1. Dat het Woord van het Oude Testament verborgenheden van de hemel bevat, en dat zowel het geheel als elke bijzonderheid daarvan op de Heer betrekking heeft, op Zijn hemel, op de Kerk, op het geloof en de dingen van het geloof, kan geen sterveling uit de letter opmaken. Uit de letter of uit de letterlijke zin ziet niemand iets anders, dan dat het in het algemeen gaat over de uiterlijke dingen van de Joodse Kerk, terwijl er overal een innerlijke zin is, dat nergens in het uiterlijke aan het licht komt, behalve dan het zeer weinige dat de Heer onthuld heeft en aan de apostelen heeft ontvouwd; zo bijvoorbeeld, dat de offeranden de Heer betekenen, het land Kanaän en Jeruzalem en ook het Paradijs, de hemel betekenen, waarom dan ook van het hemelse Kanaän en Jeruzalem gesproken wordt.

Ukuze uqhubeke upheqe ngenkathi ulalele, dlala umsindo ewindini elisha.

This week we introduce a new filter into the program which is, "Is it useful?" Something can be true, and can even be kind, but not actually useful to say. That's the focus - can we refrain from saying things that aren't actually useful? This filter is important as we try to bring heaven to earth because the Lord's kingdom is a kingdom of uses. Things only exist if they have a use. There are no frivolous creations! When we speak, we too create, so let's make sure the things we create have a purpose.

(Izinkomba: Arcana Coelestia 1, 4730; Ephesians 4:22-29; James 3:1-12; Matthew 12:33-37)

1774. There are spirits who are unwilling to listen to anything regarding the inner content of the Word. Indeed, no matter how much they are able to understand they are still unwilling. They are in particular those who have placed merit in good works, and who have therefore done good deeds for selfish and worldly reasons, that is, for the sake of eminent positions or of wealth which they may gain for themselves, and for the consequent reputation, and so not for the sake of the Lord's kingdom. In the next life such persons wish more than all others to enter heaven, yet they remain outside of it, for they are unwilling to be furnished with cognitions of truth and so to be stirred by an affection for good. They interpret the Word literally according to their own false notions, and advance whatever expresses approval of their evil desires. Such were represented by an aging woman whose face was unsightly but still with a snowy pallor, but with irregular features that made her ugly. On the other hand people who welcome and love the inner content of the Word were represented by a girl in the first stage of maidenhood, or first flush of youth, dressed beautifully and wearing garlands and heavenly adornments.