AC 6952 [6]
He who looks downward,
wills what is evil and thinks what is false,
but he who is lifted upward by the Lord,
wills what is good and thinks what is true;
the uplifting by the Lord takes place actually,
and from this a removal from evils and falsities....
AC 6954
From himself man looks downward only,
that is, into the world, and to the earth,
because from himself he is in evil and falsity;
and when he looks thither, then the sensuous has dominion,
and interior things make no opposition,
because they follow the force of the stream, and yield to it.
Nevertheless, not from himself but from the Lord,
man looks upward, that is, to heaven and to the Lord,
which is effected by means of an uplifting;
and when the interiors are uplifted, the sensuous also is uplifted,
but its light is then obscured, because the light of heaven has dominion.
When this takes place,
good and truth from the Lord flow in, and are also received;
and this is meant by power communicated from the Divine.
Yet no others can be uplifted in this way
than those who have lived in the good of faith and of charity.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
AC 6943 - correspondences - communication & communion
AC 6943
... the historical sense of the letter is expressed by external things,
in the internal sense signifies internal things;
because in no other way
can the spiritual things of heaven be presented to men.
For man does not apprehend bare spiritual things,
neither can they be expressed in the words of human speech;
and therefore spiritual things have been described
by corresponding natural things,
and in this way they way have been given to man.
Thus the Word is helpful to man in the natural world,
and also to man in the spiritual world,
and hence there is communication of heaven with man, and communion.
... the historical sense of the letter is expressed by external things,
in the internal sense signifies internal things;
because in no other way
can the spiritual things of heaven be presented to men.
For man does not apprehend bare spiritual things,
neither can they be expressed in the words of human speech;
and therefore spiritual things have been described
by corresponding natural things,
and in this way they way have been given to man.
Thus the Word is helpful to man in the natural world,
and also to man in the spiritual world,
and hence there is communication of heaven with man, and communion.
Monday, April 28, 2008
AC 6921 - material things
AC 6921
... material things are like weights which induce slowness and retard,
because they bear the mind downward and immerse it in earthly things,
and thus remove it from the spiritual world,
where all clear discernment comes.
... material things are like weights which induce slowness and retard,
because they bear the mind downward and immerse it in earthly things,
and thus remove it from the spiritual world,
where all clear discernment comes.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
AC 6916 - living truths
AC 6916
... when anyone lives according to truths,
the truths themselves then become goods;
and therefore such as is the quality of the truth,
such becomes the good.
... when anyone lives according to truths,
the truths themselves then become goods;
and therefore such as is the quality of the truth,
such becomes the good.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
AC 6912 - those in falsities
AC 6912
... they who are in falsities never let go,
even though it were to eternity,
unless they are driven away.
... they who are in falsities never let go,
even though it were to eternity,
unless they are driven away.
AC 6895 - the coming of the Lord, and the supreme, spiritual & natural senses
AC 6895
The disciples said unto Jesus, Tell us when shall these things be?
and what is the sign of Thy coming,
and of the consummation of the age?
And he said that when all these things should come to pass,
Then shall appear the sign of the Son of man,
and then shall all the tribes of the earth wail,
and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven
with power and glory." (Matthew 24:3,30)
That by the "coming of the Lord"
is not meant His appearing with angels in the clouds,
but acknowledgment in hearts by love and faith;
also His appearing from the Word,
the inmost or supreme sense of which treats of the Lord alone.
This coming is meant by the coming of the Lord
which takes place when an old church is rejected,
and a new church is set up again by the Lord....
Joseph said unto his brethren, I die;
and visiting God will visit you,
and will make you come up out of this land unto the land
which He sware to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. (Genesis 1:24)
By "visiting to visit you," in the sense of the letter,
is here signified liberation from slavery in Egypt,
and introduction into the land of Canaan;
but this is not the spiritual content of the Word, but the natural.
The spiritual of the Word treats of the Lord,
of His kingdom and church, and of love and faith;
and therefore by "visiting to visit" in the spiritual sense
is meant liberation from falsities,
and thus initiation into what is of the Lord's church and kingdom,
thus the coming of the Lord in love and faith
with those who will be of the new church.
The disciples said unto Jesus, Tell us when shall these things be?
and what is the sign of Thy coming,
and of the consummation of the age?
And he said that when all these things should come to pass,
Then shall appear the sign of the Son of man,
and then shall all the tribes of the earth wail,
and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven
with power and glory." (Matthew 24:3,30)
That by the "coming of the Lord"
is not meant His appearing with angels in the clouds,
but acknowledgment in hearts by love and faith;
also His appearing from the Word,
the inmost or supreme sense of which treats of the Lord alone.
This coming is meant by the coming of the Lord
which takes place when an old church is rejected,
and a new church is set up again by the Lord....
Joseph said unto his brethren, I die;
and visiting God will visit you,
and will make you come up out of this land unto the land
which He sware to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. (Genesis 1:24)
By "visiting to visit you," in the sense of the letter,
is here signified liberation from slavery in Egypt,
and introduction into the land of Canaan;
but this is not the spiritual content of the Word, but the natural.
The spiritual of the Word treats of the Lord,
of His kingdom and church, and of love and faith;
and therefore by "visiting to visit" in the spiritual sense
is meant liberation from falsities,
and thus initiation into what is of the Lord's church and kingdom,
thus the coming of the Lord in love and faith
with those who will be of the new church.
Friday, April 25, 2008
AC 6880 - I AM
AC 6880
It appears to man as if the Divine truth
were not such that anything can come forth by means of it;
for it is believed that it is like a voice,
which being uttered with the lips, is dissipated.
But it is altogether otherwise:
the Divine truth proceeding from the Lord is the veriest reality,
and such a reality that all things have come forth from it,
and all things subsist from it;
for whatever proceeds from the Lord
is the veriest reality in the universe;
and such is the Divine truth,
which is called the "Word,"
through which all things were made.
