AC 6478
... the Lord is in every single thing,
for the Lord is such that He wills to give Himself to all,
and hence good fortune and bliss are increased
with those who are images and likenesses of Him.
AC 6485
... for many reasons Providence acts silently and secretly;
and that if it acted openly, man could not possibly be reformed.
AC 6487
All the things which are from the Lord are most essential;
but they do not follow in order from necessity,
but in a manner that is applicable to the freedom of man.
AC 6488
... no one has ever been predestined to hell,
but that all have been predestined to eternal life.
AC 6489
... nothing is permitted
except for the end that some good may come out of it;
but as man has freedom, in order that he may be reformed,
he is bent from evil to good so far as he allows himself to be bent in freedom,
and (if he cannot be led to heaven) continually from the most atrocious hell,
into which he makes every effort to plunge, into a milder one.
AC 9493
... all things, nay, the leasts of all things, down to the leasts of the leasts,
are directed by the Providence of the Lord, even as to the very steps;
and when such a sphere prevails as is contrary thereto, misfortunes happen.
... there is no such thing as chance, and that apparent accident, or fortune,
is the Providence in the ultimate of order,
in which all things are comparatively inconstant.
Monday, March 31, 2008
AC 6478-6493 - the Lord and His Infinite and Eternal Providence - a review
AC 6478
... the Lord is in every single thing,
for the Lord is such that He wills to give Himself to all,
and hence good fortune and bliss are increased
with those who are images and likenesses of Him.
AC 6485
... for many reason Providence acts silently and secretly;
and that if it aced openly, man could not possibly be reformed.
AC 6487
All the things which are from the Lord are most essential;
but they do not follow in order from necessity,
but in a manner that is applicable to the freedom of man.
AC 6488
... no one has ever been predestined to hell,
but that all have been predestined to eternal life.
AC 6489
... nothing is permitted except for the end that some good may come out of it;
but as man has freedom, in order that he may be reformed,
he is bent from evil to good so far as he allows himself to be bent in freedom,
and (if he cannot be led to heaven) continually from the most atrocious hell,
into which he makes every effort to plunge, into a milder one.
AC 9493
... all things, nay, the leasts of all things, down to the leasts of the leasts,
are directed by the Providence of the Lord, even as to the very steps;
and when such a sphere prevails as is contrary thereto, misfortunes happen.
... there is no such thing as chance, and that apparent accident, or fortune,
is the Providence in the ultimate of order,
in which all things are comparatively inconstant.
... the Lord is in every single thing,
for the Lord is such that He wills to give Himself to all,
and hence good fortune and bliss are increased
with those who are images and likenesses of Him.
AC 6485
... for many reason Providence acts silently and secretly;
and that if it aced openly, man could not possibly be reformed.
AC 6487
All the things which are from the Lord are most essential;
but they do not follow in order from necessity,
but in a manner that is applicable to the freedom of man.
AC 6488
... no one has ever been predestined to hell,
but that all have been predestined to eternal life.
AC 6489
... nothing is permitted except for the end that some good may come out of it;
but as man has freedom, in order that he may be reformed,
he is bent from evil to good so far as he allows himself to be bent in freedom,
and (if he cannot be led to heaven) continually from the most atrocious hell,
into which he makes every effort to plunge, into a milder one.
AC 9493
... all things, nay, the leasts of all things, down to the leasts of the leasts,
are directed by the Providence of the Lord, even as to the very steps;
and when such a sphere prevails as is contrary thereto, misfortunes happen.
... there is no such thing as chance, and that apparent accident, or fortune,
is the Providence in the ultimate of order,
in which all things are comparatively inconstant.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
AC 6451, 6454 - the Lord is the all of life
AC 6451 [3]
As all the interiors are together in the ultimate,
therefore the appearance is as if life were in the ultimate,
that is, in the body;
when yet it is in the interiors, nor yet there,
but in the highest,
that is, in the Lord, for whom is the all of life.
AC 6454
Whatever is in the natural, and especially what is in the exterior natural,
is obscure in comparison with what is in the interior natural,
and still more so in comparison with what is in the rational.
But this obscurity becomes clear in two ways;
first if the exteriors are brought into compliance with the interiors,
and thus from correspondence;
secondly, if the person can be elevated from the exterior to the interior things,
and thus to see the exterior things from what is interior.
This latter way is possible with those who are in the internal of the church,
and the former with those who are in its external;
but neither the one nor the other is obtained
except through regeneration by the Lord.
As all the interiors are together in the ultimate,
therefore the appearance is as if life were in the ultimate,
that is, in the body;
when yet it is in the interiors, nor yet there,
but in the highest,
that is, in the Lord, for whom is the all of life.
AC 6454
Whatever is in the natural, and especially what is in the exterior natural,
is obscure in comparison with what is in the interior natural,
and still more so in comparison with what is in the rational.
But this obscurity becomes clear in two ways;
first if the exteriors are brought into compliance with the interiors,
and thus from correspondence;
secondly, if the person can be elevated from the exterior to the interior things,
and thus to see the exterior things from what is interior.
