XX. The Sacred Scripture, Or The Word

HD 249. Without a revelation from the Divine, man cannot know anything concerning eternal life, nor even anything concerning God, and still less concerning love to, and faith in Him; for man is born into mere ignorance, and must therefore learn everything from worldly things, from which he must form his understanding. He is also born hereditarily into every evil which is from the love of self and of the world; the delights from thence reign continually, and suggest such things as are diametrically contrary to the Divine. Hence it is that man knows nothing concerning eternal life; wherefore there must necessarily be a revelation from which he may know.

HD 250. That the evils of the love of self and of the world induce such ignorance concerning those things which are of eternal life, appears manifestly from those within the church; who, although they know from revelation that there is a God, that there is a heaven and a hell, that there is eternal life, and that eternal life is to be acquired by the good of love and faith, still lapse into denial concerning those things, both the learned and the unlearned. Hence it is further evident how great ignorance there would be, if there were no revelation.

HD 251. Since therefore man lives after death, and then lives to eternity, and a life awaits him according to his love and faith, it follows that the Divine, out of love towards the human race, has revealed such things as may lead to that life, and conduce to man’s salvation. What the Divine has revealed, is with us the Word.

HD 252. The Word, because it is a revelation from the Divine, is Divine in each and all things; for what is from the Divine cannot be otherwise. What is from the Divine descends through the heavens even to man; wherefore in the heavens it is accommodated to the wisdom of the angels who are there, and on earth it is accommodated to the apprehension of the men who are there. Wherefore in the Word there is an internal sense, which is spiritual, for the angels, and an external sense, which is natural, for men. Hence it is that the conjunction of heaven with man is effected through the Word.

HD 253. No others understand the genuine sense of the Word but they who are enlightened; and they only are enlightened who are in love to, and faith in, the Lord; for their interiors are elevated by the Lord into the light of heaven.

HD 254. The Word in the letter cannot be understood, but by doctrine from the Word drawn by one who is enlightened. The sense of its letter is accommodated to the apprehension even of simple men, wherefore doctrine from the Word must serve them for a lamp.

HD 255. Of the necessity and Excellence of the Word. From the light of nature, nothing is known concerning the Lord, concerning heaven and hell, concerning the life of man after death, and concerning the Divine truths by which man has spiritual and eternal life (AC 8944, 10318-10320). This may be manifest from this, that many, and among them the learned, do not believe them, although they were born where the Word is, and are thereby instructed concerning them (AC 10319). It was therefore necessary that there should be some revelation from heaven, because man was born for heaven (AC 1775). Therefore in all time there has been a revelation (AC 2895). Concerning the various kinds of revelation which have been successively made on this earth (AC 10355, 10632). The most ancient people who lived before the flood, and whose age was called the golden age, had immediate revelation, and hence Divine truth was inscribed on their hearts (AC 2896). In the ancient churches which were after the flood, there was a Word, both historical and prophetical (AC 2686, 2897); concerning which churches see above (n. 247). Its historical parts were called the Wars of Jehovah, and its prophetical parts, Enunciations (AC 2897). That Word was like our Word as to inspiration (AC 2897). It is mentioned by Moses (AC 2686, 2897). But that Word is lost (AC 2897). There were also prophetic revelations with others, as appears from the prophecies of Balaam (AC 2898). The Word is Divine in each and every particular (AC 639, 680, 10321, 10637). The Word is Divine and holy as to every jot and tittle, from experience (AC 9349). How it is explained at this day, that the Word is inspired as to every jot (AC 1886). The church exists specifically where the Word is, and where the Lord is thereby known and Divine truths are revealed (AC 3857, 10761). But it does not follow from hence, that they are of the church who are born where the Word is, and where the Lord is thereby known, but they who by means of truths from the Word are regenerated by the Lord, that is, who live according to the truths therein, thus who lead a life of love and of faith (AC 6637, 10143, 10153, 10578, 10645, 10829).

