641. "For their works follow them." This symbolically means, according as they have loved and believed and so have done and spoken.

The works that follow them symbolize everything that remains in a person after death.

People know that the outward acts that people see take their essence, soul and life from internal origins that people do not see, but which are seen by the Lord and by angels. Both of these, outward acts and internal origins, taken together are works - good works if the internal origins are impelled by love and faith, and if people do their outward acts and speak in accordance with them, but evil works if the internal origins are not impelled by love and faith, and if people do their outward acts and speak in accordance with these. If they do outward acts and speak only seemingly in accord with love and faith, those works and words are either hypocritical or merit-seeking.

Ten people may do the same works in outward appearance, but still the works are not alike, because the internal origins which produce the outward actions are not alike.

[2] Who does not see that there is an internal self and an external one, and that these two operate in concert? For who does not see that the intellect and will constitute a person's internal self, and his speech and action his external self? Indeed, who can speak or act apart from his intellect and will? And because everyone sees this, everyone can also see that works consist of the external manifestation and internal origin together. Moreover, because the external manifestation takes its essence, soul and life from its internal origin, as already said, it follows that the external manifestation is of the same character as its internal origin, consequently that the works that follow people are such as they have loved and believed and so have done and spoken.

That good works embody charity and faith may be seen in nos. 73, 76, 94, 141 above. And that a person's inner being or internal self does not consist in understanding without willing, but in willing and so understanding, consequently that it does not consist in believing without loving, but in loving and so believing, and that doing accordingly is a person's outward aspect or external self, may be seen in no. 625 above.

[3] It can be seen from this that the works that follow them means, symbolically, according as they have loved and believed and so have done and spoken.

Works have a similar symbolic meaning in the following passages:

...in the day of... judgment... God... will render to each one according to his works. (Romans 2:5-6)

...we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body..., whether good or evil. (2 Corinthians 5:10)

...the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father..., and then He will reward each according to his works. (Matthew 16:27)

They shall come forth - those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, but those who have done evil, to the resurrection of judgment. (John 5:29)

(They) were judged according to... the things which were written in the books..., each one according to his works. (Revelation 20:12-13)

Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. (Revelation 22:12)

I will give to each one of you according to his works. (Revelation 2:23)

I know your works... (Revelation 2:1-2, 4-5, 8-9, 13, 19, 26; 3:1-3, 7-8, 14-16)

I will repay them according to their work and according to the doing of their hands. (Jeremiah 25:14)

Jehovah... is dealing with us according to our ways and according to our works... (Zechariah 1:6)

And in many other places.