AC 10645 [2]
Many suppose that they worship the Lord by faith
when they believe the things of the doctrine of the church,
and that they worship the Lord by love
when they love Him.
Yet the Lord is not worshiped by merely believing,
and by merely loving,
but by living according to His commandments . . ..
The reason why those alone believe in the Lord and love Him
who live according to His commandments
is that the Lord is not in the understanding of truth
without the willing of it;
but is in the understanding of truth
together with the willing of it.
For truth does not enter into a person and become his,
until the person wills it
and from willing does it . . ..
Saturday, May 31, 2014
Psalm 119: Kaph 88
Preserve my life according to Your love,
and I will obey the statutes of Your mouth.
(Psalm 119: Kaph 88)
and I will obey the statutes of Your mouth.
(Psalm 119: Kaph 88)
Friday, May 30, 2014
AC 10639, 10640 - molten gods
AC 10639
. . . "though shalt not make for thee molten gods,"
signifies the worship of self and not of the Lord.
AC 10640 [2]
The person who wishes to be enlightened by the Lord
must take especial care
not to appropriate to himself any teaching
that supports what is evil.
A person appropriates it to himself
when he confirms it with himself,
for he thereby makes it of his faith,
and still more so if he lives according to it.
When this is done,
the evil remains inscribed on his soul and on his heart.
And when this has been done,
he cannot possibly be afterward enlightened
by the Word from the Lord,
for his whole mind is in the faith and in the love of his principle,
and whatever is contrary to it,
he either does not see,
or else rejects, or falsifies.
. . . "though shalt not make for thee molten gods,"
signifies the worship of self and not of the Lord.
AC 10640 [2]
The person who wishes to be enlightened by the Lord
must take especial care
not to appropriate to himself any teaching
that supports what is evil.
A person appropriates it to himself
when he confirms it with himself,
for he thereby makes it of his faith,
and still more so if he lives according to it.
When this is done,
the evil remains inscribed on his soul and on his heart.
And when this has been done,
he cannot possibly be afterward enlightened
by the Word from the Lord,
for his whole mind is in the faith and in the love of his principle,
and whatever is contrary to it,
he either does not see,
or else rejects, or falsifies.
Luke 24:36,50-53
He said to them,
"This is what I told you while I was still with you:
Everything must be fulfilled
that is written about Me in the Law of Moses,
the Prophets and the Psalms."
When He had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany,
He lifted up His hands and blessed them.
While He was blessing them,
He left them and was taken up into heaven.
Then they worshiped Him
and returned to Jerusalem with great joy.
And they stayed continually at the temple,
praising God.
(Luke 24:36,50-53)
"This is what I told you while I was still with you:
Everything must be fulfilled
that is written about Me in the Law of Moses,
the Prophets and the Psalms."
When He had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany,
He lifted up His hands and blessed them.
While He was blessing them,
He left them and was taken up into heaven.
Then they worshiped Him
and returned to Jerusalem with great joy.
And they stayed continually at the temple,
praising God.
(Luke 24:36,50-53)
Thursday, May 29, 2014
AC 10638 - daily life and reading the Word
AC 10638 [2]
It is said that if Moses' people observe
that which Jehovah commands,
He will drive out these nations from their faces,
by which is signified
that if they do the primary commands
which are of the eternal truth,
evils and falsities will be removed.
These commands are the things
which follow in the internal sense,
the chief of which are
that they should not acknowledge any other god than the Lord;
and that from Him is all good and truth;
and also that salvation and eternal life are from Him.
With those who believe these things,
and love it to be so,
all evil and falsity are removed while they are reading the Word,
because the Lord then enlightens them and leads them.
And then they do not think from themselves,
nor are they affected by the Word from themselves,
but from the Lord;
consequently no evil and falsity of evil enter,
because the Lord removes these.
These are they who understand the Word,
and are affected by the truths from it,
and also love to live according to them.
It is said that if Moses' people observe
that which Jehovah commands,
He will drive out these nations from their faces,
by which is signified
that if they do the primary commands
which are of the eternal truth,
evils and falsities will be removed.
These commands are the things
which follow in the internal sense,
the chief of which are
that they should not acknowledge any other god than the Lord;
and that from Him is all good and truth;
and also that salvation and eternal life are from Him.
With those who believe these things,
and love it to be so,
all evil and falsity are removed while they are reading the Word,
because the Lord then enlightens them and leads them.
And then they do not think from themselves,
nor are they affected by the Word from themselves,
but from the Lord;
consequently no evil and falsity of evil enter,
because the Lord removes these.
These are they who understand the Word,
and are affected by the truths from it,
and also love to live according to them.
Psalm 119: Yodh 73,76-77
Your hands made me and formed me;
give me understanding to learn Your commands.
May Your unfailing love be my comfort,
according to Your promise to Your servant.
Let Your compassion come to me that I may live,
for Your law is my delight.
(Psalm 119: Yodh 73,76-77)
give me understanding to learn Your commands.
May Your unfailing love be my comfort,
according to Your promise to Your servant.
Let Your compassion come to me that I may live,
for Your law is my delight.
(Psalm 119: Yodh 73,76-77)
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
AC 10618 - anger; AC 10624 - spiritual & celestial numbers
AC 10618 [2]
As regards anger,
be it known further that evil becomes angry,
and good never,
for the reason that to be angry is to will evil to another,
which good cannot do,
for good consists in willing the good of another.
All evil has within it enmity, hatred, revenge, and cruelty;
in these and from these evil has its delight.
Moreover, evil hates good,
because good is opposed to its delights.
Consequently when evil cannot injure good,
which it is always in the endeavor to do,
it is first indignant, and afterward is angry.
Whether you say evil, or an evil man, it is the same,
for evil is in man as in its subject.
And as such is the nature of evil against good,
such it is against the Divine,
for all good is the Divine with a person,
because it is from the Divine.
From this it is
that an evil person is always angry against the Divine,
although outwardly he speaks differently before men.
AC 10624
For in the Word all numbers signify things,
some numbers belonging to the spiritual class,
and some to the celestial class.
The numbers three, six, and twelve belong to the spiritual class,
and the numbers two, four, and eight to the celestial class.
The numbers which belong to the spiritual class
are predicated of truths or of falsities;
and those which belong to the celestial class
are predicated of goods or of evils.
By "three" is also signified all truth in the complex;
and by "four," all good in the complex.
As regards anger,
be it known further that evil becomes angry,
and good never,
for the reason that to be angry is to will evil to another,
which good cannot do,
for good consists in willing the good of another.
All evil has within it enmity, hatred, revenge, and cruelty;
in these and from these evil has its delight.
Moreover, evil hates good,
because good is opposed to its delights.
Consequently when evil cannot injure good,
which it is always in the endeavor to do,
it is first indignant, and afterward is angry.
Whether you say evil, or an evil man, it is the same,
for evil is in man as in its subject.
And as such is the nature of evil against good,
such it is against the Divine,
for all good is the Divine with a person,
because it is from the Divine.
From this it is
that an evil person is always angry against the Divine,
although outwardly he speaks differently before men.
AC 10624
For in the Word all numbers signify things,
some numbers belonging to the spiritual class,
and some to the celestial class.
The numbers three, six, and twelve belong to the spiritual class,
and the numbers two, four, and eight to the celestial class.
The numbers which belong to the spiritual class
are predicated of truths or of falsities;
and those which belong to the celestial class
are predicated of goods or of evils.
By "three" is also signified all truth in the complex;
and by "four," all good in the complex.
AC 10614, 10627 - the nature of the Word: "let the Lord go in the midst of us"
AC 10614 [2-3]
AC 10614 [2-3]
In the Word there is an external sense,
there is an internal sense,
and there is an inmost sense.
The Word in the external sense
is such as it appears in the letter;
this sense is natural,
because it has been accommodated
to the understanding of people,
for people think naturally.
But the Word in the internal sense is spiritual,
because it has been accommodated
to the understanding of the angels
in the Lord's spiritual kingdom,
for these angels think spiritually.
And the Word in the inmost sense is celestial,
because it has been accommodated
to the perception of the angels
in the Lord's celestial kingdom,
for the angels in this kingdom think super-spiritually.
The Word being of this nature,
it follows that one thing is in another in the like order;
the inmost in the internal,
and the internal in the external.
From this there is a connection of all things,
and an influx according to the connection,
and an ongoing subsistence of one thing from another.
. . . as the end is in the cause,
and the cause in the effect;
or as with a person will is in thought,
and thought in speech.
