9888. Over against the faces thereof. That this signifies to eternity, is evident from the signification of “over against the faces,” as being to eternity; for by the “breastplate” is signified heaven and every good and truth that constitutes it (n. 9879). That which is over against the faces there is in the Lord’s perpetual view, thus is preserved to eternity.

9879. And thou shalt make upon the breastplate chains of the border. That this signifies the conjunction of the whole heaven in the extremes, is evident from the signification of “the breastplate,” as being the Divine truth that proceeds from the Lord’s Divine good (see n. 9823), thus also heaven (of which in what follows); from the signification of “the chains,” as being coherence (see above, n. 9852), thus also conjunction; and from the signification of “the border,” as being what is outermost or extreme (as also above, n. 9853). That “the breastplate” also denotes heaven, is because all goods and truths in the complex were there represented by the twelve stones, and by the names of the twelve tribes; and goods and truths in the complex constitute heaven, insomuch that whether we say heaven, or these goods and truths, it is the same thing. For the angels who constitute heaven are receptions of good and truth from the Lord; and as they are receptions of these, they are also forms of them, which forms are those of love and charity. The truths of faith make beauty, but a beauty that is according to truths from good; that is, according to truths through which good shines. The forms of love and charity, such as are those of the angels in the heavens, are human forms, for the reason that the goods and truths which proceed from the Lord, and of which the angels are receptions, are likenesses and images of the Lord.