AC 2217, 2219 - Sodom

AC 2217

And the men rose up from there
and looked towards the face of Sodom;
and Abraham went with them,
to send them on their way.
(Genesis 18:16)

'The men rose up from there'
signifies that perception came to an end.
'And they looked towards the face of Sodom'
signifies the state of the human race,
'Sodom' being every evil that stems from self-love.
'And Abraham went with them'
signifies that the Lord
still remained with them in perception,
but perception regarding the human race.
'To send them on their way'
signifies that He wished to withdraw
from that perception.

AC 2219 [2-3]

. . . the love of self is . . . diametrically contrary
to the order into which man was created.
Man is distinguished above beasts
by having a rational given him,
to the end that everyone
may will well and do well to others,
as in general so in particular.
This is the order into which man has been created;
consequently it is love to God
and love toward the neighbor
that should be man's life,
and by which he should be distinguished
from brute animals.
This is also the order of heaven,
in which it was intended man should be
while he lives in the world;
thus in the Lord's kingdom;
and into this kingdom he would pass
when he had put off the body
that had been of service to him upon the earth,
and there he would rise into a state
continually advancing in heavenly perfection.

But the love of self is the primary
and indeed the only thing that destroys all this;
and not so much so the love of the world,
for this is indeed opposite
to the spiritual things of faith,
but the love of self is diametrically opposite
to the celestial things of love;
for he who loves himself loves no others,
but endeavors to destroy all persons whatever
that do not pay reverence to him . . ..