436. From these things it is now evident what the three tribes, Judah, Reuben, and Gad, first named, signify individually, and also collectively. For the names of persons and places in the Word signify things; not only each of them some one thing in particular, but also collectively, something in a series. In a series these three names, Judah, Reuben, and Gad, signify that all those who are in love to the Lord, and from that in truths, and by means of these in the good of life, are in the inmost or third heaven. For in them the three degrees of life are opened; the inmost degree is where love to the Lord resides, the middle degree where truths from that good reside, and the ultimate degree where the good of life resides. Every man has three degrees of life. The inmost degree is open in those who are in the third heaven, this being opened immediately from the Lord in those who are in love to Him; for by means of love there is conjunction, and thence reception; they are therefore in all truths, and these they see in themselves, and by means of them they are in the good of life. That there are three degrees of life with every angel, may be seen in Heaven and Hell 33, 34); and that the third degree is opened in those who are in the third heaven (n. 208, 209). The nature and quality of the angels of the third heaven may be seen in n. 24, 25, 26, 267, 270, 271.

6273. 'For Manasseh was the firstborn' means since good does indeed occupy the first place. This is clear from the representation of 'Manasseh' as good belonging to the will, dealt with before; and from the meaning of 'the birthright' as the prior and higher position, dealt with in 3325, so that 'the firstborn' is the one who occupies the first place. Is anyone incapable of seeing from natural light alone, provided a superior light brightens it a little, that good occupies the first place, as also do the intentions in a person's will, and that truth occupies the second, as also do the thoughts in his mind? Is anyone also incapable of seeing that the intentions in a person's will cause him to think in one particular way and no other, consequently that the good he possesses causes him to think that this or that is true; so that truth occupies the second place and good the first? Think and reflect on whether truth that composes faith can take root anywhere else than in good, or whether faith other than that which has taken root there is faith. From this you will be able to decide which is the primary or essential element for the Church, that is, for the person in whom the Church exists.