AC 1150
External worship is said to correspond to internal when that which is the essential is in the worship. The essential is the adoration of the Lord from the heart; which is by no means possible unless there is charity, or love to the neighbor. In charity or love toward the neighbor the Lord is present, and then He can be adored from the heart. Thus the adoration is from the Lord, for the Lord gives all the ability and all the being in the adoration. Hence it follows that such as is the charity in a man, such is his adoration or worship.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
AC 1139 - four different styles in the Word
AC 1139
It has been stated already that there are four different styles in the Word.
The first, which was that of the Most Ancient Church, is such a is that from the first chapter of Genesis to this chapter (Genesis 10).
The second is the historical style, as in the following books of Moses,
and in the rest of the historical books.
The third is the prophetic style.
The fourth is the intermediate between the prophetic style and that of common speech.
Concerning these styles see AC 66.
AC 1140
In this chapter, and in the following one as far as Eber, the most ancient style is continued; but here it is intermediate between the style of made-up history, and that of true history. For by Noah, and his sons, Shem, Ham, Japheth, and Canaan, nothing else was meant, nor is anything else meant, than the Ancient Church regarded abstractedly as to its worship....
AC 1141
They who are here named "sons of Japheth" were all such as had external worship corresponding to internal; that is, who lived in simplicity, in friendship, and in mutual charity. Nor did they know any other doctrinal teachings than external rites.
They who are named "sons of Ham" were those who had internal worship corrupted.
They who are called "sons of Canaan" were those who had external worship separate from internal.
They who are called "sons of Shem" were internal men, and worshiped the Lord and loved the neighbor; whose church was nearly like our true Christian Church.
(AC 66 is quoted in Comments.)
It has been stated already that there are four different styles in the Word.
The first, which was that of the Most Ancient Church, is such a is that from the first chapter of Genesis to this chapter (Genesis 10).
The second is the historical style, as in the following books of Moses,
and in the rest of the historical books.
The third is the prophetic style.
The fourth is the intermediate between the prophetic style and that of common speech.
Concerning these styles see AC 66.
AC 1140
In this chapter, and in the following one as far as Eber, the most ancient style is continued; but here it is intermediate between the style of made-up history, and that of true history. For by Noah, and his sons, Shem, Ham, Japheth, and Canaan, nothing else was meant, nor is anything else meant, than the Ancient Church regarded abstractedly as to its worship....
AC 1141
They who are here named "sons of Japheth" were all such as had external worship corresponding to internal; that is, who lived in simplicity, in friendship, and in mutual charity. Nor did they know any other doctrinal teachings than external rites.
They who are named "sons of Ham" were those who had internal worship corrupted.
They who are called "sons of Canaan" were those who had external worship separate from internal.
They who are called "sons of Shem" were internal men, and worshiped the Lord and loved the neighbor; whose church was nearly like our true Christian Church.
(AC 66 is quoted in Comments.)
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
AC 1114 - Who do we meet after death?
AC 1114
Angels and spirits, or men after death, when permitted by the Lord, can meet all whom they have known in this world, or whom they have heard of - whoever they desire - can see them as present, and can converse with them. Wonderful to say, they are at hand in a moment and are most intimately present; so that it is possible to converse not only with friends, who usually find one another, but also with others that have been respected and esteemed.
Angels and spirits, or men after death, when permitted by the Lord, can meet all whom they have known in this world, or whom they have heard of - whoever they desire - can see them as present, and can converse with them. Wonderful to say, they are at hand in a moment and are most intimately present; so that it is possible to converse not only with friends, who usually find one another, but also with others that have been respected and esteemed.
Monday, February 26, 2007
AC 1100 - It is utterly useless...
AC 1100
It is utterly useless for a man to know many things if he does not live according to what he knows. For knowing has no other end than that the man may thereby become good.
It is utterly useless for a man to know many things if he does not live according to what he knows. For knowing has no other end than that the man may thereby become good.
Sunday, February 25, 2007
AC 1096 - "Blessed be Jehovah"
AC 1096
Blessed be Jehovah the God of Shem. (Genesis 9:26)
That this signifies every good for those who worship the Lord from internals, is evident from the signification of "blessed." Blessing involves every good: celestial, spiritual, and natural; and all these are signified by "blessing" in the internal sense. In the external sense, by "blessing" is signified every worldly, corporeal, and earthly good; but these, if they be a blessing, must necessarily be so from internal blessing; for this alone is blessing, because it is eternal, and is conjoined with every felicity, and is the very being of blessings. For what really is, unless it is eternal? every other being ceases to be.
