Arcana Coelestia #905
905. 'Going out of the ark' means freedom. This is clear from what has been stated already and from the point reached in the train of thought. Noah's time in the ark surrounded by the flood-waters meant that he was in bondage, that is, he was tossed about by evils and falsities, or what amounts to the same, by evil spirits responsible for the conflict that accompanies temptation. From this it follows that 'going out of the ark' means freedom. The Lord's presence entails freedom; one follows the other. The more the Lord is present the more free a person becomes, that is, insofar as love of good and truth is in him he acts in freedom. Such is the Lord's influx by way of angels. On the other hand, the influx of hell by way of evil spirits brings with it a force and impulsion to dominate. Their whole intention is to subjugate a person to the point of making him nothing and themselves everything. When they are everything a person is one of them. Yet he is scarcely one of them but in their eyes a veritable nobody. Consequently when the Lord is freeing a person from their yoke and dominion, conflict arises. But once he has been set free, that is, been regenerated, he is led by the Lord through angels so gently that no yoke or dominion exists at all, for he is being led by what is joyful and pleasing, he is being loved, and he is being shown respect. This is what the Lord teaches in Matthew,
My yoke is easy, and My burden is light. Matthew 11:30.
It is quite the reverse with evil spirits. With them, as has been stated, a person is reckoned as nothing, and if they could they would be tormenting him from one moment to the next. This I have been given to know from considerable experience, which will in the Lord's Divine mercy be presented later on.
Psalms 139
1
O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.
2
Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.
3
Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.
4
For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.
5
Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.
6
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.
7
Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
8
If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
9
If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
10
Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.
11
If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.
12
Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.
13
For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.
14
I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
15
My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
16
Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.
17
How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!
18
If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.
19
Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: depart from me therefore, ye bloody men.
20
For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain.
21
Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?
22
I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies.
23
Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
24
And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
