241. (Revelation 3:18) I counsel thee. That this signifies the means of reformation of those who hold the doctrine of faith alone, is evident from the things that now follow; for the reformation of those who are in that doctrine is now treated of; hence, I counsel thee, involves precepts how they ought to live in order that they may be reformed, and so be saved.

7929. 'And not allow the destroyer to come to your houses' means that falsity and evil from the hells will not at all come near the will. This is clear from the meaning of 'will not allow' as will not come near; from the meaning of 'the destroyer' as hell, dealt with in 7879, thus falsity and evil from the hells, since the hells derive their existence from falsity and evil; and from the meaning of 'houses' as aspects of the will, dealt with in 710, 7848. For 'house' means a person, therefore also his mind, since a person is a person by virtue of his understanding of truth and his desire for good, which are abilities belonging to the mind. And since a person is a person primarily by virtue of that part of the mind called the will, the will is therefore also meant by 'house'. But which of these is meant is evident from the train of thought in the internal sense.