AC 6366
... when celestial love, which is represented by Judah,
flows into the spiritual truths which are represented by the sons of Israel,
it disposes them into order, and thus submits them to the Lord....
AC 6368
... no one can be torn away and delivered from hell
unless in the life of the body he has been in spiritual good,
that is, in charity through faith;
for unless he has been in the good through faith,
there is nothing to receive the good which flows in from the Lord;
but it flows through, except that which can be fixed somewhere....
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Monday, March 17, 2008
AC 6359 - the light of heaven
AC 6359
... among spirits and among the angels
truth from good appears and is presented to view as soft,
but falsity from evil as hard,
and this in proportion as the falsity from evil is more confirmed....
Thus when the light of heaven from the Lord
falls upon the harness produced by falsity from evil, it is reflected;
but on the other hand,
when the light of heaven from the Lord
falls upon the softness produced by truth from good, it is received.
... among spirits and among the angels
truth from good appears and is presented to view as soft,
but falsity from evil as hard,
and this in proportion as the falsity from evil is more confirmed....
Thus when the light of heaven from the Lord
falls upon the harness produced by falsity from evil, it is reflected;
but on the other hand,
when the light of heaven from the Lord
falls upon the softness produced by truth from good, it is received.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
AC 6344 - the "powers" that are the angels
AC 6344 [4]
... they who are in truth from good,
that is, in faith from charity,
are in power through truth from good.
In this power are all the angels,
and from this the angels are called in the Word "powers;"
for they are in the power of restraining evil spirits,
one angel being able to restrain a thousand all at once.
... they who are in truth from good,
that is, in faith from charity,
are in power through truth from good.
In this power are all the angels,
and from this the angels are called in the Word "powers;"
for they are in the power of restraining evil spirits,
one angel being able to restrain a thousand all at once.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
AC 6333 & 6340 - the Lord gave the Word in order to unite heaven and earth
AC 6333 [4]
The historical parts have been given in order that infants and children may thereby be initiated into the reading of the Word; for the historical parts are delightful, and rest in their minds, whereby communication is given them with the heavens; and this communication is grateful, because they are in a state of innocence and mutual charity. This is the reason why there is an historical Word.
There is a prophetical Word, because when it is read, it is not understood by man except obscurely, and when it is understood obscurely by such men as there are now, it is perceived clearly by the angels....
AC 6340
...they who are of the church should hear the Lord, that is, should hear Him in the Word, and what He there teaches with respect to the truths of faith and the goods of love....
The historical parts have been given in order that infants and children may thereby be initiated into the reading of the Word; for the historical parts are delightful, and rest in their minds, whereby communication is given them with the heavens; and this communication is grateful, because they are in a state of innocence and mutual charity. This is the reason why there is an historical Word.
There is a prophetical Word, because when it is read, it is not understood by man except obscurely, and when it is understood obscurely by such men as there are now, it is perceived clearly by the angels....
AC 6340
...they who are of the church should hear the Lord, that is, should hear Him in the Word, and what He there teaches with respect to the truths of faith and the goods of love....
Friday, March 14, 2008
AC 6325 - the Lord gives
AC 6325
... the person who is led by the Lord is in freedom itself,
and thus in delight and bliss itself;
goods and truths are appropriated to him;
there is given him an affection and desire for doing what is good,
and then nothing is more delightful to him than to perform uses.
There is given him a perception of good, and also a sensation of it;
and there is given him intelligence and wisdom;
and all these as his own;
for he is then a recipient of the Lord's life.
... the person who is led by the Lord is in freedom itself,
and thus in delight and bliss itself;
goods and truths are appropriated to him;
there is given him an affection and desire for doing what is good,
and then nothing is more delightful to him than to perform uses.
There is given him a perception of good, and also a sensation of it;
and there is given him intelligence and wisdom;
and all these as his own;
for he is then a recipient of the Lord's life.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
AC 6303 - And God shall be with you.
AC 6303
And God shall be with you.
That this signifies the Divine providence of the Lord . . .
for when the Lord is with any one, He leads him,
and provides that all things which happen,
whether sad or joyful, befall him for good:
this is the Divine providence.
The reason why it is called the providence "of the Lord"
is that it is said, "God shall be with you,"
and by "God" and by "Jehovah" in the Word is meant the Lord,
for there is no other God besides Him;
for He is the very Father and He is the very Son,
for they are one;
the Father is in Him, and He is in the Father,
as He Himself teaches in John 14:8-11:
Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us."
Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip,
even after I have been among you such a long time?
Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.
How can you say, 'Show us the Father?'
Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me?
The words I say to you are not just my own.
Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing His work.
Believe me when I say
that I am in the Father and the Father is in me..."
And God shall be with you.
That this signifies the Divine providence of the Lord . . .
for when the Lord is with any one, He leads him,
and provides that all things which happen,
whether sad or joyful, befall him for good:
this is the Divine providence.
The reason why it is called the providence "of the Lord"
is that it is said, "God shall be with you,"
and by "God" and by "Jehovah" in the Word is meant the Lord,
for there is no other God besides Him;
for He is the very Father and He is the very Son,
for they are one;
the Father is in Him, and He is in the Father,
as He Himself teaches in John 14:8-11:
Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us."
Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip,
even after I have been among you such a long time?
Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.
How can you say, 'Show us the Father?'
Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me?
The words I say to you are not just my own.
Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing His work.
Believe me when I say
that I am in the Father and the Father is in me..."
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
AC 6299 - the need for the external
AC 6299 [2]
In order for an internal to be an internal of the church, it must needs be in the external of the church, for the external holds the place of the foundation on which the internal stands, and is the receptacle into which the internal stands, and is the receptacle into which the internal flows. Hence it is that the natural, which is external, must needs be regenerated; for unless it is regenerated, the internal has neither foundation nor receptacle; and if it has no foundation nor receptacle, it utterly perishes.
[3] As an illustration of this matter take this example. The very affection of charity which a person feels within himself as a quietude and bliss in benefiting the neighbor without regard to any recompense, is the internal of the church; but to will this good and to do it from truth, that is, because it has been so commanded in the Word, is the external of the church.
In order for an internal to be an internal of the church, it must needs be in the external of the church, for the external holds the place of the foundation on which the internal stands, and is the receptacle into which the internal stands, and is the receptacle into which the internal flows. Hence it is that the natural, which is external, must needs be regenerated; for unless it is regenerated, the internal has neither foundation nor receptacle; and if it has no foundation nor receptacle, it utterly perishes.
[3] As an illustration of this matter take this example. The very affection of charity which a person feels within himself as a quietude and bliss in benefiting the neighbor without regard to any recompense, is the internal of the church; but to will this good and to do it from truth, that is, because it has been so commanded in the Word, is the external of the church.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
AC 6292 - Put they right hand upon his head. (Genesis 48:17)
AC 6292
Put they right hand upon his head.
That when he was blessing, Israel placed his hand on the head, was a ritual received from the ancients; for in the head are the very intellectual and will of a person, but in the body are acts according thereto, and compliance; thus putting the hand on the head was a representative that a blessing was being communicated to the intellectual and the will, thus to the person himself. From that ancient time the same ritual remains even to this day, and is in use in inaugurations, and also in the act of blessing.
Put they right hand upon his head.
That when he was blessing, Israel placed his hand on the head, was a ritual received from the ancients; for in the head are the very intellectual and will of a person, but in the body are acts according thereto, and compliance; thus putting the hand on the head was a representative that a blessing was being communicated to the intellectual and the will, thus to the person himself. From that ancient time the same ritual remains even to this day, and is in use in inaugurations, and also in the act of blessing.
Monday, March 10, 2008
AC 6280 - the Lord as to His Divine Human is called the "Redeemer"
AC 6280
... by assuming the Human and making it Divine the Lord redeemed man,
that is, delivered him from hell;
so the Lord as to His Divine Human is called the "Redeemer."
The first part, and sections 2 & 3 are quoted in today's comments of the blog.
... by assuming the Human and making it Divine the Lord redeemed man,
that is, delivered him from hell;
so the Lord as to His Divine Human is called the "Redeemer."
The first part, and sections 2 & 3 are quoted in today's comments of the blog.
AC 6227 - "Israel" is the spiritual church
AC 6227
... in the genuine sense "Israel" is the spiritual church,
and the good of this church is the good of truth;
because those who belong to this church
are instructed about good by means of truth,
and when they do according to the truth in which they are instructed,
then this truth is called good.
... in the genuine sense "Israel" is the spiritual church,
and the good of this church is the good of truth;
because those who belong to this church
are instructed about good by means of truth,
and when they do according to the truth in which they are instructed,
then this truth is called good.
Sunday, March 09, 2008
AC 6272 - a flame
AC 6272
... for good is like a flame,
and truth like the light from it:
if you take away the flame,
the light also perishes....