It was customary among the ancients to say, "Blessed be Jehovah;" by which they meant that from Him is every blessing, that is, every good; and the same was also a formula of thanksgiving because the Lord blesses, and has blessed.
Blessed be Jehovah the God of Shem. (Genesis 9:26)
That this signifies every good for those who worship the Lord from internals, is evident from the signification of "blessed." Blessing involves every good: celestial, spiritual, and natural; and all these are signified by "blessing" in the internal sense. In the external sense, by "blessing" is signified every worldly, corporeal, and earthly good; but these, if they be a blessing, must necessarily be so from internal blessing; for this alone is blessing, because it is eternal, and is conjoined with every felicity, and is the very being of blessings. For what really is, unless it is eternal? every other being ceases to be.
It was customary among the ancients to say, "Blessed be Jehovah;" by which they meant that from Him is every blessing, that is, every good; and the same was also a formula of thanksgiving because the Lord blesses, and has blessed.
Saturday, February 24, 2007
AC 1079 - the difference between love of self and charity
AC 1079
When there is no charity, there is the love of self, and therefore hatred against all who do not favor self. Consequently such persons see in the neighbor only what is evil, and if they see anything good, they either perceive it as nothing, or put a bad interpretation upon it. It is just the other way with those who are in charity. By this difference these two kinds of men are distinguished from one another, especially when they come into the other life; for then with those who are in no charity, the feeling of hatred shines forth from every single thing; they desire to examine every one, and even to judge him; nor do they desire anything more than to find out what is evil, constantly cherishing the disposition to condemn, punish, and torment. But they who are in charity scarcely see the evil of another, but observe all his goods and truths, and put a good interpretation on what is evil and false. Such are all the angels, which they have from the Lord, who bends all evil into good
When there is no charity, there is the love of self, and therefore hatred against all who do not favor self. Consequently such persons see in the neighbor only what is evil, and if they see anything good, they either perceive it as nothing, or put a bad interpretation upon it. It is just the other way with those who are in charity. By this difference these two kinds of men are distinguished from one another, especially when they come into the other life; for then with those who are in no charity, the feeling of hatred shines forth from every single thing; they desire to examine every one, and even to judge him; nor do they desire anything more than to find out what is evil, constantly cherishing the disposition to condemn, punish, and torment. But they who are in charity scarcely see the evil of another, but observe all his goods and truths, and put a good interpretation on what is evil and false. Such are all the angels, which they have from the Lord, who bends all evil into good
Friday, February 23, 2007
AC 1069 - "vine"
AC 1069 [5]
Since the "vine" signifies the spiritual church, and the primary thing of the spiritual church is charity, in which the Lord is present, and by means of which He conjoins Himself with man, and Himself alone works every good, therefore the Lord compares Himself to a vine, and describes the man of the church, or the spiritual church, in these words:
I am the true vine and My Father is the husbandman;
every branch in Me that bears not fruit He takes away;
and every branch that bears fruit,
He will prune it, that it may bear more fruit;
abide in Me,and I in you;
as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine,
so neither can ye, except ye abide in Me;
I am the vine, you are the branches;
he that abides in Me, and I in him, the same bears much fruit;
for without Me you can do nothing;
this is My commandment,
that you love one another, even as I have loved you.
John 15:1-5,12
Since the "vine" signifies the spiritual church, and the primary thing of the spiritual church is charity, in which the Lord is present, and by means of which He conjoins Himself with man, and Himself alone works every good, therefore the Lord compares Himself to a vine, and describes the man of the church, or the spiritual church, in these words:
I am the true vine and My Father is the husbandman;
every branch in Me that bears not fruit He takes away;
and every branch that bears fruit,
He will prune it, that it may bear more fruit;
abide in Me,and I in you;
as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine,
so neither can ye, except ye abide in Me;
I am the vine, you are the branches;
he that abides in Me, and I in him, the same bears much fruit;
for without Me you can do nothing;
this is My commandment,
that you love one another, even as I have loved you.
John 15:1-5,12
Thursday, February 22, 2007
AC 1053 - "And the bow shall be in the cloud"
AC 1053
And the bow shall be in the cloud. (Genesis 9:16)
That this signifies man's state....
