AC 3382
..."keeping My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws,"
involve all things of the Word; namely,
"charge," all things of the Word in general;
"commandments," the internal things;
"statutes," the external things;
and "laws," all things specifically.
The law of Jehovah is perfect, restoring the soul;
the testimony of Jehovah is sure, making wise the simple.
The precepts of Jehovah are right, rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of Jehovah is pure, enlightening the eyes.
The fear of Jehovah is clean, standing forever;
the judgments of Jehovah are truth and righteous altogether.
(Psalm 19:7-9)
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
AC 3380 - "being blessed"
AC 3380
... the signification of "being blessed,"
as being to be made fruitful in good
and to be multiplied in truths....
... the signification of "being blessed,"
as being to be made fruitful in good
and to be multiplied in truths....
Monday, July 30, 2007
AC 3364 - doctrinal things
AC 3364
... there is no doctrinal thing,
nor the smallest part of one,
that is not from the Lord,
because the Lord is doctrine itself.
Hence it is that the Lord is called the "Word,"
because the "Word" is doctrine...
... there is no doctrinal thing,
nor the smallest part of one,
that is not from the Lord,
because the Lord is doctrine itself.
Hence it is that the Lord is called the "Word,"
because the "Word" is doctrine...
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Saturday, July 28, 2007
AC 3330 - the spiritual person in the beginning
AC 3330
That in the spiritual person, in the beginning truth, has the dominion,
is chiefly because in his first state there are delights
of the love of self and of the world which he believes to be good,
and which apply themselves to his truths,
and for the most part produce the affection of truth in him;
for he thinks that truths may be serviceable to him
either for honor, or for gain, or for reputation in the world,
or even for merit in the other life.
All these things excite this affection of truth in him,
and also enkindle it;
and yet they are not good, but evil.
Nevertheless the Lord permits
that such things should influence him in that first time,
because otherwise he could not be regenerated.
Intelligence and wisdom come in time;
in the meanwhile
through these truths the person is introduced into good,
that is, into charity;
and when he is in this,
then for the first time
he perceives what is good, and acts from good,
and then judges and draws conclusions from this good concerning truths;
and those which do not accord with this good he calls false, and rejects.
Thus he rules over truths as a master over his servants.
That in the spiritual person, in the beginning truth, has the dominion,
is chiefly because in his first state there are delights
of the love of self and of the world which he believes to be good,
and which apply themselves to his truths,
and for the most part produce the affection of truth in him;
for he thinks that truths may be serviceable to him
either for honor, or for gain, or for reputation in the world,
or even for merit in the other life.
All these things excite this affection of truth in him,
and also enkindle it;
and yet they are not good, but evil.
Nevertheless the Lord permits
that such things should influence him in that first time,
because otherwise he could not be regenerated.
Intelligence and wisdom come in time;
in the meanwhile
through these truths the person is introduced into good,
that is, into charity;
and when he is in this,
then for the first time
he perceives what is good, and acts from good,
and then judges and draws conclusions from this good concerning truths;
and those which do not accord with this good he calls false, and rejects.
Thus he rules over truths as a master over his servants.
AC 3325 - slaying the firstborn
AC 3325 [12]
... when a person enters into the arcana of faith,
and no longer believes anything
but that which he can apprehend
in accordance with the senses and memory-knowledge -
he then perverts and extinguishes the things of the doctrine of faith,
and especially the things of charity.
This is what is represented in the internal sense by
the firstborn of men and the firstborn of beasts in Egypt being slain...
... when a person enters into the arcana of faith,
and no longer believes anything
but that which he can apprehend
in accordance with the senses and memory-knowledge -
he then perverts and extinguishes the things of the doctrine of faith,
and especially the things of charity.
This is what is represented in the internal sense by
the firstborn of men and the firstborn of beasts in Egypt being slain...
Friday, July 27, 2007
AC 3316 [3] - spiritual ideas of natural things
AC 3316 [3]
It is the same with other things in the Word; as for example when a person reads of bread, the angels have no perception of bread, but instantly instead of bread they perceive celestial love and all that belongs thereto, that is, to love to the Lord; and when wine is read of in the Word, they do not perceive wine, but instead of wine spiritual love and all that belongs thereto, that is, to love toward the neighbor. So when pottage is read of, they do not perceive pottage, but doctrinal things not yet conjoined with good, thus an inordinated mass of them.
