§521 not by mercy alone 311
in angelic clothing, usually white as fi ne linen, taken to a path that leads
up toward heaven, and turned over to guardian angels there. After this
they are received by other angels and acquainted with [various] commu-
nities and the host of blessings in them. The Lord then takes each angel
to her or his community. This happens by various paths, sometimes
through round-about routes. No angel knows the paths along which
they are taken, only the Lord. When they arrive at their own communi-
ties, their inner natures are opened, and since they are in harmony with
the inner natures of the angels who are members of that community,
they are recognized instantly and received with joy.
I should like to add here something remarkable about the paths that 520
lead from these sites to heaven, the paths by which newly arrived angels
are admitted. There are eight paths, two from each teaching site. One
leads up toward the east and the other toward the west. People who are
entering the Lord’s heavenly kingdom are admitted by the eastern path,
while people who are entering the Lord’s spiritual kingdom are admitted
by the western path.
The four paths that lead to the Lord’s heavenly kingdom are graced
by olive trees and various fruit trees, while the ones that lead to the Lord’s
spiritual kingdom are graced by grapevines and laurel. This is because
of correspondence, since vines and laurel correspond to an affection for
truth and its uses, while olive and fruit trees correspond to an affection
for what is good and its uses.
No One Enters Heaven
on the Basis of Mercy Alone
521
I
F people have not been taught about heaven, the way to heaven, and
the life of heaven for those on earth, they think that acceptance intoheaven comes from a pure mercy extended to people of faith, people for
whom the Lord intercedes, so that admission depends solely on grace.
They therefore think that anyone at all can be saved out of good will;
and some people even think that this includes the inhabitants of hell.