159. "'And strengthen the things which remain that are ready to die.'" This symbolically means, so that the things of which their worship consists may be given life and not be extinguished.

How this is to be interpreted we will explain as follows: In outward form lifeless worship is altogether like living worship, for people governed by truths do the same things. They listen to sermons, partake of the Holy Supper, pray upon their knees morning and evening, and do everything else that is a customary and normal expression of worship. Consequently people engaged in a lifeless worship have need of nothing more than to learn truths and live according to them. In so doing they "strengthen the things which remain that are ready to die."