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.

7499. Thus said Jehovah the God of the Hebrews. That this signifies a command from the Lord who is the God of the church, is evident from the signification of “saying,” as being a command (see n. 7036, 7107, 7310); and from the signification of “the Hebrews,” as being those who are of the church, thus the church (n. 5136, 5236, 6675, 6684, 6738). (That “Jehovah” when named in the Word denotes the Lord, see n. 1343, 1736, 2921, 3023, 3035, 5041, 5663, 6280, 6281, 6303, 6905, 6945, 6956.) In the Word the Lord is called “Jehovah” as to Divine good, for Divine good is the Divine Itself; and the Lord is called the “Son of God” as to Divine truth, for Divine truth proceeds from the Divine good as a son from a father, and also is said to be “born:” how this is shall be further told. When the Lord was in the world He made His Human Divine truth, and then called the Divine good which is Jehovah, His “Father;” because, as just said, Divine truth proceeds and is born from Divine good. But after the Lord had fully glorified Himself, which was done when He endured the last of temptation on the cross, He then made His Human also Divine good, that is, Jehovah; and thereby the Divine truth itself proceeded from His Divine Human. The Divine truth is what is called the “Holy Spirit,” and is the holy which proceeds from the Divine Human. From this is evident what is meant by the Lord’s words in John:

The Holy Spirit was not yet, because Jesus was not yet glorified (John 7:39).

That it is the Divine good which is called the “Father,” and the Divine truth which is called the “Son,” see n. 3704.