Arcana Coelestia #51
51. As regards what the image is, an image is not a likeness but is 'according to a likeness'. Therefore it is said, 'Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness'. A spiritual man is an image, whereas a celestial man is a likeness or exact replica. The spiritual man is the subject in this present chapter, the celestial man in the next. The spiritual man, who is an image, is called by the Lord 'a son of light', as in John,
He who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may be sons of light. John 12:35-36.
He is also called 'a friend',
You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. John 15:14-15
The celestial man however, who is a likeness, is called 'a son of God', in John,
As many as received Him, to them He gave power to be sons of God, to those believing in His Name, who were born, not of blood, 1 nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. John 1:12-13.
Footnotes:
1. literally, of bloods
2 Corinthians 6
1
We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.
2
(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
3
Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:
4
But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
5
In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;
6
By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,
7
By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
8
By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;
9
As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;
10
As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
11
O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged.
12
Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels.
13
Now for a recompence in the same, (I speak as unto my children,) be ye also enlarged.
14
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
15
And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
16
And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
17
Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
18
And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
