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.

3116. These three verses deal with the investigation of truth that was to be introduced into good and so joined to it, in particular as regards its origin, for every single thing is dependent on its origin. Derivations take shape from their origin as their own root or seed in the way that a young plant does from its root or seed. These things residing with Him the Lord saw and investigated from the Divine, and from His own wisdom and intelligence introduced them, that is to say, introduced truths into the good of the rational. It is the investigation itself that is described in these verses in the internal sense; yet the things present in that sense can be explained to very few.

[2] Investigation also takes place with everyone who is being reformed, also with anyone who receives remnants. But of this investigation man knows nothing at all. To him it is so shrouded in obscurity that he does not even believe that it exists, even though it is taking place moment by moment. The Lord however, who alone has sight of a person's state, not only as it is at present but also as it will be for ever, is the one who carries out that investigation. Investigation involves a very delicate balancing to prevent even the smallest amount of falsity being joined to good, or the least amount of truth to evil. If falsity were joined to good, or truth to evil, a person would perish for ever, for he would in that case be suspended in the next life between hell and heaven, ejected by hell on account of good, and by heaven on account of evil.