It appears to man as if the Divine truth
were not such that anything can come forth by means of it;
for it is believed that it is like a voice,
which being uttered with the lips, is dissipated.
But it is altogether otherwise:
the Divine truth proceeding from the Lord is the veriest reality,
and such a reality that all things have come forth from it,
and all things subsist from it;
for whatever proceeds from the Lord
is the veriest reality in the universe;
and such is the Divine truth,
which is called the "Word,"
through which all things were made.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
AC 6865 - memory-knowledges in the light of the world vs. the light of heaven
AC 6865 [2 & 3]
For memory-knowledges are the most general vessels,
which sometimes appear contrary to truths,
until truths being let into them make them transparent,
and thus not to be noticed.
Moreover, memory-knowledges are full of the fallacies of the senses,
which cannot be dispelled
by those who are in mere knowledges from doctrine,
and not in the perception of truth from good;
mainly because the light of the world predominates with them,
which light appears clear so long as the light of heaven does not flow into it,
but as soon as the light of heaven flows in,
instead of light it becomes obscurity.
Hence it is that these persons are enlightened and clever
in the things of the world,
but obscured and dull in the things of heaven.
These believe themselves enlightened
when they have confirmed in themselves the doctrinal things of the church,
but it is a sensuous light from the light of the world
which then deceives them;
for doctrinal things of every kind can be confirmed,
as Jewish doctrinal things by the Jews,
enthusiastic ones by enthusiasts,
Socinian ones by the Socinians,
and heresies by heretics of every sort;
and when they have been confirmed,
they appear to them in the sensuous light as very truths.
But they who are in the light of heaven are in enlightenment from the Lord;
and before confirmations,
by looking into the memory-knowledges which are beneath
and are there arranged in order,
they discern whether it is a truth that may be confirmed or not.
Hence it is evident that these latter have an interior view,
which is above the memory-knowledges, and thus is distinct;
whereas the former have a lower view,
which is within the memory-knowledges,
and thus is an entangled one.
For memory-knowledges are the most general vessels,
which sometimes appear contrary to truths,
until truths being let into them make them transparent,
and thus not to be noticed.
Moreover, memory-knowledges are full of the fallacies of the senses,
which cannot be dispelled
by those who are in mere knowledges from doctrine,
and not in the perception of truth from good;
mainly because the light of the world predominates with them,
which light appears clear so long as the light of heaven does not flow into it,
but as soon as the light of heaven flows in,
instead of light it becomes obscurity.
Hence it is that these persons are enlightened and clever
in the things of the world,
but obscured and dull in the things of heaven.
These believe themselves enlightened
when they have confirmed in themselves the doctrinal things of the church,
but it is a sensuous light from the light of the world
which then deceives them;
for doctrinal things of every kind can be confirmed,
as Jewish doctrinal things by the Jews,
enthusiastic ones by enthusiasts,
Socinian ones by the Socinians,
and heresies by heretics of every sort;
and when they have been confirmed,
they appear to them in the sensuous light as very truths.
But they who are in the light of heaven are in enlightenment from the Lord;
and before confirmations,
by looking into the memory-knowledges which are beneath
and are there arranged in order,
they discern whether it is a truth that may be confirmed or not.
Hence it is evident that these latter have an interior view,
which is above the memory-knowledges, and thus is distinct;
whereas the former have a lower view,
which is within the memory-knowledges,
and thus is an entangled one.
AC 6864 - the work of the holy proceeding from the Lord
AC 6864
For the holy proceeding from the Lord not only disperses infesting falsities,
but also reduces all things into Divine order,
both those which are in the heavens, and those which are in the hells;
and causes the heavens to be most distinct
according to goods and derivative truths,
and the hells also to be most distinct
according to evils and the derivative falsities;
and likewise causes evils to be opposite to goods,
and falsities to truths,
in order that a spiritual equilibrium may exist,
and everything be in a free state.
For the holy proceeding from the Lord not only disperses infesting falsities,
but also reduces all things into Divine order,
both those which are in the heavens, and those which are in the hells;
and causes the heavens to be most distinct
according to goods and derivative truths,
and the hells also to be most distinct
according to evils and the derivative falsities;
and likewise causes evils to be opposite to goods,
and falsities to truths,
in order that a spiritual equilibrium may exist,
and everything be in a free state.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
AC 6859 - the origins of evil and falsity
AC 6859
There are two origins of evil, and also two origins of falsity.
One origin of evil is from falsity of doctrine or of religiosity;
the other is from the cupidities of the love of self and of the world.
As just said,
the falsity of the first origin is from falsity of doctrine or of religiosity;
and the falsity of the other origin
is from the evil of the cupidities of the said loves.
religiosity - piety, religiousness, showing off of religious activity
cupidities - avarice, greed, lust
(from various sources)
There are two origins of evil, and also two origins of falsity.
One origin of evil is from falsity of doctrine or of religiosity;
the other is from the cupidities of the love of self and of the world.
As just said,
the falsity of the first origin is from falsity of doctrine or of religiosity;
and the falsity of the other origin
is from the evil of the cupidities of the said loves.
religiosity - piety, religiousness, showing off of religious activity
cupidities - avarice, greed, lust
(from various sources)
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
AC 6844 - sensuous things
AC 6844 [2]
That sensuous things, which are the externals of the natural,
are of such a nature that they cannot receive the Divine,
is because they are in things worldly, bodily, and even earthly....
Hence it is that when a man is in these sensuous things,
and is thinking from them,
he thinks no otherwise of the Divine than as he thinks about earthly things,
and if he is in evil
he thinks from these sensuous things quite against the Divine.
Therefore if when a man is thinking about such things
as are of faith and love to God, he is in good;
he is elevated from the sensuous things
which are the externals of the natural, toward interior things,
consequently from earthly and worldly things
nearer to heavenly and spiritual things.
