9742. 'On the south side, southwards' means that it dwells in the light of truth. This is clear from the meaning of 'the south, southwards' as a place where truth dwells in light, dealt with in 9642. The reason why the court lay on that side was that those who are in the court of heaven, that is, in the lowest heaven, are governed by the good of faith, and the good of faith comes into being through enlightenment provided by the light which comes from the Lord. The light which comes from the Lord is the truth of faith, and when this truth is integrated into the will it is called the good of faith. With those who are in the outer court a new will part is formed within the understanding part of their mind, 9596; and to enable it to be formed there it is necessary for those people to dwell in the light of truth. This explains why in relation to the dwelling-place the court was made 'on the south side, southwards'.

In most cases, the meaning of "before" is pretty straightforward, both as a way of assessing relative time, and in its use meaning "in someone's presence." It takes on a deeper significance, though, when used in connection with the Lord. To be "before" the Lord means not just in His presence, but also receiving the desire for good and the understanding of truth from Him, and living according to them. And when used as an assessment of time in connection with the Lord, "before" means "from eternity," and refers to a spiritual state rather than time as we experience it.

(Riferimenti: Apocalypse Revealed 366, 617; Arcana Coelestia 6983, 8439, 9888)