When therefore a person is of such a character
that he perceives within himself a holiness in the externals
of the Word, of the church, and of worship,
he has an external in which is an internal,
for this holiness is from the internal,
because it is from heaven.
This is the external which Moses here represents.
But when a person is of such a character
that he does not perceive any internal holiness
in the external of the Word, of the church, and of worship,
he then has an external separate from the internal.
AC 10627
And there is a Divine internal in the external,
when each and all things have an internal sense,
which is for the angels of all the heavens.
To effect this, the external sense, which is the sense of the letter,
must consist of pure correspondences;
and it consists of pure correspondences when all the words,
and all the connections of the words,
signify in the internal sense things spiritual and celestial.
These are the internal Divine things in the external.
AC 10614 [2-3]
In the Word there is an external sense,
there is an internal sense,
and there is an inmost sense.
The Word in the external sense
is such as it appears in the letter;
this sense is natural,
because it has been accommodated
to the understanding of people,
for people think naturally.
But the Word in the internal sense is spiritual,
because it has been accommodated
to the understanding of the angels
in the Lord's spiritual kingdom,
for these angels think spiritually.
And the Word in the inmost sense is celestial,
because it has been accommodated
to the perception of the angels
in the Lord's celestial kingdom,
for the angels in this kingdom think super-spiritually.
The Word being of this nature,
it follows that one thing is in another in the like order;
the inmost in the internal,
and the internal in the external.
From this there is a connection of all things,
and an influx according to the connection,
and an ongoing subsistence of one thing from another.
. . . as the end is in the cause,
and the cause in the effect;
or as with a person will is in thought,
and thought in speech.
When therefore a person is of such a character
that he perceives within himself a holiness in the externals
of the Word, of the church, and of worship,
he has an external in which is an internal,
for this holiness is from the internal,
because it is from heaven.
This is the external which Moses here represents.
But when a person is of such a character
that he does not perceive any internal holiness
in the external of the Word, of the church, and of worship,
he then has an external separate from the internal.
AC 10627
And there is a Divine internal in the external,
when each and all things have an internal sense,
which is for the angels of all the heavens.
To effect this, the external sense, which is the sense of the letter,
must consist of pure correspondences;
and it consists of pure correspondences when all the words,
and all the connections of the words,
signify in the internal sense things spiritual and celestial.
These are the internal Divine things in the external.
Psalm 119: Teth 65-66, 72
Do good to Your servant
according to Your word, O Lord.
Teach me knowledge and good judgment,
for I believe in Your commands.
The law from Your mouth is more precious to me
than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.
(Psalm 119: Teth 65-66, 72)
according to Your word, O Lord.
Teach me knowledge and good judgment,
for I believe in Your commands.
The law from Your mouth is more precious to me
than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.
(Psalm 119: Teth 65-66, 72)
Tuesday, May 27, 2014
AC 10608 - mountains
AC 10608 [3]
. . . "mountains" in the Word signify heaven,
and specifically "Horeb," and "Mount Sinai."
Moreover, the interior angels dwell higher upon the mountains;
and the higher they dwell,
the more interior and perfect they are.
From this it is evident why
Jehovah descended upon the top of Mount Sinai
when the law was being promulgated (proclaimed),
and why Moses was ordered to stand with Him
on the head of the mountain.
The mountains on earth are not heaven,
but represent the mountains
upon which are the angels in heaven.
. . . "mountains" in the Word signify heaven,
and specifically "Horeb," and "Mount Sinai."
Moreover, the interior angels dwell higher upon the mountains;
and the higher they dwell,
the more interior and perfect they are.
From this it is evident why
Jehovah descended upon the top of Mount Sinai
when the law was being promulgated (proclaimed),
and why Moses was ordered to stand with Him
on the head of the mountain.
The mountains on earth are not heaven,
but represent the mountains
upon which are the angels in heaven.
Psalm 119: Heth 64
The earth is filled with Your love, O Lord;
teach me Your decrees.
(Psalm 119: Heth 64)
teach me Your decrees.
(Psalm 119: Heth 64)
Monday, May 26, 2014
AC 10593 - our external
AC 10593
The external which a person carries about in the world
has been accommodated to uses in the world.
This external is what is laid aside when the person dies;
but the external which has been accommodated
to uses in the other life does not die.
This latter external together with the internal
is called a "spirit;"
a good spirit and an angel
if the person had been good in the world;
and an evil spirit if he had been evil.
The external which a person carries about in the world
has been accommodated to uses in the world.
This external is what is laid aside when the person dies;
but the external which has been accommodated
to uses in the other life does not die.
This latter external together with the internal
is called a "spirit;"
a good spirit and an angel
if the person had been good in the world;
and an evil spirit if he had been evil.
Psalm 119: Zayin 52,54-55
I remember Your ancient laws, O Lord,
and I find comfort in them.
Your decrees are the theme of my song wherever I lodge.
In the night I remember Your name, O Lord,
and I will keep Your law.
(Psalm 119: Zayin 52,54-55)
and I find comfort in them.
Your decrees are the theme of my song wherever I lodge.
In the night I remember Your name, O Lord,
and I will keep Your law.
(Psalm 119: Zayin 52,54-55)
Sunday, May 25, 2014
AC 10578 - What is love to the Lord? AC 10579 - "the faces of Jehovah"; AC 10582 - ideas
AC 10578 [3]
He who believes that he loves the Lord,
and does not live according to His commandments,
is very much mistaken,
for to live according to the Lord's commandments
is to love Him.
These commandments are truths which are from the Lord,
thus in which the Lord is;
and so far as they are loved,
that is, so far as people live according to them from love,
so far the Lord is loved.
The reason is that the Lord loves a person,
and from love wills that he may be happy forever,
and a person cannot become happy
except by a life according to His commandments,
because by means of these
a person is regenerated and becomes spiritual,
and in this way can be raised into heaven.
But to love the Lord
without a life according to His commandments
is not to love Him,
for then there is not anything with the person
into which the Lord may flow and raise him to Himself . . ..
AC 10579 [8,9]
Everyone can comprehend what is here meant
by "the faces of Jehovah," namely, the Divine,
and whatever belongs to the Divine,
thus mercy, peace, and all good;
but in the universal sense the Divine truth,
because all good is in the Divine truth.
Both with man and with angel
the Divine good is in the Divine truth,
and without the latter there is not the former;
for truth is the recipient of good,
thus also of mercy and peace.
From this then it follows
that where Divine good is not in Divine truth,
there the face of Jehovah is not; a
and it also follows that where there is evil in falsity,
the Divine does not appear.
But be it known that Jehovah, that is, the Lord,
never turns away His faces from a person;
but that the person who is in evil
turns away his face from the Lord.
AC 10582
. . . every material and earthly idea abounds in fallacies
unless there is in it light from heaven.
He who believes that he loves the Lord,
and does not live according to His commandments,
is very much mistaken,
for to live according to the Lord's commandments
is to love Him.
These commandments are truths which are from the Lord,
thus in which the Lord is;
and so far as they are loved,
that is, so far as people live according to them from love,
so far the Lord is loved.
The reason is that the Lord loves a person,
and from love wills that he may be happy forever,
and a person cannot become happy
except by a life according to His commandments,
because by means of these
a person is regenerated and becomes spiritual,
and in this way can be raised into heaven.
But to love the Lord
without a life according to His commandments
is not to love Him,
for then there is not anything with the person
into which the Lord may flow and raise him to Himself . . ..
AC 10579 [8,9]
Everyone can comprehend what is here meant
by "the faces of Jehovah," namely, the Divine,
and whatever belongs to the Divine,
thus mercy, peace, and all good;
but in the universal sense the Divine truth,
because all good is in the Divine truth.
Both with man and with angel
the Divine good is in the Divine truth,
and without the latter there is not the former;
for truth is the recipient of good,
thus also of mercy and peace.
From this then it follows
that where Divine good is not in Divine truth,
there the face of Jehovah is not; a
and it also follows that where there is evil in falsity,
the Divine does not appear.
But be it known that Jehovah, that is, the Lord,
never turns away His faces from a person;
but that the person who is in evil
turns away his face from the Lord.
AC 10582
. . . every material and earthly idea abounds in fallacies
unless there is in it light from heaven.
Psalm 119: Waw 48
I lift up my hands to Your commands,
which I love,
and I meditate on Your decrees.
(Psalm 119: Waw 48)
which I love,
and I meditate on Your decrees.
