Heaven and Hell #187
187. This makes clear why the Lord said that He was the temple at Jerusalem (John 2:19, 21), 1 and why the New Jerusalem was seen to be of pure gold, its gates of pearls and its foundations of precious stones (Revelation 21.), namely, because the temple represented the Divine Human of the Lord, the New Jerusalem signifies the Church which was afterwards to be established, the twelve gates the truths that lead to good, and the foundations the truths on which the Church is founded. 2
Footnotes:
1. [Swedenborg's footnote] In the highest sense "the house of God" signifies the Lord's Divine Human in respect of Divine good, and "the temple" the same in respect of Divine truth; and in a relative sense, heaven and the Church in respect of good and truth (Arcana Coelestia 3720).
2. [Swedenborg's footnote] "Jerusalem" signifies the Church where there is genuine doctrine (Arcana Coelestia 402, 3654, 9166).
"Gates" signify introduction to the doctrine of the Church, and through doctrine introduction into the Church (Arcana Coelestia 2943, 4477-4478).
"Foundation" signifies the truth on which heaven, the Church, and doctrine are founded (Arcana Coelestia 9643).
