and contents, and the motion of the earth on its axis.
Carrying this thought along with us (and it is one of great importance to every Bible student), we can understand why changes are predicated of the spiritual Sun (the Lord), when in strictness of language that Sun is unchangeable. We can see that all apparent changes in Him are purely subjective—caused by changes in the states of recipient subjects. To the angels of the highest heaven the Lord appears as a sun, because they receive his love in the greatest fulness—his appearance being in correspondence with their state of life. Therefore when the principle of charity or true neighborly love ceases to be living and operative in the church, then, in relation to the church, the Sun of heaven is darkened.
And to the angels of a lower heaven who receive the Lord's love in an inferior degree, but yet are in the truths of faith, He appears comparatively as a moon. Accordingly when the Word is misunderstood and falsified by the church, when faith is in eclipse and falsities are taught and accepted for truths, then, in relation to the church, the moon does not give her light. And when the knowledges of genuine good and truth have so far faded out from the minds of professing Christians that they no longer know what spiritual good and spiritual truth are, then, in relation to the church, the stars have fallen from heaven.
Now look at Christendom as it was prior to the memorable year 1757. Its character stands recorded on the page of history. Look at it—and what do we