(Psalm 119: Waw 48)
Saturday, May 24, 2014
AC 10574 - the internal of the church
AC 10574 [2]
To receive the internal of the church
is to receive Divine truth from heaven,
and thereby heavenly love.
To receive the internal of the church
is to receive Divine truth from heaven,
and thereby heavenly love.
Psalm 119: He 33-40
Teach me, O Lord, to follow Your decrees;
then I will keep them to the end.
Give me understanding,
and I will keep your law
and obey it with all my heart.
Direct me in the path of your commands,
for there I find delight.
Turn my heart toward your statutes
and not toward selfish gain.
Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
preserve my life according to Your word.
Fulfill Your promise to Your servant,
so that You may be feared.
Take away the disgrace I dread,
for Your laws are good.
How I long for Your precepts!
Preserve my life in Your righteousness.
(Psalm 119: He 33-40)
then I will keep them to the end.
Give me understanding,
and I will keep your law
and obey it with all my heart.
Direct me in the path of your commands,
for there I find delight.
Turn my heart toward your statutes
and not toward selfish gain.
Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
preserve my life according to Your word.
Fulfill Your promise to Your servant,
so that You may be feared.
Take away the disgrace I dread,
for Your laws are good.
How I long for Your precepts!
Preserve my life in Your righteousness.
(Psalm 119: He 33-40)
Friday, May 23, 2014
AC 10570 - revelation & worship
AC 10570 [2]
. . . it is the Divine truths revealed in the Word
which cause worship to be internal,
provided that people know them and live according to them.
For if a person could worship God in a holy manner without them,
there would be no need of any doctrine of the church,
nor of any preaching.
. . . it is the Divine truths revealed in the Word
which cause worship to be internal,
provided that people know them and live according to them.
For if a person could worship God in a holy manner without them,
there would be no need of any doctrine of the church,
nor of any preaching.
Psalm 119: Daleth 25-32
I am laid low in the dust;
preserve my life according to Your word.
I recounted my ways and You answered me;
teach me Your decrees.
Let me understand the teaching of Your precepts;
then I will meditate on Your wonders.
My souls is weary with sorrow;
strengthen me according to Your word.
Keep me from deceitful ways;
be gracious to me through Your law.
I have chosen the way of truth;
I have set my heart on Your laws.
I hold fast to your statutes, O Lord;
do not let me be put to shame.
I run in the path of Your commands,
for You have set my heart free.
(Psalm 119: Daleth 25-32)
preserve my life according to Your word.
I recounted my ways and You answered me;
teach me Your decrees.
Let me understand the teaching of Your precepts;
then I will meditate on Your wonders.
My souls is weary with sorrow;
strengthen me according to Your word.
Keep me from deceitful ways;
be gracious to me through Your law.
I have chosen the way of truth;
I have set my heart on Your laws.
I hold fast to your statutes, O Lord;
do not let me be put to shame.
I run in the path of Your commands,
for You have set my heart free.
(Psalm 119: Daleth 25-32)
Thursday, May 22, 2014
AC 10551 - a promise & a warning
AC 10551 [2-3]
. . . to live according to Divine truths from the Word
is to love the Lord,
and all enlightenment comes from the Lord
when He is loved.
But those cannot possibly be in any enlightenment
who have not as their end
a life according to Divine truths from the Word;
but who have as their end honor, gain, and reputation;
and who thus regard the Divine truths of the Word as means;
for this end is worldly and bodily,
and not spiritual and heavenly;
and it therefore closes the internal of a person,
and when this is closed,
no light can flow in from heaven and enlighten.
If such persons, when reading the Word,
believe that they are in enlightenment,
they are quite mistaken;
for they do not think from heaven, but from the world;
thus not from the Lord, but from themselves;
and insofar as they think
from themselves and from the world,
so far they think from natural light
separate from heavenly light,
and in spiritual things
natural light separate from heavenly light
is mere thick darkness.
If these persons persuade themselves
that they have seen something from enlightenment,
it is a fallacy,
for they perceive whether a thing is true
solely from others by means of confirmations,
which is to see truth from without and not from within,
or to see it from persuasive faith. . . ..
Such persons are able to see falsity as truth,
and truth as falsity;
also evil as good, and good as evil.
. . . to live according to Divine truths from the Word
is to love the Lord,
and all enlightenment comes from the Lord
when He is loved.
But those cannot possibly be in any enlightenment
who have not as their end
a life according to Divine truths from the Word;
but who have as their end honor, gain, and reputation;
and who thus regard the Divine truths of the Word as means;
for this end is worldly and bodily,
and not spiritual and heavenly;
and it therefore closes the internal of a person,
and when this is closed,
no light can flow in from heaven and enlighten.
If such persons, when reading the Word,
believe that they are in enlightenment,
they are quite mistaken;
for they do not think from heaven, but from the world;
thus not from the Lord, but from themselves;
and insofar as they think
from themselves and from the world,
so far they think from natural light
separate from heavenly light,
and in spiritual things
natural light separate from heavenly light
is mere thick darkness.
If these persons persuade themselves
that they have seen something from enlightenment,
it is a fallacy,
for they perceive whether a thing is true
solely from others by means of confirmations,
which is to see truth from without and not from within,
or to see it from persuasive faith. . . ..
Such persons are able to see falsity as truth,
and truth as falsity;
also evil as good, and good as evil.
AC 10548 - to inquire of the Lord
AC 10548 [2]
. . . to inquire of the Lord is to consult the Word;
for in the Word the Lord is present . . ..
. . . to inquire of the Lord is to consult the Word;
for in the Word the Lord is present . . ..
Psalm 119: Gimel 22-24
Remove from me scorn and contempt,
for I keep Your statutes.
Though rulers sit together and slander me,
Your servant will meditate on your decrees.
Your statutes are my delight;
they are my counselors.
(Psalm 119: Gimel 22-24)
for I keep Your statutes.
Though rulers sit together and slander me,
Your servant will meditate on your decrees.
Your statutes are my delight;
they are my counselors.
(Psalm 119: Gimel 22-24)
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
AC 10545 - "to dwell"
AC 10545 [2]
. . . for the Lord is said "to dwell"
with the person who is in love to Him,
"If anyone loves Me,
he will obey My teaching.
My Father will love him,
and We will come to him
and make Our home with him.
(John 14:23)
. . . for the Lord is said "to dwell"
with the person who is in love to Him,
"If anyone loves Me,
he will obey My teaching.
My Father will love him,
and We will come to him
and make Our home with him.
(John 14:23)
Psalm 119: Beth 9-16
How can a young man keep his way pure?
By living according to Your Word.
I see You with all my heart;
do not let me stray from Your commands.
I have hidden Your Word in my heart
that I might not sin against You.
Praise be to You, O Lord;
teach me Your decrees.
With my lips I recount all the laws
that come from Your mouth.
I rejoice in following Your statutes
as one rejoices in great riches.
I meditate on Your precepts
and consider Your ways.
I delight in Your decrees;
I will not neglect Your Word.
(Psalm 119: Beth 9-16)
By living according to Your Word.
I see You with all my heart;
do not let me stray from Your commands.
I have hidden Your Word in my heart
that I might not sin against You.
Praise be to You, O Lord;
teach me Your decrees.
With my lips I recount all the laws
that come from Your mouth.
I rejoice in following Your statutes
as one rejoices in great riches.
I meditate on Your precepts
and consider Your ways.
I delight in Your decrees;
I will not neglect Your Word.
(Psalm 119: Beth 9-16)
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
AC 10540 - ornament
AC 10540 [6, 8]
. . . by "ornament" in general
is signified the Divine truth of the church.
Give unto Jehovah
the glory belonging to His name;
bow yourselves before Jehovah
in the ornament of holiness.
(Psalm 29:2)
"in the ornament of holiness"
denotes the genuine truths of the church.
. . . by "ornament" in general
is signified the Divine truth of the church.
Give unto Jehovah
the glory belonging to His name;
bow yourselves before Jehovah
in the ornament of holiness.
(Psalm 29:2)
"in the ornament of holiness"
denotes the genuine truths of the church.
Psalm 119: Aleph 1-2,5
Blessed are they whose ways are blameless,
who walk according to the law of the Lord.
Blessed are they who keep His statutes
and seek Him with all their heart.
Oh, that my ways were steadfast
in obeying Your decrees!
(Psalm 119: Aleph 1-2,5)
who walk according to the law of the Lord.
Blessed are they who keep His statutes
and seek Him with all their heart.
Oh, that my ways were steadfast
in obeying Your decrees!
