6/21/22
The image of the Holy City New Jerusalem in Revelation chapter 21 paints a beautiful picture of the inclusivity of the New Church. There are twelve gates which “symbolizes all the concepts of truth and goodness by which a person is introduced into the church. ... The number twelve symbolizes all people.” (Apocalypse Revealed 899) “Three gates on the east, three gates on the north, three gates on the south, and three gates on the west. This symbolically means that concepts of truth and goodness which have in them spiritual life from the Lord out of heaven and introduced into the New Church are provided for people who possess more or less love or affection for goodness, and for people who possess more or less wisdom or affection for truth.” (Apocalypse Revealed 901)
“The city is laid out as a square. This symbolizes justice in the New Church. ... A square or quadrilateral layout symbolizes justice because it has four sides... and to face the four cardinal points equally is to regard everything equitably. That is why there were three gates on each side giving entrance into the city.... The city was laid out as a square in order that its length and breadth might be equal, the length symbolizing the goodness of the New Church, and the breadth its truth, and when goodness and truth are in balance, then there is justice.” (Apocalypse Revealed 905) “The city's length, breadth and height are said to be equal in order to symbolize the fact that everything connected with that church springs from the goodness of love.” (Apocalypse Revealed 907)
“And the city was pure gold, like clear glass. This symbolically means that everything connected with the New Church therefore embodies the goodness of love flowing in together with light out of heaven from the Lord.” (Apocalypse Revealed 912)
“And the nations that are saved shall walk in its light. This symbolically means that all those people who live a good life and believe in the Lord will live in the New Church.” (Apocalypse Revealed 920)
“Its gates shall not be shut by day, for there shall be no night there. This symbolically means that the New Jerusalem continually receives into it people who possess truths that spring from the goodness of love from the Lord.” (Apocalypse Revealed 922)
“The nature of heaven is to provide a place there for all who lead good lives, no matter what their religion may be.... That is why the Lord says, ‘I tell you that many will come from the east and from the west and will recline with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of the heavens.’ ... (Matthew 8:11-12).” (Divine Providence 330.4-7)