cerning light and heat in heaven, and their origin, while perfectly reasonable in itself, accords well with the teachings of Scripture, is most beneficent in its practical tendency, and helps us to a truer and more rational interpretation of some portions of the written Word. Candid and thoughtful minds will not reject the concurrent testimony of all these witnesses.
XI.
ENVIRONMENT IN HEAVEN. AND WHAT DETERMINES IT.
HAVE the angels an outward or phenomenal world as people on earth have? If so, what is its general character or aspect, and what determines it? Since they possess the human organs, eyes to see and hands to handle things, we should expect there would be objects to be seen and handled. We cannot conceive of their existing as human beings without an earth to stand and walk upon; nor can we conceive of their being in a blissful state with no kind of objective world, and compelled to gaze forever on mere emptiness. But what answer does Swedenborg give to the above questions? Briefly this:
That the angels live upon a substantial earth (not material), and are surrounded by innumerable objects that are far more beautiful and perfect than any that exist on earth—but all spiritual. And their senses being