(Psalm 119: Aleph 1-2,5)
Monday, May 19, 2014
AC 10517 - what a person loves; AC 10528 - angels
AC 10517
. . . a person is such that he loves those things
which correspond to his interior affections,
although during his life in the world
he does not know this.
AC 10528
. . . "an angel" also signifies the Divine of the Lord
with the people who receive it;
for people who are in the good of love
and in the truths of faith
in the Lord from the Lord,
after death become angels;
and those who do so
are angels inwardly
even while they live in the world.
. . . a person is such that he loves those things
which correspond to his interior affections,
although during his life in the world
he does not know this.
AC 10528
. . . "an angel" also signifies the Divine of the Lord
with the people who receive it;
for people who are in the good of love
and in the truths of faith
in the Lord from the Lord,
after death become angels;
and those who do so
are angels inwardly
even while they live in the world.
Psalm 118: 24, 29
This is the day the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Give thanks to the Lord,
for He is good;
His love* endures forever.
(Psalm 118:24, 29)
* 'love' has also been translated as:
mercy, loving-kindness, steadfast love,
faithful love
let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Give thanks to the Lord,
for He is good;
His love* endures forever.
(Psalm 118:24, 29)
* 'love' has also been translated as:
mercy, loving-kindness, steadfast love,
faithful love
Sunday, May 18, 2014
AC 10503 - idols of gold
AC 10503
Mention is made in the Word of four kinds of idols,
namely, idols of stone, of wood, of silver, and of gold.
Idols of stone signify
worship from falsities of doctrine;
those of wood signify
worship from evils of doctrine;
those of silver signify
worship of falsity both in doctrine and in life;
and those of gold signify
worship of evil both in doctrine and in life.
Consequently idols of gold signified worship the worst of all.
Those who were in this worship not only falsified truths,
but also adulterated goods;
for evils they called goods,
and the derivative falsities they called truths.
All those are in such worship who are in the love of self
and yet believe the Word,
for they apply the sense of the letter of the Word
in favor of all the things which they think and do,
thus in favor of the worship of self.
Mention is made in the Word of four kinds of idols,
namely, idols of stone, of wood, of silver, and of gold.
Idols of stone signify
worship from falsities of doctrine;
those of wood signify
worship from evils of doctrine;
those of silver signify
worship of falsity both in doctrine and in life;
and those of gold signify
worship of evil both in doctrine and in life.
Consequently idols of gold signified worship the worst of all.
Those who were in this worship not only falsified truths,
but also adulterated goods;
for evils they called goods,
and the derivative falsities they called truths.
All those are in such worship who are in the love of self
and yet believe the Word,
for they apply the sense of the letter of the Word
in favor of all the things which they think and do,
thus in favor of the worship of self.
Psalm 117
Praise the Lord, all you nations;
extol Him, all you peoples.
For great is His love toward us,
and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.
Praise the Lord.
(Psalm 117)
extol Him, all you peoples.
For great is His love toward us,
and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.
Praise the Lord.
(Psalm 117)
Saturday, May 17, 2014
AC 10490 - being a worthy disciple
AC 10490 [4, 7]
He who does not know that by
"brethren," "companions," "neighbors,"
and many other names of relationship
are signified the goods and truths of the church and of heaven;
and their opposites, which are evils and falsities;
cannot know what is involved
in many other passages in the Word
where these names occur, as in the following:
Think not that I am come to send peace on the earth;
I am not come to send peace, but a sword.
For I am come to set a man at variance against his father,
and the daughter against her mother,
and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law;
and a man's foes shall be those of his own household.
Whosoever loves father or mother more than Me
is not worthy of Me;
and whosoever loves son or daughter more than Me
is not worthy of Me;
and whosoever does not take up his cross and follow after Me,
is not worthy of Me.
(Matthew 10:34-38);
spiritual combats are here treated of,
which are temptations to be undergone
by those who are to be regenerated,
thus the contentions arising in a person
between the evils and falsities which are with him from hell,
and the goods and truths which are with him from the Lord.
Because these combats are here described it is said,
"whosoever does not take up his cross, and follow after Me,
is not worthy of Me;"
by the "cross" being meant the state of man when in temptations.
He who does not know that such things are signified by
"man" and "father," by "daughter" and "mother,"
by "daughter-in-law" and "mother- in-law,"
must believe that the Lord came into the world
in order to take away peace in homes and families,
and introduce dissension;
and yet He came to give peace and to take away dissensions,
according to His own words in John 14:27
Peace I leave with you;
My peace I give to you;
not as the world gives do I give to you.
Do not let your heart be troubled,
nor let it be fearful,
and elsewhere.
It is evident that things belonging to a person,
which are evils and falsities in their order,
are meant by these names,
for it is also said that he must hate his own soul,
and that he must renounce all that he has,
that is, the things that belong to him.
A state of temptation, that is, of spiritual combat,
is also here described, for it is said,
"whosoever does not bear his cross,
and come after Me, cannot be My disciple."
To be a disciple of the Lord
is to be led by Him and not by self,
thus by the goods and truths which are from the Lord,
and not by the evils and falsities which are from man.
He who does not know that by
"brethren," "companions," "neighbors,"
and many other names of relationship
are signified the goods and truths of the church and of heaven;
and their opposites, which are evils and falsities;
cannot know what is involved
in many other passages in the Word
where these names occur, as in the following:
Think not that I am come to send peace on the earth;
I am not come to send peace, but a sword.
For I am come to set a man at variance against his father,
and the daughter against her mother,
and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law;
and a man's foes shall be those of his own household.
Whosoever loves father or mother more than Me
is not worthy of Me;
and whosoever loves son or daughter more than Me
is not worthy of Me;
and whosoever does not take up his cross and follow after Me,
is not worthy of Me.
(Matthew 10:34-38);
spiritual combats are here treated of,
which are temptations to be undergone
by those who are to be regenerated,
thus the contentions arising in a person
between the evils and falsities which are with him from hell,
and the goods and truths which are with him from the Lord.
Because these combats are here described it is said,
"whosoever does not take up his cross, and follow after Me,
is not worthy of Me;"
by the "cross" being meant the state of man when in temptations.
He who does not know that such things are signified by
"man" and "father," by "daughter" and "mother,"
by "daughter-in-law" and "mother- in-law,"
must believe that the Lord came into the world
in order to take away peace in homes and families,
and introduce dissension;
and yet He came to give peace and to take away dissensions,
according to His own words in John 14:27
Peace I leave with you;
My peace I give to you;
not as the world gives do I give to you.
Do not let your heart be troubled,
nor let it be fearful,
and elsewhere.
It is evident that things belonging to a person,
which are evils and falsities in their order,
are meant by these names,
for it is also said that he must hate his own soul,
and that he must renounce all that he has,
that is, the things that belong to him.
A state of temptation, that is, of spiritual combat,
is also here described, for it is said,
"whosoever does not bear his cross,
and come after Me, cannot be My disciple."
To be a disciple of the Lord
is to be led by Him and not by self,
thus by the goods and truths which are from the Lord,
and not by the evils and falsities which are from man.
AC 10488 - truth from good
AC 10488
By truth from good is meant
a life according to truth,
for good is of the life.
By truth from good is meant
a life according to truth,
for good is of the life.
Psalm 116:12-14
How can I repay the Lord
for all His goodness to me?
I will lift up the cup of salvation
and call on the name of the Lord.
I will fulfill my vows to the Lord
in the presence of all His people.
(Psalm 116:12-14)
for all His goodness to me?
I will lift up the cup of salvation
and call on the name of the Lord.
I will fulfill my vows to the Lord
in the presence of all His people.
(Psalm 116:12-14)
Friday, May 16, 2014
AC 10478 - the fire & the calf; AC 10481 - annihilation, enemies
AC 10478
And I cast it into the fire,
and there came out this calf.
(Exodus 32:24)
. . . signifies the loves of self and of the world . . .
consequently "to cast into the fire"
denotes to be in these loves,
and to draw forth such things
from the sense of the letter of the Word as favor them;
and from this to make doctrine;
and from the signification of "calf,"
as being worship from these loves,
and according to them,
which is infernal.
AC 10451
Unto annihilation by those rising up against them.
(Exodus 32:25)
That this signifies that they lacked all power
to resist the evils and falsities which are from hell,
is evident from the signification of "annihilation,"
as being that they lacked all power
to resist evils and falsities,
for in the spiritual world this is to have no power;
and from the signification of "those rising up against,"
or enemies,
as being evils and the derivative falsities,
for in the spiritual sense
these are the enemies which rise up.
