178. We speak of atmospheres, liquids, and solids here because these are the three basics through which and from which everything arises, with infinite variety. The atmospheres are active factors, the liquids intermediate factors, and the solids passive factors from which all results arise. The arrangement of three such factors in this sequence comes solely from the life that emanates from the Lord as the sun and enables them to be active.

169. Throughout the created universe, both in its grandest constituents and in its most infinitesimal, we find these three ingredients, namely, end, cause and effect. These three are found in the grandest and most infinitesimal constituents of the universe for the reason that the same three exist in God the Creator, who is the Lord from eternity. However, because He is infinite, and because the infinite elements in an infinite being are, in a distinct combination, one (as demonstrated above in nos. 17-22), therefore in Him these three also, and the three in His infinite elements, are, in a distinct combination, one.

It is in consequence of this that the universe - which was created from His being, and which regarded in terms of its functions is an image of Him - acquired these three ingredients in each and all of its constituents.