HD 256. The Word is not understood except by those who are enlightened. The human rational cannot apprehend Divine things, nor even spiritual things, unless it is enlightened by the Lord (AC 2196, 2203, 2209, 2654). Thus only they who are enlightened apprehend the Word (AC 10323). The Lord enables those who are enlightened to understand truth, and to see how to reconcile those things in the Word which may appear to contradict each other (AC 9382, 10659). The Word in the sense of the letter is not consistent with itself, and sometimes it appears contradictory (AC 9025). And therefore it may be explained and strained by those who are not enlightened, to confirm any opinion or heresy whatever, and to patronize any worldly and corporeal love (AC 4783, 10399, 10400). They who read the Word from the love of truth and good, are enlightened from it, but not they who read it from the love of fame, gain, or honor, thus from the love of self (AC 9382, 10548-10550). They who are in the good of life, and thereby in the affection of truth, are enlightened (AC 8694). They whose internal is open, and who thus as to their internal man are capable of being elevated into the light of heaven, are enlightened (AC 10400, 10402, 10691, 10694). Enlightenment is an actual opening of the interiors of the mind, and elevation of them into the light of heaven (AC 10330). Holiness from the internal, that is, through the internal from the Lord, inflows with those who esteem the Word to be holy, though they themselves do not know it (AC 6789). They who are led by the Lord are enlightened, and see truths in the Word, but not they who are led by self (AC 10638). They who love truth because it is truth, that is, who love to live according to Divine truths, are led by the Lord (AC 10578, 10645, 10829). The Word is vivified with man, according to his life of love and faith (AC 1776). Those things which are from one‘s own intelligence have no life in them, since nothing good proceeds from man’s proprium (AC 8491, 8944). They who have much confirmed themselves in false doctrine cannot be enlightened (AC 10640). It is the understanding that is enlightened (AC 6608, 9300). Because the understanding is recipient of truth (AC 6222, 6608, 10659). There are ideas concerning every doctrinal of the church, according to which is the understanding of the subject (AC 3310, 3825). A man‘s ideas, so long as he lives in the world, are natural, because he then thinks in the natural, but nevertheless spiritual ideas lie concealed therein with those who are in the affection of truth for the sake of truth (AC 10237, 10240, 10551). There is no perception of any subject without ideas (AC 3825). The ideas concerning the things of faith are opened in the other life, and their quality is then seen by the angels (AC 1869, 3310, 5510, 6200, 8885). Therefore the Word is not understood except by a rational man; for to believe anything without having an idea of the subject, and without a rational view of it, is only to retain words in the memory, destitute of all the life of perception and affection, which is not believing (AC 2553). The literal sense of the Word is what is enlightened (AC 34, 36, 9824, 9905, 10548).

HD 257. The Word cannot be understood but by means of doctrine from the Word. The doctrine of the church must be from the Word (AC 3464, 5402, 6832, 10763, 10765). The Word without doctrine is not understood (AC 9025, 9409, 9424, 9430, 10324, 10431, 10582). True doctrine is a lamp to those who read the Word (AC 10400). Genuine doctrine must be formed by those who are in enlightenment from the Lord (AC 2510, 2516, 2519, 9424, 10105). The Word is understood by means of doctrine formed by one who is enlightened (AC 10324). They who are in enlightenment form doctrine for themselves from the Word (AC 9382, 10659). The difference between those who teach and learn from the doctrine of the church, and those who teach and learn only from the sense of the letter, their quality (AC 9025). They who are in the sense of the letter without doctrine, come into no understanding of Divine truths (AC 9409, 9410, 10582). They fall into many errors (AC 10431). They who are in the affection of truth for the sake of truth, when they arrive at adult age, and can see from their own understanding, do not simply abide in the doctrinals of their own church, but examine from the Word whether they are truths (AC 5402, 5432, 6047). Otherwise every man’s truth would be derived from others, and from his native soil, whether he was born a Jew or a Greek (AC 6047). Nevertheless such things as are become of faith from the literal sense of the Word, ought not to be extinguished till after a full view (AC 9039). The true doctrine of the church is the doctrine of charity and faith (AC 2417, 4766, 10763, 10764). The doctrine of faith does not make the church, but the life of faith, which is charity (AC 809, 1798, 1799, 1834, 4468, 4672, 4766, 5826, 6637). Doctrinals are nothing unless one lives according to them (AC 1515, 2049, 2116). In the churches at this day the doctrine of faith is taught, and not the doctrine of charity, the latter being degraded into a science which is called moral theology (AC 2417). The church would be one, if men were acknowledged as members of the church from life, thus from charity (AC 1285, 1316, 2982, 3267, 3445, 3451, 3452). How much superior the doctrine of charity is to that of faith separate from charity (AC 4844). They who do not know anything concerning charity, are in ignorance concerning heavenly things (AC 2435). Into how many errors they fall who only hold the doctrine of faith, and not that of charity at the same time (AC 2338, 2417, 3146, 3325, 3412, 3413, 3416, 3773, 4672, 4730, 4783, 4925, 5351, 7623-7627, 7752-7762, 7790, 8094, 8313, 8530, 8765, 9186, 9224, 10555). They who are only in the doctrine of faith, and not in the life of faith, which is charity, were formerly called uncircumcised, or Philistines (AC 3412, 3413, 8093). The ancients held the doctrine of love to the Lord, and of charity towards the neighbor, and made the doctrine of faith subservient thereto (AC 2417, 3419, 4844, 4955). Doctrine made by one enlightened may be afterwards confirmed by means of rational things, and thus it is more fully understood, and is corroborated (AC 2553, 2719, 2720, 3052, 3310, 6047). See more on this subject (n. 51). They who are in faith separate from charity would have the doctrinals of the church implicitly believed without any rational intuition (AC 3394). It is not the part of a wise man to confirm a dogma, butte see whether it is true before he confirms it, as is the case with those who are in enlightenment (AC 1017, 4741, 7012, 7680, 7950). The light of confirmation is natural light, and not spiritual, and may exist even with the evil (AC 8780). All things, even falsities, can be confirmed so as to appear like truths (AC 2480, 2490, 5033, 6865, 8521).