And I cast it into the fire,
and there came out this calf.
(Exodus 32:24)
. . . signifies the loves of self and of the world . . .
consequently "to cast into the fire"
denotes to be in these loves,
and to draw forth such things
from the sense of the letter of the Word as favor them;
and from this to make doctrine;
and from the signification of "calf,"
as being worship from these loves,
and according to them,
which is infernal.
AC 10451
Unto annihilation by those rising up against them.
(Exodus 32:25)
That this signifies that they lacked all power
to resist the evils and falsities which are from hell,
is evident from the signification of "annihilation,"
as being that they lacked all power
to resist evils and falsities,
for in the spiritual world this is to have no power;
and from the signification of "those rising up against,"
or enemies,
as being evils and the derivative falsities,
for in the spiritual sense
these are the enemies which rise up.
Psalm 115:1
Not to us, O Lord, not to us
but to Your name be the glory,
because of Your love and faithfulness.
(Psalm 115:1)
but to Your name be the glory,
because of Your love and faithfulness.
(Psalm 115:1)
Thursday, May 15, 2014
AC 10460 - the internal of the Word, of the church, of worship
AC 10460
. . . he who turns himself away from the internal of the Word,
also turns himself away from the internal of the church,
and likewise from the internal of worship,
because the internal of the church
and the internal of worship
are from the internal of the Word.
For the Word teaches
what must be the quality of the person of the church,
or what must be the quality of the church with a person,
and likewise what must be the quality of worship
with the person of the church;
because it is the goods and truths of love and of faith
that make the internal church, and also internal worship.
The Word teaches these goods and truths,
and these are the internal things of the Word.
. . . he who turns himself away from the internal of the Word,
also turns himself away from the internal of the church,
and likewise from the internal of worship,
because the internal of the church
and the internal of worship
are from the internal of the Word.
For the Word teaches
what must be the quality of the person of the church,
or what must be the quality of the church with a person,
and likewise what must be the quality of worship
with the person of the church;
because it is the goods and truths of love and of faith
that make the internal church, and also internal worship.
The Word teaches these goods and truths,
and these are the internal things of the Word.
Psalm 113:1-3, 7
Praise the Lord.
Praise, O servants of the Lord,
praise the name of the Lord.
Let the name of the Lord be praised,
both now and forevermore.
From the rising of the sun
to the place where it sets,
the name of the Lord is to be praised.
He raises the poor from the dust
and lifts the needy from the ash heap . . .
(Psalm 113:1-3,7)
Praise, O servants of the Lord,
praise the name of the Lord.
Let the name of the Lord be praised,
both now and forevermore.
From the rising of the sun
to the place where it sets,
the name of the Lord is to be praised.
He raises the poor from the dust
and lifts the needy from the ash heap . . .
(Psalm 113:1-3,7)
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
AC 10452 - the Word provides conjunction with the Lord and heaven
AC 10452 [2,3]
Those who do not know the nature of the Word,
cannot possibly believe that by means of it
there is a conjunction of the Lord with the human race,
and of heaven with the world;
and still less those who despise the Word,
or make no account of it.
But let them know
that the heavens subsist by means of Divine truth,
and that without it there would be no heavens,
and that the human race subsists by means of heaven;
for unless heaven flowed in with a person,
a person would not be able to think at all,
thus not to will anything rationally.
In order therefore that heaven may subsist,
and the human race by conjunction with it,
the Word has been provided by the Lord,
wherein is Divine truth for angels and for mankind,
the Word in its spiritual and celestial sense
being of such a nature as to contain within it
angelic wisdom itself in so surpassing a degree
that it is scarcely possible
for a person to form any conception of its excellence,
although in the letter it appears very simple and unpolished.
From this it is evident that
heaven is in its wisdom from the Word
when it is being read by a person,
and then at the same time
the person is in conjunction with heaven.
To this end has such a Word been given to mankind.
Those who do not know the nature of the Word,
cannot possibly believe that by means of it
there is a conjunction of the Lord with the human race,
and of heaven with the world;
and still less those who despise the Word,
or make no account of it.
But let them know
that the heavens subsist by means of Divine truth,
and that without it there would be no heavens,
and that the human race subsists by means of heaven;
for unless heaven flowed in with a person,
a person would not be able to think at all,
thus not to will anything rationally.
In order therefore that heaven may subsist,
and the human race by conjunction with it,
the Word has been provided by the Lord,
wherein is Divine truth for angels and for mankind,
the Word in its spiritual and celestial sense
being of such a nature as to contain within it
angelic wisdom itself in so surpassing a degree
that it is scarcely possible
for a person to form any conception of its excellence,
although in the letter it appears very simple and unpolished.
From this it is evident that
heaven is in its wisdom from the Word
when it is being read by a person,
and then at the same time
the person is in conjunction with heaven.
To this end has such a Word been given to mankind.
Psalm 112:1,4,7
Blessed is the man who fears the Lord,
who finds delight in His commands.
Even in darkness light dawns
for the upright, for the gracious
and compassionate and righteous man.
He will have no fear of bad news;
his heart is steadfast,
trusting in the Lord.
(Psalm 112:1,4,7)
who finds delight in His commands.
Even in darkness light dawns
for the upright, for the gracious
and compassionate and righteous man.
He will have no fear of bad news;
his heart is steadfast,
trusting in the Lord.
(Psalm 112:1,4,7)
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
AC 10436 - worship and the church; AC 10441 - repentance
AC 10436 [2]
Be it known that the church is not the church
from external worship, but from internal worship;
for external worship is of the body,
but internal worship is of the soul.
Consequently external worship without internal
is of the outward act only,
thus is worship without life from the Divine.
Through the interior things of worship
the person of the church communicates with the heavens,
to which the external serves as a plane
upon which the interior things may subsist,
as a house upon its foundations;
and when it so subsists it is complete and firm,
and the whole person is directed by the Divine.
AC 10441
. . . the signification of "repenting," when said of Jehovah,
as being to be merciful.
That "to repent" denotes to be merciful
is because Jehovah never repents,
for He foresees and provides all things from eternity.
Repentance is applicable only
to him who does not know the future,
and who, when the thing comes to pass,
finds that he has erred.
Be it known that the church is not the church
from external worship, but from internal worship;
for external worship is of the body,
but internal worship is of the soul.
Consequently external worship without internal
is of the outward act only,
thus is worship without life from the Divine.
Through the interior things of worship
the person of the church communicates with the heavens,
to which the external serves as a plane
upon which the interior things may subsist,
as a house upon its foundations;
and when it so subsists it is complete and firm,
and the whole person is directed by the Divine.
AC 10441
. . . the signification of "repenting," when said of Jehovah,
as being to be merciful.
That "to repent" denotes to be merciful
is because Jehovah never repents,
for He foresees and provides all things from eternity.
Repentance is applicable only
to him who does not know the future,
and who, when the thing comes to pass,
finds that he has erred.
Psalm 111:1-5,10
Praise the Lord.
I will extol the Lord with all my heart
in the council of the upright and in the assembly.
Great are the works of the Lord;
they are pondered by all who delight in them.
Glorious and majestic are His deeds,
and His righteousness endures forever.
He has caused His wonders to be remembered;
the Lord is gracious and compassionate.
He provides food for those who fear Him;
He remembers His covenant forever.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
all who follow His precepts have good understanding.
To Him belongs eternal praise.
(Psalm 111:1-5,10)
I will extol the Lord with all my heart
in the council of the upright and in the assembly.
Great are the works of the Lord;
they are pondered by all who delight in them.
Glorious and majestic are His deeds,
and His righteousness endures forever.
He has caused His wonders to be remembered;
the Lord is gracious and compassionate.
He provides food for those who fear Him;
He remembers His covenant forever.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
all who follow His precepts have good understanding.
To Him belongs eternal praise.
(Psalm 111:1-5,10)
Monday, May 12, 2014
AC 10431 - the Lord is never
AC 10431
In many passages of the Word
it is said of Jehovah that He burns with anger and is wroth,
and also that He consumes and destroys.
But it is so said because it so appears to the person
who turns himself away from the Lord,
as is the case when he does evil;
and as then he is not heard, and is even punished,
he believes that the Lord is in anger against him;
although the Lord is never angry, and never consumes,
for He is mercy itself and good itself.
From this it is evident
what is the nature of the Word as to the letter, namely,
that it is according to the appearance with a person.
