As there are three
degrees of heaven, so each angel has three degrees of life, those in
the inmost heaven having the third or inmost degree open, while the
second and first degrees are closed; those in the middle heaven have
the second degree opened and the first and third closed; and those in
the lowest heaven have the first degree opened and the second and
third closed. Consequently, as soon as an angel of the third heaven
looks down into a society of the second heaven and talks with any one
there his third degree is at once closed; and as his wisdom resides
in that degree, if that is closed he is deprived of his wisdom, for
he has none in the second or first degree. This is what is meant by
the words of the Lord in Matthew:
He that is on the housetop, let him not go down to take
what is in his house; and he that is in the field, let him
not turn back to take his garment (24:17, 18).
And in Luke:
In that day he that shall be on the housetop and his goods
in the house, let him not go down to take them away; and
he that is in the field let him not turn back. Remember
Lot's wife (17:31, 32).
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