their destruction, ought not to be understood in a literal sense. Such an interpretation is, also, not only opposed to rational and scientific truth, but does violence to the word of the Lord, by changing its divine and spiritual truths into mere natural and external ideas. And if we deal fairly and honestly with the word of the Lord, and with that reason which the Lord has given us, we must interpret similar passages in the New Testament in the same manner.
In the above remarks, I have hastily glanced at a principle of great importance—the interpretation of the word of the Lord according to the laws of correspondence between spiritual and natural things—It would have been impracticable, in the above connection, to have given even a tolerably full development of that doctrine. I have attempted nothing more than to develop it so far as to show that it unfolds a rational and infinitely important meaning in the prophecies referred to, and a meaning which does not come into collision with any of the laws of nature, or with any rational or scientific truth. If the reader wishes to know more of this doctrine, he will find it clearly, rationally, and satisfactorily explained in the writings of Emanuel Swedenborg. In the writings of that author, he will find it fully demonstrated, that a knowledge of the science of correspondences between spiritual and natural things, is the only true key to a rational and spiritual interpretation of the word of the Lord.
It will be observed that I have not attempted to maintain that the word of the Lord asserts that the material universe will never be destroyed. It teaches nothing directly in regard to this matter. It is a revelation of the divine goodness and truth, and a development of the laws of our spiritual nature. It is a medium of those divine and heavenly influences, the reception of which is spiritual regeneration and eternal life. It is true, it comes to us clothed in words formed from the appearances of the external world.