In like manner it is said that "Jehovah repents,"
. . . when yet Jehovah never repents,
for He foresees all things from eternity;
from which it can be seen how many errors those fall into
who when reading the Word
do not think beyond the sense of the letter,
thus who read it without doctrine from the Word
to teach them how the case really is.
In many passages of the Word
it is said of Jehovah that He burns with anger and is wroth,
and also that He consumes and destroys.
But it is so said because it so appears to the person
who turns himself away from the Lord,
as is the case when he does evil;
and as then he is not heard, and is even punished,
he believes that the Lord is in anger against him;
although the Lord is never angry, and never consumes,
for He is mercy itself and good itself.
From this it is evident
what is the nature of the Word as to the letter, namely,
that it is according to the appearance with a person.
In like manner it is said that "Jehovah repents,"
. . . when yet Jehovah never repents,
for He foresees all things from eternity;
from which it can be seen how many errors those fall into
who when reading the Word
do not think beyond the sense of the letter,
thus who read it without doctrine from the Word
to teach them how the case really is.
Psalm 109:26-27
Help me, O Lord my God;
save me in accordance with Your love.
Let them know that is is Your hand,
that you, O Lord, have done it.
(Psalm 109:26-27)
save me in accordance with Your love.
Let them know that is is Your hand,
that you, O Lord, have done it.
(Psalm 109:26-27)
Sunday, May 11, 2014
AC 10409 - real, long-term happiness
AC 10409 [3]
For they believe that to be exalted to dignities
and to gain wealth above others
is the very good which the Divine gives to a person,
and thus that the Divine blessing (as they call these things)
consists in these alone;
when yet such things are rather a curse
to those who love themselves and the world above all things,
for insofar as they are exalted to honors
and gain wealth by their own effort and their own skill,
so far are they uplifted in the love of self and of the world,
so that at last they place their whole hearts in these things,
and regard them as the only goods,
thus as the only satisfactions and happinesses of a person;
although these things come to an end
together with the life of a person in the world;
whereas the goods, the satisfactions, and the happiness
that are given and provided for a person by the Divine
are eternal and have no end;
and consequently these are true blessings.
What is temporary bears no ratio to what is eternal;
as what is finite in time bears no ratio to the infinite of time.
What endures to eternity, this is;
but what has an end, this relatively is not.
For they believe that to be exalted to dignities
and to gain wealth above others
is the very good which the Divine gives to a person,
and thus that the Divine blessing (as they call these things)
consists in these alone;
when yet such things are rather a curse
to those who love themselves and the world above all things,
for insofar as they are exalted to honors
and gain wealth by their own effort and their own skill,
so far are they uplifted in the love of self and of the world,
so that at last they place their whole hearts in these things,
and regard them as the only goods,
thus as the only satisfactions and happinesses of a person;
although these things come to an end
together with the life of a person in the world;
whereas the goods, the satisfactions, and the happiness
that are given and provided for a person by the Divine
are eternal and have no end;
and consequently these are true blessings.
What is temporary bears no ratio to what is eternal;
as what is finite in time bears no ratio to the infinite of time.
What endures to eternity, this is;
but what has an end, this relatively is not.
Psalm 108:2-5
Awake, harp and lyre!
I will awaken the dawn.
I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations;
I will sing of you among the peoples.
For great is your love, higher than the heavens;
your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens,
and let your glory be over all the earth.
(Psalm 108:2-5)
I will awaken the dawn.
I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations;
I will sing of you among the peoples.
For great is your love, higher than the heavens;
your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens,
and let your glory be over all the earth.
(Psalm 108:2-5)
Saturday, May 10, 2014
AC 10409 - to eternity
AC 10409 [4]
. . . those things which are provided by the Divine
for the good
have no end,
and become favorable and happy to eternity.
. . . those things which are provided by the Divine
for the good
have no end,
and become favorable and happy to eternity.
Psalm 107:8-9
Let them give thanks to the Lord
for His unfailing love
and His wonderful deeds for men,
for He satisfies the thirsty
and fills the hungry with good things.
(Psalm 107:8-9)
for His unfailing love
and His wonderful deeds for men,
for He satisfies the thirsty
and fills the hungry with good things.
(Psalm 107:8-9)
Friday, May 09, 2014
AC 10396 - we have an external and an internal
AC 10396 [2]
. . . a person has an internal and an external;
his internal is for heaven,
and his external is for the world.
When the external reigns,
then worldly, bodily, and earthly things reign;
and when the internal reigns,
then heavenly things reign.
But a person has been so created
that the external in him may be subordinated to the internal,
thus the world to heaven;
for as before said,
the external is for the world and the internal for heaven.
When therefore the external reigns, the internal is closed,
for the reason that the person then turns himself
from heaven and from the Lord
to the world and to himself,
and his heart is where he turns himself,
consequently his love,
and with his love the whole of his life,
because the life of a person is his love.
. . . a person has an internal and an external;
his internal is for heaven,
and his external is for the world.
When the external reigns,
then worldly, bodily, and earthly things reign;
and when the internal reigns,
then heavenly things reign.
But a person has been so created
that the external in him may be subordinated to the internal,
thus the world to heaven;
for as before said,
the external is for the world and the internal for heaven.
When therefore the external reigns, the internal is closed,
for the reason that the person then turns himself
from heaven and from the Lord
to the world and to himself,
and his heart is where he turns himself,
consequently his love,
and with his love the whole of his life,
because the life of a person is his love.
Psalm 106:1-3
Praise the Lord.
Give thanks to the Lord,
for He is good;
His love endures forever.
Who can proclaim the mighty acts of the Lord
or fully declare His praise?
Blessed are they who maintain justice,
who constantly do what is right.
(Psalm 106:1-3)
Give thanks to the Lord,
for He is good;
His love endures forever.
Who can proclaim the mighty acts of the Lord
or fully declare His praise?
Blessed are they who maintain justice,
who constantly do what is right.
(Psalm 106:1-3)
Thursday, May 08, 2014
AC 10377 - thinking about God
AC 10377
. . . all who acknowledge God under a human form
are accepted by our Lord,
and are led.
No others can be led,
for they think of God without a form,
thus they think of nature.
. . . all who acknowledge God under a human form
are accepted by our Lord,
and are led.
No others can be led,
for they think of God without a form,
thus they think of nature.
Psalm 105:1-4
Give thanks to the Lord,
call on His name;
make known among the nations what He has done.
Sing to Him, sing praise to Him;
tell of all His wonderful acts.
Glory in His holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
Look to the Lord and His strength;
seek His face always.
(Psalm 105:1-4)
call on His name;
make known among the nations what He has done.
Sing to Him, sing praise to Him;
tell of all His wonderful acts.
Glory in His holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
Look to the Lord and His strength;
seek His face always.
(Psalm 105:1-4)
Wednesday, May 07, 2014
AC 10367 - becoming good
AC 10367 [3,4]
The Word and doctrine from the Word
teach what is true and good,
and truth and good teach what is false and evil.
Unless a person knows these,
he cannot possible be regenerated (born anew),
for he remains in his evils and their falsities,
calling the former goods,
and the latter truths.
. . . the understanding was given to a person
in order that it may be enlightened
by means of the knowledges of good and truth,
to the end that these may be received by his will,
and may become good;
for truths become good when the person wills them,
and from willing does them.
The Word and doctrine from the Word
teach what is true and good,
and truth and good teach what is false and evil.
Unless a person knows these,
he cannot possible be regenerated (born anew),
for he remains in his evils and their falsities,
calling the former goods,
and the latter truths.
. . . the understanding was given to a person
in order that it may be enlightened
by means of the knowledges of good and truth,
to the end that these may be received by his will,
and may become good;
for truths become good when the person wills them,
and from willing does them.
Psalm 104:33-35
I will sing to the Lord all my life;
I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.
May my meditation be pleasing to Him,
as I rejoice in the Lord.
But may sinners vanish from the earth
and the wicked be no more.
Praise the Lord, O my soul.
Praise the Lord.
(Psalm 104:33-35)
I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.
May my meditation be pleasing to Him,
as I rejoice in the Lord.
But may sinners vanish from the earth
and the wicked be no more.
Praise the Lord, O my soul.
Praise the Lord.
(Psalm 104:33-35)
Tuesday, May 06, 2014
AC 10360 - six days of labor and the Sabbath
AC 10360
And you shall keep the Sabbath.
