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.