This shows the nature and quality of the angelic thought and perception, and how remote it is from the thought and perception of a person. If a person thought in like manner when he is in a holy state, as when he attends the Holy Supper, and instead of bread perceived love to the Lord, and instead of wine love toward the neighbor, he would be in thought and perception like that of the angels, who would then approach nearer to him, till at last they could consociate their thoughts, but only so far as the person was at the same time in good.
It is the same with other things in the Word; as for example when a person reads of bread, the angels have no perception of bread, but instantly instead of bread they perceive celestial love and all that belongs thereto, that is, to love to the Lord; and when wine is read of in the Word, they do not perceive wine, but instead of wine spiritual love and all that belongs thereto, that is, to love toward the neighbor. So when pottage is read of, they do not perceive pottage, but doctrinal things not yet conjoined with good, thus an inordinated mass of them.
This shows the nature and quality of the angelic thought and perception, and how remote it is from the thought and perception of a person. If a person thought in like manner when he is in a holy state, as when he attends the Holy Supper, and instead of bread perceived love to the Lord, and instead of wine love toward the neighbor, he would be in thought and perception like that of the angels, who would then approach nearer to him, till at last they could consociate their thoughts, but only so far as the person was at the same time in good.
AC 3316 & 3318 - doctrinal mess & the Lord's love
AC 3316
And Jacob boiled pottage. (Genesis 25:29)
... this signifies a chaotic mass of doctrinal things...
[2] The first state of the person who is being regenerated, or in whom truth is being conjoined with good, is that first of all in his natural person, or in its storehouse called the memory, there are amassed the doctrinal things of truth without any certain order. The doctrinal things at that time may be compared to some undigested and uncompounded mass, and to a kind of chaos. But this is to the end that they may be reduced to order, for whatever is to be reduced to order is at first in this state of confusion; and this is what is signified by the pottage which Jacob boiled....
These doctrinal things are not reduced to order by themselves,
but by the good which flows into them,
and the good reduces them into order
in exact proportion to the amount and the quality of its action upon them.
AC 3318 [2]
Good itself,
which has life from the Lord,
or which is life,
is that which flows in and disposes. (or orders, acts upon)
[3] ...temptations remove all that is of the love of self
and of contempt for others in comparison with self,
consequently all that is of self-glory,
and also of hatred and revenge on this account.
When therefore the vessels have been somewhat
tempered and subdued by temptations,
they begin to become yielding to, and compliant with,
the life of the Lord's love,
which continually flows in with a person.
And Jacob boiled pottage. (Genesis 25:29)
... this signifies a chaotic mass of doctrinal things...
[2] The first state of the person who is being regenerated, or in whom truth is being conjoined with good, is that first of all in his natural person, or in its storehouse called the memory, there are amassed the doctrinal things of truth without any certain order. The doctrinal things at that time may be compared to some undigested and uncompounded mass, and to a kind of chaos. But this is to the end that they may be reduced to order, for whatever is to be reduced to order is at first in this state of confusion; and this is what is signified by the pottage which Jacob boiled....
These doctrinal things are not reduced to order by themselves,
but by the good which flows into them,
and the good reduces them into order
in exact proportion to the amount and the quality of its action upon them.
AC 3318 [2]
Good itself,
which has life from the Lord,
or which is life,
is that which flows in and disposes. (or orders, acts upon)
[3] ...temptations remove all that is of the love of self
and of contempt for others in comparison with self,
consequently all that is of self-glory,
and also of hatred and revenge on this account.
When therefore the vessels have been somewhat
tempered and subdued by temptations,
they begin to become yielding to, and compliant with,
the life of the Lord's love,
which continually flows in with a person.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
AC 3310 - doing good from doctrine
AC 3310 [3]
The case here is as with one who by nature inclines to adulteries, thefts, and murders, but who learns from the commandments of the decalogue that such things are of hell, and so abstains from them. In this state he is affected by the commandments because he is afraid of hell, and from these and likewise from many things in the Word he learns how he ought to direct his life; and in this case when he does what is good, he does it from the commandments.
But when he is in good, he begins to be averse to the adulteries, thefts, and murders to which before he had been inclined; and when he is in this state, he no longer does what is good from the commandments, but from good, which then is in him. In the former state he learns good from truth; in the later state he teaches truth from good.