That sensuous things, which are the externals of the natural,
are of such a nature that they cannot receive the Divine,
is because they are in things worldly, bodily, and even earthly....
Hence it is that when a man is in these sensuous things,
and is thinking from them,
he thinks no otherwise of the Divine than as he thinks about earthly things,
and if he is in evil
he thinks from these sensuous things quite against the Divine.
Therefore if when a man is thinking about such things
as are of faith and love to God, he is in good;
he is elevated from the sensuous things
which are the externals of the natural, toward interior things,
consequently from earthly and worldly things
nearer to heavenly and spiritual things.
Monday, April 21, 2008
AC 6831 - the "angel of Jehovah"
AC 6381
The reason why the Divine Human is called the "angel of Jehovah,"
is that before the coming of the Lord,
when Jehovah passed through the heaven,
He appeared in a human form as an angel.
For the whole angelic heaven bears relation to a man,
which is called the Grand Man....
Therefore when the Divine Itself passed through the angelic heaven,
it appeared in a human form as an angel before those with whom he spoke:
this was the Divine Human of Jehovah before the coming of the Lord.
The Lord's Human when made Divine is the same,
for the Lord is Jehovah Himself in the Divine Human.
That the Lord as to the Divine Human is called an "angel,"...
is evident form many passages in the New Testament
where the Lord says that He was "sent by the Father;"
to be "sent" signifies to proceed,
the word "sent" in the Hebrew tongue
being the same as "angel."
The reason why the Divine Human is called the "angel of Jehovah,"
is that before the coming of the Lord,
when Jehovah passed through the heaven,
He appeared in a human form as an angel.
For the whole angelic heaven bears relation to a man,
which is called the Grand Man....
Therefore when the Divine Itself passed through the angelic heaven,
it appeared in a human form as an angel before those with whom he spoke:
this was the Divine Human of Jehovah before the coming of the Lord.
The Lord's Human when made Divine is the same,
for the Lord is Jehovah Himself in the Divine Human.
That the Lord as to the Divine Human is called an "angel,"...
is evident form many passages in the New Testament
where the Lord says that He was "sent by the Father;"
to be "sent" signifies to proceed,
the word "sent" in the Hebrew tongue
being the same as "angel."
Sunday, April 20, 2008
AC 6818 - degrees of charity
AC 6818
But not only is a man in the singular the neighbor,
but also the man in the plural.
For a society, smaller or greater, is the neighbor;
our country is the neighbor;
the church is the neighbor;
the Lord's kingdom is the neighbor;
and so above all is the Lord.
All these are the neighbor who is to be benefitted from charity.
These are also ascending degrees of the neighbor;
for a society of many is the neighbor
in a higher degree than is an individual man;
our country in a higher degree than a society;
in a still higher degree the church;
and in a still higher degree, the Lord's kingdom;
but in the highest degree, the Lord is the neighbor.
These ascending degrees are like the steps of a ladder,
at the top of which is the Lord.
But not only is a man in the singular the neighbor,
but also the man in the plural.
For a society, smaller or greater, is the neighbor;
our country is the neighbor;
the church is the neighbor;
the Lord's kingdom is the neighbor;
and so above all is the Lord.
All these are the neighbor who is to be benefitted from charity.
These are also ascending degrees of the neighbor;
for a society of many is the neighbor
in a higher degree than is an individual man;
our country in a higher degree than a society;
in a still higher degree the church;
and in a still higher degree, the Lord's kingdom;
but in the highest degree, the Lord is the neighbor.
These ascending degrees are like the steps of a ladder,
at the top of which is the Lord.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
AC 6810 - knowing about heaven
AC 6810
For they who know with certainty and believe in a life after death,
care for heavenly things, as being eternal and happy,
and not for worldly things except in so far as the necessities of life require.
For they who know with certainty and believe in a life after death,
care for heavenly things, as being eternal and happy,
and not for worldly things except in so far as the necessities of life require.
Friday, April 18, 2008
AC 6789 - living good, esteeming the Holy
AC 6789 [2]
Unless external truth is from internal truth,
it cannot be conjoined with good.
Take the Word as an illustration.
Unless the internal of the Word flows in
with those who read the Word
and abide in the literal sense,
no conjunction is effected of truth from the Word with good;
and the internal of the Word flows in and is conjoined with good
when the person esteems the Word holy;
and he esteems It holy when he is in good.
[3] Take as another illustration the Holy Supper.
Scarcely any know
that the "bread" therein signifies the Lord's love toward
the universal human race, and the reciprocity of the man;
and that the 'wine' signifies charity.
Nevertheless, with those who receive the bread and wine holily,
conjunction is effected with heaven with the the Lord through these;
and the good of love and charity flow in through the angels,
who then do not think of bread and wine,
but of love and charity.
Hence it is evident that external truth is conjoined with internal truth
when the person is in good,
without his knowing it.
Unless external truth is from internal truth,
it cannot be conjoined with good.
Take the Word as an illustration.
Unless the internal of the Word flows in
with those who read the Word
and abide in the literal sense,
no conjunction is effected of truth from the Word with good;
and the internal of the Word flows in and is conjoined with good
when the person esteems the Word holy;
and he esteems It holy when he is in good.
[3] Take as another illustration the Holy Supper.
Scarcely any know
that the "bread" therein signifies the Lord's love toward
the universal human race, and the reciprocity of the man;
and that the 'wine' signifies charity.
Nevertheless, with those who receive the bread and wine holily,
conjunction is effected with heaven with the the Lord through these;
and the good of love and charity flow in through the angels,
who then do not think of bread and wine,
but of love and charity.
Hence it is evident that external truth is conjoined with internal truth
when the person is in good,
without his knowing it.
AC 6788 - holy
AC 6788
... that which proceeds from the Lord's Divine Human
is Divine truth from Divine good.
Hence it is that the "holy spirit" is the holy which proceeds from the Lord;
for the Spirit itself does not proceed,
but the holy which the Spirit speaks,
as every one can understand who considers the matter.
