Apocalypse Explained #184
184. And the seven stars. That this signifies from whom are all the knowledges of truth and good, is evident from the signification of seven, as being what is full, and all things (concerning which see above, n. 20, 24), and from the signification of stars, as being the knowledges (cognitiones) of truth and good (concerning which see also above, n. 72). The reason why it is said to the angel of the church in Sardis, these things saith he that hath the seven spirits of God, and the seven stars, is, that the subject treated of is those within the church whose life is moral but not spiritual, inasmuch as they lightly esteem the knowledges of spiritual things, and thence intelligence and wisdom. For by the seven spirits of God are signified all the truths of heaven and the church; and by the seven stars the knowledges of truth and good, by which two things all intelligence and wisdom are acquired. To the angel of each church something concerning the Lord is premised, which indicates the subject treated of, as may be seen above (n.113).
Heaven and Hell #446
446. There is an inmost communication of the spirit with the breathing and with the beating of the heart, the spirit's thought communicating with the breathing, and its affection, which is of love, with the heart; 1 consequently, when these two motions cease in the body there is at once a separation. These two motions, namely, the respiration of the lungs and the beating of the heart, are the very bonds on the sundering of which the spirit is left to itself; and the body, being then deprived of the life of its spirit, grows cold and begins to decay. This inmost communication of the spirit of man is with the respiration and with the heart, because on these all vital motions depend, not only in general but in every part. 2
Footnotes:
1. [Swedenborg's footnote] The heart corresponds to the will, thus to the affection which belongs to the love, while the respiration of the lungs corresponds to the understanding, thus to the thought (Arcana Coelestia 3888).
From this the "heart" in the Word signifies the will and love (Arcana Coelestia 7542, 9050, 10336).
The "soul" signifies understanding, faith, and truth; therefore "from the soul and from the heart" signifies what is from the understanding, faith, and truth, and what is from the will, love, and good (Arcana Coelestia 2930, 9050).
The correspondence of the heart and lungs with the Grand Man, or heaven (Arcana Coelestia 3883-3895).
2. [Swedenborg's footnote] The beating of the heart and the respiration of the lungs reign in the body throughout, and flow mutually into every part (Arcana Coelestia 3887, 3889-3890).