This latter way is possible with those who are in the internal of the church,
and the former with those who are in its external;
but neither the one nor the other is obtained
except through regeneration by the Lord.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
AC 6443 - those who have been rescued by the Lord
AC 6443
... they who are being elevated into heaven are at first in obscurity;
for they cannot come to clearness until they have been in heaven,
and have been instructed with respect to truths by the Lord
through the angels, into whose society they are sent;
for there is need of time
in order that the obscurity induced by falsities may be dissipated.
... they who are being elevated into heaven are at first in obscurity;
for they cannot come to clearness until they have been in heaven,
and have been instructed with respect to truths by the Lord
through the angels, into whose society they are sent;
for there is need of time
in order that the obscurity induced by falsities may be dissipated.
AC 6443 - those who have been rescued by the Lord
AC 6443
... they who are being elevated into heaven are at first in obscurity;
for they cannot come to clearness until they have been in heaven,
and have been instructed with respect to truths by the Lord through the angels,
into whose society they are sent;
for there is need of time
in order that the obscurity induced by falsities may be dissipated.
... they who are being elevated into heaven are at first in obscurity;
for they cannot come to clearness until they have been in heaven,
and have been instructed with respect to truths by the Lord through the angels,
into whose society they are sent;
for there is need of time
in order that the obscurity induced by falsities may be dissipated.
Friday, March 28, 2008
This week, I have read the same couple pages over and over. I can't seem to get beyond a certain point - perhaps because there is something here that seems simple but perhaps needs more attention. So this may be long, and I apologize.
AC 6435
Even to the desire of the hills of an age.
... the signification of the "hills of an age,"
as being the things of mutual love....
Before it is shown from other passages of the Word that by the "hills of an age" is signified mutual love, it must first be told what is meant by the mutual love to which the man of the spiritual church, represented by Joseph, busies himself in arriving.
From what has frequently been said and shown above, it is evident that there are two kingdoms which constitute heaven, namely, the celestial kingdom and the spiritual kingdom.
The difference between these two kingdoms is that
the internal good of the celestial kingdom is the good of love to the Lord,
and its external is the good of mutual love;
they who are of this kingdom are in the good of love,
but not in the truth which is called the truth of faith,
for this is in the good of this kingdom,
insomuch that it cannot be seen separately from good,
and therefore they who belong to this kingdom
cannot even mention faith, because with them
instead of the truth of faith there is the good of mutual love.
But as regards the spiritual kingdom,
its internal is the good of charity toward the neighbor,
while its external is the truth of faith.
[2] But although the good of mutual love
(which is the external of the celestial church) is more interior,
and the good of charity toward the neighbor is more exterior,
nevertheless, as just said,
the Lord conjoins these goods by an intermediate,
and thus conjoins these two kingdoms.
[3] In order to make a distinction between
the external good of the celestial church
and the internal good of the spiritual church,
in the following pages we may call the former good the good of mutual love,
and the latter the good of charity toward the neighbor,
which difference has not been heretofore observed.
These things being first known,
it may be said what is signified by "even to the desire of the hills of an age,"
which is among the blessings of Israel concerning this spiritual church,
namely, that the spiritual kingdom may rise above the good of charity
even to the good of mutual love, which is of the celestial kingdom;
and that in this way these two kingdoms may be intimately conjoined....
[6] ... a 'hill' is signified the good of mutual love,
and by a 'mountain' the good of celestial love,
which is the good of love to the Lord...
The mountains shall bring peace, and the hills in righteousness.
(Psalms 72:3)
For you shall go out with joy, and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and the hills should resound with singing,
and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
(Isaiah 55:12)
Short summary: -
Celestial kingdom - good of love to the Lord
External is the good of mutual love.
Truth of faith is not separate from the good of mutual love.
Mutual love is more interior than charity toward the neighbor
as is from the rational.
Celestial good = the good of mutual love.
Spiritual kingdom -
Internal - good of charity toward the neighbor,
which is from the natural.
External - truth of faith.
Spiritual good = good of charity toward the neighbor
AC 6435
Even to the desire of the hills of an age.
... the signification of the "hills of an age,"
as being the things of mutual love....
Before it is shown from other passages of the Word that by the "hills of an age" is signified mutual love, it must first be told what is meant by the mutual love to which the man of the spiritual church, represented by Joseph, busies himself in arriving.
From what has frequently been said and shown above, it is evident that there are two kingdoms which constitute heaven, namely, the celestial kingdom and the spiritual kingdom.
The difference between these two kingdoms is that
the internal good of the celestial kingdom is the good of love to the Lord,
and its external is the good of mutual love;
they who are of this kingdom are in the good of love,
but not in the truth which is called the truth of faith,
for this is in the good of this kingdom,
insomuch that it cannot be seen separately from good,
and therefore they who belong to this kingdom
cannot even mention faith, because with them
instead of the truth of faith there is the good of mutual love.
But as regards the spiritual kingdom,
its internal is the good of charity toward the neighbor,
while its external is the truth of faith.