A person or a soul in the other life is known among angels from his sphere, and that this sphere, whenever it pleases the Lord, is represented by colors, like those of the rainbow, in variety according to the state of each person relatively to faith in the Lord, thus relatively to the goods and truths of faith.
And the bow shall be in the cloud. (Genesis 9:16)
That this signifies man's state....
A person or a soul in the other life is known among angels from his sphere, and that this sphere, whenever it pleases the Lord, is represented by colors, like those of the rainbow, in variety according to the state of each person relatively to faith in the Lord, thus relatively to the goods and truths of faith.
AC 1050 - a living soul
AC 1050
No man can ever live, still less as a man, if he has not something living in him, that is, if he has not something of innocence, of charity, and of mercy, or something from it like or emulating it. This something of innocence, charity, and mercy man receives from the Lord during infancy and childhood, as is evident from the state of infants and also from that of childhood. What the man then receives is preserved in him, and the things that are preserved are called in the Word "remains," and are of the Lord alone in the man. What is thus preserved is what causes the man, when he comes to adult age, to be capable of being a man.
No man can ever live, still less as a man, if he has not something living in him, that is, if he has not something of innocence, of charity, and of mercy, or something from it like or emulating it. This something of innocence, charity, and mercy man receives from the Lord during infancy and childhood, as is evident from the state of infants and also from that of childhood. What the man then receives is preserved in him, and the things that are preserved are called in the Word "remains," and are of the Lord alone in the man. What is thus preserved is what causes the man, when he comes to adult age, to be capable of being a man.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
AC 1038 - "This is the sign of the covenant."
AC 1038
This is the sign of the covenant.
That a "covenant" is the presence of the Lord in love and charity, is evident from the nature of a covenant. Every covenant is for the sake of conjunction, that is, for the sake of living in mutual friendship, or love. Marriage also is for this reason called a covenant. There is no conjunction of the Lord with man except in love and charity; for the Lord is love and mercy itself. He will to save every one and draw him with mighty power to heaven, that is, to Himself. From this every one may know and conclude that no one can ever be conjoined with the Lord except through that which He Himself is, that is, except by becoming like or making one with Him - in other words, by loving the Lord in return and loving the neighbor as himself. By this alone is the conjunction effected. This is the veriest essence of a covenant. When there is conjunction from this, it then follows manifestly that the Lord is present. There is indeed the very presence of the Lord with every man, but it is nearer or more remote exactly according to the approach to love or the distance from love.
[2] Because the "covenant" is the conjunction of the Lord with man by love, or what is the same, the presence of the Lord with man in love and charity, it is called in the Word the "covenant of peace;" for "peace" signifies the kingdom of the Lord, and the kingdom of the Lord consists in mutual love, in which alone is peace.
For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed;
but My mercy shall not depart from you,
neither shall My covenant of peace be removed,
said Jehovah that has mercy on you. (Isaiah 54:10)
This is the sign of the covenant.
That a "covenant" is the presence of the Lord in love and charity, is evident from the nature of a covenant. Every covenant is for the sake of conjunction, that is, for the sake of living in mutual friendship, or love. Marriage also is for this reason called a covenant. There is no conjunction of the Lord with man except in love and charity; for the Lord is love and mercy itself. He will to save every one and draw him with mighty power to heaven, that is, to Himself. From this every one may know and conclude that no one can ever be conjoined with the Lord except through that which He Himself is, that is, except by becoming like or making one with Him - in other words, by loving the Lord in return and loving the neighbor as himself. By this alone is the conjunction effected. This is the veriest essence of a covenant. When there is conjunction from this, it then follows manifestly that the Lord is present. There is indeed the very presence of the Lord with every man, but it is nearer or more remote exactly according to the approach to love or the distance from love.
[2] Because the "covenant" is the conjunction of the Lord with man by love, or what is the same, the presence of the Lord with man in love and charity, it is called in the Word the "covenant of peace;" for "peace" signifies the kingdom of the Lord, and the kingdom of the Lord consists in mutual love, in which alone is peace.
For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed;
but My mercy shall not depart from you,
neither shall My covenant of peace be removed,
said Jehovah that has mercy on you. (Isaiah 54:10)
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
AC 1025 - "And with your seed after you." (Genesis 9:9)
AC 1025
And with your seed after you.
