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Arcana Coelestia 7012. Wherewith thou shalt do the signs. That this signifies the consequent enlightenment and confirmation of truths, is evident from the signification of a “sign,” as being the confirmation of truths (see n. 6870); that it also denotes enlightenment, is because the confirmation of truths is effected by means of enlightenment from the Lord when a man studies the Word with the end of knowing truths. As regards enlightenment and the consequent confirmation of truths, be it known that they who are in externals without an internal (as were the Jews and the Israelites) cannot be enlightened; thus neither can they be confirmed in truths, whereas when they who are in externals and at the same time in internals read the Word, they are enlightened, and in their enlightenment see truths, in which they are afterward more and more confirmed; and, wonderful to say, everyone has such enlightenment as is his affection of truth; and such affection of truth as is his good of life. Hence also it is that they who are in no affection of truth for the sake of truth, but for the sake of their own advantage, are not at all enlightened when they read the Word, but are only confirmed in doctrinal things, no matter of what kind, whether false, as heresies are, or entirely contrary to truths, as are the Jewish ones; for they do not seek the kingdom of the Lord, but the world; not faith, but fame; thus not heavenly riches, but only earthly; and if perchance they are seized with a desire of knowing truths from the Word, falsities present themselves instead of truths, and at last there is denial of all things. These things have been said in order that it may be known what enlightenment is, and the consequent confirmation of truth.
AC7017. And I shall see whether they yet live. That this signifies the perception of that life, is evident from the signification of “seeing,” as being to understand and perceive (see n. 2325, 2807, 3764, 3863, 4403-4421, 4567, 4723, 5400); and from the signification of “living,” as being spiritual life (n. 5407). By the perception of that life is meant the perception which precedes; for when anyone proposes anything to himself, he perceives it as present, because he puts his mind into the state of that thing; and from this there are longings and consequent delight as if the thing were present. Thus the mediate ends conjoin themselves with the ultimate end, and make as it were one end.
The state of Man is in a different state of reception/spiritual development than the Spirit and Angel states of mind
AC 6997…For when fear is instilled in love, it becomes holy from the holy of love; and then it is not fear of the Lord’s being angry and punishing, but lest they should act against good itself … man( STATES) is such that what he sees and apprehends from his sensuous, he believes; and what he does not see nor apprehend from his sensuous, he does not believe; thus does not receive.
AC 6996…It was shown above (n. 6982, 6985), that the Divine truth proceeding immediately from the Lord’s Divine Human cannot be heard and perceived by any man, nor even by an angel. Therefore in order that it may be heard and perceived, there must be mediation, which mediation is effected through heaven, and afterward through the angels and spirits with the man.
[2] This can be plainly known from the fact that man(STATES) cannot even hear the spirits(STATES) who are with him speaking with one another; and if he heard he could not perceive, because the speech of spirits(STATES) is without human words, and is the universal speech of all languages. Moreover spirits(STATES) cannot hear angels(STATES); and if they heard they could not perceive, because the angelic speech(STATE) is still more universal. Nay, the angels(STATES) of the inmost heaven can be still less heard and perceived, because their speech is not a speech of ideas, but of affections which are of celestial love.
Third Round posts are short audio clips taken from the Third Rounds of online Logopraxis Life Group meetings. The aim is to keep the focus on understanding the Text in terms of its application to our inner life, along with reinforcing any key Logopraxis principles that have been highlighted in the exchanges.
