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.

809. 'Which was on the face ¹ of the ground' means the descendants of the Most Ancient Church. This is clear from the meaning of 'the ground', dealt with already, as the Church and therefore as what belongs to the Church. Here, because it is said that [every] being ² 'on the face' of the ground' was wiped out, the meaning is that people belonging to the Most Ancient Church who were of that kind were wiped out. Here it is called 'the ground', but in verse 21 above 'the earth', the reason being that the Church is never referred to as such because of things of the understanding but because of those of the will. Factual knowledge and rational conviction that are part of faith in no way constitute the Church or the member of the Church, but charity which belongs to the will. Every essential element comes from the will. Nor therefore does anything doctrinal make the Church unless generally and specifically it has regard to charity, in which case charity becomes the end in view. The end in view determines the true character of doctrine, and whether or not it belongs to the Church. As with the Lord's kingdom in the heavens love and charity alone constitute the Lord's Church.

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