... for good is like a flame,
and truth like the light from it:
if you take away the flame,
the light also perishes....
Saturday, March 08, 2008
AC 6232 - truths and goods can increase
AC 6232 [2]
That truths and goods can increase indefinitely
comes from the fact that they proceed from the Lord,
who is infinite.
That truths and goods can increase indefinitely
comes from the fact that they proceed from the Lord,
who is infinite.
Friday, March 07, 2008
AC 6222- the intellectual (Ephraim) and the will of the church (Manasseh)
AC 6222 [portions of 2, 3, & 4]
The intellectual of the church is to perceive from the Word what the truth of faith is, and what is the good of charity.
... the intellectual of the church consists in a person's perceiving, when he reads the Word and carefully compares one passage with another, what is to be believed, and what is to be done. This intellectual is to be found only in such people as are enlightened by the Lord . . . this enlightenment is to be found only in such people who desire to know truths, not for the sake of reputation and glory, but for the sake of life and use.
... they who are in the intellectual of the church are clearly able to perceive that the word everywhere teaches that love to the Lord and charity toward the neighbor are essentials of the church; and that the life of a person remains after death; and that his life is from his loves....
[6] This is the intellectual which is represented by Ephraim; but the good of the church, which is represented by Manasseh, is the good of charity which is insinuated by the Lord into the person of the church by means of the truths of faith; for these, together with the good of charity, are what flow into the intellectual and enlighten it, and also make the intellectual and the will constitute one mind.
The intellectual of the church is to perceive from the Word what the truth of faith is, and what is the good of charity.
... the intellectual of the church consists in a person's perceiving, when he reads the Word and carefully compares one passage with another, what is to be believed, and what is to be done. This intellectual is to be found only in such people as are enlightened by the Lord . . . this enlightenment is to be found only in such people who desire to know truths, not for the sake of reputation and glory, but for the sake of life and use.
... they who are in the intellectual of the church are clearly able to perceive that the word everywhere teaches that love to the Lord and charity toward the neighbor are essentials of the church; and that the life of a person remains after death; and that his life is from his loves....
[6] This is the intellectual which is represented by Ephraim; but the good of the church, which is represented by Manasseh, is the good of charity which is insinuated by the Lord into the person of the church by means of the truths of faith; for these, together with the good of charity, are what flow into the intellectual and enlighten it, and also make the intellectual and the will constitute one mind.
Thursday, March 06, 2008
AC 6207 - conscience is the plane into which the angels flow
AC 6207
Conscience is twofold, interior and exterior.
Interior conscience is of spiritual good and truth;
exterior conscience is of justice and equity.
... they who enjoy exterior conscience are saved in the other life;
for they are of such a character
that if they act contrary to what is good and true,
or contrary to what is just and equitable,
they are inwardly distressed and tormented;
not because by so doing
they suffer loss of honor, of gain, or of reputation;
but because they have acted contrary to good and truth,
or to justice and equity.
But where these consciences do not exist,
there is something else of a very low nature
which sometimes counterfeits conscience,
and which leads men to do what is true and good,
and what is just and equitable,
not from the love of these,
but for the sake of self and their own honor and advantage.
These persons also are distressed and tormented
when adverse things befall them.
But this conscience is no conscience,
because it belongs to the love of self and of the world,
and there is nothing in it which regards the love of God and of the neighbor;
and therefore in the other life it does not show itself.
... conscience is the plane into which the angels flow,
and indeed into the affections of good and truth,
and of justice and equity therein;
and that in this way they hold the man bound,
yet still in freedom.
Conscience is twofold, interior and exterior.
Interior conscience is of spiritual good and truth;
exterior conscience is of justice and equity.
... they who enjoy exterior conscience are saved in the other life;
for they are of such a character
that if they act contrary to what is good and true,
or contrary to what is just and equitable,
they are inwardly distressed and tormented;
not because by so doing
they suffer loss of honor, of gain, or of reputation;
but because they have acted contrary to good and truth,
or to justice and equity.
But where these consciences do not exist,
there is something else of a very low nature
which sometimes counterfeits conscience,
and which leads men to do what is true and good,
and what is just and equitable,
not from the love of these,
but for the sake of self and their own honor and advantage.
These persons also are distressed and tormented
when adverse things befall them.
But this conscience is no conscience,
because it belongs to the love of self and of the world,
and there is nothing in it which regards the love of God and of the neighbor;
and therefore in the other life it does not show itself.
