1. [64.] THE DIVINE WISDOM

I. THE DIVINE WISDOM, IN THE HEAVENS BEFORE THE SIGHT OF ANGELS, IS SEEN AS LIGHT

In the Lord there is Love and there is Wisdom: Love in Him is Being (Esse), and Wisdom in Him is Existing (Existere) ¹ ; nevertheless, these in Him are not two, but one; for the Wisdom is of the Love, and the Love is of the Wisdom, and by reason of this union, which is reciprocal, there results a One. This One is the Divine Love that in the heavens becomes visible to angels as a Sun. The reciprocal union of the Divine Wisdom and the Divine Love is meant by these words of the Lord:

Believest thou not, Philip, that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me (John 14:10-11).

Also:

I and the Father are one (John 10:30).

[65.] These two things, which in the Lord are a One, do indeed proceed forth as two distinct things from Himself as a Sun, the Wisdom as light and the Love as heat; yet it is only to outward appearance that they proceed forth as two distinct things: in themselves they are not distinct, the light being of the heat, and the heat being of the light; for just as they are one in the Sun, so they are one in the least point. That which proceeds forth from the Sun is also the Sun in the least parts of it, and consequently is the Sun universally in every point. The expressions "every point" and "least part" are used, but spatial points and spatial parts are not meant, for there is nothing of space in what is Divine, this being spiritual, not natural.

[2] [66.] The fact that Love and Wisdom, in proceeding forth from the Lord as a Sun, are to outward appearance two distinct things, the Wisdom visible as light, and the Love perceptible as heat, has this result that they are received as two distinct things by angels; some angels receive more from the heat, which is Love, and some receive more from the light, which is Wisdom. Accordingly the angels comprising the heavens are distinguished into two kingdoms. Those who have received more from the heat, which is Love, than from the light, which is Wisdom, make one kingdom, and are called celestial angels; the highest heavens consist of these. Whereas those who have received more from the light, which is Wisdom, than from the heat, which is Love, make the other kingdom, and are called spiritual angels; the lower heavens consist of these. These latter are said to have received more from the light, which is Wisdom, than from the heat, which is Love, but this "more" is only an apparent "more," for they are no wiser than in proportion as the love with them makes one with their wisdom; this is the reason spiritual angels are called intelligent rather than wise. These things are concerning the light in the Lord, the light proceeding forth from Him, and the light in angels.

[3] [67.] The Divine Wisdom, appearing in the heavens as light, in its essence is not light: it clothes itself with light, so as to appear before the sight of angels. In its essence that Wisdom is Divine Truth, and the light is the outward appearance of it and the correspondent of it. With the light of wisdom it is the same as with the heat of love, spoken of above. As the light corresponds to the Wisdom, and as the Lord is the Divine Wisdom, therefore also in the Word in many places He is called "light," as in the following:

That was the true light which enlighteneth every man that cometh into the world (John 1:9).

Jesus said, I am the Light of the world: he that followeth Me, shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life (John 8:12).

Jesus said, Yet a little while is the Light with you: walk while ye have the Light, lest darkness take possession of you.... While ye have the Light, believe in the Light, that ye may be sons of light.... I am come a Light into the world, that whosoever believeth in Me should not abide in darkness (John 12:35-36, 46).

And a number of other places. Furthermore, the Lord's Divine Wisdom was represented by His garments at the transfiguration, in that

their appearance was like light, "shining and white as snow, so as no fuller on earth can white them" (Mark 9:3; Matthew 17:2).

"Garments" in the Word signify truths of wisdom; on this account all angels in the heavens appear clothed in accordance with the truths of their knowledge, of their intelligence, and of their wisdom.

[4] [68.] It is evident in heaven, though not in the world, that light is the outward appearance of Wisdom and the correspondent of it, there being no light in heaven other than spiritual light, which is the light of Wisdom, illuminating all things that come into existence there from the Divine Love. The wisdom with angels enables them to understand these in their essence, and the light enables them to see them in their form. The light in each heaven, therefore, is equivalent in degree to the wisdom with angels there. In the highest heavens the light is flame-coloured, flashing as if from lustrous gold: this is because they are in wisdom. In the heavens below these the light is white, shining brightly as if from gleaming silver: this is because they are in intelligence. And in the lowest heavens the light is like the noonday light in the world: this is because they are in knowledge. The light in the higher heavens is brilliant, exactly like a star glittering and shining brightly in itself by night, and there is light continuously because the Sun there does not set. It is this same light that enlightens the Understanding of those men in the world who are in the love of being wise, but it is not seen by them because they are natural, not spiritual; it is possible to see it, for it has been seen by me, but only with the eyes of my spirit. Moreover, it has been granted me to perceive that when I was in the light of the highest heaven, I was in wisdom, when in the light of the second heaven I was in intelligence, and when in the light of the lowest heaven I was in knowledge, whereas, when I was in natural light, I was in ignorance of spiritual things.

[5] [69.] In order that I might know in what light the learned in the world are at this day, there appeared before me two ways: one was called the Way of Wisdom, the other the Way of Folly. At the end of the Way of Wisdom stood a palace in light: at the end of the Way of Folly stood something resembling a palace, but it was in shadow. Some three hundred learned men had been assembled together and were given the choice of going which way they wished. Two hundred and sixty were seen to take the Way of Folly and only forty the Way of Wisdom. Those who took the Way of Wisdom entered the palace in light, in which were magnificent things: they were given garments of fine linen, and became angels. Those, on the other hand, who took the Way of Folly were desirous of entering what had looked like a palace when in shadow-but behold, it was an actors' stage where they donned theatrical costumes, and, wearing masks, posed as soothsayers, and became fools. I was afterwards told that at this day the foolish learned who are in natural light are, relatively to the wise learned who are in spiritual light, as many and as foolish; and that all who have a love for discerning whether a thing is true that some one else says, have spiritual light: whereas those who have a love merely for confirming what someone else has said, have natural light.