... that which proceeds from the Lord's Divine Human
is Divine truth from Divine good.
Hence it is that the "holy spirit" is the holy which proceeds from the Lord;
for the Spirit itself does not proceed,
but the holy which the Spirit speaks,
as every one can understand who considers the matter.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
AC 6784 - more on truth winning over falsity
AC 6784 [2]
That true memory-knowledge prevails
over the power of the doctrine of falsity from evil,
is because the Divine is in all truth from good,
whereas in falsity from evil there is the contrary,
and what is contrary to the Divine does not prevail at all.
It is said falsity from evil, because this is truly falsity,
whereas falsity not from evil,
but from the ignorance of the truth, is not so.
Evil is that which is opposite to heaven,
but not falsity from ignorance;
nay, if in the ignorance there is anything of innocence,
then this falsity is accepted by the Lord as truth;
for they who are in such falsity receive truth.
That true memory-knowledge prevails
over the power of the doctrine of falsity from evil,
is because the Divine is in all truth from good,
whereas in falsity from evil there is the contrary,
and what is contrary to the Divine does not prevail at all.
It is said falsity from evil, because this is truly falsity,
whereas falsity not from evil,
but from the ignorance of the truth, is not so.
Evil is that which is opposite to heaven,
but not falsity from ignorance;
nay, if in the ignorance there is anything of innocence,
then this falsity is accepted by the Lord as truth;
for they who are in such falsity receive truth.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
AC 6757, 6765, 6769 - the burden of falsity and the safety of truth
AC 6757
... infestation by falsities are nothing else
than burdens to those who are in truths.
AC 6765
When a person is being regenerated,
he is let into combats against falsities,
and is then kept by the Lord in truth,
but in that truth which he had persuaded himself to be truth,
and from this truth he fights against falsity.
He can fight also from truth not genuine,
provided the truth is such that in some way it can be conjoined with good;
and it is conjoined with good by means of innocence,
for innocence is the means of conjunction.
So it is that people can be regenerated within the church from any doctrine,
but those pre-eminently who are in genuine truths.
AC 6769
... for they who are in truths are in safety wherever they go,
even in the midst of the hells.
... infestation by falsities are nothing else
than burdens to those who are in truths.
AC 6765
When a person is being regenerated,
he is let into combats against falsities,
and is then kept by the Lord in truth,
but in that truth which he had persuaded himself to be truth,
and from this truth he fights against falsity.
He can fight also from truth not genuine,
provided the truth is such that in some way it can be conjoined with good;
and it is conjoined with good by means of innocence,
for innocence is the means of conjunction.
So it is that people can be regenerated within the church from any doctrine,
but those pre-eminently who are in genuine truths.
AC 6769
... for they who are in truths are in safety wherever they go,
even in the midst of the hells.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
AC 6752 - Moses represented the law
AC 6752 [8]
As Moses represented the law, he was allowed to enter in unto the Lord on Mount Sinai, and not only to receive the tables of the law there, but also to hear the statutes and judgments of the law, and to deliver them to the people; and it is also said that "from this, they should believe in Moses forever;"
Jehovah said unto Moses,
Lo. I come unto thee in the thickness of the cloud,
that the people may hear when I speak with thee,
and may also believe in thee forever.
(Exodus 19:9)
it is said "in the thickness of the cloud"
because by a "cloud" is meant the Word in the letter,
and from this when Moses entered in unto the Lord on Mount Sinai,
it is said that he "entered into the cloud".
(... a "cloud" denotes the literal sense of the Word...)
As Moses represented the law, he was allowed to enter in unto the Lord on Mount Sinai, and not only to receive the tables of the law there, but also to hear the statutes and judgments of the law, and to deliver them to the people; and it is also said that "from this, they should believe in Moses forever;"
Jehovah said unto Moses,
Lo. I come unto thee in the thickness of the cloud,
that the people may hear when I speak with thee,
and may also believe in thee forever.
(Exodus 19:9)
it is said "in the thickness of the cloud"
because by a "cloud" is meant the Word in the letter,
and from this when Moses entered in unto the Lord on Mount Sinai,
it is said that he "entered into the cloud".
(... a "cloud" denotes the literal sense of the Word...)
Monday, April 14, 2008
AC 6745 - the holy hidden sense
AC 6745
I will set thee for a magnificence of eternity,
a joy of generation and generation;
and thou shalt suck the milk of the nations,
yea, thou shalt suck the breasts of kings.
(Isaiah 60:15,16)
Every one can see that in these words there lies hid a sense which does not appear in the letter, and that what lies hid in that sense is holy, because the Word is Divine; otherwise what could it mean to suck the milk of the nations, and to suck the breasts of kings?
The sense which lies hid and which is holy, is not at all manifest unless it it known what is signified by "sucking," and what by "milk," by "nations," by "breast," and by "kings"...
..."milk" denotes the spiritual of the celestial, or the truth of good...
..."nations" denote good in worship....
..."breasts" denote the affections of good and truth...
..."kings" denote truths...
..."to suck" denotes the insinuation of good.
I will set thee for a magnificence of eternity,
a joy of generation and generation;
and thou shalt suck the milk of the nations,
yea, thou shalt suck the breasts of kings.
(Isaiah 60:15,16)
Every one can see that in these words there lies hid a sense which does not appear in the letter, and that what lies hid in that sense is holy, because the Word is Divine; otherwise what could it mean to suck the milk of the nations, and to suck the breasts of kings?
The sense which lies hid and which is holy, is not at all manifest unless it it known what is signified by "sucking," and what by "milk," by "nations," by "breast," and by "kings"...
..."milk" denotes the spiritual of the celestial, or the truth of good...
..."nations" denote good in worship....
..."breasts" denote the affections of good and truth...
..."kings" denote truths...
