Page:Arcana Coelestia (Potts) vol 1.djvu/138

 where it is likewise said of the four and twenty elders that they were "clothed in white raiment" (iv. 4). Thus the more external goods, which are celestial spiritual, and natural, are "garments;" wherefore also those who are endowed with the goods of charity appear in heaven clothed in shining garments; but here, because still in the body, with a "coat of skin."

. Verse 22. And Jehovah God said, Behold the man is become as one of us, knowing good and evil; and now lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of lives, and eat, and live to eternity. The reason "Jehovah God" is first mentioned in the singular, and afterwards in the plural number, is that by "Jehovah God" is meant the Lord, and at the same time the angelic heaven. The man's "knowing good and evil," signifies that he had become celestial, and thus wise and intelligent; "lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of lives," means that he must not be instructed in the mysteries of faith, for then never to all eternity could he be saved, which is to "live to eternity."

. Here are two arcana: first, that "Jehovah God" signifies the Lord, and at the same time heaven; secondly, that had they been instructed in the mysteries of faith they would have perished eternally.

. As regards the first arcanum, that by "Jehovah God" is meant the Lord and at the same time heaven, it is to be observed that in the Word, always for a secret reason, the Lord is sometimes called merely "Jehovah," sometimes "Jehovah God," sometimes "Jehovah" and then "God," sometimes the "Lord Jehovih," sometimes the "God of Israel," and sometimes "God" only. Thus in the first chapter of Genesis, where it is also said, in the plural, "Let us make man in our image," He is called "God" only, and He is not called "Jehovah God" until the following chapter, where the celestial man is treated of. He is called "Jehovah" because He alone is or lives, thus from Essence; and "God," because He can do all things, thus from Power; as is evident from the Word, where this distinction is made (Isa. xlix. 4, 5; lv. 7; Ps. xviii. 2, 28, 29, 31; xxxi. 14). On this account every angel or spirit who spoke with man, and who was supposed to possess any power, was called "God," as appears from David:—