Arcana Coelestia # 394
394. Now because this was foreseen and provision was made that the human race should not perish in eternal death, it is here said that 'nobody should do violence to Cain', who means separated faith. It is also said that a sign was put on him', that is, the Lord distinguished faith in a special way to ensure its preservation. These points are arcana which have not yet been disclosed. They are what the Lord meant in Matthew when He spoke about marriage and about eunuchs,
There are eunuchs who were born so from their mother's womb, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of God. He who is able to receive this let him receive it. Matthew 19:12.
People with whom the heavenly marriage exists are called 'eunuchs'. 'Eunuchs born from the womb' are like celestial angels, 'those made so by men' are like spiritual angels, 'those who have made themselves eunuchs' are like angelic spirits, who are moved not so much by charity as by obedience.
Doctrine of the Lord # 63
63. The Holy City, New Jerusalem, means that new church in respect to its doctrine. That is why it was seen descending out of heaven from God, for a doctrine of genuine truth comes from no other source than the Lord through heaven.
Because the church in respect to its doctrine is meant by the Holy City, New Jerusalem, therefore it is said to be prepared as a bride, adorned for her husband (Revelation 21:2), and after that we are told:
One of the seven angels...came to me and spoke with me, saying, “Come, I will show you the bride, the Lamb’s wife.” And he carried me away in the spirit onto a...high mountain, and showed me the great city, the Holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God. (Revelation 21:9-10)
People know that a bride and a wife mean the church when the Lord is meant by the bridegroom and husband. The church is a bride when it wishes to receive the Lord, but a wife when it does receive Him.
It is apparent that the Lord is meant by the husband there, for the bride is called the Lamb’s wife.
Published by the General Church of the New Jerusalem, 1100 Cathedral Road, Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania 19009, U.S.A. A translation of Doctrina Novae Hierosolymae de Domino, by Emanuel Swedenborg, 1688-1772. Translated from the Original Latin by N. Bruce Rogers. ISBN 9780945003687, Library of Congress Control Number: 2013954074.
