952. And girt about the breasts with golden girdles. That this signifies spiritual Divine good, containing truths in order and connection, is evident from the signification of a golden girdle, as denoting what contains in order and in connection. For a zone or girdle incloses the garments and contains them. The reason why it contains truths in order and connection is, that truths are signified by garments, especially by garments of linen. The reason why it is said to be spiritual good which contains is, that by the breast, which was girt about, is signified that good; and also by gold, of which the girdles were made. Similar things are signified where it is said that the

Son of man in the midst of the lampstands appeared girt about the paps with a golden girdle,

which may be seen explained above (n. 65).

That a zone or girdle signifies a common bond to contain all things in order and connection, may be seen in Arcana Coelestia, (9828).

What the girdle of the ephod signifies may be seen (n. 9837) and what the belt of Aaron's coat (n. 9944). Similar things are also signified by a girdle or zone in other parts in the Word, as in Isaiah (11:5; 23:10; Jeremiah 13:1-7).

Continuation concerning the First Precept:-

[2] He who supposes that he acknowledges and believes that there is a God, before he abstains from the evils mentioned in the Decalogue - especially from the love of ruling, from delight in it, and from the love of possessing the goods of the world, from the delight in so doing, and not from the delight in uses is deceived. A man may confirm himself, as much as possible, in the belief that there is a God, from the Word, from preaching, from books, from the light of reason; and he may, consequently, persuade himself that he believes; still he does not believe, if the evils arising from the love of self and of the world are not removed. The reason is, that evils and pleasure in them stand in the way, keep back and repel the goods from heaven and their delights, and confirmation therefrom. And before heaven confirms, there is only lip belief, which in itself is not faith, and not the faith of the heart, which is real faith. A lip faith is faith in externals; faith of the heart is faith in internals. When the internals are crowded with evils of every kind, then, the externals being removed, as is the case with every man after death, he rejects from them also the belief that there is a God.

Gates" in ancient times had a significance that does not hold in the modern world. Cities then were enclosed by walls for protection; gates in the walls let people in and out to do their business, but were also the weak points in the cities' defenses. In the Bible, cities on one level represent the minds of individual people. On a broader level, they represent beliefs shared by a community. The gates, then, represent openings where the Lord can feed us an understanding of truth and a desire for good. They also represent points where the hells can invade and sway us with false ideas and evil desires. We are kept in balance during our lifetimes, with influences from both the Lord and from hell. Ideally, we will over our lifetimes continue to invite the Lord farther and farther in and drive the hells back until ultimately the Lord can occupy our minds completely. And that point our belief in Him and His power and love will hold the gates and deny evil any entrance. As individuals, we at that point become angels. As communities, we at that point become part of the Lord's church. And at that point the gates become an entry point, introductory truths that allow people to enter churches and start bringing the Lord into their lives.