That this signifies those who are being created anew, is evident from the signification of "seed"...inasmuch as "seed" signifies in the literal sense posterity, but in the internal sense faith; and since, as has been often said, there is no faith except where there is charity, it is charity itself which is meant in the internal sense by "seed." From what follows it is evident that not only the man who is within the church is meant, but also the man who is without the church, thus the whole human race. Wherever there is charity, even among nations most remote from the church, there is "seed," for heavenly seed is charity. No man can do anything of good from himself, but all good is from the Lord.
And with your seed after you.
That this signifies those who are being created anew, is evident from the signification of "seed"...inasmuch as "seed" signifies in the literal sense posterity, but in the internal sense faith; and since, as has been often said, there is no faith except where there is charity, it is charity itself which is meant in the internal sense by "seed." From what follows it is evident that not only the man who is within the church is meant, but also the man who is without the church, thus the whole human race. Wherever there is charity, even among nations most remote from the church, there is "seed," for heavenly seed is charity. No man can do anything of good from himself, but all good is from the Lord.
Monday, February 19, 2007
AC 1013 - an image of God
AC 1013 [2]
An "image" signifies spiritual love, that is love to the neighbor, or charity....
That charity is the "image of God" is most clearly evident from the very essence of love, or charity. Nothing else than love and charity can make an image and likeness of any one. It is the essence of love and charity to make of two as it were one. When one person loves another as himself, and more than himself, he then sees the other in himself, and himself in the other.
...to those who love each other - the will of the one is the will of the other, they are interiorly as it were, joined together, and only in body distinct the one from the other.
[3]
Love to the Lord makes a person one with the Lord, that is, a likeness of Him. So does charity, or love toward the neighbor, make him one with the Lord, but as an image.
[4]
...what makes a likeness and image of God, namely, love to the Lord and love toward the neighbor....
An "image" signifies spiritual love, that is love to the neighbor, or charity....
That charity is the "image of God" is most clearly evident from the very essence of love, or charity. Nothing else than love and charity can make an image and likeness of any one. It is the essence of love and charity to make of two as it were one. When one person loves another as himself, and more than himself, he then sees the other in himself, and himself in the other.
...to those who love each other - the will of the one is the will of the other, they are interiorly as it were, joined together, and only in body distinct the one from the other.
[3]
Love to the Lord makes a person one with the Lord, that is, a likeness of Him. So does charity, or love toward the neighbor, make him one with the Lord, but as an image.
[4]
...what makes a likeness and image of God, namely, love to the Lord and love toward the neighbor....
Sunday, February 18, 2007
AC 1006 - a person is a person
AC 1006
A person is a person from love and charity,
but he is a wild beast from hatred, revenge, and cruelty.
A person is a person from love and charity,
but he is a wild beast from hatred, revenge, and cruelty.
Saturday, February 17, 2007
AC 989 & 997 - charity, regeneration, use
AC 989
... no one can ever say that he is regenerate unless he acknowledges and believes that charity is the primary thing of his faith, and unless he is affected with love toward the neighbor, and has mercy on him. Of charity his new will is formed. Through charity the Lord brings about good, and thereby truth, but not through faith without charity. There are some who perform works of charity from obedience alone, that is, because it is so commanded by the Lord, and yet are not regenerate. These, if they do not place righteousness in their works, are regenerated in the other life.
AC 997
There is no charity apart from works of charity; it is in its practice or use that charity consists. He who loves the neighbor as himself perceives no delight in charity except in its exercise, or in use; and therefore a life of charity is a life of uses. Such is the life of the whole heaven; for the kingdom of the Lord, because it is a kingdom of mutual love, is a kingdom of uses. Every pleasure therefore which is from charity, has its delight from use.
... no one can ever say that he is regenerate unless he acknowledges and believes that charity is the primary thing of his faith, and unless he is affected with love toward the neighbor, and has mercy on him. Of charity his new will is formed. Through charity the Lord brings about good, and thereby truth, but not through faith without charity. There are some who perform works of charity from obedience alone, that is, because it is so commanded by the Lord, and yet are not regenerate. These, if they do not place righteousness in their works, are regenerated in the other life.
AC 997
There is no charity apart from works of charity; it is in its practice or use that charity consists. He who loves the neighbor as himself perceives no delight in charity except in its exercise, or in use; and therefore a life of charity is a life of uses. Such is the life of the whole heaven; for the kingdom of the Lord, because it is a kingdom of mutual love, is a kingdom of uses. Every pleasure therefore which is from charity, has its delight from use.