... conscience is the plane into which the angels flow,
and indeed into the affections of good and truth,
and of justice and equity therein;
and that in this way they hold the man bound,
yet still in freedom.
AC 6207 - conscience is the plane into which the angels flow
AC 6207
Conscience is twofold, interior and exterior.
Interior conscience is of spiritual good and truth;
exterior conscience is of justice and equity.
... they who enjoy exterior conscience are saved in the other life;
for they are of such a character
that if they act contrary to what is good and true,
or contrary to what is just and equitable,
they are inwardly distressed and tormented;
not because by so doing they suffer loss of honor, of gain, or of reputation;
but because they have acted contrary to good and truth,
or to justice and equity.
But where these consciences do not exist,
there is something else of a very low nature
which sometimes counterfeits conscience,
and which leads men to do what is true and good,
and what is just and equitable,
not from the love of these,
but for the sake of self and their own honor and advantage.
These persons also are distressed and tormented when adverse things befall them.
But this conscience is no conscience,
because it belongs to the love of self and of the world,
and there is nothing in it which regards the love of God and of the neighbor;
and therefore in the other life it does not show itself.
... conscience is the plane into which the angels flow,
and indeed into the affections of good and truth,
and of justice and equity therein;
and that in this way they hold the man bound,
yet still in freedom.
Conscience is twofold, interior and exterior.
Interior conscience is of spiritual good and truth;
exterior conscience is of justice and equity.
... they who enjoy exterior conscience are saved in the other life;
for they are of such a character
that if they act contrary to what is good and true,
or contrary to what is just and equitable,
they are inwardly distressed and tormented;
not because by so doing they suffer loss of honor, of gain, or of reputation;
but because they have acted contrary to good and truth,
or to justice and equity.
But where these consciences do not exist,
there is something else of a very low nature
which sometimes counterfeits conscience,
and which leads men to do what is true and good,
and what is just and equitable,
not from the love of these,
but for the sake of self and their own honor and advantage.
These persons also are distressed and tormented when adverse things befall them.
But this conscience is no conscience,
because it belongs to the love of self and of the world,
and there is nothing in it which regards the love of God and of the neighbor;
and therefore in the other life it does not show itself.
... conscience is the plane into which the angels flow,
and indeed into the affections of good and truth,
and of justice and equity therein;
and that in this way they hold the man bound,
yet still in freedom.
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
AC 6196 - man is governed by the Lord by means of angels and spirits
AC 6196
The things which flow in from the spirits who are from hell are evils and falsities, but those which flow in from the angels who are from heaven are goods and truths. Thus by means of influxes opposite to each other the man is kept in the midst, thus in freedom.
As the things which flow in from the angels, flow in through the more inward interiors, they are not so apparent to the outward sense as are those which flow in from evil spirits.
Moreover the angels are of such a character that they never desire to hear that the influxes of good and truth are from themselves, but that they are from the Lord, and they are indignant if it is thought otherwise; for they are in the manifest perception that it is so, and they love nothing more than to will and think not from themselves, but from the Lord.
On the other hand, evil spirits are angry if told that they do not think and will from themselves, because this is contrary to the delight of their loves; and they are more angry when told that life is not in them, but that it flows in.
The things which flow in from the spirits who are from hell are evils and falsities, but those which flow in from the angels who are from heaven are goods and truths. Thus by means of influxes opposite to each other the man is kept in the midst, thus in freedom.
As the things which flow in from the angels, flow in through the more inward interiors, they are not so apparent to the outward sense as are those which flow in from evil spirits.
Moreover the angels are of such a character that they never desire to hear that the influxes of good and truth are from themselves, but that they are from the Lord, and they are indignant if it is thought otherwise; for they are in the manifest perception that it is so, and they love nothing more than to will and think not from themselves, but from the Lord.
On the other hand, evil spirits are angry if told that they do not think and will from themselves, because this is contrary to the delight of their loves; and they are more angry when told that life is not in them, but that it flows in.
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
AC 6180 - "And do mercy and truth with me." (Genesis 47:29)
AC 6180
And do mercy and truth with me.
... the signification of "doing mercy," as being the good of love;
and from the signification of "doing," as being the truth of faith.
These words are uttered as words of supplication, thus of humiliation.
That "doing mercy" denotes the good of love
is because all mercy is of love;
for he who is in love or charity is also in mercy,
and the love and charity in him becomes mercy
when the neighbor is in need or misery,
and he affords him help in that state.
