55. For with the dissolution of the four elements, when the four elements shall be in equal weight [or brought into the true temperature], and the earth crystallised like a glassy sea, as may be seen in the Revelation (Rev. iv. 6); even then that which was promised to Abraham concerning the eternal possession shall be performed; for Christ said, My kingdom is not of this world. But now the kingdom of this world was shown and promised to Abraham; therefore we must thereby understand the heavenly kingdom, and even that very place which was shown unto Abraham, when Paradise shall be again made manifest, and Abraham in Christ shall appear to the eternal possession.
56. For although at present, according to the four elements, the Turk has it in possession, yet Abraham in Christ has it with his
seed in possession according to Paradise, viz. in the Paradisical world.
Abraham is arisen in Christ, and possesses his promised land in his
Principle: He is in Paradise, and the Turk is in the outward world.
57. Paradise is in the world, yet not in the third Principle, but in the second; the one does not confound the other. When Abraham's children in Christ do part from the earthly body, then they take possession of this promised land, according to the spiritual man, and possess the same eternally.
58. And this is that which God so often said to Abraham: That he would give him the land to an eternal possession; for when he promised it him, then he commanded him to go away from that place, to signify that he did not mean the external kingdom, but the eternal; and set him forth a figure in the stars of heaven, [saying] that even so his seed should be multiplied and increased; and as the stars have a pure clear body in comparison to the earthly bodies, so likewise the seed of Abraham should be a heavenly eternal one.
59. But that Abraham's children, viz. the Jews, are at present cast out from thence, and dispersed into the whole world, the reason of it is, their blindness and obstinacy, until the time of the Gentiles be accomplished. They have not known the Lord of glory, but have rejected him; but when they shall know themselves, they shall be planted again into the root.
60. Not that they are cast out of the root, but they must be blind, that their light might shine to the Gentiles; until the Gentiles also become blind in this light of Abraham (as indeed they are at present really blind); and even then the light of Abraham shall again arise out of its own root and stem, and shine unto all nations. Even then Japheth shall dwell in Shem's tent, and Israel shall be brought together unto the open grace-fountain of all nations: concerning which all people are as yet blind.
61. But the time is near, and the morning star is appeared; if any be able to see: But the Babylonical whore has blindfolded all; so that all nations walk in the night. Her abominable whoredom is come before the Most High, who will blot out her shame, which has defiled the heaven. This you shall soon find by experience, in your drunkenness, says the spirit of wonders, from its own root.
The Thirty-Eighth Chapter
A clear Manifestation of
The Beginning of the Heathenish War:
How Abraham delivered Lot, his brother's Son;
And of the Royal Priest Melchizedek of Salem,
To whom Abraham gave Tithes
1. HERE * we see very clearly what the imaginations, purposes, intentions, and undertakings of men have been, even from their youth upward; how they have brought themselves out of the image of God, into half bestial and half devilish properties, viz. into pride, covetousness, and self-full domination, in like manner as the devil desired the same, and therefore was cast out from his kingdom.
* Gen. xiv.
55. For with the dissolution of the four elements, when the four elements shall be in equal weight [or brought into the true temperature], and the earth crystallised like a glassy sea, as may be seen in the Revelation (Rev. iv. 6); even then that which was promised to Abraham concerning the eternal possession shall be performed; for Christ said, My kingdom is not of this world. But now the kingdom of this world was shown and promised to Abraham; therefore we must thereby understand the heavenly kingdom, and even that very place which was shown unto Abraham, when Paradise shall be again made manifest, and Abraham in Christ shall appear to the eternal possession.
56. For although at present, according to the four elements, the Turk has it in possession, yet Abraham in Christ has it with his
seed in possession according to Paradise, viz. in the Paradisical world.
Abraham is arisen in Christ, and possesses his promised land in his
Principle: He is in Paradise, and the Turk is in the outward world.
57. Paradise is in the world, yet not in the third Principle, but in the second; the one does not confound the other. When Abraham's children in Christ do part from the earthly body, then they take possession of this promised land, according to the spiritual man, and possess the same eternally.
58. And this is that which God so often said to Abraham: That he would give him the land to an eternal possession; for when he promised it him, then he commanded him to go away from that place, to signify that he did not mean the external kingdom, but the eternal; and set him forth a figure in the stars of heaven, [saying] that even so his seed should be multiplied and increased; and as the stars have a pure clear body in comparison to the earthly bodies, so likewise the seed of Abraham should be a heavenly eternal one.
59. But that Abraham's children, viz. the Jews, are at present cast out from thence, and dispersed into the whole world, the reason of it is, their blindness and obstinacy, until the time of the Gentiles be accomplished. They have not known the Lord of glory, but have rejected him; but when they shall know themselves, they shall be planted again into the root.
60. Not that they are cast out of the root, but they must be blind, that their light might shine to the Gentiles; until the Gentiles also become blind in this light of Abraham (as indeed they are at present really blind); and even then the light of Abraham shall again arise out of its own root and stem, and shine unto all nations. Even then Japheth shall dwell in Shem's tent, and Israel shall be brought together unto the open grace-fountain of all nations: concerning which all people are as yet blind.
61. But the time is near, and the morning star is appeared; if any be able to see: But the Babylonical whore has blindfolded all; so that all nations walk in the night. Her abominable whoredom is come before the Most High, who will blot out her shame, which has defiled the heaven. This you shall soon find by experience, in your drunkenness, says the spirit of wonders, from its own root.
The Thirty-Eighth Chapter
A clear Manifestation of
The Beginning of the Heathenish War:
How Abraham delivered Lot, his brother's Son;
And of the Royal Priest Melchizedek of Salem,
To whom Abraham gave Tithes
1. HERE * we see very clearly what the imaginations, purposes, intentions, and undertakings of men have been, even from their youth upward; how they have brought themselves out of the image of God, into half bestial and half devilish properties, viz. into pride, covetousness, and self-full domination, in like manner as the devil desired the same, and therefore was cast out from his kingdom.
* Gen. xiv.
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