Friday, February 16, 2007
AC 977 - the regenerate & unregenerate
AC 977
With the regenerate person there is a new will and a new understanding, and this new will and new understanding are his conscience, that is, they are in his conscience, and through this the Lord works the good of charity and the truth of faith. With an unregenerate person there is not will, but instead of will there is cupidity, and a consequent proneness to every evil; neither is there understanding, but mere reasoning and a consequent falling away to every falsity.
With the regenerate person there is a new will and a new understanding, and this new will and new understanding are his conscience, that is, they are in his conscience, and through this the Lord works the good of charity and the truth of faith. With an unregenerate person there is not will, but instead of will there is cupidity, and a consequent proneness to every evil; neither is there understanding, but mere reasoning and a consequent falling away to every falsity.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
AC 940 - the New Jerusalem
AC 940
... by the New Jerusalem is meant the Lord's kingdom in heavens and on earth...
and further on in the same number, the question is raised, "Where is the Lord?"
... He is to be found everywhere, and that He hears and knows all men.
... by the New Jerusalem is meant the Lord's kingdom in heavens and on earth...
and further on in the same number, the question is raised, "Where is the Lord?"
... He is to be found everywhere, and that He hears and knows all men.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
AC 925 - And Jehovah smelled an odor of rest.
AC 925
And Jehovah smelled an odor of rest. (Genesis 8:21)
... this signifies that worship therefrom was grateful to the Lord, that is,
worship from charity and the faith of charity...
[3]
An odor of rest is one of peace, or a grateful sense of peace. Peace taken in the complex embraces all things of the Lord's kingdom both in general and in particular, for the state of the Lord's kingdom is a state of peace, and in a state of peace comes forth all the happy states that result from love and faith in the Lord.
And Jehovah smelled an odor of rest. (Genesis 8:21)
... this signifies that worship therefrom was grateful to the Lord, that is,
worship from charity and the faith of charity...
[3]
An odor of rest is one of peace, or a grateful sense of peace. Peace taken in the complex embraces all things of the Lord's kingdom both in general and in particular, for the state of the Lord's kingdom is a state of peace, and in a state of peace comes forth all the happy states that result from love and faith in the Lord.
Monday, February 12, 2007
AC 916 - questions
AC 916 [2]
The church is called spiritual when it acts from charity, or from the good of charity - never when it says that it has faith without charity, for then it is not even a church. For what is the doctrine of faith but the doctrine of charity? And to what purpose is the doctrine of faith, but that people should do what it teaches? It cannot be merely to know and think what it teaches, but only that what it teaches should be done.... Just in the same way, what is a commandment for? Not that a person may know, but that he may live according to the commandment. For then he has in himself the kingdom of the Lord, since the kingdom of the Lord consists solely in mutual love and happiness.
The church is called spiritual when it acts from charity, or from the good of charity - never when it says that it has faith without charity, for then it is not even a church. For what is the doctrine of faith but the doctrine of charity? And to what purpose is the doctrine of faith, but that people should do what it teaches? It cannot be merely to know and think what it teaches, but only that what it teaches should be done.... Just in the same way, what is a commandment for? Not that a person may know, but that he may live according to the commandment. For then he has in himself the kingdom of the Lord, since the kingdom of the Lord consists solely in mutual love and happiness.
Sunday, February 11, 2007
AC 905 - more on freedom
AC 905
... "go forth from the ark" (Genesis 8:16) signifies freedom.
The presence of the Lord involves freedom, the one following the other.
The more present the Lord, the more free the man;
that is, the more a man is in the love of good and truth,
the more freely he acts.
... "go forth from the ark" (Genesis 8:16) signifies freedom.
The presence of the Lord involves freedom, the one following the other.
The more present the Lord, the more free the man;
that is, the more a man is in the love of good and truth,
the more freely he acts.
AC 904 - And God spake unto Noah. (Genesis 8:15)
AC 904
The Lord speaks with every person,
for whatever a person wills and thinks that is good and true,
is from the Lord.
The Lord speaks with every person,
for whatever a person wills and thinks that is good and true,
is from the Lord.
Saturday, February 10, 2007
AC 896 - to know, to acknowledge, to have faith
AC896
To know is the first thing of regeneration, to acknowledge is the second, to have faith is the third.
