Week 5    Day 2

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An Eye for an Eye (continued)

Apocalypse Explained 556:9

“An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth,” signifies that so far as anyone takes away from another the understanding of truth and the sense of truth, so far they are taken away from himself. The “eye” signifies the understanding of truth, and “tooth” the sense of truth, for a “tooth” means truth or falsity such as the sensual man has.

Arcana Coelestia 8223

And let the waters return upon the Egyptians.... How the case is, that the falsities would flow back or return to those who intended to pour them forth upon those who were in truth and good, who are represented by the sons of Israel, see above (n. 8214). The case is that the evil that is intended to others returns upon themselves. This arises from the law of Divine order: “Do not do to another except only what thou wouldest others should do to thee” (Matt. 7:12). From this law, which in the spiritual world is constant and perpetual, the laws of retaliation delivered in the representative church derived their origin; namely, the following:

If any harm shall happen, thou shalt give life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burning for burning, wound for wound, blow for blow (Exod. 21:23-25).

If a man has caused a blemish in his neighbor, as he has done, so shall it be done to him: fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth; as he has caused a blemish in a man, so shall it be caused in him (Lev. 24:19, 20).

If a witness shall answer a lie against his brother, you shall do to him as he had thought to do to his brother (Deut. 19:18, 19).

From these passages it is clearly evident that these laws originate from that universal law, which in the spiritual world is constant and perpetual, namely, that you are not to do to others except as you want others to do to you. Thus it is clear how it is to be understood that the falsities from evil which are intended to be inflicted on others, flow back or return upon the persons themselves.

But the case with this law in the other life is further as follows. When the like, or retaliation, is evil, it is inflicted by the evil, and never by the good; that is, it comes from the hells, and never from the heavens. For the hells, or the evil who are there, are in the continual lust of doing evil to others, for this is the very delight of their life. Therefore, as soon as it is permitted, they do evil, not caring to whom, whether he is evil or good, whether he is a companion or an enemy. And as it is from a law of order that evil returns upon those who intend evil, consequently, when it is permitted by the law, they rush upon them.

This is done by the evil who are in the hells, never by the good who are in the heavens, for these latter are in the continual desire of doing good to others, because this is the delight of their life. Therefore, as soon as there is an opportunity, they do good both to foes and to friends. In fact, they do not resist evil, for the laws of order defend and protect what is good and true. Hence it is that the Lord says, “You have heard that it has been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth; but I say to you that evil must not be resisted. You have heard that it has been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy; but I say to you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, impart benefits to them that hate you; that you may be sons of your Father in the heavens” (Matt. 5:38, 39, 43-45).

Heaven and Hell 543

How the hells are ruled by the Lord shall be briefly explained. In general, the hells are ruled by a general outflow from the heavens of Divine good and Divine truth, by which the general endeavor flowing forth from the hells is checked and restrained; also by a particular outflow from each heaven and from each society of heaven. The hells are ruled in particular by means of angels to whom it is granted to look into the hells and to restrain insanities and disturbances there. And sometimes angels are sent to them who moderate these insanities and disturbances by their presence.

But in general, all in the hells are ruled by means of their fears. Some are ruled by fears implanted in the world and still inherent in them; but as these fears are not sufficient, and gradually subside, they are ruled by fears of punishments; and it is especially by these that they are deterred from doing evil.

The punishments in hell are manifold, lighter or more severe in accordance with the evils. For the most part the more wicked, who excel in cunning and in sneaky tricks, and who are able to hold the rest in subjection and servitude by means of punishments and consequent terror, are set over them. But these governors dare not pass beyond the limits prescribed to them.

It must be understood that the sole means of restraining the violence and fury of those who are in the hells is the fear of punishment. There is no other way.

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