Page:The Swedenborg Library Vol 1.djvu/219

 by the confusion of tongues, whence its name Babel was derived (Genesis xi. 1 to 9).

This dominion began and was instituted in Babel, as appears in Daniel where it is said of Nebuchadnezzar, that he set up an image which all were to adore (chap, iii.); and is understood by Belshazzar and his peers drinking out of the golden and silver vessels which Nebuchadnezzar had carried away from the temple of Jerusalem, at the same time that they worshiped gods of gold, silver, copper, and iron. Wherefore it was written on the wall: "He hath numbered: He hath weighed: He hath divided;" and on the same night the king himself was slain (chap. v.). The vessels of gold and silver of the temple of Jerusalem, signify the goods and truths of the church; drinking out of them, and at the same time worshiping gods of gold, silver, copper and iron, signify profanation; and the writing upon the wall and the death of the king signify visitation, and destruction denounced against those who make use of divine goods and truths as means.

What manner of men those who are called Babylon are, is also described continually in the prophets; as in Isaiah xiv. 4, 12, 13, 14, 15, 23: xxi. 9; see also chaps, xlvii., xlviii. 14 to 20; and Jer. 1. 1, 2, 3. From these passages it is evident what Babylon is.

It ought to be known that the church becomes a Babylon when charity and faith cease, and the love of self begins to rule in their stead; for this love, in