1672. And the kings that were with him. That this signifies the apparent truth which is of that good, is evident from the signification of “kings” in the Word. “Kings,” “kingdoms,” and “peoples,” in the historical and the prophetical parts of the Word, signify truths and the things which are of truths, as may be abundantly confirmed. In the Word an accurate distinction is made between a “people” and a “nation;” by a “people” are signified truths, and by a “nation” goods, as before shown (n. 1259, 1260). “Kings” are predicated of peoples, but not so much of nations. Before the sons of Israel sought for kings, they were a nation, and represented good, or the celestial; but after they desired a king, and received one, they became a people, and did not represent good or the celestial, but truth or the spiritual; which was the reason why this was imputed to them as a fault (see 1 Samuel 8:7-22, concerning which subject, of the Lord’s Divine mercy elsewhere). As Chedorlaomer is named here, and it is added, “the kings that were with him,” both good and truth are signified; by “Chedorlaomer,” good, and by “the kings,” truth. But what was the quality of the good and truth at the beginning of the Lord’s temptations has already been stated.

3638. Consequently in the next life all the communities there, however many these may be, remain in the same fixed position in relation to the Lord, who appears throughout the whole of heaven as the Sun. It is also a marvel - though scarcely anyone will be able to believe it because he is not able to understand it - that the communities there remain in the same fixed position in relation to each individual there, wherever he may be and in whatever direction he turns his body and moves about. Thus communities seen on the right are always to the right of him, and those on the left are always to the left, even though he alters the direction in which his face and body are turned. This I have also been allowed to observe very often by turning my own body. From this it is evident that the form taken by heaven is such that unceasingly it has to do with the Grand Man's existence in relation to the Lord; and that all angels are not only with the Lord but are also in the Lord, or what amounts to the same, the Lord is with and in them, otherwise none of this could ever be so.