2379. 'And brought Lot into the house to them' means that the Lord affords protection to those with whom the good of charity is present. This is clear from the representation of 'Lot' as those with whom the good of charity is present, dealt with above, and from the meaning of 'bringing into the house to them' as affording protection. 'Being brought into the house' means being brought into good; and those who are brought into good are brought into heaven; and those who are brought into heaven are brought to the Lord and are consequently protected against every assault on their souls. As to his soul, anyone with whom good is present is in communion with angels; and so while living in the body he is nevertheless in heaven, though he is not directly conscious of it and is unable to perceive angelic joy because he is engrossed in bodily things and undergoing preparation [for heaven], see 1277.

2376. 'They came near to break down the doors means that they went so far as to try and destroy them both. This is clear from the meaning of 'coming near' as making an attempt, and from the meaning of 'door' as that which leads on to good and to the Lord, and also as good itself and the Lord Himself, dealt with in 2356, 2357. For what these matters entail, see above in 2373.