165. The nakedness of which they were not ashamed means innocence. This is quite clear from what follows. When integrity and innocence left them they were then ashamed of their nakedness, and it seemed disgraceful to them, and so they hid themselves. It is additionally clear from the things represented in the world of spirits that the nakedness of which they were not ashamed means innocence. Indeed when spirits wish to exonerate themselves and prove that they are blameless they present themselves naked to witness their innocence. This is particularly clear with the innocent in heaven, who look like young children, naked, and wearing garlands round them that accord with their particular variety of innocence. But those who do not possess so much innocence appear clothed in splendid and shining clothes - you might call them brightest silk - like angels when seen from time to time by the prophets.

180. As in heaven the angels are clothed with garments, so when seen in the world they have appeared clothed with garments, as those seen by the prophets and those seen at the Lord's sepulchre:

Whose appearance was as lightning, and their garments glistening and white (Matthew 28:3; Mark 16:5; Luke 24:4; John 20:12, 13);

and those seen in heaven by John:

Who had garments of fine linen and white (Revelation 4:4; Revelation 19:14).

And because intelligence is from Divine truth:

The garments of the Lord, when He was transfigured, were radiant and glistening white like the light (Matthew 17:2; Mark 9:3; Luke 9:29).

As light is Divine truth going forth from the Lord (see above (Heaven and Hell 129), 129), so in the Word garments signify truths and intelligence from truths, as in the Apocalypse:

Those that have not defiled their garments shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. He that overcometh shall be clothed in white garments (Apocalypse 3:4, 5);

Blessed is he that is awake and keepeth his garments (Apocalypse 16:15).

And of Jerusalem, which means a church that is in truth, ¹ it is written in Isaiah:

Awake, put on thy strength, O Zion; put on the garments of thy beauty, O Jerusalem (Isaiah 52:1).

And in Ezekiel:

Jerusalem, I girded thee about with fine linen, and covered thee with silk. Thy garments were of fine linen and silk (16: 10, 13);

besides many other passages. But he who is not in truths is said "not to be clothed with a wedding garment," as in Matthew:

When the king came in he saw a man that had not on a wedding garment; and he said unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? Wherefore he was cast out into the outer darkness (Matthew 22:11-13).

The house of the wedding feast means heaven and the church because of the conjunction of the Lord with heaven and the church by means of His Divine truth; and for this reason the Lord is called in the Word the Bridegroom and Husband; and heaven, with the church, is called the bride and the wife.

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