..."to suck" denotes the insinuation of good.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
AC 6723 - Moses and the ark
AC 6723
[3] As it was provided that Moses should represent the Lord
as to the law Divine, or the Word, specifically the historic Word,
it was therefore brought about that
when he was an infant he was placed in a little ark,
but in one of low value, because he was in his first rising,
and because his being there was only a representative;
but that afterward
when the law Divine itself had shone forth from Mount Sinai,
it was placed in a an ark which was called the "ark of the testimony"
[4] Hence the ark was most holy,
because it represented the Lord's Divine Human as to the Divine law;
for from the Lord's Divine Human proceeds the Divine law,
or the Divine truth...
[3] As it was provided that Moses should represent the Lord
as to the law Divine, or the Word, specifically the historic Word,
it was therefore brought about that
when he was an infant he was placed in a little ark,
but in one of low value, because he was in his first rising,
and because his being there was only a representative;
but that afterward
when the law Divine itself had shone forth from Mount Sinai,
it was placed in a an ark which was called the "ark of the testimony"
[4] Hence the ark was most holy,
because it represented the Lord's Divine Human as to the Divine law;
for from the Lord's Divine Human proceeds the Divine law,
or the Divine truth...
Saturday, April 12, 2008
AC 6704, 6706 - charity and who is the neighbor?
AC 6704
The general opinion at the present day is that every person is equally the neighbor, and that every one who is in need of help must be benefited. But it is the part of Christian prudence to search well the quality of a person's life, and to exercise charity in accordance therewith.
AC 6706
The distinguishing difference of the neighbor, which the person of the church ought to wholly know, in order that he may know the quality of charity, vary in accordance with the good which is with every one; and as all good proceeds from the Lord, the Lord is the neighbor in the highest sense, and in a surpassing degree; and from Him the neighbor originates. From this if follows that in proportion as any one has of the Lord in him, in the same proportion he is the neighbor....
The general opinion at the present day is that every person is equally the neighbor, and that every one who is in need of help must be benefited. But it is the part of Christian prudence to search well the quality of a person's life, and to exercise charity in accordance therewith.
AC 6706
The distinguishing difference of the neighbor, which the person of the church ought to wholly know, in order that he may know the quality of charity, vary in accordance with the good which is with every one; and as all good proceeds from the Lord, the Lord is the neighbor in the highest sense, and in a surpassing degree; and from Him the neighbor originates. From this if follows that in proportion as any one has of the Lord in him, in the same proportion he is the neighbor....
Friday, April 11, 2008
AC 6692 - it is order
AC 6692 [2]
It is order
that the goods and truths which proceed from the Lord
should be received by a person.
When this is done,
there is order in everything the person intends and thinks.
It is order
that the goods and truths which proceed from the Lord
should be received by a person.
When this is done,
there is order in everything the person intends and thinks.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
AC 6677 - good is protected by the Lord
AC 6677
The reason why the king of Egypt said that a son should be slain, but not a daughter, is plain from the internal sense, which is that they would attempt to destroy truth, but not good; for when the infernals infest, they are allowed to attack truths, but not goods. The reason is that truths are what can be assaulted, but not goods, these being protected by the Lord; and when the infernals attempt to attack good, they are cast down deep into hell, for they cannot withstand the presence of good, because in all good the Lord is present. Hence it is that the angels, being in good, have such power over infernal spirits that one angel can master thousand of them. Be it known that there is life in good, for good is of love, and love is the life of man.
The reason why the king of Egypt said that a son should be slain, but not a daughter, is plain from the internal sense, which is that they would attempt to destroy truth, but not good; for when the infernals infest, they are allowed to attack truths, but not goods. The reason is that truths are what can be assaulted, but not goods, these being protected by the Lord; and when the infernals attempt to attack good, they are cast down deep into hell, for they cannot withstand the presence of good, because in all good the Lord is present. Hence it is that the angels, being in good, have such power over infernal spirits that one angel can master thousand of them. Be it known that there is life in good, for good is of love, and love is the life of man.
AC 6674 - names denote qualities
AC 6674 [6]
... the "name" of the Lord is everything of faith and love
by which the Lord is to be worshiped...
[8]
That the "name of Jehovah" denotes everything by which He is worshiped,
thus in the supreme sense everything that proceeds from the Lord...:
Jehovah bless thee and keep thee,
Jehovah make His faces to shine upon thee,
and have mercy on thee;
Jehovah lift up His faces upon thee,
and give thee peace.
(Numbers 69:24-26)
Thou shalt not take the name of thy God in vain;
for Jehovah will not hold him innocent
that takes his name in vain.
(Exodus 20:7)
Hallowed by Thy name.
(Matthew 6:9)
... the "name" of the Lord is everything of faith and love
by which the Lord is to be worshiped...
[8]
That the "name of Jehovah" denotes everything by which He is worshiped,
thus in the supreme sense everything that proceeds from the Lord...:
Jehovah bless thee and keep thee,
Jehovah make His faces to shine upon thee,
and have mercy on thee;
Jehovah lift up His faces upon thee,
and give thee peace.
(Numbers 69:24-26)
Thou shalt not take the name of thy God in vain;
for Jehovah will not hold him innocent
that takes his name in vain.
(Exodus 20:7)
Hallowed by Thy name.
(Matthew 6:9)
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
AC 6666 - as regards the intention to subjugate, such as exists with the evil who are from hell
subjugate -
1 : to bring under control and governance as a subject, conquer
2 : to make submissive, to subdue
AC 6666 [2]
Such is their (the hells) endeavor and intention to subjugate those who are in good and truth that it cannot be described; for they make use of all malice, all cunning and fraud, all deceit, and all cruelty, so great and of such a nature that if these were told in part only, hardly any one in the world could believe it; so cunning and artful are their devices, and so execrable. In a word, these infernals are of such a nature that they cannot possibly be resisted by any man, nor even by any angel, but by the Lord alone. The reason why they are possessed with such an endeavor and intention is that all their delight of life, thus their life itself, consists in doing evil; and therefore nothing else occupies their thoughts, consequently they intend nothing else. They are quite unable to do what is good, because this is repugnant to them: if they do what is good, it is for the sake of self, thus is done to self.
