287. We can also tell that love and wisdom are human by looking at heaven's angels, who are people in full beauty to the extent that they are caught up in love, and therefore in wisdom, from the Lord. The same conclusion follows from what it says in the Word about Adam's being created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26), because he was created in the form of love and wisdom.

All earthly individuals are born in the human form as to their physical bodies. This is because our spirit, which is also called our soul, is a person; and it is a person because it is receptive of love and wisdom from the Lord. To the extent that our spirit or soul actually accepts love and wisdom, we become human after the death of these material bodies that we are carrying around. To the extent that we do not accept love and wisdom we become grotesque creatures, retaining some trace of humanity because of our ability to accept them.

358. PART FIVE

The Lord created and formed in mankind two recipient vessels and abodes for Himself, called will and intellect, the will for His Divine love, and the intellect for His Divine wisdom. We have discussed the Divine love and Divine wisdom of God the Creator, who is the Lord from eternity. We have discussed as well the creation of the universe. Now we must say something about the creation of mankind.

We read that man was created in the image of God, according to His likeness (Genesis 1:26). By the image of God there is meant His Divine wisdom, and by the likeness of God His Divine love. For wisdom is nothing else than the image of love, since love presents itself to be seen and recognized in wisdom; and because it is seen and recognized in wisdom, wisdom is an image of it. Love is moreover the essence of life, and wisdom the expression of life springing from it.

A likeness and image of God is clearly apparent in angels, for love shines from within in their faces, and wisdom in their beauty, beauty being the outward expression of their love. I have seen it and recognized it.