HD 258. In the Word there is a spiritual sense, which is called the internal sense. No one can know what the internal sense of the Word is, unless he knows what correspondence is (AC 2895, 4322). The whole and every part, even to the most minute, of the natural world, corresponds to spiritual things, and thence is significative of them (AC 1886-1889, 2987-3003, 3213-3227). The spiritual things to which natural things correspond assume another appearance in the natural, so that they are not distinguished (AC 1887, 2395, 8920). Scarcely anyone knows at this day, where, or in what part is the Divine of the Word, when nevertheless it is in its internal or spiritual sense, which at this day is not known (AC 2899, 4989). The mystic things of the Word are nothing else than what its internal or spiritual sense contains, which treats of the Lord, of His kingdom, and of the church, and not of the natural things which are in the world (AC 4923). The prophetic parts of the Word are in many places unintelligible, and therefore of no use without the internal sense; illustrated by examples (AC 2608, 8020, 8398). As what is signified by "the white horse," mentioned in the Apocalypse (AC 2760). By "the keys of the kingdom of the heavens" that were given to Peter, (AC 2760; 9410). By "the flesh," "blood," "bread," and "wine," in the Holy Supper, and thus why it was instituted by the Lord (AC 8682). By the prophecies of Jacob concerning his sons in the 49th chapter of Genesis (AC 6306, 6333-6465). By many prophecies concerning Judah and Israel, which by no means tally with that people, nor in the literal sense have any coincidence with their history (AC 6333, 6361, 6415, 6438, 6444). Besides innumerable other instances (AC 2608). Of the spiritual or internal sense of the Word in a summary (AC 1767-1777, 1869-1879). There is an internal sense in the whole and in every particular part of the Word (AC 1143, 1984, 2135, 2333, 2395, 2495, 2619). Such things do not appear in the sense of the letter, but nevertheless they are contained within it (AC 4442).

