146. Internal Meaning of Ezekiel, Chapter 23

The church which is in truth, and the church which is in good. (2)

1-2 There are two churches, one which is in truth, which is Samaria, and the other which is in good, which is Jerusalem. (2)

3 Both are external natural, perverted in the beginning. (2)

5-8 Samaria falsified the truths of the Word by reasonings from knowledges [scientifica];, (2, 3)

9-10 thus she became corrupted. (2, 3)

11-13 Jerusalem likewise falsified truths, (2, 3)

14-17 and adulterated goods also by various means. (2, 3)

18 Thereby she separated herself from the Lord, (2)

19 and defiled truths and goods still further by knowledges [scientifica] of the natural man. (2)

22-25 They will wholly perish on the day of judgment. (15)

26-27 Thus the truths and goods of the church will no longer be perverted. (15)

28-31 They will be in hell where there is nothing but evils and falsities. (15)

32-34 They will also be in the falsification of all truth; (15)

35 and this, because they have denied the Lord. (4)

36-39 They have destroyed all the holy things of the church. (3)

40-42 They boasted before others because of their having the Word and the holy things of the church, (3)

43-45 although these were entirely falsified and adulterated. (3)

46-49 Falsities and evils will destroy all things of the church among them, and such must be separated that they may no longer mislead. (3, 11)