1 : to bring under control and governance as a subject, conquer
2 : to make submissive, to subdue
AC 6666 [2]
Such is their (the hells) endeavor and intention to subjugate those who are in good and truth that it cannot be described; for they make use of all malice, all cunning and fraud, all deceit, and all cruelty, so great and of such a nature that if these were told in part only, hardly any one in the world could believe it; so cunning and artful are their devices, and so execrable. In a word, these infernals are of such a nature that they cannot possibly be resisted by any man, nor even by any angel, but by the Lord alone. The reason why they are possessed with such an endeavor and intention is that all their delight of life, thus their life itself, consists in doing evil; and therefore nothing else occupies their thoughts, consequently they intend nothing else. They are quite unable to do what is good, because this is repugnant to them: if they do what is good, it is for the sake of self, thus is done to self.
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
AC 6663 - the use of spiritual combats
AC 6663
Most spirits who come from the world and have lived the life of the Lord's commandments, before they can be uplifted into heaven and joined to societies there, are infested by the evils and falsities pertaining to them, to the end that they may be removed; for there are impurities which they have contracted in the life of the body that in no wise agree with heaven. The infestations take place by their being immersed in their evils and falsities; and while they are in them, spirits who are in like evils and falsities are present, and labor by every means to lead them away from truth and good.
But still they are not immersed so deeply in their evils and falsities that the influx through the angels from the Lord may not prevail; and the balance is maintained with exactness. The purpose of this is, that he who is infested may seem to himself to be in freedom, and thus to fight against the evils and falsities of himself, yet with the acknowledgment, if not at the time, yet afterward, that all the power of resisting was from the Lord. When this is being done, not only are the truths and goods strengthened which have been implanted before, but more are insinuated, this being the result of every spiritual combat in which the combatant is victorious.
This is still more perfectly the case with spiritual combats, because the combat takes place in the spirit, and concerns goods and truths; and especially because the Lord is present and leads by the angels; for the contest is concerning eternal life and salvation.
It is common in such combats for the Lord to turn into good all the evils which the hells intend; wherefore it is not permitted them to bring forth more or other evils than can be turned into good that is suited to him who is in combat. The reason of this originates in the fact that the Lord's kingdom is the kingdom of uses, and therefore nothing can be done there that is not a source of good.
Most spirits who come from the world and have lived the life of the Lord's commandments, before they can be uplifted into heaven and joined to societies there, are infested by the evils and falsities pertaining to them, to the end that they may be removed; for there are impurities which they have contracted in the life of the body that in no wise agree with heaven. The infestations take place by their being immersed in their evils and falsities; and while they are in them, spirits who are in like evils and falsities are present, and labor by every means to lead them away from truth and good.
But still they are not immersed so deeply in their evils and falsities that the influx through the angels from the Lord may not prevail; and the balance is maintained with exactness. The purpose of this is, that he who is infested may seem to himself to be in freedom, and thus to fight against the evils and falsities of himself, yet with the acknowledgment, if not at the time, yet afterward, that all the power of resisting was from the Lord. When this is being done, not only are the truths and goods strengthened which have been implanted before, but more are insinuated, this being the result of every spiritual combat in which the combatant is victorious.
This is still more perfectly the case with spiritual combats, because the combat takes place in the spirit, and concerns goods and truths; and especially because the Lord is present and leads by the angels; for the contest is concerning eternal life and salvation.
It is common in such combats for the Lord to turn into good all the evils which the hells intend; wherefore it is not permitted them to bring forth more or other evils than can be turned into good that is suited to him who is in combat. The reason of this originates in the fact that the Lord's kingdom is the kingdom of uses, and therefore nothing can be done there that is not a source of good.
Monday, April 07, 2008
AC 6647 - stirred up
AC 6647
... when the man of the spiritual church is being regenerated,
truths are stirred up by the Lord through the angels who are with him,
and thereupon he is led into good.
But when the man has been regenerated,
then both truth and good together are stirred up,
and in this way he is led.
... when the man of the spiritual church is being regenerated,
truths are stirred up by the Lord through the angels who are with him,
and thereupon he is led into good.
But when the man has been regenerated,
then both truth and good together are stirred up,
and in this way he is led.
Sunday, April 06, 2008
AC 6637 - the activity that makes the church
AC6637
As Israel represents the good of truth, or spiritual good,
and his sons represent spiritual truths in the natural,
therefore the sons of Israel represent the church;
for the church is the church
from spiritual good and from the derivative truths.
He who is not in spiritual good, that is, in the good of charity,
and in spiritual truths, that is, in the truth of faith,
is not of the church, in spite of his having been born within it.
For the whole heavenly kingdom of the Lord
is in the good of love and of faith;
and unless the church is in the like, it cannot be the church,
because it is not conjoined with heaven,
for the church is the Lord's kingdom on earth.
[2] Its being called the church is not from the fact that the Word is there,
and that there are doctrinal things therefrom,
nor from the fact that the Lord is known there,
and that the sacraments are there;
but it is the church from the fact that men live according to the Word,
or according to doctrine from the Word,
and so that the doctrine is the rule of life....
Be it further known that every one who lives in the good of charity and of faith
is a church and kingdom of the Lord,
and from this is called a temple, and also a house, of God.
As Israel represents the good of truth, or spiritual good,
and his sons represent spiritual truths in the natural,
therefore the sons of Israel represent the church;
for the church is the church
from spiritual good and from the derivative truths.
He who is not in spiritual good, that is, in the good of charity,
and in spiritual truths, that is, in the truth of faith,
is not of the church, in spite of his having been born within it.
For the whole heavenly kingdom of the Lord
is in the good of love and of faith;
and unless the church is in the like, it cannot be the church,
because it is not conjoined with heaven,
for the church is the Lord's kingdom on earth.