HD 259. The internal sense of the Word is principally for the use of angels, and it is also for the use of men. In order that it may be known what the internal sense is, of what quality it is, and whence it is, it may here be observed in general, that they speak and think in heaven differently Born the way they do in the world; in heaven spiritually, but in the world naturally; therefore when man reads the Word, the angels who are with him perceive it spiritually, whilst he perceives it naturally; consequently, the angels are in the internal sense, whilst men are in the external sense; nevertheless these two senses make one by correspondence. The Word is understood differently by the angels in the heavens and by men on earth, the angels perceiving the internal or spiritual sense, but men the external or natural sense (AC 1887, 2395). The angels perceive the Word in its internal sense, and not in its external sense, proved from the experience of those who spake with me from heaven, whilst I was reading the Word (AC 1769-1772). The ideas and speech of the angels are spiritual, but the ideas and speech of men are natural; therefore there is an internal sense, which is spiritual, for the use of the angels, illustrated by experience (AC 2333). Nevertheless the sense of the letter of the Word serves the spiritual ideas of the angels as a means of conveyance, just as the words of speech serve men to convey the sense of the subject (AC 2143). The things relating to the internal sense of the Word, fall into such things as belong to the light of heaven, thus into the perception of angels (AC 2618, 2619, 2629, 3086). The things which the angels perceive from the Word are on this account precious to them (AC 2540, 2541, 2545, 2551). The angels do not understand a single syllable of the sense of the letter of the Word (AC 64, 65, 1434, 1929). They do not know the names of persons and places mentioned in the Word (AC 1434, 1888, 4442, 4480). Names cannot enter heaven, nor be pronounced there (AC 1876, 1888). All names mentioned in the Word signify things, and in heaven are changed into the ideas of the thing (AC 768, 1888, 4310, 4442, 5225, 5287, 10329). The angels think abstractly from persons (AC 6613, 8343, 8985, 9007). How elegant the internal sense of the Word is, even where nothing but mere names occur, shown by examples from the Word (AC 1224, 1888, 2395). Many names in a series express one thing in the internal sense (AC 5095). All numbers in the Word signify things (AC 482, 487, 647, 648, 755, 813, 1963, 1988, 2075, 2252, 3252, 4264, 6175, 9488, 9659, 10217, 10253). Spirits also perceive the Word in its internal sense, so far as their interiors are open into heaven (AC 1771). The sense of the letter of the Word, which is natural, is changed instantly with the angels into the spiritual sense, because there is a correspondence (AC 5648). And this is effected without their hearing or knowing what is contained in the literal or external sense (AC 10215). Thus the literal or external sense is only with man, and proceeds no further (AC 2015). There is an internal sense of the Word, and likewise an inmost or supreme sense, concerning which see (AC 9407, 10604, 10614, 10627). The spiritual angels, that is, those who belong to the spiritual kingdom of the Lord, perceive the Word in its internal sense, and the celestial angels, that is, those who belong to the celestial kingdom of the Lord, perceive the Word in its inmost sense (AC 2157, 2275). The Word is for men, and also for angels, being accommodated to each (AC 7381, 8862, 10322). The Word is the means of uniting heaven and earth (AC 2310, 2495, 9212, 9216, 9357). The conjunction of heaven with man is effected by means of the Word (AC 9396, 9400, 9401, 10452). Therefore the Word is called "a covenant" (AC 9396). Because "covenant" signifies conjunction (AC 665, 666, 1023, 1038, 1864, 1996, 2003, 2021, 6804, 8767, 8778, 9396, 10632). There is an internal sense in the Word, because the Word has descended from the Lord through the three heavens to man (AC 2310, 6597). And thereby it is accommodated to the angels of the three heavens, and also to men (AC 7381, 8862). Hence it is that the Word is Divine (AC 2989, 4989); and is holy (AC 10276); and is spiritual (AC 4480); and is divinely inspired (AC 9094). This is the meaning of inspiration (AC 9094). The regenerate man also, is actually in the internal sense of the Word, although he knows it not, since his internal man, which is endowed with spiritual perception, is open (AC 10400). But in this case the spiritual of the Word flows into natural ideas, and thus is presented naturally, because, while man lives in the world, he thinks in the natural (AC 5614). Hence the light of truth, with the enlightened, is from their internal, that is, through their internal from the Lord (AC 10691, 10694). By the same way holiness flows in with those who esteem the Word holy (AC 6789). As the regenerate man is actually in the internal sense of the Word, and in the sanctity of that sense, although he does not know it, therefore after death he comes into it, and is no longer in the sense of the letter (AC 3226, 3342, 3343).