[2] But although the good of mutual love
(which is the external of the celestial church) is more interior,
and the good of charity toward the neighbor is more exterior,
nevertheless, as just said,
the Lord conjoins these goods by an intermediate,
and thus conjoins these two kingdoms.
[3] In order to make a distinction between
the external good of the celestial church
and the internal good of the spiritual church,
in the following pages we may call the former good the good of mutual love,
and the latter the good of charity toward the neighbor,
which difference has not been heretofore observed.
These things being first known,
it may be said what is signified by "even to the desire of the hills of an age,"
which is among the blessings of Israel concerning this spiritual church,
namely, that the spiritual kingdom may rise above the good of charity
even to the good of mutual love, which is of the celestial kingdom;
and that in this way these two kingdoms may be intimately conjoined....
[6] ... a 'hill' is signified the good of mutual love,
and by a 'mountain' the good of celestial love,
which is the good of love to the Lord...
The mountains shall bring peace, and the hills in righteousness.
(Psalms 72:3)
For you shall go out with joy, and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and the hills should resound with singing,
and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
(Isaiah 55:12)
Short summary: -
Celestial kingdom - good of love to the Lord
External is the good of mutual love.
Truth of faith is not separate from the good of mutual love.
Mutual love is more interior than charity toward the neighbor
as is from the rational.
Celestial good = the good of mutual love.
Spiritual kingdom -
Internal - good of charity toward the neighbor,
which is from the natural.
External - truth of faith.
Spiritual good = good of charity toward the neighbor
Monday, March 24, 2008
AC 6423 - what makes truth strong
AC 6423
The reason why truth is strong, is that good acts through truth;
for good is of such a nature that nothing of evil or of falsity can approach it,
thus none of the infernal crew, who flee far away
when good approaches, or an angel who is in good.
But in order that good may fight with that crew which is with man from hell,
and protect him in every way,
and also protect the spirits who arrive from the world,
and likewise those who are in the lower earth,
it acts through truth, for in this way it can approach them.
The reason why truth is strong, is that good acts through truth;
for good is of such a nature that nothing of evil or of falsity can approach it,
thus none of the infernal crew, who flee far away
when good approaches, or an angel who is in good.
But in order that good may fight with that crew which is with man from hell,
and protect him in every way,
and also protect the spirits who arrive from the world,
and likewise those who are in the lower earth,
it acts through truth, for in this way it can approach them.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
AC 6410 - idleness and activity
AC 6410
The delight from good and the pleasantness from truth
which cause blessedness in heaven,
do not consist in idleness, but in activity;
for in idleness
delight and pleasantness become undelight and unpleasantness;
but in activity
delight and pleasantness are permanent and constantly uplift,
and cause blessedness.
With those who are in heaven,
activity consists in the performance of uses
(which to them is delight from good),
and in relishing truths with the end of uses
(which to them is pleasantness from truth).
The delight from good and the pleasantness from truth
which cause blessedness in heaven,
do not consist in idleness, but in activity;
for in idleness
delight and pleasantness become undelight and unpleasantness;
but in activity
delight and pleasantness are permanent and constantly uplift,
and cause blessedness.
With those who are in heaven,
activity consists in the performance of uses
(which to them is delight from good),
and in relishing truths with the end of uses
(which to them is pleasantness from truth).
Saturday, March 22, 2008
AC 6397 - the Lord alone knows
AC 6397 [3]
... no man, nor even an angel, can judge any one;
for no one but the Lord alone can know the interiors,
what they are and what they will be,
and this to eternity.
... no man, nor even an angel, can judge any one;
for no one but the Lord alone can know the interiors,
what they are and what they will be,
and this to eternity.
Friday, March 21, 2008
AC 6391 - And he shall see rest that it is good. (Genesis 49:15)
AC 6391
And he shall see rest that it is good.
The reason why "rest" denotes works of good without reward,
is that in the highest sense "rest" or "peace" signifies the Lord;
in the relative sense, heaven:
thus the good which is from the Lord....
And he shall see rest that it is good.
The reason why "rest" denotes works of good without reward,
is that in the highest sense "rest" or "peace" signifies the Lord;
in the relative sense, heaven:
thus the good which is from the Lord....
Thursday, March 20, 2008
AC 6386 - doctrinal things, knowledges, & memory knowledges
AC 6386
Doctrinal things are those which are from the Word;
knowledges are those which are from doctrinal things on one side
and from memory-knowledges on the other;
and memory-knowledges are those which belong to experience,
either one's own or that of others.
Doctrinal things are those which are from the Word;
knowledges are those which are from doctrinal things on one side
and from memory-knowledges on the other;
and memory-knowledges are those which belong to experience,
either one's own or that of others.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
AC 6380 - The Lord's Human
AC 6380
... the Lord's Divine natural is called the "good of truth,"
when yet His whole Human is the Divine good of the Divine love.
... the Lord's Divine natural is called the "good of truth,"
when yet His whole Human is the Divine good of the Divine love.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
AC 6366 & 6368 - the paths of influx
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....
... 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....
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)