[2]
Those who have faith know, acknowledge, and believe; they have charity, and they have conscience. Consequently faith can never be attributed to anyone, that is, he cannot be said to have faith, unless he is such as these people are. This then is what being regenerate entails. Merely knowing something that belongs to faith is an activity of memory which does not involve any assent of the rational. Acknowledging that which belongs to faith is in itself a rational assent brought about by certain causes and for the sake of certain ends. But having faith is an activity of conscience, that is, of the Lord working through conscience.
To know is the first thing of regeneration, to acknowledge is the second, to have faith is the third.
[2]
Those who have faith know, acknowledge, and believe; they have charity, and they have conscience. Consequently faith can never be attributed to anyone, that is, he cannot be said to have faith, unless he is such as these people are. This then is what being regenerate entails. Merely knowing something that belongs to faith is an activity of memory which does not involve any assent of the rational. Acknowledging that which belongs to faith is in itself a rational assent brought about by certain causes and for the sake of certain ends. But having faith is an activity of conscience, that is, of the Lord working through conscience.
AC 892 - the Lord & freedom
AC 892
A person never comes into a state of freedom until he has been regenerated, and is led by the Lord through love for what is good and true.
A life of freedom, or freedom, is simply and solely being led by the Lord.
A person never comes into a state of freedom until he has been regenerated, and is led by the Lord through love for what is good and true.
A life of freedom, or freedom, is simply and solely being led by the Lord.
Friday, February 09, 2007
AC 878 - "hands"
AC 878 [3]
..."hands" denote power...
..."hands" denote power...
"This is what the LORD says—
the Holy One of Israel, and its Maker:
Concerning things to come,
do you question me about my children,
or give me orders about the work of my hands?
"It is I who made the earth
and created mankind upon it.
My own hands stretched out the heavens;
I marshaled their starry hosts. (Isaiah 45:11-12)
denoting the Divine power.
The regenerate are often called in the Word "the work of the hands of Jehovah."
Thursday, February 08, 2007
AC 863 - the Lord has wonderfully provided
AC 863
... the Lord has wonderfully provided
that what is of the understanding
should be separated from what is of the will of man,
by a certain medium, which is conscience,
and in which He may implant charity.
Without this wonderful providence
no one could ever have been saved.
... the Lord has wonderfully provided
that what is of the understanding
should be separated from what is of the will of man,
by a certain medium, which is conscience,
and in which He may implant charity.
Without this wonderful providence
no one could ever have been saved.
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
AC 842 - "wind", temptation, order
AC 842
And God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters receded.
(Genesis 8:1)
That this signifies the disposal of all things into their order is evident from the signification of "wind" in the Word. All spirits, both good and evil, are compared and likened to are also called "winds;" and in the original tongue "spirits" are expressed by the same word that means "winds."
[2] When evil spirits are thus dispersed (by "east winds"), the state of commotion and turbulence is succeeded by serenity, or silence, as is also the case with the man who has been in temptation; for while in temptation he is in the midst of such a band of spirits, but when they are driven away or dispersed, there follows as it were a calm, which is the beginning of the disposal of all things into order.
[3] Before any thing is reduced into a state of order, it is most usual that things should be reduced into a confused mass, or chaos as it were, so that those which do not well cohere together may be separated, and when they are separated, then the Lord disposes them into order.
And God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters receded.
(Genesis 8:1)
That this signifies the disposal of all things into their order is evident from the signification of "wind" in the Word. All spirits, both good and evil, are compared and likened to are also called "winds;" and in the original tongue "spirits" are expressed by the same word that means "winds."
[2] When evil spirits are thus dispersed (by "east winds"), the state of commotion and turbulence is succeeded by serenity, or silence, as is also the case with the man who has been in temptation; for while in temptation he is in the midst of such a band of spirits, but when they are driven away or dispersed, there follows as it were a calm, which is the beginning of the disposal of all things into order.
[3] Before any thing is reduced into a state of order, it is most usual that things should be reduced into a confused mass, or chaos as it were, so that those which do not well cohere together may be separated, and when they are separated, then the Lord disposes them into order.
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
AC 823 - the life here and there
AC 823
Whatever a man has done in the life of the body successively returns in the other life, and so does all that he has even thought. When his enmities, hatreds, and deceits return, the persons against whom he has indulged hatred and has clandestinely plotted are made present to him, and this in a moment. Such is the case in the other life.... The thoughts a man has harbored against others make their appearance openly, for there is a perception of all thoughts. Hence come lamentable states, for there, concealed hatreds break out openly. With the evil, all their evils deeds and thoughts thus return to the life; but it is not so with the good. With these all their good states of friendship and life return, attended with the highest delight and happiness.