The case here is as with one who by nature inclines to adulteries, thefts, and murders, but who learns from the commandments of the decalogue that such things are of hell, and so abstains from them. In this state he is affected by the commandments because he is afraid of hell, and from these and likewise from many things in the Word he learns how he ought to direct his life; and in this case when he does what is good, he does it from the commandments.
But when he is in good, he begins to be averse to the adulteries, thefts, and murders to which before he had been inclined; and when he is in this state, he no longer does what is good from the commandments, but from good, which then is in him. In the former state he learns good from truth; in the later state he teaches truth from good.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
AC 3304 - reading the Word
AC 3304 [3]
In every one who is in a holy state while reading the Word,
there is a union of his external man which is on the earth,
with his internal man which is in heaven.
In every one who is in a holy state while reading the Word,
there is a union of his external man which is on the earth,
with his internal man which is in heaven.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
AC 3293 - natural good and truth
AC 3293
The natural, like the rational, consists of good and truth;
the good in the natural is all that which is of natural affection,
and is called delight;
but the truth is all that which is of the memory,
and is called memory-knowledge....
In order therefore for the natural to be human
it must consist of both,
the one being perfected by the other;
but it has its real life from the good.
The natural, like the rational, consists of good and truth;
the good in the natural is all that which is of natural affection,
and is called delight;
but the truth is all that which is of the memory,
and is called memory-knowledge....
In order therefore for the natural to be human
it must consist of both,
the one being perfected by the other;
but it has its real life from the good.
Monday, July 23, 2007
AC 3267 - the person who is in charity
AC 3267 [3]
He who is in charity loves his neighbor,
and when the neighbor differs from him in matters of belief,
he excuses it
provided that his neighbor lives in good and truth.
He also does not condemn the well-disposed Gentiles,
although they are ignorant of the Lord,
and do not know anything of the faith.
For he who is in charity, that is, who lives in good,
receives from the Lord truths of such a quality as agree with his good,
and Gentiles receive such truths
as in the other life may be bent into truths of faith.
He who is in charity loves his neighbor,
and when the neighbor differs from him in matters of belief,
he excuses it
provided that his neighbor lives in good and truth.
He also does not condemn the well-disposed Gentiles,
although they are ignorant of the Lord,
and do not know anything of the faith.
For he who is in charity, that is, who lives in good,
receives from the Lord truths of such a quality as agree with his good,
and Gentiles receive such truths
as in the other life may be bent into truths of faith.
Sunday, July 22, 2007
AC 3245 - Isacc & Jacob and the Divine Human
AC 3245 [2]
There are two things which properly constitute the Human,
namely, the rational and the natural;
the Lord's rational was represented by Isaac,
and His natural by Jacob;
the Lord made them both Divine;
how He made the rational Divine
is contained in what was said of Isaac,
but how He made the natural Divine
is contained in what was said of Jacob....
There are two things which properly constitute the Human,
namely, the rational and the natural;
the Lord's rational was represented by Isaac,
and His natural by Jacob;
the Lord made them both Divine;
how He made the rational Divine
is contained in what was said of Isaac,
but how He made the natural Divine
is contained in what was said of Jacob....
Saturday, July 21, 2007
AC 3241 - in the other life
AC 3241
... in the other life
every one receives from the Lord a lot
in accordance with his good of life,
and not in accordance with his truth of doctrine
separated from the good of life.
... in the other life
every one receives from the Lord a lot
in accordance with his good of life,
and not in accordance with his truth of doctrine
separated from the good of life.
Friday, July 20, 2007
AC 3236 - What is spiritual good?
AC 3236 [2]
Spiritual good in a person is, in general,
what is called the good of faith,
and this is no other than charity toward the neighbor;
but in order that it may be charity,
it must come from the new will
with which the spiritual man is gifted by the Lord.
Spiritual good in a person is, in general,
what is called the good of faith,
and this is no other than charity toward the neighbor;
but in order that it may be charity,
it must come from the new will
with which the spiritual man is gifted by the Lord.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
AC 3225 - ?????
AC 3225
... there is correspondence
between those things which are of the light of heaven
and those which are of the light of the world,
that is,
between those things which are of the internal or spiritual person
and those which are of the external or natural person;
and there is representation in regard to
whatever comes forth in the things which are of the light of the world
(that is, in regard to whatever comes forth in the external or natural man),
relatively to those which are of that light of heaven,
that is, which are from the internal or spiritual person.