HD 260. The internal or spiritual sense of the Word contains innumerable arcana. The Word in its internal sense contains innumerable things, which exceed human comprehension (AC 3085, 3086). It also contains inexplicable things (AC 1965). Which are represented only to angels, and understood by them (AC 167). The internal sense of the Word contains arcana of heaven, which relate to the Lord and His kingdom in the heavens and on earth (AC 1-4, 937). Those arcana do not appear in the sense of the letter (AC 937, 1502, 2161). Many things in the prophets appear to be disconnected, when yet in their internal sense they cohere in a regular and beautiful series (AC 7153, 9022). Not a single word, nor even a single iota can be omitted in the sense of the letter of the Word, without an interruption in the internal sense, and therefore, by the Divine Providence of the Lord, the Word has been preserved so entire as to every word and every point (AC 7933). Innumerable things are contained in every particular of the Word (AC 6617, 6620, 8920); and in every expression (AC 1689). There are innumerable things contained in the Lord‘s prayer, and in every part thereof (AC 6619). And in the precepts of the Decalogue; in the external sense of which, notwithstanding, some things are such as are known to every nation without revelation (AC 8867, 8900). In the Word, and particularly in the prophetical parts of it, two expressions are used that seem to signify the same thing, but one expression has relation to good, and the other to truth; thus one relates to what is spiritual, the other to what is celestial (AC 683, 707, 2516, 8339). Goods and truths are conjoined in a wonderful manner in the Word, and that conjunction is apparent only to him who knows the internal sense (AC 10554). And thus there is a Divine marriage and a heavenly marriage in the Word, and in every part thereof (AC 683, 793, 801, 2173, 2516, 2712, 5138, 7022). The Divine marriage is the marriage of Divine good and Divine truth, thus it is the Lord, in whom alone that marriage exists (AC 3004, 3005, 3009, 5138, 5194, 5502, 6343, 7945, 8339, 9263, 9314). "Jesus" signifies the Divine good, and "Chat" the Divine truth; and both the Divine marriage in heaven, which is the marriage of the Divine good and the Divine truth (AC 3004, 3005, 3009). This marriage is in every part of the Word, in its internal sense; thus the Lord, as to the Divine good and the Divine truth, is in every part of the Word (AC 5502). The marriage of good and truth from the Lord in heaven and the church, is called the heavenly marriage (AC 2508, 2618, 2803, 3004, 3211, 3952, 6179). Therefore in this respect the Word is a kind of heaven (AC 2173, 10126). Heaven is compared in the Word to a marriage, on account of the marriage of good and truth therein (AC 2758, 3132, 4434, 4835). The internal sense is the very doctrine of the church (AC 9025, 9430, 10400). They who understand the Word according to the internal sense, know the essential true doctrine of the church, inasmuch as the internal sense contains it (AC 9025, 9430, 10400). The internal of the Word is also the internal of the church, and likewise the internal of worship (AC 10460). The Word is the doctrine of love to the Lord, and of charity towards the neighbor (AC 3419, 3420). The Word in the letter is as a cloud, and in the internal sense it is glory, see (AC 5922, 6343), where the words, "The Lord shall come in the clouds of heaven with glory," are explained. "A cloud" in the Word signifies the Word in the sense of the letter, and "glory" signifies the Word in the internal sense, (AC 4060, 4391, 5922, 6343, 6752, 8106, 8781, 9430, 10551, 10574). Those things which are in the sense of the letter, respectively to those which are in the internal sense, are like rude projections round a polished optical cylinder, by which nevertheless is exhibited in the cylinder a beautiful image of a man (AC 1871). In the other life, they who only allow and acknowledge the sense of the letter of the Word, are represented by a deformed old woman; but they who allow and acknowledge the internal sense, together with the literal sense, are represented by a virgin beautifully clothed (AC 1774). The Word in its whole complex is an image of heaven, since the Word is the Divine truth, and the Divine truth makes heaven; and as heaven relates to one man, therefore the Word is in that respect as an image of man (AC 1871). Heaven in one complex relates to one man, (HH 59-67). And the Divine truth proceeding from the Lord makes heaven (AC 126-140, 200-212). The Word is beautifully and agreeably exhibited before the angels (AC 1767, 1768). The sense of the letter is as the body, and the internal sense, as the soul of that body (AC 8943). Thence the life of the Word is from its internal sense (AC 1405, 4857). The Word is pure in the internal sense, and does not appear so in the literal sense (AC 2362, 2395). The things which are in the sense of the letter of the Word are holy from the internal (AC 10126, 10728). In the historical parts of the Word there is also an internal sense, but within them (AC 4989). Thus the historical as well as the prophetic parts of the Word contain arcana of heaven (AC 755, 1659, 1709, 2310, 2333). The angels do not perceive those historical things, but spiritually (AC 6884). The reason why the interior arcana which are in the historicals, are less evident to man than those that are in the propheticals (AC 2176, 6597). The quality of the internal sense of the Word further shown (AC 1756, 1984, 2004, 2663, 3035, 7089, 10604, 10614). And illustrated by comparisons (AC 1873).