Whatever a man has done in the life of the body successively returns in the other life, and so does all that he has even thought. When his enmities, hatreds, and deceits return, the persons against whom he has indulged hatred and has clandestinely plotted are made present to him, and this in a moment. Such is the case in the other life.... The thoughts a man has harbored against others make their appearance openly, for there is a perception of all thoughts. Hence come lamentable states, for there, concealed hatreds break out openly. With the evil, all their evils deeds and thoughts thus return to the life; but it is not so with the good. With these all their good states of friendship and life return, attended with the highest delight and happiness.
Monday, February 05, 2007
AC 806 - "dry land"
AC 806
"Dry land" is where there is no water, that is, where there is no longer anything spiritual, still less celestial. A persuasion of falsity extinguishes and as it were suffocates everything spiritual and celestial; as every one may know from much experience, if he pays attention. They who have once conceived opinions, though most false, cling to them so obstinately that they are not even willing to hear anything that is contrary to them; so that they never suffer themselves to be informed, even if the truth be placed before their eyes.... Such are they who spurn every truth, and that which they admit, they pervert and thus immerse in fantasies. It is they who are signified here by the "dry land"...
"Dry land" is where there is no water, that is, where there is no longer anything spiritual, still less celestial. A persuasion of falsity extinguishes and as it were suffocates everything spiritual and celestial; as every one may know from much experience, if he pays attention. They who have once conceived opinions, though most false, cling to them so obstinately that they are not even willing to hear anything that is contrary to them; so that they never suffer themselves to be informed, even if the truth be placed before their eyes.... Such are they who spurn every truth, and that which they admit, they pervert and thus immerse in fantasies. It is they who are signified here by the "dry land"...
Sunday, February 04, 2007
AC 789 - every person
AC 789
Speaking generally, every person, even the regenerate,
is such that if the Lord did not withhold him from evils and falsities
he would cast himself headlong into hell.
Speaking generally, every person, even the regenerate,
is such that if the Lord did not withhold him from evils and falsities
he would cast himself headlong into hell.
Saturday, February 03, 2007
AC 784 - the cherubim & the flame of a sword
AC 784 [2]
...man does not even know that there are spirits, still less that there are angels, with him, and supposes himself to be entirely alone when without companions in the world, and when he is thinking by himself. And yet he is continually in the company of spirits, who observe and perceive what the man is thinking, and what he intends and devises, as fully and plainly as if it were manifest before all in the world. This the man is ignorant of, so closed to him is heaven, and yet it is most true. The reason is that is heaven were not so closed to him while he is in no faith, still less in the truth of faith, and still less in charity, it would be most perilous to him. This is also signified by the words:
Jehovah God drove out the man,
and He placed at the east of the Garden of Eden the cherubim,
and the flame of a sword that turned itself
to keep the way of the tree of lives. (Genesis 3:24)
...man does not even know that there are spirits, still less that there are angels, with him, and supposes himself to be entirely alone when without companions in the world, and when he is thinking by himself. And yet he is continually in the company of spirits, who observe and perceive what the man is thinking, and what he intends and devises, as fully and plainly as if it were manifest before all in the world. This the man is ignorant of, so closed to him is heaven, and yet it is most true. The reason is that is heaven were not so closed to him while he is in no faith, still less in the truth of faith, and still less in charity, it would be most perilous to him. This is also signified by the words:
Jehovah God drove out the man,
and He placed at the east of the Garden of Eden the cherubim,
and the flame of a sword that turned itself
to keep the way of the tree of lives. (Genesis 3:24)
Friday, February 02, 2007
AC 760 - he who loves himself
AC 760
He who loves himself,
hates all who do not render him service;
so that the man who loves himself is very far from heavenly love and charity,
which is to love the neighbor more than one's self,
and the Lord above all things.
He who loves himself,
hates all who do not render him service;
so that the man who loves himself is very far from heavenly love and charity,
which is to love the neighbor more than one's self,
and the Lord above all things.
Thursday, February 01, 2007
AC 732 - how the will & understanding regard each other
AC 732
Things of the understanding regard those of the will
as being different and distinct from themselves;
but things of the will regard those of the understanding
as being united, or as one with them;
for the understanding is from the will.
Things of the understanding regard those of the will
as being different and distinct from themselves;
but things of the will regard those of the understanding
as being united, or as one with them;
for the understanding is from the will.
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