... there is correspondence
between those things which are of the light of heaven
and those which are of the light of the world,
that is,
between those things which are of the internal or spiritual person
and those which are of the external or natural person;
and there is representation in regard to
whatever comes forth in the things which are of the light of the world
(that is, in regard to whatever comes forth in the external or natural man),
relatively to those which are of that light of heaven,
that is, which are from the internal or spiritual person.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
AC 3207 - What are appearances of truth?
AC 3207 [5]
In order that some idea may be formed of what appearances of truth are,
let the following examples serve for illustration:
I. A person believes that he is reformed and regenerated
through the truth of faith;
but this is an appearance;
he is reformed and regenerated through the good of faith,
that is toward charity toward the neighbor and love to the Lord.
II. A person believes that truth enables us to perceive what good is,
because it teaches;
but this is an appearance;
it is good that enables truth to perceive,
for good is the soul or life of truth.
III. A person believes that truth introduces to good
when he lives according to the truth which he has learned;
but it is good which flows into truth,
and introduces it to itself.
IV. It appears to a person that truth perfects good,
when yet good perfects truth.
V. Goods of life appear to a person to be the fruits of faith;
but they are the fruits of charity.
In order that some idea may be formed of what appearances of truth are,
let the following examples serve for illustration:
I. A person believes that he is reformed and regenerated
through the truth of faith;
but this is an appearance;
he is reformed and regenerated through the good of faith,
that is toward charity toward the neighbor and love to the Lord.
II. A person believes that truth enables us to perceive what good is,
because it teaches;
but this is an appearance;
it is good that enables truth to perceive,
for good is the soul or life of truth.
III. A person believes that truth introduces to good
when he lives according to the truth which he has learned;
but it is good which flows into truth,
and introduces it to itself.
IV. It appears to a person that truth perfects good,
when yet good perfects truth.
V. Goods of life appear to a person to be the fruits of faith;
but they are the fruits of charity.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Monday, July 16, 2007
AC 3166 - What is good? What is truth?
AC 3166
There is nothing in the universe that does not refer to good and truth;
whatever is of use, and of life,
refers to good;
but whatever is of doctrine and memory-knowledge,
especially concerning use and life,
refers to truth;
or what is the same,
whatever is of the will, is called good or evil,
but whatever is of the understanding is called truth or falsity...
There is nothing in the universe that does not refer to good and truth;
whatever is of use, and of life,
refers to good;
but whatever is of doctrine and memory-knowledge,
especially concerning use and life,
refers to truth;
or what is the same,
whatever is of the will, is called good or evil,
but whatever is of the understanding is called truth or falsity...
AC 3158 - freedom & liberty
AC 3158 [2]
... in order that truth may be received by the good which is of the will,
it is necessary that there be a free state.
All that is of the will appears free;
the very state of willing is liberty;
for that which I will,
that I choose,
that I long for,
because I love it and acknowledge it as good.
All this shows that truth,
which is of faith,
never becomes a person's as his until it has been received by the will...
... in order that truth may be received by the good which is of the will,
it is necessary that there be a free state.
All that is of the will appears free;
the very state of willing is liberty;
for that which I will,
that I choose,
that I long for,
because I love it and acknowledge it as good.
All this shows that truth,
which is of faith,
never becomes a person's as his until it has been received by the will...
Sunday, July 15, 2007
AC 3147 - What makes good works good?
AC 3147 [7]
Good works are evil works unless those things are removed
which are of the love of self and of the world;
for when works are done before these have been removed,
they indeed appear good outwardly,
but are evil inwardly;
for they are done either for the sake of reputation, or for gain,
or for the sake of one's honor, or for recompense,
thus they are either self-meritorious or hypocritical;
for that which is of the love of self and the world causes the works to be such.
But when these evils are removed,
the works become good;
and they are goods of charity;
that is, in them there is not regard to self, to the world,
to reputation, to recompense;
thus they are neither self-meritorious nor hypocritical;
for then celestial love and spiritual love flow in from the Lord into the works
and cause them to be love and charity in act;
and then the Lord through these loves
also purifies the natural or external man,
and disposes it into order,
so as to receive correspondently
the celestial and spiritual things that flow in.
Good works are evil works unless those things are removed
which are of the love of self and of the world;
for when works are done before these have been removed,
they indeed appear good outwardly,
but are evil inwardly;
for they are done either for the sake of reputation, or for gain,
or for the sake of one's honor, or for recompense,
thus they are either self-meritorious or hypocritical;
for that which is of the love of self and the world causes the works to be such.
