161. To commit whoredom, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. That this signifies falsifications of truth and adulterations of good is evident from the signification of committing whoredom, as being to falsify truths (concerning which see above, n. 141), and from the signification of eating things sacrificed to idols, as being to appropriate evil (concerning which see also above, n. 141). The reason why to adulterate good is also here signified is that the appropriations of evil, in things belonging to the church, are adulterations of good; for the goods thereof are applied to evils and thus are adulterated. For example, the goods of the Israelitish church were signified by the altar, the sacrifices, and their eating together of the things sacrificed; when these things were offered to Baal, then goods were applied to evils, not to mention other similar instances. The case is the same in the church where things are not representative, if the Word is applied to confirm the evils of the love of self; as is done by the Popish nation to acquire dominion over the whole heaven. That by committing whoredom, and eating things sacrificed to idols is signified to falsify truths, and adulterate goods, is also clear from the circumstance that the deeds of Jezebel are by one expression called whoredoms and witchcrafts, in the second book of Kings:

"When Jehoram saw Jehu, he said, Is it peace, Jehu? and he answered, What peace, so long as the whoredoms of thy mother Jezebel and her witchcrafts are so many?" (9:22).

142. (Verse 15) So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate. That this signifies those who separate good from truth, or charity from faith, which is contrary to Divine order, is evident from what was said and shown above, n. 107, where similar words occur. To which must be added, that those who separate truth from good, or faith from charity, turn away from themselves all influx of heaven into the good works which they do, in consequence of which their good works are not good; for heaven flows in, that is the Lord, through heaven, into the good of man's love, therefore he who casts out the good of charity from the doctrine of the church, and instead of it receives only those things which are said to belong to faith, is excluded from heaven, the truths pertaining to him not having life. And it is the life of truth, which is good, that conjoins, but not truth without life, or faith without charity. (But more may be seen concerning these things in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, where it treats concerning charity, n. 84-107, and concerning faith, n. 108-122.)