AC 3384. 3387 - Rational Things Enlightened

AC 3384

. . . the rational things
which when enlightened by the Divine of the Lord
are appearances of truth.

AC 3387 [1-2, 3]

. . . if Divine truths themselves were to be opened,
they would not be received by those
who are in the doctrinal things of faith,
because they surpass all their rational apprehension,
thus all their belief,
and consequently nothing of good from the Lord
could flow in.
For good from the Lord, or Divine good,
can inflow solely into truths,
because truths are the vessels of good,
as often shown.

Truths or appearances of truth are given a person
to the intent that Divine good may be able
to form his understanding,
and thus the person himself.
For truths exist to the end
that good may flow in;
for without vessels or receptacles
good finds no place,
because it finds no state corresponding to itself;
and therefore where there are no truths,
or where they are not received,
there is no rational or human good,
consequently the person has no spiritual life.
In order therefore
that a person may nevertheless have truths,
and thereby have spiritual life,
appearances of truth are given to everyone
according to his apprehension;
which appearances are acknowledged as truths,
because they are such
that Divine things can be in them.

(An example:)
. . . whatever is said in the Word
concerning places and spaces,
and from them and by means of them,
is an appearance of truth;
and unless it were said by means of such appearances,
it would not be received at all,
consequently would be scarcely anything;
for so long as he is in the world,
that is, in space and time,
the idea of space and of time
is within almost everything of a person's thought,
both in general and in particular.