said that Jehovah was seen in a cloud, and that He was girded with a cloud, also that beneath His feet was a cloud; in which passages by cloud is meant obscurity of truth, specifically the literal sense of the Word, for this sense in respect to the internal sense is the obscurity of truth (see . preface to Gen. xviii; also n. 4391, 5922, 6343, 6752). This was signified by the cloud when the Lord was seen by Peter, James, and John in glory (Luke ix. 34); when from Mount Sinai by the people, and when by Moses upon his going unto Him there (Exod. xix. 9; xx. 18; xxiv. 15–18; xxxiv. 5); and also by this, that the Lord so often said that He would come in the clouds of heaven (Matt. xxiv. 30; xxvi. 63, 64: Mark xiii. 26; xiv. 61, 62: Luke xxi. 27). 3 The literal sense of the Word is called a cloud, because the internal sense, which is called glory, cannot be comprehended by man except he be regenerated, and so enlightened. The internal sense of the Word, or truth Divine in its glory, if it appeared before a man not regenerated, would be as thick darkness, in which he would see nothing at all, and by which also he would be blinded, that is, would believe nothing. From these instances it may be evident what is signified by a cloud by day, namely, obscurity of 4 truth, and when said of the Word it is the literal sense.

It

is said in a pillar of cloud and of fire, because by a pillar is signified a stay which supports (see Jer. i. 18: Ps. lxxv. 3: Apoc. iii. 12: Job ix. 6); and it is predicated of the natural, because the natural is like a support or basis to the spiritual; for the spiritual terminates in the natural, and there rests. Therefore it is that the feet of the angel descending from heaven appeared as pillars of fire (Apoc. x. 1); for by feet is signified the natural (see n. 2162, 3147, 3761, 3986, 4280, 4938-4952, 5327, 5328).

8107. To lead them the way. That this signifies Divine guidance, is evident from the signification of leading the way, when said of Jehovah, as Providence and Divine guidance (see n. 8093, 8098).

8108. And by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light. That this signifies when there was a state of obscurity, that it was tempered by enlightenment from good, is evident from the signification of night, as a state of obscurity (see n. 1712, 6000); from the signification of fire, as the good of love (n. 934, 4906, 5215, 6314, 6832, 6834, 6849, 7324, 7852); and from the signification of giving light, as enlightenment. That Jehovah or the Lord was seen or went before in a pillar of cloud by day and in a pillar of fire by night, was because thereby was represented the state of heaven, for in heaven there are perpetual variations and changes of state; for the angels are continually being perfected, which cannot in any wise be effected without perpetual changes of states. In general those variations and changes are as the changes of times in the world, namely, as the changes of the times of the year - spring, summer, autumn, winter, and again spring; and as the changes of the times of the day-morning, midday, evening, night, and again morning. When it is morning and midday in heaven, there is enlightenment of the understanding from the Lord, but then the enlightenment is tempered by obscurity of truth, as by a cloud; and when it is evening and night there, they have obscurity of understanding, but this is tempered of the Lord by the good of love, as by a fire which gives light. These are the things which were represented by the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night with the sons of Israel in the wilderness.

8109. That they might go by day and by night. That this signifies life in each state, is evident from the signification of going and journeying, as living (see n. 3335, 3690, 5493, 5605); and from the signification of day, as a state of enlightenment, and of night, as a state of obscurity of which just above (n. 8106, 8108), thus both states.

8110. The pillar of cloud by day, and the pillar of fire by night, departed not from before the people. That this signifies that the presence of the Lord was perpetual, is

evident from what has been now unfolded; for so the angels, in whose midst was the Lord, appeared before the people.

THE SPIRITS AND INHABITANTS OF THE PLANET

JUPITER, CONTINUED.

8111. By long continued conversation with the spirits of the earth Jupiter, it became evident that they are better disposed than the spirits of some other earths. Their approach when they came to me, their tarrying, and their influx at the time, were so gentle and sweet as cannot be described. Goodness of disposition manifests itself in the other life by gentleness and sweetness. These qualities with them are very clearly distinguishable from the gentleness and sweetness of the good spirits of our earth.

