Some time ago I studied Swedenborg's writings for a few years. I was intrigued how closely some of his beliefs aligned with the restored gospel. I have often thought of his division of heaven into the True and the Good. The True are those who love and seek truth above and beyond all else. The Good are those who have performed good unto others above and beyond all else.
I love the truth!
"And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John 8:32
I also love the good!
"And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise." Luke 6:31
Really, I think truth can be vanity without the good and good can be ignorant without the truth. Together they make a balanced whole. We have both head and feet; one to seek and know the truth and the other to carry us about in acting out the good. Between the two resides the heart where in lies the love of God and all mankind, the pure love of Christ, the source of both the true and the good; the place where they come together as one.
"Swedenborg saw creation as a series of pairings, descending from the Divine love and wisdom that define God and are the basis of creation. This duality can be seen in the pairing of good and truth, charity and faith, God and the church, and husband and wife. In each case, the goal for these pairs is to achieve conjunction between the two component parts. " (Wikipedia)
Swedenborg experienced many visionary dreams and experiences beginning at the age of 55.
"In Swedenborg's final hours, his friend, Pastor Ferelius, told him some people thought he had written his theology just to make a name for himself and asked Swedenborg if he would like to recant. Raising himself up on his bed, his hand on his heart, Swedenborg earnestly replied,
"As truly as you see me before your eyes, so true is everything that I have written; and I could have said more had it been permitted. When you enter eternity you will see everything, and then you and I shall have much to talk about."
He then died, in the afternoon, on the date he had predicted, March 29." (Wikipedia)