But when these evils are removed,
the works become good;
and they are goods of charity;
that is, in them there is not regard to self, to the world,
to reputation, to recompense;
thus they are neither self-meritorious nor hypocritical;
for then celestial love and spiritual love flow in from the Lord into the works
and cause them to be love and charity in act;
and then the Lord through these loves
also purifies the natural or external man,
and disposes it into order,
so as to receive correspondently
the celestial and spiritual things that flow in.
AC 3146 - production
AC 3146
For as light without heat produces nothing,
so faith produces nothing without love.
For as light without heat produces nothing,
so faith produces nothing without love.
AC 3142 - "For I have swept the house." (Genesis 24:31)
AC 3142
For I have swept the house.
The reason "to sweep" signifies to prepare and to be filled,
is that nothing else is required of a person than to sweep the house;
that is, to reject the cupidities of evil and the derivative persuasions of falsity;
for he is then filled with goods,
because good is continually flowing in from the Lord....
For I have swept the house.
The reason "to sweep" signifies to prepare and to be filled,
is that nothing else is required of a person than to sweep the house;
that is, to reject the cupidities of evil and the derivative persuasions of falsity;
for he is then filled with goods,
because good is continually flowing in from the Lord....
Saturday, July 14, 2007
AC 3128 [3] - Divine good fits in
AC 3128 [3]
Divine good with a person inflows into his rational,
and through the rational into his natural,
and indeed into its memory-knowledges,
that is, into the knowledges and doctrinal things...
and there by a fitting of itself in,
it forms truths for itself,
through which it then enlightens all things that are in the natural man.
But if the life of the natural man is such
that it does not receive the Divine good,
but either repels it, or perverts it, or suffocates it,
then the Divine good cannot be fitted in,
thus it cannot form for itself truths;
and consequently the natural can no longer be enlightened;
for enlightenment in the natural man is effected from good through truths;
and when there is no longer enlightenment, there can be no reformation.
Divine good with a person inflows into his rational,
and through the rational into his natural,
and indeed into its memory-knowledges,
that is, into the knowledges and doctrinal things...
and there by a fitting of itself in,
it forms truths for itself,
through which it then enlightens all things that are in the natural man.
But if the life of the natural man is such
that it does not receive the Divine good,
but either repels it, or perverts it, or suffocates it,
then the Divine good cannot be fitted in,
thus it cannot form for itself truths;
and consequently the natural can no longer be enlightened;
for enlightenment in the natural man is effected from good through truths;
and when there is no longer enlightenment, there can be no reformation.
Friday, July 13, 2007
AC 3122 - mercy from the Lord
AC 3122 [2]
But it is otherwise with the spiritual;
these think concerning the things of faith;
and when being reformed and regenerated
they are introduced by means of the things of faith
into charity toward the neighbor.
And therefore, when the spiritual are treated of,
by "mercy from the Lord"
is meant an influx of charity toward the neighbor;
and by "truth" is meant an influx of faith.
But it is otherwise with the spiritual;
these think concerning the things of faith;
and when being reformed and regenerated
they are introduced by means of the things of faith
into charity toward the neighbor.
And therefore, when the spiritual are treated of,
by "mercy from the Lord"
is meant an influx of charity toward the neighbor;
and by "truth" is meant an influx of faith.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
AC 3094 - enlightenment & the light of heaven
AC 3094 [2]
There is nothing else that receives good but truth,
and such as is the truth, such is the reception,
and such is the consequent enlightenment.
When therefore there is enlightenment by means of truth,
the enlightenment appears to be from the truth, as if it were its own;
although it is of good, which thus gives light through the truth....
The light of heaven is from the Divine good of the Lord
through His Divine truth;
and because it is through the Divine truth in His Human,
it penetrates not only to those who are celestial, but also to the spiritual,
and enlightens with wisdom and intelligence all who are in heaven.
And because this is the source of wisdom and intelligence,
therefore the Divine good and the Divine truth in the Lord's Human
are so much treated of in the internal sense of the Word....
There is nothing else that receives good but truth,
and such as is the truth, such is the reception,
and such is the consequent enlightenment.
When therefore there is enlightenment by means of truth,
the enlightenment appears to be from the truth, as if it were its own;
although it is of good, which thus gives light through the truth....
