The Bible

 

Genesis 2:10

Study

       

10 En een rivier was voortgaande uit Eden, om deze hof te bewateren; en werd van daar verdeeld, en werd tot vier hoofden.

From Swedenborg's Works

 

Arcana Coelestia #154

Study this Passage

  
/ 10837  
  

154. Nothing evil and false is ever possible which is not man’s Own, and from man’s Own, for the Own of man is evil itself, and consequently man is nothing but evil and falsity. This has been evident to me from the fact that when the things of man’s Own are presented to view in the world of spirits, they appear so deformed that it is impossible to depict anything more ugly, yet with a difference according to the nature of the Own, so that he to whom the things of the Own are visibly exhibited is struck with horror, and desires to flee from himself as from a devil. But truly the things of man’s Own that have been vivified by the Lord appear beautiful and lovely, with variety according to the life to which the celestial of the Lord can be applied; and indeed those who have been endowed with charity, or vivified by it, appear like boys and girls with most beautiful countenances; and those who are in innocence, like naked infants, variously adorned with garlands of flowers encircling their bosoms, and diadems upon their heads, living and sporting in a diamond-like aura, and having a perception of happiness from the very inmost.

  
/ 10837  
  

Thanks to the Swedenborg Foundation for the permission to use this translation.