[2] Its being called the church is not from the fact that the Word is there,
and that there are doctrinal things therefrom,
nor from the fact that the Lord is known there,
and that the sacraments are there;
but it is the church from the fact that men live according to the Word,
or according to doctrine from the Word,
and so that the doctrine is the rule of life....
Be it further known that every one who lives in the good of charity and of faith
is a church and kingdom of the Lord,
and from this is called a temple, and also a house, of God.
AC 6637 - the activity that makes the church
AC6637
As Israel represents the good of truth, or spiritual good,
and his sons represent spiritual truths in the natural,
therefore the sons of Israel represent the church;
for the church is the church
from spiritual good and from the derivative truths.
He who is not in spiritual good, that is, in the good of charity,
and in spiritual truths, that is, in the truth of faith,
is not of the church, in spite of his having been born with in it.
For the whole heavenly kingdom of the Lord
is in the good of love and of faith;
and unless the church is in the like, it cannot be the church,
because it is not conjoined with heaven,
for the church is the Lord's kingdom on earth.
[2] Its being called the church is not from the fact that the Word is there,
and that there are doctrinal things therefrom,
nor from the fact that the Lord is known there,
and that the sacraments are there;
but it is the church from the fact that men live according to the Word,
or according to doctrine from the Word,
and so that the doctrine is the rule of life....
Be it further known that every one who lives in the good of charity and of faith
is a church and kingdom of the Lord,
and from this is called a temple, and also a house, of God.
As Israel represents the good of truth, or spiritual good,
and his sons represent spiritual truths in the natural,
therefore the sons of Israel represent the church;
for the church is the church
from spiritual good and from the derivative truths.
He who is not in spiritual good, that is, in the good of charity,
and in spiritual truths, that is, in the truth of faith,
is not of the church, in spite of his having been born with in it.
For the whole heavenly kingdom of the Lord
is in the good of love and of faith;
and unless the church is in the like, it cannot be the church,
because it is not conjoined with heaven,
for the church is the Lord's kingdom on earth.
[2] Its being called the church is not from the fact that the Word is there,
and that there are doctrinal things therefrom,
nor from the fact that the Lord is known there,
and that the sacraments are there;
but it is the church from the fact that men live according to the Word,
or according to doctrine from the Word,
and so that the doctrine is the rule of life....
Be it further known that every one who lives in the good of charity and of faith
is a church and kingdom of the Lord,
and from this is called a temple, and also a house, of God.
Saturday, April 05, 2008
AC 6619 - the Lord's Prayer
AC 6619
That there are countless things in the ideas of thought,
and that those which are in order within them
are there from things more interior, was also evident to me
while I read the Lord's Prayer morning and evening.
The ideas of my thought were then always opened toward heaven,
and countless things flowed in,
so that I observed clearly that the ideas of thought
taken from the contents of the Prayer were filled from heaven....
from this I was given to know
that in the contents of this Prayer
there are more things
than the universal heaven is capable of comprehending....
That there are countless things in the ideas of thought,
and that those which are in order within them
are there from things more interior, was also evident to me
while I read the Lord's Prayer morning and evening.
The ideas of my thought were then always opened toward heaven,
and countless things flowed in,
so that I observed clearly that the ideas of thought
taken from the contents of the Prayer were filled from heaven....
from this I was given to know
that in the contents of this Prayer
there are more things
than the universal heaven is capable of comprehending....
Friday, April 04, 2008
AC 6587 - the internal of the church is willing good from the heart
AC 6587 [3]
The internal of the church consists in willing good from the heart,
and in being affected with good;
and its external consists in doing it,
and this according to the truth of faith which the man knows from good;
but the external of the church consists in the devout performance of rituals,
and in doing works of charity, according to the precepts of the church.
From this it is evident that the internal of the church
is the good of charity in the will.
Therefore when this ceases, the church itself also ceases,
for the good of charity is its essential.
External worship indeed remains afterward, as before,
but then it is not worship, but a rite,
which is preserved because it has been so appointed;
but this rite, which appears like worship, is like a shell without a kernel,
for it is an external which remains wherein is no internal.
The internal of the church consists in willing good from the heart,
and in being affected with good;
and its external consists in doing it,
and this according to the truth of faith which the man knows from good;
but the external of the church consists in the devout performance of rituals,
and in doing works of charity, according to the precepts of the church.
From this it is evident that the internal of the church
is the good of charity in the will.
Therefore when this ceases, the church itself also ceases,
for the good of charity is its essential.
External worship indeed remains afterward, as before,
but then it is not worship, but a rite,
which is preserved because it has been so appointed;
but this rite, which appears like worship, is like a shell without a kernel,
for it is an external which remains wherein is no internal.
Thursday, April 03, 2008
AC 6578 - And he comforted them, and spake upon their heart. (Genesis 50:21)
AC 6578
... there is a marriage of truth which is of the understanding,
and of good which is of the will, in every detail of the Word;
for "comforting" is said of the understanding,
and "speaking upon the heart," of the will;
therefore also his "comforting them" signifies hope,
for this is of the understanding by means of truth;
and his "speaking upon their heart" signifies trust,
for this is of the will by means of good...
genuine trust is impossible with any
but those who are in the good of charity;
and genuine hope with any
but those who are in the good of faith.
And he comforted them, and spake upon their heart.
(Genesis 50:21)
... there is a marriage of truth which is of the understanding,
and of good which is of the will, in every detail of the Word;
for "comforting" is said of the understanding,
and "speaking upon the heart," of the will;
therefore also his "comforting them" signifies hope,
for this is of the understanding by means of truth;
and his "speaking upon their heart" signifies trust,
for this is of the will by means of good...
genuine trust is impossible with any
but those who are in the good of charity;
and genuine hope with any
but those who are in the good of faith.
And he comforted them, and spake upon their heart.
