XXI.
THE FORMER HEAVEN AND EARTH.
Y the first heaven is not understood the heaven formed of those who have become angels from the first creation of the world to the present time; for that heaven is abiding, and endures to eternity. For all who enter heaven are under the Lord's protection, and he who has once been received by the Lord, can never be plucked away from Him. But by the first heaven is understood a heaven which was composed of others than those who have become angels, and for the most part of those who could not become angels. It is this heaven of which it is said that it "passed away." It was called heaven because they who were in it dwelt on high, forming societies upon rocks and mountains, and living in delights similar to the natural, but never in any that were spiritual. For very many who depart from the earth into the spiritual world, believe themselves in heaven when they are on high, and in heavenly joy when they are in world-like delights. Hence it was called heaven, but "the first heaven which passed away."
It is moreover to be observed that this heaven which is called the first, did not consist of any who
