Heaven and Hell (Harley) n. 166

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166. The same is true of all things that exist from time, as the four seasons of the year called spring, summer, autumn and winter, the four periods of the day called morning, noon, evening and night, the four ages of man called infancy, youth, manhood and old age, and all other things which either come into existence from time or have a succession in accordance with time. In thinking of these, a man thinks from time but an angel from state. In consequence, what is in them from time with a man is, with the angels, turned into an idea of state. Spring and morning are turned into an idea of the state of love and wisdom such as they are in their first state with angels. Summer and noon are turned into an idea of love and wisdom such as they are in their second state, autumn and evening such as they are in their third state, night and winter into an idea of such a state as exists in hell. This is why these states have a like significance in the Word (see above n. 255). This makes clear how natural things in the thought of man become spiritual with the angels who are with man.


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