Arcana Coelestia, Vol. VI

MATTHEW 24:32-35

4231. ...initiated by the Lord, there then appears first of all the good of the natural, that is, good in its external form along with its underlying affection and truths. By the good of the naturalIn this system of thought, "natural good" refers to the outward, practical kindness and moral behavior a person exhibits in their daily life. is not meant the good into which a person is born, or which they inherit from their parents, but a good which is spiritual in its origin. No one is born into this; rather, one is led into it by the Lord through the knowledgesSpecific spiritual insights or facts learned from sacred texts. of what is good and true. Therefore, until a person is in this spiritual good, they are not truly a member of the church, however much they may appear to be so because of a naturally kind temperament they were born with.

[2] So also ye, when ye see all these things, know that it is nigh, even at the doors;

This signifies that when those things appear which are signified in the internal senseThe deeper, symbolic meaning of the Bible that lies beneath the literal stories. by the words spoken just before (verses 29 through 31), and by these words concerning the fig-tree, then it is the consummation of the churchThe end of a religious era or "dispensation" when its spiritual life has been exhausted.—that is, the Last JudgmentA spiritual transition where an old way of life ends and a new spiritual era begins. and the Coming of the Lord. Consequently, the old church is then being rejected, and a new one is being established. It is said to be “at the doors” because the good of the natural and its truths are the first things introduced into a person when they are being regeneratedThe process of spiritual rebirth or character transformation. and becoming part of the church.

Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all these things be accomplished;

This signifies that the Jewish nation shall not be extirpated Uprooted or completely destroyed. like other nations, for the reason shown above (reference number 3479).

[3] Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away;

This signifies that the internal and external aspects of the former church would perish, but that the Word of the Lord would remain. (That “heaven” represents the internal of the church, and “earth” its external, may be seen in previous entries: numbers 82, 1411, 1733, 1850, 2117, 2118, and the end of 3355). By the Lord’s “words,” it is clearly meant not only these things now spoken regarding His coming and the end of the age, but also everything contained in the Word. These words were spoken immediately after the discussion about the Jewish nation because that nation was preserved for the sake of the Word The author suggests the Jewish people remained a distinct nation specifically to ensure the survival and preservation of the Hebrew Scriptures., as seen in the previously cited entry (3479). From all this, it is now evident that the beginnings of a New Church are being foretold here.