8771. And a holy nation. That this signifies thus the spiritual kingdom, is evident from the signification of “a nation,” as being those who are in good (see n. 1259, 1260, 1416, 1849, 6005); and from the signification of “holy,” which is predicated of the truth which is of good (n. 6788, 7499, 8127, 8302, 8330); consequently “a holy nation” denotes the good from which is truth. It is said “a kingdom of priests,” and “a holy nation,” and each expression signifies the spiritual kingdom, but with a difference. “A kingdom of priests” signifies those who are in good from truth, but “a holy nation” signifies those who are in good and thence in truth. They who are in good from truth look through truths upward to the Lord; but they who are in good and thence in truth are in the Lord, and from Him look at truths. These two states succeed each other with those who are being regenerated, in whom the spiritual kingdom, that is, the life of heaven, is being implanted by the Lord; for through truth they are introduced into good, thus into heaven, because heaven is good, and when they are in heaven, then there and therefrom they look to truths.

7036. And I say unto thee. That this signifies command, is evident from the signification of “saying,” when by Jehovah, as being command.