HD 261. The Word is written by correspondences, and thus by representatives. The Word, as to its literal sense, is written by mere correspondences, thus by such things as represent and signify spiritual things which relate to heaven and the church (AC 1404, 1408, 1409, 1540, 1619, 1659, 1709, 1783, 2179, 2763, 2899). This was done for the sake of the internal sense, which is contained in every part (AC 2899). For the sake of heaven, since those who are in heaven do not understand the Word according to the sense of the letter, which is natural, but according to its internal sense, which is spiritual (AC 2899). The Lord spake by correspondences, representatives, and significatives, because He spake from the Divine (AC 9048, 9063, 9086, 10126, 10728). Thus the Lord spake at the same time before the world and before heaven (AC 2533, 4807, 9048, 9063, 9086). The things which the Lord spake filled the entire heaven (AC 4637). The historicals of the Word are representative, and the words significative (AC 1540, 1659, 1709, 1783, 2686). The Word could not be written in any other style, that by it there might be a communication and conjunction with the heavens (AC 2899, 6943, 9481). They who despise the Word on account of the apparent simplicity and rudeness of its style, and who fancy that they would receive the Word, if it were written in a different style, are in a great error (AC 8783). The mode and style of writing, which prevailed amongst the most ancient people, was by representatives and significatives (AC 605, 1756, 9942). The ancient wise men were delighted with the Word, because of the representatives and significatives therein, from experience (AC 2592, 2593). If a man of the Most Ancient Church had read the Word, he would have seen the things which are in the internal sense clearly, and those which are in the external sense obscurely (AC 4493). The sons of Jacob were brought into the land of Canaan, because all the places in that land, from the most ancient times, were made representative (AC 1585, 3686, 4447, 5136, 6516). And thus that the Word might there be written, in which Word those places were to be mentioned for the sake of the internal sense (AC 3686, 4447, 5136, 6516). But nevertheless the Word was changed, for the sake of that nation, as to the external sense, but not as to the internal sense (AC 10453, 10461, 10603, 10604). In order that it may be known what the correspondences and representatives in the Word are, and what is their quality, something shall also be said concerning them. All things which correspond are likewise representative, and thereby significative, thus that correspondences and representatives are one (AC 2896, 2897, 2973, 2987, 2989, 2990, 3002, 3225). What correspondences and representations are, from experience and examples (AC 2763, 2987-3002, 3213-3226, 3337-3352, 3472-3485, 4218-4228, 9280). The science of correspondences and representations was the chief science amongst the ancients (AC 3021, 3419, 4280, 4748, 4844, 4964, 4966, 6004, 7729, 10252). Especially with the Orientals (AC 5702, 6692, 7097, 7779, 9391, 10252, 10407); and in Egypt more than in other countries (AC 5702, 6692, 7097, 7779, 9391, 10407). Also among the Gentiles, as in Greece and other places (AC 2762, 7729). But at this day it is among the sciences which are lost, particularly in Europe (AC 2894, 2895, 2994, 3630, 3632, 3747-3749, 4581, 4966, 10252). Nevertheless this science is more excellent than all other sciences, since without it the Word is not understood, nor the signification of the rites of the Jewish church, which are recorded in the Word; neither is it known what heaven is, nor what the spiritual is, nor in what manner spiritual influx takes place into what is natural, with many other things (AC 4280), and in the places above cited. All the things which appear before angels and spirits, are representatives, according to correspondences of such things as relate to love and faith (AC 1971, 3213-3226, 3449, 3475, 3485, 9481, 9574, 9576, 9577). The heavens are full of representatives (AC 1521, 1532, 1619). Representatives are more beautiful, and more perfect, in proportion as they are more interiorly in the heavens (AC 3475). Representatives there are real appearances, being derived from the light of heaven, which is Divine truth, and which is the very essential of the existence of all things (AC 3485). The reason why each and all things in the spiritual world are represented in the natural world, is because what is internal assumes a suitable clothing in what is external, whereby it makes itself visible and apparent (AC 6275, 6284, 6299). Thus the end assumes a suitable clothing, that it may exist as the cause in a lower sphere, and afterwards that it may exist as the effect in a sphere lower still; and when the end, by means of the cause, becomes the effect, it then becomes visible, or appears before the eyes (AC 5711). This may be illustrated by the influx of the soul into the body, whereby the soul assumes a clothing of such things in the body, as enable all the things which it thinks and wills, to appear and become visible; wherefore the thought, when it flows down into the body, is represented by gestures and actions which correspond thereto (AC 2988). The affections, which are of the mind, are manifestly represented in the face, by the variations of the countenance, so that they may be seen therein (AC 4791-4805, 5695). Hence it is evident, that each and all things in nature have in them a latent cause and end from the spiritual world (AC 3562, 5711). Since the things in nature are ultimate effects, which contain prior things (AC 4240, 4939, 5051, 6275, 6284, 6299, 9216). Internal things are represented, and external things represent (AC 4292). Since all things in nature are representative of spiritual and celestial things, therefore, in ancient times, there were churches, wherein all the externals, which are rituals, were representative; wherefore those churches were called representative churches (AC 519, 521, 2896). The church founded with the sons of Israel was a representative church (AC 1003, 2179, 10149). All its rituals were external things, which represented the internal things of heaven and the church (AC 4288, 4874). Representatives of the church and of worship ceased when the Lord came into the world, because the Lord opened the internal things of the church, and because all the externals of the church in the highest sense regarded Him (AC 4832).

