AC 9592 - Exodus 26; AC 9593 - The Curtains; AC 9594 - Three Degrees of Life; AC 9604 - Joining Together

AC 9592 - The Contents of Exodus 26

In this chapter the second or middle heaven
is represented by the Habitation and the Tent;
and the celestial and spiritual things therein
are represented by
the things of which these were constructed.
And afterward the Intermediate that unites
this heaven and the inmost heaven
is represented by the veil
between the Habitation and the ark of the Testimony.

AC 9593

And thou shalt make the Habitation ten curtains
of fine twined linen, and blue, and crimson,
and scarlet double-dyed, with cherubs;
the work of a thinker* shalt thou make them.
(Exodus 26:1)

"And thou shalt make the Habitation,"
-- signifies the second or middle heaven;
"ten curtains,"
-- signifies all the truths from which it is;
"of fine twined linen, and blue, and crimson,
and scarlet double-dyed,"
-- signifies the spiritual and celestial things
from which are these truths;
"with cherubs,"
-- signifies the guard of the Lord
lest it be approached and injured by the hells;
"the work of a thinker* shalt thou make them,"
-- signifies the understanding.
* skilled craftsman

AC 9594 [2]

These three degrees of life in man
are opened successively;
the first degree by a life in accordance
with what is equitable and just;
the second degree by a life in accordance
with the truths of faith from the Word,
and in accordance with the consequent
goods of charity toward the neighbor;
and the third degree by a life in accordance
with the good of mutual love
and the good of love to the Lord.
These are the means whereby are
successively opened these three degrees of life in man,
thus the three heavens in him.
But be it known
that in proportion as a man recedes
from the good of life,
and accedes to the evil of life,
these degrees are closed, that is,
the heavens are closed in him;
for just as the good of life opens them,
so the evil of life closes them.

AC 9604

. . . as five of the ten curtains were joined together,
and also the other five,
they therefore signified
the reciprocal communication of truth and good,
and of good and truth;
for the communications must be reciprocal
in order that there may be
a conjugial conjunction of truth and good.