10. I have stated that in the spiritual world, just as in this physical world, we can see space and therefore distances as well, but that they are appearances, dependent on spiritual likenesses of love and wisdom, or of what is good and true. This is why even though the Lord is with angels everywhere in heaven, he still appears high overhead, looking like a sun. Further, since it is the acceptance of love and wisdom that causes likeness to him, if angels have a closer resemblance because of their acceptance, their heavens appear to be closer to the Lord than those of the angels whose resemblance is more remote. This is also why the heavens (there are three of them) are marked off from each other, as are the communities of each heaven. It is also why the hells underneath them are farther away in proportion to their rejection of love and wisdom.

It is the same for us. The Lord is present in us and with us throughout the whole world; and the reason for this is simply that the Lord is not in space.

1898. That 'Sarai said to Abram' means that it was so perceived by Him is clear from the meaning of 'Sarai' and of 'Abram', that is to say, 'Sarai' is truth allied to good, while 'Abram' is the Internal Man. Consequently the phrase 'Sarai said to Abram' cannot in the internal sense mean any talking of one to another, but perception. At that time the Lord's perception came from truth allied to the good which served to dictate to Him what the situation was. Something similar occurs with the celestial man who receives perception, in that there is something of truth allied to good which dictates, and later on good from which, or through which, truth is perceived. 'Saying' in the internal sense means perceiving, see 1791, 1815, 1819, 1822.