To continue browsing while you listen, play the audio in a new window.

In this story, we are told of King Nebuchadnezzar's dream of a large statue that represents kingdoms to come. While some have speculated as to which historical kingdoms this dream refers to, it can also refer to how our thoughts can devolve into selfishness. God saves us with His truth - the uncut stone - that smashes this statue.

(References: Arcana Coelestia 6203; Daniel 2:24-49)

5392. Who exactly constitute the province of the Intestines in the Grand Man will become clear to some extent from those who correlate with the stomach. For the intestines are a continuation of the stomach, and the functions performed by the stomach increase in them and are intensified right through to the end of the intestines - to the colon and rectum. The spirits in the latter are therefore close to the hells which are called the excrementitious ones. In the region of the stomach and intestines are those on the lower earth. Because these have brought with them from the world forms of uncleanness clinging to their thoughts and affections, they are therefore detained for a while in that region until such forms of uncleanness have been wiped away, that is, cast away to the side. Once these have been cast away to the side those people can be raised up to heaven. People on the lower earth are not yet in the Grand Man, for they are like food which has been sent down into the stomach but which, until it has been purged, is not introduced into the bloodstream and so into the body. People contaminated with even worse earthly defilements are below those in the region of the intestines; but the actual excrement passed by the intestines corresponds to the hells called the excrementitious hells.