The light of heaven is from the Divine good of the Lord
through His Divine truth;
and because it is through the Divine truth in His Human,
it penetrates not only to those who are celestial, but also to the spiritual,
and enlightens with wisdom and intelligence all who are in heaven.
And because this is the source of wisdom and intelligence,
therefore the Divine good and the Divine truth in the Lord's Human
are so much treated of in the internal sense of the Word....
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
AC 3071 - And I will give thy camels drink also. (Gen. 24:14)
AC 3071
And I will give thy camels drink also.
That this signifies
the enlightenment of all memory-knowledges in the natural man
is evident from
the signification of "camels," as being general memory-knowledges...
and from the signification of "giving to drink," as be to enlighten.
That "drawing water" denotes to instruct...
thus to "give to drink" denotes to enlighten;
for enlightenment comes from instruction.
And I will give thy camels drink also.
That this signifies
the enlightenment of all memory-knowledges in the natural man
is evident from
the signification of "camels," as being general memory-knowledges...
and from the signification of "giving to drink," as be to enlighten.
That "drawing water" denotes to instruct...
thus to "give to drink" denotes to enlighten;
for enlightenment comes from instruction.
Monday, July 09, 2007
AC 3049 - such as the use, such is the good
AC 3049
In themselves general memory-knowledges are not goods, nor are they alive;
it is the affection of them that causes them to be goods, and to be alive;
for when there is this affection they are for the sake of use;
since no one is affected by any memory-knowledge or truth
except for some use; use makes it a good;
and such as the use, such is the good.
In themselves general memory-knowledges are not goods, nor are they alive;
it is the affection of them that causes them to be goods, and to be alive;
for when there is this affection they are for the sake of use;
since no one is affected by any memory-knowledge or truth
except for some use; use makes it a good;
and such as the use, such is the good.
Sunday, July 08, 2007
AC 3030 - the common way the rational is formed in a person
AC 3030 [2]
The genuine rational is from good,
but comes forth from truth.
Good flows in by an internal way;
but truth by an external way.
Good thus conjoins itself with truth in the rational,
and they cause the rational to be.
Unless the good therein is conjoined with truth,
there is no rational;
although there appears to be,
because a person can reason.
The genuine rational is from good,
but comes forth from truth.
Good flows in by an internal way;
but truth by an external way.
Good thus conjoins itself with truth in the rational,
and they cause the rational to be.
Unless the good therein is conjoined with truth,
there is no rational;
although there appears to be,
because a person can reason.
Saturday, July 07, 2007
AC 3024 - affections effect
AC 3024
All conjunction of truth with good is effected by means of affection;
for no truth can possibly enter into a person's rational and be conjoined there,
except by means of affection;
for in affection is the good of love, which alone conjoins...
All conjunction of truth with good is effected by means of affection;
for no truth can possibly enter into a person's rational and be conjoined there,
except by means of affection;
for in affection is the good of love, which alone conjoins...
Friday, July 06, 2007
AC 3017 - And Jehovah blessed Abraham in all things. (Genesis 24:1)
AC 3017
And Jehovah blessed Abraham in all things. (Genesis 24:1)
... this signifies when all things were disposed by the Lord into Divine order...
that His Divine rational, represented by Isaac,
which was conceived from the Divine Good represented by Abraham,
and was born of the Divine Truth represented by Sarah,
was now disposed into such Divine order
that Divine truths from the Human could be conjoined with it.
These are the arcana contained in this chapter in the internal sense,
concerning which the angels have clear light from the Lord.
For in the light of heaven these things are open as in clear day;
whereas in the light of the world in which people are,
scarcely anything is so,
except something in an obscure manner with one who is regenerate,
for he also is in some light of heaven.
And Jehovah blessed Abraham in all things. (Genesis 24:1)
... this signifies when all things were disposed by the Lord into Divine order...
that His Divine rational, represented by Isaac,
which was conceived from the Divine Good represented by Abraham,
and was born of the Divine Truth represented by Sarah,
was now disposed into such Divine order
that Divine truths from the Human could be conjoined with it.
These are the arcana contained in this chapter in the internal sense,
concerning which the angels have clear light from the Lord.
For in the light of heaven these things are open as in clear day;
whereas in the light of the world in which people are,
scarcely anything is so,
except something in an obscure manner with one who is regenerate,
for he also is in some light of heaven.
