EMANUEL SWEDENBORG
John in vision saw the Son of Man in the midst of seven golden candlesticks, with all heavenly light and love. The golden candlesticks, according to Swedenborg, represent the acceptance in the heavens of this the Lord's light in His Divine Human manifestation. John's falling at His feet as dead represents the utter abasement of all merely human conceit when this Divine presence is apprehended in the Word. John as representing the loving acceptance of the Divine Human presence represents also the teaching of this presence, and thus his addresses to the churches represent the effect of this teaching, or doctrine, on the various states of those of the Church who are in the end to compose it in its new age—that of the New Jerusalem. In the fifth chapter of his vision the opening of the Book by the Lamb describes the effect of its interior light on the interiors of men in both worlds. Thus the Book is at once the book of the Word and the book of men's lives as it searches and judges them. And the remaining chapters are filled with the particulars of this judgment, condemning and consigning to their homes those whose hearts and lives are opposed to the Divine will, enlightening and enrol-
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