Claim. Reproduction is impossible in the spirit-world because the vertical axis has only one point; earthly families are therefore the indispensable “production plants” for the citizens of God’s Kingdom.
Elaboration. SMM gives the reasoning a geometrical edge: “There is no reproduction along the vertical, which has only one point. God’s love is on the single point in the position of the vertical, so there can be no reproduction there… For this reason, there needs to be 360 degrees on the horizontal. In the horizontal world, there are unlimited positions where reproduction can take place in the north, south, east, and west” (CSG 15.2 §2, 206-137, 1990.10.3). The practical consequence: “Husbands and wives on earth are the production plants for the citizens of heaven. That world cannot be filled in one step. Its citizens must be born over many generations” (246-69, 1993.3.23). And: “The person who gives birth to and raises many citizens of heaven while on earth will stand in a glorious position” (249-323, 1993.10.11). Procreation has eschatological weight: every earthly birth is a contribution to the population of the heavenly nation.
See also. spirit-world, csg-four-position-foundation-is-the-ideal-of-creation