Thursday, July 05, 2007
AC 3004 - the two names of our Lord, Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ
AC 3004
When these names are used,
few have any other idea than that they are proper names
and almost like the names of any other man, but more holy....
By the name "Jesus," when named by a man who is reading the Word,
the angels perceive Divine good;
and by "Christ," Divine truth;
and by the two names,
the Divine marriage of good and truth, and of truth and good;
thus the whole Divine in the heavenly marriage, which is heaven.
AC 3005
That "Jesus" is Divine good comes from the fact that
"Jesus" means "safety," "salvation," and Saviour;"
and because it means these, it signifies the Divine good;
for all salvation is from the Divine good which is of the Lord's love and mercy;
and thus is effected by the reception of that good.
That "Christ" is Divine truth comes from the fact that
the name means "Messiah," "Anointed," and "King;"
and that these names signify the Divine truth....
AC 3004
When these names are used,
few have any other idea than that they are proper names
and almost like the names of any other man, but more holy....
By the name "Jesus," when named by a man who is reading the Word,
the angels perceive Divine good;
and by "Christ," Divine truth;
and by the two names,
the Divine marriage of good and truth, and of truth and good;
thus the whole Divine in the heavenly marriage, which is heaven.
AC 3005
That "Jesus" is Divine good comes from the fact that
"Jesus" means "safety," "salvation," and Saviour;"
and because it means these, it signifies the Divine good;
for all salvation is from the Divine good which is of the Lord's love and mercy;
and thus is effected by the reception of that good.
That "Christ" is Divine truth comes from the fact that
the name means "Messiah," "Anointed," and "King;"
and that these names signify the Divine truth....
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
AC 2986 - a new church among the gentiles
AC 2986 [3]
The reason why a new church will be set up by the lord among the Gentiles, is that they have no principles of falsity contrary to the truths of faith, for they are ignorant of these truths. Principles of falsity imbued from infancy, and afterwards confirmed, must be shaken off before the man can be regenerated and become a church. In fact the Gentiles cannot by evils of life profane holy things, for no one can profane what is holy who knows not what it is. As the Gentiles are in ignorance, and are free from stumbling-blocks [or difficulties]. Thus their state is such that they are better able to receive truths than those who belong to the Church; and all those among them who are leading a good life receive truths without difficulty...
The reason why a new church will be set up by the lord among the Gentiles, is that they have no principles of falsity contrary to the truths of faith, for they are ignorant of these truths. Principles of falsity imbued from infancy, and afterwards confirmed, must be shaken off before the man can be regenerated and become a church. In fact the Gentiles cannot by evils of life profane holy things, for no one can profane what is holy who knows not what it is. As the Gentiles are in ignorance, and are free from stumbling-blocks [or difficulties]. Thus their state is such that they are better able to receive truths than those who belong to the Church; and all those among them who are leading a good life receive truths without difficulty...
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
AC 2967 - a merchant
AC 2967 [7]
That a "merchant" is one who procures for himself knowledges of truth and good, and thence intelligence and wisdom, is evident from the Lord's words:
The kingdom of the heavens is like unto a merchant man seeking goodly pearls; who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it; (Matthew 13: 45,46)
the "goodly pearl" is charity, or the good of faith.
That a "merchant" is one who procures for himself knowledges of truth and good, and thence intelligence and wisdom, is evident from the Lord's words:
The kingdom of the heavens is like unto a merchant man seeking goodly pearls; who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it; (Matthew 13: 45,46)
the "goodly pearl" is charity, or the good of faith.
Monday, July 02, 2007
AC 2946 - all good and truth are solely from the Lord
AC 2946 [2]
To the regenerate,
if not in the life of the body still in the other life,
it is given not only to know this,
but also to perceive it;
for all the angels are in the perception that it is so.
To the regenerate,
if not in the life of the body still in the other life,
it is given not only to know this,
but also to perceive it;
for all the angels are in the perception that it is so.
Sunday, July 01, 2007
AC 2930 - "soul"
AC 2930 [4]
Moreover "soul" in the Word signifies in the universal sense all life...
thus the soul of the body is its spirit,
for from this the body lives;
but the soul of the spirit is its still more internal life,
from which it has wisdom and understanding.
Moreover "soul" in the Word signifies in the universal sense all life...
thus the soul of the body is its spirit,
for from this the body lives;
but the soul of the spirit is its still more internal life,
from which it has wisdom and understanding.
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