which is within me, I awaited you in the morning. (Isaiah 26:9)

Make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. Why should you die, O house of Israel? (Ezekiel 18:31)

And so on.

In these passages, "a new heart" means wanting what is good and "a new spirit" means understanding what is true. The reference to God's giving a soul to those who walk the path of salvation makes it clear that the Lord has these powerful effects on those who do what is good and believe what is true - those who have a faith that is connected with goodwill. This is also clear from the mention of a "willing spirit. " The necessity for us to do our part of the work is clear from the following words: "Make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. Why should you die, O house of Israel?" [Ezekiel 18:31].