HD 262. Of the literal or external sense of the Word. The sense of the letter of the Word is according to appearances in the world (AC 589, 926, 1408, 2719, 2720, 1832, 1874, 2242, 2520, 2533). And is adapted to the capacity of the simple (AC 2533, 9048, 9063, 9086). The Word in its literal sense is natural (AC 8783). Because what is natural is the ultimate wherein spiritual and celestial things terminate, and upon which they rest like a house upon its foundation; and otherwise the internal sense of the Word without the external, would be like a house without a foundation (AC 9360, 9430, 9433, 9824, 10044, 10436). The Word is the containant of a spiritual and celestial sense, because it is of such a quality (AC 9407). And that it is holy and Divine in the sense of the letter as to each and all things therein, even to every iota, because it is of such a quality (AC 639, 680, 1869, 1870, 9198, 10321, 10637). The laws enacted for the sons of Israel, are yet the Holy Word, notwithstanding their abrogation, on account of the internal sense which they contain (AC 9211, 9259, 9349). Of the laws, judgments and statutes, for the Israelitish and Jewish church, which was a representative church, there are some which are still in force, both in their external and internal sense; some which ought to be strictly observed in their external sense; some which may be of use, if people are disposed to observe them, and some which are altogether abrogated (AC 9349). The Word is Divine, even as to those which are abrogated (AC 10637). The quality of the Word as to the sense of the letter, if not understood at the same time as to the internal sense, or what is the same thing, according to true doctrine from the Word (AC 10402). Innumerable heresies arise from the sense of the letter without the internal sense, or without true doctrine from the Word (AC 10400). They who are in an external without an internal cannot endure the interior things of the Word (AC 10694). The Jews were of such a quality, and they are also such at this day (AC 301-303, 3479, 4429, 4433, 4680, 4844, 4847, 10396, 10401, 10407, 10694, 10701, 10707).