(Genesis 50:21)
AC 6567 - the setting up again of a spiritual church
AC 6567
And his brethren also went and fell down before him,
and said, Behold we are thy servants.
(Genesis 50:18)
In this chapter is described the setting up again of a spiritual church, and in this passage the submission of the things in the natural under the internal; of which submission be it known that the spiritual church cannot possibly be instituted with any one, unless the things that belong to the natural or external person have been made submissive to the spiritual or internal person.
So long as the mere truth which is of faith predominates with a person, and not the good which is of charity, so long the natural or external person has not been made submissive to the spiritual or internal person. But as soon as good as the dominion, the natural or external person submits himself, and then the person becomes a spiritual church.
That such is the case is known from the fact that the person does from affection what the truth teaches, and that he does not act contrary to this affection, however the natural desires it. The very affection and consequent reason have the dominion, and subdue in the natural the delights of the love of self and of the world, as also the fallacies which had filled the memory-knowledges there; and at last so completely that this subjugation comes to be among the person's pleasures; and then the natural is at rest, and afterward is in agreement; and when it is in agreement, it then partakes of the pleasantness of the internal. From all this it may be known what is meant by the submission of the things in the natural under the internal, which is signified by "his brethren went and fell down before him, and said, Behold we are thy servants."
And his brethren also went and fell down before him,
and said, Behold we are thy servants.
(Genesis 50:18)
In this chapter is described the setting up again of a spiritual church, and in this passage the submission of the things in the natural under the internal; of which submission be it known that the spiritual church cannot possibly be instituted with any one, unless the things that belong to the natural or external person have been made submissive to the spiritual or internal person.
So long as the mere truth which is of faith predominates with a person, and not the good which is of charity, so long the natural or external person has not been made submissive to the spiritual or internal person. But as soon as good as the dominion, the natural or external person submits himself, and then the person becomes a spiritual church.
That such is the case is known from the fact that the person does from affection what the truth teaches, and that he does not act contrary to this affection, however the natural desires it. The very affection and consequent reason have the dominion, and subdue in the natural the delights of the love of self and of the world, as also the fallacies which had filled the memory-knowledges there; and at last so completely that this subjugation comes to be among the person's pleasures; and then the natural is at rest, and afterward is in agreement; and when it is in agreement, it then partakes of the pleasantness of the internal. From all this it may be known what is meant by the submission of the things in the natural under the internal, which is signified by "his brethren went and fell down before him, and said, Behold we are thy servants."
AC 6567 - the setting up again of a spiritual church
AC 6567
And his brethren also went and fell down before him,
and said, Behold we are thy servants..
(Genesis 50:18)
In this chapter is described the setting up again of a spiritual church, and in this passage the submission of the things in the natural under the internal; of which submission be it known that the spiritual church cannot possibly be instituted with any one, unless the things that belong to the natural or external person have been made submissive to the spiritual or internal person.
So long as the mere truth which is of faith predominates with a person, and not the good which is of charity, so long the natural or external person has not been made submissive to the spiritual or internal person. But as soon as good as the dominion, the natural or external person submits himself, and then the person becomes a spiritual church.
That such is the case is known from the fact that the person does from affection what the truth teaches, and that he does not act contrary to this affection, however the natural desires it. The very affection and consequent reason have the dominion, and subdue in the natural the delights of the love of self and of the world, as also the fallacies which had filled the memory-knowledges there; and at last so completely that this subjugation comes to be among the person's pleasures; and then the natural is at rest, and afterward is in agreement; and when it is in agreement, it then partakes of the pleasantness of the internal. From all this it may be known what is meant by the submission of the things in the natural under the internal, which is signified by "his brethren went and fell down before him, and said, Behold we are thy servants."
And his brethren also went and fell down before him,
and said, Behold we are thy servants..
(Genesis 50:18)
In this chapter is described the setting up again of a spiritual church, and in this passage the submission of the things in the natural under the internal; of which submission be it known that the spiritual church cannot possibly be instituted with any one, unless the things that belong to the natural or external person have been made submissive to the spiritual or internal person.
So long as the mere truth which is of faith predominates with a person, and not the good which is of charity, so long the natural or external person has not been made submissive to the spiritual or internal person. But as soon as good as the dominion, the natural or external person submits himself, and then the person becomes a spiritual church.
That such is the case is known from the fact that the person does from affection what the truth teaches, and that he does not act contrary to this affection, however the natural desires it. The very affection and consequent reason have the dominion, and subdue in the natural the delights of the love of self and of the world, as also the fallacies which had filled the memory-knowledges there; and at last so completely that this subjugation comes to be among the person's pleasures; and then the natural is at rest, and afterward is in agreement; and when it is in agreement, it then partakes of the pleasantness of the internal. From all this it may be known what is meant by the submission of the things in the natural under the internal, which is signified by "his brethren went and fell down before him, and said, Behold we are thy servants."
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
AC 6534 - "horsemen"
AC 6534 [1-2]
... "horsemen" denote things that belong to the intellect or understanding...
In thine honor mount up, and ride upon the Word of truth,
and of gentleness, and of righteousness,
and thy right hand shall teach thee wonderful things.
(Psalms 45:4)
speaking of the Lord;
"riding upon the Word of truth"
denotes being in the very understanding of truth.
... "horsemen" denote things that belong to the intellect or understanding...
In thine honor mount up, and ride upon the Word of truth,
and of gentleness, and of righteousness,
and thy right hand shall teach thee wonderful things.
(Psalms 45:4)
speaking of the Lord;
"riding upon the Word of truth"
denotes being in the very understanding of truth.
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
AC 6502 - "medicine"
AC 6502 [5]
... "medicine" signifies... that which preserves from falsities and evils;
for when the truth of faith leads to the good of life,
it preserves, because it withdraws from evils.
... "medicine" signifies... that which preserves from falsities and evils;
for when the truth of faith leads to the good of life,
it preserves, because it withdraws from evils.
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