Footnotes:

32. The Lord made His humanity Divine from the Divine in Him. This can be seen from many passages in the Word, and we will now cite those which establish

1. that He did so gradually, as follows:

(Jesus) grew and became strong in spirit (and) wisdom, and the grace of God was upon Him. (Luke 2:40)

Jesus progressed in wisdom, in maturity, and in favor with God and men. (Luke 2:52)

[2] 2. That the Divine operated through the human, as the soul does through the body is established from the following:

...the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do.... (John 5:19)

...I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things. He who sent Me is with Me. (He) has not left Me alone.... (John 8:28, 20, cf. 5:30)

...I have not spoken on My own, but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak. (John 12:49-50)

The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own; the Father who dwells in Me does the works. (John 14:10)

...I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. (John 16:32)

[3] 3. That the Divine and human operated together is established from the following:

...whatever (the Father) does, the Son also does in like manner. (John 5:19)

...as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will. (John 5:21)

...as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself.... (John 5:26)

Now they have known that all things which You have given Me are from You. (John 17:7)

[4] 4. That the Lord united the Divine to the Human, and the Human to the Divine is established from the following:

If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and...you have seen Him....

(He said to Philip, who wished to see the Father,) Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father.... Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? ...Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me.... (John 14:7-11)

If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; if I do..., believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in (the Father). (John 10:37-38)

...that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You. (John 17:21)

At that day you will know that I am in My Father.... (John 14:20)

...no one is able to snatch (the sheep) out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one. (John 10:29-30)

The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand. (John 3:35)

All things that the Father has are Mine. (John 16:15)

All My things are Yours, and Yours are Mine.... (John 17:10)

...You have given (the Son) authority over all flesh.... (John 17:2)

All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. (Matthew 28:18)

[5] 5. That one must turn to the Divine humanity is apparent from the following:

...that all may honor the Son as they honor the Father. (John 5:23)

If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also. (John 8:19)

He who sees Me sees Him who sent Me. (John 12:45)

If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him. (John 14:7)

He who receives Me receives Him who sent Me. (John 13:20)

He said this because no one can see the Divine itself, called the Father, but can see the Divine humanity. For the Lord says:

No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has revealed Him. (John 1:18)

Not...anyone has seen the Father, except He who is (with the Father); He has seen the Father. (John 6:46)

You have neither heard (the Father’s) voice at any time, nor seen His form. (John 5:37)

[6] 6. Because the Lord made His humanity Divine from the Divine in Him, and because one must turn to it, it being the Son of God, therefore one must believe in the Lord, who is both Father and Son. This is apparent from the following:

(Jesus said:) As many as received Him, to them He gave the power to become children of God, to those who believe in His name. (John 1:12)

...that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:15)

...God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should...have eternal life. (John 3:16)

He who believes in (the Son) is not judged; but he who does not believe is judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:18)

He who believes in the Son has eternal life; however, he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him. (John 3:36)

...the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.... He who comes to Me shall not hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. (John 6:33, 35)

This is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. (John 6:40)

...they said to (Jesus), “What shall we do to work the works of God?” Jesus answered..., “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.” (John 6:28-29)

...truly I say to you, he who believes in Me has eternal life. (John 6:47)

...Jesus...cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his belly will flow rivers of living water.” (John 7:37-38)

...if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins. (John 8:24)

Jesus said..., “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he die, he shall live. However, whoever lives and believes in Me shall not die to eternity.” (John 11:25-26)

(Jesus said,) “I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.” (John 12:46, cf. 8:12)

While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may be children of light. (John 12:36)

...truly I say to you, (that) the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live. (John 5:25)

Abide in Me, and I in you.... I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. (John 15:1-5)

That they would abide in the Lord, and the Lord in them, see John 14:20, 17:23.

I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. (John 14:6)

[7] In these places, and in all others in which He is mentioned, the Father means the Divinity present in the Lord from conception, which, according to the Christian world’s doctrine of faith, was like the soul in the body in the case of any other person. The humanity itself originating from that Divinity is the Son of God.

Now because this, too, became Divine, and in order to keep people from turning to the Father alone and so in thought, faith and their resulting worship separating the Father from the Lord in whom the Father is, therefore after the Lord taught that the Father and He are one, that the Father is in Him and He in the Father, that His followers should abide in Him, and that no one comes to the Father except through Him, He taught in addition that people should believe in Him, and that a person is saved by a faith focused on Him.

[8] Any idea that the humanity in the Lord became Divine is impossible for many in the Christian world to comprehend, chiefly because they think of a person in terms of his material body and not in terms of his spiritual one, even though angels, who are spiritual beings, are fully human in form, and everything Divine that emanates from Jehovah God, from the firsts of it in heaven to the lasts of it in the world, inclines to the human form.

That angels are human in form, and that everything Divine inclines to the human form, may be seen in the book Heaven and Hell 73-77 and nos. 453-460. It may also be seen more fully in works after this which will be works of angelic wisdom regarding the Lord.