So it is that by "mercy" is signified the good of love.
That "doing truth" denotes the truth of faith is because all truth is of faith....
[2] .. the good of love and the truth of faith are in the closet conjunction,
and the one is not possible without the other...
And do mercy and truth with me.
... the signification of "doing mercy," as being the good of love;
and from the signification of "doing," as being the truth of faith.
These words are uttered as words of supplication, thus of humiliation.
That "doing mercy" denotes the good of love
is because all mercy is of love;
for he who is in love or charity is also in mercy,
and the love and charity in him becomes mercy
when the neighbor is in need or misery,
and he affords him help in that state.
So it is that by "mercy" is signified the good of love.
That "doing truth" denotes the truth of faith is because all truth is of faith....
[2] .. the good of love and the truth of faith are in the closet conjunction,
and the one is not possible without the other...
Monday, March 03, 2008
AC 6157 - What makes a man a man?
AC 6157
... for man is not man from his external form, but from his mind,
that is, from his understanding and will which constitute his mind,
and also from the truth of faith and the good of charity
which constitute the still more inward mind.
... for man is not man from his external form, but from his mind,
that is, from his understanding and will which constitute his mind,
and also from the truth of faith and the good of charity
which constitute the still more inward mind.
Sunday, March 02, 2008
AC 6144 - why despair is the last of temptation
AC 6144
There are many reasons why despair is the last of desolation and of temptation....
Despair causes those who feel it to acknowledge
in an effectual and feeling manner
that there is nothing of truth and good from themselves,
and that from themselves they are condemned;
but that they are delivered from condemnation by the Lord;
and that salvation flows in by means of truth and good.
Despair also causes them to feel the happiness of life
which is from the Lord;
for when they come out of that state,
they are like those who have been condemned to death,
and are set free from prison.
Moreover by means of desolations and temptations,
states contrary to heavenly life are felt,
the result of which is the implantation
of a sense and perception of the satisfaction and happiness of heavenly life;
for a sense and perception of what is satisfying and happy
is impossible without comparison and the opposites.
To the end therefore that full comparisons may be made,
desolations and temptations are brought to their utmost, that is, to despair.
There are many reasons why despair is the last of desolation and of temptation....
Despair causes those who feel it to acknowledge
in an effectual and feeling manner
that there is nothing of truth and good from themselves,
and that from themselves they are condemned;
but that they are delivered from condemnation by the Lord;
and that salvation flows in by means of truth and good.
Despair also causes them to feel the happiness of life
which is from the Lord;
for when they come out of that state,
they are like those who have been condemned to death,
and are set free from prison.
Moreover by means of desolations and temptations,
states contrary to heavenly life are felt,
the result of which is the implantation
of a sense and perception of the satisfaction and happiness of heavenly life;
for a sense and perception of what is satisfying and happy
is impossible without comparison and the opposites.
To the end therefore that full comparisons may be made,
desolations and temptations are brought to their utmost, that is, to despair.
Saturday, March 01, 2008
AC 6119 - there is spiritual death when there is a lack of truth
AC 6119
Spiritual life consists in activities according to truths,
consequently in uses;
for they who are in spiritual life
have an appetite and a longing for truths with a view to life, that is,
that they may live according to them, thus with a view to uses.
So far therefore as they are able to receive truths
in accordance with which uses may be done,
so far they are in spiritual life,
because so far they are in the light of intelligence and of wisdom.
When therefore truths fail,
as is the case when a state of shade comes,
which is signified in the Word by "evening",
the spiritual life labors;
for such things present themselves as belong to the shade,
that is, to spiritual death;
for in this case they are not as before kept in the light,
but are in part let back into their own;
and hence there arises from the shade
an image of spiritual death, that is, of damnation.
Spiritual life consists in activities according to truths,
consequently in uses;
for they who are in spiritual life
have an appetite and a longing for truths with a view to life, that is,
that they may live according to them, thus with a view to uses.
So far therefore as they are able to receive truths
in accordance with which uses may be done,
so far they are in spiritual life,
because so far they are in the light of intelligence and of wisdom.
When therefore truths fail,
as is the case when a state of shade comes,
which is signified in the Word by "evening",
the spiritual life labors;
for such things present themselves as belong to the shade,
that is, to spiritual death;
for in this case they are not as before kept in the light,
but are in part let back into their own;
and hence there arises from the shade
an image of spiritual death, that is, of damnation.
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