HD 263. The Lord is the Word. The Word in its inmost sense treats only of the Lord, and describes all the states of the glorification of His Human, that is, of its union with the Divine itself; and likewise all the states of the subjugation of the hells, and of the ordination of all things therein and in the heavens (AC 2249, 7014). Thus the Lord’s whole life in the world is described in that sense, and thereby the Lord is continually present with the angels (AC 2523). Consequently the Lord alone is in the inmost of the Word, and the Divinity and sanctity of the Word is from thence (AC 1873, 9357). The Lord‘s saying that all the Scripture concerning Him was fulfilled, signifies that all things which are contained in the inmost sense were fulfilled (AC 7933). The Word signifies the Divine truth (AC 4692, 5075, 9987). The Lord is the Word because He is the Divine truth (AC 2533). The Lord is the Word also because the Word is from Him, and treats of Him (AC 2859). And because it treats of the Lord alone in its inmost sense, thus because the Lord Himself is therein (AC 1873, 9357). And because in each and all things of the Word there is a marriage of Divine good and Divine truth (AC 3004, 5502). "Jesus" is the Divine good, and "Christ" the Divine truth (AC 3004, 3005, 3009). The Divine truth is alone real, and that in which Divine truth is, which is from the Divine, is alone substantial (AC 5272, 6880, 7004, 8200). And as the Divine truth proceeding from the Lord is light in heaven, and the Divine good is heat in heaven; and as all things in heaven derive their existence from the Divine good and the Divine truth; and as the natural world has its existence through heaven, or the spiritual world; it is plain that all things which were created, were created from the Divine truth, or from the Word, according to these words in John:--

(AC 2803, 2894, 5272, 6880). Further particulars concerning the creation of all things by the Divine truth, consequently by the Lord, (HH 137). And more fully in the two articles therein (HH 116-125, 126-140). The conjunction of the Lord with man is effected through the Word, by means of the internal sense (AC 10375). Conjunction is effected by each and all things of the Word, and the Word is therefore more wonderful than all other writings (AC 10632-10634). Since the Word has been written, the Lord thereby speaks with men (AC 10290).

HD 264. Of those who are against the Word. Of those who despise, mock at, blaspheme, and profane the Word (AC 1878). Their quality in the other life (AC 1761, 9322). They may be compared to the viscous parts of the blood (AC 5719). The danger of profaning the Word (AC 571-582). How hurtful it is if principles of falsity, particularly those which favor the loves of self and of the world, are confirmed by the Word (AC 589). They who are in no affection of truth for the sake of truth, utterly reject the internal sense of the Word, and nauseate it, from experience (AC 5702). Some in the other life who have rejected the interior things of the Word, are deprived of rationality (AC 1879).

HD 265. Further particulars concerning the Word. The term "Word" in the Hebrew tone signifies various things, as speech, thought of the mind, everything that has a real existence, and also anything (AC 9987). "Word" signifies the Divine truth and the Lord (AC 4692, 5075, 9987). "Words" signify truths (AC 4692, 5075). They signify doctrinals (AC 1288). The "ten words" signify all Divine truths (AC 10688). They signify things which really exist (AC 1785, 5075, 5272). In the Word, particularly in the propheticals, there are two expressions to signify one thing, and the one has relation to good and the other to truth, which are thus conjoined (AC 683, 707, 2516, 8339). It cannot be known what expression has relation to good, and what to truth, but from the internal sense of the Word; for there are appropriate words by which the things relating to good are expressed, and appropriate words by which the things relating to truth are expressed (AC 793, 801). And this so that it may be known merely from the words predicated, whether the subject treated of is good, or whether it is truth (AC 2722). Frequently one expression implies a general, and the other expression implies a certain specific particular of that general (AC 2212). That there is a species of reciprocation in the Word, concerning which see (AC 2240). Most things in the Word have also an opposite sense (AC 4816). The internal sense proceeds regularly according to the subject predicated (AC 4502). They who have been delighted with the Word, in the other life receive the heat of heaven, wherein is celestial love, according to the quality and quantity of their delight from love (AC 1773).

HD 266. What are the Books of the Word. The books of the Word are all those which have the internal sense; but those books which have not the internal sense, are not the Word. The books of the Word, in the Old Testament, are the five Books of Moses, the Book of Joshua, the Book of Judges, the two Books of Samuel, the two Books of Kings, the Psalms of David, the Prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi: and in the New Testament, the four Evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John; and the Apocalypse. The rest do not have the internal sense (AC 10325).