(Exodus 31:13)
That this signifies
that the Divine Human of the Lord is to be worshiped,
is evident from the signification of "keeping,"
when said of the Divine,
as being to worship;
and from the signification of "the Sabbath,"
as being in the supreme sense
the union of the Divine which is called the "Father"
and of the Divine Human which is called the "Son,"
thus the Divine Human in which is this union.
This union is signified by "the Sabbath,"
because by the six days of labor
which precede the seventh
is signified every state of combat;
for in the spiritual sense "labor"
does not mean such labor as there is in the world,
but such as those who are in the church endure
before they enter the church and become the church,
which labor is combat against evils and falsities of evil.
A like "labor" (in the spiritual sense)
was endured by the Lord when He was in the world;
for He then fought against the hells,
and reduced them and likewise the heavens into order,
and at the same time He glorified His Human, that is,
He united it to the Divine Itself which He had from conception).
[2] The time and state when the Lord was in combats
is signified by the six days of labor,
but the state when the union had been effected
is signified by the seventh day,
which is called "the Sabbath," from "rest,"
because the Lord then had rest.
Consequently by "the Sabbath" is signified also
the conjunction of the Lord with heaven, with the church,
with an angel of heaven, and with a person of the church.
The reason is that all who are to come into heaven
must first be in combats against evils and the falsities of evil,
and when these have been separated
they enter heaven and are conjoined with the Lord,
and then they have rest.
It is similar with people in the world.
It is known that these must be in combats,
that is, that they must undergo temptations,
before the good and truth which make the church
have been implanted in them;
thus before they have been conjoined with the Lord,
consequently before they have rest.
And you shall keep the Sabbath.
(Exodus 31:13)
That this signifies
that the Divine Human of the Lord is to be worshiped,
is evident from the signification of "keeping,"
when said of the Divine,
as being to worship;
and from the signification of "the Sabbath,"
as being in the supreme sense
the union of the Divine which is called the "Father"
and of the Divine Human which is called the "Son,"
thus the Divine Human in which is this union.
This union is signified by "the Sabbath,"
because by the six days of labor
which precede the seventh
is signified every state of combat;
for in the spiritual sense "labor"
does not mean such labor as there is in the world,
but such as those who are in the church endure
before they enter the church and become the church,
which labor is combat against evils and falsities of evil.
A like "labor" (in the spiritual sense)
was endured by the Lord when He was in the world;
for He then fought against the hells,
and reduced them and likewise the heavens into order,
and at the same time He glorified His Human, that is,
He united it to the Divine Itself which He had from conception).
[2] The time and state when the Lord was in combats
is signified by the six days of labor,
but the state when the union had been effected
is signified by the seventh day,
which is called "the Sabbath," from "rest,"
because the Lord then had rest.
Consequently by "the Sabbath" is signified also
the conjunction of the Lord with heaven, with the church,
with an angel of heaven, and with a person of the church.
The reason is that all who are to come into heaven
must first be in combats against evils and the falsities of evil,
and when these have been separated
they enter heaven and are conjoined with the Lord,
and then they have rest.
It is similar with people in the world.
It is known that these must be in combats,
that is, that they must undergo temptations,
before the good and truth which make the church
have been implanted in them;
thus before they have been conjoined with the Lord,
consequently before they have rest.
Psalm 103:17-18
But from everlasting to everlasting
the Lord's love is with those who fear Him,
and His righteousness with their children's children -
with those who keep His covenant
and remember to obey His precepts.
(Psalm 103:17-18)
the Lord's love is with those who fear Him,
and His righteousness with their children's children -
with those who keep His covenant
and remember to obey His precepts.
(Psalm 103:17-18)
Monday, May 05, 2014
AC 10355 - a history of instruction or information by means of the Word
AC 10355 [2-5,6]
In the most ancient times
people were informed about heavenly things,
or those things which are of eternal life,
by immediate interaction with the angels of heaven;
for heaven then acted as a one with the people of the church,
for it flowed in through their internal person into their external,
and from this they had not only enlightenment and perception,
but also speech with angels.
This time was called the Golden Age,
from people being then in the good of love to the Lord,
for "gold" signifies this good.
This state is also described in the Word by "Paradise."
Afterward information about heavenly things
and the things of eternal life
was accomplished by means of such things
as are called correspondences and representations,
the knowledge of which was derived
from the most ancient people,
who had immediate interaction with the angels of heaven.
Into these correspondences and representations
heaven then flowed with people, and enlightened them.
For correspondences and representations
are the external forms of heavenly things,
and insofar as people were then
in the good of love and of charity,
so far they were enlightened.
For all Divine influx from heaven
is into the good with a person,
and through the good into the truths;
and because the person of the church
was then in spiritual good,
which good in its essence is truth,
therefore those times were called the Silver Age,
for "silver" signifies such good.
But when
the science of correspondences and of representations
was turned into magic,
that church perished,
and a third church succeeded in which
indeed almost all the worship
was performed by similar observances;
but still it was not known what they signified.
This church was instituted
with the Israelitish and Jewish nation.
But as information about heavenly things,
or those of eternal life,
was not possible with the people of this church
by influx into their interiors, and thus by enlightenment,
therefore angels from heaven
spoke with some of them in a living voice,
and instructed them about external things;
but very little about internal things,
because these they could not understand.
Those who were in natural good
reverently received the things taught them,
and from them these times were called Brazen,
for "brass" signifies such good.
But when not even natural good remained
with the people of the church,
the Lord came into the world and reduced into order
all things in the heavens and in the hells,
to the end that a person may receive
influx from Him out of heaven and be enlightened;
and that the hells should not be able to hinder,
and infuse thick darkness.
Then a fourth church began,
which is called the Christian Church
In this church their information about heavenly things,
or about those of eternal life,
is effected solely by means of the Word.
Thereby a person has influx and enlightenment;
for the Word has been written
by means of mere correspondences,
and by means of mere representatives,
which signify heavenly things.
Into these come the angels of heaven
when a person of the church reads the Word;
consequently there is effected through the Word
the conjunction of heaven with the church,
or of the angels of heaven with the people of the church;
but only with those therein
who are in the good of love and of charity.
But inasmuch as the person of this church
also has extinguished this good,
therefore neither can he be informed by any influx,
and by enlightenment therefrom,
except about a few truths,
which however do not cohere with good.
Therefore these times are what are called Iron,
for "iron" denotes truth in the ultimate of order.
From this it can be seen
in what manner revelations have succeeded one another
from the most ancient ages to the present time;
and that at this day
revelation is given solely through the Word,
and genuine revelation solely with those
who are in the love of truth for the sake of truth,
and not with those who are in the love of truth
for the sake of honors and profit as ends.
For, if you will believe it,
the Lord is the Word itself,
because the Word is Divine truth,
and Divine truth is the Lord in heaven,
because it is from the Lord.
Wherefore they who love Divine truth
for the sake of Divine truth,
love the Lord;
and with those who love the Lord
heaven flows in and enlightens them.
Whereas they who love Divine truth
for the sake of honors and profit as ends,
turn themselves away from the Lord
to themselves and to the world,
for which reason there can be with them
no influx and enlightenment.
Moreover, as these, when dwelling on the sense of the letter,
keep the mind fixed upon themselves
and their own reputation and glory,
they apply this sense to such things as favor their own loves.
In the most ancient times
people were informed about heavenly things,
or those things which are of eternal life,
by immediate interaction with the angels of heaven;
for heaven then acted as a one with the people of the church,
for it flowed in through their internal person into their external,
and from this they had not only enlightenment and perception,
but also speech with angels.
This time was called the Golden Age,
from people being then in the good of love to the Lord,
for "gold" signifies this good.
This state is also described in the Word by "Paradise."
Afterward information about heavenly things
and the things of eternal life
was accomplished by means of such things
as are called correspondences and representations,
the knowledge of which was derived
from the most ancient people,
who had immediate interaction with the angels of heaven.
Into these correspondences and representations
heaven then flowed with people, and enlightened them.
For correspondences and representations
are the external forms of heavenly things,
and insofar as people were then
in the good of love and of charity,
so far they were enlightened.
For all Divine influx from heaven
is into the good with a person,
and through the good into the truths;
and because the person of the church
was then in spiritual good,
which good in its essence is truth,
therefore those times were called the Silver Age,
for "silver" signifies such good.
But when
the science of correspondences and of representations
was turned into magic,
that church perished,
and a third church succeeded in which
indeed almost all the worship
was performed by similar observances;
but still it was not known what they signified.
This church was instituted
with the Israelitish and Jewish nation.