8112. When any slight disagreement exists among them, there appears to them as it were a slender ray of white light, like that of lightning, or a little band in which are glittering stars. These are signs of disagreement; but the disagreement among them is quickly adjusted. Stars when they are glittering and at the same time wandering, are not a good sign, but glittering fixed stars are a good sign.

8113. I was able to recognize the presence of the spirits of Jupiter, not only from the gentleness and sweetness of their approach and influx, but also from this, that for the most part their influx was into the face, and that they made it smiling and cheerful, and continually so during their presence. It was said that they so dispose the countenances of the inhabitants of their earth, for they wish to inspire them with tranquillity and enjoyment of heart. The tranquillity and enjoyment with which they inspired me, sensibly filled my breast and heart. Then were removed desires and anxieties about the future, which induce intranquillity and discomfort and excite and agitate the mind into various perturbations. From this it could be

evident to me what was the quality of the life of the inhabitants of the planet Jupiter. I was told by them that they do not fear death, except in some degree on account of the loss of wife and children, for the reason that they know of a certainty that the death of the body is the continuation of life, and that after it they will become more happy.

8114. It was perceived that they had a state of happiness still interior, and that they were susceptible of receiving a state of happiness still more interior. This is perceived by their interiors not being closed, but open to the Lord; for the more open the interiors are, the more susceptible they are of receiving Divine good and Divine happiness. It is the reverse with those who do not live in the order of heaven; with such the interiors are closed and the exteriors open to hell, whence flow in contempt of others, hatred, revenge, and cruelty, which they enjoy against those who do not fawn upon them, or do not favor their lusts.

8115. The spirits of the earth Jupiter cannot be together with the spirits of our earth, because these are of a quite different genius, and do not love the enjoyment of tranquillity as they do. They were surprised when they heard that those from our earth who become angels are of an entirely different heart, and retain scarcely anything similar to their state when they were spirits. That they might know that it was so, there came choirs one after another from heaven, consisting of angels from our earth. Choirs consist of many thinking, speaking, and acting together in unity, in a continued series. The celebration of the Lord in the heavens is for the most part effected by choirs (see n. 1648, 1649, 2595, 2596, 3350, 5182). Those choirs gave so much delight to the spirits of Jupiter who were with me, that they seemed to themselves as it were taken up into heaven. This glorification by choirs continued about an hour. The delights which the spirits received

from it were communicated to me and I was enabled to perceive them. They said that they would tell this to their associates who were elsewhere.

8116. They related that the multitude of men in the region of the earth where they dwelt was as great as the earth could sustain, though the earth was fruitful, and abounded in all things; that the inhabitants there desire no more than enough for the necessities of life, and that for that reason the multitude of men is so great.

8117. They related further that they are there distinguished into tribes, families, and houses, and that they all dwell separately with their own, and that their intercourse is mostly with their kindred; moreover that never does any one desire the goods of another, and that neither does it enter into the mind to claim anything thereof to themselves, still less to invade and plunder, which they regard as a crime against human nature, and abominable. When I would have told them that in this earth there are wars, plunderings, and murders, they turned themselves away and were averse to hear.

8118. It has been told me by angels that the most ancient people on this earth dwelt in like manner, that is, distinguished into tribes, families, and houses; that they were all content with their own possessions; and that to grow rich from the possessions of others, and to rule over them, was at that time altogether unknown. On this account the ancient times, and especially the most ancient, were more acceptable to the Lord than succeeding times; and such being the state of man, innocence also then reigned, and with innocence, wisdom. Every one then did good from good, and justice from justice. To do what is good and just with a view to self-honor, or for the sake of gain, was a thing unknown. At the same time they spoke nothing but what was true, and this not so much from truth, as from good, that is, not from the understanding separate, but from the will conjoined. Such were the ancient times.