But as information about heavenly things,
or those of eternal life,
was not possible with the people of this church
by influx into their interiors, and thus by enlightenment,
therefore angels from heaven
spoke with some of them in a living voice,
and instructed them about external things;
but very little about internal things,
because these they could not understand.
Those who were in natural good
reverently received the things taught them,
and from them these times were called Brazen,
for "brass" signifies such good.
But when not even natural good remained
with the people of the church,
the Lord came into the world and reduced into order
all things in the heavens and in the hells,
to the end that a person may receive
influx from Him out of heaven and be enlightened;
and that the hells should not be able to hinder,
and infuse thick darkness.
Then a fourth church began,
which is called the Christian Church
In this church their information about heavenly things,
or about those of eternal life,
is effected solely by means of the Word.
Thereby a person has influx and enlightenment;
for the Word has been written
by means of mere correspondences,
and by means of mere representatives,
which signify heavenly things.
Into these come the angels of heaven
when a person of the church reads the Word;
consequently there is effected through the Word
the conjunction of heaven with the church,
or of the angels of heaven with the people of the church;
but only with those therein
who are in the good of love and of charity.
But inasmuch as the person of this church
also has extinguished this good,
therefore neither can he be informed by any influx,
and by enlightenment therefrom,
except about a few truths,
which however do not cohere with good.
Therefore these times are what are called Iron,
for "iron" denotes truth in the ultimate of order.
From this it can be seen
in what manner revelations have succeeded one another
from the most ancient ages to the present time;
and that at this day
revelation is given solely through the Word,
and genuine revelation solely with those
who are in the love of truth for the sake of truth,
and not with those who are in the love of truth
for the sake of honors and profit as ends.
For, if you will believe it,
the Lord is the Word itself,
because the Word is Divine truth,
and Divine truth is the Lord in heaven,
because it is from the Lord.
Wherefore they who love Divine truth
for the sake of Divine truth,
love the Lord;
and with those who love the Lord
heaven flows in and enlightens them.
Whereas they who love Divine truth
for the sake of honors and profit as ends,
turn themselves away from the Lord
to themselves and to the world,
for which reason there can be with them
no influx and enlightenment.
Moreover, as these, when dwelling on the sense of the letter,
keep the mind fixed upon themselves
and their own reputation and glory,
they apply this sense to such things as favor their own loves.
Psalm 102:25-26,27
In the beginning
You laid the foundations of the earth,
and the heavens are the work of Your hands.
They will perish,
but You remain . . .
and Your years will never end.
(Psalm 102:25-26,27)
You laid the foundations of the earth,
and the heavens are the work of Your hands.
They will perish,
but You remain . . .
and Your years will never end.
(Psalm 102:25-26,27)
Sunday, May 04, 2014
AC 10336 - wise in heart
AC 10336
. . . the signification of "one that is wise in heart,"
as being one who wills and loves what is good and true
for the sake of what is good and true;
for it is the part of one who is wise,
and it is wisdom,
to do truths from love;
and it is the part of one who is wise in heart,
and it is wisdom of heart,
to do what is good from love;
and from the signification of "putting wisdom in the heart,"
as being to do these things from the Lord,
thus from the good of love,
because the good of love is from the Lord;
for all such will and do what is good and true
for the sake of what is good and true,
because good and the truth of good
are the Lord with them,
inasmuch as the things which are from Him,
thus which are His,
are also Himself.
For this reason it is said
that the Lord is good itself and truth itself.
. . . the signification of "one that is wise in heart,"
as being one who wills and loves what is good and true
for the sake of what is good and true;
for it is the part of one who is wise,
and it is wisdom,
to do truths from love;
and it is the part of one who is wise in heart,
and it is wisdom of heart,
to do what is good from love;
and from the signification of "putting wisdom in the heart,"
as being to do these things from the Lord,
thus from the good of love,
because the good of love is from the Lord;
for all such will and do what is good and true
for the sake of what is good and true,
because good and the truth of good
are the Lord with them,
inasmuch as the things which are from Him,
thus which are His,
are also Himself.
For this reason it is said
that the Lord is good itself and truth itself.
Saturday, May 03, 2014
AC 10331 - wisdom, intelligence, knowledge & work
AC 10331 [4]
With those who are in the good of love to the Lord,
wisdom, intelligence, knowledge, and work,
follow together in order
from inmost to outermost.
With such people,
wisdom is inmost,
for it is to will well from love;
intelligence is second,
for it is to understand well from willing well.
These two are of the internal person.
Knowledge consists in knowing well,
and work in doing well,
both from willing well.
These two are of the external person.
From this it is evident
that wisdom must be in intelligence,
intelligence in knowledge,
and knowledge in work.
Thus work includes and brings to a conclusion
all the interior things,
for it is the ultimate in which they terminate.
With those who are in the good of love to the Lord,
wisdom, intelligence, knowledge, and work,
follow together in order
from inmost to outermost.
With such people,
wisdom is inmost,
for it is to will well from love;
intelligence is second,
for it is to understand well from willing well.
These two are of the internal person.
Knowledge consists in knowing well,
and work in doing well,
both from willing well.
These two are of the external person.
From this it is evident
that wisdom must be in intelligence,
intelligence in knowledge,
and knowledge in work.
Thus work includes and brings to a conclusion
all the interior things,
for it is the ultimate in which they terminate.
Psalm 100:1-3
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
Worship the Lord with gladness;
come before Him with joyful songs.
Know that the Lord is God.
It is He who made us,
and not we ourselves;
we are His people,
the sheep of His pasture.
(Psalm 100:1-3)
Worship the Lord with gladness;
come before Him with joyful songs.
Know that the Lord is God.
It is He who made us,
and not we ourselves;
we are His people,
the sheep of His pasture.
(Psalm 100:1-3)
Friday, May 02, 2014
AC 10318, 10325 - revelation from the Divine
AC 10318
Without a revelation from the Divine,
a person cannot know anything about eternal life,
nor indeed anything about God,
and still less about love to Him and faith in Him.
For a person is born into mere ignorance,
and afterward has all things to learn from what is of the world,
from which he must form his understanding.
He is also born by heredity into all evil
that belongs to the love of self and the love of the world.
The delights from these loves reign continually,
and prompt to such things as are
diametrically contrary to the Divine.
From this then it is
that from himself a person knows nothing about eternal life;
and therefore there must needs be a revelation
from which he may know this.
AC 10325
The books of the Word
are all those which have an internal sense;
and those which have not an internal sense
are not the Word.
The books of the Word in the Old Testament are
the five books of Moses,
the book of Joshua, the book of Judges,
the two books of Samuel,
the two books of Kings,
the Psalms of David,
the Prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations,
Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah,
Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah,
Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi;
and in the New Testament the four Gospels,
Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John;
and Revelation.
Without a revelation from the Divine,
a person cannot know anything about eternal life,
nor indeed anything about God,
and still less about love to Him and faith in Him.
For a person is born into mere ignorance,
and afterward has all things to learn from what is of the world,
from which he must form his understanding.
He is also born by heredity into all evil
that belongs to the love of self and the love of the world.
The delights from these loves reign continually,
and prompt to such things as are
diametrically contrary to the Divine.
From this then it is
that from himself a person knows nothing about eternal life;
and therefore there must needs be a revelation
from which he may know this.
AC 10325
The books of the Word
are all those which have an internal sense;
and those which have not an internal sense
are not the Word.
The books of the Word in the Old Testament are
the five books of Moses,
the book of Joshua, the book of Judges,
the two books of Samuel,
the two books of Kings,
the Psalms of David,
the Prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations,
Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah,
Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah,
Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi;
and in the New Testament the four Gospels,
Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John;
and Revelation.
Psalm 99:9
Exalt the Lord our God
and worship at His holy mountain,
for the Lord our God is holy.
(Psalm 99:9)
and worship at His holy mountain,
for the Lord our God is holy.
(Psalm 99:9)
Thursday, May 01, 2014
AC 10300 - "salt"
AC 10300
. . . by "salt" is signified
a longing for the conjunction of truth and good . . ..
. . . by "salt" is signified
a longing for the conjunction of truth and good . . ..
Psalm 98:4-6)
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth,
burst into jubilant song with music;
make music to the Lord with the harp,
with the harp and the sound of singing,
with trumpets and the blast of the ram's horn -
shout for joy before the Lord, the King.
(Psalm 98:4-6)
burst into jubilant song with music;
make music to the Lord with the harp,
with the harp and the sound of singing,
with trumpets and the blast of the ram's horn -
shout for joy before the Lord, the King.
(Psalm 98:4-6)
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